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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,326 comments Add your comment
JC Brave
December 12th, 2012
2:11 am
Chipper Jones leaves the Braves in good hands. Good luck beating that team when B.J. Upton, Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Dan Uggla and Brian McCann are all healthy and in rhythm. – Bruce Jenkins, Chronicle Columnist.
Tom O'Hawke
December 12th, 2012
2:12 am
Thanks, Ward
Good you’re still here…
Ward
December 12th, 2012
2:12 am
I’m not going to get excited! I’m happy with B.J. Upton, and will welcome whom ever in LF, as long as they can hlpe the team.
Ward
December 12th, 2012
2:14 am
What do you guy’s think about Sports Daily article? Could Wren land a huge block buster deal within the week?
Tom O'Hawke
December 12th, 2012
2:19 am
I’m not going to get excited!
Too early, Ward, to get excited. Lot of time left before the season even starts. Then, there’s a lot of season after that.
You can’t get too excited early, and then peter out. We need your enthusiasm at the climax of the season, buddy.
Ward
December 12th, 2012
2:25 am
Tom – I hear you! I’ve been pretty humbled, so far, and will take as that…..
Tom O'Hawke
December 12th, 2012
2:38 am
Ward
Have a good one, buddy. Hope we don’t see you guys in the NFL playoffs.
‘Nite (and peace!!!)
nolie
December 12th, 2012
2:45 am
RIP Ravi. a favorite for years
nolie
December 12th, 2012
2:46 am
Tom O’ hanging around huh? Good to see.
Ward
December 12th, 2012
2:47 am
Tom – Have a good one too! It all depends on Eli, and whether he can stay hot instead of cold at times? Giants need to blitz, and they will be fine. Stay away from zone deffense too. All, have a good one! Choo, is gone, but I have a funny feeling Wren, will do a block buster, before all this is done? Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Bay Area Steve
December 12th, 2012
3:18 am
“Offense definitely intended…(just in case BAS is listening)…”
Always, VJ. However cowardly it may be, I can’t always participate on others’ schedules.
And, I very much appreciate your “offense intended.” I’ve long thought your thinly-disguised (if at all) posts calling someone an idiot, while (sarcastically) claiming no offense, were tired.
Couch Tater
December 12th, 2012
3:32 am
If, Murphy and Andruw had retired after their last year in Atlanta, would they be in the HOF? I’m thinking so. Especially, if they did a retirement tour like Chipper. Just thinking from a PR standpoint.
Would you rather have a HOF plaque or the money Andruw has made since leaving the Braves? I’m taking the dough.
Couch Tater
December 12th, 2012
3:39 am
Saw the picture of Greinke with Magic. Greinke was too young to remember the Bird/Magic rivalry. He was probably wore Jordan sneaks.
Couch Tater
December 12th, 2012
3:42 am
[edit the above] Thanks.
Couch Tater
December 12th, 2012
4:07 am
Nolan Ryan once said Murphy was the toughest batter he had to face. That was in the 80’s. I wonder, if he still thinks so? Somebody call him. I lost his number when I cut my phone up mowing the lawn. Dropped out of my jacket pocket. Sim card shrapnel winged a chipmunk. I still see him limping down a hole from time to time. Drops his crutches down first.
old man
December 12th, 2012
6:54 am
Just checking to see if any of you insomniacs can tell me where to get “double spits.” I want to know Francisco’s splits against RHP, in non-pinch hitting at bats.
If anyone knows how or where, lemme know. I’ve looked and can’t find anywhere.
Thanks.
Jeff R
December 12th, 2012
7:23 am
Ravi Shankar was Norah Jones’ father? Never knew that until I read ol’ Ravi’s obit.
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
7:44 am
old man, on baseball-reference.com, they have a section under splits titled “Starter or Substitute”. See if that gives you what you are looking for.
keyLargo
December 12th, 2012
7:47 am
The Dodgers have acquired Skip Schumaker from the Cardinals, a source tells Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times
I thought they were through?
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
8:04 am
I think the best we can hope for at this point is for Ross’ price to come down.
VaBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
8:14 am
I honestly think a platoon combination could produce just as much as Cody Ross would as a everyday guy, hell I think they could do better. But for the right price I’d be interested in him. But Ryan Ludwick getting 2 years 15 million, I see Ross getting a 3 year deal around 30 million. Ross is a much better defender while also having the ability to play CF. Plus Ross has been more consistent over the past few years in terms of you know what your gonna get.
But If Ross were to sign in Atlanta and play 130+ games, I would estimate a 320 OBP with around 15 homers. I just really think last season was all Fenway driven power. He’s a glorified platoon/4th OFer in my opinion. I like him as a player and what he can provide for the club, but my turn off is gonna be the price. He’ll easily top Ludwick’s deal.
The lowest contract I see him getting is 2 years 18 million with a option year.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
8:31 am
I honestly think a platoon combination could produce just as much as Cody Ross would as a everyday guy, hell I think they could do better.
The overnight posters who think the Braves will be about the tenth best team in the league would probably love a Ross signing, though.
As you suggest, he’s not the answer,
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
8:34 am
more of an answer than Constanza, scoots.
richbrave
December 12th, 2012
8:38 am
“…..O.J.
December 11th, 2012
10:49 am
Notice richbrave posted that and hasnt posted since?…..”
So? ‘BONIFACIO to the BRAVES’ got lots of stir yesterday morning didn’t it?
Not that I was advocating.
My personal choices were
Plan ‘A’ – ALEX GORDON – fa’ gid’ da’ boud dit.’
Plan ‘B’ – JOSH WILLINGHAM or MIKE MORSE – doesn’t look good.
Plan ‘C’ – JUAN FRANCISCO and EVAN GATTIS – looking like a probability.
Hakeye1
December 12th, 2012
8:39 am
I was a lot more impressed with your alleged baseball expertise until I read your assertion that only Joe Morgan had back to back MVP years before Murphy did. Apparently Ernie Banks accomplishing the same thing in 1958 and 1959 doesn’t count?
Ray
December 12th, 2012
8:43 am
I would rather see the Braves go with a platoon then go with Cody Ross and the $$$$ it would take to sign him. Obviously hoping the Braves fill the void before spring training but would rather them have the flexibility during the season or at the trade deadline instead of making a bad signing.
kenhotlanta
December 12th, 2012
8:45 am
Happy 12.12.12 to everyone. It’s the last triple digit day in this century, so nolie will be the only one alive for the next one. It might be a good day to play the lottery or for Frank to sign someone, anyone.
Good to see old timers like The Grinch and Tom O’Hawke hanging out lately, the prodigals do return sometimes. Now if only Journalist Jimmy Smith would come out of retirement, I could rest easy at nights.
Selah.
richbrave
December 12th, 2012
8:45 am
No to ROSS and the $$$$
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
8:49 am
Schafer, Ross and Biff should never be the answer to any requested solution for the Braves. Alas, it appears this team will be going into the season with Biff and Schafer as some form of the answer and that just isn’t premium no matter what Wren thinks. It just bums me out to think of those guys leading off the line up.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
8:49 am
more of an answer than Constanza, scoots.
I’m a better answer than Constanza, LOL.
Bleep alla them other GMs. I’m going with Gattis, put Simmons at leadoff until he proves feeble there, and just plan on pounding teams with 20-dinger-plus guys down through the frickin’ 8 hole. I’m going with the “No Mercy” lineup.
I’ll let Heyward, Upton, and Simmons steal a base every once in a while to appease the speed lovers, but, ain’t nobody but the pitcher bunting. Everybody else, hang ‘em and bang ‘em.
Arkansas Transplant
December 12th, 2012
8:50 am
How about something along these lines? Uggla and Medlen to the Tigers for Castellanos, Garcia, Crosby and McCann.. possibly a couple lesser prospects.
Then we sign Hamilton and swing Prado to second.
ss. Simmons
2nd. Prado
RF. Heyward
LF. Hamilton
C. McCann
CF. Upton
1st. Freeman
3rd. Castellanos
Arkansas Transplant
December 12th, 2012
8:52 am
Garcia would serve as our 4th outfielder along with Johnson. McCann could serve as backup until the real McCann arrived. Crosby would give us a big LHer to battle for 5th spot in the rotation.
Arkansas Transplant
December 12th, 2012
8:54 am
Or possibly Minor/Uggla for Castellanos, Crosby and Garcia.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
8:56 am
Can’t really beleve the Indians were able to get Trevor Bauer for one year of Shin-Soo Choo. That’s incredible. And Towers gives up way too early on Bauer, imo. I thought Corbin for Gregorius was fair enough.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
8:58 am
The Reds will probably make a qualifying offer to Choo to get a first round pick next year when he becomes a free agent and Billy Hamilton is ready to take over the position, Bowden tweets.
A very good strategy. Get the one year of Choo, pick up a Top 40 draft pick and hand the job over to Billy Hamilton in 2014. Well done, Walt.
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
8:58 am
Choo can also hit the ball out of the ballpark, but his .381 career OBP fits the bill at the top of the order.
Really, really wish the Braves could have acquired a guy who could get on base…
Martin Prado is the only guy on the team right now who had an OBP over .348 last season.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
9:01 am
CF Eaton
2B Hill
RF Upton
LF Kubel
1B Goldschmidt
C Montero
3B Chavez/Johnson
SS Gregorius
Solid lineup. Kennedy, Cahill, Miley, McCarthy, and Skaggs or Corbin is a pretty good rotation too. National League is pretty deep.
Ray
December 12th, 2012
9:01 am
Because the Tigers would not do that ever
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
9:01 am
Can’t really beleve the Indians were able to get Trevor Bauer for one year of Shin-Soo Choo. That’s incredible. And Towers gives up way too early on Bauer, imo. I thought Corbin for Gregorius was fair enough.
I think Bauer may have burned a bridge or two with some obstinacy over his prep routine and mechanics. But, yes, that seems to be a high cost for Choo, when viewed from afar.
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
9:03 am
Just not sold that Gattis can hit ML pitching. But, I guess we will never know if he doesn’t get a shot! I am just a little disappointed. We supposedly had resources, both financial and prospects, to go after premium players and it doesn’t appear as though we are going to. We are close to be a top team, so that probably exasperates the situation for me since we haven’t had any flexibility for a few years. Being close and have resources and settling for Constanza/Gattis/Francisco type platoon is a let down, no two ways about it.
Can we still compete? Absolutely. Can one of those guys surprise? Sure (well, not Constanza). Would the lineup be better with a Choo, Upton, etc. Of course.
Sometimes you have to think a few plays ahead. I probably wouldn’t trade Simmons for Upton either, but is the team better with Simmons/Constanza or say Upton/Asdrubal? Again, I wouldn’t trade Simmons, but I don’t think it is preposterous for someone to think about it.
Would people consider it say for a Ryan Braun or Giancarl (neither are available, just speaking hypothetically).
I am in the camp that think this team is, as it stands, worse than last year. Bullpen is slightly improved, but that’s it. Offense is worse. Rotation is probably the same. Yes, we have Meds for a full year, but we also had Beachy at the beginning of last year. Hopefully, Minor continues to progress. If he pitches closer to the 2nd half of last year than the 1st, the rotation has a chance to be improved.
Ok, done rambling…just think an impact player in LF gives us a shot to win the whole thing. Constanza/Gattis/Franciso? Not so much.
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
9:03 am
And Towers gives up way too early on Bauer, imo.
“Gives up.” Is that the only way to view trading a player? That the trading team is “giving up” on the player? Just throwing it’s hands in the air and saying “welp, we give up, you take him.”?
I do see that the king of pens just acquired another reliever… and apparently a pretty sharp short-stop prospect. But he did give up a dirtbag in the deal (Bryan Shaw) and that’s hard for me to respect.
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
9:05 am
The team getting Choo gave up the least in the whole thing. Braves could have matched what the Reds gave up, no? I guess the SS prospect is at least ML ready whereas Ahmed isn’t.
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
9:06 am
I have read a lot of “expert” opinions on the SS prospect…seems to be a lot of people saying he is a utility type player or a SS on a “2nd level” team?
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
9:07 am
I am in the camp that think this team is, as it stands, worse than last year… Offense is worse.
Short of the charter going down, I don’t think that there is any way that this team (even without further offensive additions) scores fewer than the 700 runs they did last year. That’s my definition of “worse”, so I guess I have to disagree with you.
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
9:07 am
I’m going with the “No Mercy” lineup.
The “no mercy” for the fans line up? Sounds premium.
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
9:09 am
Hope you are right, scoots!
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
9:09 am
The “no mercy” for the fans line up?
Actually, that’s “no mercy” for pitchers, but I expect you knew that’s what I meant.
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
9:11 am
I do think Uggs can bounce back and be closer to the player we traded for. That sure would help.
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
9:12 am
I don’t think that there is any way that this team (even without further offensive additions) scores fewer than the 700 runs they did last year.
Last year the team had essentially the same offense as the season prior, and that season the team scored 641 runs. It lost its best hitter and has yet to replace him (or worse, thinks a platoon including Biff can replace him). It’s very possible this team scores less than 700 runs in 2013.
DAP
December 12th, 2012
9:12 am
with choo off the table, and willingham and upton apparently not available, im pretty much out of my favorite ideas, unless corey hart is getting traded. bummer. whos left that wont be a let down?
P'cola Brave
December 12th, 2012
9:15 am
JasonInFL
I watched Gregorius play all season. If he hits he will be a MLB regular. Good glove and strong arm. Only played a couple games above AA so it will be interesting to see how he performs.
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
9:16 am
I am a little surprised the Twins aren’t more willing to trade Willingham. I understand they don’t have to and his contract is team friendly, but I mean; they aren’t competing for a division title in the next two years. They might as well stockpile some close to ML ready talent and get ready for around 2014.
JasonInFL
December 12th, 2012
9:17 am
Thanks, P’cola Brave. Towers obviously likes him and AZ scouts must have too. Just seems like he gave up a lot.
DAP
December 12th, 2012
9:19 am
if the braves dont actually get a left fielder, i still dont think there is any way constanza starts. i think gattis could get a shot
P'cola Brave
December 12th, 2012
9:23 am
JasonInFL
I’m surprised they gave up Bauer. Hes not worth what that to me but he is a good player. Towers got a young SS for the next 6 years. This was our first year with a farm team and Gregorius was by far the fan favorite. He was fun to watch this year. Though when they promoted him it brought us Billy Hamilton. We should have him again next year. That guy can run.
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
9:26 am
if the braves dont actually get a left fielder, i still dont think there is any way constanza starts. i think gattis could get a shot
If the Braves do go into Spring without a LF, I think Gattis will be given a chance to earn it. I don’t know if he will earn it out right though. Could be they think he should go down for a few months and then come back. I’d imagine Biff will get playing time though.
Robert ( chi-town)
December 12th, 2012
9:28 am
Ol FW is playing a high stakes game of poker if he thinks the Braves will be just fine with Prado in left and Francisco at 3rd. Sure the pitching down in the Dominican is not what Juan will see in the majors.
unbelievable
December 12th, 2012
9:29 am
What do you guy’s think about Sports Daily article? – Ward
Can you provide a link to this article.
A.P.
December 12th, 2012
9:31 am
Everyone would love Uggs to hit 280 with 30 bombs and 100+ RBI’s like he did when we traded for him, but that most likely won’t happen. But to say he is done and is a bum is ridiculous. This guy hit 30+ HR’s 6 straight years, he will rebound from last year to closer to his career averages. That rebound, combined with improvement by Heyward, Simmons and some pop from Upton will definitely improve our offense. Don’t forget that who ever plays left will surpass the lack of production we got from Rev and Janish in Simmons absence.
Dadgum.....
December 12th, 2012
9:40 am
DOB….I totally agree that Murphy should be in the HOF and kudos, by the way, on a superb article.
What bothers me somewhat is the “performance” issues involving Bonds and Clemens in particular and how they relate to the cheating of prior candidates. Without question I feel both Bonds and Clemens had HOF worthy credentials before the roids episodes. Unfortunately, the criteria is for career credentials in all aspects of consideration. It’s not that we can look at a player in segments and anoint him hall worthy in spite of transgressions below the norm in other segments. It’s a total body of work. For those very reasons, if I had a vote, I would never vote for Clemens or Bonds. Or to put it another way, if you aren’t putting Shoeless Joe and Pete Rose in then I’m not putting in Bonds and Clemens. Their HOF sins are no worse than roid users.
Having said all that, coming back to Murphy, it is indeed a solid point to include Murphy in the HOF on the character (actually performance too) issue if you are going to exclude players for being his inverse in character.
Rock on…..I guess it is what voters value more. It wreaks of hypocrisy. If we could put asterisks by HOF members though, very few would be without one. Dale Murphy wouldn’t have an asterisk thus I rest my case.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
9:50 am
It’s very possible this team scores less than 700 runs in 2013.
Bet you. You lose and you have to post “Medlen is too short”. I lose and I have to post “Medlen is Maddux reincarnate.”
monty
December 12th, 2012
9:53 am
I’m like everyone else,I’d like us to get a big name LF, preferably someone like say Josh Willingham. BUt I don’t see that happening. But anyone who can hit for avg. and has some pop and gets on base and can field and is not an embarrassment with the arm. Sounds simple right? Outside of the pop. I believe we could get Roger Bernadina from the NAts for a solid not great prospect. Bernadina hit a career high last season of .290 in albeit around 225 AB. He got on base at a really good level and fields his position as well as anyone hence his nickname the shark. With him in LF we would have as good a fielding OF with Bernadina’s ability to go get a ball as we have had in a while. Oh, and he can hit leadoff and did I mention he can steal bases? He has trememdous speed. He always seemed to give us fits in the past. Scoring timely runs and timely hits,catches. He’ll play at 28 next summer and has undergone a tremendous physical change the last 2-3 years by committing to a weight training and nutrrition regimen. As of right now he’s a 5th OF for the Nats. A backup to a backup. JUst a thought.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
9:55 am
no mercy lineup??? Yeah, no mercy for our batters and fans as they go… whiff whiff whiff. We wanted a good hitter for the OF, still haven’t gotten it. Maybe Upton is it, but we still have a streaky, strike-out plagued hitter. Need some consistent guy in the lineup now… and someone who is premium. Maybe Gattis or Juan can play well, but I doubt either would be terribly consistent. Just adds another 150+ Ks to our lineup. (well, maybe only 100 if it’s Gattis)
P'cola Brave
December 12th, 2012
9:58 am
The wish for a premium player is mighty high. I know we were promised it but it ain’t happening.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
10:02 am
Yeah, no mercy for our batters and fans as they go… whiff whiff whiff.
How can you spend so much time here and learn so little?
Dadgum.....
December 12th, 2012
10:04 am
We wanted a good hitter for the OF, still haven’t gotten it. Maybe Upton is it, but we still have a streaky, strike-out plagued hitter. Need some consistent guy in the lineup now… and someone who is premium.-TOBF
Well, that player would be known as Josh Hamilton. Ain’t happening as we aren’t in Dodgers-mode with the budget. What you have left is pay-and-pray mode. Perhaps BJ Upton is that answered prayer. Time will tell. We thought Bourn was the answer though. Not! The roulette wheel spins and lands on Upton. I’ll take my chances.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:06 am
Premium strike outs artists…. worrisome.
We’re likely gonna surpass 1k strikeouts just with the starting 8, and about 600 of them coming from our 3-6 hitters. Juan or Gattis adds another 100 plus from probably the 7/8 spot.
Ummm
A.P.
December 12th, 2012
10:08 am
TOBF- I’ve seen you wanted Hamilton, which I too think would have been worth the gamble at 20-22mil for 4 years, but besides him, who would you propose we should have gotten?
I think we all expected/wanted more than just BJ Upton, but I also believe this off season priced out many low-mid level clubs, and the prospects teams are asking for have been obscene.
RC
December 12th, 2012
10:09 am
The wish for a premium player is mighty high. I know we were promised it but it ain’t happening.
Pretty sure they consider Upton to be a premium player. You may not agree, but I think that’s the view of the front office.
Also, we weren’t “promised” anything. Wren said the team was “looking at premium players”. They may very well have looked at them….then decided the price was too high and moved on.
DAP
December 12th, 2012
10:12 am
p’cola The wish for a premium player is mighty high. I know we were promised it but it ain’t happening.
it already happened. bj upton.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
10:13 am
How can you spend so much time here and learn so little?
Going backwards, it seems.
old man
December 12th, 2012
10:13 am
OK guys, don’t give me a bunch of sarcasm about this. I want some objective responses. In other words, don’t do what you (we) normally do.
I assumed Francisco pinch hit last year only against right handers. He had 41 pinch hit at bats. If he ever pinch hit against a lefty–I’m guessing he only did that once or twice if any–then you need to adjust these numbers downward just a tad. (If anyone knows how many times he pinch hit against a lefty, that would be informative.)
I took his splits against right handers, and subtracted the 41 at bats as a pinch hitter. Again, the assumption here is that we are dealing with a set of at bats only against right handers, which, again, I think is a pretty solid assumption, give or take one or two at bats. I also subtracted out all of the hits, doubles, home runs, walks, etc., as a pinch hitter. Here is the slash line for Francisco, last year, when batting against right handers in a non pinch hitting role, which is precisely what we would have him doing if he platooned next year:
.289/.342/.728/1.070
For those who did not see my post of yesterday, these numbers are high because Francisco is such a pitiful pinch hitter. This is over 114 at bats, about one fifth of a season, so it is a small to moderate sample size. It’s about one third of what he would be doing as a platoon player.
It’s something to think about.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:14 am
supposedly strike outs aren’t all that much worse than a K, but I still can’t fully believe that… it’s just like being able to miss bats. Pitchers that can miss bats are better than guys who can’t, so batters who make more contact should be better than guys who strike out a lot. Maybe it’s just my memory, but it sure does seem like we struck out a lot in situations where we needed hits. We’ve replaced Bourn’s Ks (and added a few extra) and will likely more than replace Chippers… and these Ks are coming from a low avg/obp hitter, Juan is the same…. Gattis is an unknown.
Maybe all this “thunder” will help us overcome this, but I could see lots of nights that we don’t score or score very few…. all because we can’t get 3-5 people in a row to put the ball in play.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
10:14 am
Just noticed we scored 700 runs and gave up exactly 600 runs. Nice, round numbers. Love it.
VaBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:16 am
Hell anyone is a better option than Jose Constanza, I seriously can’t believe he’s been able to make our 25 man roster the past few season. Shoot, give Cunningham a bench spot and some platoon time. Atleast we’d have a younger player who figures to be a solid MLB 4th OFer on the roster.
Cody Ross of course is better than Constanza, but if we sign Ross, were signing him to play everyday. Not be part of a platoon and face LHP. You don’t pay 8-10 million a season for a part time player.
CB
December 12th, 2012
10:18 am
Kevin Towers called Didi Gregorius a “young Derek Jeter”. What is he seeing that nobody else is? You got took,Kevin.
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
10:19 am
It’s very possible this team scores less than 700 runs in 2013.
Bet you.
Bet on what, the existence of a possibility?
Murph
December 12th, 2012
10:19 am
Maybe the front office should just keep quiet after next season… not give the fans any kind of buzz words or letters to quote from or whatever. People get too fixated on the end of the season post mortem… premium players, major changes, blah blah blah.
Think this offseason is bad? Wait until next year when the team is going to have some major work to do. SP, C, LF, 3B, etc etc etc. There’s going to be a lot of hurt feelings around here as BMac and Prado leave for greener pastures only to be replaced by budget-friendly options.
We were lucky to get one “premium” player this offseason. Damn lucky given what’s out there.
RC
December 12th, 2012
10:20 am
old man,
Interesting stat line removing Francisco’s pinch hit ABs. If you took that line and weighed it 2-to-1 against Reed Johnson’s line against LHP, you’d have a pretty good player at 3b/LF next year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:22 am
BJ Upton is a premium player guys… and Constanza, Boni, Schafer, Gattis, or Francisco is the other…
TOBF- I’ve seen you wanted Hamilton,
Not really…. I just said that if we were only going to spend big on 1 player, and use an internal option for the other side, why not him? We should have had 30-34 mil to spend after trading Hanson. Me, I was pushing for Jay, Bourjos, or Span for CF. Jay and Span would have been leadoff hitters, good defenders in CF, who don’t strike out a ton. Bourjos would have been a great defender who strikes out too much (120 times) but has some power. He could have hit 8, maybe.
For LF, Swisher, Myers, Olt, Gyorko… maybe even Ross. Even Victorino would have been a good option (but not at what he signed).
Maybe BJ will work out, but I’m not overly pleased with that. We want HR power and a low OBP, Francisco can do that for us.
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
10:23 am
supposedly strike outs aren’t all that much worse than a K, but I still can’t fully believe that…
What? Seriously dude, you are truly going backwards in your knowledge. Strike outs are K’s. K’ are strike outs. They are the same exact thing. The “K” is an abbreviation for “strike out.”
Take note, when watching a game and you see a “K” f the “K” is written backwards, it is to signify striking out looking. If the K is forwards it is a strike out swinging.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
10:23 am
The American League has generally been regarded as better than the National League for the last decade, but it seems like there has been a power shift this winter — and the powerhouse teams appear to be in the NL, with the defending champion San Francisco Giants, the Washington Nationals, the Reds, the St. Louis Cardinals and the revamped Los Angeles Dodgers. – Buster Olney
abeeeewright
December 12th, 2012
10:23 am
10Paul … ” It [The Braves] lost its best hitter [Chipper] and has yet to replace him (or worse, thinks a platoon including Biff can replace him).”
The Braves lost 100 games of its best hitter. They replaced the lost power with Upton. They have not replaced the OBP if they go with Biff.
However, it looks much more like the Braves are serious about either Francisco or Gattis as the “premium player.” I don’t think anyone has said that Biff or your golden child, Schafer, will sniff more than a 4th OF spot.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
10:24 am
This is over 114 at bats, about one fifth of a season, so it is a small to moderate sample size.
I’d go with “tiny” sample size.
That’s fewer ABs than he’ll see in winter league, and I doubt anyone wants to bet the house on those numbers.
Keep in mind that, as sample size increases, the likelihood that the player moves towards norms also increases. In other words, is it more likely that Francisco maintains the rates of your 114-AB sample over a larger number of ABs, or that he returns to numbers more closely mirroring what he has done over his previous career (although frankly, he only has a few hundred career ABs, anyway, so even that “norm” is suspect)?
Just no way to know if he got sprinkled with pixie dust and suddenly became a good hitter. Gotta see the guy swing some in ST, at least.
abeeeewright
December 12th, 2012
10:25 am
Olney … “The American League has generally been regarded as better than the National League for the last decade, but it seems like there has been a power shift this winter … “
That was just the rumbling as Frank Wren prepared the paperwork to put Evan Gattis on the 40-man.
VaBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:25 am
Wren should call the Yankees and see if there open to moving Gardner. He’d be a solid lead off man with speed at the top. Provide a OBP around 350.
Murph
December 12th, 2012
10:27 am
Take note, when watching a game and you see a “K” f the “K” is written backwards, it is to signify striking out looking. If the K is forwards it is a strike out swinging.
See that? Learn something new on here every day.
I always thought fans hung the 3rd K backwards so as to not end up with a K K K hanging from the upper deck railing. Political correctness.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:28 am
Think this offseason is bad? Wait until next year when the team is going to have some major work to do. SP, C, LF, 3B, etc etc etc.
Yeah, gonna be brutal next year…more positions to fill and a really weak market.
VaBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:28 am
I forgot to make a comment about our top 10 prospects…. Gattis being in the top 10 really shows how horrible our position players are…
A.P.
December 12th, 2012
10:30 am
TOBF- Jay would have been nice and I still think Span is the one move we missed out on this off season (Assuming the Twins did not simply like the Nats prospect more than what we offered). I agree that so far we have been underwhelming, I just still think there any signing or trade thus far would have been an overpay that we would come to regret.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:30 am
you know what I meant… they aren’t all that much worse than a regular out…
anyways, you think differently. That’s fine. No need to continue this.
DAP
December 12th, 2012
10:31 am
TOBF supposedly strike outs aren’t all that much worse than a K,
i, for one, am of the opinion that a strikeout is the same as a K. ;- )
Murph
December 12th, 2012
10:31 am
.318/.345/.557/.902
318 AB
101 Hits
26 2B
1 3B
16 HR
Juan’s 2011 minor league numbers…. the guy can hit when given the opportunity.
A.P.
December 12th, 2012
10:33 am
*that not there
Mixxo
December 12th, 2012
10:34 am
Constanza is our ’sparkplug’ dawgs…..leave him alone.
Murph
December 12th, 2012
10:34 am
I would rather K than strikeout, personally. I think it’s just a matter of personal preference.
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
10:34 am
Far from a sure thing, I know, but…..
As an eternal optimist, I gotta believe at least one of our young guys will break out by the end of ST. I also believe Uggla and BMac will have better years. Still hope for a good addition at LF, but I truly believe we can have a very competitive team with no mor significant additions.
I know…it’s a crazy idea, but, still my opinion.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
10:35 am
Wait until next year when the team is going to have some major work to do. SP, C, LF, 3B, etc etc etc.
This actually is not as bad as it seems, depending on Gattis. McCann, Prado, Hudson, and Maholm are eating up how much money this coming year? $30MM+? Beachy gets one of the SP spots at a relatively low salary, and worst comes to worst, one of the prospects that Frank can’t seem to trade takes over the 5 slot. The money is there to resign Prado and McCann, if the Braves choose to go that way, or to pay for replacements, if they don’t.
The only thing they can’t do, probably, is add eight figures to that in LF.
DAP
December 12th, 2012
10:35 am
old man, those numbers on juan, and also simply knowing his potential makes me want to take a shot with him. but im just not sure i want to risk it when i feel like this team has a chance to do something special. i guess youre thinking about a reed johnson/juan fransisco platoon, with prado playing either 3rd of LF, depending on whos pitching. it not what i would think would put the team in the best position, but it could work, i suppose.
Mixxo
December 12th, 2012
10:37 am
Not worried about Uggla at all. I think the burden of carrying this team the first half last year took it’s toll on him in the 2nd half. That’s all.
Time for some people to step up and take a load off of him.