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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,816 comments Add your comment
skeeter
December 4th, 2012
7:50 pm
Wren is manning the waiver list for players to add to the roster
Comfortably Dumb
December 4th, 2012
7:51 pm
Nolie, I ignored your first post about Bourn not scoring 100. I thought you might be nit picking as a joke or something. But apparently those extra FOUR runs he didn’t score are really eating you up. Makes sense…
Rick C
December 4th, 2012
7:52 pm
DOB, are the Braves looking at Scott Hairston in case they can’t re-sign Johnson?
are ya Gordon's mom?
December 4th, 2012
7:52 pm
Alex Gordon hit .248 against lefties. This is someone worth EOF AND Top Prospect AND another Top Prospect?
The Braves need to add a player who an hit lefties more than one with blazing speed. No more calling up rookie leftie starters from AA and getting shutout.
old man
December 4th, 2012
7:52 pm
BFChris28
A lot of us do that. Join the club.
nolie
December 4th, 2012
7:52 pm
But calling Prado a “glorified utility player” is blasphemy
that is what 3/4 of the blog called him the first year or so he came up. almost everybody called him that when he was in AAA
nolie
December 4th, 2012
7:54 pm
leadoff hitters should score 100 runs, he has never done it so he obviously sukks…..
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
7:55 pm
I know many don’t like Peter Bourjos, but I think he would be better than having some kind of platoon with Francisco and another outfielder with Prado flip flopping each night.
Bourjos is ranked as a top tier defender, and when he got the opportunity to play 147 games in 2011 he was able to hit 271. with 49 Extra Base Hits and 22 Stolen Bases. I like him for the right price, and believe it or not he’s already pegged to be a starter for the Angels, so it wouldn’t be as bad as most think.
We’d still have Francisco and other options like Gattis and so on to figure it out in LF. But atleast Bourjos would give us a big boost on defense and team speed for sure. Likely would still rank as 1 of the best defensive outfields even with BJ in CF.
Comfortably Dumb
December 4th, 2012
7:57 pm
nolie…just stop. Go outside. See the world.
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
7:57 pm
If a player (Gordon) can OPS 850 over a full season I wouldn’t worry about splits so much. It’s not like were talking about Cody Ross. Choo and Gordon are both LH but that shouldn’t matter at this point.
nolie
December 4th, 2012
7:59 pm
getting a shot at opening the season as Laird’s primary backup? — Comfortably Dumb
Seems doubtful, barring injury….DOB
always has been extremely doubtful
nolie
December 4th, 2012
8:00 pm
good riddance Bourn you looser, can’t score what damn good areya?
old man
December 4th, 2012
8:00 pm
nolie . . . just ignore . . . stay inside and post on the blog.
We love you, man.
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:00 pm
Bethancourt is best suited in the minors playing everyday.
Comfortably Dumb
December 4th, 2012
8:00 pm
Spruill for Gardner.
are ya Gordon's mom?
December 4th, 2012
8:00 pm
Gordon averaged that OPS while playing for a team that did face nearly the amount of lefties the Braves faced.
Again, no adding players that do nothing from keeping opposing managers from sending out leftie after leftie.
nolie
December 4th, 2012
8:01 pm
less important that out leadoff hitter be a righty than that the middle of the order be a righty
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:02 pm
Enter your comments here
Comfortably Dumb
December 4th, 2012
8:02 pm
What is a looser?
God, what am I doing with my life posting on this blog with these people? And then trying to reason with them? Ugh..
Nevermind, nolie. I’M going to go outside.
Couch Tater
December 4th, 2012
8:03 pm
Draft picks? Who cares about those things?
Everyone that sees Shane friggin Victorino gets 39mill.
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:05 pm
Were paying Dan Uggla 13 million a season, but atleast he will hit 25-30 HR
RedSox are paying Victorino 13 million a season, he’ll be able to run the bases well if he can get on, oh and play above average d.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:05 pm
Constanza and Juan Fran are options FW would be fine with… yeah right. Hebetter not, or wee’ll definitely not be catching the Nats..geez. And the prices on Swisher, Ross, Choo, Gordon are too high, FW isnt included in multi-team deals for Justin… who is gonna be our LF? I’d put Bowman out there before Constanza. Wouldn’t mind seeing him and Juan traded out of the org.
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
8:05 pm
The prices must be sky high or FW would have done something. I just don’t think people think Teheran is a top prospect any more after struggling for 1+ years. Man, how could he have declined so much? He dominated the year before.
Anyway, we need someone to play LF. I still think they should include Teheran in a deal for Gordon if they can get him. Or Willingham. Someone that’s under a control for at least 2 years and significantly improves the team, I would include Teheran.
rainman34
December 4th, 2012
8:05 pm
Im more than fine with Gattis and Frisco playing 3rd/left and hitting eighth in the lineup. Hope we can find away to get shields from tampa. Maybe trade maholm for prospects then flip them plus couple of our own.
George_George
December 4th, 2012
8:05 pm
FRANK better do something soon, other GMs are makeing moves, hope something good will be left for FRANK. With MARTEEN going to 3rd to replace CHIPPER, FRANK still needs a desent bat in LF. I sure wish he did not waste so much money on CF.
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
8:06 pm
Don’t care about leadoff. Just get an impact bat for LF.
Half Empty
December 4th, 2012
8:07 pm
pretty funny when someone thinks he has to reason with nolie. talk about not getting the blog
Half Empty
December 4th, 2012
8:08 pm
I am very much less than fine with either Francisco or Constanza being in any starting lineup in any circumstance on any remotely regular basis
RJB in DC
December 4th, 2012
8:09 pm
Just for a scare, lets compare:
D. Wright (29 yrs) 2012 .306 .391 .492 .883 21 HR 93RBI
M. Prado (29 yrs) 2012 .301 359 .438 .796 10 HR 70 RBI
Starting in 2014, Wright has a seven year/122 million deal. Which comes to roughly 17.4 mil a year. Wright is already getting 16 mil for 2013.
Assume that Prado is only 80% as valuable in the market as Wright. That comes to potentially 13.9 million per year starting 2014. Would the Braves make that deal for 4 to 5 years? Would any other team looking to anchor either 2B or 3B for four to five years?
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:10 pm
Choo and Gordon could both be either be leadoff or middle of the order bats. Both high OBP and XBH guys
skeeter
December 4th, 2012
8:10 pm
Hamilton is still available. Texas denies finalizing a contract with him.
brian
December 4th, 2012
8:11 pm
Francisco plus B level prospect for Gardner. NYY need a cheap 3B. Their RF porch is made for Francisco
BFChris28
December 4th, 2012
8:11 pm
Tim Brown @TBrownYahoo
Swisher market heating. Agent Lozano met w 4 teams. Nick spoke directly to 2 managers.
richbrave
December 4th, 2012
8:12 pm
With RGIII looking on, WIZARDS put up 60 on the HEAT in the first half. Lead by six at the break.
Duane
December 4th, 2012
8:12 pm
Dave, can you give us a breakdown on the payroll? I don’t get how the Braves only have $10M to spend. Gone from last year’s payroll: Lowe – $10M, Chipper – $14M, Hanson – $3M, Bourn – $7M, Jurrjens – $5.5M. That’s $39.5M. Added to the payroll: Maholm – $6M, Upton, $15M. Maholm and Upton replace Hanson and Bourn. Lowe doesn’t need to be replaced, and Jurrjens gets replaced by a minimum salary pitcher. So shouldn’t that leave around $18M, not $10M?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:12 pm
Id love to get Bourjos… and play him in CF lol, I don’t care about BJ. That would have been the first thing I did this offseason, or when they shipped Santana out… Hanson and prospects for Bourjos. Then chase Swisher for LF or Myers, Olt, JustinU, Gyorko someone… I want a good defender in CF. Cant see him being moved now though unless a starter is involved; Maolm or Teheran would be too much.
brian
December 4th, 2012
8:14 pm
Wren does not need to make a move simply to make a move. He is still going for the big trade – Upton, Gordon, Choo, etc. then he will move to plan B
George_George
December 4th, 2012
8:14 pm
SWISHER would be a good fit here if we could get him at right price.
Half Empty
December 4th, 2012
8:14 pm
we picked the wrong year to have money. The inflation is making us even poorer than we usually are
Couch Tater
December 4th, 2012
8:15 pm
Just get an impact bat for LF
A golden oldie being played now on the blog radio, WDOB.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:15 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
it appears the Greinke derby is currently betw. the #rangers and #dodgers. belief is the deal likely to be for $160M-plus.
Half Empty
December 4th, 2012
8:15 pm
poop on Bourjos
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:16 pm
Tim Brown @TBrownYahoo
Swisher market heating. Agent Lozano met w 4 teams. Nick spoke directly to 2 managers.
George_George
December 4th, 2012
8:18 pm
Nite all, have a good one.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:18 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Source: #Phillies, #Mets, #Yankees remain in mix for Scott Hairston.
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:18 pm
Gordon is not a bad value even for what he has left on his contract.
He is under control for a while. We get Gordon all the pieces are there.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:19 pm
Michael Collins @GaSportsCraze
Unconfirmed reports coming in that the Yankees are close to trading Granderson to the Phils…story here
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:19 pm
Someone mentioned Spuril for Gardner.
If the NYY would do that I would take it in a hearrtbeat. Potentially real good for both teams.
richbrave
December 4th, 2012
8:19 pm
Looks like the prognosticators are beginning to panic waiting for WREN’s big ‘next’ move. LF’ers scattering to the wind.
Trades aren’t as easy to consumate as FA’s. Two teams have to agree, not a player and a team.
Trades are more akin to bills being passed by a lawmaking body…………or not.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:19 pm
Why did Vic get so much money? Holy…. Prado should get 6/80 on the open market at least then… we may have to say our goodbyes to him. And if we follow Lew’s plan and yank him about like a yoyo again, he should leave. It’s best for him to have 1 position.
Lew: You may be right on EOF, but it sure will sukk to see him walk without us getting compensation. He’s gonna after the season, and our ‘pen would be fine witout him. We’re possibly missing out on getting some good value for him like the Cubs did with Marshall. Id definitely be shopping Eric.
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:20 pm
Duane
You gotta factor in ARB raises. Heyward, Venters, Medlen, Prado, and EOF all due sizable raises.
Half Empty
December 4th, 2012
8:20 pm
Yankees are close to trading Granderson to the Phils
Boras/Bourn gotta hate that
Half Empty
December 4th, 2012
8:23 pm
I don’t see the Yanks trading Gardner that cheaply
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:23 pm
Granderson? Phils? Yikes… well, he does strike out a lot… oh, wait, our staff is full of soft-tossing, pitch to contact guys. Never mind.
A.P
December 4th, 2012
8:24 pm
First time posting here.. But, through reading your comments, does anyone else feel we might be undervaluing Teheran? Before last year he was a top 5 prospect in the league right? Its comical to me that teams like the DBacks would want Simmons and Teheran for Upton. Teheran is still a potential elite, ace prospect and shouldnt be given away cheaply.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
8:24 pm
Everyone that sees Shane friggin Victorino gets 39mill.
Yeah, even with the cost of a first rounder I’d rather have Upton at 5/75 than Shane Victorino at 3/39. Just an awful contract in every way and a huge overpay. Worst deal so far. That and Brandon League’s three years, $22 million.
James
December 4th, 2012
8:24 pm
Unconfirmed report of Granderson/Cliff Lee swap, rumor now.
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:25 pm
The Red Sox have made three free agent signings so far without having to sacrifice a draft pick — as is their hope.
@Brave — their signings have been expensively strange — A back up in Ross, a platoon guys in Gomes, a semi regular in Napoli and Victorino, who might be trending downward.
All for a grand total of $94 million. (spread over the next 3 yrs).
Are those guys really going to make them that much better?
will36206
December 4th, 2012
8:25 pm
I wonder if Wren is looking at someone like Gerado Para or Justin Rugianno…
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:25 pm
Actually the RS made 4 FA signs now.
BFChris28
December 4th, 2012
8:27 pm
If the Granderson/Cliff Lee swap does happen, it’s a shame. Braves one of a few teams who have actually fared well against Lee.
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:28 pm
@A.P. Teheran slipped alot this past season, pitched poorly in AAA & his velocity is down at a young age.
So his stock is not as hot as it was. Can he get better — he is a question mark now. Have to at least see him in ST. He really has not proven anything that he can pitch well as of now.
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:31 pm
Granderson will be a good fit for Citizens Bank Park if he goes there..
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
8:31 pm
Who is Michael Collins from GaSportsCraze or whatever?
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:32 pm
Red Sox have had a horrible offseason.
13 mil a year for a Victorino coming off a sub 700 OPS season
13 mil a year for a Napoli coming off a 108 game season while hitting 227.
5 mil a year for Gomes who is a part time OF/DH type
3+ mil a year for Ross a great backup catcher who is 36 years while already having options behind the plate.
Fols
December 4th, 2012
8:33 pm
So Phils would have Granderson…and that means NO Bourn, and no Lee?
Is that Wren’s first move or Phillies?
A.P
December 4th, 2012
8:33 pm
Thanks for the response Disgusted. I completely understand giving up a good deal to net an established, productive player.. Just hate to see Teherans stock slip so much, when it could simply be the result of us tinkering with his delivery and him focusing on developing his curve ball.
- Already saw Hanson go from top prospect to getting traded for a reliever, so I hope Teheran is who we thought he could be. I guess we can’t complain too much when we had guys like Beachy and Meds far surpass what they were projected to be.
James
December 4th, 2012
8:35 pm
Elsewhere in the Red Sox rumor-verse, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe says the team is open to the idea of trading Jacoby Ellsbury, playing the newly-signed Shane Victorino in center field, and signing Cody Ross or another right fielder.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
8:35 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
teams seeking starting pitcher: laa, lad (2), cle, sea, pit (2), kc, nym, tex, chic, minn (2), det, balt, tor, az, bos
15 teams.
Fols
December 4th, 2012
8:37 pm
The league needs to issue a warning…
Any team jumping around and spraying champaign for clinching the one game play in, automatically loses it’s first three draft picks.
All jumping around and wearing playoff merchandise must happen after the play in game.
The losing team of this game will have had exactly ONE game more than the rest of the losers that didn’t make it. If you lose this game, your jumping around will look severely lame.
Yours truly,
MLB
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:38 pm
I wouldn’t put much stock in that Granderson to Phillies rumor. I went to the story and it said the possible trade would be Cliff Lee for Granderson. Sounds like the earlier rumor with a different target.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:39 pm
Ive always thought more highly of Delgado than Teheran… the sscouting reports are finally coming around to this. Delgado pitched pretty well last year and this season… Teheran stunk it up in AAA. The Braves did alter his mechanics some, but that shouldnt have dropped 5mph on his fastball and have him start throwing straigt on a line. Still cant spin a curveball either; if he doesnt get that down, he’ll end up being a reliever. I can see why his stock is dropping.
Id trade him before Delgado and if RD were still a prospect, I’d rank him #1, not Julio.
SportyNuts
December 4th, 2012
8:39 pm
@A.P: Teheran was the number one prospect in all of baseball in 2011. He’s fallen to #24, I believe. He’s still ranked as the 10th best RHP prospect. Teheran will bounce back, he was having to adjust to a new delivery in 2012.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:39 pm
MLB @MLB
Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin declines @Dodgers’ multi-year offer: http://atmlb.com/VuOnRR #WinterMeetings
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:40 pm
I would love to be wrong about Teheran — in Hanson’s case it was injury and a loss of velocity.
I just do not know about Teheran unless I see him in the Spring — he was not very impressive in ST, hence it did cost him a roster spot.
Could he do it with another org ????? Never know.
I cannot wait for Beachey to get back but I really do not want to see him till 2014. I do not want any part of him pitching till he is right cause he is too good to take silly risks with.
I do hope JJ can get it going with another team — anywhere. He was quite good for us. Better than the sabernumbers gave him credit for. Injuries did him in.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:40 pm
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Rival officials believe that the Red Sox are laying the groundwork for a trade of Jacoby Ellsbury, for the pitching they need.
Nowhere man
December 4th, 2012
8:41 pm
Have a good George. Say hello to peanut
BFChris28
December 4th, 2012
8:43 pm
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Rival officials believe that the Red Sox are laying the groundwork for a trade of Jacoby Ellsbury, for the pitching they need.
Nowhere man
December 4th, 2012
8:43 pm
That’s all the jumping that Fredi will ever be able to do.
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:43 pm
Is tinkering with a guy’s delivery really productive?
It did not work with Hanson. Can anyone really think of an example where a guy really benefited when the organization pushed a guy into changing his delivery.
Sure you want to protect a guy from serious injury but sometimes he is what he is and changing a delivery and mechanics in some cases might do more harm than good. Not all the time, but changing what a guy is used to has its risks.
Half Empty
December 4th, 2012
8:43 pm
what are they going to get for a guy who can’t stay on the field?
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:44 pm
Efrim
But what kind of starting pitcher? How many of them are looking for a top of the rotation types, and how many are looking for back end help, proven or young? How many teams consider Delgado or Teheran as upgrades to there rotation?
Were not trading Medlen or Minor, and most teams would view Gilmartin and others not ready this season.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:44 pm
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
#SFGiants still hoping to get Scutaro signed tonight. If they do, they’re pretty much done w/ all their major offseason shopping. If not …
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
8:44 pm
I’d rather have Choo than Ellsbury. But Braves should at least see what it would take for him.
Braves Fan Since 1966
December 4th, 2012
8:44 pm
The Braves should give Francisco a fair shot at 3rd base and see if he can play every day. To give him a fair shot is the only way to ever know. Give him a fair shot or trade him. There are all of these no-name third base men the Braves picked up last year – in the minors. The only hope for the braves is to play long ball anyway. 30 bombs are possible from Heyward, Upton, Freeman, and Francisco could hit 30 if he played all year, but he may strike out 150 times. Dan Uggla could shock the world, have a decent year, and also hit 30 homers. McCann could still hit 20 even with a slow start. Keep Prado in left and he can give us a break from Uggly at 2nd base every now-and-then. When Prado plays 2nd base there are plenty of guys already on the roster to play left field for a day. If Prado gets hurt the Braves are toast, so keep him in left field most of the time. Prado probably has to bat 1st or 2nd in the line up because of his batting average, but a real good lead off man probably isn’t on the roster for 2013. Upton is fast enough but a lead off man that hits under 250 won’t cut it, and with what we’re paying for his power he has to hit lower in the order to be able to hit some three run bombs. Having a pinch hitter that can hit better than 200 is a big need in 2013. Bring back Chief Knock-a-Homa or some similar redskin because the long ball is our only hope with all of these low batting average over paid players on the roster.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:44 pm
Hyunjin is smart. Dodgers will be a joke.
Hanson for Ellsbury… oh wait, then EOF. Theyd have to want MLB pitching Id think, Gilmartin wouldnt be enough
Disgusted
December 4th, 2012
8:44 pm
But Jacoby Ellsbury has only one yr left on his contract and is a Boras client –how much in return is he really going to bring back?
Trader Jack
December 4th, 2012
8:45 pm
Brava
I’m not buying that Granderson for Lee trade. Yanks are trying to reduce payroll, and would add $10 mil more for 2013
BFChris28
December 4th, 2012
8:46 pm
Trade for Ellsbury, re-sign Reed Johnson and possibly get another bench piece and that would be a good off season.
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:46 pm
RedSox will have to sell low on Ellsbury, injury prone and 1 year rental… No team will give up much. There better off keeping him.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
8:47 pm
How much could they really get for one year of Jacoby Ellsbury coming off of a injury plagued season? The “pitching they need”?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:51 pm
Juan would strike out more than 150 times, his plate discipline is horrendous. He’d be near 200 if he played every day. Not to mention, OPS of about .340 against lefties
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:51 pm
Agree, Trader Jack. The Phillies would have to send salary with him, so it doesn’t make sense.
VaBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:51 pm
I’d give them Spruill for Ellsbury, I’d give more for Choo.
Bravesfan54
December 4th, 2012
8:52 pm
DOB: very pleased to hear Braves not likely to bring Diaz back and still interested in Reed Johnson. I am nostalgic, as all fans are for former contributors, but “piece” players have to keep renewing their credentials and, injury or no, did not happen as Diaz did not “punch his card”. I say Sayonara(sp?) to him. Ah, cruel world of baseball!
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:52 pm
Jim Duquette @Jim_Duquette
Hearing Ludwick is looking for 2 years and 7 mil per year. Perfect place for him is back in Cinci !
nolie
December 4th, 2012
8:54 pm
pass on one year of Ellsbury, he might spend the entire time on the DL
Brava
December 4th, 2012
8:56 pm
Didn’t he just fail a physical with the Phillies?
Troy Renck @TroyRenck
Rockies continue looking to add relief help and have talked with Astros about Wilton Lopez. If health fine, and told is OK, he’d help
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:58 pm
VaBraves: #HTTR!!! Your boys looking really good, hope they make the playoffs. Would be great for Griffin and the franchise. Tell them to win that first playoff game if they do make it, want to get another shot at you guys in the Dome in January.
Comfortably Dumb
December 4th, 2012
8:59 pm
Wren should focus on locking up our young, dynamic players. Not going out making a bunch of frivolous moves just to make his mark. I’ve been in the minority saying that I think Wren has done a pretty good job overall, but he has finally proved me wrong. I gave him a pass on Lowe. I wasn’t crazy about that signing, but thought he would wind up being a pretty solid pitcher for us. Nope. I gave him a pass on Kawakami. I still can’t blame him for that one. I like that he was aggressive and at least tried his hand and signing an International player. Didn’t pan out.
But then he traded for Uggla. Which, in itself, wasn’t a bad move. The signing was. At the expense of our team MVP no less.
Now BJ Upton. The outfield version of Uggla.
Let’s just make sure our players who are actually good don’t go anywhere. First priority should be Heyward, Freeman, Prado, and Kimbrel in that order.
DO NOT re sign Mac. Bethancourt will be ready by 2014. Let Gattis and Cunningham battle for the LF spot this year. Whatever.