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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,816 comments Add your comment
chipl1960
December 5th, 2012
3:01 pm
A full year of Medlen,a better bullpen, and Hanson not around to pitch 4-5 innings and give up 4-6 runs. Yes, I think right now the Braves are better. And, still 4 months til the games count. I’m optimistic at this point. I think BJ will improve his 8 year avg. of 20/75. I believe Uggla will put up better #s. I think Freddie and Jayson’s best years are ahead of them. Almost forgot, a full year of Maholm nets you 8-10 more wins. Mets and Marlins will be worse than last year and Phillies at 500 or only slightly better. Yes, I see another 90-95 win team in ATL.
unbelievable
December 5th, 2012
3:01 pm
We’ll at least be front runners for the Wild Card again, so we’ve got that going for us.
We arent sniffing it with the lineup you posted after that sentence.
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:02 pm
OK, in the nature of a dumb azzed question like some are prone to ask.
Please raise your hand if you really think Frank Wren is going to go home tomorrow and turn off his cell phone and not head back to the office ANY between now and spring training?
Yes, Murph, it was a stupid question! The Braves are not done yet.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
3:03 pm
DS some just want to complain without in intelligent basis.
Luman Harris
December 5th, 2012
3:03 pm
OK, Murph, I like our chances better than I did 2 weeks ago … and I’ll probably like them better in another 2-3 weeks …
unbelievable
December 5th, 2012
3:03 pm
a full year of Maholm nets you 8-10 more wins.
What? No it doesnt.
Juan
December 5th, 2012
3:03 pm
I think that before the Winter meeting start we did pretty then good with the sign of BJ & Walden trade….We have good SP & Then good Pen….with the best LF in Prado and please…please give the opportunity to Juan to play 3b.
O.M.G.
December 5th, 2012
3:04 pm
I agree with chip.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
3:04 pm
DKnobler @DKnobler
Marlins wanted Keppinger.
Murph
December 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
Would some of you folks give it a freakin rest! It’s December the 5th for goodness sakes!
You’re not allowed to take measure of your team until opening day? Why is that? How do you know if you still need to make improvements if you don’t compare the team’s makeup to previous teams or other teams around the league at some point?
chipl1960
December 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
How many games do you think Maholm will win?
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
DOB
Any interesting names on the Rule 5 list (or pseudo list, as I don’t think it’s published)?
unbelievable
December 5th, 2012
3:06 pm
No one wants to sign with the Marlins right now. They did this to themselves.
unbelievable
December 5th, 2012
3:06 pm
How many games do you think Maholm will win?
10-13, same amount Hanson won
unbelievable
December 5th, 2012
3:08 pm
Its also going to be very difficult for the Braves to repeat the first half perfomance from Beachy and the second half performance from Medlen.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
3:10 pm
@DS1 yes uh uh uh wren will completely shut is cell phone off and not read any emails or take any calls in the office because the bloggers said he only had until the 5th of Dec to make a deal. YES the team is currently worse than last year’s because its not a full team yet. Last I checked, the Braves don’t have a major league roster of 25 yet. So based on that alone, this years team is worse.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
3:10 pm
I agree with both of those, unbelievable.
chipl1960
December 5th, 2012
3:10 pm
I made a typo. I meant to say gets not nets. If he netted 8-10 more he would have to win 20+. Not what I meant.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
3:13 pm
Will Hickman @willhickmanjr
@mlbbowman Anything going on in #Braves country? Been an awful quiet week so far.
Mark Bowman Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
@willhickmanjr still pretty quiet. Lots of heavy lifting done last week. Seem to be setting things up this week.
Puma
December 5th, 2012
3:13 pm
Have to agree with Murph, nothing wrong with evaluating team as it is now, actually puts some perspective on what we actually need vs. wanting to get in an arms race with other teams.
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:13 pm
@Murph: Show of hands, who thinks the team, as it’s built now, will finish better than last season’s team did?
Don’t be shy, raise your hand and be recognized. If you think this team will be better as it is now, put your hand up high.
Where were you asking about taking a measure of where the team is now? And why would you take measure of a team before it’s completed? Now, if FW signs a free agent outfielder or makes a trade where it looks like he has even attempted to use some of that 10-12 million he has left to spend, then maybe that would be the time to ask your question.
But does any sane person on the blog really think FW is finished now?
We’ve heard these “we might just go with what we’ve got” talks before. Do we really think FW is stupid enough to tell every other GM in baseball that he really wants to make 1-2 more deals in a bad way, and put himself in a position of weakness. Or would you rather he said, “We might just go with what we have today!” to keep those guys honest.
How gullable can one bunch of bloggers be??
Brava
December 5th, 2012
3:14 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
3-way and 4-way at standstill for moment. Dbacks need more than asdrubal for upton. Not sure what holdup is tho.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
3:14 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Strong belief by people close to situation is greinke can beat cc sabathia $161M record deal if desires
Murph
December 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
Yes, Murph, it was a stupid question! The Braves are not done yet.
Not sure what’s wrong with your reading comprehension, but we can break down the question a bit if it will help you understand.
Show of hands – A show of hands is a common voting method used in committees and other informal or small gatherings for voting.
who thinks the team – the Atlanta Braves
as it’s built now – meaning, with the players currently on the team as of today, December 5th
will finish better than last season’s team did? – finishing better could be open to interpretation. More wins? First place? Get beyond the play-in game? Choose one a proceed.
The question doesn’t imply that Wren won’t add one or two more bench pieces. You have to take some educated guesses as to which player or players in the system would be on the roster if opening day were today, but you get the jist.
O.M.G.
December 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
Compared to this time last year, we are a better team. If you do not have some positive feelings about your team, go find another team.
Juan
December 5th, 2012
3:16 pm
How many games do you think Maholm will win?
Question should be how many Inning he will Pitch…..The Pen will pick the win….IMO
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
3:16 pm
DS1- I agree wholeheartedly with your 3:13 post.
richbrave
December 5th, 2012
3:16 pm
DS1
Did not raise my hand, sorry
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:18 pm
So if we deal for Bonifacio or end up signing Cody Ross or Swisher; then it’s time to start evaluating the team.
Or maybe we swing a deal for Alex Gordon.
Or maybe we pull off a deal for Choo?
I will promise you that FW will NOT go into spring training with Georgie Constanza and Evan Gattis as the LF front runners. Not gonna happen.
Patrick
December 5th, 2012
3:18 pm
I think it’s safe to say that the Braves are going to do nothing in Nashville.
It is really sad after all of the optimism when Hanson was traded to leave empty handed.
Also, I seriously doubt that Reed Johnson re-signs, the longer the wait, the more likely it is that he signs elsewhere. This is playing out just like Daryl Ward a few years back….
Lastly, I think there is a real chance that they do not make a play to get an actually MLB starter for 3B or LF. We could essentially have 7 players and one career minor leaguer on the opening day starting lineup, that’s a disgusting thought. Especially with McCann out and having a back up already playing Catcher and Simmons who hasn’t even had probably 300 MLB at-bats in the starting lineup
They should just set a bucket out in left field with 12 million dollars in it instead of whatever ghastly reject they will probably have patroling left….
Lemke's Knuckler
December 5th, 2012
3:18 pm
a full year of Maholm nets you 8-10 more wins
Easy, partner. Braves are not going to win 102-104 games this year, not in the NL East.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
3:20 pm
agree with you on Maholm and the rotation, unbelievable. The rotation next year likely wont be as good as this years was, even with us losing JJ and Hanson. We had 3 pitchers pitch crazy good for a short stretch… not likely to happen again. Our rotation will be decent enough, but may some things to be desired. Better hope all of our hitters show up, may need to score near 770.
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:20 pm
Patrick
I agree that the longer you wait on Reed Johnson, the more likely he will go elsewhere. Hard for a mid market team to overpay for bench players. This is why David Ross is now in Boston.
Luman Harris
December 5th, 2012
3:21 pm
Patrick, if they trade for Choo next week …. then would you still be “really sad”?
Why so much expectation that something happen in Nashville?
Luman Harris
December 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
What makes you think the Braves are waiting to make an offer to Reed Johnson? Maybe they already have, and he’s considering his options.
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
Hello everyone! Braves are still linked to Choo, and a possible Fowler deal? Those are the latest.
chipl1960
December 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
read my 3:10 post. I meant gets not nets. 90-95 wins is my prediction for team as presently constructed.
Luman Harris
December 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
What makes you think the Braves are waiting to make an offer to Reed Johnson? Maybe they already have, and he’s considering his options.
ncscoots
December 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
They should just set a bucket out in left field with 12 million dollars in it instead of whatever ghastly reject they will probably have patroling left….
Geez, man, try not to splash the rest of us when you open up your veins, huh?
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:26 pm
Braves are looking into Reed Johnson. Latest news……
Brava
December 5th, 2012
3:26 pm
JIM BOWDEN @JimBowdenESPNxm
Indians demanding 2nd pitcher in Asdrubal Cabrera deal with Arizona
Ray
December 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
This just in from the MLB office. IF the Braves do not make another move before the end of the winter meetings, they will be the only team not allowed to make another move for the rest of the off-season.
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
3:29 pm
Ray – This just in from the MLB office. IF the Braves do not make another move before the end of the winter meetings, they will be the only team not allowed to make another move for the rest of the off-season.
Also, a neon sign will be posted on Wren’s door flashing “FAIL”!
David O'Brien
December 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
Braves are looking into Reed Johnson. Latest news…… — Ward
Not really new. They’ve been talking to him for a while now, just waiting for him to see what other offers he gets before he makes a decision.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
It has been reported by several sources the Braves HAVE made an offer to Reed Johnson. As have several other teams and he is looking over all of the offers.
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
That $12 million bucket in left field might have more range than Garrett Anderson.
colbrave
December 5th, 2012
3:32 pm
Maholm 8-10 Ws??? Flyballer- hr tosser!!! It’ll be Hanson all over..
Ray
December 5th, 2012
3:33 pm
@tumble, the same sign will be in front of the offices of the Cards, yanks, Rangers, Phils, Tigers. The list would include about 20 teams based on the logic of some on here.
David O'Brien
December 5th, 2012
3:33 pm
And unless someone points to a comment from what’s-his-name, I don’t know which ones you’re referring to. I’m not mentioned in any of what appear to be comments by him, so i need to know which you’re referring to.
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:33 pm
TOBF
Any reason to believe that Hudson and Maholm won’t be as good in 2013 as they were last year? Those guys are a wash (from last years performances). I’m betting on Mike Minor being better overall than he was in 2012. He really sucked for a while and shined for a while. Looking for more consistency and some slight overall improvement.
Medlen is hard to place. Do you take a combined Medlen and Beachy numbers and try to replicate that? Probably a reasonable assumption. I’m going to guess Little Man Meds is not as dominant as he was in the last 2 months. But chances are good he would be as good as a combined Medlen/Beachy/whomever else got those other starts between the two. So I am counting him as a wash.
So the wildcard is whomever is left. Delgado or Teheran. I’m guessing that whichever one of those guys is the last man standing is going to perform about as well as a combined Hanson and Jurrjens did last year. Actually, Delgado’s numbers were better than Hanson’s last year.
So, short of some catastrophic injury, I think the rotation will be about on par with what we got out of them in 2012. No real reason to think otherwise.
Now, will the hitting be improved enough? Mac and Uggla stunk it up mostly. I’m guessing they do as well or better this year. Let’s assume we get incremental improvement from Heyward, Simmons and Freeman. And Prado plays his normal game.
Will BJ be as good a run producer as Bourn? I’m guessing he might help us more than MB did.
So now we have to replace the combined efforts of Chipper and whomever else was in the lineup when he wasn’t (Juan Fran, Constanza, Reed J, Hinske……….. Overall, it won’t be too hard to top that performance (in aggregate).
Bench will need some work and obviously we need 1 more bat for LF.
chipl1960
December 5th, 2012
3:35 pm
and how many wins did Hanson have last year?
chipl1960
December 5th, 2012
3:37 pm
same assessment I had DS1
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:38 pm
DOB – Do you know if Braves are in on the 4 team deal with Justin Upton, or are they going after Dexter Fowler, or Choo?
Brava
December 5th, 2012
3:38 pm
Here’s a couple of the comments, DOB. I’m hoping that wasn’t the real Efrim.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
12:33 pm
I Love Vance Worley I Pray Braves can get him and Dom Brown say for Heyward and Galvis , tTHINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WREN YOU BUM
Efrim
December 5th, 2012
12:38 pm
what is a moniker????????? DID YOU MEAM MONITOR 3RD GRADER????????
nolie
December 5th, 2012
3:40 pm
we is doomed. Constanza/Prado in LF and Francisco/Prado at third is the end of the world…
oh wait, it is ending in 16 days anyway
what are we worrying about, smile and be happy the last two weeks….
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:40 pm
chip
You’re a smart man!
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:41 pm
nolie
Hell, we should go out and sign Hamilton then! At least some bloggers would go out happy!
SportyNuts
December 5th, 2012
3:42 pm
DOB, any idea whether or not Norichika Aoki is a possible trade candidate? The guy plays the game hard, and is a good defender with a strong arm.
He put up some really solid numbers last year.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aokino01.shtml
nolie
December 5th, 2012
3:42 pm
Hamilton and Greinke both, not like we are actually gonna hafta pay them
Capitol Hill Math
December 5th, 2012
3:43 pm
The RANGERS are the new Yankees when it comes to Evil Empire stuff.
Every free agent or desirable trade piece has the RANGERS knee deep in negotiations.
So I’m getting sick of hearing the Rangers.
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:43 pm
Wonder what kind of a haul the Brewers would be looking for to pry away Corey Hart? He fits our need for Big K hitters.
nolie
December 5th, 2012
3:44 pm
one year wonders always get some folks all hot and bothered….
Chief Knock-A-Homa
December 5th, 2012
3:44 pm
DOB – just read on mlbtraderumors that the Brewers may consider trading Corey Hart to free up some cash and would like starting pitching…
Thoughts on what it would take to get this done – and likelihood that it happens??
IMO – what an unbelievable opportunity to get a premiere power bat with consistent average and OBP… Give the Brewers pretty much what they want is my thought…
O.M.G.
December 5th, 2012
3:45 pm
DS1 some of them would not be happy know matter what the Braves do.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
3:45 pm
DS, no they wouldn’t they would complain about Hamilton. Braves could sign Hamilton and Greinke and they would find something to complain about. I guess when you are always getting a rock at halloween and coal in the stocking, its hard to say anything positive.
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:45 pm
The cost of Greinke is some where around 150 million to 160 million, and going up. We can close the talk on Greinke. It doesn’t look like it will happen.
raleighbravefan
December 5th, 2012
3:45 pm
After reading the ole blog for the last 2 days (really, the last 6+ years), this has become obvious. 1) Wren is an incompetent, lying, moron, who cant find his butt with both hands….and 2) Every idiot with a computer is smarter and would be a better GM than Wren, reguardless of the disparity in knowledge of what teams, players, and deals are actually available, and what the cost (of both $$$ and players) would be, and what resources the team actually has.
Oh, and if a deal isn’t done be tomorrow, we have to go with what we have, because no changes will be allowed between Dec 6 and April.
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:46 pm
Jason Bay close on one year contract with Seattle….
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:47 pm
Don’t think Greinke is going to be satisfied with our 10-12 million per……………
nolie
December 5th, 2012
3:47 pm
Wren is an incompetent, lying, moron, who cant find his butt with both hands…
plus he has a used car salesman’s smile
nolie
December 5th, 2012
3:48 pm
just one year left on Hart, I’d rather have Choo
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:49 pm
Wren, want’s a lead off LF. The only ones that come to my mind are. Choo, Folwer,Ichiro.
SportyNuts
December 5th, 2012
3:49 pm
You misspelled ‘regardless.’
kenhotlanta
December 5th, 2012
3:49 pm
We are ahead of last years team at least in pitching; we will begin the season with a better starting rotation and a healthier bullpen. And we are light years better at SS.
Whatever we add between now and the start of the season will be a plus, so I think we have a very good chance to be better than last year.
Of course, any injuries between now and then could change this expectation, but that applies to every team.
Rick C
December 5th, 2012
3:49 pm
Corey Hart would be a nice pickup, but he’s another guy with only a year left on his contract. Plus it’s for $10 MM so the Braves might have to free up some more payroll too. He kills LHP though.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
3:49 pm
Raleigh, you are spot on. They all know better. And if they got the right break, they would be there instead of Wren. Or they would be in Fredi G’s spot if they got the right break.
Murph
December 5th, 2012
3:50 pm
Oh, and if a deal isn’t done be tomorrow, we have to go with what we have, because no changes will be allowed between Dec 6 and April.
I still haven’t seen anyone say this. DS1 has a reading comprehension issue, Ray jumped on his coattails and ran with it, and now you’re on scene following suit.
But, it makes for more interesting blog reading than waiting for Reed Johnson to make his decision, so by all means, sally forth.
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:50 pm
Rangers, and Dodgers are in a high biding war, and his cost is going up.
raleighbravefan
December 5th, 2012
3:50 pm
nolie – Constanza/Prado in LF…I DON’T THINK SO.
Now Gattis/Prado…………
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:50 pm
and his mother wears combat boots!
SportyNuts
December 5th, 2012
3:50 pm
@Ward: Aoki could lead off as well.
raleighbravefan
December 5th, 2012
3:53 pm
Nutz – I never claimed I could spell…and that’s in addition to typos.
Rick C
December 5th, 2012
3:54 pm
Also Hart hasn’t played LF since 2006. Although, Justin Upton hasn’t even played LF professionally at all.
Chief Knock-A-Homa
December 5th, 2012
3:54 pm
@Rick C To get Corey Hart on the Braves roster, I think it would be worth every ounce of effort to figure out a way to get it done…
nolie
December 5th, 2012
3:54 pm
Aoki would be better than many depending on what the want, he is dirt cheap and moderately productive so they have almost no incentive to trade him unless they get a haul
O.M.G.
December 5th, 2012
3:55 pm
Some people are only happy when they are not. Then they want everyone around them to feel the same way they do.
ncscoots
December 5th, 2012
3:55 pm
plus he has a used car salesman’s smile
And that hair, man. Who can love a guy with that hair?
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
Murph
Not worry. I comprehend you perfectly.
raleighbravefan
December 5th, 2012
3:57 pm
Mixxo – How many wins did you predict for the Braves pre 2012? I’ll bet it wasn’t “94″. More like 75, (and 4th place in the NL East) if I remember correctly…but then, I’m getting pretty old here.
SportyNuts
December 5th, 2012
3:57 pm
@raleighbravefan: Heh, yeah, I hear you.
Murph
December 5th, 2012
3:58 pm
Murph
Not worry. I comprehend you perfectly.
Me not worry for many moons.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
3:58 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Source: #Dodgers spoke with Greinke reps today, not clear where talks stand. Plan to sign TWO SPs. Maybe Greinke-Ryu, even Greinke-Sanchez.
NORRIS CHUCK
December 5th, 2012
3:59 pm
Five Teams Interested In Nick Swisher
By Luke Adams [December 5, 2012 at 2:44pm CST]
2:44pm: Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports still list the Red Sox and Giants among the potential suitors for Swisher. However, the Sox would have to move Jacoby Ellsbury, while the Giants figure to employ a low-cost platoon in left field instead.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/indians-interested-in-nick-swisher.html#RTPBJ0XsBoaueuZI.99
So it looks like Ellsbury could possibly be moved.
DOB,
Do you see the Braves going after them???
SportyNuts
December 5th, 2012
3:59 pm
@nolie: You’re probably right, but he would still be worth a look, in my opinion.
DS1
December 5th, 2012
3:59 pm
and exactly what is wrong w a used car salesman pray tell?
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:59 pm
All, have a good one! Good talking, and hope some thing gets done some where over the Rainbow…….Little humor….. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s done late tonight, or tomorrow. Keep hope!!!!! Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
ncscoots
December 5th, 2012
4:00 pm
Mixxo – How many wins did you predict for the Braves pre 2012? I’ll bet it wasn’t “94″. More like 75, (and 4th place in the NL East) if I remember correctly…but then, I’m getting pretty old here.
Old? Even fetuses in the birth canal can nail a Mixxo projection as “wrong”.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
4:02 pm
Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
Next player #Yankees could lose is Ibanez. #Mariners pushing for him, could end up in LH-RH platoon with, of all folks, Bay. #Mets
Ray
December 5th, 2012
4:02 pm
Murph, Go back and look at the blog, there were several that were saying that Wren had until tomorrow to make a deal.
WigWamWisps
December 5th, 2012
4:02 pm
Corey Hart’s name comes up every offseason just like Josh Willingham, DOB’s favorite potential Brave. To get him, you are likely looking at one of the two big guns (Julio Teheran or Randall Delgado), one of the second tier of pitching prospects (JR Graham, etc.) and one more prospect. It will be a steep price tag to say the least.