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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
149 comments Add your comment
Ekim56
December 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
I wish ROB would stop calling his opinions facts.
RJB in DC
December 5th, 2012
9:54 pm
OK, the more I look at what is left out in the FA market and potentially via trade, the more I am inclined to buy into what Frank Wren is saying about the best value being letting the LF position be filled by a platoon from the current roster. While I would like to see Reed Johnson be the mainstay of the group, I suspect the problem is that he really looking for a full time/multi-year deal. Given the young potential outfield talent coming up, it would surprise me if the Braves are offering him anymore than a one year gig.
If Todd Cunningham can carry the success he had in AA over to Gwinnett, he could easily find himself on the big league roster after the all star break— taking Schafer’s spot on the roster. While I am not quite convinced that Gattis is the RH power bat that the Brave crave, the switch hitting Cunningham could be a long term solution in CF and near the top of the order with his high OBP and speed. In which case they could slide BJ Upton over to LF and solidify the outfield for a long time to come.
Given Dexter Fowler’s historical splits away from Coors Field, it seems hard to make a case why he might be worth either Delgado or Tehran. Over the past four seasons while on the road (898 AB’s), his offensive line is 248 / 333 / 370 with a 703 OPS.
ROB
December 5th, 2012
10:00 pm
EKIM56 IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND THAT IS FACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gene
December 5th, 2012
10:25 pm
OK, Fredi, I’ll bite. Tee the football again and don’t pull it away this time. Like a lot of Atlanta fans, I am a slow learner. See you in Orlando in March.
Doof fredi
December 5th, 2012
10:28 pm
I still can’t believe they are keeping fg. The entire concept is more than a mind can understand. Whatever games the Braves won it was in spite of fg, not because of him. They should have asked Chipper to manage the team. But no, they take the high road, because they flat don’t care. Pitiful.
Bill in VA
December 5th, 2012
10:35 pm
I’d rather have Fredi for 2 more than the big O for 4 more.
FACT
December 5th, 2012
10:51 pm
Should be quite a battle for last place in NL East in 2013. It’s a 3 team race: Phils, Mets and Marlins.
AussieBrave
December 5th, 2012
11:01 pm
As an aside, I am from Australia but am not a 15 year old girl. LOL. I am a 48YO female who happens to love baseball, particularly the Braves (and now Canberra Cavalry).
And to be relative to the article, I’m not a great fan of Fredi’s either. He seems like a nice enough man and his record as a manager overall is not terrible, but there is something untangible that great managers/leaders have and I cannot sense it in Fredi. Perhaps he is too quiet, I’m not sure – but mostly I feel like he is learning on the job; and that is fine, but this isn’t the minors, or even a second tier MLB team – the Braves need strong leadership from someone who isn’t still learning. Just my opinion..
Mitchell
December 5th, 2012
11:18 pm
Rick C
December 5th, 2012
5:43 pm
“The Braves prove again there ok being mediocre.”
Is 94 wins mediocre these days?
No but three straight second place finishes and ZERO playoff wins in seven years is.
Okay, they won ONE playoff game.
Third, third, fourth, third, second, second, second, ZERO home playoff wins since 2005, ZERO post-season series victories since 2001…
But we did surprise the Giants back in Game 2 with an 11th inning comeback victory in Oh-Ten.
That’s bumps us up from s*****y to certified mediocre.
Thank you Rick Ankiel!
Mitchell
December 5th, 2012
11:28 pm
Any conditions for this contract or does he just have to basically show up on time for the next two seasons to get the automatic twenty year Bobby Cox extension?
NORRIS CHUCK
December 5th, 2012
11:33 pm
Up in Boston the fan polls say 57 percent of the people say trade Ellsbury. The reason…The Sox need pitching in a bad way, something the Braves always seem to have too much of.
And every year with all the pitching they have, its always the Braves bats that get shut down in the post-season.
NO MORE FREDI
December 6th, 2012
12:56 am
This proves the good ol boy network is alive and well in the Braves organization. What has he done? Choke in September then choke in a one game playoff the next season. It’s about one thing in Atlanta folks…. $$$$
ROB
December 6th, 2012
1:29 am
FACT
PHILLIS 2 WS CHAMPIONSHIPOS BRAVES HAVE 1
76ERS 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS HAWKS HAVE NONE
EAGLES 3 CHAMPIONSHIPS FALCONS HAVE NONE
FLYERS 2 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS AND FLAMES AND THRASHERS AGAIN NONE
FACT, FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT !!!!!!!!
Phillies Phanatic
December 6th, 2012
6:41 am
The lone championship in Atlanta (1995) was a shortened season because of the players’ strike.
Unless you count all those division championships that no one in the baseball world remembers except in Atlanta.
I’m sure BJ Upton will nicely compliment Dan Uggla and the other strikeout specialists in the Braves’ lineup. Turner Field won’t be so humid next summer with so much fanning going on and dwindling crowds.
Brave New World
December 6th, 2012
7:06 am
Lame Philly Trolls: Besides the aging bloated and overpaid Phils, how are those Eagles doing these days? The major difference between the Marlins and the Phils is at least the Marlins’ modest payroll is befitting of a losing season. The Phils are paying ‘Ol Roy and Cliff Lee about what the Marlins are paying their entire team. Both teams will have losing records in 2013. It will be years before the Phils are competitive again. I hope the Phils get Bourn – it would be like adding another sundeck chair to the Titanic.
Phillies Phanatic
December 6th, 2012
7:26 am
While the Phillies prepare to re-tool for 2013, the Braves are paying 15 million a season to BJ Upton & his whopping .298 OBP and staggering 169 strikeouts; league pitchers are salivating at the thought of facing Upton, Uggla and the other undisciplined Atlanta batters.
You’ve lost Chipper’s offense and leadership, Bourn’s speed and leadoff capabilities, and Ross’s steady bat and clubhouse presence, while “adding” a brooding, free swinging loaf like BJ Upton for 5 years. Not exactly an improvement over 2012 by my estimation.
Get ready for a 3rd place finish !
Chicken Pot Pie and Rob crust of it
December 6th, 2012
8:09 am
Hey ROB are what ever is No be sold out soon be like cleveland indians no full house crowds of 11,000 a game face facts team is old and your manager will be fired in 2013…Cause washington and atlanta will be up there and sillies and Metsy and New Houston astros are aka Miami Marlins will be last with 109 Lost’s …remember Houston in AL get whipped as bad as whip cream in AL west….Nats will win east atlanta 2nd 3rd Phillies 4th Mets and last fish in pan …..And also Blue Jays be contenders in AL and Tampa no matter the players and owners and Un-carein folks at Tampa bay they be in race Ny will so will Birds and in end Tampa wins east Blue jays 2nd Yankees 3rd Baltimore 4th and Red sox in 5th…..And Chicago white sox will finally win central Minnesota wil be 2nd cleveland will be 3rd place detroit will struggle and royals be last….Texas and oakland and angels will be fightin for west while seattle n houston be so so……at end Texas will win west Oakland will be 2nd wildcard team Angels will fold at end and seattle will win 76 games and houston will lose 111 in last….Freddi will choke east lead to Nats and fold to them and Braves will be wildcard team vs someone and win finally n then lose in divisonal series 3-1 vs SF Giants again…We will get mad and toss Joe simpson on field from TBS booth and toss stuff on field showin we tired of this…Frank wren will say Freddi did a good job as always just the breaks here and there we win..followed by a ticket increase and a letter!
Jim
December 6th, 2012
8:21 am
It’s the players who need to be improved, not the manager, in this case.
Rick C
December 6th, 2012
8:38 am
Phillies Phanatic, what exactly have the Phillies done so far this offseason? They have multiple needs, none of which have been filled, and even the GM has admitted they don’t have enough cash to do it.
Mr Pitts
December 6th, 2012
8:38 am
ROB: To be honest i could care less………
Mr Genius, didn’t you mean ‘couldn’t care less’?
Jay Dawg
December 6th, 2012
8:44 am
Apparently the goal is to “keep putting a good team on the field”. Shouldn’t the goal be to win a World Series?
Better Decision
December 6th, 2012
9:11 am
Wink is on the money. Please sign Prado,Heywood,Freeman,Kimbrel,Medlin. The future and faces of the team.
Braves' Nation
December 6th, 2012
9:19 am
Goal is to when 87-92 games a year, keep fans interested beyond Labor Day, & draw about 2.5 million a year, ensuring Liberty Media a nice profit every year for its stockholders.
As long as Frank & Fredi deliver, they will have a job.
Going back to the World Series is an after thought, not a priority. Thats why uniform retirement ceremonies and Sid Bream bobble head nights and 1990s reunions are so frequent. They sell tickets and remind the fans of days gone by, and unlikely to be repeated.
Don
December 6th, 2012
9:26 am
Saying that the Manager is not significantly important in baseball is beyond belief.
PantherDawg
December 6th, 2012
9:33 am
I want to give him a chance he inherited a dynasty and needs to build his own program. He almost got Manager of the year award. Cox and the staff hand picked him to succeed Bobby. As long as we see progress each year that is good.
JHarber
December 6th, 2012
9:52 am
In times gone bye, players wanted to play for Braves now they Bolt at first opportunity. What does that say about management. Ever since the Smoltz- Glavine incident. Now tell me where the blame lies. By the way Bobby Cox built the team of the 90’s not JS.
Brave New World
December 6th, 2012
9:54 am
Phillies Pathetic: If he’s even healthy enough to play, Ryan “Fats” Howard is a whiff machine who chokes in the playoffs. The only legit player the Phils have is the oft-injured Chase Utley. Halladay’s fastball is topping out at 89 MPH these days, Cliff Lee is getting paid $25 million to win 7-10 games. Jelly Roll is way past his prime. And those young studs (Domino Brown and Mayberry) are not gonna get it done for the Phils. Time to drown your sorrows in Philadelphia’s signature delicacy: greasy meat scraps covered in Velveeta and served on an oversized hot dog bun (aka The Philly Cheesesteak). With your dirty city, crappy food, and miserable sports teams, it’s no wonder you and your fellow Philly trolls like hanging out on our blogs.
Hubert
December 6th, 2012
10:18 am
Go back and watch the game, if you recorded it. The only thing that caused the Braves to lose the Play-in game was the illustrious, great CHIPPER JONES and his error. Yes, the complete loss was caused by this miscue. As good as he was at certain times in his career, he was also a liability to a team. Even saw that when he played in Macon as a shortstop. Far too many errors. He will make the Hall of Fame and deservedly so, but glad he has retired. Maybe some improvement now.
Preston Thompson
December 6th, 2012
11:15 am
This news is really dishearten. Now we have to wait till ‘14 to get a manager. I’d much rather have Bobby back than this mell of a hess we have now. Just disgusting.
Reality Check
December 6th, 2012
11:24 am
“I want to give him a chance he inherited a dynasty” – PantherDawg
Dynasty? The Braves haven’t even won their division since 2005.
With the Nationals’ youth and talent-laden roster, along with their smart manager, I don’t look for the Braves to win another division title anytime soon.
marietta eagle
December 6th, 2012
12:38 pm
COACH G IS THE ONLY COACH THAN CAN BLOW A HUDGE LEAD TWICE AND CAN NOT GAME DAY COACH TO GET ANOTHER CONTRACT, GM THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT MOVE GO GET ANOTHER 220 HITTER THAT STRIKES OUT 50% OF THE TIME AND WONDER WHY WE LOSE .
Phillies Phanatic
December 6th, 2012
1:19 pm
Phillies acquire Ben Revere ! The re-tooling has begun !
Sorry, Braves; Im sure Jordan Schafer wll fit in nicely !
cornjolio
December 6th, 2012
1:34 pm
looks like the Phils didn’t give up that much to get Revere; he’s young with lotsa speed & great defensively.
Was was Frank Wren on this one ?
Braves' Nation
December 6th, 2012
1:46 pm
While the Braves play the Phillies pay.
chris
December 6th, 2012
2:49 pm
I think Fredi has done a hell of a job replacing Bobby..NO Manager is perfect and at least he’s got the team playing to win….this is baseball and quirky wierd things happen day in and day out…just get us some sticks and use that bullpen wisely again this year and we’ll see you In October…Nats are a one trick pony,, rest of division is going to suck so its ours for the taking in 2013…
Reality Check
December 6th, 2012
3:28 pm
“Nats are a one trick pony,” – Chris
Based on what? They are one of the youngest, most talented teams in MLB with a deep starting pitching staff. The Braves don’t match well with the Nationals
bostonbravo
December 6th, 2012
4:01 pm
hmmm
Fredi gets new contract
fat POS Uggla highest paid Brave…
guess I’ll bail & start following the Cubbies…at last they have a little hope for success.
Royster
December 6th, 2012
5:04 pm
Give him a 10 year extension so all these losers on here will shut up.
Kharule
December 7th, 2012
4:54 pm
Great, Fat Fredi is coming back but what about LF? We should focus on our most glaring needs before signing this boobie for more years than he’s worth. Lets go get us a LFer and improve the team before worrying about signing the most worthless guy on the bench to another couple years.
74bravesjersey
December 9th, 2012
9:23 am
Alright, Let’s get Scott Hairston, better than noth’n.
Ted
December 11th, 2012
1:36 am
Wren has to be the dumbest man in baseball.
John A.
December 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
We have losers in the front office and a “YES” man in the dugout. Another poor season in the making.
John A.
December 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
Chris is dreaming…..if he thinks for a second Davey Johnon is going to let the Braves beat out the Nats chris is not only dreaming, but needs mental help too.
John A.
December 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
Chris is dreaming…..if he thinks for a second Davey Johnon is going to let the Braves beat out the Nats chris is not only dreaming, but needs mental help too.
John A.
December 13th, 2012
1:56 pm
When I saw the lackluster performance that Fredi did in the dugout and on the field during the 2010 season, I quit being a fan because the front office quit on the fans. We deserved better, and still do. Davey Johnson was available (instead of Fredi), and had also been a second baseman for the Braves. Short memories here in Hotlanta, and now we have to wait and Hope that Murph gets in the Hall. That is the only future positive we have to look forward to. THANKS FRONT OFFICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MitchC
December 16th, 2012
8:25 am
The problem for Fredi is that the standards he walked into, and the man he took over for, make an incredibly difficult task for him.
Bobby Cox will be in the Hall. He won 2000 plus games,14 straight division titles, and a World Series, and the Braves were only truly bad in one full season he managed, 2008, with all those injuries. Besides that, he was always competetive.
I cant quite warm up to Fredi the way I did with Bobby, but as someone else said, 89 and 94 wins, is far from “horrible” I know teams that would love to have those records.
The Braves will probably end up about where they have the last four years, around 90 wins, and compete for the wild card. Hopefully Upton will make a positive difference
gy6
December 16th, 2012
8:24 pm
ANOTHER two losing seasons with booby ball lite. Jesus H Christ, Sherman decimated Atlanta 150 years ago and you chumps still arent over it.
gy6
December 16th, 2012
8:27 pm
I didnt realize rhere was a hall of chumps. is Joe Shlabotnik gonna be there with Booby?
ronald mchyatt
December 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
the mediocrity will continue until 2015 at least.