Braves GM Wren encouraged by Dominican trip
While the Braves wait to see if they can work out a fit for a left fielder and leadoff hitter on the trade market, general manager Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez spent four days in the Dominican Republic getting a closer look at some of their internal options.
They were encouraged by what they saw from their young players in winter ball there.
That started with Juan Francisco, the leading candidate to play third base if the Braves don’t acquire another left fielder and move Martin Prado to third. The Braves had charged Francisco with two things: cutting down on extra movement in his swing and getting in better shape.
“(Hitting coach) Greg Walker wanted him to continue to work on less rotation in the swing, and I think he’s done that,” Wren said Tuesday. “And we wanted him to get in better shape and he’s well on his way to that as well. He’s slimmed down and it’s noticeable. It’s still a couple of months before spring training, so I think there’s still more he can do and will do. But he’s had a good winter so far.”
Wren said Francisco has been working with a personal trainer early. He is seeing results with his swing too, hitting .315 with six doubles and seven home runs in 29 games for the Licey Tigers.
Wren, Gonzalez and Braves assistant general managers Bruce Manno and John Coppolella timed their trip between the winter meetings in Nashville, which ended Thursday, and before the Dominican league all-star break began Monday. (The Braves executives and international scouting director Johnny Almaraz spent Monday watching younger prospects at the Braves complex in San Pedro de Macoris.)
The Braves front office contingent arrived in time to see Randall Delgado pitch Saturday night and Julio Teheran pitch Sunday night.
“They both threw the ball well,” Wren said. “They’ve been getting better and more consistent since the beginning of the winter league.”
Teheran impressed with six one-hit shutout innings Sunday and struck out eight with no walks. It was his third consecutive scoreless outing, while he’s allowed only two hits in 16 2/3 innings. He’d given up 11 earned runs in 14 innings over his first four starts this winter.
Delgado allowed two runs in five innings on Saturday, with his fastball touching 96 mph, Wren said. Delgado is 0-3 with a 5.11 ERA in six outings (five starts) this winter.
Delgado’s progression last season was steadier than Teheran’s, who dropped off in his second year in Triple-A Gwinnett. But on Saturday, 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.”
The Braves could end up trading either Teheran or Delgado for a left fielder, but Wren has said that would happen only if the deal is significant. Otherwise the two will compete for the fifth starter’s spot come spring training.
Wren and Gonzalez also kept a close eye on catching prospect Christian Bethancourt, who could help fill in for Brian McCann in early April as he comes back from shoulder surgery. Wren said he hit a couple of balls hard for outs in a start Friday night. Bethancourt is hitting .231 in 20 games for Licey.
Outfielder Jose Constanza has been out sick with flu-like symptoms since early December and couldn’t play Friday night as he had planned to while Wren and Gonzalez were in town. But he’s s hitting .299 in 25 games and the reports are good.
Wren was back in his office Tuesday, continuing to explore both the trade and free agent markets for either a true leadoff hitter or more of a stop-gap option.
“We’re going to keep making calls, and staying engaged with teams that we feel like we might match up with and see if there’s a deal out there that makes sense,” Wren said.
But if there’s not, he came back from the Dominican feeling encouraged about the players they have.
“From our standpoint, there’s not a bad option,” Wren said. “If we end up, going with our internal group, it’s not bad. We keep our money, we keep our prospects and we give opportunities to our young players. Then we adjust when we see where the real needs are a little later.”
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328 comments Add your comment
the Frediot
December 11th, 2012
7:47 pm
You feel like we are going with Juan. Gotta tip your cap to him for slimming down his belly and his swing.
Brava
December 11th, 2012
7:50 pm
As a fan, this is disappointing news, but I’m not privy to Wren’s discussions with other teams. I don’t have a warm and fuzzy about the “internal options”, but also don’t want to see Wren overpay for a player. Guess we’ll see how this all pans out.
BUGGSEY
December 11th, 2012
7:53 pm
REALLY! Just let our young guys play an see what happens..Either go big time player or keep our pros. may find a diamond in the ruff!!
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
December 11th, 2012
7:53 pm
<—————–
urban redneck
December 11th, 2012
7:55 pm
frank wren needs a financial panther. go bravos.
John Leonard
December 11th, 2012
7:57 pm
Wren would be wise to get a good defensive catcher,that can hit 250.
Brava
December 11th, 2012
7:58 pm
A financial panther could be a good move. It could attack all the opposing GMs and their staffs until Wren found someone willing to do his bidding.
Comfortably Dumb
December 11th, 2012
8:01 pm
Still don’t understand why we’re paying Maholm to pitch for the team when we have 2 young, controllable, full of potential, possible all-star pitchers in Delgado and Teheran just waiting to bust onto the scene. They might hit a bump or two in the road, but I’d be willing to bet that each of them is capable of at least matching the production of Maholm.
2013:
1. Huddy
2. Medlen
3. Minor
4. Delgado
5. Teheran
2014:
1. Medlen
2. Beachy
3. Minor
4. Delgado
5. Teheran
Just because trade talks have been swirling around these two for a while doesn’t mean we HAVE to get rid of them. We have many other prospects that are a little farther away I would feel better about giving up.
the Frediot
December 11th, 2012
8:03 pm
The back of the baseball card says Slim Juan > Fat Juan.
Comfortably Dumb
December 11th, 2012
8:05 pm
We keep developing all these great pitching prospects and now we have a great young group all ready to do it at the big league level. I say keep them together. You see what the Rays have done on a tight payroll with their young, home grown pitchers.
If we need a bat, trade a Gilmartin or a Spruill.
Darryl Blackberry
December 11th, 2012
8:16 pm
Comfortably D: Agreed. Would much rather put Teheran into Maholm’s spot, then pitching Delgado in the fifth spot until Beachy returns.
Not concerned about the Braves’ pop for next year, but it would be nice to have a speedy leadoff hitter who can play some outfield. That’s why Bonifacio makes so much sense for Atlanta. Knowing how injury prone baseball players are these days, Francisco, Gattis, Schafer, Constanza and others will get their chances…
RJB in DC
December 11th, 2012
8:24 pm
Juan Francisco was very highly thought of in the Reds organization. He was boxed out though in 2011 with Votto at first and Scott Rolen at third (in the middle of a 23.6 million contract extension).
longtimefan
December 11th, 2012
8:28 pm
Comfortably Dumb-I think you are on to something. Totally agree. Build from the farm. Pay your home grown talent. Get new talent thru the draft. Don’t over value the other guys player just because he’s a new face.
bravo
December 11th, 2012
8:38 pm
What about Gattis???
Bills fan
December 11th, 2012
8:40 pm
Thanks, CR, for the news. Us Braves junkies can’t get enough this time of year.
LudaChris
December 11th, 2012
8:42 pm
I, too, am very much in favor of this “financial panther” being tossed around this blog.
JT19
December 11th, 2012
8:43 pm
If the Braves can’t land a difference-maker for LF (i.e., someone like Upton or Hamilton), I would rather see them stick with Prado in Left and Francisco at 3rd and save the money for a mid-season acquisition if needed. I think Francisco could put up some really good power numbers–especially since he’d be hitting 7th or 8th in the lineup. I don’t think any of the one-year stopgap options woud outperform Francisco by enough of a margin to be worthwhile.
And I like the idea of having two guys with cannons on the left side of the infield.
However, since Prado would prefer to play 3rd, I’d like to see the Braves make a significant acquisition in LF–not only because it makes the team better, but because I think Prado has been such a selfless team player that I think he deserves to nail down the position of his choice.
jbill
December 11th, 2012
8:55 pm
The Braves are not better off now than last year….don’t fool yourselves. Braves need a big bat in LF are 3b. You wish to win now are later?
JHarber
December 11th, 2012
9:02 pm
I can see third place as of now. Wren can see one or two. Sorry thats the best i can see.
HLB in Hastings
December 11th, 2012
9:02 pm
Maholm^s signing was goodand could be traded if both teheran and delgado are ready around the trading deadline.Francisco showed some power in his ab^s and his RBI was good for his ab^s. A speedy outfiellder would be ideal.
nerdville
December 11th, 2012
9:09 pm
on juan-pretty sad when you have to tell a professional athlete to slim down. if he does trim up then i won’t call him fatcisco any more. he does have great pop in his bat when he connects, but whiffs too much for me.
Ralph
December 11th, 2012
9:15 pm
Sounds like Wren has a good plan, hope it works out but I was thinking, what if the Giants told Sandavol to silm down before ST. he loses 40 pounds and hits 4 HR for the season.
MALONE
December 11th, 2012
9:18 pm
what JT19 said — except I think you’ll be surprised at Juan F at 3B.
jed
December 11th, 2012
9:19 pm
call me hoodwinked, but i do see the wisdom in waiting on LF. mainly, because i dont see much out there right now that a/ we’d want and b/ we can afford. if you save the money and wait til mid-season, as wren mentioned the other day, the value of your dollar is doubled, better options will be available, and whoever you acquire probably wont cost you teheran or delgado.
so….what do you do til then? first, what say we put prado at 3b and let him play one position all year? that seems really important to me, as it will pay off by giving you a very good defensive 3b, as well as allowing prado to get comfortable, which will effect him offensively as well. so what do you do with LF?
i see prado as a better defensive 3b than juan francisco, so why not move juan to LF for the rest of winter ball and from the start of spring training? then platoon him and reed johnson in LF. the only gamble there is juan changing positions, and i think he’s more than capable of doing it.
only problem with my scheme here is that you dont have a natural lead-off hitter. reed johnson would work when he’s playing; maybe simmons when they face righties. but would i rather have nate schierholz for a whole season just cause he leads off than a platoon of reed and JF (which could potentially give way to a bigger acquisition mid-season)? no.
Comfortably Dumb
December 11th, 2012
9:19 pm
jbill, what is the difference in these two words?:
Or
Are
kingdaddy
December 11th, 2012
9:19 pm
I would like Fransisco to get another shot at third. Shop Uggla in a trade for adequate LF and eat part of Ugs contract. Move Prado to second. Simmons leads off and we have a slick fielding middle infield. This way we don’t give away Teheran or Delgado. Can we really count on Uggla to have a breakout year??? Keep an eye on Fransisco’s weight and keep working on his swing. If we give up on him now, he will go on to be a star for someone else. Keep Gattis in our plans somehow…
glorydays
December 11th, 2012
9:21 pm
Does Constanza bat leadoff?
Hawes
December 11th, 2012
9:23 pm
No updates on El Oso Blanco?
jbill
December 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
Thanks Dumb..my bad.
Virginia Brave Fan
December 11th, 2012
9:31 pm
Seriously, Hawes, no mention of Gattis whatsoever? I am not opposed to Gattis in LF and Prado at 3B. In fact, I think I prefer it to Fransico at 3B and Prado in LF.
Virginia Brave Fan
December 11th, 2012
9:36 pm
And, to be clear, I agree with everyone who desires to jettison Uggla, I just don’t see how we do it. Hard to fathom that one of our top three highest paid players is both an offensive and defensive liability.
Our top three highest paid players are Uggla, Bossman Junior and McCann. Our best three players (non-pitchers) are Heyward, Freeman and Prado.
Ken Stallings
December 11th, 2012
9:48 pm
With these reports, perhaps the best plan is to go with Francisco at third base and see how it develops. Keep Prado in left field.
the Frediot
December 11th, 2012
9:48 pm
Virginia Brave Fan,
You feel like Bossman Junior has more oWAR, dWAR, and WAR values than Freeman and thus is the better player. Agreed on Heyward and Prado though.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freemfr01.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/uptonbj01.shtml
Yuuup
December 11th, 2012
9:49 pm
Translation, tear up inferior pitching and we will let you replace a Icon at 3rd base. Hell Wren, why don’t you let Francisco bat leadoff while you are at it? I am sure you have discussed that as a “internal” option huh?
This team has taken a huge step backwards since last season and I don’t like where this is heading. Sure, the Braves could still land a LF’er who bats leadoff, but as of right now it looks like Wren and company are going to sit on the checkbooks. I hope when this team bombs next season because of lack of production, that Wren takes full responsibility for the collapse. We lost Chipper in both the lineup and clubhouse (Won’t be replaced at all) we lost our backup catcher who was arguably better offensively, and heads and shoulders better defensively than our starting catcher, we lost a CF’er who was a legit leadoff hitter (we haven’t had one since Furcal left, and look what he did) and replaced him with a overpaid, non leadoff hitter who strikes out a ton, and replaced the other guys with nobody and Laird respectively. How can anyone truly feel all gitty going into next year if Francisco is our starting 3rd baseman, or if Prado moves to 3rd (which is cool) and they platoon 2 guys in LF? Sorry folks, I am not liking next year in the least with the losses this team has incurred, and the lack of filling those voids with solid options, and the only thing solid about Francisco is his beer belly.
Bob the Blogger
December 11th, 2012
9:53 pm
Actually, I like the idea of using existing players. Plan A would be Francisco, Plan B would be a platoon of Constanza/Reed J. Plans C and D would be Gattis and Cunningham (after a couple of months). Gattis is coming on like gangbusters, and Cunningham hit .309 at AA with 24 steals, and with very few strikeouts. Young players have to be given a chance at some point.
ugaaccountant
December 11th, 2012
9:58 pm
If both force their way into the rotation, we could certainly trade Maholm at any time. He has value and tons of teams would be happy to have him.
jed
December 11th, 2012
9:59 pm
yuup–i’m certainly not thrilled with the idea of francisco taking over 3b–i dont think he’s good enough defensively and i dont think he’s gonna hit lefties worth a damn. however, i do think he’ll flat-out mash righties, and reed johnson hits lefties well. so yeah i think platooning those 2 in LF could work fine actually. it’ll get you through the first 3 months for certain, and at that point, you can acquire what’s needed with the money you saved. i think that all makes perfect sense actually.
ugaaccountant
December 11th, 2012
9:59 pm
Compared to clubhouse cancers like Nick Swisher at some ridiculous salary, I’m happy to have 1 slot go to a guy we developed. We’re not saying be the Marlins. Just 1 slot for a new starter to break through.
Miami Dave
December 11th, 2012
10:06 pm
Sorry guys but I will take Maholm over the promise of Delgado and Teheran. If we can get an established LF and lead off hitter in exchange for either guys’ promise, then do it…
JC Boscan III
December 11th, 2012
10:10 pm
Gattis is on a scheduled break from winter ball for a few days…….so, he’s not playing right now.
Miami Dave
December 11th, 2012
10:12 pm
Yuuup- spring training is still weeks away and you’re already trashing. Get a life and wait til the 1st ST game is finished.
Wendell miller
December 11th, 2012
10:18 pm
Let’s all hope that Prado is extended or we may be looking for his replacement in the not to distant future as well. As I have mentioned before, Schafer is still young enough to have a breakout year. He is talented but injuries and poor judgement have messed him up. In a little over 100 games with Houston last year, he stole 27 bases. The man can fly and has a powerful arm, has hit lead off and could cover left field. He could be a sleeper in the spring. I would like an established left fielder or third baseman, but if they aren’t around by the spring I will be excited to see what our young guys can do. Remember, every major league all star was once a green rookie who got a chance to play and prove themself.
Yuuup
December 11th, 2012
10:25 pm
Miami Dave,
Shut Up!!! We all have an opinion, so don’t call someone out for stating theirs. This team has taken a HUGE step backwards and done nothing to fill the voids. I would love to hear your logic on how this team is better because we lost Bourn and overpaid for Upton. I would love to hear your logic on losing Chipper and how we are going to be better starting Francisco at 3rd. I would love to hear your logic on the loss of Ross and replaced him with Laird, and how that will make this a better team.
So come on big shot, let’s hear your side of the story. The Braves have all the resources to keep this team competitive, yet we have seen all the ideal targets of the Braves traded to our division rivals or another NL team. With the money and trade chips they have, if Wren truly goes into the season with Francisco as the starting 3rd baseman, or a platoon in LF, and no real leadoff hitter on the team, then he should be fired. Argue this, don’t bring up the lame, “ST is still weeks away” tired routine. Now you are sounding like the Braves front office.
RJB in DC
December 11th, 2012
10:31 pm
Given the makeup of the NL East, if Maholm is effective, the Braves are going to be very happy to have two southpaws in the starting rotation. No matter which of either Tehran or Delgado makes the #5 slot, I would find it hard to believe that somewhere along the line, the other won’t be up for some time to cover a stint on the DL by another starter. I would suggest that once Beachy makes it back from rehab, then things will get real interesting right around the trade deadline. As for Francisco, the worse that happens is that by mid-season, he cannot show he can be an everyday player at third, and Prado becomes the permanent fixture there.
Angel Eyes
December 11th, 2012
10:33 pm
I agree Yuuup. The only thing keeping Braves out of cellar is Marlins. Can’t win if GM does nothing. There are Lf and leadoff out there. Wren doesn’t want to get rid of his precious pitching . PITCHING DOESNT WIN RUNS SCORED WINS GAMES.
Angel Eyes
December 11th, 2012
10:33 pm
I agree Yuuup. The only thing keeping Braves out of cellar is Marlins. Can’t win if GM does nothing. There are Lf and leadoff out there. Wren doesn’t want to get rid of his precious pitching . PITCHING DOESNT WIN RUNS SCORED WINS GAMES.
john
December 11th, 2012
10:34 pm
If Tehran or Delgado start next year, will their arms have anything left by September? Throwing all these innings in the winter with Spring Training right around the corner, seems like they might be overworking the arms. Or is this about showcasing them over the winter for a trade?
kingdaddy
December 11th, 2012
10:34 pm
We got a long way till opening day, and the haters are akready in rare form. If you idiots think you can do better than Wren, then put in an application for his job. Don’t forget to include all your experience you’ve got trashing the Braves on the blogs. You dum-basses will never be sastisfied. Wren’s building a winner which is more than you will ever do by constant complaining. If you think it makes you look smart to criticize every move the Braves make, then you are wrong again…but you’re probably used to that, lol…
kingdaddy
December 11th, 2012
10:35 pm
Already…not akready…
kingdaddy
December 11th, 2012
10:44 pm
How many games did Chipper play last year??? Divide that by 17 million dollars. Chipper’s gone, get over it, move on. That 10-14 million dollars we have leftover to deal with is burning a hole in some of your pockets. Don’t make a bad deal, just to say you made a deal…
jed
December 11th, 2012
10:49 pm
the loudest and angriest are always the stupidest.
RJB in DC
December 11th, 2012
10:56 pm
So far, the most encouraging part about Francisco is that this more compact swing appears to have improved his ability against left-handed pitching. So far in winter ball, iIn 52 AB’s his line is a respectable .302 / 339 / 528 with an .868 OPS. But he murdering right handed-pitching: in 55 AB’s his numbers are .327 / 406 / 600 with a 1.006 OPS.
Denny Lemaster
December 11th, 2012
10:59 pm
The Braves are not going to pay Maholm over $6 million to be a relief pitcher. Either he starts or is traded, but not relief. They have two quality short lefty pitchers now.
jed
December 11th, 2012
11:00 pm
RJB–exactly. we dont yet know how good juan francisco can be. but we know he can hit RHP. i’d be very comfortable with him in a platoon.
LostCause
December 11th, 2012
11:16 pm
I like the Francisco Dough Boy personally.
RJB in DC
December 11th, 2012
11:35 pm
That may well be the answer by mid-May if Francisco cannot show success against left handed pitching. Prado slides to third and Reed Johnson gets the start in LF. Over the past three years, he is still hitting above .300 against LHP.
kingdaddy
December 11th, 2012
11:39 pm
Atlanta is not desperate. We are dealing from strength. Most teams know we are just a piece or two away from being elite and they don’t want to do us any favors. We’re flush with pitching but have made some questionable trades in the past. We don’t want to repeat those mistakes again. If we show patience here in the shortrun, we will be better in the longrun. Build this team for the longhaul. Work from the farm and develope our own stars. Draft good and only trade when its the best/only option. Trades have not been one of Atlantas high-points. Yes, we have made a few good ones, but we have also given up on some good kids to early and gotten little in return…
NevadaRoy
December 12th, 2012
1:41 am
I support going with what we have for 2-3 months, seeing how they perform and saving money for mid-season moves including injury replacements. Look at the teams that made the post-season … they nearly always credit additions they were able to make mid-season.
Dr. Tyler
December 12th, 2012
1:44 am
The real question mark on this team, especially in comparison to last year’s team, is OBP. Chipper was a high OBP guy and Bourn was a great table setter. They’ve replaced Bourn with pop, which isn’t bad, but without the counter move of adding OBP in LF or at 3B, then you’re gonna have issues. I like Bossman. I like Juan. But, I worry that the parts, as assembled, will not do enough in terms of getting on base. We’ll be looking at a lot of solo homers and runners stranded at second as our big boppers strike out. I like what Wren has done, but I’m a bit worried….on the aggregate.
jj
December 12th, 2012
2:58 am
Hey Braves,IT IS TIME TO PAY PRADO! He has paid his dues and i am tired of hearing that he is the MVP of this team.PAY THE MAN. GO BRAVES OH Yea,i hope the Braves give Juan a chance.He was a good citizen last yr while carring CJ clubs and he is doing everything the Braves are asking him to do.Why spend money on names when you might have the answer already on roster.
bennyben
December 12th, 2012
4:29 am
in a perfect world, teheran, delgado, ahmed and gattis all perform to our expectations and we are able to entice the d-backs into taking 3 of the aforementioned (teheran or delgado, ahmed and gattis) perhaps a low-level prospect as well for justin upton by midseason… they just traded away pitching depth with bauer’s departure and teheran or delgado can replace that void. ahmed can be converted to 2b to replace aaron hill when he departs via free agency. or perhaps replace gattis with gilmartin to package 2 starting pitchers in the deal. let mccann walk as a free agent to free up money for justin
ggs
December 12th, 2012
6:38 am
Still hoping to see Wren acquire someone to play LF.We have enough young talent to get a deal done for an accomplished outfielder.Ellsbury,DeJesus,Willingham,Ross,Gordon.Did I forget anyone?I still think our best option is to put Prado at third and leave him there and use Francisco off the bench.If Prado knows from the start that he won’t be moved from one position to another next year he may well have his best season ever.
phatdaddy
December 12th, 2012
6:47 am
It seem like wren not looking to win. we ready to win now the youngs players good but we a playoff team not looking to rebuild. we need a good LF so make it happen
Obee
December 12th, 2012
7:24 am
Lets keep whining until opening day !
Coach D
December 12th, 2012
7:36 am
“All we are saying is give Juan a chance.”… (Sung to J. Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance”)
Gattis is not a bad option either.
I’m tired of seeing Braves castoffs go to other teams and be important parts of playoff winning teams. See Gregor Blanco & several others….
Mr Pitts
December 12th, 2012
7:41 am
I think the financial panther is the way to go.
Mr Pitts
December 12th, 2012
7:41 am
I think the financial panther is the way to go.
Charlie Kerfeld
December 12th, 2012
8:24 am
Constanza would do just fine as a lead-off hitter and to play LF. We really need another catcher, as there is no guarantee McCann will return and hit like he used to. Betancourt does not seem ready to hit big league pitching.yet.
Cowbell Hell
December 12th, 2012
8:30 am
Comfortably DUMB — the dumb part says it all. Are you kidding me with this Teheran/Delgado in Maholm’s spot ?!! Did you even watch the Braves last year dude? Maholm dominated for relatively cheap salary and Teheran could not handle AAA and gave up 11 runs in 14 innings to start winter ball. Please come with some knowledge… Maholm is not going anywhere mark my words, he is your 3rd starter till Beachy comes back and one of those overrated pitchers will be gone. Jeese people don’t mess with the one thing on the team that is set, the rotation.
Real Talk
December 12th, 2012
8:36 am
People Constanza CANT play 162 games in the Majors and be productive. I also think we better keep Maholm at least till Beachy gets back. I would like to see us trade Delgado for someone but to keep him as a back up plan would probably be better.
Chopper to Chipper
December 12th, 2012
8:43 am
Since CLE still has Asdrubal and J Upton doesn’t look like he’ll be moved, would it make any since to grab Asdrubal from CLE for a pitching prospect or two (according to the level of prospect) and put him at 3rd and leave Prado in LF. Asdrubal has hit second, could probably have him or Simmons lead off, and has good numbers. He wouldn’t cost a ton, I wouldn’t think, and would be versatile, as he could spell Simmons at SS if necessary and is also a switch hitter.
Probably not an ideal lead off hitter, but I think he would be a solid addition to the team.
Angry acworth man
December 12th, 2012
8:44 am
Everybody keeps talking about Juan Francisco’s stats this winter. I’m just wondering if there are at legitimate big league pitchers in the Dominican Republic this winter….
Lew
December 12th, 2012
9:03 am
“Runs scored wins ballgames.”
No way we’ll ever score runs despite the fact we have five players more than capable of hitting 25-35 HR in our lineup already. And of course if Francsico is in there, we’ll have six. Yep, no runs in THAT lineup.
Coach Carter
December 12th, 2012
9:04 am
Maholm is in the rotation even after Beachy returns…can you say “veteran leftie”?
If Francisco comes to spring training in even better shape than he is now, he should be the third baseman. Everyone said last year that nobody on the roster hits the ball any harder. If he can improve his average and lower the strikeouts by adjusting his swing, I say let Walker keep working!
We already know that Prado is as good as anyone in left field, so the only thing that has to happen, which we may not have wanted to happen so quickly, is making Simmons our lead-off man. I think he will do just fine at that, and I would have expected him to bat lead-off in the next year or two anyway.
Personally, I am happy that Wren has held out on trading away our young guys. I wouldn’t have minded seeing a trade for a quality player, but all I’ve heard and read about potential trades had us on the short end of things. Not worth overpaying in terms of money and talent when the team looks solid as is. That also leaves us some money and talent to swing a deal at the deadline if we have a dire need.
Lew
December 12th, 2012
9:11 am
People really need to forget thinking that Beachy comes back after the trade deadline and moves right into the rotation as if nothing has happened. Keep in mind that when Hudson returned from his TJ surgery, he pitched in seven games and when Medlen returned, he pitched several innings.
He’ll be back and maybe make a contribution, but don’t count on him being back to form until Spring Training 2014.
jbill
December 12th, 2012
9:15 am
The team looks solid as is..per Coach Carter. Thats amazing, just amazing!
Robert ( chi-town)
December 12th, 2012
9:20 am
Well Choo and Stubbs switch teams and AZ gets involved to get the SS they wanted since Wren would not budge. Playing a high stakes game here to go with Francisco at 3rd. I hope FW’s gamble and trust in Juan pays off.
Mftarpon
December 12th, 2012
9:24 am
Why can’t Constanza play 162 games? Granted…he has no power whatsoever. Leading up to AAA his averages have been .257, .309, .274, .278, .282. In 3 years at AAA ball, his averages have been .319, .312, .314. In 3 seasons of AAA he has walked more than he has struck out and he will steal 20-30 bases.
Who says Gattis can’t make the jump to major league level? Maybe he can’t, but after his debut in Rookie League Danville, he has hit .315 in 610 AB with 40 HR while walking 56 times and striking out only 96. Those numbers would be even better had he not suffered his wrist injury last season.
Juan Francisco? Maybe he is not the answer, but sometimes a player really steps up when finally given the opportunity to play ALL the time.
Todd Cunningham may not be able to make the jump to the majors either, but he has been highly thought of by the front office and began to come into his own at AA last year. A switch hitter who hit .309 with 24 steals and only struck out 51 times in 466 AB. GREAT defensive player too!
Maybe none of that group will step forward…but MAYBE just one of them will…and that one is all it takes. At this point, I’d rather go that way than overpay for a mediocre, but proven, player.
TeheranTime
December 12th, 2012
9:27 am
Nothing like Braves fans. The season hasn’t even started and they have our Bravos in last place! Sheesh! Atlanta sports fans are the worst.
Go Barves
December 12th, 2012
9:31 am
GET BONIFACIO
Don
December 12th, 2012
9:32 am
Upton was a great acquisition because of his great HOME RUN production in spite of his terrible BA, and terrible, terrible On Base Average, and terrible, terrible, terrible Strike Out totals. WOOPS – against the 1/3 best Pitchers, he had ZERO, thats ZERO HOME RUNS and hit .168.
No question, he is a true WINNER to go with our other two STRIKE OUT MACHINES to give us THREE out of the top 10 leaders in STRIKE OUTS.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
9:34 am
Wow, really Don? I’ve never heard that before.
Mftarpon
December 12th, 2012
9:38 am
All those strikeouts are concerning…for sure. I’m pulling for Gattis to make it in left field. He does not strike out that much. Find a speedy 2nd baseman who can hit lead off and play defense.
Uggla and McCann….IF those two guys can hit like they did a couple of years ago….and IF Upton can simply improve to .260+…..IF, IF IF….
Mftarpon
December 12th, 2012
9:38 am
All those strikeouts are concerning…for sure. I’m pulling for Gattis to make it in left field. He does not strike out that much. Find a speedy 2nd baseman who can hit lead off and play defense.
Uggla and McCann….IF those two guys can hit like they did a couple of years ago….and IF Upton can simply improve to .260+…..IF, IF IF….
taudawg
December 12th, 2012
9:42 am
Yuuup , “have done nothing to fill the voids”……. Really? What was Upton? While you might not agree with it, to say they have done nothing sounds rather childish.
There is not a trade made this winter, but any team, that is a guarantee. I think we just enjoy the thrill of the quest and get our feelings hurt when our teams don’t give us immediate gratification.
To know nothing about what the team is doing and have such an opinion is kinda strange. Just saying.
Real Talk
December 12th, 2012
9:49 am
BONAFACIO SUX!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Al
December 12th, 2012
9:51 am
Uggla had the excat same OBP as Bourn!
Ok so Upton repaces Bourn and we are told a “stop gap” or something can replace a Hall of Famer. SORRY not buying.
Even if Signing Josh Hamiltion will add $10 million to the payroll after savings from Jurgans Chipper Hanson Lowe and Bourne PLUS adding Upton. At an average of $50. gross profit per ticket sold, Hamiliton would have to account for an additional 200,000 in ticket sales. Having the best lineup in the NL I believe would boost attendance by more than that PLUS playoff tickect would be a bonus.
Lew
December 12th, 2012
9:58 am
Chipper had a very good season for a 40 year old who needed to take one day off every three days on average, but he certainly did NOT put up HOF numbers – nowhere vaguely close to it. He will be missed, but it’s been several years since he put up HOF numbers and he CAN be replaced – in fact WAS replaced 50 times last season. His defense will easily be replaced.
jbill
December 12th, 2012
10:00 am
Well said Lew..
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
10:04 am
Simmons will experience sophomore slump and Wren regrets not making trade. No Chipper, No Bourne, No Ross, Braves terrible. Finish 4th
MoBrave
December 12th, 2012
10:09 am
It seems like every year the Braves fail to make one last move that could really put the team in good shape for the coming year. Most often, it seems to involve left field. I sure hope this “internal options” strategy produces a real surprise like the emergence of Gattis. Otherwise, it will be another disappointing year in Atlanta. I don’t intend to be entirely negative here. The Braves have had some good young players emerge in recent years, and if either Gattis or Francisco has a breakout year, that could happen again.
Real Talk
December 12th, 2012
10:10 am
@AngelEyes Really!!!! The Marlins and Mets are awful so that is not going to happen…PERIOD!!!!
Lew
December 12th, 2012
10:11 am
Angel Eyes @ 10:04 – Proof yet again that idiocy never rests. Yes, our season hin ges on not having replacements for a player that missed 50 games, a player that had mediocre -at best – the second half of the year and a replacement catcher who played 60 games.
Jay
December 12th, 2012
10:20 am
Sounds like Francisco is taking the teams requests seriously. If he’s legit working on his swing and his conditioning like the team asked and making solid progress, then he should earn a shot. Then save that extra payroll for a backup plan.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
10:21 am
Mets improve.Phillies improve. Nationals improve. What did Wren do to improve the Braves. Nothing. Would not trade an unproved SS Get a CF with an attitude problem and don’t know pitchers. Won’t hit a lick. Rely too much on HRs. Not a power team. No 3rd baseman. no leadoff hitter. rely too much on pitching and not enough on situational hitting. Heyward and Freeman good but cannot do it by themseves. Prado star but needsw help. As long as Wren is Gm. Braves do nothing. 4th 4th 4th.
Real Talk
December 12th, 2012
10:25 am
I will say this that if you look at Juan’s numbers as a starter last season and project them out on a full season, .262 Avg 32 Hr’s 108 Rbi’s, I would say that would be our best pick up we can make because we cant get those numbers from anyone on the market at his cost, and now that he is in better shape that is a definite possibilty!! Just sayin that FW may look like a genius afterall:}
Real Talk
December 12th, 2012
10:26 am
@Angeleyes your an idiot!!! Mets Sux!!!
NORRIS CHUCK
December 12th, 2012
10:31 am
So even if Francisco gets it together(which it seems he has) then the power hitters they have:
Freeman
Heyward
Mac
Francisco
are all left handed.
Now on the other side they have:
Prado
Uggla
Upton
They still need to get a LF with power that can hit from the right side dont they?
Dirty Dawg
December 12th, 2012
10:31 am
Hey angel eyes…you better have a big mouth and a Linda Lovelace throat too, cause you’re gonna need em to swallow all those words you’re gonna have to eat.
Mr Pitts
December 12th, 2012
10:33 am
Id like to explore the idea of the financial panther once again. Anyone care to start the discussion?
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
10:34 am
so do Braves!!!
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
10:39 am
No left fielder, No leadoff hitter, No 3rd baseman. SS unproved. 2nd base-just anothe popeye, A catcher that is DONE. CF with attitude problem. A wishy washy 5th starter. NO GM. Lackadasical Manager. BRAVES 4th
Real Talk
December 12th, 2012
10:43 am
@Norris Chuck maybe that is why I think a big key will be how well Mccann bounces back because when healthy he hits lefties very well and can still be a big pop in the lineup. I am hoping that with a full season and much healthier Francisco hits lefties better. If you have Lefties that hit lefties well aka Phillies a couple of years ago with their middle being Utley, howard, and Ibanez then the need for a Right Handed hitter with alot of pop is not a big deal, so again I think Mac’s health may be the biggest question for the Braves at this moment and not LF seeing how Juan seems to be getting it.
AGTFan
December 12th, 2012
10:51 am
@Real Talk – No reason to call names, even if you are right. There are some people on this blog who would complain if we found the next Babe Ruth. He’s too fat. They’re going to complain if we’re in first place because if they were in charge, we’d be undefeated.
Bob the Blogger
December 12th, 2012
10:55 am
I don’t understand the logic that Constanza doesn’t have the ability to play in the majors and doesn’t deserve a chance. In his first 205 PAs, he’s hit .281 with a .332 OBP. As a starter, he’s hit .305 with an OBP of .356. Plus, he won a AAA batting title. I don’t see where those numbers disqualify him from being given a chance.
With so many players ready to make a contribution and others right behind them, I think it’s time to give them a shot.
Real Talk
December 12th, 2012
11:00 am
@AGtfan Yeah I shouldnt but when they post the same thing ten times in a row a day it gets old!!
Oventbrel
December 12th, 2012
11:03 am
Through a full season, Juan Francisco could play out a lot like Pedro Alvarez. Thats not a bad option for a guy batting at the bottom of the order. Even so, a solid LF should still be a priority.
Joe Nuxhall
December 12th, 2012
11:11 am
Hey, can anyone explain to me some of these newer stats to me? I’ve looked on the MLB website but cannot seem to get some type of explanation… IBB, OBP, SLG, OPS, and GO/AO.
Skip Caray's Ghost
December 12th, 2012
11:15 am
Joe, why don’t we discuss the finer points of the infield fly rule? That would warm the cockles of my heart.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
11:18 am
Just google them Joe. And none of those stats are really new.
Ozzie
December 12th, 2012
11:46 am
way too early to call standings for 2013. that said people are pissed bc wren is talking up internal options as his external options fizzle. he isn’t batting a 1000 when he goes that route.
we have to admit he does seem terrified of trading top quality players even when (position wise) he has obvious depth. he needs to get over that and sooner or later go all in.
bj upton alone is not going all in. he replaced a CF who wren mistakenly (as of today) believed was going to get paid more that 75mm. the market for bourn may not even hit more than 75mm at this point.
wren had the prospects to engineer a 2,3, 4 team deal which would have netted him jupton or another OF of consequence. he may still do it but the rumblings from him & his staffers seem to indicate another ST evalutation session with the fall back of doing a deal on July 31st (they rarely work anymore unless you hemorrhage for a rental – wren wont do that so expect derek lee type guys or bench updates)
having said that perhaps when it was clear (during & post winter meetings) he over paid a bit for bj upton he got a little nervous and decided to sit on his money
in interms of internal options – it would be great if every player was p90x winter away from being a star but that is not how it works. hitting in the minors, mexico or the DR is not like hitting in the ML where every ab is taped and analyzed for weaknesses. i really like juan f but he cannot hit lf very well. unless he fixes that he wont be a starter.
i love prado but he is a 60-65 rbi guy and that wont cut it for a left fielder or even a 3b unless he has major wheels. prado was and always will profile best as a 2b or a super utility guy not a starting 3B or lf which are typically rbi/slugging positions
if wren stops at bj and bj gives us a 2012 year or worse (similiar to uggla pressing to much) we could see a 2011 like season
again it would be confidence boosting for many to see atl make a statement that we are going all in and not hoping our way to a WS.
if we are in the same boat in 30-45 days i could see the anger and stress. today its disappointing but there is still time to realize internal options are 50/50 at best.
JK
December 12th, 2012
11:46 am
The idea of saving the cash for a mid season trade is beginning to sound much better than the preseason options. The lineup actually looks promising:
Simmons
Prado
Heyward
Freeman
Upton
Mac
Francisco
Uggla
Pitcher
That could work!
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
11:54 am
“having said that perhaps when it was clear (during & post winter meetings) he over paid a bit for bj upton he got a little nervous and decided to sit on his money”
I think the Winter Meetings affirmed that it really wasn’t an overpay considering the market. Look at the deals Pagan and Victorino got. And I don’t blame Wren for striking early, as most of the alternative options to Bourn are now gone. Boras tends to drag things out through December.
“i love prado but he is a 60-65 rbi guy and that wont cut it for a left fielder or even a 3b unless he has major wheels.”
Lack of RBIs is partly due to where he hits in the lineup. He may not be a power hitter, which most LF and 3B are, but we have a power hitting 2B. The position he plays doesn’t really matter.
jmart1951
December 12th, 2012
12:33 pm
I would be happy to go with
Prado
Heyward
Freeman
Upton
Mac
Uggla
Fransico
Simmons
Depending upon how the first 30 days went I would then shuffle the lineup based upon batting average and OBP with allowances made for the power spots (4th, 5th and 6th)
big russ
December 12th, 2012
12:38 pm
sovle batting switch hitter….nick swisher or sign broune whats the big deal…..frank???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
henry tn
December 12th, 2012
12:47 pm
francisco will make a good hitter, because he will go to the opposite field….
Ken Stallings
December 12th, 2012
1:10 pm
Going ugly early might be something an unconfident man does at a dance. But, it doesn’t make for cogent baseball analysis.
Martin Prado was one of the best left fielders in the game last year. So, hardly true to say we don’t have a left fielder!
Francisco is not entirely unproven. I liked how he hit when he got his AB’s last season, and it wasn’t a case of him “tearing up weak pitching.” He was, in fact, facing big league pitching.
I’d submit that Andrellton Simmons is no longer unproven. The kid played very well last season and even with the time out for the injury he suffered, he proved he can perform at the big league level as a quality starting shortstop.
Uggla is an ongoing issue. Can he start to perform at the level he performed at for years with Florida (now Miami)? One hopes, but truthfully he’s had two consecutive sub-par years.
Who precisely is our “suspect fifth starter?” I’m sure there are a multitude of other teams who would envy our supposed “pitching issues!” How good does something have to be before some of you bloggers here call it good? One wonders!
Are the Braves the favorites to win the NL East this season? No, they are not. The Nationals remain the team to beat. However, despite the moves the Phillies have made, I don’t think they are any better. Right now, I think the Braves are poised for another NL Wildcard berth.
bvillebaron
December 12th, 2012
1:22 pm
Yuup:
Let me try to explain to why this team is better right now than it was last year. There is no bigger Chipper fan than me, but the fact is Prado at third (which is most likely where he will play this year) is an upgrade. Kris Medlen will now be in the starting rotation from the beginning of the season and will go to the top or near the top of the rotation. Beachy who was lights out before TJ surgery last year will be returning in June or July. Either Teheran and/or Delgado will replace Hanson in the starting rotation and either will be an uggrade over Hanson (and possibly Maholm as well before the end of the year). The Braves acquired Walden, a right handed reliever who has thrown upwards of 100 mph in the past, to balance out what may very well be the best and deepest bullpen in major league baseball.
I know I am in a distinct minority here, but I happen to feel that Upton is a “upgrade” in CF over Bourn mainly because he is (1) younger and (2) a better fit for this team. Some of you forget that Bourn slumped badly in the second half of last year. Also, he struck out 155 times whereas Upton, who so many rip for being a strike out machine, struck out 169 times last year. Bourn’s selling point is his defense and speed. However, speed diminishes as players get older and Bourn would most likely not earn the anticipated overpay contract he will get as a Boras client after the first year or so.
So many sabermeticians claim that Bourn is a superior defender than Upton. I think this is overstated to say the least. The fact of the matter is that Upton has a much stronger arm (check out his OF assists in comparison to Bourn) and many of the doubles and triples Upton was criticized for permitting were largley a function of the fact that Madden deliberately wanted him to play a ridiculously shallow CF.
Although Upton’s BA and OBP were poor last year, his lifetime OBP is something like .336 whereas Bourn’s is a whopping .339. Upton also hit 28 homers last year with far less protection than he will have in the Braves’ lineup, particularly given the fact that Longoria missed much of last year due to injury. Bourn’s 9 homers last year were by far his career best.
For the life of me I cannot understand the amount of negativism on these blogs about the acquisition of Upton. All we heard about for the past several years is how the team needed a right handed power bat to balance out its left handed dominant lineup. Upton not only fits that description, but also steals over 30 bases per season. Maybe I am all wet, but good defensive centerfielders entering their prime who have 30/30 ability are extremely hard to find.
Finally, your comment about being tired of people saying it is only the middle of December when assessing the status of the team is just the type of attitude that results in some (lousy) GMs making panic moves merely to appease some of their critical fans.
David O'Brien
December 12th, 2012
1:24 pm
bvillebaron: Always nice to see such thoughtful, reasoned points (1:22 p.m.), whether people agree or disagree with them.
JQ
December 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
I like Constanza and always have. I dunno but for some reason, every time i’ve seen him play, he sparks my attention. Fast as a bug on water too. Constanza in Left for 2013 and beyond! Give him a chance!
matt
December 12th, 2012
1:43 pm
Send Dan Uggla and some young pitching to Arizona for J. Upton. Move Prado to 2nd (his natural position) and let Francisco play 3rd.
coach13
December 12th, 2012
1:48 pm
Simmons
Prado
Heyward
Freeman
Upton
Uggla
is a prett darn good 1-6. There is speed, contact, and power + athleticism.
Paul
December 12th, 2012
1:49 pm
In the last few years, Wren has tried for the big money right handed power hitter twice now already. First, with Dan Uggla, and now this season with B. J. Upton. Maybe the latter will work out better than the former. But if it doesn’t, and he has to try yet again, well, in this game three strikes and you’re out, right?
jim
December 12th, 2012
1:54 pm
Don’t count on Beachy next year — the history of TJ recovery back to previous form is 1.5 years or slightly more. Medlen was the best pitcher in the league during the second half of the season last year. The only question with him is can he pitch 180-200 innings. I can see the loser of the Teheran-Delgado battle in ST ending up taking the Martinez slot in the bullpen. There is little to be gained by either going back to AAA (other than to stretch out to join the rotation a la Medlen last year) If Teheran and Delgado both show they are ready in ST, Maholm will be gone by or before the deadline — especially with Beachy needing a spot in the 12-man staff — could see him in long relief next year when he returns if the other pitchers are healthy and performing.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
2:02 pm
matt, I’m sure Arizona is dying to make that trade. I mean, it’s not like they have a second baseman who hit 302/360/522 with 26 HR last year and costs half of Uggla’s salary next year. Oh wait…
Texas Braves Fan
December 12th, 2012
2:21 pm
This is really bad news… I see Wren going on the cheap and not doing anything just like on the shortstop position last year and give some young guys a chance and we will find ourselves with a .215 hitter in the lineup and we will have trouble manufacturing runs with our HR hitters mired in a slump all at the same time. Wren, give us something for the $25million financial freedom we found with Hanson’s and Chipper departure… this off-season really sucks as we watch the Philles and Nats do things and Wren says he is encouraged by our perpetually stuck in the minors players that he is prepping us to accept next spring… wow cheap bas@#$%
Texas Braves Fan
December 12th, 2012
2:21 pm
This is really bad news… I see Wren going on the cheap and not doing anything just like on the shortstop position last year and give some young guys a chance and we will find ourselves with a .215 hitter in the lineup and we will have trouble manufacturing runs with our HR hitters mired in a slump all at the same time. Wren, give us something for the $25million financial freedom we found with Hanson’s and Chipper departure… this off-season really sucks as we watch the Philles and Nats do things and Wren says he is encouraged by our perpetually stuck in the minors players that he is prepping us to accept next spring… wow cheap bas@#$%
jim
December 12th, 2012
2:35 pm
‘Dning something’ can and has resulted in 4 years of D Lowe, 3 years of KK, 5 years of a declining Uggla, among other things in past winters. It has also brought us the aging stop gaps like G. Anderson and Troy Glaus. Not doing anything at SS last year gave us a month of the Rev, but left a spot open for Simmons. The Braves need to earmark the money they have left over toward extending Prado and Heyward NOW. The longer they wait, the higher the cost will be until it becomes unaffordable. The (afordable) external options available are no better than the internal options, and likely not nearly as good.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
2:44 pm
Could somebody please find us a GM that w3ants to win. All Wren wants is pitching pitching and more pitching. Pitching doesn’t win games. Scoring runs do. Braves score 5 runs game is over. This team is not capable of 2 runs. Get us some hitters We got three. Not enough. Got Teheran or Degado as 5th starter very questionable. Got piechers and hitters right out there. What does Wren do. He goes down to Dominican to watch a fat boy try to play baseball. He is HR or nothing. Usually nothing. Somebody fix this team. WREN WON’T
jim
December 12th, 2012
2:46 pm
By perpetually stuck in the minors you mean a pair of 21 and 22 year old kids that got to AAA in a hurry and have the power arms that some of the posters on this blog cry that the Braves do not have.
As for Francisco, I remember another rookie 3rd baseman who barely broke the Mendoza line and struck out a lot, but showed more than a few flashes of power. That 3B man was Mike Schmidt. I think it is way too early to know what Juan is capable of doing until he has an opportunity to play full-time. As for the obsession with his weight, I seem to recall that neither of the 3B men in this year’s WS was exactly svelt.
No. 1 Braves Fan
December 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
All of these people who are complaining about what Wren has or has not done have a right to voice their opinions. However, we as fans must keep in mind that none of us are as knowledgeable and as informed about any player(s) on other teams and their status as are Braves Management.
That said, I think we should wait if we want to be critical. I for one do not think Wren has done all he is going to do to make the team better.It is only mid-December folks.
The Braves have some good players (particularly pitchers) that other teams want.
There will be more action. We just need to be patient.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
2:58 pm
Sure didn’t take him long to overpay for a junk CFer that is going to do nothing. How about that for progress. Absolutely be patient. What another piece of trash we already got.
John w
December 12th, 2012
3:15 pm
What about Gattis?….
reckingball
December 12th, 2012
3:19 pm
ISn’t Gattis in South America?
Brown
December 12th, 2012
3:34 pm
If the Braves want to keep, Dellgado, Teheran and Francisco and see how they play, I have no problem with that. There’s a good chance they work out very well. If they don’t Wren has the budget to acquire someone mid-season.
I’m all for bringing in a big-time LF, but who is realistically available that also fits the leadoff role? If you can’t find that guy, it’s not worth overspending or trading top prospects.
Oh, you don’t think Wren wants to win because he hasn’t made a move yet? Or you think he’s wasting time down in D.R. getting a tan while other GMs are making all the moves? Get real. He’s evaluating guys we already have on the cheap that could be major pieces of the team for years to come.
You think Wren doesn’t want to win because he hasn’t dropped coin on a big name free agent? Please. He’s shown several times he has the willingness and ability to make a big move. Sure, Schuerholz made bigger splashes (McGriff, Maddux, Sheffield, Hudson), but he had different ownership that was willing to spend on winners. Liberty Media gives a very conservative budget to work with. And when you only have a little to spend, you have to be a whole lot more strategic and budget conscious about your moves, because you can’t shoot first and think later like the Dodgers and their monopoly money.
Quit acting like the sky is falling. This is a playoff-level team or better.
Skip Caray's Ghost
December 12th, 2012
3:41 pm
Too soon?
single white dove
December 12th, 2012
4:31 pm
12/12/12 = 36
BUGGSEY
December 11th, 2012
7:53 pm
REALLY! Just let our young guys play an see what happens..Either go big time player or keep our pros. may find a diamond in the ruff!!
single white dove
December 12th, 2012
4:32 pm
BUGGSEY
December 11th, 2012
7:53 pm
REALLY! Just let our young guys play an see what happens..Either go big time player or keep our pros. may find a diamond in the ruff!!
Jaun Fransico could be that diamond in the ruff!
Seattle Braves
December 12th, 2012
4:58 pm
Remember we lost the Iconic Chipper Jones and freed up Derek Lowe payroll and were sitting pretty good.
Oops we sign BJ Upton to 75 mill. Braves gave someone who one his best day, would never come close to Chipper. But im not wanting to replace Chipper, becuase you cant. But why pay someone the same amount for lot less production is mind blowing.
Point is, the Braves put themselves into the position of looking winthin the organization because they over paid for Upton. Braves will always have to look within because its cheaper, thanks to Liberty Media. But Wren does make the decisions on players via trade or FA. So if Upton fails and becomes Uggla part 2. Wren is to blame and should be replaced. Because the Braves had Payroll, and the oppportunity with young talent to attract a marquee player. But no that didnt happened, it was thrown away on a “potential”. Hopes and dreams is for the fans, its not for the Business of Baseball Mr.Wren. This City needs another Championship and just getting to the playoffs isnt enough.
Potential is a not worth 75 million. But im hoping that im wrong.
bvillebaron
December 12th, 2012
5:05 pm
Dave:
Thanks for your comments. People are always entitled to their opinions and god knows I am often proven wrong (just ask my wife).
nc82
December 12th, 2012
5:15 pm
IF I was Wren anyone calling up about anyone of our young pitchers I’d say yes they are available only if you take Uggla and his contract off our hands.
Uggla and Teheran
Uggla and Spruill
Uggla and Delgado
I don’t care who else is in the trade aslong as I see Ugglas name I am gonna be happy
bvillebaron
December 12th, 2012
5:34 pm
Seattle:
I certainly appreciate your comments and they are well taken. However, IMHO Wren should not be fired or retained merely based upon whether Upton “fails”, but whether the team continues to improve and ultimately wins a championship. Even though Uggla strruggled mightily last year, the bottom line was that the Braves won 94 games and made the playoffs.
I am as big a Chipper fan as anyone, but a few points to consider. First, a Chipper Jones in his prime was vastly underpaid last year and this reflects his loyalty to the team. Second, one could argue that the Braves may well have won the play in game agaisnt the Cards if Chipper doesn’t throw a tailor made double play ball into right field. Finally, given the amounts being paid and the length of the contracts given to Angel Pagan and Shane Victorino, I think Upton @ $15 million for 5 years looks like a comparative bargain.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
5:36 pm
@Brown. Wake up you are in a dream world. Last years team in playoff. Lose to Cardinals because they didn’t score Runs. They lose players and getNOTHING to replace them. Whoop ti do Didn’t we do good, No way will we come close to last years team. 4th in div. Last in scoring runs. LOSERS AGAIN. FIRE WREN NOW!!!!
jbill
December 12th, 2012
5:54 pm
Good read Baron…….
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
5:57 pm
Angel Eyes, they lost the WC game because of poor defense. They were leading the game before making 3 crucial errors.
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
6:06 pm
So…what if Uggla turns it around? Beast lineup!!!
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
6:16 pm
@Rick C Wow 3 runs That is going to win championships, Score enough runs ,you overcome errors. 3 runs win NOT!!!
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
6:36 pm
Runs win games, but poor pitching and defense lose games.
Ralph
December 12th, 2012
6:38 pm
Soo Choo Poo is gone now and the D/Backs have their SS now so that eliminates two more LF”ers, good news for the braves.
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
6:48 pm
Legit question here. Why would Uggla be confined to 2B? Can he not be pushed over to 3B/LF. Are there any 2B on the market?
Ralph
December 12th, 2012
6:52 pm
Howdy – Why would you want to do that, I doubt he would be any better playing another position.
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
6:55 pm
Well…because if there was a higher upside 2b available? Or to get Prado back at his natural position, because he deserves to play where he wants at this point (not that he cares as much). It’s just a possible way to maximize the lineup since you almost have to play Uggla with is contract.
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
6:56 pm
his contract…
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
@ Rick C I Agree Poor oithing loses games. WREN proud of his pitching. They lost. EXActly my point. GET SOME HITTERS Quit fooling with this so called pitching SCORE RUNS Wren doesn’t want to win. FIRE HIM NOW!!!
Not Disgusted
December 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
“Sorry guys but I will take Maholm over the promise of Delgado and Teheran. If we can get an established LF and lead off hitter in exchange for either guys’ promise, then do it…”
I agree with that on Teheran, as for Delgado we need him as the number five SP. If Teheran has any kind of value now is the time to move him before he gets lit up and flops in MLB. I am a hundred percent that Teheran is a flop. Delgado, he is decent even right now.
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
7:03 pm
I actually think starting pitching could be a little thinner than is being talked about. Delgado and Teheran have both struggled at MLB level; Minor struggled quite a bit for half the season in 2012. Huddy is aging, Maholm is Maholm. Beachy at mid-season is a huge question mark. Medlen will certainly drop off from where he was end of 2012.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
7:03 pm
Aright Angel Eyes, what moves would you have made if you were Wren?
Not Disgusted
December 12th, 2012
7:05 pm
The Upton sign is keeping this off season from being a total flop.
This will be a better sign than some think & its a good bet we will see a better Uggla and Mc Cann once he is healthy and right.
Francisco did show real signs of improvement — he slimmed down a bit during the year and was moving around better around third. He has the kind of power that is rare when he makes contact.
For now — the sky is not falling. A few yrs from now well — that might be a different story assuming Liberty Media is still around.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
7:13 pm
Howdy I don’t see any purpose in moving Uggla to another position. He doesn’t have a particularly strong arm so he’d probably be worse at 3B.
I think the pitching will be about the same as last year. Delgado actually put up better stats than Hanson last year, and I would expect him to continue to improve. Minor pitched very poorly the first half, but excellent the second half. I expect that to balance out. Huddy and Maholm will probably be about the same. Medlen won’t sustain the same level of success but he basically replaces Beachy and Jurrjens’ starts, so again it balances out.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
7:16 pm
Very simple. You take your untested SS and Teheran and Sprull, You get J Upton. Move Prado to SS. Trade all that minor legue so called pitching to San Diego and get Headley. Fire pitching coach. Fire Gonzales Fire WREN. Bench UGGla and play Janish at SS move Prado to 2b. Trade Mccahon for some good minor legue hitters. Play Bethancourt. Hire Bobby Cox AS GM Hire Bowa as Manager and lets go win WS.
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
7:21 pm
Well…what if you could pry Jemile Weeks from A’s with Teheran + EOF+ $$? Prado at 3rd, Uggla in LF, Weeks at 2B. Weeks adds speed and should be approaching prime with plenty of team control.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
7:23 pm
Angel Eyes, you can’t even manage to keep the same plan within one paragraph. You have Prado at SS, then at 2B. Not even worth responding to the other glaring issues with your suggestions.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
7:28 pm
Howdy you would give up Teheran and EOF plus cash for a guy who hit 221/305/304 last year and plays a position we already have filled?
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
7:30 pm
Apparently you are like WREN You like pitching. PITCHING does not win. RUNS win.
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
7:30 pm
Yes I would. Jemile Weeks!!
NORRIS CHUCK
December 12th, 2012
7:34 pm
Braves Still Involved In Multiple Trade Talks
By Mike Axisa [December 12 at 2:52pm CST]
The Braves have already made one notable trade this offseason (Tommy Hanson for Jordan Walden), and Dave O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says they are still involved in multiple trade talks (Twitter links). Emilio Bonifacio and Dexter Fowler are believed to be among their targets.
O’Brien notes the Braves did make a strong push for Shin-Soo Choo before he was traded to the Reds, but the team wasn’t going to overpay for a player one year away from free agency. Atlanta has been seeking outfield help this offseason, though Martin Prado’s versatility also allows them to seek a third baseman if they choose.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#bfDwG6ZFTDeBVKi0.99
It obvious that Wren still thinks he is gonna find a Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz trio somewhere in his current flock of pitchers. But sometimes you gotta let something go! Looking at the last 5 or six post seasons this team has averaged 3 runs a game thus being eliminated in the first round each time.
Now they dont have Chipper Jones which was one of the biggest BIG game hitters in the history of Braves baseball. What are they waiting on to get another bat?? Could have had this guy, but all the good teams from this years NL playoffs are getting better cause they are taking chances!
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
7:39 pm
One time the Braves got rid of Adam Wainwright. Another time Neftali Feliz and Matt Harrison. It’s not as if the Braves have never parted with pitching prospects…
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
7:45 pm
Angel Eyes, in your proposed scenario we wouldn’t even have a full rotation since Maholm and all of our near ML ready pitchers would be gone.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
7:45 pm
@Howdy Then do it now and get some hitters.
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
7:53 pm
@Angel Eyes
NO!
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
7:55 pm
Hudson, Minor, Medlen, Maholm. Delgado Did not trade Maholm or Degado. 5th starter questionable but got good bullpen. Bethancourt C Freeman 1st Prado2nd Janishss Headley3rd J Uptonlf ? BJ UPton cf? Heywardrf Bench UGGLA, Francisco,Gattis,Pastornicky, Constanza Bullpen: Kimbrell,Oflaherty, Venters, WALDEN(I guess) Martinez GUerrin Avilan. Rally don’t need that many pitchers but OK. Get rid of Mcdowell. Rid of Gonzalez, Rid of Wren. Cox GM, Bowa Manager(got fire) Glavine Pitching coach
DJ
December 12th, 2012
8:00 pm
Totally amazing to see the “so-called GMs making bold predictions about the Braves needing to do this and that as well as talking about them finishing 4th in the NL East. Goes to show how much they really know about baseball and the Braves. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! I do agree the the Wren needs to be aggressive and trade for that left fielder that could possibly bat in the lead-off position, but I am also thinking that timing is everything. Let the man continue to do his job in putting this team together. The team is not in the same mode as the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Angels, Dodgers, etc. coupled with the fact that there is NO fan support in the ATL in going to Turner Field either. Either you will be a DIEHARD Braves fan or a fair weather one, which we do not need. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but keep all of the negative comments about the front office and current members off the blog. It is not needed at all. SUPPORT THIS TEAM!!! GO BRAVES!!!
bob
December 12th, 2012
8:00 pm
Please let FW know that I was able to locate a CF: 360 avg; 23 stolen bases.
He is in American Legion ball and will be ready in about 8 years.
Seriously, the Nats got a leadoff hitter; the Sox got a leadoff hitter; the Phils got a leadoff hitter; and, the Rays got a great rookie from KC.
What is FW doing? This is nuts. Really what is the internal option?
urban redneck
December 12th, 2012
8:03 pm
you can score 50 runs, but that doesn’t matter if your pitcher gives up 51.
does anyone know where my financial panther reference came from? go bravos.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
8:06 pm
@ bob NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
8:22 pm
Ah my bad in your gargled mess I read “Mccahon” as Maholm. Either way though you’ve traded away all your depth if you get Upton and Headley. No way they could keep Delgado if they did both of those trades. Delgado, Teheran, Spruill, Gilmartin, and others would all be gone. We would not have any viable options if one of our starting pitchers gets injured or performs poorly. Not to mention Headley was never made available by the Padres.
I find it hilarious you name BJ Upton in your lineup, despite earlier calling him a “junk CFer.”
Lee in S GA
December 12th, 2012
8:27 pm
What the hell is Wren suppose to say…the fat boy is still overweight and our owners will not fork out enough money to get a decent lead-off / left fielder so we will go with Juan at 3rd and leave Prado in left field. . I don’t have a warn and fuzzy feeling about this at all. But then I like Scrooge myself.
Lee in S GA
December 12th, 2012
8:29 pm
that is “warn and fuzzy” just to clear it up before some so call English 101 teacher/poster comes along as usual….
Howdy
December 12th, 2012
8:35 pm
@Angel Eyes
Glavine as pitching coach? For some reason Glavine doesn’t seem like a pitching coach candidate to me. Rare soft-tossing and durable left-hander with sheer innate talent doesn’t seem like he’d be able to teach much. Who is the last 300 win pitching coach?
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
8:36 pm
bob, I honestly don’t think Span or Revere respectively make the Nationals and Phillies better offensively. The Nats did not have a true leadoff hitter last year, and Span fills that, but he is essentially taking Morse’s, or possibly LaRoche’s, spot in the lineup. Either way overall that is a downgrade offensively.
Revere has not really established himself as a hitter yet. He’s got a career OBP of 319, which is terrible for a lead off hitter. His AVG and OBP were up last year because he had a big increase in his BABiP. Almost a third of his hits were on the infield.
Not Disgusted
December 12th, 2012
8:44 pm
On paper the Braves might look like a third place team but I am not going to make the same mistake I have made the past 3 off seasons and write them off.
They have done better than I thought three yrs running. I would not put it past them to come very close to the 94 wins, they will be in the 90 to 94 W mark and that will contend for the division.
We should get better yrs from some guys — (I have rehashed that in the past), and the 5 man rotation of Hudson, Medlen, Minor, Malholm and Delgado matches up with nearly anyone. Expect upside from Minor and Delgado. Medlen cannot possibly be as good as he was last yr but should be strong.
Than, you have that complete all-around bullpen. Let the pundits pick us for third — the game is played on the field and our guys will be right there batling with Washington and Philly. Philly has to be better than 81-81, the top 3 teams will be within 6 games of each other when its all said and done if things go the way they should go.
No way we fall below the Mets and Marlins, the 4th place talk is crazy.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
8:46 pm
@Rick C Look at question marks on both Upton boys. I only put them there because that is who management wanted. Personally I would have resigned Bourne and traded for Span but Wren wouldn’t pull trigger on Span. You give Padres your farm you would get Headley. You would still have backup for your precious. Pitching is all you have in minors, If they are that good(which I doubt) bring them up. Span and Revere will beat your precious pitching. Enough said. Too much pitching. No hitters you LOSE.
bravesgrl4life
December 12th, 2012
8:46 pm
I just left the Fans of DOB group on Facebook. PL (he whose name should never be seen on this blog again) is using the nastiest of language talking about cab, venice jim, and McFann. I think Tomahawkin’ created that group, but that SOB hijacked it and has made it his page instead of a fan page.
Not Disgusted
December 12th, 2012
8:51 pm
DJ — The fan support in Turner is not that bad. Could be better, but its far from the worst.
We used to bid for the best players in the game but that was before the corporate shirts took over begining when Ted lost his boardroom fight with Time Warner.
Looks like this is the way its going to be for a while. Braves FO has done well for what they have to work with.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
8:51 pm
@ not Disgusted Your pitching doe NOT equal the likes of Strasburg, Gonzales,Zimmerman, Halliday, Lee,Hammels. and your hitting doesn’t even come close YOU LOSE 4th 4th 4th.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
8:51 pm
@ not Disgusted Your pitching doe NOT equal the likes of Strasburg, Gonzales,Zimmerman, Halliday, Lee,Hammels. and your hitting doesn’t even come close YOU LOSE 4th 4th 4th.
urban redneck
December 12th, 2012
8:56 pm
know what will help us finish first? a new billion dollar stadium that we don’t need. go bravos.
Not Disgusted
December 12th, 2012
8:56 pm
Forget it Angel Eyes — at worst we are a competitive third.
That is not a complete insult in a tough competitive division at the top.
Our pitching can compete with the Nats and Phillies — not saying we have a Stasburg or any of the other expensive names they have but on a series to series basis we are NOT getting blown out.
The game is not won on paper.
Halliday had his scuffles last yr. Not saying he will again, but he is not a young guy.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
9:05 pm
Angel Eyes, at 7:16 you said “You take your untested SS and Teheran and Sprull, You get J Upton.” Changed your mind already?
Pitching, Defense, Contact Hitters
December 12th, 2012
9:21 pm
GM Wrenn, Doing great. Be patient. Braves need to get a great deal and not be used by other teams to fill their rosters. Yes l too, would love a stud left fielder with speed, power, and contact at plate. Frank, l also loved the 6 man rotation of starters. Takes stress off young starters and olders starters alike. The strength of our bullpen allows Braves the luxury of a 6 man rotation. Starters 1. Medlen 2. Maholm 3.Hudson 4.Minor 5.Delgado 6.Teheran Bullpen 1.Kimbrel RH Closer 2.O’Flaherty 3.Venters 4.Walden 5.Avilan 6.Martinez Long Relief Line Up 1. SS Simmons 2. 3B/LF Prado 3. RF Heyward 4. CF Upton 5. 1B Freeman 6. 2B Uggla must raise Dan’s Average 7. 3B/LF Francisco/ ? 8. C Laird/Bethancourt Bench 1. OF Johnson 2. C Bethancourt/McCann trade Brian to AL in July for great package. 3. IF Pastornicky/Janish 4. 3B Francisco/LF ? 5. 1B Mejia? GM Wrenn, Come June start looking for trade packages for Uggla, Maholm, and McCann. Beachy takes Maholm starter role, our top SS from Uconn Nick ? plays 2B, Bethancourt takes catcher spot. Restock our Farm System with great Contact Hitters, speed, and defense. l would also look to trade Huddy for top prospects. Uggla is halfway thru his bad contract in July. McCann, Maholm, and Hudson are one one year options. Trade them for great value, these guys are difference makers in playoff races. With our other younger, more athletic players we have foundation to dynasty. Get it done Mr. Wrenn, l am a lifetime Braves fan who wants a doimnating team. DO NOT DO anything STUPID PLEASE!!
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
9:25 pm
No I was giving them what they wanted. I would trade Simmons but not for Upton. I like Parra and their catcher(Cant think of his name) Anyway if you was going to trade simmons ,I guess you would want pitching.
Rick C
December 12th, 2012
9:26 pm
You’re a joke man.
Angel Eyes
December 12th, 2012
9:27 pm
Bye going to work See ya
carney johnson
December 12th, 2012
9:40 pm
bye angel eyes….be sure and post more insightful stuff during your shift at 7/11.
mace224
December 12th, 2012
9:58 pm
Shop Uggla and Freeman, Bethancourt as the catcher and this team will BE the Domenican Republic.
longtimefan
December 12th, 2012
10:17 pm
This team won 94 games last years. Most years that wins the division. I am as big a fan of Chipper as anyone on this blog but making it sound as if he is virtually irreplaceably is silly. In his last year he limped to the finish line, his power numbers were obviously down, his wheels were shot and his defense was in decline. As much as I hate to say it, a full time Prado or Francisco may well be an upgrade. I will miss Bourn’s defense but he slumped badly the second half and was a strike out machine.Upton matches his speed, has a better arm and significantly more power. Heyward and/or Freeman may have a breakout year. Simmons is going to save runs over the course of the season and has hit in minors(batting title high A) and and during his stint in the majors last year. There is no indication he won’t continue to hit. The SP looks to be better out of the gate. JJ and Hanson had some abysmal starts last year. Our BP looks to be even deeper than last year, if that’s possible. I believe McCann and Uggla could significantly improve this team with just by having an average year. Some people only see the negative. There is just as much a chance several of the players have career years as bust. I look for improvement on 94 wins and perennial contender for several years to come.
nerdville
December 12th, 2012
10:19 pm
i know it is wishful thinking, but it would be wonderful to unload uggla before we even get to ST. don’t want to watch him struggle at the plate for another season. it’s like torture. hey! maybe that would be a good tactic for the cia to use against el- qaeda? when they capture an el-qaeda militant, they could make him watch tape of ugly at the plate–a few hours of that kind of torture and he would be singing like a bird.
steve
December 12th, 2012
10:30 pm
I wish we were encouraged by our GM acquiring a lead-off hittter!
jbill
December 12th, 2012
11:42 pm
Be nice Carney…..
ncgary
December 12th, 2012
11:53 pm
billy joel looking big as always
ncgary
December 12th, 2012
11:54 pm
boxer day where the 1% pay the 99% their due
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:07 am
no disservice to francisco but i could see franchesco leading the team in homeruns and rbi if given a fair shot. in fact if i were managing last year he would have been starting in playoff game
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:30 am
why did brian williams have to mc 121212 was g w h bush not available, id have thought he would have wanted to ttickle down upon the jerseyistes and yorkers
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:31 am
i shot the sheriff but i did not shoot the deputys
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:33 am
donate donate donate
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:35 am
if you cant afford to donate give em your help
if we dont help one another who will help us
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:36 am
seven fish and a loaf of bread can only feed so many million people
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:37 am
its a shame sir paul thinks hes all that , at least ringo is grounded
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:37 am
lennon made the beattles
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:39 am
diattribes about nothing
didnt they try that on a seinfeld show
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:41 am
medicines make you loopy and i dont like emk
buyt i am still alive although i can feel the real me in there
its like hesa way back in the corner now.
wah wah wah……….lol
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:42 am
klonapan , for the guy who has everything
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:43 am
yet cant find any of it
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:45 am
i say with the things look now leyts go to spring training with current roster unless someone blows wren out of the office with an offer
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:46 am
if you cant spend a extra 20 million a uyear on hamilton migfht as well go with franchesco , he may hit more homers than hamilton would have
at turner
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:48 am
and we cant forget schaefer and reed, or pollyanna
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:49 am
what a bargain
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:51 am
when will durbin realize the minor league offer from the brsves is the best offer hes getting
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:51 am
anyone alive and well
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:52 am
or 1 of the 2
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:53 am
i guess id qualify for the latter
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:55 am
hows that song go in the year 25 25 if man is still alive if woman could survive
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:58 am
oooops i did it again
dead blog double comments and all dressed up with no where to go
had to take my girlfriend to hospital and dont feel like running around on her
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
12:59 am
nite all
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
1:04 am
if you wanna know what als feels like , here lately i still am doing reasonably well, but pain is getting more and more intense. you will have different spots feel like there is a big purple bruise there, only when ya look its just a shrinking muscle
Braves Tinker With Julio Teheran’s Delivery, Then Tinker Again
December 13th, 2012
1:06 am
[...] was the 2012 season, but not the 2012 off-season, and in a very interesting twist we get this news from the AJC, reporting on the Braves front office visit to the Dominican Winter League, where Teheran is [...]
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
1:08 am
and thats despite the medications. once again clonapan for the man who has everything and cant understand how to use any of it. i hate surrendering the free spirit in me to the meds. but i see him sometimes he just has his haircut now and stays in the background with his mouth shut for the most part……….lol
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
1:12 am
12 12 12 aint so good ,sure its nice to revvisit, but time marches forward , at least for a short while longer
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
1:15 am
if muhammed ali could rattle it out again, would he
ncgary
December 13th, 2012
1:17 am
new yorks a fun town unless your a mutts fan
urban redneck
December 13th, 2012
7:43 am
looks like someone was talking to himself for an extended period of time. it happens. go bravos!
Good Grief Charlie Brown
December 13th, 2012
8:54 am
wow, all this whining already and it’s not even Christmas
TeheranTime
December 13th, 2012
9:08 am
Angel Eyes, prozac may do you some good. You have mood swings!
Cody Spruill
December 13th, 2012
9:25 am
I’ve always thought that Teheran was better than Delgado but will just have to wait and see. I’m so ready for baseball season!
Dan Uggla's Swing
December 13th, 2012
10:04 am
all these “power hitters” were the cancer of the last couple of seasons and will continue to be if we dont get some contact hitters and high OBP guys. The steriod era really ruined baseball, everybody is so in love with the home run, still. Cant talk about making a trade for a guy without bringing up “but he has power”. So what, you know what that means most of the time? Strike outs or GIDP’s. Pitching trumps hitting, and by the way, who won the WS last year? Was it the Power hitting Tigers? Nope, it was a contact hitting team with good enough pitching.
860Braves
December 13th, 2012
10:12 am
DOB,
Scott Hairston on the radar at all as an affordable platoon option in LF?
Up here in CT, I’ve seen him rake against lefties as he wasted away on the Mets, and him and a Costanza platoon or Shafer if he ever could get it together, while not the sexiest of options, could keep our money flexibile for the trade deadline when we can reevaluate our needs and be able to afford a hitter that would otherwise be deemed to pricey. Thoughts?
steve
December 13th, 2012
10:36 am
Reports on Hot Stove indicate that Wren won’t meet the asking price for a lead off hitter in a trade. They indicated that Constanza would lead off. Thanks, Frank. The Braves are a lesser team than last year. Why is it that other teams get things done while the Braves cannot? Is Wren smarter than all the other GM’s or are the other GM’s smarter than Wren?
Angry acworth man
December 13th, 2012
10:43 am
There’s no way that the Braves can have Constanza hitting leadoff and expect to win!!! Unless Frank Wren just wants to get fired!
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
10:45 am
860Braves, they’ve already got Reed Johnson for that role.
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
10:48 am
I think it’s more likely they will just put Prado or Simmons in the lead off spot and go with Francisco.
Bamarich
December 13th, 2012
10:49 am
Angel Eyes… exactly how did the Giants win the WS again this year? Stellar offense or defense? If you do your homework (easy to overlook facts when folks want to complain), you’ll notice that 1 run would have one two games over the Tigers… and 4 runs would have won the other two. Pitching, my friend, wins games when it comes to the postseason. It doesn’t matter how many runs you can score, if you can’t pitch you’re doomed.
jbill
December 13th, 2012
10:52 am
Go back and read DOB’s last paragraph…he pretty well said it all.
single white dove
December 13th, 2012
11:19 am
Not Disgusted
December 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
“Sorry guys but I will take Maholm over the promise of Delgado and Teheran. If we can get an established LF and lead off hitter in exchange for either guys’ promise, then do it…”
I agree with that on Teheran, as for Delgado we need him as the number five SP. If Teheran has any kind of value now is the time to move him before he gets lit up and flops in MLB. I am a hundred percent that Teheran is a flop. Delgado, he is decent even right now.
Did you guys forget that Glavin and Smoltz sucked early on, you need to give themm a break, geezzzz
Bamarich
December 13th, 2012
11:29 am
One thing everyone seems to be overlooking about next year’s team is the combination of Heyward, Freeman, Prado, and Simmons. Regardless of the question marks surrounding Uggla, Mac, and a LF/3B, shouldn’t we expect improvement from all four of these guys? I see both Heyward/Freeman having even better years this season (Heyward benefits from batting in one position; Freeman stays healthier) especially… and if stability is found at LF/3B, Prado could even be better. Simmons… to have him for 150+ games should be much better.
W.R. Terrell
December 13th, 2012
11:38 am
I read where someone said trade Uggla, that’s not a good idea but patience is. A lot of folks seem to be upset about Juan Francisco and whether he can or cannot play 3rd base. There’s a lot of conjecture here that is cooking the soup too fast. I say lets wait and see. The T. Hanson trade was a good one for both clubs involved, the internal options the BRAVOS have for 3rd base and left field are viable, a wait and see attitude is needed. Building for the future is not done overnight and it’s good to have a dollar bill to spend. I don ‘t see teams ready to pay Bourn the monies Scott Boras is requesting which leads to other possibilities, teams are not jumping at J. Hamilton either. Patience BRAVO fans, patience is truly a virtue
HOF 10
December 13th, 2012
11:47 am
Wish Uggla would and could play left. Prado’s value is at 2nd base. He is so-so in the outfield. Uggla makes the occasional diving stop, but he’s not a good second baseman. The defense is just off with Prado in left and Uggla at second. Prado is excellent at third, but you want more power there. I’d like to see how Francisco would do as the regular 3rd baseman. Someone should be traded, even if it’s Prado for a quality left fielder.
HOF 10
December 13th, 2012
11:47 am
Wish Uggla would and could play left. Prado’s value is at 2nd base. He is so-so in the outfield. Uggla makes the occasional diving stop, but he’s not a good second baseman. The defense is just off with Prado in left and Uggla at second. Prado is excellent at third, but you want more power there. I’d like to see how Francisco would do as the regular 3rd baseman. Someone should be traded, even if it’s Prado for a quality left fielder.
steve
December 13th, 2012
11:50 am
By the time Wren gets around to finding a left-fielder, the pickings will be slim indeed.
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
11:58 am
HOF 10, Prado arguably should have won the GG in LF last year. He probably is a better defender at 2B, but I don’t know where you are getting he is just ok in LF.
Mikega1965
December 13th, 2012
12:02 pm
Dodgers release Scott Van Slyke plays out field has monster power and a good arm. Would like to get him for outfield depth. He wasn’t really given a chance last year had very good numbers in AAA.
jbill
December 13th, 2012
12:21 pm
How many players that are very good get released? Mikeinga1965
Mikega1965
December 13th, 2012
12:28 pm
He was there best prospect last year. Also his dad was Andy. Alot of people shaking there head over his release. We don’t have many good out field prospects. Getting him would give us a legit out field prospect.
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
12:54 pm
I don’t know much about the Dodgers’ organization, but a 26 year old guy was their best prospect?
Posts about The Braves From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
December 13th, 2012
1:04 pm
[...] Mac’s standard preamble to Keltner lists: The Keltner List was de more… Braves GM Wren encouraged by Dominican trip – blogs.ajc.com 12/12/2012 While the Braves wait to see if they can work out a fit for a left [...]
urban redneck
December 13th, 2012
1:14 pm
trade prado for a quality left fielder? it’s a little early to be that drunk, isn’t it? go bravos.
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
1:21 pm
Well I see that WREN is still getting paid big money for doing NOTHING. Wish my boss did that to me.
jbill
December 13th, 2012
1:41 pm
Makega1965.I will say he is a big guy 6′5″ 250 lbs..plays 1b and Of….didn’t hit crap last year in 56 ab’s with Dodgers but did have a very good year in AAA– 2011..327 ba 18 hrs..404 obp..578 slg..982 ops. released to make room for new players . Can’t speak for Wren but he might would work out for Braves AAA team but as RickC said he is a early 26 years old.
He is in VWL now and hitting 231 with 7 homers 314 obp…just saying.
Respect your opinion…always.
jbill
December 13th, 2012
1:44 pm
Angel what kind of work you do?
jbill
December 13th, 2012
1:52 pm
What player homered on 4 of his Birthdays???
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
1:58 pm
@jbill I am a security Guard at a major mall ?
Angry acworth man
December 13th, 2012
1:59 pm
Frank Wren just made his next big move….he signed Ramiro Pena!! Whoop whoop!!
ATL Insider
December 13th, 2012
2:17 pm
You heard it here first: Braves are going to trade Juan Fransisco for Mark Trumbo.
jbill
December 13th, 2012
2:17 pm
Thats cool..I’ve done that too.
Be careful, alot of crazy people out there.
Richie
December 13th, 2012
2:18 pm
Angels working to sign Hamilton. Meaning Trumbo could be available. Braves signed Pena to a major league deal so that means someone would get moved in a deal. He is playing the utility roll
M
December 13th, 2012
2:18 pm
The amount of people here with pantytwist disease is really surprising. I think people in general are just pessimistic these days. Given the general state of things and a presidential election where the vast majority probably preferred none of the above to the real choices, I guess I can see why…
They’re wringing their hands raw because;
Chipper retired. Lost him at 3B and in the clubhouse.
Bourn won’t resign here…probably….as long as this had been extended, who knows if he’d take a 1 year deal to play LF or maybe BJ would agree to go to LF for a year…but, yeah, he is gone.
Backup Catcher left along with a couple of other role players from the bench.
BJ Upton comes in to fill 1/2 a lost played on defense and 1/2 a lost player on offense. He’ll take up the OF spot that Bourn had and the batting responsibilities that Chipper had…or at least be a part of the shift that replaces Chipper’s batting order contribution. Maybe Heyward takes on Chip’s role more and Upton slides into Hey’s role, so to speak…but with BJ, the Braves have replaced 1/2 of each of the two main guys who were lost. Oh, he strikes out a lot….ah, anyone check the strikeout totals Bourn put up…from the leadoff spot?
We swapped Hanson for Walden. This was a financial move AND a strategic move. The financial and strategic side of this indicates the Braves intended to make one more significant addition this winter…and they still might do that….
and here is where everyone on the ‘world is ending’ not on 12/21 but in Spring Training bus is making the most noise.
Why can’t we rely on what we already have? A proven commodity would be nicer, sure, but we have guys who have various amounts of experience who have the ability to do what is needed to be done. The fact they are young or not the ideal piece isn’t such a big problem. Given the non-roster invitees and the 40 man roster, there are going to be numerous players competing for the final spots on the bench for next season. All of them have some sort of upside.
Just out of numbers there will be a few who make enough progress to be ready to play come opening day. This is where being a baseball fan is more exciting than other sports generally. The process of becoming a major league baseball player is tedious, much more so than any other sport. These guys work their way up, many of us watch closely as they do…suddenly with a trade or two we then also have someone from another organization who had been working their way up and the slot into AA right away and we have one to watch that could be in Atlanta as soon as the next season……
And all of that excitement of watching prospects work and hone their skills is paid off when they come to spring training and win a job and take over as they should.
Letting that natural progression is something the Braves have done a lot. Heyward, Freeman, Simmons, Prado, McCann, Medlin, Minor, Kimbrel, Venters and soon Teheran and Simon…I think I got that mostly right, if not all of them…but even if I got one wrong, the point is still valid…the Braves build from within successfully.
The reason this team slid wasn’t because of the farm system. It was because the farm system was jettisoned all over the place for one year rentals here and there, especially Texas, and the steady stream of ready to play players dried up for a bit while the big ego, money driven free agents we acquired did exactly what they should have been expected to do and left for more money.
I don’t mind the big free agent signing but I get nervous any time a list of prospects is headed somewhere to bring in a veteran who has less than 2 years remaining on their contract.
I prefer allowing the minors to reload and it is good to see a steady stream of players beginning to line up in the pipeline. If you go 15-20 deep, you are bound to see a couple of guys who may well develop into a top 5 team prospect and the depth going beyond 20 has players with enough tools that surprised are sure to come out of the group currently thought to by AAA or role bench players at the Major league level.
I hope that the farm system isn’t stripped down again. If a trade has to occur, no more than 2 prospects, please…and then don’t move any for at least another year. The scouting and development in the Braves organization has been excellent over the years and that is where the future should be found for all but the most glaring needs….such as a Chipper retiring, leaving a huge gap in talent and leaving behind a large enough salary cap spot to replace them with a free agent. Otherwise, lets trust our farm.
Brown
December 13th, 2012
2:21 pm
ATL Insider: No that’s not the latest. The latest is we’re trading Francisco, Maholm and Uggla for Mike Trout and Jared Weaver. You heard it HERE first
ATL Insider
December 13th, 2012
2:24 pm
@Brown: I wish. You know that is not happening.
With Hamilton about to sign with the Angels, they will have an extra OF and could use an upgrade at 3B. It is a perfect fit. There may be other smaller pieces involved, but those, I believe, will be the principals of the deal.
jbill
December 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
M..u need to post more often and not so long.
Insider ..It would take a pick-up truck full of Juans to pull off that deal…lol
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
2:39 pm
W#OW Give WREN a cookie. Another WORTHLESS signing.
M
December 13th, 2012
2:46 pm
If the Angels have Hamilton and Trout to build around, Tommy H may only need a 6 era to win 15 games. Oh, yeah, and Pujols too…with Trumbo, Morales and Kendrick being pretty productive guys. 1/3 of the lineup that nobody wants to pitch to and another 1/3 of the lineup that can be 2nd tier power bats…this lineup is scary if it comes together.
How about they do this…Aybar, Trout, Kendrick, Hamilton, Trumbo, Pujols, Morales, Ianetta, Collaspo.
That spreads them out enough that you are almost certain to have one of them up in at least 7 out of 9 innings every game. It doesn’t put Pujols so deep that his PA drop too dramatically and with Kendrick and Trumbo in the middle of those guys, seeing mostly fastballs, they could put up the best numbers of their careers. Pujols probably wouldn’t take to hitting 6th…but…
Brown
December 13th, 2012
2:47 pm
I think it would only take one or two Juans to fill a pickup
jmart1951
December 13th, 2012
2:51 pm
Just saw the rumor that the Cubs would pay $26 mill of Soriano’s remaining $36 mill over the last two years of his contract.
Thats a decent left fielder for $5mill / yr for the next two years.
He had 33 doubles and 2 triples last year plus 28 home runs (I think)
He had 147 hits plus 44 walks and had 108 RBI.
When was the last time a Brave had a 100 RBI?
Prado to third base and Soriano to right field.
Give the Cubs Delgado and Spruil. Remember FW almost traded Delgado to the Cubs for a rental of Dempster.
Soriano has requested a trade to a competing team. I believe that his trouble days are over with a new club in the thick of things. In fact like Ichiro last year a new club like the Braves might inspire even better results.
jmart1951
December 13th, 2012
2:56 pm
Projected line up with Soriano
Prado
Heyward
Upton
Freeman
Soriano
Mac
Uggla
Simmons
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
2:58 pm
@jmart1951 Sorry won’t happen. WREN likes the no hit guys and speed and pitching. Soriano not any one of the 3. Won’t happen as long as you got do nothing WREN.
jmart1951
December 13th, 2012
3:03 pm
Projected line up with Soriano
Prado
Heyward
Upton
Freeman
Soriano
Mac
Uggla
Simmons
Prado has decent speed
Heyward has good speed
Upton has good speed
Freeman has average speed
Soriano has decent speed
Mac is slow
Uggla has decent speed
Simmons has good speed
Left field fielding suffers a little (Prado is a better left fielder than Soriano
Outfield a grade below last season’s defensively
Infield probably a grade above last season’s infield.
Soriano’s and Upton’s RBI are better than Bourn’s and Chipper’s.
Maybe a few less steals overall than last year but not substantially fewer
jmart1951
December 13th, 2012
3:04 pm
Sorry about the double post – the posting mechanism currently is not working well.
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
@Jmart1951 I agree with what you are saying but your GM not that smart. WON’T HAPPEN. Soriano doesn’t PITCH.
jbill
December 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
Josh to LLA for 5 yrs and 125 million…..Dempster to Red Sox for 2 years 26.5 million…..
Guess that leaves Bourn to Texas ..?
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
3:17 pm
Guess where that leaves Braves? NOWHERE because we have a worthless GM that makes big money to do nothing.
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
3:34 pm
Angel Eyes, criticize Wren’s moves, but you can’t say he hasn’t done anything. He made the first big FA acquisition of the off season. Got rid of Hanson and further improved our bullpen. Got a solid back up catcher. Re-signed Reed Johnson. It’s disappointing that he hasn’t been able to get a good LF, but it’s not wise to make a trade or sign a FA just for the sake of doing it. The FA market has been crazy and teams are demanding a lot in trades too.
Didn’t you say last night you wanted to re-sign Bourn? Because if we hadn’t got Upton, we’d still probably be waiting for Bourn at this point. Boras tends to drag these things out. Would you still be complaining that Wren hadn’t filled CF?
Brown
December 13th, 2012
3:51 pm
Why would L.A. trade Trumbo?
Brown
December 13th, 2012
3:52 pm
Or I should say, why would they trade Trumbo to Atl? Word is they might trade to NY for R.A. Dickey.
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
3:54 pm
Brown, they aren’t.
Brown
December 13th, 2012
3:56 pm
I know, guy. Others were speculating they would, and I was doubting them
Joe Bling
December 13th, 2012
4:02 pm
Just read through this whole blog. Lots of good insight and thinking here from the wannabe GMs. The team is in excellent shape to make a World Series run, and the pitching staff stands to be the best in all of baseball. The competition to make the rotation will be intense. And then there’s Mr. “Pitching doesn’t win ball games” Angel Eyes. Oh, my.
I’m taking all bets right now. The Braves’ leadoff hitter and starting left fielder in 2013 will be . . .
.
.
.
.
Jose Constanza
Yep, you can count on it, and you won’t be disappointed either.
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
4:07 pm
@Rick C A lot of perfect fit LFers have slipped right thru his hands because he wants the money to do Nothing. I did that I would be fired. So should he. He made the team worse not better. No Plaqyoffs for Braves .
Brown
December 13th, 2012
4:10 pm
Joe, I think the Braves have the best bullpen in all of baseball, but not the best rotation.
Not Disgusted
December 13th, 2012
4:10 pm
Did you guys forget that Glavin and Smoltz sucked early on, you need to give themm a break, geezzzz
@Single White Dove — Smoltz was figuring it out in his second year — in 1989 he was 12-11 with a 2.94 ERA and an All-Star on a bad team. He did go through the learning curve when he came up in the second half of 88, but there was something there.
Glavine struggled some that first full yr but even when he was 7-17 there was something there that I thought as the team got better, there was upside there. He was a solid 14-8 with a bad 1989 team.
Delgado has shown me something to date — Teheran just does not have it and with the velocity lower at such a young age — that is a big red flag.
They hung on to a highly thought of prospect in Jo Jo Reyes too long & he is the worst pitcher in team history.
Teheran sucks.
Not Disgusted
December 13th, 2012
4:16 pm
Most of the pessimism around here is the distrust of Liberty Media and its flat budget it gives the baseball operation to work with.
The price of talent is going up and up and ownership wants to pay 2003’s wages.
That is not going to work for much longer.
The sky will fall but not in 2013.
At least we got one major league caliber player in BJ.
The extreme pessimists disagree with me but I am counting on a better Uggla and Mc Cann.
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
4:16 pm
Angel Eyes, again you have to consider the cost (money and/or players) and if they are worth that. It’s a tough situation to be in as the FA market this year wasn’t that great, and even guys who performed poorly last year are getting paid. And the trade demands for most players have been really high, from what has been reported.
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
4:18 pm
Teheran has not even started 5 games in the ML. Way too early to say if he will pan out or not.
Joe Bling
December 13th, 2012
4:29 pm
Brown – I think you are talking about last year. I’m talking about next year.
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
4:34 pm
@Rick C Span goes for minor leaguer. Could have got him foe 2. That is just 1 example. Time after time they slip by bease they can’t PITCH so he doesn’t want them. WOW he got Pena. Great job another no hit player Thats the type WREN likes Fire him now. He just put us out of playoffs because he won’t get what we need All he wants is PITCHING. PUT Hudson in left field. Make Wren happy.
Brown
December 13th, 2012
4:41 pm
Nope. talking about 2013. Braves rotation is good, but not the best. Not even best in our division
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
4:48 pm
I was surprised Span went for only one A player, but Meyer has pretty high upside. And we simply don’t know who the Twins demanded from the Braves. You’re just making a straw man argument against Wren. He’s not trying to get more pitching, he just won’t trade away our top pitching depth if it’s not for something significant. I might have done Teheran for Span, but again we have no idea what the cost was. For all we know the Twins may have been demanding a lot more from the Braves because they liked Meyer’s upside more. He’s 6′9″ with good fastball velocity and a strong changeup. As far as I know the Braves don’t really have any guys like that in their farm system.
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
4:52 pm
*strong curveball, not a changeup.
Joe Bling
December 13th, 2012
4:52 pm
We shall see about that.
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
4:59 pm
@Rick C He wont give up his Precious PITCHING to get what we need That is why he is a LOSER
Rick C
December 13th, 2012
5:05 pm
For the millionth time man, you’ve got to weigh the costs. Its not as simple as you are trying to make it out to be. For example, we do know the demands of the Rockies for Dexter Fowler. They want both Minor and either Delgado or Teheran. He can play left field and lead off. But would you make that trade? I sure as hell would not.
Jake Mastroianni
December 13th, 2012
5:09 pm
Will the B.J. Upton Signing Determine Frank Wren’s Legacy as Braves GM?
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/b-j-upton-signing-determine-frank-wren-legacy-203600344–mlb.html
Brown
December 13th, 2012
5:15 pm
Well, I hope you’re right anyway
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
5:40 pm
@Rick C If you want to win Yes YES YES!! For the 5th time Pitching does not win. Runs scored wins. Hitters for pitchers YES YES YES!
Not Disgusted
December 13th, 2012
6:10 pm
Angel Eyes — that is the most uninformed comment I have ever heard.
History shows that 70 – 75 pct of the game is pitching. History is full of heavy hitting teams that were mediocre. Perfect example was the 1973 Braves — 3 40 HRs guys and where did that team finish?
That has not changed. Both are important but without pitching you lose.
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
6:30 pm
Tell you what You take your ace pitchers and no hitting team put them in a 5 game series. I will put my mediocre pitchers and good hitters in same serir=es. I WIN!!!
Not Disgusted
December 13th, 2012
6:53 pm
You can take a team of super hitters and medicore pitchers and you probably finish around .500, so you do not even get a chance to face my team of ace pitchers.
If you have the complete team you have a good chance to win it all.
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
7:06 pm
With your no hitters you do not score so your team would not be there. You have to score runns, Not like BRAVES(3) Thats why Braves dont win.
Angel Eyes
December 13th, 2012
7:07 pm
Supper with my woman and then off to work. See you tomorrow. Bye
Bamarich
December 13th, 2012
7:23 pm
DO… is there an “ignore” button around here somewhere? I’m sure I’m not the only one wishing for some informed discussion without having Angel Eyes constantly yelling and going on a tirade. It’s a pain to have to sift through all the mess to get to the good.
jbill
December 13th, 2012
7:43 pm
What happen to Amber? She has not been on in long time…..she leaves and who show up?
Bernie
December 14th, 2012
9:09 am
Braves need a leadoff hitter Mr. Wrenn Remember offennse has been your down fall
Rick C
December 14th, 2012
9:31 am
Angel Eyes, that proposed deal for Fowler is exactly what I’m talking about when I say you don’t want to make a move just for the sake of making one. You would be trading away a key part of our rotation and one of our two best prospects for a guy with a career 248/331/367 line away from Coors Field. How does that make our offense better?
jmart1951
December 14th, 2012
9:37 am
I am a little surprised that the Braves were not in on Ty Wiggington who has good numbers against left handed pitching. It would seem that he was a good candidate for a platoon with Fransisco and a good right handed bat off the bench. He also could back up at first base and didn’t seem to cost too much.
I am sure the Braves have their reasons or have already made a decision about what they are looking for and if they cannot get it they will go with what they have.
I believe that FW does a good job piecing a team together so his plan must be better than a Ty Wiggiton move. Personally, I would love to see Fransisco given the opportunity to start the season at third base as the everyday 3rd baseman unitl he proves he can either handle the job or is best used in a platoon system.
Matt Johns
December 14th, 2012
11:01 am
Disappointing “propaganda” story with Wren comments, but not surprising. Braves won’t do anything . . . going cheap with young players. Wish Braves would stop wasting your (and our) time with “major trade talks.” Just an exercise while the continue to sell us young and cheaper (inexperienced) players.
Johnny Ballgame
December 14th, 2012
11:38 am
The first half might be kinda ugly with no Beachy, McCann out for a month, a below average left fielder (or 3rd baseman), and no true leadoff hitter.
afan
December 15th, 2012
10:37 am
agree Matt Johns–tired of BS and excuses–just say we’re going with kids and will try to win in future. Can’t understand how so many fans are happy to win 90 games, wild card and play one game and go home. I was taught you play to win it all. Wren believe you can put a Quarter horse in the Kentucky derby and win…good luck.
Jerry Hand
December 15th, 2012
10:52 am
What about the Asst GM looking for American players? now there’s a thought…
74bravesjersey
December 15th, 2012
3:29 pm
Why in the world we are allowing Kimbrell, the most dominant closer to pitch for team USA world classic, when he needs that time try’n to save his arm to be dominant next september? If he comes up w/ any arm problems, shoulder problems or tired arm, should we be reminded of him getting active for a tournament that has no meaning, & we need full strength come playoff time. Ya’ll remember this if he comes ailing later this year. You just can’t shut an arm on/off anytime you’d want. Gosh, I hope to be wrong about this.
Not Disgusted
December 16th, 2012
5:48 pm
The World Baseball classic is stupid — we need to keep our players healthy for our own MLB team. International baseball is second fiddle to the major leagues.
Zane Smith's Teeth
December 17th, 2012
1:12 pm
“It’s still a couple of months before spring training, so I think there’s still more he can do and will do”
Translation: I told him to lose 25 pounds and he’s lost 10 so far…
jbill
December 17th, 2012
11:41 pm
6′4″ 230 lbs is not fat…Zane
jbill
December 17th, 2012
11:42 pm
ST is Feb 20th…
Braves_Country
December 18th, 2012
7:39 am
If Jaun Fransico can trim down , There is potental there for a Solid third baseman that has some power if he can Keep working on his swing ……. Rather go with him at third and Prado in Left then trade for Justin Upton at this point , Keep our pitchers ……Look what happen last season when Injuries came upon us …….
Jake Mastroianni
December 18th, 2012
4:19 pm
The Case for Juan Francisco as Braves Everyday Third Baseman
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/case-juan-francisco-braves-everyday-third-baseman-195700091–mlb.html
And a Day of Rain
December 28th, 2012
4:24 pm
And a Day of Rain
December 29th, 2012
11:02 am
:yawn: whatever sick: :halo:
And a Day of Rain
December 29th, 2012
11:37 am
And a Day of Rain
December 29th, 2012
11:42 am
Ivan Riehm
May 6th, 2013
4:20 am
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Ciao for now
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