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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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DS1
December 4th, 2012
10:40 pm
gary
And getting bigger by the minute!
DS1
December 4th, 2012
10:43 pm
Brava
I once played rhythm guitar and sang back ground vocals for the group America.
Then I woke up.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
10:44 pm
If we don’t trade any of them away, our bullpen is going to be crazy good, Wayne. Has the potential to be the best in baseball, I think.
tmoneylove
December 4th, 2012
10:45 pm
I hate hearing how well players are performing just before they get traded. I know it’s better for the team if they do well, but it still hurts in a twisted way.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
10:46 pm
That’s pretty cool Wayne. I play guitar and sing, too, but you wouldn’t recognize any of the bands I’ve been in.
BFChris28
December 4th, 2012
10:48 pm
Kimbrel – CL
Walden – RH SU
O’Flaherty – LH SU
Venters – MR
Carpenter – MR
Avilan – MR
Martinez – LR
Very top notch bullpen there.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
10:49 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
youkilis, eric chavez and keppiger are fortunate. 3b in great demand. nyy, phi, chiw, maybe atl, others all could use 1
DS1
December 4th, 2012
10:52 pm
Two years ago, Anthony Varvaro showed some flashes of brilliance in the pen.
DS1
December 4th, 2012
10:54 pm
Can’t see that we need any third base help. Now, if we found a top notch starting third sacker, that could send Prado back to LF; that would be OK. But as a backup plan, don’t know if we need anyone other than Juan Fran.
DS1
December 4th, 2012
10:55 pm
Time to go get the Sudoku book and turn in.
Later Braves fans!
Brava
December 4th, 2012
10:57 pm
Wow!
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Source says Marlins were “panicked” to get rid of Yunel Escobar and did so to Rays for Derek Dietrich, as @DKnobler first reported
The A Bomb
December 4th, 2012
11:00 pm
Has anyone even considered what effect it might have on re-signing Prado if he was shipped back to the outfield?
He was outstanding in the infield last season and was an All-Star at 2B. Trooper now, may not be when he has to get paid.
Go get someone like a cleaned-up Marlon Byrd to play LF. If he doesn’t work out the pitching will be ultra valuable when injuries occur. We could make a play then.
This is a pathetic group of free agents and forcing the issue would be ridiculous. Some pitcher on some team will go down. That’s when you get max value. Not now.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
11:04 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
now, with yunel gone, if the #marlins can honor nolasco’s request & trade him, maybe they can move payroll below $20M
DS1
December 4th, 2012
11:04 pm
A Bomb
I’m not sure it really matters to Prado. He might actually appreciate the fact that he is the club’s everyman.
But I do hope we approach him this winter with a 3-4 year offer.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
11:04 pm
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Marlins shed $5M in Escobar trade. Now have $21M worth of commitments and just one arbitration-eligible player. Estimated payroll: ~$30M.
DS1
December 4th, 2012
11:07 pm
I’d sure love to see Yunel get his act together and put together a nice career from this point forward. Guys do eventually grow up sometimes, so there is hope.
DS1
December 4th, 2012
11:07 pm
I’d sure love to see Yunel get his act together and put together a nice career from this point forward. Guys do eventually grow up sometimes, so there is hope.
Cali Brave fan
December 4th, 2012
11:08 pm
I don’t get it with you people who are complaining about the LF situation. Where much better off giving costanza are gattis a shot at LF than locking in some fringe veteran, paying him to much money , and locking him in for 3 years . And Fowler looks good on paper but he plays for Colorado his numbers are not going to hold up playing in our ball park. Then you whinners will be complaining that wren shouldn’t have traded for him…
Cali Brave fan
December 4th, 2012
11:08 pm
I don’t get it with you people who are complaining about the LF situation. Where much better off giving costanza are gattis a shot at LF than locking in some fringe veteran, paying him to much money , and locking him in for 3 years . And Fowler looks good on paper but he plays for Colorado his numbers are not going to hold up playing in our ball park. Then you whinners will be complaining that wren shouldn’t have traded for him…
Cali Brave fan
December 4th, 2012
11:08 pm
I don’t get it with you people who are complaining about the LF situation. Where much better off giving costanza are gattis a shot at LF than locking in some fringe veteran, paying him to much money , and locking him in for 3 years . And Fowler looks good on paper but he plays for Colorado his numbers are not going to hold up playing in our ball park. Then you whinners will be complaining that wren shouldn’t have traded for him…
Cali Brave fan
December 4th, 2012
11:08 pm
I don’t get it with you people who are complaining about the LF situation. Where much better off giving costanza are gattis a shot at LF than locking in some fringe veteran, paying him to much money , and locking him in for 3 years . And Fowler looks good on paper but he plays for Colorado his numbers are not going to hold up playing in our ball park. Then you whinners will be complaining that wren shouldn’t have traded for him…
Cali Brave fan
December 4th, 2012
11:08 pm
I don’t get it with you people who are complaining about the LF situation. Where much better off giving costanza are gattis a shot at LF than locking in some fringe veteran, paying him to much money , and locking him in for 3 years . And Fowler looks good on paper but he plays for Colorado his numbers are not going to hold up playing in our ball park. Then you whinners will be complaining that wren shouldn’t have traded for him…
Cali Brave fan
December 4th, 2012
11:08 pm
I don’t get it with you people who are complaining about the LF situation. Where much better off giving costanza are gattis a shot at LF than locking in some fringe veteran, paying him to much money , and locking him in for 3 years . And Fowler looks good on paper but he plays for Colorado his numbers are not going to hold up playing in our ball park. Then you whinners will be complaining that wren shouldn’t have traded for him…
Couch Tater
December 4th, 2012
11:10 pm
Excited that they will be touring again.
Long distance winner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQt5H9QIsSE
DS1
December 4th, 2012
11:13 pm
Important enough to say SIX times, huh!
NORRIS
December 4th, 2012
11:15 pm
sure. makes a lot of sense to do nothing and play guys that are still minor league players. That is the reason we dont play in any playoffs and the money spenders do.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
11:17 pm
Good one, couch tater.
SportyNuts
December 4th, 2012
11:19 pm
Varvaro? Dude is garbage.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
11:19 pm
MLB @MLB
OFFICIAL: @Rockies acquire RHP Wilton Lopez, player to be named or cash from @Astros for RHPs Alex White, Alex Gillingham.
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
11:21 pm
Sounds like Boston is going to trade Ellsbury…may be our best bet. Defensive metrics rate him well above BJ in CF, so we would have a great D. I bet Philly gets him.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
11:24 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Source: Scutaro in agreement with #SFGiants, $20 million for three years.
richbrave
December 4th, 2012
11:30 pm
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
DOMINICA
LICEY TIGERS
3B JUAN FRANCISCO [.316 BA] has a night blasting two bombs while going 2-4 with two runs scored and driving in six [23]. He has ZERO SO’s.!
C CHRISTIAN BETHANCOURT [.245 BA] 1-5, 1 RBI [3], 2 SO, 1 E [5, throwing].
Whoa, RHSP JULIO TEHERAN [4.01 ERA] has the trifecta start tonight, 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 3 SO. Three excellent outings in a row. Maybe with HANSON and JURRJENS gone, he finally seize the light. Carpe diem!
ORIENTE STARS
LHRP DUSTY HUGHES [0.00 ERA] 2.0 IP, 1 H, zip!
Man, what’s gotten into BRAVES hurlers tonight? Something’s in the wind.
PUERTO RICO
MANATI ATTENDANTS
1B RUBEN GOTAY [.200 BA] 0-4.
VENEZUELA
CARACAS LIONS
RF JOSH KROEGER [.292 BA] 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI [11], 1 SO.
LARA CARDINALS
LHRP LUIS AVILAN [H 3, 1.65 ERA] 1.0 IP, pristine, 1 SO.
LUIS makes it a clean sweep for BRAVES pitchers in the excellence department tonight!
ZULIA EAGLES
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.322 BA] 0-4.
richbrave
December 4th, 2012
11:35 pm
98.6 down south tonight.
FRANCISCO’s fifth and sixth HR’s.
richbrave
December 4th, 2012
11:36 pm
NYTOL. Dream of CraZy trades. It’s gonna’ happen.
brian
December 4th, 2012
11:41 pm
Marlins did better than I thought they would in dealing Yunel
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
11:43 pm
I am losing faith, Richbrave!
Braves fan in queens
December 4th, 2012
11:45 pm
good article!
Any chance the braves are discussing a trade with boston for ellsbury?
A.P
December 4th, 2012
11:52 pm
Im all in on Elsbury as well. Was a MVP candidate 2 years ago, could be a buy low situation. Wouldn’t give up a great deal on a one year rental.
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
11:53 pm
Bowman just posted a story saying Braves are interested in Emilio Bonifacio
A.P
December 4th, 2012
11:58 pm
Bonifacio has a ton of speed. I would like that deal. Any news on who we would offer?
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
11:58 pm
I think he should have won the MVP. He finished 2nd to Verlander…I thought I read a NY writer left him off. His numbers were crazy that year! Ops of .928. 119 runs. 105 RBI. 39 SBs. 9.4 WAR. 15.7 UZR/150. Um, that’s pretty damn good and was 2011.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
11:58 pm
I hope so, Jason. He would likely come cheaper than the other options and he’s a switch hitter who can nab you 30 SB. I could live with him as a choice for our lead-off guy.
brian
December 4th, 2012
11:59 pm
Bonafacio us interesting. Lead off and speed guy. Kind of like that one. Can play 3B and OF. Can also play 2B
JasonInFL
December 5th, 2012
12:01 am
A.P. – the article didn’t say. He did have 30 steals in 64 games according to the article.
But, man, back to Ellsbury…he is a difference maker if healthy…big if…this year’s Beltran?
Brava
December 5th, 2012
12:01 am
He’s also 27 years old, so he fits Wrens desire to build a younger faster team.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 5th, 2012
12:01 am
Oh boy Bonifacio! Hardly a premium player.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
12:04 am
Maybe not premium, BravePack, but affordable. Look at how outrageous the market is this season!
A.P
December 5th, 2012
12:06 am
If Elsbury is healthy, he is a monster acquisition. If we get 80% of his production from 2 years ago, our offense becomes downright scary
Brava
December 5th, 2012
12:09 am
Yes, if he’s healthy. Heck of a gamble.
A.P
December 5th, 2012
12:10 am
Does he have a history of injuries, or was last year an isolated incident?
Brava
December 5th, 2012
12:17 am
A.P. I can’t say for sure, but I thought I read that he’s been injured for the better part of the last two seasons. I could be wrong.
A.P
December 5th, 2012
12:20 am
I believe he was healthy almost all of 2011. That is the year he put up insane numbers. I’d still hate to give up a top prospect for a 1 year rental, even if that rental does have MVP potential
Ralph
December 5th, 2012
12:23 am
Who says Wren hasn’t done anything, man i’m telling ya’ll he has been bustin his ass digginh those dumpsters, if there’s a pitcher anywhere in the country that some other team throws away Wren is right there, we reaqlly need some more pitching to hell with a starting left fielder, Frank will find one somewhere in one of those dumpsters.
O'Ventbrel
December 5th, 2012
12:25 am
Bonifacio did have injury problems this past season, but he has some serious wheels and can play all over the field. I wouldnt be opposed to the Braves acquiring him in a reasonable exchange.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
12:26 am
I don’t doubt Wren has checked in on him. I guess we’ll see if anything happens tomorrow. Going to call it a day now.
Goodnight.
JC Brave
December 5th, 2012
12:37 am
Bonifacio? Really? Really? I mean, really?
Wow… talk about dumpster diving…
nolie
December 5th, 2012
12:43 am
screw Ellsbury, Guy had one great year way out of line with any others and has missed most of the two surrounding seasons. A one year rental who might easily spend most of it on the DL .
Ralph
December 5th, 2012
12:44 am
Now they throw Bonifacio into the mix, he’s nothing special either, probably soething Wren would be interested in though.
Eric B
December 5th, 2012
12:44 am
Bonafacio is exactly the type of affordable trade piece we need to acquire imo. He can play all over the multiple IF spots and the OF. Dont get me wrong but Ellsbury would be a 1 year rental with Boras as his agent. And I doubt we’ll be as desperate in our attempt to land him as a team like the Phillies might be.Im still on board with Lorenzo Cain but Bonafacio would really fill our needs of a speedy lead off batter that can play multiple positions.If we go the Ellsbury route I hope we can get it done with Gilmartin, and a couple of other top 20 prospects, instead of Teheran or Delgado. I just think either of those guys are worth more than a one year rental for an injury prone Boras client.
ncbravesfan90
December 5th, 2012
12:45 am
Well there’s that…..
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Lots of Braves-related chatter on Twitter. All I can say is that you guys have talked more about Ellsbury than the Braves have.
nolie
December 5th, 2012
12:46 am
Emilio, good speed not really much else. starting to search at lower levels. no surprise there though
nolie
December 5th, 2012
12:48 am
No way they get Ellsbury they are not that big risk takers
captguitarman
December 5th, 2012
12:59 am
What a relief (no pun intended)! The Braves have fortified the best bull pen in the National League. From an August 2013 retrosect, this may end up looking like a really good decision because of all the one run games. They may need all the bull pen that they can get next year to stay in the race, assuming that they are in it. They spent mucho dollardos on a new center fielder who is definitely not Michael Bourne, but could have a great year, but it is a big gamble. They lost the best back up catcher in the league (because he is of starter quality, and someone else said we’ll pay for that), and they don’t have a left fielder yet who can stop into Prado’s shoes. (Note to Braves: Don’t take another big chance for huge dollars on a questionable left fielder). Prado’s steps in for an aging Chipper at third, so that is a wash. And hopefully, short stop (if he is not traded) will learn to hit as well as he catches grounders, and Ugla will learn to hit . . . again.
nolie
December 5th, 2012
12:59 am
I would not be surprised if Ellsbury took PEDS in ‘11.
this is a guy who in 5 minor league seasons hit a total of 11 homers and hit 8 and 9 in two full MLB seasons
The A Bomb
December 5th, 2012
1:18 am
Exciting the fan base isn’t Wren’s forte.
Ward
December 5th, 2012
2:22 am
Hello everyone! I didn’t see Boston coming in to get Vcitorino, and by what was being talked about. Really thought he would be a Brave, but that’s how fast a things can change. There goes my prediction….
Ward
December 5th, 2012
2:33 am
So, now Braves are looking into Choo. Not a bad idea, and would support that too. After Shane Vcitorino signed with Boston. Would support a Ludwick signing, because 7 million is what the Braves are looking around at.
Ward
December 5th, 2012
2:36 am
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Bourn still sign. The way he’s been quiet on the market.
Mike
December 5th, 2012
2:46 am
Enter your comments here
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:38 am
Too bad Ludwick could be a Red? $7 million would fit the Braves budget……
Ward
December 5th, 2012
3:57 am
Like I said before, “I’m not picky for LF.Will take now on my list, Fowler, Choo, Ichiro, since Ludwick could sign with Reds. Will also take Cody Ross too. Not sure what will happen, because things change, so quickly.” I’ll welcome either one on the team. Just hope it’s some one! All, have a good one! Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Venice Jim
December 5th, 2012
4:18 am
Just returned from the Springsteen concert – as expected, just short of 3.5 hours – heard Spirit In the Night in concert for the first time in 36 years…got to hear the 2 best songs ever written…the Clarence tribute was as great as I had heard it would be … as I guessed we would, heard Santa Claus Is Coming to Town just before we got to go home…certainly worth being up past 1:00 a.m. for the first time in a while…
Venice Jim
December 5th, 2012
4:22 am
I’ll be back all too soon, given the fact that I always wake up too early…
chipl1960
December 5th, 2012
5:56 am
VJ-huge boss fan here. saw 1st 2 shows of tour in ATL and Greensboro. For those who don’t already know Bruce is the best in the business. I think the E-Street band should be on everyones bucket list. Hope to hear some details from the show VJ. I’m sure you had a blast.
JasonInFL
December 5th, 2012
6:02 am
Power-wise 2011 was an aberration, Noles. But, 2008 and 2009 weren’t exactly awful years, especially for a leadoff guy. 50 and 70 SBs respectively and an OBP of .355 in 09. But, you are correct in that we don’t take a lot of chances…instead we sign guys like Loaf!
JasonInFL
December 5th, 2012
6:03 am
I think today is the day…Upton gets traded and the Braves make their move…will it be one and the same?
steve whitmire
December 5th, 2012
6:08 am
VERY INFORMATIVE POST, good writing, lot of interesting comments not the usual negative bs, I think we’ll have good starters next year, good pen, good centerfielder, looking forward to the season, also, I love lamp
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
6:22 am
Looking at lower level players again…. he promised premium players! Still not seeing one.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
6:32 am
But I guess those lower level players (3rd tier) are better than using our crap-level players like Juan and Georgie (5th or 6th tier)
Joey G
December 5th, 2012
6:58 am
If FW trades for Bonafacio, it will leave money to go after Grienke or Lohse. Bonafacio would be a nice lead off hitter. Could steal a lot of bases.
old man
December 5th, 2012
7:12 am
Cali Brave Fan:
Sorry, but your six-peat does not come close to my all-time blog record eleven-peat.
Try again, bud.
Jordan M
December 5th, 2012
7:14 am
If the Dodgers fail to get Greinke I could see them getting involved in a three way with Philly and Arizona. Upton to Philly, Dee Gordon to Arizona, and Lee to LA.
Mr Pitts
December 5th, 2012
7:35 am
“For those who don’t already know Bruce is the best in the business…”
I know that he’s not………….very good artist, but……..I like his music but I never bought into the BOSS schtik……I’ll decide who my Boss will be, but not a 5′6″ guy weighing about 130 lbs. Too many great rock groups during my young years to have him in the top tier.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
7:38 am
I like Ellsbury, BUT only have control for one year and we all know who his agent is. What it would take to get him would be huge. Making the trade with the marlins would be an equal risk in a different perspective. The risk is will his performance come up. The benefit is his versatility, very good speed and under team control along with it shouldn’t cost high prospects.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
7:43 am
One name I have not seen pop up in about a month is the Cub’s Soriano… hopefully we will not be reading about him any time soon. I don’t care how much the cubs are willing to eat of his contract.
BFChris28
December 5th, 2012
7:48 am
1. Emilio Bonifacio LF
2. Martin Prado 3B
3. Jason Heyward RF
4. BJ Upton CF
5. Freddie Freeman 1B
6. Dan Uggla 2B
7. Brian McCann C
8. Andrelton Simmons SS
That’s a pretty solid lineup there. I’d be OK with Bonifacio. Dude has speed and can steal bases and when healthy he can get on base a lot.
BFChris28
December 5th, 2012
7:54 am
Also, Bonifacio would probably be a thorn in Marlins side, should Braves acquire him.
richbrave
December 5th, 2012
8:00 am
FRANCISCO, AVILAN, and TEHERAN looking good right now down south.
old man
December 5th, 2012
8:05 am
I like Bonifacio, especially after looking at his splits. He would make us one of the fastest teams in MLB.
Guys, check this out, maybe one of you can do some follow up detective work while I’m headed to a meeting:
Here are Bonifacio’s lines from 2011, 2012
2011– .296/ .360/ .393/ .753., 40 SBs
2012– .258/ .330/ .316/ .645, 30 SBs
If he gives us a 2011 type year, that would be great. He’s 27. He makes 2.2M, is under control with arb-eligible years in 13 and 14, FA in 15.
He always seems to kill the Braves. His stats against us aren’t special, but he always seems to make a clutch play against us, with the bat or glove. Just my recollection. He is a switch hitter.
Here is the interesting part. His career OPS split is +60 as a RHB. In 2011 it was +140 as a RHB, and overall he had that great line above. In 2012, his split completely reversed, in a huge way–+225 OPS points as a LHB. His OPS as a LHB (normally his weak side) has been consistent, .723 and .726 in 2011 and 2012, so all of his slide from 2011 to 2012 was caused by the dramatic downturn in his hitting as a RHB (normally his strong side). He had an injury which obviously affected him hitting from the right side, normally his stronger side. If he’s over that, he could be a real steal. Maybe his 2011 years is a better indication of where he is as a hitter.
So, what was his injury, and was it something which could match with his drastic fail as a RHB last year, and is it something which he is clearly over? If it is, we might not need to be too disappointed in him.
Is today the last day of the meetings?
Brava
December 5th, 2012
8:06 am
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Blockbuster brewing? Story: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/winter-meetings-blockbuster-possibilities-justin-upton-asdrubal-cabrera-james-shields-120412 … #Rangers #Rays #Diamondbacks #Indians
BFChris28
December 5th, 2012
8:07 am
old man
Bonifacio was injured, believe it had to do with his oblique or something causing his RH swing to cause him pain. He should be good to go in ST, if Braves acquire him.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
8:16 am
Apparently, Bonifacio had a thumb injury in mid-July and then re-injured it when he came back in August. He then had a knee injury when he came back from that in late August.
ncscoots
December 5th, 2012
8:30 am
Folks here have always had an irrational attraction for Bonifacio, going all the way back to the year when he first showed up. He started out en fuego and people here fell in love with him. Then he promptly remembered he was Emilio Bonifacio and fell off the edge of the earth, losing his starting job. People here still loved him, LOL.
If the team wants to pick him up as a utility guy who can play the IF spots and get 250 PAs, then there might be worse options (Braves usually carry two reserve IF, anyway). Anything more than that would be a very bad idea.
RC in the ATL
December 5th, 2012
8:36 am
ncscoots,
I seriously doubt the Braves are going to pay over $2 million for a backup infielder, although I do agree he would really make the bench stronger.
jmart1951
December 5th, 2012
8:39 am
Assuming Bonifacio is healthy, I would love to see a trade for him. If not then going with Fransisco at third is a good move. He is starting to realize his potential. Maybe someone like Chavez as a backup to bat against left handers if need be.
Then sign Reed Johnson and cannot wait until Spring. It starts one week earlier this year because of the World Baseball Championship.
ncscoots
December 5th, 2012
8:40 am
RC, believe me, I’ll never miss Emilio if the Braves don’t acquire him.
I think some folks here were looking at him as an option for LF, and I wanted to address that notion.
Dadgum.....
December 5th, 2012
8:42 am
It looks like the Rangers and DBacks are close on a Andrus for Upton trade according to Tim Kurkjan, Rosenthal, and Bowden. Guess when enough pundits are in on something it heightens the probability quotient. The Rangers have a better phenom at SS blocked by Andrus and need OF help that Upton could bring. Makes too much sense. Upton’s landing somewhere today and it probably isn’t Atlanta unless a 3 way trade happens.
Lew
December 5th, 2012
8:42 am
Oblique Injury? Thumb injury? Ankle injury? Are we perhaps sensing a trend here?
Fred
December 5th, 2012
8:44 am
Dave, with the Braves and Nationals both signing CF’s, isn’t the market for Michael Borne getting a bit thin? Think Boras’ tactics could backfire??
Brava
December 5th, 2012
8:44 am
scoots, according to Bowman’s article, the Braves are looking at him as a LF option.