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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,304 comments Add your comment
ugaaccountant
December 19th, 2012
9:17 pm
Not how it works in pro sports yep.
Tommy Boggs
December 19th, 2012
9:18 pm
Can we get Yuuup or Amher girl (Angel Eyes) to give some clarification on the sabermetric fielding stats..
Yuuup?
old man
December 19th, 2012
9:18 pm
Look, I have significant doubt that Francisco will develop into a solid, everyday, full-time, no platoon player.
But there is a small MLB sample size which suggests there is a chance he might be a platoon guy who will clobber righties. Is there a chance that a successful platoon will get you by for a year, two years, even very succesful World Series type years? Sure. Longer? Maybe not. Could Francisco slowly develop into a successful 162 game player? Maybe, but only maybe. Could he go down in the books as an oddity–the successful half of the longest running platoon in MLB history? I doubt it, but it’s possible.
But right now, today, with the options we seem to have, and the budget we seem to have, a platoon with him holds some decent prospect of being a very pleasant surprise. And maybe the best prospect we have.
Would I rather have Stanton? Of course. But you have to play the cards you have, or the ones you can reasonably get. You can’t whine over the the cards that are way down at the bottom of the stack, years or new ownership away.
A lot of guys on here disagree with me about Francisco. But at least they still think within the financial box we have. But a lot of people just want to go outside the box.
With whose money???
If I had been born into the Hilton family, I would have a lot more options financially right now. But I wasn’t, so what good is to fantasize about what you would do with the Hilton money? You have to maximize with what you have, people.
And, the platoon has a very good chance of being a significant upgrade over Chipper.
If you want your team to buy a championship, move to LA or NY.
yep
December 19th, 2012
9:18 pm
lost chipper, bourn and ross and replaced
with upton and laird.
Why not go get trumbo, or swisher. we got the prospects for a trade and the money to pick up swisher.
amazing. i cant believe why we are sitting on our hands.
phil
December 19th, 2012
9:19 pm
ncgary
December 19th, 2012
8:24 pm
lou gherigs is starting to catch up to me, they say it comes fast when it comes. i will probably drop dead from diaphragm, just had it tested to see if i could get the diaphragm pacemaker , havent heard from the doc yet but the x ray tech report was not promising. if i cant find stem cells soon i probably croak in 2 months
go braves
at least i will have good cheap seats ……..lol
*********
gary, i admire your sense of humor. I guess the good news is that we’re all right behind you, sooner or later. I’ve included your name in my prayers nightly for months now, and my prayer continues to be that God’s will be done. Regardless of what happens, it’s been a real pleasure to “know” you here, and i will never forget you, unless demetia gets me! Hang tough and don’t give up on it yet!
old man
December 19th, 2012
9:20 pm
Sort of a rant there, eh?
yep
December 19th, 2012
9:21 pm
Fran Wren said out of his own mouth on the radio that they had the money to go and get swisher if they wanted to. So why not go and get someone?
old man
December 19th, 2012
9:23 pm
Are Yuuup and Yep related?
Bravefaninok
December 19th, 2012
9:25 pm
Angry acworth man
December 19th, 2012
7:48 pm
Frank Wren has got to go! I really hope we go into spring training with a platoon in LF. That way we know that this will be our last season dealing with Frank Wren’s inadequate decision making!
And stop telling me about Mejia’s and Gattis’s stats in the winter leagues!! They are facing AA pitching at the best!!
Wren is going nowhere….94 wins and a young team on the rise,prepare to be angry for a long time!
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
9:27 pm
Are Yuuup and Yep related? — old man
I think they’re related by birth… as in the SAME one. It gets a little slow here and some dude takes the bull by the horns.
Agrees with himself, disagrees… calls DOB out, praises DOB… kinda funny, really.
Go Multiple Moniker Man!!!!!
JC Brave
December 19th, 2012
9:28 pm
[Frank] Wren said out of his own mouth on the radio that they had the money to go and get swisher if they wanted to. So why not go and get someone?
They are saving for a new stadium in 2099.
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
9:32 pm
Bravefaninok
You’re making me work to hard, man. How ’bout putting quotation marks around the other poster’s text. It’s too hard for this lazy person I call, “me”, to figure that out on my own.
Thank you in advance
Soph
December 19th, 2012
9:32 pm
Mac/Uggla/Freddie/Meds sighting at the Hawks game. Hurry up and be baseball season already!
ncgary
December 19th, 2012
9:32 pm
hi chip thanks, near lake norman mooresville area
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
Hiyathere, Soph!
Playoffs!!!
December 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
Just caught up with the latest blog and the Top 50 Albums. Thanks DOB, I enjoy this year- end tradition. Intrigued by your choice of Killer Mike’s album as best of the year.
Being a white guy from the suburbs, I hadn’t heard of him. So I texted my daughter who is really in to rap, and she said she had- he’s a “real rapper” Been around a while, I asked? “Longtime” she said.
So I went to his website and watched his “Big Beast” video.
Holy Sh*t! He’s hardcore! But I liked it.
old man
December 19th, 2012
9:37 pm
Out of 8 spots, Wren thinks we might fill one slot–just one–with our system generating some internal talent, or from making a smart trade a couple of years ago that pays off. And people go ape crazy that we aren’t overpaying in the FA or trade market for some shiny new toy for the eighth and final spot.
Tough crowd.
You know, every once in a blue moon, players actually change from minor leaguers or part timers into actual full time bona fide MLB starters. I have heard of that happening before.
Of course, 98% of all major leaguers come out of the womb fully grown, and with an .867 OPS. Very, very rare that you get someone who develops over time into a major leaguer. Yeah, probably wishful thinking on Wren’s part. Let’s go get us one of those Soylant Green “ready to play” units over at the MLB shop.
JC Brave
December 19th, 2012
9:37 pm
Mac/Uggla/Freddie/Meds sighting at the Hawks game. Hurry up and be baseball season already!
Picture or it didn’t happen!
Soph
December 19th, 2012
9:37 pm
Hi Tom, how’s life?
kenhotlanta
December 19th, 2012
9:37 pm
ncgary: Prayers still going out for you and hoping for a miracle.
TeheranTime
December 19th, 2012
9:38 pm
DOB, that is a great blog! I don’t care what Joel, Mark Bowman or anyone else say! Your writing is second to none.
Soph
December 19th, 2012
9:39 pm
Ah, wish I was actually there JC but it was on TV. They looked kinda bored.
ColoradoBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
9:39 pm
Hey Nick,
Saw your 2013 Braves prediction of 3rd place and 80 wins….right? I will put yours down with mine and my co-workers at the office.
Can you remind us again of your 2012 Braves predicitions? I was sorta close with 89 wins. How did you do last year?
yep
December 19th, 2012
9:39 pm
Honestly if you look at what the phillies have done this off season. They will win this division again next year. Washington will be in second and we will come in third. I just dont see it any different at this time.
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
9:41 pm
Soph, much slower right now… I can finally breathe. Things got pretty hectic during the fall. Good hectic, not bad, just too busy.
How’s everything with you? (Other than the no-baseball thingy.)
JC Brave
December 19th, 2012
9:44 pm
Ah, wish I was actually there JC but it was on TV. They looked kinda bored.
Ah, shame :/
Bored or not, it is still quite satisfying for me as a fan seeing them hanging out together any given time.
old man
December 19th, 2012
9:44 pm
Phillies? Don’t talk about Phillies. You kiddin’ me? Phillies? I just hope they can win a game.
ncgary
December 19th, 2012
9:45 pm
thanks phil
ive had alot of miracles in 50 years
really supernatural miracles. and he always waits to the last micro second to come around and save my bum
so im hanging in there and thats the same prayer i pray too, i let him know i want to live but if its his will im ready, i just cant bear leaving my dog my girlfriend my family and all behind. notice the dog comes first, shes always been the most loyal one……lol
thanks ken
nolie
December 19th, 2012
9:47 pm
sorry to hear that Gary, you were doing so well there for awhile. still in my prayers nightly, and I’ll not forget you no matter what
nolie
December 19th, 2012
9:48 pm
if you think Wren is going anywhere, with the W/L record over his years, you are out of your mind
ncgary
December 19th, 2012
9:53 pm
well nolie im still ambulatory and still off the oxygen, but the live xrays showed my diaphragm aint working so i probably wont be able to get the diaphragm pacemaker , i can still opt to cut my throat and stick in the breathing tube. but i dont know about that one, have to see how braves look in spring training and see if i want to stick around for anotjher season. but ive definitely had better days. its like i can feel the muscles shrinking and then i look in the mirror and shazam they are
kenhotlanta
December 19th, 2012
9:53 pm
Hi Soph, anything any good on TV now? I am bored to death, but I’m glad I love old 30’s and 40’s movies (especially Christmas themed), although I’ve seen them all a hundred times.
“The Hour” on BBCA is pretty good, but I need January to get here with some “Justified”!
ncgary
December 19th, 2012
9:56 pm
on the brighter side i got a make a wish foundation grant and they are gonna fly me to hawaii with my caretaker, i have to foor the bill for the hotel and eats and fun but hey it is hawaii
nolie
December 19th, 2012
9:58 pm
I really feel for you . We had a relative who had it when I was young. I am also apt to get panicky when I can not move freely or feel bound. That disease would be one I probably could not handle. I admire how you are doing it so far. God bless
ncgary
December 19th, 2012
9:59 pm
any chance we can pull offf a 3 team trade for morse or stanton, who needs a lead off when ya got mashers up and down the lineup
nolie
December 19th, 2012
9:59 pm
will that be your gf or your dog that goes with you?
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
10:00 pm
Everything I heard and read about Francsico’s defense was it was better than CJ’s last year. And even if he platoons next year, you’ll see a lot of him. About 72% of MLB pitchers are RH.
ncgary
December 19th, 2012
10:01 pm
been a rough one today ,maybe tomorrow is better
nite all
nolie
December 19th, 2012
10:01 pm
I don’t think Morse is all that, and I seriously doubt Stanton is going anywhere or that we have the prospects to get him if he does. I think our weak system has probably hurt us this winter
nolie
December 19th, 2012
10:05 pm
Francisco had a bit of a rep for bad D when he arrived, but he played at least average third last year to my eyes and his +/- was +2. doesn’t have the greatest range but didn’t look all that overmatched to me either . great arm strength on a few throws I saw
Soph
December 19th, 2012
10:09 pm
All is well on my end, Tom other than the no baseball thingy. The football and basketball thingies keep me somewhat occupied.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
10:09 pm
About 72% of MLB pitchers are RH…KL
true, but last season over 37% of team at bats were against lefties IIRC
Trey
December 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
A family friend passed away last week. She left behind an older dog who needs a home. If anyone in Georgia is interested, let me know. Poor dog can’t always feel her back legs, and will sometimes crap while walking, so if she gets a home with a yard that would be great.
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
That’s a good thingy to hear, Soph.
Soph
December 19th, 2012
10:13 pm
Hey ken! Just sat through a pretty frustrating Hawks game and probably going to watch the Hurt Locker when it comes on again at 11pm on FX. It sucks when you have to wait for all your shows to come back after the new year. I re-watched all the old TWD episodes on Netflix the past few weeks.
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
10:13 pm
Trey
If you ever leave the Navy, don’t become a dog salesman.
Trey
December 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Heh, I don’t want to get something in the letter saying I screwed someone over.
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Nolie – I think opposing teams juggled their rotations a few times for the Braves to have to face lefty starters. I know some suspect lefties pitched like Steve Carlton against us.
Mixxo
December 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Mac was at the Hawks game?
No wonder they lost.
Trey
December 19th, 2012
10:19 pm
Heh, I don’t want to hear about it down the road that I screwed someone over, Tom!
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
10:20 pm
Yeah, Trey, you really have to tell people about that.
I feel bad for the poor old dog.
Trey
December 19th, 2012
10:20 pm
So, it sent the first time.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
10:21 pm
yeah I think so too KL. that’s a lot of at bats against them
kenhotlanta
December 19th, 2012
10:23 pm
Soph, I know the feeling, I hate the way the shows now have a couple of short “seasons” each year and then we have to wait and wait. Plus I wish they would stagger some, so we wouldn’t have these lulls. That’s why my DVR is full of old movies, just for this down time.
I forgot the Hawks were on, I’ve been gone all day, so I was tying to catch up on the blog, FB, email. etc. The Hawks look pretty good, so far, but Durant is a beast.
reagan
December 19th, 2012
10:23 pm
Gary……sorry to hear it’s going so rough right now. You have always seemed like one of the really good guys on this board. Count me as another who is sending up good thoughts for you.
Trey
December 19th, 2012
10:24 pm
I do too, Tom. If I didn’t live an apartment I’d take her in.
JC Brave
December 19th, 2012
10:24 pm
Mac was at the Hawks game?
No wonder they lost.
Ouch!
jbill
December 19th, 2012
10:27 pm
ncgary..man I read your blogs and feel your pain as I’ve just had lung cancer surgery, removed 1/3 of right lung.
Maybe all your friends on blog could give like $5 to $100 for a fund to help “ncgary” out on expenses and trip to the Island. Maybe Nolie could handle that and everyone would know where to send it..I’d be first to help….My prayers are with you NCGARY…don’t give up!
Disgusted
December 19th, 2012
10:31 pm
I am having a hunch that Gattis is going to be pegged to be our everyday LF for the 2013 season for whatever its worth.
I will want till ST to judge whether its good or bad. Like Simmons, it might work.
Liberty Media’s cheapness might be overcome again — I hope so. I wish the best for Gattis. I want him to succeed.
Still have my reservations about a 26 yr old prospect.
We are too cheap to go for Swisher, Delmon Young, Cody Ross and we are not getting Bourn back. So be it.
Disgusted
December 19th, 2012
10:34 pm
DOB — I have never heard of most of your top 50 albums or even most of those artists in there for that matter.
Most of them have never hit number one, maybe not even in the top 10 for all I know.
I never heard of Bobby Womack. Some of that stuff seems too old.
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
10:36 pm
One marginal lefty that I remember killing us is John Lannan. Unfortunately he is now in Phillie along with lefties Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. That’s potentially 11 starts against lefties vs. Philly. It is never easy against them.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
10:37 pm
Fowler?
Disgusted
December 19th, 2012
10:39 pm
DOB — How could you put the unknown Iris De Ment over Katy Perry or Ke$ha????
No one has heard of her LOL.
Honestly, I have not heard any of those albums — guess they really are 2012 music HA HA.
brian
December 19th, 2012
10:39 pm
Soph – wonder if old Roy made paint peel in his halftime talk
jbill
December 19th, 2012
10:49 pm
What about Flower Nolie? would you as GM go after him?
nolie
December 19th, 2012
10:54 pm
if he could be gotten cheap enough, but so far that sounds unlikely. I just saw him mentioned somewhere as one Wren was taking another look at. I would certainly prefer him in left than in center
kenhotlanta
December 19th, 2012
10:54 pm
Disgusted: Unless you are just joking about Bobby Womack and, to a lesser extent, Iris DeMent, you are just showing your musical ignorance, so what’s your point?
I haven’t heard of a lot of the artists on his list either, but that doesn’t mean they are not deserving. I usually take the time to at least check out the ‘unknown to me’ artists on You Tube and see what they are about. (Except for Rap and Hip Hop, but that’s a personal choice).
ChattTownBrian
December 19th, 2012
10:55 pm
“What is inherently wrong with a platoon if you get more production and pay less” old man
Nothing. I just like an everyday player so I don’t have to keep switching guys around on my MLB The Show game.
Comfortably Dumb™
December 19th, 2012
11:04 pm
DOB
What are your plans for the 21st?
Yuuup
December 19th, 2012
11:04 pm
Rick C
December 19th, 2012
7:36 pm
Yuup, the Rockies asked for both Minor and either Delgado or Teheran for Fowler. That would be a huge overpay for Fowler considering his numbers away from Coors Field. And I’m not exactly sure why you or others see Bonifacio as that much of an improvement over the internal options we already have.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
I am sure if the Braves really wanted Fowler, they would convince the Rockies to take one of Delgado or Teheran and another pitcher not currently in the starting rotation. Of course any team that gets approached on their players is going to aim high in a trade. Fowler is young, quick, hits leadoff, steals bases, has good defense, and is a switch hitter, all pluses for what the Braves need. So instead of over exaggerating their own talent for a change, maybe they should trade some players to get a player of need.
Also on the Bonifacio question, he is better then the internal options much like what Fowler brings, he is quick, bats leadoff, and is a switch hitter. Simmons is not a leadoff hitter, he doesn’t steal bases, and he is not a table setter. Prado is better suited in a spot where he can drive in runs because he knows how to handle the bat. The only other option I can see as a leadoff hitter on this team is Constanza, and he is to inconsistent and a lefty which is something the Braves want to avoid.
Also for those asking, me and Yep have no connection. Ask DOB if you don’t believe me, he has the IP addresses for all computers. I don’t need to be Yep and Yuuup.
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
11:09 pm
Also for those asking, me and Yep have no connection. Ask DOB if you don’t believe me, he has the IP addresses for all computers. I don’t need to be Yep and Yuuup. — Yep or was it Yuuup
Means absolutely nothing, and you know it! But who cares? Go for it, if that’s your thing.
Timmy
December 19th, 2012
11:13 pm
Nice Top 50 … my favorite this year was Dirty Projectors. My top 50 would also include Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Grimes & Twin Shadow. Screaming Females is a trip live … that chick can shred on guitar …
JC Brave
December 19th, 2012
11:23 pm
[Bonifacio] is better then the internal options [...] he is quick, bats leadoff, and is a switch hitter.
I’ll take the internal options, thank you very much.
old man
December 19th, 2012
11:25 pm
nolie, you’re off. Actually the Braves last year faced lefties in 37.0551746653607574273587985635% of their PAs. Get your facts straight, eh?
Interesting that they are that high. All MLB last year was 29.83852577397951981235543876033% plate appearances against lefties. It must be just the make up of staffs in our division.
Actually, the number you want is the number of games started by opposing LHP and RHP. That tells you how often each part of a platoon would start. Don’t know where to get that stat. A relief pitcher will usually come in from the other side, so that may skew the total PA appearance numbers. But I’m guessing the percents above reflect that the Braves faced a much higher percentage of lefty starters than normal.
Geaux Braves
December 19th, 2012
11:27 pm
DOB,
Not sure how Patterson Hood didn’t even crack the top 50. Surely, as a fellow DBT fan, you understand that Heat Lightning is some of the best stuff he has ever written.
JC Brave
December 19th, 2012
11:29 pm
Braves last year faced lefties in 37.0551746653607574273587985635% of their PAs.
Interesting that they are that high. All MLB last year was 29.83852577397951981235543876033% plate appearances against lefties. It must be just the make up of staffs in our division.
Haven’t you heard? The Braves are quite unlucky.
Wood
December 19th, 2012
11:37 pm
Dave you must check out the avett brothers & lumineers they both released incredible albums this year…
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
11:40 pm
nolie, you’re off. Actually the Braves last year faced lefties in 37.0551746653607574273587985635% of their PAs. Get your facts straight, eh? — old man
It’s too bad nolie doesn’t practice what he preaches… you know?
Rick C
December 19th, 2012
11:46 pm
Yuuup, look at the market. Free agents are getting huge contracts and teams are generally overpaying in trades. There is no reason the Rockies need to settle. And none of us are privy to what goes on in these deals, so don’t act like you are. Regarding Fowler’s abilities, he stole 27 bases in 2009, but only 13, 12, and 12 since and has a 66% career success rate. He is not a good defensive player either. -40 Rtot and -21 Rdrs over his career, posting negatives every year. His fielding percentage is also below average. And as I already pointed out, he is not a good offensive player outside of Coors Field. You are exaggerating Fowler’s talent.
Bonifacio had one good year, and that was due to a high BABiP of 372. His career BABiP is 337. He has a career 671 OPS and an 81 OPS+. He is fast and provides versatility on defense, but he’s just not that good of an offensive player. Just because a player has speed it doesn’t automatically make them a good lead off hitter.
Yuuup
December 19th, 2012
11:50 pm
Tom O’Hawke
December 19th, 2012
11:09 pm
Also for those asking, me and Yep have no connection. Ask DOB if you don’t believe me, he has the IP addresses for all computers. I don’t need to be Yep and Yuuup. — Yep or was it Yuuup
Means absolutely nothing, and you know it! But who cares? Go for it, if that’s your thing.
————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Ok, then your Amber Girl!!! What fun is it coming on here and pretending to be another poster? I am on here everyday and post occasionally, like I need to be 2 different posters at the same time. If I were to do that, I sure as hell wouldn’t use Yuuup and Yep as my names, ya think?
JC Brave
December 19th, 2012
11:50 pm
Bonifacio had one good year, and that was due to a high BABiP of 372. His career BABiP is 337. He has a career 671 OPS and an 81 OPS+. He is fast and provides versatility on defense, but he’s just not that good of an offensive player. Just because a player has speed it doesn’t automatically make them a good lead off hitter.
Thank you, my good samaritan!
TennBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
11:53 pm
Yuup –
Earlier I wrote that I actually thought the Braves were better at this point right now, then they were headed into last season. I said that I thought Juan could replace Chipper’s numbers and that Simmons could replace Bourn’s numbers. I said I could promise that. You asked “if I had a crystal ball?” So to answer your question I have no crystal ball but can do elementary math. If you take Francisco’s number of at-bats as a starter 157 and compare them to Chipper’s 448 AB’s, you see that Chipper batted 2.85 more times than Juan. Doing simple math that gives Juan 23 hrs to Chipper’s 14, Juan 77 rbi to Chipper’s 62, and Juan slugs 497 to Chipper’s 455. Chipper did get on base at a much better pace. Juan isnt replacing the super star hall-of-famer Chipper Jones, he is replacing a 40 year old who put up solid numbers, but nothing earth shattering. As for Simmons and Bourn, again simple math. First of all, Simmons’ ops was .751 to Bourn’s .739. Bourn batted 3.86 more times than Simmons, if you adjust to the same number of at-bats, Simmons would hit 12 hrs to Bourns 9, Simmons 31 doubles to Bourn 26, Simmons 8 triples to Bourn 10, and Simmons 73 rbi to 57 for Bourn. In my opinion, Michael Bourn is one of the most OVERRATED players in baseball (has anybody signed him by the way???). I am not gonna give numbers on my arguement that the pitching staff is better now, I think that is a given. As for losing David Ross, you win that arguement. Atl is gonna miss him terribly and he helped a lot with McCann’s offensive struggles and inability to throw out base runners. Although I would be willing to bet that McCann’s offensive numbers return to form in 2013. So again, this is how I come to the conclusion that for Atl to be better going into this season all you need is for Upton to be better than Pastornicky.
David O'Brien
December 19th, 2012
11:54 pm
Poll added to blog — who do you think will be the Braves’ left fielder when the season begins? Vote now.
Joey M
December 19th, 2012
11:56 pm
If we can get Mark Trumbo on the cheap, he would be a nice upgrade. If the Angles want one of our young stud pitchers (Medlen, Beachy, Teheran, Delgado) I say nay. If we stand pat, maybe sign a couple arms for the pen. Resign Durbin or Moylan. What about making a major splash for the ‘pen and bring in Brian Wilson. Ease him back into pitching regularly. We would make a 9 inning game into a 5 inning game. O’Flaherty, Venters, Wilson, Kimbrel. Wilson would take a 1 year deal to prove he’s back. And what better place to do that than Atlanta?
As far as left field goes, I’m ok with trying Gattis in LF and Prado at 3rd. Work in Francisco for at-bats. Gattis might not work, but he’s worth the chance. Simmons gives a quality at-bat. He wouldn’t be a prototypical leadoff hitter that steals bases. But we don’t need that. Prado hitting 2nd is a doubles machine. If I were to make 1 surprise move, it would be to bring in Brian Wilson. Other than that, I think our our lineup is strong enough to score 3-5 a game. With our starters and that bullpen, 3-5 is plenty.
Yuuup
December 19th, 2012
11:57 pm
Rick C
December 19th, 2012
11:46 pm,
All good points I guess. That is why I said everyone has their own opinion. I still like Fowler over a platoon option in LF and having to put a player in the leadoff spot out of default. So if Wren was a smart GM and he was really interested in Fowler, he couldn’t bring up those points and try to get the return lowered in order to get Fowler? So what are your suggestions that we do? Why didn’t he pounce on Span? Why didn’t he go after Revere? Why was he even linked to Choo seeing as though he is a Boras client and hitting free agency a year from now? So he can offer up prospects for 1 year of Choo, or Delgado for 3 months of Dempster, but not give up Delgado or Teheran for Span or Revere? Yes I know Philly gave up more for Revere, but Span could have been a Brave if Wren tried.
David O'Brien
December 19th, 2012
11:59 pm
DOB — I have never heard of most of your top 50 albums or even most of those artists in there for that matter.
Most of them have never hit number one, maybe not even in the top 10 for all I know.
I never heard of Bobby Womack. Some of that stuff seems too old. – Disgusted
Coming from you, these are all signs that I put together a great list this year. Thank you.
Tom O'Hawke
December 20th, 2012
12:02 am
If I were to do that, I sure as hell wouldn’t use Yuuup and Yep as my names, ya think? — Yuuup & Yep
Clears it up, or should I say, yup, perfectly!
Yuuup
December 20th, 2012
12:03 am
TennBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
11:53 pm,
You have some good points in there, but trying to predict what a guy will or will not do in as many at bats is nothing but a guess. He may have been on pace for that, but what happens when he pulls a Uggla and goes 1 for 45 and strikes out 30 times in the process? I see where you are going with that, but its all a guess. Opinions are like A-Holes, everyone has one.
David O'Brien
December 20th, 2012
12:03 am
TennesseePaul: You’re more than welcome. Glad to hear from the folks who do enjoy the list.
Yuuup
December 20th, 2012
12:04 am
om O’Hawke
December 20th, 2012
12:02 am
If I were to do that, I sure as hell wouldn’t use Yuuup and Yep as my names, ya think? — Yuuup & Yep
Clears it up, or should I say, yup, perfectly!,
Yup, clears it up Amber Girl, thanks.
Tom O'Hawke
December 20th, 2012
12:06 am
For anyone too lazy to go back and find the poll, here it is:
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/12/18/top-50-albums-of-12-and-whos-braves-lf/
Ken Stallings
December 20th, 2012
12:07 am
David,
Very surprised given your repeated homages to Johnny Cash that there’s not a single album of his on your lists.
TennBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
12:10 am
Yuup
Agreed, my logic is based on math and doesn’t account for slumps, fatigue, injuries, etc. I just dont think the Braves are in that bad of shape. If you look at things from strictly a numbers stand point, the majority of the offense is still in tact. And Francisco/Johnson, a healthy McCann, Upton, a more mature Heyward and Freeman, and a full year of Simmons will make this a better offensive team. With all that said, if the right deal comes along the Braves should take it. Just dont throw away money or prospects for players who dont improve the team. For example, Minor for Fowler….thats nuts!
David O'Brien
December 20th, 2012
12:14 am
David,
Very surprised given your repeated homages to Johnny Cash that there’s not a single album of his on your lists. — Ken Stallings
I guess you didn’t notice that it’s a Best of 2012 list. Albums released in 2012. And no re-issues, greatest hits or live albums. It’s not a list of all-time favorite albums; if it were, several by Johnny Cash — and the Clash, the Replacements, Haggard, R.E.M., Husker Du, James Brown, etc — would certainly be on it. As you might have guessed, none of those acts released a new album in 2012.
Rick C
December 20th, 2012
12:14 am
I get that you like having Prado hit second, but he’s hit best out of the lead off spot in his career. So it’s not like we don’t have an extremely capable option there.
I would assume that Wren has tried to offer a lower return for Fowler. But my point is you are just speculating.
At this point I would probably go forward with what we have. From the players we know that may be available, and the rumored asking prices, it sounds like there really aren’t many viable options left that would be a good deal for the Braves. Making a move just for the sake of making one is just not smart.
Again, we don’t know what goes on in these deals so I’m not sure about Span. I would think that the Twins really liked Meyer’s upside. The Braves don’t really have anyone in their minors that profiles like him. We don’t know if the Twins would have preferred say Delgado or Teheran, or if Wren offered one of them or not.
I think the Phillies overpaid for Revere. He is a good defender and base runner, but is another poor offensive player. He has a career 642 OPS and 79 OPS+ along with a 319 OBP that is not sufficient for a lead off hitter. The Phillies gave up a back of the rotation starter and their second best pitching prospect.
Choo only has a year left on his contract, but he’s a much more proven player than Span and Revere and pretty clearly a much superior offensive player. Again we don’t know what Wren offered though.
When they made the offer for Dempster, they were lacking consistent starting pitching and felt that he could help push them into the postseason. I would not have offered Delgado, but it’s a completely different scenario than the off season.
David O'Brien
December 20th, 2012
12:15 am
If we can get Mark Trumbo on the cheap, he would be a nice upgrade. — Joey M
If you get Trumbo — a very big “if” — rest assured it will not be on the cheap.
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
12:18 am
if the right deal comes along the Braves should take it. Just dont throw away money or prospects for players who dont improve the team. For example, Minor for Fowler….thats nuts!
You can bet all your money that Wren won’t trade any of the team’s good arms unless it nets him a huge return.
And I sure hope he doesn’t trade even a bag of balls for a guy like Bonifacio. I hope the Jays decide to keep him.
Yuuup
December 20th, 2012
12:22 am
TennBravesfan & Rick,
I agree and disagree with you both on some things. I can definitely see both of your logic’s with the things you are saying and thinking. That is what is cool when you can talk baseball and go back and forth with others. Have a good night guys.
Russell Bell
December 20th, 2012
12:23 am
DOB — I have never heard of most of your top 50 albums or even most of those artists in there for that matter.
Most of them have never hit number one, maybe not even in the top 10 for all I know.
I never heard of Bobby Womack. Some of that stuff seems too old. – Disgusted
Coming from you, these are all signs that I put together a great list this year. Thank you.
This little exchange made me laugh
Great list DOB. I’m a big fan of Tame Impala (wish they’d come to Atlanta next time they’re in the States).
Timmy
December 20th, 2012
12:25 am
Tame Impala is coming to Athens but it’s sold out … I’ll be checking out Unknown Mortal Orchestra that same night at Club 529.