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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,326 comments Add your comment
DiamondbackMac
December 16th, 2012
11:15 am
Richbrave – To my mind, the BRAVES have pushed this just as far as they can afford to go, if they want PRADO into the forseeable future.
You’re absolutely correct. He’s very valuable to any team. Braves would be crazy to not lock him up for several years.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
11:15 am
It’ll be in the new year for extensions… I’d be willing to give ‘Teen 6 years. 6/70
Heyward, 6/75 (4, 8, 10, 15, 18, 20)… something like that
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
11:16 am
Purchase might not be out there, but paying certain players more now with the available money makes a ton of sense when thinking about the future. I don’t blame Wren for all of this. Trade prices are crazy this offseason and we lack good prospects. Free Agent market is dried up with atleast player that make sense for us. Just because we have 10 million I don’t think we should target Cody Ross, because I’d bet a week’s paycheck that Francisco and Johnson could combine to have a better season or atleast match it.
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
11:17 am
Re-post
Who know’s if Prado gets to stick at 1 position for most of his starts he could be a even better player.
Prado’s Splits.
204 Games at 2nd Base 310 AVG 843 OPS
177 Games at 3rd Base 285 AVG 709 OPS
217 Games in Left Field 287 AVG 777 OPS
pretty cool, he has a 915 OPS as a pinch hitter in his career.
139 Games Batting Lead Off 298 AVG 809 OPS
344 Games Batting 2nd 290 AVG 761 OPS
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
11:19 am
If by January Wren hasn’t find the right deal he should definitely look into trying to alter salaries for BJ Upton and Dan Uggla for the 2013 season. Pay them a little more this season so we’ll have more flexibility in the future. We have around 10-13 million, Wren could pay them around 3 mil each more this season while still leaving enough for a mid season move.
DiamondbackMac
December 16th, 2012
11:20 am
http://www.freaknet.org.uk/graphics01/g04/franklin/frank01.gif
Lew
December 16th, 2012
11:24 am
DBack – Consider when that came out and what conition I might have been in at the time. At least I remebered the basic gist of it for almost 45 years – and didn’t look it up, either. RCrumb was a National Treasure IMO – though many would not agree.
Heath
December 16th, 2012
11:26 am
Finished my morning workout… Damn, the P90X Ab Ripper is a killer.
Heath
December 16th, 2012
11:29 am
The work out is worth it though. Eating better quantities and working out the last 3 weeks and I’ve already gone from 211 to 199. Progress.
DiamondbackMac
December 16th, 2012
11:32 am
Lew
Has it really been that long? I was probably in the same condition at the time. That’s why I had to look it up.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
December 16th, 2012
11:35 am
Might be nice to credit Gilbert Shelton, who created the FFFB, and thus, the saying too.
74bravesjersey
December 16th, 2012
11:35 am
@VBFan;Agree on that note;we need to lock up the main core; The Braves are frugal, like me, wren has mick jagger singing in the background, You can’t always get what you want, tho’ you try sometimes, …….., before all this, I guess I’d always have to expect to have my chain yanked about these off seasons. The team is being so very careful w/ it’s budget, the economy is trenched down, oh but everyone else tv deals gives them much leverage, all the money in the world. Call them “The Atlanta Budget Braves.” Or simply The Atlanta Budgets. Hopefully the team can keep up w/ heart & limited funds & keep pressing competitively. Not too many teams can say they go for single elimination playoff games w/ mabey 1 move of significance in the offseason. It does become a little lol when the big spenders amp up the rosters dealing for the moon & still can’t sniff the postseason(LA). They may go this year, but it would be funny if they came up short again.
Lew
December 16th, 2012
11:37 am
Hugo – Was it Shelton? Thought that was one of Crumb’s creations. I was about 17 or 18 at the time. Nothing like anything I’d ever seen before that, for sure.
74bravesjersey
December 16th, 2012
11:38 am
Liberty media doesn’t give the Bravos Liberty. What a name huh!
Hugo Z Hackenbush
December 16th, 2012
11:43 am
Yep, to the best of my knowledge, Crumb had nothing to do with the Freak Brothers. a lot of Crumb’s characters could’ve existed independently of the counterculture of that era, whereas the FB were totally immersed in it.
richbrave
December 16th, 2012
11:47 am
Lew
”’…..December 16th, 2012
10:41 am
richbrave – Even in his 56 game streak season, Joe D went ofer a couple of times, right? I’m not gonna hold it against Juan. And he only struck out once, didn’t he? That alone is reason for optimism…….”
A HAT TRICK means three SO’s I think. He’s fanned four of his past six or seven AB’s without a walk.
richbrave
December 16th, 2012
11:49 am
“….74bravesjersey
December 16th, 2012
11:38 am
Liberty media doesn’t give the Bravos Liberty. What a name huh!….”
What’s in a name? Not Liberty evidently.
Jeezus, we’re owned by a media company run by TED TURNER’s best buddy, and we can’t get out from under this albatross of a t.v. deal TT hung around our neck’s?
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
11:50 am
Travis d’Arnaud is a awesome pickup for the Mets, #1 catching prospect. The dude has a 975 OPS in AAA last season. 23 years old.
richbrave
December 16th, 2012
11:54 am
“…..Lew
December 16th, 2012
11:12 am
richbrave – Nah, Wren just wanted to see if the Mayans were right befoe he and his staff put in a lot of work for nothing……”
Chuckle!
George_George
December 16th, 2012
11:56 am
DS1
December 16th, 2012
11:11 am
Frank Wren in Nashville made a statement to the effect that he would look at extensions in January. I’ll take him at his word on that one and hope he locks up Prado for a very, very long time.
********************************************************************************************************
Good morning all
AGREED ! That TEN MILL or so that it looks like FRANK may not spend on LF should be used in part to try up MARTEN to a long contract with us. He is without a dought our all round MVP.
richbrave
December 16th, 2012
11:59 am
And he had a yard-shot i believe and a double in the game before that. A little success can go to your head JUAN. Baby steps. Straighten up in the saddle before you fall off.
George_George
December 16th, 2012
12:00 pm
S/O Lew
What is name of our new facebook page? Or anyone else who knows, thank you
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
12:03 pm
Exactly, Wren could offer Prado and Heyward more in 2013 to get contracts done. Or possibly try and pay some of Uggla’s or Uptons salary this season. Giving us more flexibility in the future.
74bravesjersey
December 16th, 2012
12:05 pm
U R Spot on richbrave, true-da’t,(throw’n some ghetto there), are there any solutions to this spialed quandry? Or just hope for the best, see’n if mabey some players play way beyond themselves, inspired, full of heart, only wishing here that’s all. On the other Blog, when DOB wrote the article about the Braves add’ng new scouts, I wish the Brass would send some secret agents(James Bond Types, not Austin Powers to filter in the sanfran camp finding out the formula of the Giants, to see how they did it being 2 out of 3 yrs. as World Champs. Is there payroll higher than ours? Couldn’t be by much, they slayed the Goliath-ed Tigers, as they did Texas a couple of yrs. ago. If the Giants Brass has a formula, I know they wouldn’t want everybody to know. We should’ve hired some of there people.
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
12:06 pm
Cause right now were set to pay a 33 year old BJ Upton 16.45 million in 2017… and if he’s basically the guy he’s been over the past 4 years for us in 2013 and 14, he’ll likely be even worse in 2017. Pay the man now if the money is there and we can’t use it elsewhere.
Lew
December 16th, 2012
12:07 pm
richbrave – Guess I mixed up his line with Mejia’s. I know what a hat trick is even if I don’t watch hockey – even when it is available.
Lew
December 16th, 2012
12:09 pm
George_George – DOB-MIB Fans
74bravesjersey
December 16th, 2012
12:12 pm
the Bravo formula wreaks right now, but i guess better than some, but it is starting to curdle. Awesome statement Lew, I knew wren was ‘bidin’ his time for some off-wall reason.
Lew
December 16th, 2012
12:12 pm
VaBraves – I hope you realize that they won’t do that?
Lew
December 16th, 2012
12:13 pm
VaBraves – I doubt they would do that or even if they are allowed to do it. It’s mynderstanding that with these guaranteed contracts, they can only change option years to guaranteed years or to add years and add money.
George_George
December 16th, 2012
12:13 pm
Thank you Lew
74bravesjersey
December 16th, 2012
12:15 pm
“El oso Blanco” Thanks TOBF…..
Howdy
December 16th, 2012
12:17 pm
At this point it would seem wise for Wren to wait for all the top free agent OF to sign to start working on trade scenarios. Angels signed Hamilton, seemingly out of nowhere, and now that frees up guys like Bourjos, Trumbo, Morales for trade. I liked the Hanson trade, but what could’ve been if these guys were available at that point?
Who else becomes expendable when Bourn, Swisher and Ross sign?
old man
December 16th, 2012
12:20 pm
VaBravesFan:
Very interesting splits on Prado. Maybe a side benefit of a platoon would be Prado not playing third base 70% of the time.
Those splits seem like good news for Francisco, and bad news for . . . Uggla.
George_George
December 16th, 2012
12:21 pm
Hey y’all
Stop to think about it PRADO is worth way more than BJ is getting for five years MARTEN never put up hitting numbers of .241 .237 .241 .246 four years in a row. The BRAVES better find some real money and get him signed.
George_George
December 16th, 2012
12:23 pm
Excuse me one of tho those years BJ hit .243 instead of .241.
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
12:25 pm
old man
Well it could also have something to do with him knowing that 3rd base was Chipper’s job. I’d like to see Prado play a full season at 1 position and see if there are improvements. Preparation for each game is different for him cause he may be playing a different position each day. He would know where he’s playing and can fully prepare as a hitter without having to worry about where he might play each day.
Zing
December 16th, 2012
12:28 pm
Wren’s recent statements about having a bunch of money to take on a midseason trade salary combined with his optimism about the internal options leads me to conclude that he’s willing to take a wait-and-see approach to Johnson/Francisco/Prado platooning to cover 3B and LF (with Prado playing every day, of course). He’s no doubt also open to the idea of Gattis hitting his way into that group, but I’d bet that the above is what he thinks the Braves will open with. Then, if that’s not working — say, Francisco is just whiffing — he’ll go look for a trade partner.
And I’d say that’s a pretty good approach given the lay of the land.
old man
December 16th, 2012
12:28 pm
I could see Prado at 5 x 10M plus (8, 9, 11, 12, 12). He has to give a bit of a discount for the early guarantee.
Could Wren be keeping his powder dry for this, in June?
Prado, 2B
Simmons, SS
Heyward, RF
Upton, CF
Freeman, 1B
McCann, C
?????, LF
Francisco, 3B
If Uggla is hitting .199 on June 1, then you deal for a LFer. Prado’s splits at 2B got me thinking.
If Uggla is OPSing .900 on June 1, jump in and extend Prado.
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
12:36 pm
Lew
Well it’s beyond me that they wouldn’t. Players and teams have chose to defer payments to the future or accept a much lower salary in the 1st year of contract to allow flexibility, it would basically the the opposite, give the team flexibility in the future, the player is still getting all of his money. It’s common sense, if we can’t find a fit and are stuck at 83 million wouldn’t it makes sense to use some of the money we have to pay current players? Or I guess Liberty would be happy with an unplanned slashing of payroll. We get Lowe’s 10 mil off the books, along with Chipper’s 13 mil and choose to pay BJ Upton 13 million in 2013 and call it a offseason (up to this point)
While I understand our team could easily be just as good as 2012s team or better the fact of the matter is we have around 95 million total to use, so use it in a positive way of some kind.
George_George
December 16th, 2012
12:36 pm
old man
December 16th, 2012
12:28 pm
I could see Prado at 5 x 10M plus (8, 9, 11, 12, 12). He has to give a bit of a discount for the early guarantee.
Could Wren be keeping his powder dry for this, in June?
Prado, 2B
Simmons, SS
Heyward, RF
Upton, CF
Freeman, 1B
McCann, C
?????, LF
Francisco, 3B
If Uggla is hitting .199 on June 1, then you deal for a LFer. Prado’s splits at 2B got me thinking.
If Uggla is OPSing .900 on June 1, jump in and extend Prado.
****************************************************************
old man
You and a lot of others have BJ hitting 4TH. Do you really want qa low .240s aveage hitter batting CLEAN- UP? FREDDY should be hitting there.
old man
December 16th, 2012
12:39 pm
George_George
Nah, I just sort of threw that together, just to show a lineup sans Uggla.
George_George
December 16th, 2012
12:41 pm
old man
OK, AGREED
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
12:43 pm
I like Prado in the leadoff spot, it’s been his most productive spot in his career. So were fine in that department. This team isn’t gonna hinge on who our LFer is, it will hinge of the next steps taken by Heyward and Freeman as our main producers. Also some kind of improvement from BJ is needed. If he continues to be a 242/316 hitter were in real trouble. Then we have McCann and Uggla, hopefully both improve. Hell both could rebound to career norms who knows.
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
12:45 pm
3B/LF Prado
SS Simmons
RF Heyward
1B Freeman
CF Upton
2B Uggla
3B/LF Francisco/Johnson
C Laird
Pitcher
abeeeewright
December 16th, 2012
12:48 pm
For every FA signing or mega-trade, there’s one more buyer off the market too.
If the Mets and Astros are both trading major leaguers for prospects, when one of them finishes the trade, both of those teams come off the market.
Wren is prolly waiting for the ridiculous deals to finish cluttering the market before talking to trade partners again.
Lew
December 16th, 2012
12:49 pm
VaBraves – It’s not a matter of what teams do. Sure they sign deals like that all the time. However, once a guaranteed contract (and in MLB they are ALL guaranteed) is signed, the only way that they can be changed is to convert option years to guaranteed years or to add more years AND money. You just can’t agree to a deal and then change it without paying a price.
They just can’t go back and change the terms of the contract once it’s signed unless the player makes more for doing it. And besides – Uptonis already making more this year because of his signing bonus.
JC Brave
December 16th, 2012
12:51 pm
Chemistry builds a team, eh? I’m on my way to the lab…. maybe I can make a premium left fielder.
Powerpuff Left Fielder?
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
12:52 pm
Lew
Well ok, I’m just spitballing idea’s on how we can use the available money in a positive way.
abeeeewright
December 16th, 2012
12:52 pm
I’m sure Braves will be approaching players like Prado, Freeman, Heyward with contract offers so as to get them locked up before they reach FA.
The player doesn’t have to take the deal, though.
Still, I’m sure Wren has the flexibility to go as high as he needs to to get them signed. He’s their only negotiating partner right now.
Lew
December 16th, 2012
12:54 pm
I don’t think it matters where Prado hits in the lineup – he hits well, everywhere. Check his numbers hitting sixth and eighth – small sample size, but damn.
abeeeewright
December 16th, 2012
12:54 pm
“Powerpuff Left Fielder?”
Jordan Johnstanza
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
12:55 pm
Falcons unbeaten at home this season… good luck VJ!
Lew
December 16th, 2012
12:56 pm
VaBRaves – Yes, well…….Considering all the arb raises and potential extensions they still have to do, I’m not seeing that renegotiating a contract they just signed about a month ago as being high on their list of things to do to get ready for the season.
abeeeewright
December 16th, 2012
12:58 pm
As we approach ST and as Gattis continues to sparkle in winter ball, I think he’s going to get a long look for LF.
I think the Braves would rather take a flyer on a rookie (think Simmons last year, but for his ST injury).
Braves really need to figure out how to remove the curse on the locker as well as left field.
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
1:01 pm
Reed Johnson could be a option at leadoff when he starts in LF as well.
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:02 pm
So this morning I worked out on the elliptical, some P90X, did some laundry, took lunch to my wife and ate lunch with her (x-ray technician)… now, some pig skin. I think I’ve earned it, no?
Tom O'Hawke
December 16th, 2012
1:04 pm
Just a reminder…
Today’s the last day of McFann’s photo/knitting contest. They announce the winners on Monday.
If you haven’t voted yet (can only vote once), please help her out on here;
http://mochimochiland.com/2012/12/mochimochi-photo-contest-12-the-big-vote/
McFann’s picture is “Gnome Picnic” (not Gnomepaste)
All you have to do is put a check-mark on the picture, and then click “VOTE”
GO PACKERS!!!!
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:04 pm
49ers-Texans Super Bowl… no?
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:07 pm
Heath-
I’d take that
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:09 pm
cab:
I knew you’d like at least 50% of that.
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:11 pm
cab:
BTW, since I shut down my FB account, what’s the twitter handle for you and VJ?
Zing
December 16th, 2012
1:16 pm
I’d be mentioning Francoeur with every other breath to my arb-eligible FAs that I’m seeking to extend…
VaBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
1:21 pm
Kirk Cousins throws a interception on his 2nd drive, they almost run it back but Kirk tackled him at 5 yard line. Browns up 0-7. My Skins playoff hopes are gone.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
1:27 pm
14-0 Falcons… leggo. We legit.
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:29 pm
TOBF:
Was there a question about an 11-2 team being legit?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
1:33 pm
there shouldn’t be… seems otherwise, at times
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:37 pm
In the AFC… I wouldn’t sleep on the Broncos. Lots of talk around Peyton, and rightfully so. But they’re, what? 4th in defense?
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:40 pm
Heath-
Let me think of a way to get mine to you. Don’t want to post it here…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
1:40 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Sources: #Mets, #BlueJays have agreement in principle on Dickey trade. Window open for Jays to extend Dickey, which would complete deal.
The window is 72 hours, ends at 2pm Tuesday.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
1:41 pm
he can follow me, I’ll DM him
@bravesfanjulien
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:43 pm
How about this… I’m @heathbewley
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:44 pm
Heath-
That works
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:45 pm
TOBF:
I’m following.
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:46 pm
Following
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
1:47 pm
#nf
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
1:49 pm
Man, I’m love me some Nolan
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:49 pm
This meebo bar at the bottom of this blog keeps getting in my way. The little news popups are annoying too. DOB, can we petition to get rid of it from this page?
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:51 pm
“nice egg”
Ha!
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:51 pm
Heath-
You can hide it. Go to the triple arrow thing on the far right and hover. It should pop up a “hide” bubble. Click and it will shrink into the corner
JC Brave
December 16th, 2012
1:52 pm
Let me think of a way to get mine to you. Don’t want to post it here…
Yeah, that wouldn’t be wise, AT ALL.
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:52 pm
Ugh. Y’all can keep Nolan. Can’t stand him
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:53 pm
cab:
I do hide it, but when I refresh, it seems to open back up. I think just to pi$$ me off too.
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:53 pm
Well, it IS an egg!
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:54 pm
It doesn’t appear on my iPad. And it usually stays hidden on the computer when I refresh
Heath
December 16th, 2012
1:57 pm
True… it IS and egg. My picture tends to net me unsolicited tweets.
Tom O'Hawke
December 16th, 2012
1:57 pm
Heath
I can tell you how to get rid of it… but only if you use the Chrome browser.
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
1:59 pm
Heath-
I hate to break your heart (or ego
) but MY twitter profile pic leads to unsolicited followers…sorry!
Heath
December 16th, 2012
2:01 pm
*heart and spirit broken*
BraveDan
December 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
Lew
December 16th, 2012
11:05 am
BraveDan – You’re welcome. For what?
For your info on Schafer.
Nowhere man
December 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
Falcons off to a great start. Keep on rolling the Giants.
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
I’m sure you’ve been shattered
Heath
December 16th, 2012
2:04 pm
like glass lol
Nowhere man
December 16th, 2012
2:06 pm
Stuffed the Gmen on fourth down…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 16th, 2012
2:06 pm
shoulda picked the Falcons defense for fantasy… dang, the team is looking good today. Need to do this in the playoff game…
Tom O'Hawke
December 16th, 2012
2:08 pm
Apparently, Heath doesn’t use Chrome
Heath
December 16th, 2012
2:10 pm
Sorry Tom:
No, I’m not new skool enough. We don’t have a tablet either. As close to kool as we come in my house is having the iPhone
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
2:11 pm
I don’t use chrome either but it only pops up when I first open the blog, and sometimes not even then. It apparently just doesn’t like eggs
cabravesfan
December 16th, 2012
2:12 pm
And the iPhone belongs to his wife. He still uses rotary dial
Tom O'Hawke
December 16th, 2012
2:13 pm
Heath, you could do a google search, then. Ask, ‘how do I get rid of Meebo bar on (IE/FF) ?’
There are several ways to defeat it.