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5,326 comments Add your comment
DAP
December 12th, 2012
10:37 am
murph I would rather K than strikeout, personally.
me too. its easier to type. im a bad speller, and the more letters i have to use, the greater chance for error.
A.P.
December 12th, 2012
10:38 am
I agree Raleigh!
I think if Francisco can handle the position defensively, he could be a full time starter. His out-of-shape version proved he could hit, I bet the new and improved version will impress us further. I do hate to send Prado back out to LF, but he was very good out there last year
Murph
December 12th, 2012
10:38 am
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.
I agree about the young guys and BMac… I think Uggla is Uggla at this point, though. His inability to make adjustments will likely lead to the same results as we’ve seen the last 2 seasons…
.225/.325/.400/.725
22 HR
70 RBI
That’s my Uggla prediction.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
10:38 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.
And a weaker farm system, but I think they’ll do everything in their power to lock up one of Prado or McCann. They still don’t have a ton in guarnateed contracts, but the free agent market is again poor and with a less than great farm, it’l be tough to add a ton if there are many needs.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:38 am
McCann, Prado, Hudson, and Maholm are eating up how much money this coming year? $30MM+?
About 35….
The only thing they can’t do, probably, is add eight figures to that in LF.
Shouldn’t LF be the first priority next winter, especially if Gattis ends up not being the answer? Been long enough that we haven’t had a good OF, and there are quite a few good ones next winter. Then choose between Prado and McCann, because both will get crazy paid. Like 15-16mil+. Can’t afford to keep both, imo.
A.P.
December 12th, 2012
10:39 am
Uggla was a lock for 30+ bombs before last year’s 18. I’m hoping he at least gets his power back.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
10:43 am
For 2014, the Braves owe Upton $14.05M, Uggla $13.2M, and Laird $1.5M – $28.75 million.
3rd year arbitration – Janish
2nd year arbitration – Heyward, Medlen, Venters, Martinez
1st year arbitration – Kimbrel, Freeman, Beachy, Walden, Francisco, Schafer
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
10:44 am
TOBF – On the other hand, we may have a strong team with current and internal options that are/will be available in 2014. Additional $$$ dropping off will add additional options, as well. Pretty early to be gloom and doom.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
10:44 am
We probably ought to get this offseason out of the way before worrying about the next.
VaBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:45 am
Guess we could always keep Prado and his gold glove ability in LF everyday, and the roll the dice with Francisco at 3rd for 130+ games or so. I’m sure he’ll around 25 homeruns but that’s probably the only positive with him playing a ton vs MLB pitching.
Bethancourt could take over in 2014, his defense has been ready for 2 years. He could split time with Laird.. There will mutual interest in resigning with Huddy, wouldn’t count out the Braves wanting to keep Maholm either. But then we have a healthy Beachy and Gilmartin likely ready.
Keeping Prado will be extremely hard at this point I’d say with the money being thrown around in free agency. Braves will have alot of money to work with but the free agent class will be weak and our prospects arn’t good enough to bring in a good player.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 12th, 2012
10:47 am
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.
And he didn’t even mention Prado and Simmons in there.
I probably shouldn’t even waste my time posting this but even if it helps one chicken little it’ll be worth it. The way I look at this team right now is there is one hole in the line-up and how many teams can say that…not many. Bullpen best in the Majors, pretty solid starting staff 1-5 and may even improve on last year with a full year of Medlen, Minor starting to figure things out, Huddy will be Huddy, Maholm seems pretty consistent, and one of the rookies will impress, not to mention we will get a little something out of Beachy 2nd half of the season.
Now on to the line-up. Wren has been quiet since signing Bossman and I don’t know what will happen from now until spring but I agree with scoots…this line up, as is, will hit. You know what you’re gonna get from Prado, Freddie and Jason are only going to get better, Simmons looks like he will handle the bat well, Bossman will have a career year hitting in the middle of this Braves line up despite what pessimists TOBF and George X2 say. Now even with the years Uggla had, a career low 18 HR’s and McCann hurt and a shell of the hitter we all know he is, the Braves still won 94 games. I think we all know they both will be better than they were last year. I hope Wren still gets that one missing piece to put this team over the top but if he doesn’t this team can still do some damage as is.
VaBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:49 am
Nick Ahmed and Matt Lipka are 2 prospects that I’d like too see have very good seasons in the minors and take a step forward as prospects. With Simmons and Upton, we can afford to trade the pair. Both are already very good defensively and are great athletes with alot of speed. Hopefully they can be good trade chips next off season.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
10:51 am
Braves have lots of flexibility next year with somewhat expensive arbitration salaries for Heyward, Medlen, Kimbrel, Freeman and Beachy. Venters and Walden shouldn’t earn a lot even through arb. Upton, Heyward in CF/RF. Uggla, Freeman, Simmons 3/4’s of the infield. Medlen, Minor, Beachy in the rotation. Hopefully Prado or McCann(or both) and Teheran or Delgado in the rotation(not both).
Back out on the free agent market next year. Let’s just keep giving away those draft picks!
DAP
December 12th, 2012
10:51 am
Wait until next year when the team is going to have some major work to do. SP, C, LF, 3B, etc etc etc
i dont think its going to be that bad, actually. probably not worse than this season, where we had two gaping holes and practically an entire bench to rebuild.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
10:52 am
We probably ought to get this offseason out of the way before worrying about the next.
Yeah, bit too early I guess. Always fun though, but so much could happen over the course of the year. Too early for much to be set.
kenhotlanta
December 12th, 2012
10:52 am
Garcia of the Tigers looked pretty good in the post season, he looked like Miggy Jr., but I don’t know anything about him except he doesn’t appear to be in their plans in 2013.
Any thoughts?
A.P.
December 12th, 2012
10:52 am
I like the optimism BravePack. I completely agree. In regards to pitching, If Gilmartin and Graham are ready soon, and Huddy does resign as he has alluded he would like to, we could find ourselves in a similar position as the Rays. They had 7-8 guys who could start, which allowed them to get a real nice return for an expendable pitcher in Davis and a great pitcher in Shields, who they would lose in 2 years anyways.
Meds, Beachy, Minor, Huddy, Teheran, Delgado, Gilmartin, and Graham could allow us the opportunity to make a big deal next year.
old man
December 12th, 2012
10:53 am
The conventional wisdom is that Prado does not want to be moved around. Is there any objective evidence–a quote form him–to back that up? In large degree, I think it’s important to keep key players happy, but every time we move him it looks like to me he’s a man on a mission, to prove to everyone what a pure ballplayer he is. Especially his emergency work at SS last year. His fielding stats there were insane, and he seemed to handle it with some bravado.
We all seem to be jumping to the conclusion that he has a strong preference for staying in one spot or playing third base. But he jumped into LF and was one of the best in the league out there. His hitting did not seem to suffer from one spot to another.
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
10:54 am
TOBF – Just wondering…when did you turn into a half-empty guy? I know Greinke didn’t work out, but seems like you have soured on the whole team. Also, I think you will eventually be glad, if we don’t trade Teheran. He still has a very high ceiling.
VaBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
10:56 am
Alot will be riding on the next steps taken by Heyward and Freeman. But so will any kind of improvements made by McCann and Uggla. Just think about a total rebound for both of these guys and the impact that would have. While its unlikely its still possible.
What we do have going for us is plenty of power. We have 5 guys who could hit 20+ homeruns, hell we can make it 6 guys if we have Francisco playing more. Plenty of power that’s for sure.
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
10:57 am
Prado? Pay the man, and keep him happy.
VaBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:01 am
Braves really can’t afford to pay Prado what it would take to keep him, unless Prado wants to be a Brave. I could see Prado easily getting a 5 year 60-65 million contract in free agency. Think about it… The guy would easily be the #1 3rd baseman in free agency this offseason, add that he’s a gold glove caliber LFer as well. Also a everyday option for 2nd base. Career 290+ hitter, and doubles machine. Alot of teams would want this guy.
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
11:04 am
In spite of what Shaun preaches….I believe Uggla is a guy who tends to put pressure on himself > resulting in trying too hard > resulting in poor results. If Mac comes back strong, BJ takes some of the load, and the other guys continue to do their part, Uggla may relax and perform surprisingly well. No batting title in his future, but .260+ (.285 OBP) with 25+ dingers would be huge.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
11:04 am
Prado? Pay the man, and keep him happy.
I’m sure they will try, but based on some of these contracts, he may want to test the market. I hope not, though.
Robert ( chi-town)
December 12th, 2012
11:05 am
So if we aren’t gonna be able to sign Prado after this season, then why not trade him to AZ for Upton?
RC
December 12th, 2012
11:07 am
Braves really can’t afford to pay Prado what it would take to keep him, unless Prado wants to be a Brave. I could see Prado easily getting a 5 year 60-65 million contract in free agency.
Braves will be able to afford 5/60 if they really want to keep him. Mac is very likely gone, and Hudson is very likely gone. Those two alone will add over $20 million to the 2014 payroll, and both will be replaced with league minimum players (Bethancourt for Mac, one of the gazillion pitching prospects for Huddy). I know there will be arb raises for a lot of other players, but when counting the $8-9 million Prado will be making this year, I think they can easily carve out another $4-5 a year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:08 am
Me? Half empty? Nah, cheerful as always… I’ve always been skeptical of our rotation for next year, can’t really expect someone to go off (or 3, as we had this year). Too few starts to go on for Medlen and Minor, who are our 1-2. Maholm’s a 4, Huddy’s declining but still a 3, who knows what we get with Delgado/Teheran
I guess I took a more snarky attitude when they started claiming that they were okay with the team as is, and would possibly go with an internal guy who deserves a chance. That just can’t happen.
Prado? Pay the man, and keep him happy.
Pay Prado and definitely can’t pay Mac… and unless he’s strictly a 3B next year, why wold he sign an extension with a team that’s treating him as a yo-yo?
P'cola Brave
December 12th, 2012
11:08 am
I see Prado as a very loyal player. Of course money talks but its my opinion that he’d take below what he’d get on the market to lock up a deal and remain in ATL
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
11:08 am
$7.5M in 2013 for Prado on the last year of arbitration. $12M annually from 2014-2018. Six years, $67.5 million in total.
Just a guess on what he will want to remain a Brave through 2018, his age 34 year old season.
Puma
December 12th, 2012
11:10 am
I don’t think Prado gets $15 mil a year – only HR and RBI guys get that kind of money. But I do think he will be in the $12 – $13 mil per year range, and he will be worth it. I’ll say it again, I really hope there is something brewing there in re: extension.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:10 am
.260+ (.285 OBP)
This is Uggla, not Francisco… up that OBP a bit!
RC
December 12th, 2012
11:10 am
So if we aren’t gonna be able to sign Prado after this season, then why not trade him to AZ for Upton?
Because the Diamonbacks get to say “no” to that offer?
Prado’s great, but 1-year of Prado vs. 3-years of J. Upton? Come’on man.
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
11:10 am
Royals locked up Alex Gordon at the right time, for sure.
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
11:11 am
I could be mistaken….probably am…but I view Prado as a guy who would like to remain a Brave. Money is important to us all, but other factors also matter to some guys. (See Chipper Jones, for example). He’ll get paid, but MAY not chase the highest $$$ vs comfort.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:13 am
I’d like to think Prado is loyal, but money will talk, and there are many fans who seem to think that he’s going to jump ship… if he goes as a 3B (and not an OF), he has no competition at all in FA. Best hitter of the bunch.
Wilson Betemit (32) – $3.2MM vesting option
Alberto Callaspo (31)
Eric Chavez (36)
Mike Fontenot (34)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (38)
Martin Prado (30)
Mark Reynolds (30)
Juan Uribe (34)
Kevin Youkilis (35)
Michael Young (37)
A.P.
December 12th, 2012
11:14 am
When Prado’s name was briefly mentioned in trade talks last off season, didn’t he come out and say he would love to remain a Brave?
Hillbilly
December 12th, 2012
11:16 am
OK Murph, I have saved and dated your Uggla prediction on my computer for the future…not so I can say Nah-nuh Nah-nuh, Boo Boo or anything like that. Just for fun to see how close you get.
It’s saved right beneath Efrim’s “.290/.360/.490 from Freeman in 2013. Book it” quote from November 14th, 2012.
P'cola Brave
December 12th, 2012
11:17 am
TOBF
Money talks with everybody and I’m not saying this because I love the guy, Prado, but he does come off as a very loyal guy. More so than anyone else on this team. Out of anyone on this team to me hes the guy that is most likely to sign a team friendly deal
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
11:19 am
It’s saved right beneath Efrim’s “.290/.360/.490 from Freeman in 2013. Book it” quote from November 14th, 2012.
Yes! Go Freddie. Big year. Him and Jason.
old man
December 12th, 2012
11:24 am
I’m trying to be optimistic, but reasonably so, about the potential for a Johnson/Francisco platoon:
Here is Reed Johnson last year, with the Cubs, against lefties:
.321/ .367/ .524/ .890
I’m using this number because Johnson did not adjust to the mid season change very well. Here is how he did against lefties after arriving in ATL:
.299/ .338/ .343/ .681
Some of this may be ballpark related, but let’s assume most of it is not. Here are his career numbers against lefties:
.311/ .367/ .461/ .828
Here is his line against lefties for all of last year, CHI and ATL:
.311/ .354/ .444/ .798
I’m going to use his career line. His 2012 numbers in CHI may be on the high side, and the 2012 ATL numbers on the low side.
If we combine this with Francisco’s 2012 line I posted earlier (against righties, not pinch hitting) and you use the MLB average of 70/30, righty versus lefty, you get this combined platoon:
.296/.350/.648/.998
old man
December 12th, 2012
11:32 am
Obviously, the stars have to align for Francisco and Johnson to combine for .296/.350/.648/.998, but what about .285/.340/.590/.930?
If I replace Bourn with BJ, and Chipper’s .287/.377/.455/.832 line with .285/.340/.590/.930, I will take that all day long. You guys would be nominating Frank Wren for the HOF.
At a minimum, it makes you wonder about how much, if anything, you give up to get a Bonifacio-type player. After Justin Upton, Gordon, and Choo are off the table, you have to give consideration to standing pat unless you are blown away by an offer.
O.M.G.
December 12th, 2012
11:33 am
old man, you most of shocked the blog into silence with that line. I for one would be very happy with that line.
Murph
December 12th, 2012
11:33 am
.296/.350/.648/.998
I’m optimistic about Francisco…. but I think this line of a Francisco/Johnson platoon is about as likely as monkeys flying out of my butt.
So… say 25% probability. Hey… I like to get my freak on, what can I say? Don’t judge.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:34 am
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/12/12/3758668/braves-tinker-with-julio-teherans-delivery-then-tinker-again
Wren said Teheran’s motion looked more fluid.
“We wanted him to get back to a more natural delivery where he’s not thinking about his mechanics, and I think he’s accomplished that,” Wren said. “His mechanics were very good. He looked much more natural and like he did two years ago.”
Holy 180 Batman! The Braves are almost admitting that they cost Teheran a year of development because they were tinkering with his delivery. The quote from Wren above tells me that the Braves asked Teheran to abandon the changes they made to his delivery, described in the first quote from Baseball America. I guess their intentions were right, but the results not what they had hoped for, and I suppose we have to give them credit for returning Teheran to his original delivery, from which he had the bulk of his minor league success.
Should have never tinkered, then…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:36 am
.648 slugging? What in the….? Holy @*$%
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:38 am
That renewed “natural” delivery is leading to some impressive numbers for Teheran in the Dominican Winter League this month. In his last three starts spanning 16.2 innings, Julio has allowed only 2 hits and 4 walks while striking out 15 batters. I was able to watch an online stream of his start this past Sunday and he did indeed look like the old Julio, with a bit of a dip-and-twist in his delivery and a fastball that was consistently in the mid-90s.
Like Hanson, Teheran’s high leg kick, even out of the stretch, leads to baserunners taking advantage, but it also leads to a great deal of vitally important velocity that makes him an effective pitcher. One has to wonder if we’re seeing the effects of these “before and after and then before again” versions of Teheran, what might really be the problem with Hanson’s loss of velocity. Are Tommy’s troubles truly because of a loss of velocity, or were they because of too much tinkering with his mechanics?
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
11:41 am
TOBF, my impression when I read that was that Wren meant Teheran has gotten used to the changes and is no longer thinking about them when he pitches.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
11:41 am
While its unlikely its still possible [that McCann and Uggla rebound].
It’s a lot more likely that the two of them are the hitters they’ve been over thousands of PAs, rather than those PAs of any single year.
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
11:43 am
Hanson had shoulder problems. Smoltzy said that is one of the worst things that can happen to a pitcher.
Wow
December 12th, 2012
11:45 am
Homerism at full force this morning
P'cola Brave
December 12th, 2012
11:47 am
Trade for Dejesus. Solid player, veteran, strokes RHP. Brings depth to this team.
old man
December 12th, 2012
11:48 am
TOBF, to repeat, this is Francisco’s line last year, against righties, not as a pinch hitter:
.289/.342/.728/1.070
You can discount this for any ABs he had as a pinch hitter against a lefty, which would be nil or none. This covers 114 ABs.
Of course, he will not reproduce this over a full season in a platoon, but last season people commented on how he did as a starter versus pinch hitter. But no one really appreciated how truly bad he was as a pinch hitter, and how pronounced his L/R splits are generally. When you strip away the ABs against lefties, and strip away the pinch hits, you see that the ONLY thing which accounted for the decent overall numbers last year was his batting against righties when he was not pinch hitting. He sucked at everything else. If that’s true, then use him in the one thing he clearly does not suck at, which is starting him in a platoon.
The only caveat is whether he hit as a pinch hitter against a lefty more than 2 or 3 times. I cannot imagine he did.
Either way, against righties, not as a pinch hitter, he really did quite well. If you consider an OPS of 1.070 any good, that is.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 12th, 2012
11:52 am
Efrim
December 12th, 2012
11:19 am
It’s saved right beneath Efrim’s “.290/.360/.490 from Freeman in 2013. Book it” quote from November 14th, 2012.
Yes! Go Freddie. Big year. Him and Jason
I could easily see Freddie put up these numbers, with like 30 HR’s. In order to do this hopefully he got his vision problems corrected this offseason. Haven’t heard anything about it or if he was planning to do anything. I thought I remember DOB mentioning he may look into Lasik but nothing since.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
11:52 am
my impression when I read that was that Wren meant Teheran has gotten used to the changes and is no longer thinking about them when he pitches.
My impression, also, but who knows? Got to see the guy to know anything, and I haven’t put eyeballs on him since May.
I find it hard to believe that the Braves would ask him to return to a delivery which they thought exacerbated the chance of injury going forward, since that was their reasoning in “tinkering” with his mechanics, in the first place.
“Hey, Julio, we just want to get a little use out of you before you completely blow out your arm, so just go back to dipping on your back leg, torqueing your body, and putting added stress on your arm. It’ll work out, don’t worry.”
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:54 am
If you consider an OPS of 1.070 any good, that is.
Certainly. That’s like, mind-blowing good…. if he can put up something like .260/.340/.500 against RHP, that’s perfectly fine. Reed (Rev???) will do well against the lefties.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
December 12th, 2012
11:55 am
The “No Mercy” line-up. Awesome, I love it! Just think of the marketing potential here…..
In the outfield bleachers, next to McCann’s Cans, a line of beer drinking young guys dressed in Nun’s habits. A banner identifies them as The Sisters of No Mercy. And every time a Brave hits a homer, after the fireworks go off, the PA blares the opening bars of ZZ Top’s “Waiting for the Bus” (”Have Mercy!….) while he circles the bases. It could go on and on.
Evan Gattis will be so much the answer that no one will even remember what the question was.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 12th, 2012
11:55 am
Wow
December 12th, 2012
11:45 am
Homerism at full force this morning
Toolism is back in the form of Wow. Don’t like this team…stay away.
Lew
December 12th, 2012
11:56 am
Now you’re comparing Teheran to Hanson?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:58 am
I dunno scoots and Rick…
I was able to watch an online stream of his start this past Sunday and he did indeed look like the old Julio, with a bit of a dip-and-twist in his delivery- gondee
He looked much more natural and like he did two years ago.”- Wren
Looks like he did 2 years ago, when he bad the “bad” delivery… the old Julio. Doesn’t really make me think that he’s using the new delivery still
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
11:58 am
Just think of the marketing potential here…..
You are so much better at this than I, LOL. I never got that far in my thinking.
old man
December 12th, 2012
11:59 am
HOLY CORRECTIONS, BATMAN!
After correcting my math error, here is Juan’s 2012 line against righties, not pinch hitting:
.289/.342/.579/.921
Still not bad. Combined with Johnson’s career slash line, which I think is the best predictor for him, and using a 70/30 breakdown righty to lefty, this gives you a platoon number of:
.296/.350/.545/.895
And perhaps you don’t need stars to align for that. This would be to replace Chipper’s 2012 line of .287/.377/.455/.832.
old man
December 12th, 2012
12:02 pm
Even after my math correction, I think all my observations hold true. Be very careful about giving up a bunch of prospects for a marginal fix at LF or 3B.
George_George
December 12th, 2012
12:02 pm
Good morning all
If I could only extend one contract of the two players. I would extend MARTEN. Sorry McFann.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
12:02 pm
the opening bars of ZZ Top’s “Waiting for the Bus” (”Have Mercy!….)
I suppose horns playing “El Deguello” wouldn’t be as much fun.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
12:03 pm
but either way, a good Julio would be great for us… move Maholm for some good upside prospects either now or in July, Delgado and Teheran to the rotation. Hopefully one of them steps up and is an ace for us like Tommy in his early years… that’d allow us to only have to move in 1 rookie in 14 (Graham) and can trade Gilmartin and others since Wood will be nearing.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
December 12th, 2012
12:04 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
11:08 am
Me? Half empty? Nah, cheerful as always… I’ve always been skeptical of our rotation for next year, can’t really expect someone to go off (or 3, as we had this year). Too few starts to go on for Medlen and Minor, who are our 1-2. Maholm’s a 4, Huddy’s declining but still a 3, who knows what we get with Delgado/Teheran
I guess I took a more snarky attitude when they started claiming that they were okay with the team as is, and would possibly go with an internal guy who deserves a chance. That just can’t happen.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Nothing wrong with being snarky. However, The one thing being overlooked is how young our pitching is right now (Huddy being the exception).
These guys are going to get better and are unlikely to miss many starts in 2013. So they are young, talented and sort of remind of another young pitching staff back in the early nineties.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
December 12th, 2012
12:08 pm
I suppose horns playing “El Deguello” wouldn’t be as much fun.
That could be the walk-up music when El Oso Blanco strides to the plate.
Russell Bell
December 12th, 2012
12:09 pm
Wishful thinking abounds on here today.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
12:10 pm
That could be the walk-up music when El Oso Blanco strides to the plate.
OK, we’re getting there, LOL. Make notes, so we can get some money out of the team when they take this route.
old man
December 12th, 2012
12:12 pm
Here are Reed Johnson and Cody Ross’ lefty splits for career (basically taking out the Fenway factor for Ross)
Johnson .311/ .367/ .461/ .828
Ross .284/ .353/ .575/ .928
I would prefer Ross in a platoon, but I wonder if he would do it anyway, and I’m not sure that for the 25M and the commitment for 3 years, he even comes close to enough to justify that choice over Johnson. There are 100 OPS points there, but in a platoon, that diminishes to only about 30 points contributed to the overall platoon.
old man
December 12th, 2012
12:17 pm
TOBF
.648 slugging? What in the….? Holy @*$%
A post like that will get you to pull out that calculator one more time. I appreciate the help there.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
December 12th, 2012
12:22 pm
Wishful thinking abounds on here today.
As Oddball says in Kelly’s Heroes:
” Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? “
richbrave
December 12th, 2012
12:22 pm
“…..Nothing wrong with being snarky……” Coach et. al.
or ‘SNARKY PUPPY’!!!!! Thank you TOM O’HAWKE
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
December 12th, 2012
12:26 pm
Time to wake up the farm, and rattle some cages………
Tim Hudson had an OUTSTANDING SEASON in 2012. Nobody noticed. I’m the biggest Huddy fan around and almost overlooked how great he was this past year.
The man made just 28 starts and yet, the Braves won 20 of those games. Huddy’s .696 winning percentage was the highest since his 2000 season where Hudson won 20 games. Fifteen quality starts and eighteen where he gave up three or fewer runs doesn’t jump out of the stats, except for the fact that he did it in just 28 starts. Tim lead the team in wins, innings pitched, team wins in spite of heel problems down the stretch.
So well done Huddy, here’s to hoping for a full, healthy season with 35-36 starts and the possibility of winning twenty again.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
12:26 pm
Wishful thinking, shoot, I don’t start to get really starry-eyed until the spring.
Redemption, renewal of hope, all that. But this spring, I’m gonna have an edge to my happy-go-luckyism…
No Mercy.
richbrave
December 12th, 2012
12:27 pm
“Wishful thinking?”
Well it’s danged depressing to write of SCHAFER or BIFF being in the mix for a LF platoon. Makes me wanna’ puke!
Much more hopeful with GATTIS or CUNNINGHAM…..even MEJIA fer crissakes!
richbrave
December 12th, 2012
12:29 pm
Coach:
You sir, are NOT the biggest HUDDY fan. That claim is mine…..so back off!!!
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
12:29 pm
Besides, we gotta balance out the blog. Musta had four or five guys who “SEASON!”-ed us on the overnights.
I think the loss of Choo to the Reds unbalanced the poor boys. Hit them hard.
P'cola Brave
December 12th, 2012
12:29 pm
old man
That platoon would work great but they need to add something else on the bench in there in case some one is injured and that platoon becomes separate everyday players.
Russell Bell
December 12th, 2012
12:32 pm
” Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
I don’t buy internal options working out for us next season. Gattis aint even seen AAA yet.
I see a mid-season overpay for an OFer in the Braves’ future. I’m sure Wren is working hard to avoid that scenario, but it doesn’t look like the offseason market is gonna line up that way.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
12:36 pm
I think the loss of Choo to the Reds unbalanced the poor boys. Hit them hard.
Maybe… that one hurt. Premium player, perfect fit…. gone. Not really anyone else to get for LF now, so we’ll probably platoon and treat Prado as some yo-yo, or use some subpar guy in LF.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
12:37 pm
I see a mid-season overpay for an OFer in the Braves’ future.
Pence? Nah, Giants won’t be out of it… which LF can we get at the deadline who’s gonna be worth it… and is a FA at season’s end
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
12:38 pm
Gattis aint even seen AAA yet. I see a mid-season overpay for an OFer in the Braves’ future
Entirely possible. But I’d just about rather see him go bust and overpay at the deadline than overpay this winter and watch that guy go bust for $3/30MM. I’m way open to LF alternatives, brother, just give me one. I’d probably reach for it like a drowning man.
For that matter, Wren might, too, at some point.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
December 12th, 2012
12:39 pm
richbrave
December 12th, 2012
12:29 pm
Coach:
You sir, are NOT the biggest HUDDY fan. That claim is mine…..so back off!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
Somewhere……… Tim Hudson is smiling
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
12:39 pm
richbrave @12:27 – My feelings, exactly. Add Francisco to my list, as well.
DAP
December 12th, 2012
12:40 pm
TOBF Not really anyone else to get for LF now, so we’ll probably platoon
im holding out hope for a bat. i would think fowler is still a possibility. i think michael cuddyer could be a good option, and deep down somewhere, i want to believe willingham or upton is still up for grabs.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
December 12th, 2012
12:41 pm
Gattis aint even seen AAA yet.
Brian McCann never played a day in AAA before being called up. And I do think a mid-season acquisition is in the cards, but it will be a pitcher, not an outfielder.
DAP
December 12th, 2012
12:42 pm
or corey hart.
Murph
December 12th, 2012
12:42 pm
Wishful thinking abounds on here today.
What would you have us do? Shall we lay down and die, Bob?
What one man can do, another can do! Say it! What one man can do, another can do! Again!
That’s right, because today, I’m gonna kill the motherf’er.
The above quotes were brought to you by The Edge, starring Alec Baldwin and Anthony Hopkins.
CB
December 12th, 2012
12:43 pm
scoots,I can give you an option. Michael Morse. We would just have to deal with the devil to get him.
njbraves
December 12th, 2012
12:43 pm
All this talk of freeing up money is great, except that they won’t go out and spend it. Teams like Cincy and Wash. were better than Atlanta last year and they’ve gotten even better. Not to mention the Dodgers and Giants. The Braves got BJ Upton and are going to end up with Francisco at 3rd….great.
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
12:43 pm
scoots @12:38 – True, that.
keyLargo
December 12th, 2012
12:46 pm
supposedly strike outs aren’t all that much worse than a K, but I still can’t fully believe that…
From someone who tries to inject his opinion on the blog a hundred or two times a day. Just about like reading PL without the cursing.
Russell Bell
December 12th, 2012
12:47 pm
I hear ya Scoots. I read your post earlier about goin with Gattis out of spring, and I WANT to believe it could work. My head aint buyin, not yet at least. I just don’t see good options on the market right now.
Cody flippin Ross for 2+ years and whatever ridiculous dollars per year he gets? I’d almost rather have bat licker out there.
raleighbravefan
December 12th, 2012
12:47 pm
nj – Want some cheese with that whine?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 12th, 2012
12:49 pm
And I do think a mid-season acquisition is in the cards, but it will be a pitcher, not an outfielder.
Yeah… Beachy. At least the FO will view him as one. I still think we should get a pitcher though, need to limit our 5th starters and Medlen’s innings. Maybe David Price.. haha. Nah, we don’t have enough to get him and they’ll be contending. But I hope we get someone better than a #3, we’ve got enough of them. Only way I see an OF added is if the offense is in total disarray. Can’t see Frank paying for a rental.
TennesseePaul
December 12th, 2012
12:49 pm
For that matter, Wren might, too, at some point.
He’s very focused on the lead-off spot being filled in LF…. limits options and results in players like Biff or Emilio looking “good” which is just awful.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
12:50 pm
I’d almost rather have bat licker out there.
I just can’t go there. Some lines cannot be crossed.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
December 12th, 2012
12:52 pm
Dear Frank Wren, you sir are a couple of infielders away from greatness….and you don’t know it.
This fan gets it. I remember 1991. I know what happened and why it happened. JS knew he had a great, young pitching staff. The man brought in veteran gloves in Pendleton, Bream, Nixon and Belliard because he knew he had to back up his young pitching with people who could pick it with the glove.
Nobody expected the 1991 Braves to win, much less go the the WS. They did for one simple reason. John Scheurholz concentrated on surrounding his pitching with defense, and everything else followed suit.
Simply put, Uggla’s bat belongs in LF. Go get some gloves for 2B and the your bench. You and everybody in Braves nation with the exception of myself will be shocked at what happens.
ncscoots
December 12th, 2012
12:54 pm
I read your post earlier
Chant it with me, Russell:
“No Mercy”…”No Mercy”…”NO Mercy!”…”NO MERCY!!!!”…“NO MERCY!!!!!”