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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,816 comments Add your comment
Couch Tater
December 7th, 2012
9:24 am
Had they waited, that 6/96 may have been the number. Particularly after the Victorino signing. Bad contract or not, it would have set a precedent.. or Upton could’ve been wearing Sox.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:24 am
Incorrect.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
9:24 am
kickoffs are basically useless know with them moving the kickoff spot up… just about every kickoff becomes a touchback. I can understand why they’d consider it.
ATL Insider
December 7th, 2012
9:25 am
If the Braves don’t add the LF they are looking for, we will still have one of the best defensive outfields in the game. I would give Schafer first crack (no pun intended) at it and bat leadoff. If it doesn’t work, he can be moved to the 8th spot in the order. Defensively the outfield would be stout. Offensively is another question. Of course the key for Schafer is he has to stay healthy and off the drugs. If he can do that, and quit trying to hit HRs every AB, he should be fine.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:26 am
Riiiiiiiiiiight. Let’s go into the year with Schafer in LF. Well, I guess it isn’t much worse than going into the year with Loaf in LF.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
9:27 am
Greinke is overrated. He is another Barry Zito. He will get a hefty contract based on pitching really well for a while, then will fold like a cheap lawn chair when the pressure of living up to the big contract is on his shoulders. The Braves don’t need any part of that.
Lordy, don’t say that! You’ll give the Greinke worshipers fits!
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
9:29 am
NFL can’t be serious about eliminating kickoffs, can they?
You never know, man. We live in the brave new world of political correctness. Anything’s possible these days, particularly with enough coordinated pressure.
Arkansas Transplant
December 7th, 2012
9:30 am
We need to just offer Greinke 6/108 or something close to that or maybe even add an option year. If he decides he’d take less to play here, that would be great, if not then you know you at least tried to manage something. If he was to take a deal like that, then just package Maholm and Delgado and see if you couldn’t get KC to the table on some type of Myers trade.
CB
December 7th, 2012
9:32 am
OK,I will throw a trade out there Braves might consider. Tigers are searching for relievers who might be able to either setup or possibly close. Walden for Andy Dirks?
abeeeewright
December 7th, 2012
9:32 am
“Gilmartin has the ability to stick at the back end of a Major League rotation for a number of years”
Hopefully he’ll stick at the back end of someone else’s rotation … someone who used to have a top-flight LF.
CrαZy
December 7th, 2012
9:33 am
Chipper Jones currently trending…. I think it has more to do with who he’s dating!
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
9:33 am
Barry Zito couldn’t tie Greinke’s baseball cleets. Even when he got that contract he was walking 80 a year. Another gem by Sabean.
ncscoots
December 7th, 2012
9:33 am
Lordy, don’t say that! You’ll give the Greinke worshipers fits!
I don’t think you have to be a worshiper to know “Zack Greinke” and “Barry Zito” do not belong in the same sentence.
Sometimes, this place makes me go all Nazi and think forced sterilization wouldn’t be that bad, in some cases.
Lew
December 7th, 2012
9:34 am
JeffR – Greinke worshippers would go into seizure mode and TOBF’s would be traumatized and it would stunt his emotional growth. Considering the obvious hit said growth has already absorbed………
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:35 am
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Reed Johnson’s one-year deal is for $1.6M with $150K in incentives. Club option is for $1.6M with $150K buyout. Guarantee $1.75M, max $3.5M.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
9:36 am
Hopefully he’ll stick at the back end of someone else’s rotation … someone who used to have a top-flight LF.
I hope so too. I really would like to believe Frank Wren has no issues giving up a pitcher like Sean Gilmartin for a year of Shin-Soo Choo, but I am starting to think Wren is doing everything he can to get a player with multiple years of control – like Ben Revere, Dexter Fowler, etc. I would not go that route because it would most likely involve Teheran or Delgado.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
9:38 am
Schafer shouldn’t be on the 25man roster either, let alone be the starting LF. .211/.297/.294/.591 last year, 63 OPS+. Career numbers aren’t much better. Not leadoff material, not #8 material, not 25man roster on a contender material. Send him to another losing team as some trade filler.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:38 am
Efrim, who other than Upton would you include Teheran for?
abeeeewright
December 7th, 2012
9:39 am
” I would give Schafer first crack (no pun intended) at it and bat leadoff.”
Schafer … career mlb … PA 893, .221/.305/.301
Do you really want your lead-off hitter to make 3 outs in every 7 ABs?
Might as well have your 2 hitter lead off. At least then, he’ll be batting with no one on base and nobody out.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
9:40 am
Sometimes, this place makes me go all Nazi and think forced sterilization wouldn’t be that bad, in some cases.
Wow. Hardcore, scoots. I’m keeping my body armor on.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:40 am
Sounds like a reasonable contract for Reed. Two pieces left: LF and a lefty off the bench.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
9:41 am
Lew, this one’s for the Greinke dreamers:
Fairy tales can come true, they can happen to you, if you’re deluded at heart…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
9:43 am
Seriously dude? Zito and Greinke are not even within the same zipcode…
6/114, 7th year option and see if he bites like Lee did. Maybe that’s why he’s taking so long and FW is being quiet.
Thanks, Jason.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 7th, 2012
9:43 am
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
9:11 am
Efrim – So, if, Bj Upton signed next week, instead of last week. Still 5/75?
Honestly, I thought five years, $75 million was a solid deal for the Braves when it actually happened and was more expecting Upton to get six years, $96 million. Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli getting three years, $39 million – and who knows what Bourn is going to get. It’s a very good deal for the Braves and I’m glad they signed someone thinking about what they will do and not what he’s done from age 20-27.
Well said Ef. This is a very good deal for the Braves. Bossman will have his best years in a Braves uniform.
I can see TOBF is still thinking there is a way for Grienke to play here. If he wants to play in Atlanta so much and has family here he should take 10 million a season and he gets to wear the tomahawk. Surely 10 mil a year is enough to make a good living right? I know I could.
Seriously? People now want to trade Medlen for Willingham? C’mon guys lets be smarter than that. Why do some of you think Medlen will not be a top of rotation guy? Because he doesn’t throw 95-97 like Stasburg? Pitching is all about being smart and aggresive, which includes hitting your spots and changing speed of pitches to keep hitters guessing. I know he has a small sample size but even before his surgery he was dominating. When the guy is on the mound the Braves win and that is the most important stat of all.
CB
December 7th, 2012
9:44 am
So, nobody likes the idea of Walden for Dirks trade? Seems to be a good fit for both teams.
abeeeewright
December 7th, 2012
9:44 am
“I am starting to think Wren is doing everything he can to get a player with multiple years of control”
In a perfect world, that would be great. But, getting a really solid LF for 2013 while keeping pitching depth (Delgado, Teheran) makes a lot more sense.
I’m not sure what the Braves plans are after Huddy and Maholm leave. Maybe they extend Huddy or work a deal with Maholm. And, Beachy is coming back.
But, the rotation could turn into a ticking time bomb … and the Latin Duo provide some insurance against that.
Medlen, Minor, and Beachy have never pitched 200 IP in a season.
scoots says that shortness reduces the number of IP a pitcher can handle (j/k!). So, I’m a little worried about Meds.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
9:45 am
Reed Johnson’s one-year deal is for $1.6M with $150K in incentives. Club option is for $1.6M with $150K buyout. Guarantee $1.75M, max $3.5M.
Solid deal for Wren. So, we’re now at:
Dan Uggla – $13.2M
B.J. Upton – $13.05M
Brian McCann – $12M
Tim Hudson – $9M
Martin Prado – $7.7M
Paul Maholm – $6.5M
Eric O’Flaherty – $3.8M
Jason Heyward – $3.5M
Kris Medlen – $2M
Reed Johnson – $1.75M
Gerald Laird – $1.6M
Jonny Venters – $1.4M
Paul Janish – $1M
Cristhian Martinez – $700K
14 players – $77.2 million
If the rest of the 25-man roster receive an average salary of $520K, the Braves will have a $82.92 million dollar payroll.
Trader Jack
December 7th, 2012
9:46 am
Efrim
Looks like it’s time to stick a fork in the NHL season – and that’s a shame
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 7th, 2012
9:47 am
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:40 am
Sounds like a reasonable contract for Reed. Two pieces left: LF and a lefty off the bench.
The lefty off the bench might be Blake DeWitt who they signed to a minor league contract yesterday.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
9:47 am
6/114, 7th year option and see if he bites like Lee did. Maybe that’s why he’s taking so long and FW is being quiet.
I think the Everly Brothers have the best response to this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKn6h2×5IcY
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
9:47 am
Laird is actually getting $1.5 million, so it’s $77.1 million in guarantees and $82.82 million if every other player equals out to a $520K min. salary.
unbelievable
December 7th, 2012
9:48 am
Ill still say this until we sign a LF’r. Wren is too focused on the lead off hitter capabilities. This team needs an impact bat, not someone who cant SLG their weight.
ATL Insider
December 7th, 2012
9:48 am
I never said I WANTED Schafer to start in LF. I’m just saying if we go into ST with our current roster, he would get first shot at it. Maybe Constanza or Gattis or Fransisco (with Prado staying in LF) beats him out. The kid was once thought of as the Braves CF of the future. That obviously did not work out.
@CB: I like the idea of Walden for Dirks. Whoever doesn’t make the rotation out of Delgado/Teheran could fill Walden’s role this year.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
9:48 am
Looks like it’s time to stick a fork in the NHL season – and that’s a shame
They should all be ashamed of themselves. Two lost seasons in a span of decade is unacceptable. Makes my blood boil.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2012
9:48 am
Efrim, who other than Upton would you include Teheran for?
I can think of quite a few guys I’d toss Teheran in a trade for… wouldn’t even think about it. But, as far as I know, none of those guys are available in trades.
Personally, I wouldn’t include Teheran for a lot of the guys being rumored to be available.
P'cola Brave
December 7th, 2012
9:49 am
I saw someone throw it around last night but David Dejesus is an intriguing name. Besides 2011 the guy gets on base at a good clip and for the majority of his career has been and upper .200 hitter.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:49 am
Dirks was solid last year in a part-time role. He had an OPS of .889 against righties and .857 overall in 344 plate appearances.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:50 am
He had a -12.8 UZR/150, but I have never watched him so don’t know if he is any good in the field or not.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
9:51 am
Medlen, Minor, and Beachy have never pitched 200 IP in a season.
And Minor is the only one who should reach 200 this season… Medlen’s never gone past 140, so I’d try to keep him under 180 this season. Beachy’s max is 141, which he won’t reach this season, but I’d think 180 is probably his max for 2014.
Bossman will have his best years in a Braves uniform.
So instead of hitting .242/.316/.420/.736, he’ll hit .245/.325/.430/.755 the next 5 years? Hmm, still not great.
RC
December 7th, 2012
9:52 am
If the rest of the 25-man roster receive an average salary of $520K, the Braves will have a $82.92 million dollar payroll.
Probably should add an extra $2 million to cover any DL-stints that result in guys being called up during the season. While the big money guys will be insured, I’m pretty sure the guys making $520K wouldn’t be, so during those times the team will be paying more than 25 players on the MLB roster.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:53 am
I would rather have Coco than DeJesus.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
9:53 am
Efrim, who other than Upton would you include Teheran for?
Wouldn’t do it for Choo, Ells, Willingham, Fowler, Hart, pretty much all of the names discussed.
I’d like to think Shin-Soo can be had for Gilmartin +, but maybe the Indians are willing to play the season out and watch him go after a qualifying offer. I would trade him if I were in their shoes.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2012
9:53 am
Two lost seasons in a span of decade is unacceptable.
I thought it was within half a decade?
At any rate, I’m not a big follower, so I’m not too disappointed. I was going to get into it when I moved to Raleigh, but they hardly play, so why bother? It amuses me to see that group throw fits. It’s hockey… not football or baseball.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
9:55 am
what’s hockey? they don’t play that down south…. Thrashers left anyway
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:57 am
BravePack(FreeFan), right, forgot about that. He had a -17 OPS+ last year. It was only 30 plate appearances and doesn’t mean anything, but I have never looked up an OPS and seen it be negative, so I wanted to post it.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2012
9:57 am
some creativity would be required to add a premium player such as Hamilton
–MLBcopy/pasteRumors
Obviously they don’t follow Wren all that much. “premium” player includes Denard Span, Emilio Bonifacio, etc.
monty
December 7th, 2012
9:59 am
Lemke’s Knuckler- On Beachy and Medlen-”They are both nearly flawless mechanically and very smart (they have a plan for attacking hitters, which is a trait you shouldn’t undersell”
Yeh, hitters smell fear a mile away. Like sharks and blood. Hitters don’t like being attacked, when they are trying to attack you.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
9:59 am
Efrim, you would like so re: Choo, but asking prices have been crazy (spposedly). I mean, seriously, if the Rox asked for Minor and Delgado for Fowler? I want some of what they are on.
I think I would include Teheran for Willingham, but that’s the only other one on the list. Ellsbury intrigues me, and if FW was willing to give up Delgado for 2 months of Dempster; I am surprised he isn’t willing to give him up for a 1 year rental. I am not saying he should, not saying that at all, but found it very odd he was willing to do the Dempster deal last year. Uncharacteristic of FW.
Disgusted
December 7th, 2012
9:59 am
Choo would be the ideal player for what this eam needs, (High OBP and timely power) but he is a Borass client who is likely to walk after ‘13.
Do you want to move two or 3 pitching prospects to get him for one yr.
One way I am guessing that Wren is thinking is that he knows after next yr that Hudson and Malholm will be eligible to walk — so the kids are insurance in case they cannot ign either one.
Bethancourt is their insurance in case Mc Cann goes after ‘13.
And Ahmed is their probable insurance in case Prado goes after ‘14.
So that is one of the reasons why Wren is holding steady with the guys in the system. Unless LM comes up with another 20 mil for payroll (which they won’t), he has so squeeze as much as he can out of a prospective deal.
I think the Nats and Phillies did real well in there deals for Revere and Span. I think Philly stole Revere. They gave up almost nothing, the Nats did give up a B level prospect for Span.
Could our prospects not be as good as we would like to think ????? — that is always a probability.
We never know what goes on in the process of making player trades.
In essence, I am giving Wren a pass for now till we know more.
Hey, the Reed Johnson sign was more important than some of us might think.
There is time left in the off season & the combination of Johnson/Francisco/Gattis might do more than we think.
It is going to be a good season in 13 — we do have alot to look forward to.
CrαZy
December 7th, 2012
9:59 am
NHL died to me when the Thrashers left… oh who am I kidding I only watched for the hits and fights. I couldn’t name 5 current NHL players if my life depended on it!
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
9:59 am
DeJesus really, I mean, really can’t hit LHP. I would rather Crisp too.
Crisp will make $7 million in 2013 and has a $7.5 million dollar club option for 2014 – $1 million buyout, so total commitment of $8 million.
Someone I haven’t thought too much about.
ATL Insider
December 7th, 2012
10:00 am
I wonder if the Braves could swoop in and make a trade for Michael Young to play third. A little payback for them getting Revere. Oh, Young is a pretty good hitter, too.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
10:02 am
Boston doesn’t want prospects for Ellsbury and something more impactful. I don;t think Jacoby is going anywhere.
Lew
December 7th, 2012
10:02 am
What does the Free Agent market for corner outfielders look like for next winter?
As much as I would absolutely hate to see it happen, I believe Mac will be gone next year (sorry McFann) and we’ll have some bucks to spend. Maybe a one year fix is the way to go and deal with it more long term next year.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
10:02 am
*think so
Disgusted
December 7th, 2012
10:05 am
They should all be ashamed of themselves. Two lost seasons in a span of decade is unacceptable. Makes my blood boil.
@Efrim — It irritates me too — I love hockey but I grew up with the sport. I am at the point where I say screw them — they really shafted this market.
I miss the Thrashers, unfortunately we did not get rid of the ownership group in this town.
The Phillips Arena is dead to me. Only thing I will do is watch the Hawks on TV but I refunse to support them with my $$$$$$$.
Hockey is one of the great sports — we have a bunch of fools running it
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
10:05 am
David DeJesus will make: 13:$4.25M, 14:$6.5M club option ($1.5M buyout)
They could platoon DeJesus in LF with Reed Johnson, I guess.
I’d still go after Choo. DeJesus and Crisp are better than our internal options, imo. I don’t have a lot of confidence in those guys for 2013.
wheelz007
December 7th, 2012
10:05 am
ATL Insider is correct –
Jordan Schafer is still around and he has the skill set to play a solid OF and bat lead off.
I didn’t say he has the “numbers” to bat lead off for us, but he has the tools.
He is probably, at this poing, Plan C or D.
Disgusted
December 7th, 2012
10:05 am
They should all be ashamed of themselves. Two lost seasons in a span of decade is unacceptable. Makes my blood boil.
@Efrim — It irritates me too — I love hockey but I grew up with the sport. I am at the point where I say screw them — they really shafted this market.
I miss the Thrashers, unfortunately we did not get rid of the ownership group in this town.
The Phillips Arena is dead to me. Only thing I will do is watch the Hawks on TV but I refunse to support them with my $$$$$$$.
Hockey is one of the great sports — we have a bunch of fools running it
Rick C
December 7th, 2012
10:06 am
Lew,
Left fielders
Jason Bay (35)
Reed Johnson (37) – $1.6MM club option with a $150K buyout
Jason Kubel (32) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Nate McLouth (32)
Mike Morse (32)
David Murphy (32)
Laynce Nix (33)
Martin Prado (30)
Ryan Raburn (33)
Center fielders
Coco Crisp (34) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Rajai Davis (33)
Jacoby Ellsbury (30)
Carlos Gomez (28)
Curtis Granderson (33)
Franklin Gutierrez (31) – $7.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Tony Gwynn Jr. (31)
Chris Young (30) – $11MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Right fielders
Carlos Beltran (37)
Shin-Soo Choo (31)
Nelson Cruz (33)
David DeJesus (34) – $6.5MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Chris Denorfia (33)
Jeff Francoeur (30)
Corey Hart (32)
Hunter Pence (31)
Jason Repko (33)
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/02/2014-mlb-free-agents.html#Spok4WXoEFv9tECo.99
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
10:06 am
What does the Free Agent market for corner outfielders look like for next winter?
As much as I would absolutely hate to see it happen, I believe Mac will be gone next year (sorry McFann) and we’ll have some bucks to spend. Maybe a one year fix is the way to go and deal with it more long term next year.
This I would agree with. In 2014, the Bethancourt Era begins in Atlanta.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
10:06 am
A’s wouldn’t trade Cespedes?
And I would trade Teheran for Choo… he’s an elite type player that imo is worth that price. Especially since it’s likely we can offer him qual. after the season
P'cola Brave
December 7th, 2012
10:07 am
Michael Bourn (2012 w/ Braves)
.274/.348/.391/.739 26 2B/ 10 3B/ 9 HR 155K
David Dejesus (2012 w/ Cubs)
.263/.350/.403/.753 28 2B/ 8 3B/ 9 HR 89 K
Obviously Dejesus doesn’t bring the speed that Bourn does but he gets on base at the same clip. This team is built around power so I don’t see his lack of SB as a huge issue. Plus defender in the outfield. Hits LHP good for his career, bad year against it last year, but he hits RHP really well which makes him a good candidate to be relieved by Reed Johnson.
Lew
December 7th, 2012
10:07 am
It won’t be a combination of Reed, Francisco and Gattis. The only way it works is with Prado and Francisco splitting time at third base and Prado splitting time in LF with either Johnson OR Gattis.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
10:09 am
I think it’s either Prado or Mac on a long term extension. These numbers being thrown around this winter have changed my thinking on Prado. He is going to get a big deal in free agency if he gets there. Five years, $50-65 million if he has a career average year in 2013.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
10:09 am
What does the Free Agent market for corner outfielders look like for next winter?
It’s pretty good. Exactly why I can feel okay with trading for Choo… sets us up perfectly to get a longterm answer (Pence) in LF. Use Mac’s money, some of Maholm’s, and we’ll be set. Bethancourt will be ready!
Lew
December 7th, 2012
10:09 am
Actually, I don’t see Betancourt starting next year. They’ll get someone for a couple years to start at catcher.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2012
10:10 am
I think in hindsight FW would have upped his offer (if he made one) and went a little harder after Span. It looks like the best deal so far. I think the Phils actually gave up a little more for Revere.
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2012
10:12 am
Reed Johnson gets $1.6M salary in ‘13, w/ club option at same sal in ‘14 and $150K buyout. So it’s a one-year, $1.75M deal.
Lew
December 7th, 2012
10:12 am
In fact I don’t see Bethancourt hitting MLB pitching – maybe ever and certainly not next year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
10:12 am
2014 FA catchers, if Bethancourt isn’t ready. I think he can be, just OPS .740 at AA by July1. Send him to AAA if that happens.
John Buck (33)
Jesus Flores (29)
Ramon Hernandez (38)
Gerald Laird (34)
Brian McCann (30)
Jose Molina (38)
Dioner Navarro (30)
Wil Nieves (36)
Brayan Pena (32)
Humberto Quintero (34)
Carlos Ruiz (35)
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (29)
Geovany Soto (31)
Kurt Suzuki (30) – $8.5MM club option with a $650K buyout
I think it’s either Prado or Mac on a long term extension.
Definitely have to lean Prado there… Mac is “older” for his position. Plus, 3B versatile types like him are hard to find. He’s gonna get paid big, more than we’d probably like, but I feel much more comfortable giving say, 15mil to Prado than McCann.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
10:14 am
Actually, I don’t see Betancourt starting next year. They’ll get someone for a couple years to start at catcher.
I don’t know, Lew. I think management sees Bethancourt as defensively major league-ready now. His ability to hit more than his weight is, as you know well, the real question.
But Bethancourt will have 2013 in Mississippi and/or Gwinnett to show he can step up and hit. I think if Bethancourt’s hitting improves even moderately, Wren will look at him seriously for starting catching duties in 2014.
O.J.
December 7th, 2012
10:15 am
I thought Laird was signed to a two year deal, so that would mean he wouldnt be a free agent until the 2015 season or unless you mean after the 2014 season is over, then I get ya.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
10:16 am
It’s pretty good. Exactly why I can feel okay with trading for Choo… sets us up perfectly to get a longterm answer (Pence) in LF.
Can we stop giving up draft picks for free agents? Do we honestly have to go out there next year for the fifth time in seven years and give up a first rounder? I promise it will start to hurt the organization despite what Braves officials are saying about the farm system. It already has.
ATL Insider
December 7th, 2012
10:16 am
@wheelz007: Thanks. And I think you said it better than I did. Schafer is by no means my first choice, but he is an option so Wren doesn’t have to overpay for the Victorinos of the FA market.
Disgusted
December 7th, 2012
10:16 am
Choo is the best option if you get him with the intention you are renting him for 1 yr.
Dejesus would be a so so option.
Would rather see them go for something better than Coco Crisp.
Ellsbury — No way. Too many injuries and two of the last 3 yrs he has been a glass house. Not a tough enough player.
Ludwick is still around in Free Agency.
Hockey fans got scrwered in this market — and some of our media people did not want to do their homework to cover another sport.
The sports talk we had before this new station 92.9 sucked in this city.
They did not allow the hockey fans to have any, I mean zero of a fourm causemost of them did not want hockey around.
I do hope the paper gives up some NHL coverage like they did last yr but that might not happen anymore. The NBA coverage in the paper is even going down to back page stuff now.
College Football — College Football — there are other sports out there. This part of the country puts colleges and HS football even over the NFL and that is crazy
Look forward to ST when we get baseball back. Then of course the recruiting stuff never goes away.
Slowhiteguy
December 7th, 2012
10:17 am
With Shierholz signing with Cubs, DeJesus makes some sense.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
10:21 am
Can we stop giving up draft picks for free agents?
But Pence is actually worth it! I understand that we need to keep as many picks as we can, but next year, we can possibly going to gain 2, if not 3 picks (if we get Choo) in the top40. Makes me feel a bit better about giving away our 1st round pick. Slightly different situation than this season, at least to me.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 7th, 2012
10:22 am
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
9:51 am
Bossman will have his best years in a Braves uniform.
So instead of hitting .242/.316/.420/.736, he’ll hit .245/.325/.430/.755 the next 5 years? Hmm, still not great.
Ha ha very funny buddy. No actually closer to his 2007 numbers where he hit .300/.386 obp/.894ops
but with more HR’s like 30 I would guess and if Fredi sticks with him in the 4th spot and 100 rbi’s. C’mon how would you hit if you had to play in that sh!tbox in Tampa? Bossman’s gonna be like a kid in a candy store playing at beautiful Turner Field, outside, on grass, and with a line-up full of all stars and hitting between Heyward and Freeman.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
10:22 am
Jordan Schafer is still around and he has the skill set to play a solid OF and bat lead off.
I didn’t say he has the “numbers” to bat lead off for us, but he has the tools.
I’ve got hammers, saws, screw drivers, etc., and I couldn’t build a bird house if my life depended on it.
Schafer’s tool box might be full, but his execution box is pretty bare.
Lew
December 7th, 2012
10:23 am
Bethancourt hasn’t hit yet in several years in the minors. Kind of unrealistic to believe that he’ll all of a sudden start hitting at higher levels with better, more developed pitching. I don’t see his arm being all that big a reason to bring him to the majors.
Been a long, long time since the Braves had a catcher who couldn’t hit worth a damn.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 7th, 2012
10:26 am
Ha! Even DOB isn’t safe from the blog double post.
ncscoots
December 7th, 2012
10:26 am
But Pence is actually worth it!
The idea of paying Hunter Pence instead of Brian McCann is about forty kinds of dumb use of resources. AND give up a first-rounder? Bubba, please.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
10:26 am
BillShanks @BillShanks
By my math, the Braves are right around $82 mil right now. So there is still financial flexibility for them to finish their offseason work
Should mean we have 13-18mil left… Maholm and EOF free up 10more. Swisher, Greinke, Ross, etc…. all should be affordable
Lew
December 7th, 2012
10:26 am
Schafer as a starter? Gahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
Lew
December 7th, 2012
10:27 am
Can we option TOBF to another team’s blog? Like whoever is going to eventually sign Greinke?
Trader Jack
December 7th, 2012
10:27 am
Efrim
I see Prado approaching Upton type money next year, sorry to say
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
10:29 am
Bethancourt hasn’t hit yet in several years in the minors. Kind of unrealistic to believe that he’ll all of a sudden start hitting at higher levels with better, more developed pitching. I don’t see his arm being all that big a reason to bring him to the majors.
Been a long, long time since the Braves had a catcher who couldn’t hit worth a damn.
I see your point, Lew. But management is all hot-to-trot about Bethancourt. Wren and company (and a good many around the MLB) see Bethancourt as the coming thing.
Now, if Bethancourt’s offense is flat-lining 2013 that may change perspectives in Atlanta.
CrαZy
December 7th, 2012
10:29 am
The sports talk we had before this new station 92.9 sucked in this city.
92.9 is terrible. The only good show is Jerome Jurenovich and Jamie Dukes.
DAP
December 7th, 2012
10:30 am
p’cola David Dejesus is an intriguing name. Besides 2011 the guy gets on base at a good clip and for the majority of his career has been and upper .200 hitter.
i like dejesus. i wonder if the cubs would trade him? probably would for the right player. dejesus is sort of a lefthanded prado, as far as hitting goes.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 7th, 2012
10:30 am
Man TOBF you never give up do you. You sure are persistent…naive too.
P'cola Brave
December 7th, 2012
10:31 am
Dejesus leading off in 2012 (.275/.358/.404/.762) (116 gms)
Dejesus leading off career (.289/.364/.432/.796) (767 gms)
Dejesus vs RHP (2012) .289/.365/.461/.826
Dejesus vs RHP (Career): .292/.367/.449/.816
Under control for 2013 for 4.25 mil and a team option for 2014 season at 6.5. Plus defender with the capability of playing CF. Makes a lot of sense to me with the way this team has been built and w/ Reed Johnson back in the fold.
RC
December 7th, 2012
10:31 am
Count me among those who think Choo is the best option. Don’t think the Braves need to get jumpy about making the move though. There is a ton of supply out there, and the Braves have enough “backup options” available to see if Cleveland will come down a bit on their price.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
10:31 am
Pence and McCann are about same age physically, but with the position they play, McCann is “older”. Another 3-4 years of consistent, 130+ starts a year for Mac… I bet Pence can start that many (and more) playing in LF til he’s 36-37. Both Mac and Pence have been about the same player for their careers. Pence just plays a less demanding position so he starts about 25games more a season than Mac. Plus, he’s better against LHP, something we need.
CB
December 7th, 2012
10:33 am
Lew, I would hate to see TOBF go. Who else could get on your nerves that much?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
December 7th, 2012
10:33 am
What is this, duelling obsessions? First round draft picks, Greinke, Francisco. Haven’t I seen this play before?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 7th, 2012
10:33 am
92.9 is terrible. The only good show is Jerome Jurenovich and Jamie Dukes.
Even that is terrible… nothing good on that station. 680 all the way.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
10:33 am
The idea of paying Hunter Pence instead of Brian McCann is about forty kinds of dumb use of resources. AND give up a first-rounder? Bubba, please.
Totally agree. Really hope they stay away from free agents that cost a draft pick next year.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2012
10:34 am
I see Prado approaching Upton type money next year, sorry to say
Could be, Trader Jack. And I think Prado is worth more than Upton anyway. Of course, I’m hoping that Upton steps up and earns his money. Time will tell.
Efrim
December 7th, 2012
10:35 am
I see Prado approaching Upton type money next year, sorry to say
I could see that in this current free agent market for sure. Upton signed for less than I thought he’d get.