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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,816 comments Add your comment
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
8:51 am
old man:
I’d buy that for a dollar! Robocop
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
8:52 am
I notice we now have back-to-back first pitch swingers too.
Efrim
December 8th, 2012
8:52 am
Good for Brandon McCarthy after the horrific injury he suffered. Very good signing by Arizona too. Gives them depth and makes it easier for them to trade one of Bauer, Skaggs or Corbin.
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
8:54 am
ALEX GORDON would be a player I could enjoy in LF, but I think we’ve passed that tier of player now that REED JOHNSON is in the house.
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
8:59 am
Jeff R:
I think WREN’s GREINKE-line is in the water, but I’m believe no one will take the bait.
TommyP
December 8th, 2012
8:59 am
richbrave: All of my Plan B guys (DeJesus, De Aza) are the result of my thinking that the Uptons, Gordons, etc. will be too pricey to obtain.
Plus, I like the Braves having some funny-money to use when the trade deadline approaches.
old man
December 8th, 2012
9:00 am
richbrave:
Are you referring to the bottle of 30 year old “Mozilla Firefox” Highlands Special Reserve single malt?
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
9:03 am
Syl Bill:
I’d try but like you, I have no idea what they mean. I probably use them every time I look at a player, but am clueless as to which componant of play I’m observing. Too new for this old basball amateur.
old man
December 8th, 2012
9:04 am
TommyP:
For Plan B options, your ideas are pretty good. I’m just one of those who thinks the couple of plan B options we already have would work out better.
It’s worth it to me to block Gattis from earning a regular or semi-regular spot, and block Simmons as a lead off batter (I think he would develop into a really good one) if you have a Choo or Gordon. Some of the Plan B options don’t have enough upside for me to justify blocking some of the players we have on hand.
The Grinch
December 8th, 2012
9:05 am
Are y’all STILL going on and on about Grienke? We can’t afford him, and he isn’t worth to us what he’s likely to get from someone else. No, we don’t have an “ace” starter but we’ve got a solid rotation and a lock-down bullpen which covers a multitude of sins. Offense is more important right now.
That said, I’d rather give Francisco a shot at third than overpay for a LF that wouldn’t be that much better than a platoon from what we already have. Wren’s either gonna pull off a big one or stand pat, and I’m good with either. This is not gonna be a bad team.
Gilmartin’s a keeper; those of you rushing to trade him will be disappointed later on. He’s not flashy, but he’s solid and extremely well composed. If we keep him I think he’ll be an important cog in the rotation for years.
I have yet to be convinced on Tehran. I’d trade him before Delgado and definitely before Gilmartin.
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
9:06 am
Just a line from the movie ROBOCOP this old guy on the t.v. would say when surrounded by young sexy women. “I’d buy that for a dollar.”
Sylvester Bill
December 8th, 2012
9:07 am
richbrave
Thanks.I’m just now getting past WHIP and OPS.
The Grinch
December 8th, 2012
9:09 am
Sylvester Bill and Richbrave; I’m glad to know I’m not the only person left who trusts his eyeballs to evaluate a baseball player rather than argue over imaginary math problems. Someone can either play or they can’t no matter what the inseam of their left leg measures on road games in the rain.
CB
December 8th, 2012
9:15 am
A Grinch sighting! Good to see your name on the blog and hope you have been well.
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
9:16 am
It’s ZACK GREINKE and ALEX GORDON or use what we have in house. As it appears the WREN feelers out there for both [and I'm convinced there are], it’s almost certain at this point neither will be accepted.
Plan ‘B’ for me is a one year MIKE MORSE or JOSH WILLINGHAM rental while FRANCISCO, and GATTIS rise to the occasion or fall flat on their faces.
Plan ‘C’ of course is to let these two play everyday, and do it on the field successfully or otherwise.
BTW, I do believe JUAN has taken BRAVES advice to heart. He’s improving.
GATTIS has been pulled from the ZULIA starting line-up for the past week or so. Maybe that wrist has flared up.
TommyP
December 8th, 2012
9:17 am
old man: I hear ya, my friend. However, the cost of my Plan B guys will be cheap enough that you could easily promote Gattis when he’s ready.
DeJesus: $4.25, I believe.
De Aza: 1st year arb (he also can play multiple positions if he was thrust into that role)
The Grinch
December 8th, 2012
9:18 am
Much obliged, CB! I’ve been stressed out a bit of late, but things are shaking out a bit. Nice to be able to come back after a couple/few months and see the same arguments going on as when I left. Just like Thanksgivings with extended family.
Mixxo
December 8th, 2012
9:20 am
Are y’all STILL going on and on about Grienke?
No
We can’t afford him, and he isn’t worth to us what he’s likely to get from someone else.
All true
Offense is more important right now.
Yep, has been for years now
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
9:21 am
David DeJesus could be a solid option, wouldn’t cost much in trade. Of course he’s not a flashy name but still solid. Career 355 OBP
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
9:21 am
The Grinch:
Heh! There’s a few of us left that trust their eye-sight for something. I’m having lasic surgery on one of mine on the 26th so I can observe the players more keenly come February.
CB
December 8th, 2012
9:22 am
Not much change here Grinch, just the names occasionally. We do solve all Braves problems with our brilliance.
Efrim
December 8th, 2012
9:23 am
I have yet to be convinced on Tehran. I’d trade him before Delgado and definitely before Gilmartin.
If the Braves felt the same way, Teheran would be traded by now because that’s the guy teams are asking for. Not Gilmartin.
The Grinch
December 8th, 2012
9:25 am
Good luck with that Rich…be careful with the New Year’s fireworks that close after surgery. Don’t want to put out the other one. I can still see fine except when driving at night. But I’m not usually doing that while watching a game.
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
9:27 am
O.K. time for a BOB EVANS breakfast. Later.
Couch Tater
December 8th, 2012
9:30 am
Let’s get BAS and Couch Tater in ATL and show them some golf courses
BAS – That sounds like a challenge, but I’m thinking maybe February in Ft. Lauderdale.
Hitch hike route: Wayne in Utah, ColoradoBravesfan, Frank from Kansas, Eric from MO. and Hillbilly, I’ll pick you up in Nashville at the Country Music Writer’s Workshop & Truck Stop on I65. Wear a Braves cap and a red “UT SUX” T-shirt, so I can spot you.
The Grinch
December 8th, 2012
9:30 am
Efrim, that’s because it’s human nature to get excited about a live fastball rather than whether or not the guy’s gonna amount to a pitcher. If Tehran’s brain was comparable to his arm he’d be in our rotation now. He may still pan out and he may not, but I’ll gladly put a 20 on Gilmartin having a more successful career based on what I’ve seen from both so far.
Efrim
December 8th, 2012
9:30 am
Add Gilmartin to this rotation and we would resemble the Twins farm system of soft tossing control/command pitchers – which is why they are in the rut they are currently in.
Efrim
December 8th, 2012
9:41 am
that’s because it’s human nature to get excited about a live fastball rather than whether or not the guy’s gonna amount to a pitcher.
Right, but it’s the baseball execs whose job it is to evaluate these players and they get excited on upside, which Teheran has plenty more of. And what’s wrong with Teheran’s brain? Haven’t heard much wrong with that – more just his inability to spin an average breaking ball.
Hillbilly
December 8th, 2012
9:46 am
but I’ll gladly put a 20 on…
Some things never change. Good to hear from you, Grinch.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 8th, 2012
9:50 am
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
8:52 am
I notice we now have back-to-back first pitch swingers too
Nothing wrong with that. Some of the best pitches you will see in an at-bat will be the 1st pitch because pitchers are trying to get ahead in the count. When I was playing I would do the same and it always served me well. Never understood why Marteeeeen always takes the 1st pitch every single AB because every pitcher knows it but it seems to work well for him. I think the best case is to mix it up so as the hitter you keep the pitcher guessing as well, but if the pitcher throws you a meatball 1st pitch you have to ready.
The Grinch
December 8th, 2012
9:51 am
I don’t mean he’s stupid, I mean he appears to have a fragile psyche. He’s still young and may well gain confidence. He just hasn’t improved at the rate anyone has expected him to. Gilmartin looked more confident both on and off the mound in the futures game last year than most of our big league starters and pitched accordingly. He already gets it. And there’s quite a few soft-tossing pitchers in the HOF, which will soon include Glavine who you might have noticed pitched a few good games for us in his career based on confidence and mound presence. Charlie Morton’s stuff was as good as anybody’s but he was and is scared to throw it. It’s not all about the radar gun.
The Grinch
December 8th, 2012
9:53 am
Howdy, Hillbilly! Harpoon any deer yet? I haven’t even had time to this season.
keyLargo
December 8th, 2012
9:55 am
This should tell you why it is so important to swing only at strikes and to do everything you can to stay ahead in the count.
Battin Average vs. Hitting Counts
0-0 .186
0-1 .199
0-2 .118
1-0 .386
1-1 .269
1-2 .151
2-0 .342
2-1 .290
2-2 .169
3-0 .267
3-1 .329
3-2 .192
Hillbilly
December 8th, 2012
10:01 am
I’ve had a good year Grinch. An 8 point and a doe with my bow and a nice 9 point with my rifle. Didn’t get the two monsters I’ve got pictures of, but nobody else did either as far as I know. They’ll be back next year.
flange1
December 8th, 2012
10:03 am
Couch,
Not a challenge just a fun match!
Grinch,
Welcome back dude!
Hillbilly
December 8th, 2012
10:06 am
I flew out to Canton, GA for work Thursday and talked to a guy who said y’all have a 12 deer limit. Good grief, are there really that many deer in Georgia? Our limit is 6 and I always thought that was too many.
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
10:09 am
Efrim
What if we trade some lesser pitching prospects for someone like David DeJesus?
Couch Tater
December 8th, 2012
10:13 am
flange – Anytime. Have you played here? It’s on my list…
http://www.romestonebridge.com/index.php
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
10:14 am
We all might as well start lowering our expectations for who we might land in a trade.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
10:22 am
Uh Oh – Grinch back and talking sense. The blog should freeze up again anytime now.
Juan
December 8th, 2012
10:25 am
Why the Braves want to sign Ramiro Pena? We already has Pastor & Janish
Patrick
December 8th, 2012
10:26 am
This talk of dillusion regarding left field is really starting to concern me and coincidedly, irritate me as well.
How in the hell can anyone with years of baseball experience think that running out career minor leaguers, career 4th outfielders, players that have been traded by their team for nothing in return (because they are convinced they have very little value) or minor league prospects that are NOT top prospects is an actual solution to your problem of having to fill a HUGE void. It’s frickin lunacy! Especially when you have the means-for once-TO ACTUALLY SPEND MONEY!
During the winter meetings, I expressed my unhappiness about not acquiring a left fielder and also hearing that the Braves would be “comfortable” going with internal options, but I always thought was just a smoke screen in the back of my mind.
Now…I’m beginning to believe more and more that they may be serious.
So, basically you’re telling your fan base that while we (the braves) have $10+ million to spend, they are instead going to run a left field/3B combination positional player by committee situation. That’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. Just like when everyone thought that the “closer by committee” was a terrible idea for an expected contending team (not only for Boston at that time, but other teams too) and all the naysayers were proven right…this is the same thing.
You are trying replace one of the best leadoff hitters in the game, an All-Star at that.
And also a 1st ballot Hall-of-Fame Third Baseman who was not only an All-Star also, but the heart and soul of your lineup and still one of the best hitters in baseball.
Your solution is to acquire a very talented right handed power hitter-Exactly what needed to be done to cover 50% of the problem.
Now, if you were try and get anyone (smart fans, season ticket holders, the beat writers, other teams) to buy into the idea that your final move to fill that huge void with the likes of: Juan Fracisco, a Reed Johnson platoon, Mejia (whoever that career minor leaguer is), Evan Gattis, etc…(.while you have millions of dollars left to spend-which is public knowledge)…I am pretty sure that the reaction that you would get would be something to the effect of “You’re joking, right!!?” and then laughing would follow….,.Unless, your the Nationals or Phillies and any potential wild card team-they would be saying “Thank you Frank, you just did us a huge favor!”
Because if this is indeed what happens. I’m-sort of-sorry to say this, but I hope that the Braves are out of it by the trade dealine. Furthermore, I hope that it costs Wren his job if that is how this all plays out.
And I’m sorry, but anyone who has talked themselves into thinking that this IS a good idea is not thinking clearly.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
10:26 am
BravePack – I know it goers against conventional wisdom to take the first pitch most of the time, but it’s biggest proponent might have been Ted Williams. Ted’s philosophy was that what a pitcher was throwing could change from AB to AB and if you didn’t watch and see what he was throwing, you reduced your chances of success.
But, then again, he was Ted Williams. Most people could never be at that level to begin with.
Jeff R
December 8th, 2012
10:27 am
I think WREN’s GREINKE-line is in the water, but I’m believe no one will take the bait.
richbrave – shh! Don’t get the Greinke-obsessers going!
Lew
December 8th, 2012
10:29 am
Patrick – Apparently you expressed your unhappiness to the wrong people. You maybe should have done so to Wren or Front Office Personnel. WE really only think of you as a Chicken Little type who will likely never be happy.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
10:33 am
Bourn was an All Star for the first half of the season and came nowhere close after the break. Chipper IS a HOF player, who only played 112 games (played them well offensively) and a sub par defender at that stage of his career. It is not as if you have to replace the 1999 version or the 2008 version of Mr. Jones.
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Willingham is under control for 2 years and wouldn’t be a 1 year rental. Hey, I think our rotation is solid too, but let’s not pretend its on par with the Nats, Phils, or other top rotations. But, if FW can pull off getting us at least a semi-impactful player for LF, we should be good to go.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
10:43 am
Hope Wren is swooping in on that strong #2 pitcher we need…. move Maholm and we got 6mil to use… move EOF and we’d have near 10. It can happen… pitching staff is just decent. Choo and Greinke… 25mil right there, currently got 18 or so left
Go Wren!
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
10:43 am
I hear ya Lew, but Bourn was still worth 6.4 wins above replacement and Chipper was worth 3. They were very important to the offense, and Bourn to the team as a whole. It is going to be very hard to replace their production and it certainly won’t be replaced with Upton/Constanza.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
10:45 am
and TTFN y’all. Peace.
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
10:48 am
I know Prado is a a good 2-hole hitter, but I would try and get the best bat possible for LF and let Prado leadoff. Upton has a career .812 OPS out of the 2-hole.
Prado
Upton
J-Hey
Willingham
Freeman
Uggla
Mac
Simmons
I would go to battle with that lineup.
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
10:49 am
Well with past reports of Wren showing interest in Bonafacio, Dee Gordon, Ryan Ludwick, and Nate Shierholtz that will kinda give us a idea of the caliber player were looking for or atleast consider bringing in. All I can say is I hope the prices for Willingham and Choo go down. Or hopefully Wren will call the Yankees about Brett Gardner. I’ve also already mentioned David DeJesus from the Cubs as a guy Wren might consider.
I think at this point we can hang up the idea of bringing in Justin Upton or Alex Gordon. Might as well add Dexter Fowler and Jacoby Ellsbury to that list as well, tho both of them I don’t care for much.
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
10:52 am
I think FW was bringing in Shierholtz as a lefty off the bench. No? He wasn’t trying to sign him to be the everyday LF…was he?
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
10:57 am
But, I do think Upton is going to have a very good year.
.270 25 90 with an OBP of .340 and an OPS of .815
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
10:57 am
Jason
Probably not the everyday guy, but if he was added that would only give Wren even more reasons to say he thinks we in good shape without a everyday guy in LF. Cause then we could have Prado flip flopping while Francisco, Johnson, and Shierholtz handle the other spot based on whos pitching.
Efrim
December 8th, 2012
11:02 am
Sounds like Michael Young will accept the trade to Philly. Phillies will pay $5 million of Young’s $16 million dollar salary and send RP Josh Lindblom and low level prospect for him. Not a bad return, imo.
Also, Ryan Ludwick’s deal was for two years, $15 million.
Va, I think Crisp and DeJesus are options. Not guys they would rank up there, but they fall within the “one year stop gap” types Wren is probably considering. I don’t think either player would cost a top prospect.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:04 am
Jason – Yeah, whatever. That’s all fine and well, but you don’t play the games on computer, not are wins determined on the field by WAR (whichever way you want to figure it).
Fact is that Chipper played pretty well for an old man – put up great OBP and SLG% – but missed a third of the Braves games. The greatest OPS in baseball is totally meaningless if the player isn’t in the lineup[ and one of every three games the Braves played, Chipper weren’t there (understandable why he wasn’, of course) and Bourn did damned little to help from August on.
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
11:05 am
It’s almost like they want Prado to flip flop each night. We have the resources to upgrade LF…. There is no financial excuses this year. We already spent 75 flipping million on BJ Upton, get a LFer.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:06 am
And you don’t have to have the strongest rotation in the league when you have the best bullpen. Thought we pretty well saw that last year.
Juan
December 8th, 2012
11:07 am
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
I think FW was bringing in Shierholtz as a lefty off the bench
Why we still talking about Schierholtz?…..he sign with the Cubby…moved on
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:09 am
I fail to see exactly what the problem is with moving Prado around as needed.Itapparently doesn not bother him in the least and does not affect his performance. As long as he’s in the lineup, what does it matter if he plays LF or 3B? Just be glad he’s capable when we need him elsewhere.
And lock that Dude up NOW.
Juan
December 8th, 2012
11:09 am
Philadelphia need Pen help and they give away pictching in those trade….
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
11:10 am
I just brought up Ludwick and Schierholtz cause Wren did have interest. Just trying to gauge what we might end up with. The Dee Gordon interest really blows my mind out of the whole offseason, I mean Jose Constanza would actually be a better option and thats hard to say.
jbill
December 8th, 2012
11:14 am
Ludwick going back to Reds…
JasonInFL….thats right.
jbill
December 8th, 2012
11:17 am
Dee Gordon..crap!
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
11:20 am
Juan, please read the blog…I was responding to another post. Next.
Lew, definitely great point about the bullpen. It looks like the best in the biz on paper, but as you reminded me above; the games aren’t played on paper. Definite strength though.
So, since Chipper missed 1/3 of his games, we should not look to replace him with a similarly productive player when he did play? I understand Chipper missed some time, but heck, that doesn’t mean we should settle with replacing one of our top 4 offensive players with Constanza/Fransisco.
Juan
December 8th, 2012
11:23 am
Here the Phillies signing former Nat John Lannon, WOULD IT NOT BE GREAT IF PHILLIES CLINCHED THE DIVISION AT WASHINGTON WIYJ LANNON ON THE MOUND, AND PHILLIES WENT ON TO WIN WS, THAT WOULD BE AWSOM AND A DREAM COME TRUE !!!!!!!!!!
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
11:23 am
Lew, also agree on locking up Prado before the market gets even crazier next year! I think he would take a little below what he could get on the open market to stay in the Atl. He reminds me more of Chipper and wanting a fair deal and not necessarily that best. What do you think?
Efrim
December 8th, 2012
11:23 am
CF Revere
SS Rollins
2B Utley
1B Howard
C Ruiz
3B Young
RF Brown
LF Mayberry, Jr.
#4/#5 starters are now Kyle Kendrick and Tyler Cloyd.
3rd place……
brian
December 8th, 2012
11:26 am
My plans A, B, and C
Plan A – add a significant impact bat for LF – Alex Gordon, Justin Upton, Josh Willingham (to a lesser degree than the first two)
Plan B – add lead off/speed for LF – Fowler and to a lesser extent Bonafacio and to an incredibly lesser degree – Dee Gordon. As far as free agents, keep a 1 year contract offer available to Bourn in case they do not like their long term options.
PLan C- use the Martin, Reed, Francisco platoon in LF/3B. Martin plays everyday and Reed and Francisco platoon. Don’t waste money or prospects in the offseason just to make a trade – save them for an inseason/trade deadline trade. Keep a “line in the water” for Greinke in case the price comes down
Juan
December 8th, 2012
11:27 am
Pjillies rumored to sign former Nat John Lannon, WOULD IT NOT BE GREAT IF PHLS CLINCH DIVISION AT WASHINGTON WITH LANNON ON THE MOUND PITCHING A COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT AND PHILLIES GOING ON TO WIN WS, THAT WOULD BE AWSOM AND A DREAM COME TRUE, GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Efrim
December 8th, 2012
11:27 am
And their set up relievers leading to Papelbon are Bastardo, Rosenberg, Schwimmer, Valdes as of right now if they trade Lindblom to Texas.
I do see a future free agent contract being signed for them because they are well under last years payroll of $175 million.
Juan
December 8th, 2012
11:29 am
PHILLIES WILL SIGN MIKE ADAMS AND OR BRIAN WILSON AS A 8TH INNING SET UP MAN
Juan
December 8th, 2012
11:31 am
EFRIM, WHO IS BETTER CF SPAN OR REVERE?? I TRUELY DONT KNOW
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
11:32 am
I think the Braves need to seriously continue to go after Choo. Best 1 year rental to go after, plus we can get a draft pick next offseason when he leaves.
74bravesjersey
December 8th, 2012
11:32 am
WOW!
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:35 am
Jason – You – and others – are looking at this ass backwards. I keep hearing about replacing Chipper and Bourn and what I should be hearing is that we are placing a winning combination that can contend with the best in our league – and that is exactly what it seems we ARE doing.
Chipper and Bourn could come back, put up the exact numbers and the Braves coud STILL have a much worse season.
First of all, we had a much worse rotation last year to start the season – you had no Medlen starting, Hudson was out rehabbing and Minor hadn’t figured it out yet and we were relying on Hernandez way too much (actualy, at all is way too much). Now maybe those two don’t do the stud thing all year long this year, but even a regression should be better than what we had starting out. We also now have Maholm for a full year which is an improvement over at least half the season.
We also have a much stronger pen with the addition of Walden and a full year of Avilan.
Francisco looks to be better. We have Reed Johnson for a full year. We have Jansih and his glove and a full year of Simmons and no Pastornicky.
You’ve replaced Bourn’s speed with Upton’s. You’ve added more HR than Chipper AND Bourn hit with Upton and you’ve replaced most of the CF defense. 3B defense is improved over Chipper’s.
You have fuive players (Heyward, Freeman, Upton, Uggla and McCann) capable of 25 -35 HR each. If you wnet with that three wy LF/3B platoon with Francisco and Evan Gattis, you could add another 25 HR to the lineup.
WTF more do y’all want? We have a strong team as it already stands. Should Wren find that lead off hitting LFer, we’ll be better still. Time to concentrate on what we have and not some bizarre misplaced notion of replacing individual performances of two players, neither of which were perfect to begin with. Missing a hird of the games (CHipper) and not showing up for half the year (Bourn) were not optimal to begin with.
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
11:38 am
Lew
Your last post makes tons of sense, but I thought we supposed to have a payroll around 95 million? I don’t see us going into the season with 83-85 million. Wren can easily afford to really bolster this offense.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:42 am
VaBraves – Concentrate on how the team is coinstituted and quit concerning yourself with how much money is or osn’t spent. As we’ve seen countless times, the amount of money spent is not what decides how goo the team is or how well they play.
Way too much nitpicking specific words Wren uses in his press conferences (ie- premium) and way too much focus on money and not enough on the talent we have.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:43 am
And being able to afford more doesn’t mean that more is available or that the cost of more is vaguely worth it.
Trey
December 8th, 2012
11:43 am
Go Navy, beat Army…..Again!
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
11:46 am
Lew
Good points once again, but every year its we never have enough money to do this or that. We finally have a solid amount of money.
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
11:47 am
How in the heck is me looking at replacing production with similar or better production backwards? Bizarre misplaced notion? Right, bud. When a team loses a player, they never look at replacing production or filling a similar need. They make the decision in a vacuum and say, you know what, I don’t care about the makeup of the rest of the team or what type of player we are trying to replace, I am going to draw a name out of a hat.
Again, you make great points–improved pen, rotation being better, and improved bench–doesn’t mean you want your regular 8 to decline and have regression on everyday output. Of course they (Chipper and Bourn) could be back and not play as good as they did the year before: see McCann, Brian. But, it still doesn’t mean that you settle for a career 4th OF or platoon in LF. All I am saying is replacing Chipper/Bourn in the lineup with Upton/Constanza would be a step back. I am simply hoping for a better player in LF as this is the first time in a LONG time that we have had both the resources and the prospects to do so. This is an opportunity to not have to settle for the Constanzas of the world
But, the other thing that we agree on is that FW is doing all he can to do so as long as the price is reasonable. I would overpay a little this year, but not at the foolish asking prices for Fowler.
You old curmudgeon…you can get your points across without being so confrontational!
Efrim
December 8th, 2012
11:47 am
I could see the Braves going in with $88-90 million, but not where it is currently at. Unless they overpay on a contract to get Heyward or Prado locked up – with either getting more money than they are projected to get through arbitration – $3.5 million for Heyward and $7.7 million for Prado.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:48 am
No I can’t. And you know better than to take it personally.
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
11:49 am
Another solid point, Lew…one of the things that I both admire and hate Frank for…he has a system of valuing players (own and from other teams) and rarely seems to stray from it. Again, if the asking prices of the Fowlers of the world (reportedly Minor AND Delgado) don’t come down, then Frank doesn’t have much of a choice.
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
11:49 am
I guess the plan is for Teheran and Gilmartin to replace Hudson and Maholm in 2014.
Brava
December 8th, 2012
11:51 am
ATTENTION FELLOW BRAVES FANS:
Taylor Murphy, Dale’s son, has started a petition to the BBWAA in an effort to help his father get voted into the HOF. If you wish to add your signature, here is the link:
http://www.change.org/petitions/dale-murphy-and-the-hall-of-fame-bbwaa-needs-to-observe-and-honor-their-own-voting-guidelines
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
11:51 am
Never, Lew! Always enjoy a good back and forth with ya. I just think we are damn close to being REAL good and a Choo or Gordon or Willingham in LF would get us there. We will be competitive regardless, but man, that lineup I posted earlier sure looks good!
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:52 am
And keep in mind – First, we can still spend the money – today, tomorrow, next week, during Spring Training and during the season. Not as if you lose it and can’t make moves after the Winter Meetings. Second, more players can and will become available after other teams make various moves – today, tomorrow, next week, during Spring Training and during the season.
Third – have patience. It ain’t over til it’s over.
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
11:53 am
#3’s petition only has 963 signatures. I am in the camp that Murph belongs in the hall when comparing his numbers to those of the players he played against. It can be argued that Murph was the best player of the 80’s. He, Schmidt, and Murray.
Not Disgusted
December 8th, 2012
11:53 am
The Braves might be abe to afford more but as for the FA issues, Wren might not like the price he has to pay for the existing talent.
Also, Wren might not want to give up what other teams are asking for a trade.
I think the Nats and Phillies did well in the Span and Revere deals. Minnesota might be fine with Meyer and Worley, as for Trevor May, like Teheran, his stock dropped this past yr and he was only in AA. He is 24 too. TIme for him t put up or else find another way to make a living.
I am not a big Worley fan, he has a high WHIP and the W-L record in his rookie yr was a product of some good luck and being on a very strong team.
FW does not really want to give up Teheran, Gilmartin, Spurill, Sims, etc. Or, are we overvaluing them as fans??????
That is a 2 sided question I cannot answer & most fans cannot answer it unless they have real insider informtion and people they know behind the scenes.
Its still a strong team if they do nothing else.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
11:56 am
Jason – Exactly. I’d rather see the money spent wisely or not at all. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing how Francisco and Gattis look. Never seen the White Bear play and Juan Francisco has some great potential. We saw how Minor improved last year after he “Got It”. I’d like to see if Juan improved like that after HIS epiphany, as well.
The best options might just be in house already.
Joey G
December 8th, 2012
11:58 am
If FW is looking at a chance to sign Grienke, why not also have your line in the water for Kyle Lohse?
I cant understand why no one would want this guy????
Travis
December 8th, 2012
11:58 am
The days of 6-7 year contracts for the Arods and Pujols position players of the world are over. Boras ain’t gonna like that. Mr. Bourne might be getting the 3-4 year contract he earned with his recent play. 28 is the new 30.
JasonInFL
December 8th, 2012
11:58 am
Who would people say is a similar prospect to the one the Nats gave up for Span? It is looking like his cost may have been the most reasonable of the bunch. I wonder if FW made an offer or if the Twins said they wanted Delgado or Teheran and FW said no way?
Lew
December 8th, 2012
12:01 pm
Good, cheap, young pitching will be integral to remaining competitive with the lack of our own payroll and the signing of a lot of the new TV deals and what their signing is doing (and wil do) to good (and mediocre for that matter) pitchers’ salary levels and the rise of our own core of youngsters’ salaries going forward.
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
12:03 pm
I think the Twins liked the Nats prospect more regardless being a power pitching arm who projects to be a top of the rotation starter.
VaBravesFan
December 8th, 2012
12:05 pm
I probably would have traded Teheran straight up for Denard Span and his 3 years of control. The move would have given us a legit leadoff man, who is a gold glove caliber OFer.
Lew
December 8th, 2012
12:05 pm
VaBraves – I think that the Braves had interest in Span as a CFer and not a LFer and after they signed Upton, Span was no longer targeted.