Braves still LF shopping, glad they got CF early
The Braves don’t know who’ll hit leadoff or play left field when they open the season against Philadelphia on April 1, but they left the Winter Meetings in Nashville last week thankful to know who’ll be playing center field.
The five-year, $75.25 million contract the Braves gave center fielder B.J. Upton on Nov. 28 was the first significant move of baseball’s Hot Stove season, and at the time many of us thought the Braves were impulsive in so quickly giving Upton the largest free-agent contract in franchise history.
But in light of some deals signed since, and contract figures being bandied about for free agents in Nashville, the Upton deal has begun to look like – well, maybe not a bargain, but not unreasonable.
If 32-year-old Shane Victorino, coming off a season in which he hit .255 with 11 homers, 55 RBIs and a .704 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, got a a three-year, $39 million contract from with Boston, and 32-year-old Nick Swisher rumored to be in line for a four-year deal worth about $60 million, the Upton contract doesn’t seem outrageous.
Of course, the Braves never viewed it that way, though Upton’s deal makes him the highest-paid player in franchise history with an average annual value of $15.05 million.
“Some of the contracts have surprised us,” Wren said, when asked in Nashville if anything at the Winter Meetings surprised him. “Surprised us in that, I think as we were doing Upton and kind of projecting what the climate would be for free agents, some of what’s going on here is what we were afraid of. It’s why we wanted to get out in front of it.”
As big as the Upton contract was – about $20 million above the next-highest known offer – it’s conceivable his price could have risen even higher if he were still available when other teams saw where prices were going for outfielders in a market that has some teams conspicuously flush with cash from exponentially increased projected TV revenues.
“It’s a good thing we got B.J. done early,” Wren said. “We had a situation where we wanted him and he wanted us. We were able to get it done early. But I would have hated to have gotten [to Nashville] with that need still in place, because it’s a tougher environment to get that done.”
After signing Upton, the Braves traded starting pitcher Tommy Hanson for setup reliever Jordan Walden on Nov. 30, and re-signed outfielder/pinch-hitter Reed Johnson to a one-year, $1.75 million contract Thursday, announced just after the Winter Meetings ended.
By the time hundreds of front-office officials, agents and media members gathered in Nashville, the Braves had only three main items on their winter to-do list: left field, and two bench bats (one right-handed, one left-handed). Johnson took care of a bench spot.
They also signed left-handed-hitting utilityman Blake DeWitt to a minor-league contract.
The Braves missed out out Nate Schierholtz for a lefty bench bat, after he signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Cubs on Wednesday. They’ve had trade and free-agent discussions about other options and remain confident they’ll add in that area.
The more interesting and important matter is left field.
Ideally, the Braves would like to add a left fielder who can bat leadoff, although those options dwindled after some they pursued went elsewhere last week: Victorino signed with Boston and Minnesota traded a pair of speedy outfielders the Braves coveted, sending both to NL East rivals — Denard Span to Washington and Ben Revere to Philadelphia.
If the season began today, the Braves could go with Juan Francisco as a primary or platoon third basemen, and have Martin Prado split time between left field and third base instead of moving to third full-time as originally planned. Johnson could also play plenty in left field.
In that scenario, Wren said Prado or shortstop Andrelton Simmons could bat leadoff.
“Those are the most likely candidates from the seven players that are pretty much guaranteed to be in our lineup,” he said. “But we’ve got another opening in left field that we could have some other options, based on who plays there.”
If Toronto decides to trade infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio, he could be a perfect fit for the Braves: a switch-hitter, can play left field, affordable, under contractual control for two seasons, and a leadoff hitter who stole 30 bases in just 64 games in 2012 when he was limited by thumb and knee injuries.
He had his best season in 2011 when he hit .296 with a .360 OBP, five homers and 40 steals.
The Braves have checked into other possibilities, most notably Arizona’s Justin Upton, Colorado’s Dexter Fowler, Cleveland’s Shin-Soo Choo and Kansas City’s Alex Gordon, the latter three potential leadoff hitters. The asking price for each was deemed too high from the Braves’ perspective, the level of talent being asked for not commensurate with the return.
Other potential trade targets carried a high a price tag and/or were left-handed non-leadoff hitters, including Arizona’s Jason Kubel and Gerardo Parra. While Wren has said being a right-handed hitter isn’t so important for a leadoff hitter, he otherwise prefers to add right-handed hitting to a lineup that leaned left in recent years, in a division where the Braves faced numerous lefty pitchers.
Many fans have wondered if the Braves might move B.J. Upton to left field if they acquired another center fielder who might be rated ahead of him according to defensive metric statistics. When asked about that, Wren said Upton would be the center fielder.
“We think he’s one of the best center fielders in the game, so there was never a question he was going to play center field,” Wren said. “Defensive metrics, we think, are still a work in progress. And because of the way that they’re not specific – all of the weight of the metric is not specifically on an individual player, it’s on the players that play beside him.
“They’re not as accurate as they probably should be, and that’s why they’re still a work in progress. So we think he’s a much better player than that, and quite frankly everybody we’ve talked to – scouts and people around, they all chime in that this guy’s a really good center fielder. We knew he was going to be our center fielder. As we went through the process, [assuring him he'd play center] was not to sell him on the organization, because we wanted him to be [the center fielder]. We think he’s one of the best.”
Many Braves fans have conjured images of a potentially spectacular outfield with Jason Heyward and the Upton brothers, but the Braves never considered giving up Simmons, the player Arizona demanded in a trade for Justin Upton.
Simmons’ arm and glove are both rated at 80 by most scouts on the 20-to-80 scale, and he hit .289 with a .751 OPS in 49 games, after being brought from the minors at the end of May and missing two months for a broken hand from a slide in the last game before the All-Star break.
While Wren said he doesn’t consider any player untouchable, he sees Simmons as “unreachable,” meaning he couldn’t envision a deal being proposed that would make him consider trading him.
“He’s a special player,” Wren said. “The other thing is, we’ve seen him grow so much in the last two years, from the time we drafted him to rushing through the minor leagues and winning a batting title at the A-ball level. He just continues to get better and better. We may be just scratching the surface of how good he can be.”
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez called Simmons “very special” and a potential multiple Gold Glove winner and added: “People are going to probably criticize me when I say this, but I think if he would have stayed healthy, I think at the end of the year him and Bryce Harper, it would have been a hell of a decision about who was going to be the rookie of the year. Because [Simmons] was headed that same direction.
“I think he would have had enough games to justify the [vote] — because he added that type of energy to us when he came up, the way that Bryce did to Washington. Again, he got hurt, so there’s no discussion there. But I really thought that he could have been that candidate if he would have stayed healthy.”
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257 comments Add your comment
Wes Jorga
December 8th, 2012
3:44 pm
Enter your comments hereThanks Dave great article!
NORRIS CHUCK
December 8th, 2012
3:47 pm
DOB,
So if it were up to you, which one of Fowler, Bonafacio, Choo or Gordon would you have?
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
3:47 pm
Thanx DAVE. Don’t forget us old non-tweeter types.
richbrave
December 8th, 2012
3:49 pm
Right now, I’d take BONIFACIO if available.
NORRIS CHUCK
December 8th, 2012
3:51 pm
richbrave,
Yep, thats the perfect match for the 2013 team. Fits the lineup and the teams budget.
South Georgia Boy
December 8th, 2012
3:55 pm
$75 million for an under .250 hitter(BJ). Just not so sure about this.
Lee in S GA
December 8th, 2012
3:55 pm
don’t really understand why Wren thinks the contract signing for the amount of money surprises him…he still living in the 90’s
Lost Cause
December 8th, 2012
3:58 pm
Norris Chuck
I like all four but wouldn’t break the bank on any one of them. Maybe Delgado or Francisco and a lower level prospect .
BOISESTATEBRONCO
December 8th, 2012
4:02 pm
Bonifacio would be a great addition for left field. I am also curious how Francisco would do in a more full time role.
Kharule
December 8th, 2012
4:08 pm
Simmons is a beast. We better not even THINK about trading him especially for only Justin Upton. Upton goes from one extreme to the other too much. Upton needs a few great seasons under his belt to be considered an elite player before someone way overspends to pick him up in a deal with the D-Backs. Its either feast of famine with that guy, and a little bit of headcase in between.
No thanks, Arizona. Dan Uggla is all the headcase we need around these parts. That big contract spooked him and got him thinking too much and he’s trying to do too much to justify us spending that kind of money on him, and its almost like he forgot how to do all the things he used to do right all those years he played for the Marlins.
At the end of the day, we don’t need to sign or trade for an expensive LF option because we have a whole whole lot of star/super star type young players we need to sit down with and sign to long term deals. Heyward would be my #1 priority if I was in the front office, followed closely by Freeman, Medlen, Prado, Beachy, and a few others who we need to protect from hitting free agency. I’d hate to see us lose our best young guys in a couple years just because we were too occupied with obtaining both Upton brothers this off season and forgot to save enough money to sign our own guys. I’d quit watching the Braves if we let our young exceptional talent walk.
Iowa Brave
December 8th, 2012
4:17 pm
We should trade uggla and then improve our team from there it would free up money nick amhed could play 2nd or fransisco who ever 2nd is an easy fill then we would have a little money freed up to offer bourn a 3 year contract
Iowa Brave
December 8th, 2012
4:17 pm
We should trade uggla and then improve our team from there it would free up money nick amhed could play 2nd or fransisco who ever 2nd is an easy fill then we would have a little money freed up to offer bourn a 3 year contract
Iowa Brave
December 8th, 2012
4:17 pm
We should trade uggla and then improve our team from there it would free up money nick amhed could play 2nd or fransisco who ever 2nd is an easy fill then we would have a little money freed up to offer bourn a 3 year contract
Joe Nuxhall
December 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
Well, I ain’t DOB, but I think I’d prefer to have Bonafacio as our left fielder. We need a proven base stealer and he seems quite qualified to do the deed.
Kharule
December 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
A team like us has always done better growing our own talent in our farm system and has historically relied much less on signing expensive free agents and trading for star players like the Yankees and other high dollar clubs. We should try not to stray too far from what has worked best for us all these years.
I don’t like Wren trying to impress us fans with 75 million dollar contracts to mediocre players like B.J. Upton. When was the last time that signing an expensive free agent worked out for us? Exactly. Never.
Kharule
December 8th, 2012
4:22 pm
Iowa Brave, we’re too deep in Uggla to just give up now. I think he may finally be due to have a good year. Giving up on him now would be a worse idea than signing him to that big deal in the first place, we need to get some return out of the whole thing whether its a good season from him or something of value from a trade. The problem is the way he’s played the past 2 years nobody would trade 2 guys in rookie ball for him right now plus we’d be eating most of the cash anyway so might as well just let him play. He can’t really do any worse than the past couple years. I’d put money on it that this year will be his best as a Brave.
Joe Nuxhall
December 8th, 2012
4:22 pm
Personally I don’t think Uggla is finished. He has one bad year and people are wanting to chase him out of town in a boxcar. Besides, no team in their right mind will want to pick up his salary, unless we do the Derek Lowe thing and end up paying 2/3 of his salary with a trade. Nope, ain’t gonna happen. The Braves need to keep cash in our team because we’ll need to sign Heyward and Freeman to long term contracts next winter.
Joe Nuxhall
December 8th, 2012
4:33 pm
Did you baseball fans know that I was the youngest baseball player to ever pitch? Yes, this happened during WWII when there was a shortage of players. I got to pitch at the major league level for the Cincinnati Reds at the tender age of 15 years and 316 days. It was on June 10, 1944. I was pitching against seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders, kids 13 and 14 years old… All of a sudden, I look up and there’s Stan Musial and the likes. It was a very scary situation. I struck out the first batter I faced and then was rocked for five runs before being relieved. I eventually found myself playing back with the Reds in 1952.
Joey M
December 8th, 2012
4:34 pm
Is there any chance we could sign a guy like Chone Figgins to a minor league contract and give him a chance to win the LF job out of spring training? He would be on the cheap. Personally, I wish we could add Willingham. Anybody think Billy Beane would be willing to take a trade of Teheran and another minor league player for Cespedes? Wishful thinking I know. I would be all over this.
Max Sizemore
December 8th, 2012
4:39 pm
Living in Florida, I saw perhaps 120 Rays’ games last season. And I guarantee that Upton is an excellent CF. He’s overthrown the cutoff man at times, but his arm is excellent also (10 assists). Now, offensively, he’s a serious underperformer, and I’m not at all sure he’s worth the money because of that.
ppaddy123
December 8th, 2012
4:46 pm
Chone Figgins?! Why? Because you like saying Chone figgins? He’s had 1 ONE! good year. his OBP hasn’t broken .300 since 2010.
Joey M
December 8th, 2012
4:47 pm
Let’s try to get Billy Butler from KC. He would be an excellent fit in a Braves uni. Simmons or Prado would hit 1 or 2. This would really round out our team.
Eric
December 8th, 2012
4:50 pm
Crazy idea here. What if we made a similar $75/5 year pitch to Bourn to be the LF (or move Upton to left)? It would stretch the budget a bit but we would have a heckuva outfield. It just looks like his market is dwindling and we might get him at a reasonable price.
glorydays
December 8th, 2012
4:51 pm
Any thoughts of Braves trading part of the abundance of minor leagues arms for everyday players that are a year or so away (but similar value to the pitcher we trade)?
Gordo
December 8th, 2012
4:53 pm
I still think the Bravos should trade for Chase Headley of the Padres or consider A. Cabera of the Indians for 3rd base.
Godo
December 8th, 2012
4:53 pm
I still think the Bravos should trade for Chase Headley of the Padres or consider A. Cabera of the Indians for 3rd base.
ppaddy123
December 8th, 2012
4:54 pm
Would love for the Braves to get Bonafacio from the Jays, but I think they would be crazy to trade him. Having him and Reyes at the top of a lineup will create havoc in the AL East.
rufus
December 8th, 2012
4:56 pm
I would like to get Dexter Fowler. His offensive production outside Denver is not that bad, and he’s not a home run guy anyway. Good lead off candidate, and he’s from Atlanta. Good salary level, too, and he’s tied up for a few years. I’d seriously consider trading Minor for Fowler.
ppaddy123
December 8th, 2012
4:57 pm
Yeah, Chase Headley ain’t going nowhere.
ppaddy123
December 8th, 2012
5:01 pm
Rufus, I’m sure the Rockies would jump all over that. But the braves aren’t interested in DOWNGRADING their starting pitching. If not for Medlen’s fantastic numbers in the 2nd half last year, more people would be talking about how Minor seemed to have turned the corner and was now dominating hitters.
Bob the Blogger
December 8th, 2012
5:03 pm
The player the Braves trade Simmons for better have a big “S” on his shirt!
ppaddy123
December 8th, 2012
5:05 pm
I think some of you guys need to be making out your lists for Santa………..you know, wishful thinking! I’m sure Frank Wren’s negotiations with other teams goes something like this, “I have a deal for you……bend over and take it!”
Joey M
December 8th, 2012
5:06 pm
What are the chances Evan Gattis gets a chance to win the LF job out of Spring Training?
Tim L.
December 8th, 2012
5:10 pm
I’m not convinced we have enough right handed bats to deter the parade of left handed pitching. Wish we had gone after Ryan Ludwick for LF. Report is now he has resigned with Reds.
74bravesjersey
December 8th, 2012
5:12 pm
Anybody checked out Andy Dirks, of Detroit I think, Has very good numbers, DOB, what do you think? or anybody checked, would Detroit(?)consider dealing him?
CharlieP
December 8th, 2012
5:14 pm
My bet is that the Braves try to get Bonifacio and if that doesn’t work they don’t get anyone.
Either way they haven’t fixed the problem of poor hitting which not only keeps them out of the playoffs but still makes them a boring team to watch.
Looks like a rough season ahead for them.
rufus
December 8th, 2012
5:20 pm
Paddy, I agree Minor looked really good toward the end of the season, but overall not too hot. If Wren concludes that Minor is too valuable to trade, maybe try a combo of Delgado and another SP from AA.
I just like Dexter; he’s pretty fast, bats right, and he plays everyday.
Obviously, good pitching is critical and injuries to our starting staff are possible. Nonetheless, I am sick of our lack of timely offensive production, and I think with Dexter’s OBP and his speed, he would be a huge plus.
I do agree that we could rotate LF and 3B, but I think Prado would thrive (even more so) if he had a permanent spot, i.e., third base.
Getting Beachy back also supports giving up some SP talent, though I know a rebound from TJ surgery is never a sure thing.
Just my opinion, but a Fowler, Upton, JH outfield would be very strong.
O'Ventbrel
December 8th, 2012
5:27 pm
Dexter Fowler would be a nice addition, but only if his asking price goes down. Regardless of the player you would want to let go, only one really solid pitcher/pitching prospect should go to Colorado for Fowler IMO. The other Braves pieces in that trade, if there are any, should be of lesser stock in the organization.
O'Ventbrel
December 8th, 2012
5:30 pm
And rufus, Fowler is actually a switch hitter so thats another bonus to his skillset.
WigWamWisps
December 8th, 2012
5:32 pm
I would love to see Billy Butler from KC in this lineup but if the asking price for Alex Gordon was high, I can only imagine how much the price would be for Butler.
bravo-n-knoxville
December 8th, 2012
5:33 pm
When it’s all said and done (Frank’s negotiations on a LF leadoff hitter), we will probably have Gordon from the Royals in LF. Just feel that Dayton Moore would rather trade with the Braves since he drafted most of the prospects he will be looking at as return on Gordon…imho. Kinda knows what he is getting by doing so, and the result is a less risky acquisition.
Somehow I don’t see Francona just sitting idle as the front office tries to ship their best hitter (Choo) out of town before he has the chance to plug him into his lineup. Probably a trade closer to the non-waiver deadline for any action on Shin-Soo. However, he would be an awesome pickup if Wren could swing a deal that doesn’t take too serious of a chunk out of our top prospects.
wag
December 8th, 2012
5:42 pm
what about brett gardner? he has a good obp, doesnt strkeout alot, has a great arm and has great speed.
unipanther
December 8th, 2012
5:52 pm
Live in KCity. I would get Wil Myers from the Royals and put him into LF–a great talent who can also backup catcher. Low cost with a great upside. Royals need pitching, so Delgado or Teheran with some other minor league talent for him. I would even go Teheran and Delgado for Myers and Mike Montgomery who has underperformed, but is a LH pitching talent. Leave Prado at 3B and protect Myers with good hitters in our lineup.
Joey M
December 8th, 2012
5:56 pm
NO WAY! The only player worth trading both Teheran and Delgado for is a Josh Hamilton that can play 162 games. I would be hesitant trading one of those straight up for Willingham and I want Willingham in a Braves uni really bad.
Ozzie
December 8th, 2012
5:56 pm
Disclaimer – I really like Simmons but the sample size is way too small for the hype levels we are seeing.
Hanson and JJ were viewed by Wren as untouchable Ace/1a type guys look where they are now.
Simmons has an heck of an arm and range but most of his minor league career has been one without much hitting.
Simmons almost miraculously started to hit in ST, hit well for the 39 games he played in the bigs and that is all we know.
Beyond that it is 100% speculation and or belief.
He is not a beast or a bust just a slick fielding SS who was known for his glove work and whistling at his position.
If he becomes Arod or Jeter, awesome. If he falls short of that and the Braves miss the post season due to a weak OF everyone will know where to point the finger.
Wren will get more than just criticized if Simmons goes back to his minor league norms at the plate while Justin Upton plays like JUp of 2011 or 2010 for a team that is playoff bound.
The nail in coffin will be if BJ puts up 2011 numbers with fewer HRs and the same or more SO.
Add another band aid in LF and you have the makings for another stealing defeat from the jaws of victory Braves season.
Sooner or later the Braves need to build and play to win it all now. If we get a 1yr rental in LF or a Prado/Frisco platoon at 3B I would not view this team as playoff bound especially with Chipper gone, Uggla still here and a low fitness Mac coming off shoulder surgery.
BJ replaced Bourn in CF as a solid defensive player (albeit with a poorer jump on the ball versus Bourn) but he will need to play above his career avgs (but below for SO) if he is to have a material impact on this team.
LF has been more of a thorn in the Braves side than SS in terms of winning & losing.
CharlieP
December 8th, 2012
6:05 pm
Ozzie – Well said. You’re dead on.
ppaddy123
December 8th, 2012
6:05 pm
KC ain’t trading Wil Myers. His name is mentioned too often with the likes of Harper and Trout. Maybe, just maybe for a really good young stud pitcher.
Rick
December 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
I believe while we are all playing fantasy GM, Wren and the boys are in the Dominican watching Francisco and trying to gauge where he is in his recent development. They most likely realize that trade prices are inflated because other clubs know our strong needs and are kicking the tires on solving the LF / 3B from in house. I’ll bet we will all have a better picture of our direction when the big guys get back.
ppaddy123
December 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
ozzie, just because someone was untouchable 2-3 years ago doesn’t mean the same has to apply now. 2-3 years ago JJ and Hanson were just about the only good young pitching we had. Times change. Our needs change every year. AND neither JJ nor Hanson is the pitcher they were. By your logic, we have to keep them now because we wouldn’t move them then.
Ralph
December 8th, 2012
6:13 pm
DOB – Are the Braves still trying to re-sign Chad Durbin, I would hate to see the Nats or Phils grab him and the Phils will be looking for a reliever since the just gave up two of them in the trade for Young.
Quack Quack
December 8th, 2012
6:27 pm
Hey DOB, thanks for the up-date, but sounds like we in a lull right now. Maybe I’ve missed something, but what’s happened to Michael Bourn?
Ray
December 8th, 2012
6:37 pm
KC isn’t willing to do James Shields for Myers. They are looking for a truck load for him, and it starts with a #1 or #2 pitcher.
Bills fan
December 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
DOB, as you probably know we Braves fans are starving for news this time of year. I enjoy your coverage and insights so stories like these are very welcome and enjoyable.
Zing
December 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
Thanks for the article DOB. Keep up the good work for us data-starved, deal-inclined fans!
No. 1 Braves Fan
December 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
DOB: Thanks for a recap of what did and did not happen at WM for Braves.
To those who keep mentioning Choo I will repeat what others including myself have previously said. That being stay away from Boras clients especially like Choo who would be a one year rental. Also, before the WM, I was in the group clamoring for Wren to trade for J. Upton. Now I am not and I agree whith those who say save the money to lock in Heyward, Freeman and Beachy. In ST evaluate all options for LF
with players we have. If by luck, an “affordable” player becomes available or a trade
can be made that makes sence can be made for a LF, then do it.
NORRIS CHUCK
December 8th, 2012
7:09 pm
DOB or ANYBODY,
Whats the deal with Blake DeWitt? Does he have anything left in the tank???
Chief Knock-A-Homa
December 8th, 2012
7:13 pm
DOB – What’s the latest on the possibility of getting Corey Hart while the Brewers are still open to trading him??
He’s not the leadoff they are looking for, but can you really pass up his average and power??
kral
December 8th, 2012
7:15 pm
I’LL say this..maybe not be true..who knows..but AS looks like the best shortstop I have seen in a BRAVES uniy..including furcal..although they are very close..only time will tell..been watching Braves shortstops since the 70’s
KYBravos' fan
December 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
I’ve always liked Bonafacio. Plays hard. Drives pitchers crazy on basepaths. Uses speed to get on by keeping ball on ground. Switch hitter. Plays IF AND OF. Prototypical leadoff hitter. Gamer. We’ll see.
74bravesjersey
December 8th, 2012
7:40 pm
If they can’t find anyone that will fit w/ our Bravos, & need’n to save on the Budget, then In-house it is, Frank has had experience playin’ LF, he did quite a number of years in the expo’s organization as a minor league OF’er, so he’ll fill the void himself. Very adequate in his day, & he’ll man-up & do the PH’n duties as well. He recalls putt’n the bat on the ball a few times. Look up Frank Wren’s Minor League stats, he did a very formidable job. Then he’ll ask Fredi to cover backup catch’n duties as he was in the minors as well. Very reliable, can pick the bad pitches w/ the best of’em. (mgr./C, & PH), then Frank Wren(GM/OF/PH). So they’ll cover the slots themselves come spring Training. They both started training, & Liberty Media is so pleased, that they’ve saved on the Budget. Cool Huh?
74bravesjersey
December 8th, 2012
7:42 pm
Frank will have to work some to cover ground out there w/ BJ, but mabey FW is our Leadoff guy.
elainer7
December 8th, 2012
7:43 pm
wow! 75 mil for a guy who bats under .250? What a bargain!
urban redneck
December 8th, 2012
7:46 pm
can we get a moment of silence? kim kardashian’s cat died. go bravos.
Seattle Braves
December 8th, 2012
8:03 pm
Actually,
Can we get a moment of silence? the Kardashian sister’s committed suicide. THey found out that hostess’es are no longer making chocolate ding-dong’s.
Seattle Braves
December 8th, 2012
8:05 pm
Anyway,
Stanton should be the guy to go for.
Fransico, Flaherty, and prospect for Stanton.
Line up:
Prado
Heyward
BJ Upton
Stanton
Freeman
McCann
Uggla
Simmons
Pitcher
I would fly to the stadium to watch this line up.
Ken Stallings
December 8th, 2012
8:06 pm
Just behind the importance of making the trade that’s perfect for your own team, lies the trade you refused to make out of desperation, that ended up harming your team.
When you’re dealing with a team that has nothing to lose if the trade fails, but everything to gain if they leverage a steal, then you just walk away.
The Braves may well not trade. I am glad that Wren isn’t going to pull a Scheurholtz and trade the farm for a short-term player. One player hardly ever puts a team over the proverbial top. Fred McGriff was the greatest fleecing I can think of for the Braves but the Braves had to have all that other talent and McGriff alone could not have made it happen.
I’d rather put a platoon of Prado, Francisco, and Johnson in left field than see the Braves agree to an unfair trade that would deprive them of their pitching strength for the future.
Ken Stallings
December 8th, 2012
8:08 pm
Just for clarification …. “… that would have ended up harming your team if you made it.”
Heisenberg
December 8th, 2012
8:19 pm
The Bonifacio scenario looks interesting, although count me as one who would like to see Justin play along side his brother. If the price could come down to Delgado or Teheran + Ahmed (sp?) and another throw in, I would pull that trigger.
And 5 games after watching Simmons play I suggested on these blogs he could challenge Harper for ROY and many suggested I get drug tested or share some with them. The only player I would even consider trading Simmons for is Trout and we all know that is not gonna happen.
russ's spot
December 8th, 2012
8:30 pm
ozzie
NEWS FLASH !!!!! simmons won a batting title in the minors. he didn’t just start hitting in spring training. he hit around 200 in st. think or check the facts before posting.
VinceVanGo
December 8th, 2012
8:37 pm
I also like the Bonifacio idea if the Rays will do it, but what will the Rays want? I don’t know that I trade Delgado or Teheran for a two year player. But if they want O’Flaherty & his 3.8+ million contract I say do it. That’s a win win situation. Venters & Avilan can handle the left handed duties and they’re still inexpensive. If Bonifacio is not available, I say the Braves go into spring training taking a hard look at Gattis & Constanza and if they don’t appear to be the answer they’ll have money to spend to upgrade then.
Quitman Dog
December 8th, 2012
8:49 pm
Have we gave up on Jordan Schafer,plays great in field and hits LEADOFF,and has wheels………I know he comes with baggage but we signed him for some reason !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rick
December 8th, 2012
9:01 pm
Bonifacio is with blue jays not rays and he would a tremendous addition. As for Schafer, he cant be counted on as anything more than organizational depth.
Ggs
December 8th, 2012
9:06 pm
I hate to sound like a broken record but Alex Gordon is the guy we need in LF. I think trading Delgado and Teheran would be a small price to pay to get a guy like Gordon who just now seems to be reaching his potential. It’s not like the Braves don’t have several other pitching prospects who aren’t more valuable.It’s clear that Upton will be in CF so talk of getting another CF really doesn’t make sense.Our lineup would be scary.
Brownie
December 8th, 2012
9:24 pm
Ggs – would love to have Gordon here, but Delgado AND Teheran??? Let’s see, our starting staff would be Huddy, Medlin, Minor, Maholm, and …………uh……..I wonder who throws batting practice?
Gilmartin and Spruill just aren’t ready, and Beachy won’t be at full strenght until ‘14.
Johnny S.
December 8th, 2012
9:24 pm
You know why I don’t name names in possible trades…. I don’t have any names to name.
Brownie
December 8th, 2012
9:27 pm
IF Wren and Fredi come back from the Dominican League impressed with Francisco (and his weight loss), I believe Wren will be somewhat less aggressive in his trade offers, and see how things look in spring training.
Bonifacio would be my choice, and I think he would also cost the least in trade value.
ga gator
December 8th, 2012
9:28 pm
All I know, my Rays friends who live in the Tampa Bay area are glad he does not play for them anymore; most say he is a cancer in the clubhouse. I hope he matures; quick!!
Cheese and Crackers
December 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
Reading some of the comments really makes my head hurt.
Xavier Molina
December 8th, 2012
10:00 pm
Enter your comments here
Xavier Molina
December 8th, 2012
10:01 pm
braves should get justin upton. trade ss prospect ahmed plus delgado or teheran and a prospect pitcher like gilmartin. they should accept that and our outfield would be b a d a s s
Xavier Molina
December 8th, 2012
10:04 pm
Prado
Heyward
Upton
Upton
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Simmons
BEAST LINEUP
Xavier Molina
December 8th, 2012
10:04 pm
Prado
Heyward
Upton
Upton
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Simmons
BEAST LINEUP
Xavier Molina
December 8th, 2012
10:06 pm
or
Upton
Prado
Upton
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Heyward
Simmons
Chopdawg
December 8th, 2012
10:19 pm
Didn’t Bonifacio also play some 3B for the Marlins, three or four seasons ago?
just win baby!
December 8th, 2012
10:44 pm
Mid season trade bait; Uggla, McCann, Hudson, Maholm all for top hitting prospects who cares what position. Mr. Wrenn get the Braves Nation a Murderers’ Row of Sure ‘Nuff Sluggers for these guys.
just win baby!
December 8th, 2012
10:47 pm
July, 2013 Starting rotation Medlen,Minor, Teheran, Beachy, Delgado, Gilmartin, etc, etc. with our dominant bullpen. Go Braves! Future looks bright.
Ken Stallings
December 8th, 2012
10:49 pm
ESPN is reporting that the Dodgers are going to sign Zack Greinke for $140 million over six years.
Ken Stallings
December 8th, 2012
10:52 pm
Yes, the future is bright for the Braves. They may not have the aggregate offensive talent to win this upcoming season, but if they can develop a power hitting left fielder to go with Upton and Heyward, and then keep Prado at third base, then starting around 2014 the Braves can be a special team.
Frankly, that is the goal Wren has in mind by refusing to succumb to the temptation to give up two excellent pitching prospects for a single hitter. Frankly, the Braves might even have a better chance to trade for a left fielder by waiting until the season has already started when a pitching injury makes the other team desperate to overcome a critical injury to their starting rotation.
just win baby!
December 8th, 2012
10:54 pm
Line up will be LF Will Myers, 3B Martin Prado, RF Jason Heyward, CF B J Upton, 1B Fred Freeman, SS Andrelton Simmons, C Bethancourt, 2B Nick Ahmed. Bench OF Reed Johnson, 3B Juan Francisco, C Gerald Baird, IF Paul Jannish, 1B Mejia.
just win baby!
December 8th, 2012
10:59 pm
McCann, Hudson, and prospect for Will Meyers of KC. Uggla to AL to be DH for 2 or 3 hitting prospects. All dead weight gone. Young, athlectic affordable true BASEBALL PLAYERS. GO BRAVES!!!
just win baby!
December 8th, 2012
11:01 pm
Forgot Maholm for stud hitter and AA power pitcher.
just win baby!
December 8th, 2012
11:04 pm
Mr. Wrenn, John Shuerholtz, Bobby Cox, Scouting Staff do not Blow this oppurtunity to lay a Solid Foundation on a Dynastic Future. Get’r Done RIGHT!!
Ozzie
December 8th, 2012
11:36 pm
Simmons won a battling title in the AFL not in A, AA or AAA if I recall correctly. Most of his time in the minors he was more glove than bat.
He is being protected like a baby Jeter bc of his new found prowess at the plate. Wren needs to hope that sticks is all I am saying.
We know what Justin Upton can do. We hope Simmons can continue and build on what he has done for a limited time in the majors and later in his minor league time.
Bottom line this team will need another 90+ RBI guy to go anywhere give what we have in CF and with a platoon at 3B, no Ross, etc.
Simmons is not going to drive in 90 runs any time soon.
Val
December 8th, 2012
11:51 pm
DOB
What about moving Uggla to LF and look for our leadoff hitter to play second base?
Ozzie
December 8th, 2012
11:55 pm
I want to keep Simmons but an OF of Upton, Upton and Heyward is hard to pass up especially for a team that really needs RBIs versus web gems.
I sincerely hope Simmons becomes a consistent offensive force at SS to match his defensive skills but I would be ok with Ahmed being brought up midseason with a glove guy in there while he seasons.
My ideal scenario is Ahmed gets invited to ST and open some eyes in AZ then a trade could be made.
That or finding a way to get Myers. More band aids in LF or someone like Dee Gordon out there would be painful.
Mr Pitts
December 9th, 2012
12:26 am
“Ozzie – Well said. You’re dead on.”
I’ll take your word for it. But I won’t bother reading any wordy posting…..more than 30 words. A few sentences and be done. DOn’t need books here, guys. We’re not actually solving any problems. Just say who you want to throw somebody else’s money at and be done with it. Stats aren’t needed, nor any misguided logic.
Paul Lulz
December 9th, 2012
1:55 am
Keep up the good work, DOB, our voice of sanity.
Tiny
December 9th, 2012
2:16 am
How about trade Simmons (and more, obviously) for J. Upton, move Prado to SS and Fransisco to 3B?
Wait a half a year or so for Ahmed to develop and put him in at SS and move Prado back to 3rd *IF* Fransisco does not deliver. I feel that would be a playoff contending team. Or just say screw it and sell the farm for Stanton.
Steve
December 9th, 2012
6:00 am
Quite frankly, I have no problem heading into the season with Schafer in LF, but I know the Braves won’t go that route. I think people are under-selling Schafer.
Schafer was a more highly touted prospect than Bourn, Rivera or anyone other than Justin Upton that is being mentioned here. He also fits in with what the Braves need .. a leadoff type hitter.
I am not saying I wouldn’t love to get Fowler, but not at the price he is commanding. Same with Upton. We have to remember that we may not have Huddie or Maholm back next year. with Hanson and Jurrgens gone we can’t get too crazy with trading away pitching depth or we will be in the same boat we were in when we overpaid for Lowe and Kawakami.
2013 rotation barring trade
– Hudson, Maholm, Medlen, Minor, Delgado/Teheran until Beachy gets back.
2014 rotation if we don’t re-sign the first two above
– Beachy, Medlen, Minor, Delgado, Teheran and …. not much if anyone gets hurt
We can’t get too crazy with trading away more pitching. We have already jettisoned two guys and after this season we might say goodbye to two more (though I personally think we should try to ink Maholm RIGHT NOW). Hudson will come back with the Braves if he stays healthy and they don’t low-ball him too badly … but those are big if’s.
man and dog
December 9th, 2012
6:28 am
What is wrong with Schafer and Costanza and maybe Prado in left field? All good players. If you don’t like that, well let’s just go the Yankee route and sign Hamilton to play left. What an outfield that would be!!!!!!
man and dog
December 9th, 2012
6:32 am
You wan’t a winner – you pay for the winners
lpt nation
December 9th, 2012
6:35 am
if simmons is so great ( WHICH HE IS ) then who got fired for making the decision to put pasternicky in the line up in front of simmons.probably the same person or person’s who traded infanta for ugly or Ugla or what ever you want to call him
man and dog
December 9th, 2012
6:43 am
Picture this – if you will…….
SS – Simmons
3B – Prado
LF – Hamilton
CF – Upton
1B – That Guy at first
RF – Sayhey
C / 2B (interchangable)
C / 2B (interchangable)
P – any one of the great one’s that is assembled
man and dog
December 9th, 2012
6:45 am
@ lpt nation – you are so right on
74bravesjersey
December 9th, 2012
7:16 am
Could Scott Hairston be a descent pickup for bench help?
WigWamWisps
December 9th, 2012
7:19 am
I heard on MLB Network Friday night how rare it is that a player with Wil Myers’ talent is been offered- or least teams calls are being answered- for pitching. The story went on to say that it would take a huge deal to get him but that the Royals are listening.
74bravesjersey
December 9th, 2012
7:22 am
“Hairston” – OF, 2B, PH, I would love to have ‘em play 2nd, .263BA,20hr, only struck out 83 times in 389 AB’s, Scott Hairston would be nice addition, he could probably learn 3rd as well.
Matthew Blanshei
December 9th, 2012
7:34 am
Simply unbelievable. What has been the Braves’ biggest weakness for over a decade? A lack of discipline at the plate. And now, for an insane sum, they have signed Upton, a notorious free-swinger with no patience. So, now our two highest players (?), Uggla and Upton, will be flailing away against good pitchers in key games and, if we are so lucky, in the playoffs. Could someone please explain what Wren could have based his decision upon? We need a hitters with Prado’s discipline up and down the line-up. Look for another season filled with frustration.
LivinInAL
December 9th, 2012
7:43 am
Someone mentioned Jordan Schafer; he needs to do what Chipper told him, GROW UP, toss the pot, utilize the tools he has to be the leadoff hitter, DECIDE TO PLAY BASEBALL, and realize his home run career was over after his first major league game. He, Upton, and Heyward make a pretty good defensive OF.
Bill M.
December 9th, 2012
8:05 am
The Braves are in trouble if they don’t get another bat. I would offer Hamilton 25M for 4 yrs. (McCann & Hudson will be off the books in 2014). Pay him less money in 2013. If that didn’t work, try and trade for Meyers or Gordon from KC. If they balk, trade Simmons to Diamondbacks for J. Upton as long as they include Bloomquist. I would hate to lose Simmons but who knows how he will develope. Bloomquist could hold down SS until Ahmed is ready.
Joey
December 9th, 2012
8:27 am
I keep hearing about how our prospects are diminished because we “lost” Chipper. In my view, losing Chipper is gonna be a good thing, much like the Hawks “losing” Joe Johnson.
Chipper’s average-to-poor defense the last couple years offset the average hitting he did. He had a great career, but this is 2012, not 2000. Whether it’s Francisco or Prado at 3rd, we will have at least as much punch with the bat, and better (more consistant) defense.
Chipper just wasn’t Chipper anymore – that’s why he retired. Well, maybe that AND the playmate!
Gotta let him go . . .
Joey
December 9th, 2012
8:34 am
Bill M, Francisco hit really good last year, when he started, and is tearing the cover off the ball this winter. Also has slimmed down.
You don’t think he could be the “another bat” we need?
I kinda hope Wren goes with him at 3rd and Prado in LF for now. If it doesn’t work, Wren has the $10M to go make a move before June.
longtimefan
December 9th, 2012
8:47 am
Ozzie- Simmons won the batting title in high A ball, Carolina league, with a .311 average. Bill James projects him to hit .290 in 2013. To find a SS who can really play defense and also hit is a rarity. It is not just FW who are so high on Simmons, it is numerous scouts and evaluators of MLB talent. Why do you think another major league GM would trade Justin Upton for him? Because he is that good and the ceiling is high.
And to above comment about questioning starting Pastornicky at SS to start 2012, their are 3 good reasons:1) Simmons needed more seasoning in minors;he was drafted in 2010 2) They wanted to see what Pastornicky could do and 3) By waiting to bring Simmons up they have an additional year of control before he is arb eligible.
I would like to see what Francisco can do at third over a full season. He is tearing it up now. We also have Gattis to compete in LF in ST. He has hit at every minor league level and is 26. Time to see if he is the real thing. I believe it is preferable to build the ML club from the minors. After all, all these players the fans are salivating over are just a few years removed from the minor leagues themselves. This year will be when the dominoes fall in the SP staff and we can see which of the young guns are for real. Then FW can deal from a position of strength to fill a hole or restock the farm. I am excited about 2013. I may be in the minority but I believe both Uggla and McCaan are going to have comeback years.
Joey
December 9th, 2012
9:01 am
longtimefan, I am also excited by our prospects in ‘13.
I hope you are right about Uggla and Mac – if they produced at their career averages, the Braves will be better than good.
It worries me though that Mac and Uggla both had their best seasons when their teams were no where near the pressure of a pennant race.
Bill M.
December 9th, 2012
9:09 am
Joey– We don’t know how much weight he has lost. I guess that’s why Wren is checking him out this weekend. He has the power and a good arm. We will never know unless he’s given a chance.
nc82
December 9th, 2012
9:26 am
Heres what should happen, Wren offers Schafer Uggla Terheran and Lipka to Jays for Raja Davis and Bonifacio, then Wren calls up Colorado and offers Davis Pastornicky and Delgado for Fowler.
heres the line up for 2013
Bonifacio 2B
Fowler Left Field
Prado 3rd
Freeman
Upton
Heyward
McCann
Simmons
Joey
December 9th, 2012
9:48 am
That would be sweet, nc82. But with Teheran and Delgado both gone, what happens when if we get a sore arm (or worse)?
Already got rid of JJ, TH, and Vizcaino. Beachy may not be back til the end of the season – it took Huddy and Medlen both 1.5 years to reover from Tommy John surgery.
Who am I missing as a starter – Medlen, Huddy, Minor, Maholm?
grounder
December 9th, 2012
9:50 am
I’m not watching Braves if Shafer can’t work the bill of his hat any better…must have never played as a kid.
Comfortably Dumb
December 9th, 2012
9:57 am
Ah, you people are so stupid. This used to be a pretty good place to talk Braves, as I recall.
Joey- Viz is gone.
nc82- Heyward batting that low? Yeah ok.
Comfortably Dumb
December 9th, 2012
9:59 am
What do you know. Another ridiculous post from….grounder, this time.
This place is depressing.
Joey
December 9th, 2012
10:06 am
Comfortably Dumb (9:57): “Joey- Viz is gone.”
**********************
Joey (9:48): “Already got rid of JJ, TH, and Vizcaino.”
****************************************
So who’s stupid, or has trouble with reading comprehension?
sonicfruits
December 9th, 2012
10:14 am
I am fairly new here and I really liked watching Michael Bourne the last couple of years and wonder what was wrong with him? I would have definitely kept him over Upton…
I watched Dexter Fowler come up with Colorado, he is not really a true lead off guy, great speed running the bases but not a base stealer, he can go from first third in a couple of strides but is not a true base stealer…I always thought of him as a great guy for the sixth spot in the line up..does have surprising extra base power and racks up triples…He is a supreme defensive outfielder, way under rated there…put him in Center, Upton in left and Heyward in right..not many balls would ever fall in..those guys would cover some serious ground
I see the complaints on your GM Wren and after growing up with the Padres when they were the laughing stock of the game in the 70’s and than recently watching all of the dysfunctional insanity in Colorado (horrible ownership) …you don’t know how good you have it here!! Say what you will but many on the outside wish they had your scouting and player development.
Still remember that brawl with the Padres and Braves and Pasqual Perez
Anyway the Rockies never appreciated Fowler so you might get lucky, not sure he has even gotten the coaching he needed either so he could develop even more in the right scenario
Joey
December 9th, 2012
10:55 am
sonicfruits, as soon as we acquired Bourn, his numbers fell off in that second half of ‘11. He was great in the first half of ‘12, but didn’t do anything after June.
Bourn apparently prefers the non-pressure of the Houston Astros, to the pressure of pennant races with the Braves.
Guarantee you that’s why he hasn’t gotten any big-time offers yet from the big money teams.
Time
December 9th, 2012
11:11 am
I hope people are right about Simmons. I’m not sold, but I think the Braves management are so he’s not going anywhere. Personally, I see Edgar Renteria when I see Simmons. Which isn’t bad, but you trade Renteria for Justin Upton all day, every day and twice on Sunday.
On BJ. One thing to also take into account with him is he’s never had the kind of lineup protection he will find in Atlanta. And if he can even go from the .250 hitter he was last year to a .270 hitter, a modest improvement, then his contract becomes a bargain. Added protection and a fresh start in a new place can sometimes make all the difference.
Ralph
December 9th, 2012
11:39 am
The more I read in these posts the smarter Wren get!
Surething
December 9th, 2012
11:48 am
Just dump Uggla. I don’t care what it costs us $ wise. He’s a huge liability at the plate. The rare homeruns come with no one on and when the games don’t matter. Never have I been more disappointed in a player than with Uggla. Awful and he truly should give back at least 1/2 of the cash he’s stolen from Braves’ fans.
Ozzie
December 9th, 2012
11:48 am
Hitting well in A ball then being know for his glove and a ?mark bat (at the higher levels) is not reassuring.
Look I know Simmons is a tremendous prospect but I know from watching this team for 20 yrs that RBIs and a weak performing OF (offensively) have been their undoing (year after year). I hope Simmons hits .290/80 RBIs but James is not Nostradamus and is projecting off a tiny ‘n’.
I WANT to keep Simmons and trade Ahmed for a guy like JUpton but if the market wants more than you “may” have to do it.
A trade that moves you closer to winning a WS now and in the intermediate term (Upton is under contract for 3yrs and could be extended IMHO) has to be on the table.
17yrs since a WS ring, 13 yrs since the last WS appearance and 4 years since Wren had any real money to spend in the offseason. We are looking at major gaps between being able to win.
Look at Mac. They wasted his prime years in ATL and won nothing. No flags, no rings, not even a respectable showing in the post season. Why b/c they nibbled with adds versus going all in. Traded for 1yr rentals versus guys under control for 3-4 years.
ATL is known for making one significant move then losing their nerve on the 2nd hoping prospects of vets could turn it up a notch.
Bottom line – A WS all in move trade will hurt. The trades that don’t hurt a bit for both teams are not difference makers. You would like to think Infante for Uggla moves would work. Usually they don’t.
RogerDodger
December 9th, 2012
11:49 am
Uggla is terrible. He looks juiced. That would affect his batting for average for sure. He’s overdone the roids.
RogerDodger
December 9th, 2012
11:51 am
Ozzie is making sense y’all Braves fans.
eddie57
December 9th, 2012
11:53 am
If the statement that BJ’s next nearest offer was around $50 million then I’m even more upset with Wren for having another Lowe-like panic attack. I hope I’m wrong about BJ but please don’t waste any effort on overpaying for his brother.
Bravesfansince 1835
December 9th, 2012
11:54 am
Ozzie had to go and ruin my day and remind me how much Brian McCann’s performance has dropped off. I am NOT liking these “new” Braves other than another 90 or son win season and an early playoff exit. Add the expense and hassle of going to the games at the TED and I’m probably going to continue fading as a fan.
Zane Smith
December 9th, 2012
11:56 am
Atlanta Braves offseason moves = “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz” wake me up when the NFL cranks up again (assuming an early Falcons playoff lose of course)
JK
December 9th, 2012
11:59 am
if we bat upton 7th and uggla 8th I can see this working. If we try to stick both of them in the meat of the order it will be a frustrating season for Braves fans.
SemperFi
December 9th, 2012
12:08 pm
You guys think too much. Let the Braves brain trust handle this. It’s what they get paid for. Voicing your opinion on who should get who is a non-matter. Nobody cares what you think. We will be happy, happy (Duck Dynasty
when the season starts. We all love baseball. Lets enjoy the game.
David O'Brien
December 9th, 2012
12:11 pm
DOB or ANYBODY,
Whats the deal with Blake DeWitt? Does he have anything left in the tank??? — NORRIS CHUCK
I don’t know what he’s got “left in the tank,” but it was just a minor league deal, so there’s no risk involved. Gives them depth at Triple-A, if nothing else. And he’s had some success in the past in big leagues, so you feel better about having a guy who’s done it before than hoping a kid with no experience can just be plugged into a major league lineup in a bind.
Paddy
December 9th, 2012
12:12 pm
Iowa Brave…….how would plan on trading Uggla? Other teams saw the same thing we did this past year!
BoobieCox
December 9th, 2012
12:13 pm
I could lose in the World Series with this team too.
David O'Brien
December 9th, 2012
12:14 pm
Hey DOB, thanks for the up-date, but sounds like we in a lull right now. Maybe I’ve missed something, but what’s happened to Michael Bourn? — Quack Quack
You haven’t missed anything. There hasn’t been any team linked to him lately, no offers made that anyone has reported. All that’s happened is the potential suitors have thinned out as several have already plugged their center-field needs. It doesn’t look good at all for Boras to get him the deal that he hoped to get him. (But I also learned long ago never to rule out Boras’ ability to get a huge deal when we least expect that he can.)
BoobieCox
December 9th, 2012
12:14 pm
Pipe down semper douchebag
David O'Brien
December 9th, 2012
12:17 pm
DOB – Are the Braves still trying to re-sign Chad Durbin, I would hate to see the Nats or Phils grab him and the Phils will be looking for a reliever since the just gave up two of them in the trade for Young. — Ralph
No. When I asked Wren about the bullpen at the Winter Meetings, he said they’re done adding to it. They’re comfortable with their pitching depth, starting and relieving.
Frank Wren
December 9th, 2012
12:17 pm
These folks have opinions and it’s fun reading. Who invited the jarhead in?
SemperFi
December 9th, 2012
12:19 pm
Sorry guys, I am a moron.
Paddy
December 9th, 2012
12:22 pm
I don’t see Schafer making the club out of Spring Trainig.
Super Slueth
December 9th, 2012
12:31 pm
I bet you are Frank! I bet you are….Sheesh what a lying sonofab..tch
David O'Brien
December 9th, 2012
12:37 pm
If you’re a fan of the great Johnny Cash — and really, who is not? — see if you can watch this video tribute while listening to his duet with Rosanne on “September When It Comes” without coming close to losing it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxYQZmTzgoE
Dirty Dawg
December 9th, 2012
12:50 pm
Damn folks, if you can’t watch Simmons play ball and not see what the Braves see, then you just need to switch to basketball, or soccer, or anything other than baseball. The kid is a truly exceptional talent and assuming we don’t lose our minds – or more specifically, Frank Wren – he’s, in the words of Lt Col Frank Slade, ‘gonna make you proud one day, I promise you.’
bob
December 9th, 2012
1:08 pm
Here is a major concern: Strikeouts.
Last year the following K stats:
Uggla: 160+
Heyward: 140+
Freeman: 120+
Upton: 160+
Schafer: 100+ (300 at bats)
Juan: 70+ (200 at bats)
In other words, these guys ‘wasted’ 790 outs. This is 263 innings or 28 games.
I know that FG is a ‘big inning guy’ but these are a huge amount of outs and too many innings lost.
Plus, in losing CJ (about 70 K’s) who could put the ball in play, there is a real chance that we could see a number of innings where there are 3 K’s.
Also, with the loss of Bourne there is no disruption on the base paths. In the absence of such, it is quite possible we could see a higher number of K’s this year by this group.
The only good thing about K’s is that it sometimes leads to high pitch counts (provided there is some patience on the part of the Braves) and an early exit for the other team pitchers.
Any thoughts?
74bravesjersey
December 9th, 2012
1:21 pm
DOB; Would Wren consider Scott Hairston as possible FA sign? Good bat & OF/2B/PH
74bravesjersey
December 9th, 2012
1:23 pm
What about Cory Hart?
Mr Pitts
December 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
“I would offer Hamilton 25M for 4 yrs.”
Did this revelation come to you while chewing on a mouthful of Cheese Puffs? Funny stuff when MLB reported that a Hamilton suitor had begun the background check process prior to making a serious offer for this boozer. Like what don’t weknow about this mess?
Mr Pitts
December 9th, 2012
1:46 pm
Bob: Here is a major concern: Strikeouts.
After weeks of folks talking about this Bob takes the initiative to remind us all of this tenedency. Wow, enlightenment never stops coming.
jbill
December 9th, 2012
1:50 pm
What about Cory Hart…
Well he is 6′6″ and 240 lbs. Will be a free agent in 2014 and now makes 9 million a year…he’s strong and had 30 hrs last year with 35 doubles. His BA was in 270’s.. would be good in LF.
Scott Hairston would fill in good also.
Steve and the others calling for Schafer must be smoking the same powder that Schafer smokes. DOB and Wren has said Schafer was picked up off waivers for bench help not LF. I don’t want my kid looking up to Schafer as a Atlanta Braves Player…bad example…cut his a@@
Mr Pitts
December 9th, 2012
1:51 pm
Time: I hope people are right about Simmons. I’m not sold, but I think the Braves management are so he’s not going anywhere. Personally, I see Edgar Renteria when I see Simmons. Which isn’t bad, but you trade Renteria for Justin Upton all day, every day and twice on Sunday.
Take a breather, eat some Cheese Puffs and repost the same thing later. Please mention that the Braves strikeout a lot. ANd that we should sign Hamilton for whatever it takes.
Ozzie
December 9th, 2012
2:25 pm
I think the Braves see Arod (Seattle vintage or early Texas) at SS when they look at Simmons. If they see Renteria I agree you trade Renteria for Justin Upton any time.
I hope Justin stays in AZ until ST gets well under way and Ahmed to make a case that he is worthy of a package deal for Justin.
Short of that the only player Wren would trade Simmons for would be King Felix or Kemp.
Ken Stallings
December 9th, 2012
2:52 pm
Mr. Pitts, how about you post what you want to say and let others exercise the same right! Long as people don’t post insulting, profane, or vulgar comments, it hardly warrants your disagreement!
Ken Stallings
December 9th, 2012
2:59 pm
DOB,
You are right about Boras’ ability to pull out the surprisingly big deal, but Boras has just as often greatly overplayed his hand and ended up costing his client huge money.
I see that happening with Bourn right now. Teams are receiving Boras’ initial demands, offering counters at significantly less, and seeing Boras come back with the same response. These teams have moved on.
I did not think Bourn was going to get that kind of money. I think Upton got a bit more than I thought he would, but the others have priced out about where I thought they would. It would be rather ironic if Bourn had nowhere to go and ended up signing back with the Braves for something in the $11 million a year area.
No. 1 Braves Fan
December 9th, 2012
3:37 pm
Ken: Wren was quoted as saying part of the deal with BJ is he will be the Braves CF. I don`t think this will change even if Bourn does not get a multi-year deal and wanted to come back to the Braves. If they had to pay him 11mil would that not be overspending for a one year rental to play LF when we have Prado and Johnson combo with Francisco and Prado at 3B?
Ralph
December 9th, 2012
3:50 pm
I don’t think we need to add another bat right now, we are in good shape with a combo of Prado, Johnson and Fransisco platoon between 3B and LF until we see how everything works out in spring traning, if after ST it looks like we have a hole to fill, could be any position, we still have the prospects and or $10million to go get what we need. If we spend that money now and someone gets hurt we would have the resources to get a replacement.
STEELY DAN MAN
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
Ken Stallings ….. I’ve been wishing for that to every since we signed Upton…. if the Bourn situation boils down to Atl having a chance to sign him, that would be a formidable lineup ….. even w/ Bourne’s 100+strikeouts. 1.BOURN 2.PRADO 3.HEYWARD 4.UPTON 5.FREEMAN 6.UGGLA 7.McCANN 8.SIMMONS
RJB in DC
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
Rangers sent Michael Young to Philadelphia. They are eating 10 mil of his salary, and Philly is going to pick up the other 6 mil of his contract. That should safely take another big-money club out the running for Bourn.
Tim
December 9th, 2012
4:26 pm
So wasn’t Bourne asking for $15 million or so? Why does he seem to have been totally written off? Is there something about that scenario that we aren’t being told?
STEELY DAN MAN
December 9th, 2012
4:34 pm
Good question Tim !!!
Gary
December 9th, 2012
5:03 pm
CORECTION: The Braves signing anyone to a millions-dollar contract is OUTRAGEOUS! This should have been realized with Turner signed Esasky, who never played because of vertigo.
Gary
December 9th, 2012
5:03 pm
CORECTION: The Braves signing anyone to a millions-dollar contract is OUTRAGEOUS! This should have been realized with Turner signed Esasky, who never played because of vertigo.
AtHomeGym
December 9th, 2012
5:24 pm
Put Jordan Schafer in LF–let him Leadoff–make him feel needed and you might be surprised. A 26 yr old with all the physical skills and an expressed desire to make good on this trip to Braveland!
A-Ville Ranger
December 9th, 2012
5:45 pm
The Upton contract might not be a bad deal……IF. That is if he was a good hitter and a good fit, but he is neither. He is a crappy hitter in almost every way. He does smack the occasional solo hr. Other than that he’s a black hole in the lineup.. with a questionable attitude.
Mr Pitts
December 9th, 2012
5:47 pm
“Is there something about that scenario that we aren’t being told?”
Yes, he’s not worth 15m a year.
jim
December 9th, 2012
6:01 pm
Another great start for Teheran in the Dominican –
6 IP, 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 HBP, 0 BB, 8 K
Was Wren at the game?
Trent
December 9th, 2012
6:04 pm
We gave Upton TOOOOO much money..
jim
December 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
Was there any thought of having Schafer play winter ball? Is he working with the hitting coaches instead?
Trent
December 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
Jordan Schafer is not the answer folkes.. Why do you think Houston let him go.. come on man…
Maybe I will call, crazy
December 9th, 2012
6:11 pm
What about Francouer for left field? He has a great arm and hits right-handed. The Braves could have Walker (and Chipper) work on his swing, get him sorted out like they did with Heyward. Simmons can hit lead off.
jim
December 9th, 2012
6:25 pm
Greinke at 23.3 million/year — What do the Dodgers think they will have to pay Kershaw (and Kemp, and all of the big contracts they added at the end of the year )?
Is he a top 5 pitcher? Not on my list in no particular order
Verlander, Felix Hernandez, Kershaw, Hamels, Strasburg, Price, Weaver (a healthy Halliday)
Is he a top 10? I put him in that conversation with Cain, Latos, Sabathia, Scherzer, Gio Gaonzalez, Dickey, Lee, and others –
Don’t be too quick to trade away Teheran and Delgado — good, cheap, and under control for 6 years.
No. 1 Braves Fan
December 9th, 2012
6:49 pm
Francouer as a second time Brave would be risky. Also, he has been an up and down player since he went to the Mets and Royals.I had rather go with players we have now for LF using the best combo(s) that work out in ST.
huddy00
December 9th, 2012
6:51 pm
at this point i think the best move is to sign ichiro to a 1 or 2 year deal as a stop gap guy or just letting schafer and constanza battle it out/platoon.
Mr.Baseball
December 9th, 2012
7:23 pm
First off anyone that thinks Jordan Schafer should start in LF, has got to be the most DELUSIONAL J@ckass I have ever see post.
Secondly Constanza has been a career minor leaguer for a good friggin reason!
thirdly I see other people pining and whining for Josh Willingham, thet broke back puke wouldn’t put up a quarter of the numbers he has in Atlanta, he can barely walk let alone be a statue in Left Field!
Just stop with the ignorance!
I never want to see Schafer, Constanza Francouer, or any other damn worthless scrub anywhere near Turner Field wearing a Tomahawk on their chest!
Guzzie
December 9th, 2012
8:11 pm
Does anyone remember the Corey Hart rumors from a few years ago? I wonder what it would take to get him from the Brewers ?
Alex
December 9th, 2012
8:43 pm
if simmons is so great ( WHICH HE IS ) then who got fired for making the decision to put pasternicky in the line up in front of simmons.probably the same person or person’s who traded infanta for ugly or Ugla or what ever you want to call him
—————————————————————————————–
This is exactly why you normal fans are not GMs. We dealt with two months of pastornicky because we wanted to delay Simmons’ clock. If we’d of started the year with Simmons, we would only have 5 years of control left. By delaying him 2 months, we keep him for 6 more. Trust me, the Braves’ front office knows what they’re doing. Everything isn’t as easy as some of you like to make it.
Dan Uggla's Swing
December 9th, 2012
8:45 pm
People love to hate Constanza, but give him a chance in left and I guarantee you he surprises you. Even Cleveland writers dont understand why he wasn’t at the major leagues when the Braves got him. They said he was “forgotten”. A career near .300 average in the minors, and with adequate time in the majors he is a threat. He can hit for avg, play defense like nobody’s business, and run like a mofo who just stole a tv. I think Schafer has a legitmate shot if he can get and stay healthy, I would love to see Georgia and Jordan tear it up this spring trying to win a shot to be on the team. man I cant wait for ST!!! GO BRAVES!!
my-LORD
December 9th, 2012
10:18 pm
Mr Baseball I agree 100 % about Schafer..they’re some stupid people on blog wantng Schafer the drug boy.
M
December 9th, 2012
10:18 pm
What if the position were turned to a one year player? Doesn’t seem like this has been even a thought but there are players who I think could fill the spot in the short term.
Would the Marlins be willing to part with Juan Pierre whom they just signed less than a month ago?
If the Blue Jays want to hold Bonafacio, what about Rajai Davis?
The A’s claim they won’t trade any outfielders but they have six, so perhaps Coco Crisp?
Ryan Raburn in some sort of platoon.
How attached are the Rangers to Craig Gentry?
Andres Torres???
Not ideal on any account but most of them could provide a serviceable bat and fielding for a season especially in a platoon.
While a Justin Upton or someone with a decent pedigree would be great to add to the lineup, the Braves already have things pretty well situated.
CF – BJ Upton
RF – Heyward
1B – Freeman
2B – Uggla
3B – Prado
SS – Simmons
C – McCann (eventually)
My own speculation on the lineup, I am sure someone out there with more knowledge of what is being thought by the team can give something more accurate…but even my guess is a good lineup I think.
1. X
2. Prado
3. Freeman
4. Upton
5. Heyward
6. Uggla
7. McCann
8. Simmons
If nobody is added, I suppose you are looking at this…
1. Simmons
2. Prado
3. Freeman
4. Upton
5. Heyward
6. Uggla
7. McCann
8. Francisco
Perhaps a guy like Torres could slide in at leadoff and move Simmons back to the 8 spot. Gentry too.
A lot is riding on these guys producing average statistics for themselves…i.e. Uggla and McCann have respectable seasons. If they do that, then this lineup will score runs, at least as many and probably more than last season even if the lead off bat is a stopgap player.
The thing I dislike is waiting for the eventual solution…
BravesFanInNashville
December 10th, 2012
4:50 am
In a sentence, Simmons will have a better career than Justin Upton and he plays a premium defensive position.
Mr Pitts
December 10th, 2012
7:38 am
Someone start the day with a nonsensical comment about converting career minor league players to starters or that we should give up our future by trading our top prospects away for overpaid and bloated players.
Steve
December 10th, 2012
7:44 am
The more I think on this the more I really don’t want Simmons leading off. You are putting a ton of pressure on a young man already, adding leadoff to that just seems silly at this stage.
To that end I think the Braves need to either make Schafer the leadoff man and put Prado at third, or go and get someone. I really want to give Francisco a shot given how much work he is putting in, but I don’t want it to come at the cost of confidence in our SS of the future.
At the very least, I am happy with either route .. as long as the Braves give Schafer or Francisco a chance. They are cheap options with tremendous upside for the cost. I would rather go that route than watch old retreads out there.
ppaddy123
December 10th, 2012
8:00 am
Well, it looks like KC moved their young top prospect, Wil Myers, for Big Game James. Shields finished 3rd in Cy Young voting in 2011. I said earlier, KC would only move the kid if they got a stud pitcher in return. Still, I didn’t think he would go for that much.
Ozzie
December 10th, 2012
8:01 am
Hope so re: Simmons but sample size is limited at ML level. Justin already had a few great years and is only 25.
He came up at 20 whereas Simmons came up at 23 only bc he finally started to hit at the upper levels.
At 23 Justin Upton had this line:
BA .273
OBP .356
HR 17
RBI 69
SO 152
OPS .798
SLG .443
WAR 1.2
SB 18
At 24
BA .289
OBP .369
HR 31
RBI 88
SO 126 (big drop w/more ABs than 2010)
OPS .898
SLG .529
WAR 5.7
SB – 21
He was and is a phenom who started too young but was still able to produce. He had a off year in 2012 due to a thumb injury.
Let’s see if Simmons can match Justin’s 2011 before we anoint him the superior player. They are different players with one being a power/RBI guy who will steal 20+ bases a year.
The Braves need that player more to win a WS IMHO. SS don’t make or break teams apart from the rare Arod/Jeter type player.
Ozzie
December 10th, 2012
8:03 am
Justin is similar to Jason Heyward with a bit more speed. So you are saying Simmons is and or will be better than Heyward….
Wow.
Braveoneastside
December 10th, 2012
8:30 am
Simmons plays the most important position in the field and if you ever watched him play in person you would realize the hits he converts to outs. As for his offensive- he lead the A League in hitting. Why do think AZ wants him in any trade for The Other Upton?
This isn’t Fantasy Baseball- you have to be strong up the middle to win (see SF Giants).
ppaddy123
December 10th, 2012
8:33 am
Ozzie, the game is about more than offense. Simmons has a very good chance of being one of the best SS’s for the next decade. The Braves can actually get similar production as Upt on’s in LF with a platoon. He’s not worth the price being asked for him.
Kwajbraves
December 10th, 2012
8:37 am
Strike out
Will Myer
Strike out Myers from our LF wishlist because he got traded to the Rays.
from our LF wishlist. He got traded to the Rays.
Kwajbraves
December 10th, 2012
8:39 am
Wow!!! That was a weird post. Sorry about the redundancy on the previous post.
HOF 10
December 10th, 2012
8:42 am
I, too, am a non-leadoff hitter, part of a wide swath of humanity. Let’s not overpay in LF. The lineup is pretty strong. I wouldn’t mind Constanza in left and lead him off. He puts the bat on the ball and I’d like to see how he would do playing every day.
Dadgum.....
December 10th, 2012
8:49 am
Go back through the years in Atlanta and you quickly understand why Simmons is coveted so highly. The Braves have been a gathering spot for underperforming malcontent SS’s. to my recollection (yes, I’m including Furcal) the Braves have never had a phenom SS or possibility thereof that shows the promise that Simmons shows. Having said that, any thought of Simmons going anywhere borders on lunacy. It is the one position that demands the most and we have an awesome talent there. SS has killed the Braves over the years. We’ve had horrendous luck with that position ever since Blauser left after the WS win.
On a side note, the Braves see Betancourt the same as Simmons. He will get his call up in 2014 to replace McCann. With Upton in CF the Braves will have the 3 most important positions solidified for many many years to come.
ppaddy123
December 10th, 2012
8:53 am
I like Georgie. His athleticism is a bonus . All things being said, however, i would prefer to have Bonafacio in LF. I think he might be available for a good young pitcher and another prospect.
david thompson
December 10th, 2012
9:41 am
LOTS OF GOOD IDEAS GANG BUT WILL MR. WREN LISTEN TO THE FOLKS THAT SUPPORT THE TEAM. I HOPE SO —– THEERE ARE A LOTS OF FANS WITH BASEBALL KNOWLEDGE—GOOD ARTICLE–GOOD FEEDBACK— I READ THEM ALL
flosS
December 10th, 2012
9:58 am
Yall suck
Nick N' Richmond
December 10th, 2012
10:53 am
Idk about that Rays/Royals trade. If Mike Montgomery/Jake Odorizzi are as good as they’ve been hyped over the years (prospect pitching wise), as well as top tier talent of Myers, the Rays have got to win this one. Shields is a big game pitcher, but the Rays still have Price, Moore, and Hellickson at the top of that rotation. Davis was a reliever (a good one at that), but i’m sure they could plug that hole with another come-out of no-where stud the Rays seem to bring in.
ATL Insider
December 10th, 2012
10:55 am
I wonder if the Rays would be interested in flipping Myers? Maybe for Teheran/Delgado and Schafer/Constanza/Fransisco?
Atlanta Braves Links of the Day For December 10, 2012 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
December 10th, 2012
11:10 am
[...] Braves still LF shopping, glad they got CF early [...]
Caleb
December 10th, 2012
11:24 am
DOB, what do you think about a package around Teheran, for Upton. Something like
Teheran, Graham or Gilmartin, and Galvin or Ahmed. Delgado is better then Teheran IMO, he has produced in the majors, so Teheran is expendable.
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