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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
257 comments Add your comment
Robert ( chi-town)
December 10th, 2012
11:31 am
Span……..gone………Revere………gone…..Myers……gone……Frank your targets are getting taken away from you day by day. We did not have a pitcher of Shields resume available, but is Frank hell bent on Medlen not being a one year wonder? I say move him while the coals are hot! Does anyone really believe that as good as he was last year, that this kid is the next coming of Mad Dog?
Robert ( chi-town)
December 10th, 2012
11:34 am
Span….gone….Revere….gone…..Myers……gone Frank your targets are getting moved day by day to other teams! Granted you dod not have a Shields tpe of pitcher to offer, but what about Medlen? As good as he was last year are you really convinced that this kid is the second coming of the Mad Dog?
Brown
December 10th, 2012
11:36 am
KC-Tampa trade also means our shot at Alex Gordon is probably gone too, since they needed pitching and now they’ve got it.
Brown
December 10th, 2012
11:36 am
KC-Tampa trade also means our shot at Alex Gordon is probably gone too, since they needed pitching and now they’ve got it.
Real Talk
December 10th, 2012
11:50 am
It looks as though the field is narrowing with Fowler and Bonafacio being the most likely. I still think that we still can get in the Upton Trade talks, but really I’m starting to wonder if maybe a signing of Polanco to platoon with Francisco is where we are heading and Prado playing Left!!
jim
December 10th, 2012
11:51 am
The person comparing Simmons to Renteria must be only listening to the games on the radio. If he ever watched the two play SS he/she would see that Renteria had a well below average arm — Simmons one of the strongest, Simmons covers ground that Renteria had sold or never owned. If Simmons has similar offensive tools to Renteria and far superior defense abilities, he is a player you build around not trade for three years of Justin Upton.
Bud
December 10th, 2012
11:51 am
If its a leftfielder/lead-off that is sought, I would go with Bonifacio.
rainman34
December 10th, 2012
11:55 am
Some of the best trades are the ones you dont make. Teherans last three games 16 innings 2 hits no runs our future ace is back.
Ozzie
December 10th, 2012
11:59 am
Baseball is also more than defense. The team lost and continues to lose bc it cannot score runs in the clutch or at all at times.
You added a 150+ SO CF who may drive in 75-80 runs. You have no one on the team who has ever hit 110+ RBIs.
SS is important defensively but SS errors have not cost this team a flag or a ring, ever.
It is amazing how people have gone cultish on Simmons after 39 ML games. He looks great but losing mind over a SS seems overboard. PS – I saw him in the minors in ATL. He looks very good but sample size is too small.
In a perfect world you keep him and try to work a deal around Ahmed. However keeping Ahmed and moving Simmons will not be the undoing of this team.
Putting a bandaid in LF will IMHO – missing the post season again only to be left with some web gem clips of Simmons will be a hollow victory.
Just count ten and look clearly at this club. They won a WS with Blauser and he was avg defensively and mediocre offensively. His BA in the WS was .000.
Simmons projects to be Renteria not Arod. There is a big difference especially on a team that does not hit in big spots.
I would love to keep him but 39 games and hitting for the most part in A ball and then the AFL I am not ready to call him AROD 2.0.
The Truth....
December 10th, 2012
12:01 pm
$75 mil for Upton? You got snookered! Could have got 2 players for that price…..But whatever its the Braves..they’ll be good but still not good enough.
jim
December 10th, 2012
12:04 pm
I hope the Braves did not hold the group of Teheran, Delgado, and Vizcaino as untouchable for years only to trade them for the likes of Maholm and Bonafacio (and the aborted trade of Delgado for two months of Dempster).
After 2013 the Braves will likely say good bye to Maholm, and have the choice of re-signing a 39-year old Hudson, a 29 year old catcher, or locking up their 24-year old stars. As much as I like Hudson, and suspect he will still have something left, he may not be affordable even at a home team discount given the other considerations. That leaves a 2014 rotation of Medlen, Minor, Beachy, Delgado, Teheran with Graham in reserve — I equate Gilmartin to Derek Liliquist and Spruil < Charlie Morton from the Braves past.
Ozzie
December 10th, 2012
12:12 pm
I have watched Simmons in person (minor league ball more than once and several ML games – have you done both repeatly?).
I am talking about his overall impact as a ballplayer (re: Renteria) not one skill set that is amazing. Renteria helped two teams win a WS I don’t think that is anything to sneeze at.
AROD on the other hand hit over 50hrs in multiple seasons at SS. Hit over 300. Was a slick fielding short stop in his prime, etc. Simmons is the next AROD for rabid fans at this point and the further we are from last season the more legendary his rep is becoming. Classic fan move.
People are focusing on his arm & range (normal) versus the reality that this team needs “clutch” RBIs as well.
Furcal has a cannon arm and could steal a base. The Braves won zero with him in his prime.
Tried hard to look past this one position.
This team cannot score runs in the clutch and will have multiple 150+ SO guys on the team. You cannot have both and win much even if Jesus is playing SS.
I want to keep him but I am a realist.
I think we have devolved into people arguing to keep him just for the sake of arguing so I will let my comments stand. Let’s pray he hits .325, 22hrs, 75+ RBIs and a WAR of 6 bc the hype level is already at that point.
Posts about The Braves From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
December 10th, 2012
12:18 pm
[...] to acquire a starting left fielder (or third baseman). He might open next season i more… Braves still LF shopping, glad they got CF early – blogs.ajc.com 12/08/2012 The Braves don’t know who’ll hit leadoff or play left [...]
jmart1951
December 10th, 2012
12:32 pm
DOB
Thanks for the Cash song / video. I had never seen / heard it before. Great song and video.
jmart1951
December 10th, 2012
12:41 pm
Looking at the moves made by the Nats, Phillies and Braves, which team has improved the most. Last year the Nats were #1, the Braves #2 and the Phillies with a late fall surge #3.
What is their projected order as of today, knowing that other trades or signings could reshape the order.
As of today I still have the Nats #1, The Braves #2 and The Phillies #3
jmart1951
December 10th, 2012
12:50 pm
Would Boras and Bourne, with his most promising team currently being the Mariners, consider a one year $14 mill contract from the Braves to reestablish his value. Bourne’s last two second halves of the season have been horrible. His 2nd half 2012 strike out rate was unacceptable.
He has tremendous talent but another year with the Braves where he could be a big part toward a pennant drive could set him up for a very big free agent contract at the end of 2013.
I do see the problem that he is then one year older but if he has a great year in 2013 there would probably be a large four year deal waiting for him.
BravesFanInNashville
December 10th, 2012
12:52 pm
Ozzie …… I don’t think Simmons is the next AROD. Not that kind of athlete . Yes he’s going to turn in some web gems but he’s also going to make lots of plays that average major league SS don’t make, look so easy , they won’t even register as web gems. He’s THAT talented.
Simmons profiles to be closer to Jeter to me. Better defensively and probably not quite as good offensively but his make-up is that he’s a winning ball player as is Jeter. Why do you think AZ INSISTS on him in any trade for Upton? Also why do you think Texas hasn’t pulled the trigger by trading Elvis Andrus for Upton? The Rangers know a great SS is of higher value than a LF’er and so does AZ because they are willing to trade Upton for really talented SS. All three GM’s in this mix aren’t likely to be wrong.
PDOG
December 10th, 2012
1:05 pm
Bonaficio is the perfect fit for the Braves, he can play almost any poistion except 1B and catcher and could bat leadoff. DOB who do the Jays plan on playing first base ? Could a trade of Terd, Meja and a second Tier pitching prospect get it done?
The Braves then could go with a bench of Johnson, Juan F and Gattis. That would be perfect.
PDOG
December 10th, 2012
1:14 pm
How about Zobrist for LF? Now that the Rays got Meyers he could be available. Still would rather have Bono but Zobrist would be a good fallback
Real Talk
December 10th, 2012
1:27 pm
Bonafacio is awful!! I just want to be on record that I think he is terrible!! That way if we get him noone can say I didnt tell them so!!
Brown
December 10th, 2012
1:34 pm
Dave-
Could you see a Keppinger/Francisco 3B platoon situation, with Prado in LF?
BravesFanInNashville
December 10th, 2012
1:36 pm
Keppinger is off the market.. No longer available!
Real Talk
December 10th, 2012
1:43 pm
Yep Polanco may be a possibility as a platoon player, the best option at this moment looks to be Dexter Fowler, but no way in hell for Minor!!
Felix
December 10th, 2012
1:44 pm
It is turning out like I thought. Soon it will be January and still nothing will have been done to improve the offense. Then Feb., then ST, then it’s too late (except for the rejects). Wren is so predictable.
We’ll start the sesaon with less offense than 2012.
(sounds scary doesn’t it?)
jbailz23
December 10th, 2012
1:56 pm
For everyone arguing about what is more important offense or defense to win ball games remember that double play that Chipper has rolled in his sleep more times then we could imagine. Ya the one he threw into RF that we never really were able to bounce back from? And stone hands Conrad? It seems as though defense has been our reason to lose the last couple playoff games…
Real Talk
December 10th, 2012
1:58 pm
Request to Jordan Schafer’s family please stay off the blog, we know you think he should be our LF’er but we are not buying the pothead to be our answer!!
Ralph
December 10th, 2012
2:28 pm
I am extremely worried about the middle of our linep (Uggla, McCann and Upton) the rest of the team is solid. Got to love them though, we’re stuck with them, however I have fewer worries than this time last year with a new SS, Chippers age, Heyward returning to form, would Freeman have a sophmore slump, would McCann become his old self, and of course Uggla, 3 out of 6 ain’t too good is it?
David O'Brien
December 10th, 2012
2:44 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/12/10/in-last-year-on-hof-ballot-heres-case-for-murph/
Rick C
December 10th, 2012
3:37 pm
Ozzie, I have not seen a single person claim that Simmons will be the next ARod. He’s never profiled as that type of hitter. We love him because he has exceptional defensive abilities at a position that is generally more defensively focused. I think most people would be happy if he hits around 270/330/400. Why do you think Arizona is refusing to trade Upton to the Braves without Simmons involved? He’s a special player, and I’m sorry that you can’t see that. Not every player needs to hit for power. Simmons compiled a 2.8 WAR in 49 games this year. Upton compiled a 2.1 WAR in 150 games. And he’s never even had 90 RBIs, so I’m not sure how he is an answer to your complaint that no current Brave has hit 110 RBIs (which by the way, only 6 players did last season).
2K91
December 10th, 2012
5:05 pm
I have read several times on this blog that Simmons was all glove/no bat in the minors.
That is simply not true and pretty easy to check.
He had a career .299 minor league BA, .352 OBP, .397 Slugging %, and a .749 career OPS!
I would call that pretty good for a potential gold glove shortstop!
He should not be going anywhere!
NO BJ UPTON
December 10th, 2012
5:38 pm
I like the Bonafacio trade better than Francisco. I do not think Juan is an everyday starter. I think he is a good bench utility guy, but not everyday. I think if you can get Emilio away from Toronto and not lose a lot (Bullpen is what Blue Jays need), then I think that our line up will be solid. Granted, I am not thrilled at all with Upton, especially after what the Nationals and Phillies gave up for Span and Revere. But, it is what it is. I cannot for the life of me believe that Wren paid 15 million for a .248 hitter, who is not a Gold Glove for that matter. Wren, do something right, and trade for Emilio and lets see how smart you are.
BravoRedLeg
December 10th, 2012
6:15 pm
hey front office, mark reynolds just signed a 1 yr deal, wake the f up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ozzie
December 10th, 2012
7:13 pm
I love Simmons but I hate losing more. AZ wants Simmons bc he is good and they hope he can be even better.
They need a SS more than they need OFers however they are trading a guy in Upton who has proven himself. This means a high asking price bc they are taking more of a risk. Many young players have set backs or tank and Simmons for all his potential has player 39 ML games.
They also are AZ and Towers always demands some pain with his trades.
Again nirvana would be JUpton in LF and Simmons at SS with Ahmed going to AZ. Perhaps if Ahmed gets a non roster invite to ST and lights it up Towers will change his mind.
For now he is doing what a good GM does – play hardball until someone breaks. We are just hoping it will be him in the end.
TX needs pitching more than offense and I view Upton as a plan B should they have won the Greinke sweepstakes. Since that ship has sailed expect them to go hard after Hamilton and try to get another arm and a catcher over JUpton.
They wants to keep Elvis and Profar bc they need a SS and 3B the latter bc Young is gonzo (again more than an OF).
The Braves had the wrong guy in LF for years and sooner or later that has to change if they expect to win.
smallmouth6
December 10th, 2012
7:48 pm
Where is the tipping point for baseball? When they quit paying players this kind of silly money. Once a supporter of free agency, I no longer see its value when only a handful of teams are competitive every year with your one or two token teams “with destiny” on their sides that almost always fall short of a WS title. So much wrong right now with a great game, from the commissioner on down.
Rick C
December 10th, 2012
8:05 pm
Ozzie, so you think Simmons is over hyped, but now say that Arizona’s asking price is high? I don’t get you man.
And I think you could make the case that Atlanta is taking on more risk in that trade. They have to take on Upton’s salary, which is substantial for their payroll. Meanwhile, Arizona is dropping that salary from a position where they have an abundance of players, and taking on a player making ML minimum for several more years. And if Simmons doesn’t pan out the biggest cost for them is losing three more years of Upton.
Upton is a talented player, but he’s also up and down from year to year. By no means was his 2012 bad, but his OPS dropped by over 100 pts from 2011. The same thing happened 2009-2010. He also has not proven himself outside of Chase field, hitting 250/325/406 on the road. So the Braves certainly are risking a lot trading away a young player as talented as Simmons so early in his career.
russ's spot
December 10th, 2012
9:13 pm
ozzie
you are not a realist. you are in love with justin
Tim
December 10th, 2012
9:13 pm
Schafer? He cannot hit. Simple as that.
CJ
December 10th, 2012
10:02 pm
Best lineup if no one added…
1. Simmons
2. Prado
3. Heyward
4. Upton
5. Freeman
6. McCann/Uggla
7. Uggla/McCann
8. Francisco
ozzie
December 10th, 2012
11:38 pm
What is so hard to understand? Both guys are prized by their owners and their fans. That is my point.
What you are not accepting is Justin has performed over many full seasons in the ML while Simmons has not. We are over hyping Simmons based on beliefs and a small sample size. Towers is looking at Justin’s 2011 performance and he won’t give it up unless he gets a very good SS who he can control for at least 3 years.
That is why Elvis and Caberara (sp?) in CLV are no go’s
Two guys who are being hyped hard by their owners and fans fairly common. We need RBIs in the OF they need a SS under control.
Pretty simple.
Don
December 11th, 2012
10:06 am
So they are glad they sighned Upton. After all it is difficult to find a hitter who hits below .250 with (even worse) an On Base Average below .300 and even worse, worse approaching 200 Strike Outs – an especially signing a Home Run Hitter who against the 1/3 best pitchers hit .168 with ZERO HOME RUNS.
Don
December 11th, 2012
10:09 am
Has a team ever advanced far in Post Season with 3 of their 4 best hitters in the top 10 in the League (or is it in all of Baseball) in Strikeouts????
Don
December 11th, 2012
10:09 am
Has a team ever advanced far in Post Season with 3 of their 4 best hitters in the top 10 in the League (or is it in all of Baseball) in Strikeouts????
Don
December 11th, 2012
10:30 am
So what if Upton hits below .250 with an On Base Average below .300 and approaches 200 Strike Outs, the Braves signed him for his power and hitting a SIGNIFICANT number of HOME RUNS.
WOOPS –
Against the 1/3 best pitchers, he hit .168 and hit – ZERO – THATS ZERO – HOME RUNS.
Real Talk
December 11th, 2012
10:36 am
@Don the Braves best hitters are Prado, Heyward, Freeman, and Upton and only one of those(Upton) was in last years top 10 and out of the projected lineup only 2(Upton and Uggla) were in the top 10!!!!
Real Talk
December 11th, 2012
10:38 am
@Don don’t make up stats because you dislike Upton!!!!
Rick C
December 11th, 2012
10:44 am
Don must have posted that same line at least a few dozen times now. Dude is a broken record.
David O'Brien
December 11th, 2012
11:04 am
Hey Don, you do realize that trades can’t be rescinded, right? If so, what would be the point in repeating ad nauseum the same statistic about Upton not homering against the best pitchers? I mean, seriously, what do you want us to do, acknowledge how you came across an interesting stat? OK, consider it acknowledged. Gold star for you. Now what?
Rick C
December 11th, 2012
11:09 am
DOB, I’ve asked him that a couple times, don’t expect a response. He’ll just ignore it and keep posting it over and over.
Real Talk
December 11th, 2012
11:33 am
@ Don, DOB, and RickC what I dont understand is why he makes up stuff. BJ hit HR”s against CC Sabathia, Matt harrison, Josh Johnson, and Jared Weaver who are all in the top 1/3 of pitchers and hew was 8×25 against them which is a .320 .AVG with 11 RBI’s
Real Talk
December 11th, 2012
11:35 am
@ DOB, RickC, and DON What I dont understand is why he lies to make a point. BJ was 8×25 with 4 HR’s and 11 Rbi’s against CC Sabathia, Matt Harrison, Josh Johnson, and Jared Weaver who are all in the top 1/3 of pitchers. Confusing, just say I dont like him and be done with it, but dont falsify stuff!!
Rick C
December 11th, 2012
11:39 am
Real Talk, he is referring to BJ Upton’s numbers against “power pitchers,” which by Baseball Reference’s definition is pitchers who are in the top third of the league in SOs plus BBs.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=uptonbj01&year=2012&t=b#power
Real Talk
December 11th, 2012
11:46 am
@RickC oh then I dont care then for sure because most nights 80% of the time he will be fine for us:}
Seattle Braves
December 11th, 2012
2:43 pm
With all the talent we have in the minors, why Trade for LF?
also
With all the talent we have in the minors, Why not Trade for LF?
I would love as a fan to see both Upton brothers here in Atlanta. The cost of Simmons is way too high. Stanton probably the better option, if we can put an attrative deal together.
Otherwise, We use Prado in LF. And see what Fransico can do on a regular basis.
JB
December 11th, 2012
5:18 pm
Looks like the Reds are closing in on Choo. Indians would get Drew Stubbs (CF) and Didi Gregorius (SS).
Angry acworth man
December 11th, 2012
6:39 pm
I really hope Frank Wren has a rabbit in his hat because Choo is another outfielder off the board that we were rumored to be going after….
Sambo 4 Rambo
December 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
Cant let Simmons go. We lost out on the last SS stud we had for a big name player (Elvis Andrus for Tex). While looking for a Left Fielder I just dont see letting go of much. Our starting pitching is not very concrete, love Huddy but hes logged in the years, Maholm = who knows, Beachy is coming off TJ and we hope like hell he will bounce back after the All Star break. Medlen and Minor seem like a for sure thing but after that you have a couple minor leaguers fighting for a job (Teheran/Delgado). All in all just a lot of uncertaintys im feelin…
mark
December 12th, 2012
9:17 pm
we will play francisco at 3rd and i’d bet that he hits for better numbers than uggla or upton.
simmons
prado
heyward
fransico
freeman
upton
mccan
uggla