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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,304 comments Add your comment
brian
December 20th, 2012
2:01 pm
the best long term career move McCann could make for himself is to go to the AL and be a part time catcher/1B, part time DH.
Brutal wear and tear on the body if he stays full time catcher. His bat is too good to waste. I would love for McCann to sign with the Orioles – play 1B, DH, and back up MW at catcher.
ncscoots
December 20th, 2012
2:01 pm
If he performs really well, he’ll likely be to expensive
Is McCann likely to be more expensive than the player who will have to be acquired to replace his offense? Be kinda foolhardy to let .800+ OPS walk out the door with only Bethancourt’s so-far feeble bat walking in.
It’s not as if losing McCann = spending less money. That eight figures will probably go to somebody and McCann is likely to be the better value than a FA at the same price.
Real Talk
December 20th, 2012
2:03 pm
CoCo Crisp and Eric Young…Neither get me excited!! Maybe we now know why FW hasnt done anything because there is not a great upgrade from what we have already!
RC
December 20th, 2012
2:04 pm
It’s not as if losing McCann = spending less money. That eight figures will probably go to somebody and McCann is likely to be the better value than a FA at the same price.
I think the problem is going to be keeping McCann = spending more money. If McCann is making X in 2013, he’s likely to 1.3X per year (or more) on a long-term deal after 2013. If the Braves only have X to spend, then McCann is going to cost more than they can afford.
Real Talk
December 20th, 2012
2:05 pm
ncscoots agree if Mccann has bounce back season which I think will happen the Braves best interest would be to sign him for 4-5 more years.
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2012
2:06 pm
I would love for McCann to sign with the Orioles – play 1B, DH, and back up MW at catcher.
Except that Mac has repeatedly said he has zero interest in playing either 1st base or DH, and I sincerely doubt he’d sign anywhere to be a back up. (I know you are not actually thinking this would happen- just that you’d like to see it, but others keep saying things like this without even considering that it is not something Mac wants to do)
Murph
December 20th, 2012
2:08 pm
That’s a lot payroll flexibility. Probably around $55-60 million in those 10 players.
So that leaves the team with $23-28mil to spend. Not much considering the holes.
ncscoots
December 20th, 2012
2:10 pm
If the Braves only have X to spend, then McCann is going to cost more than they can afford.
Then, if this year’s prices are any indication, so will every reasonable offensive alternative.
What you are saying is that Brian McCann’s offensive performance is irreplaceable due to payroll, and the Braves must accept being a worse team in 2014 because of it.
Heath
December 20th, 2012
2:10 pm
nscoots: the problem with spending a ton of $ on McCann to be the Braves catcher is he’s not going to backup 1B or DH…. So 1/3 of the year he’ll be riding the pine. Big money would be better spent on player who is out ther 150+ games (Prado/Heyward/Freeman). IMHO
Disgusted
December 20th, 2012
2:10 pm
Just say No Thanks to Coco Stale — would rather go with what we have.
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2012
2:10 pm
Why don’t we worry about 2014 AFTER 2013?
Yuuup
December 20th, 2012
2:10 pm
The only way a Reed Johnson and Juan Francisco platoon with Prado going into the season makes senses is if the team doing it has no money to work with. The Braves have plenty of money to work with, just for whatever reason, they are doing nothing with it via trade or free agency. Free agents are costly, I get that, but trades are out there, and some have already passed.
Some on here are for Francisco getting a shot, and many are against him getting a shot. If they don’t make a deal before the season starts, we will all know who is right by mid season. If the stupid platoon works, then great, if it doesn’t (which is what I am going with) the Braves will be out of it by the All Star break. We can all say what we would like to happen, but its Wren’s call and so far all he has done with all that money coming off the boards is signed Upton and a few backups. Not exactly the way to get fans interested after they bowed out of contention again last season like they have done so many times in the past decade.
Real Talk
December 20th, 2012
2:11 pm
Murph isnt the general feeling the Braves may increase their payroll in 2014 to around 90-94 Million?
ncscoots
December 20th, 2012
2:11 pm
So that leaves the team with $23-28mil to spend. Not much considering the holes.
$38MM, Murph. I have it on good authority.
Yuuup
December 20th, 2012
2:14 pm
And before all say that 94 wins is not bowing out of contention, what good is 94 wins when you only play 1 game more than the worse team in baseball? Think about it.
TennesseePaul
December 20th, 2012
2:14 pm
What you are saying is that Brian McCann’s offensive performance is irreplaceable due to payroll, and the Braves must accept being a worse team in 2014 because of it.
They’ve done as much this off-season when attempting to fill the outfield / replace Bourn and Chipper. They went into the off-season with an eye on “premium” players and came up empty with the rumor/statement that prices are too high in FA dollars and trade market prospects.
David O'Brien
December 20th, 2012
2:16 pm
If it appears the world is beginning to disintegrate tomorrow, I’ll put on this cover of Satchmo’s What A Wonderful World, by Joey Ramone. By the way, check out the actor playing the kid at beginning. First-season Boardwalk Empire fans will recognize:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IoO5nkxT_4
Real Talk
December 20th, 2012
2:18 pm
Tennessee Paul IMO we replaced Bourn fine with BJ and I know that is not an opinion share by many, but I think Braves fans will be pleasantly surprised!!
ChattTownBrian
December 20th, 2012
2:19 pm
DOB, that’s funny, thanks for linking that. I needed that laugh.
Two things about that … I would’ve had Wren higher on the list only because of the puckering lip thing he does LOL, and why is the Mariners GM doing the chop … he’s number 20 I think.
RC
December 20th, 2012
2:20 pm
Yeah, the more I think about Crisp I would only be interested in him if the A’s were eating a portion of that contract.
EY Jr. has promise though. Great speed, good walk rate, ability to get on-base, switch hitter, 4 years of control…..other than “unproven”, I’m not sure where the downside is.
ncscoots
December 20th, 2012
2:20 pm
So 1/3 of the year he’ll be riding the pine
Catchers run out there about 130-135 a year. 30 games is hardly “a third of the year”.
And making it either/or for McCann or some current Braves’ player is the wrong way to look at it. McCann’s roster spot still has to be filled, his performance still has to be replaced, and that isn’t going to happen for zero money.
Again, either the money is available for McCann or it isn’t. If it isn’t for McCann, it isn’t available for a replacement, either. The man gets paid or the team gets worse, it’s a fairly simple equation. I honestly don’t see how folks are so quick to dismiss a guy who has hit like McCann, and from the catcher’s spot, to boot.
You think it’s difficult finding a LF, LOL? Let this guy leave, and you’ll really find out about “difficult”.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
2:20 pm
Photo of some Braves at the Hawks game last night…
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151144015437047&set=a.73763657046.88888.36451792046&type=1&theater
Peter Gammons
December 20th, 2012
2:20 pm
Braves are already positioning themselves beyond 2013, and Brian McCann does not figure into their longtime plans.
Sentimentality is no reason to reward a guy whose best years are behind him. Coming off major arm surgery for a catcher generally spells the beginning of the end. The Braves’ payroll projections will not
allow them to bring back McCann, unless the DH is instituted in the NL.
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
2:21 pm
Right now, I’d prefer it if we went into ST with internal options as the answer. I believe trading for Fowler is not a good idea, his numbers away from Coors are horrible. And there’s not much else out there.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
2:21 pm
Dan Connolly @danconnollysun
Adam Greenberg, who was hit in head in his only PA in 2005 and got an AB in Oct w Marlins has signed a minorlg deal w Os, says @Buster_ESPN
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
2:22 pm
we replaced Bourn fine with BJ
Bourn gave us about 145 runs of prodution on offense last season, 170 total if we add in his defense. BJ has averaged about 120 the last 4 seasons (was worth 125 last year)
TennesseePaul
December 20th, 2012
2:23 pm
Again, either the money is available for McCann or it isn’t. If it isn’t for McCann, it isn’t available for a replacement, either
The replacement need not be a free agent, however. So the “money” could be available for a younger, equally productive, cheaper player. But the question at that point would be, are the trade pieces there?
Murph
December 20th, 2012
2:23 pm
Why don’t we worry about 2014 AFTER 2013?
You’d rather sit around and debate the LF/3B situation for another few weeks? Prado, Francisco, Gattis… or Francisco, Gattis, and Prado? Or Gattis, Prado, Francisco?
So many choices. So many exciting combinations to project. It’s been so hard to contain my excitement about it over the last 4 weeks of debate, I feel as though I just may burst at any moment!
It might just be gas, though. Breakfast taco Thursday and all.
ncscoots
December 20th, 2012
2:24 pm
Sentimentality is no reason to reward a guy whose best years are behind him.
Only a senile baseball writer whose brain has turned to mush from listening to over-amped guitars would think “sentimentality” had anything to do with signing Brian McCann to another contract.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
2:27 pm
Catchers run out there about 130-135 a year. 30 games is hardly “a third of the year”.
Mac’s averaged about 135 for his career, right around 130 the last 3-4 seasons. Under 130 the last 2 years (injuries did play a part). Is it really reasonable to expect to play 130+ for the next 5 years after 2013? He’s going to be turning 30 at the start of the deal. If it’s through age 33 (3 seasons), I say pay him that 15mil +. But if it’s 4-6, which is probably more likely, I can’t see going that high.
ncscoots
December 20th, 2012
2:28 pm
So the “money” could be available for a younger, equally productive, cheaper player.
Hey, if they can find another Brian McCann who is an 0-3 player, I’m all for it.
I don’t think they actually need all six minor league teams, anyway.
TennesseePaul
December 20th, 2012
2:33 pm
if they can find another Brian McCann who is an 0-3 player, I’m all for it.
Perhaps post-2013 this team will re-align and go for fielding hitters in hitter positions. At that point, you can afford to have a no-stick all catch guy behind the plate, like many other teams have. It’s just, to do that, the team would have to get a LF and they seem to be religiously opposed to such an idea.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
2:36 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
10 yrs ago today, 12/20/02 the #Braves traded Kevin Millwood to the #Phillies for Johnny Estrada. Milwood threw a no hitter vs SF on 4/27/03
ncscoots
December 20th, 2012
2:36 pm
In truth, McCann himself will decide the question, both on the field and off. I really have no idea in which direction the FO leans, as far as signing him. But this place sometimes get so lemming-like on an idea, that I like to bust the chops of it on occasion. The forum’s kicking of McCann to the curb so blithely (mostly because of one injury-hampered year) kinda irritates me, to be honest.
So there. Nyah.
Murph
December 20th, 2012
2:36 pm
You think it’s difficult finding a LF, LOL? Let this guy leave, and you’ll really find out about “difficult”.
So… they should sign BMac to a 5 or 6 year deal and just hope/pray that he’s useful in the last few years of it?
I dunno. I like the team taking risks, but taking a risk on an aging catcher for multiple years at $15mil+ per season… risk doesn’t seem like an adequate word to describe that move.
RC
December 20th, 2012
2:39 pm
I dunno. I like the team taking risks, but taking a risk on an aging catcher for multiple years at $15mil+ per season… risk doesn’t seem like an adequate word to describe that move.
A “risk” is hitting on a 16 against a 7. A “gamble” is putting $100 on a single number and hoping you get lucky. This seems more like a gamble than a risk to me.
And a Day of Rain
December 20th, 2012
2:39 pm
I’d like to see Mejia on the bench. We play 13 away games at AL parks before the trading deadline giving him a good deal of exposure, in addition to his subbing for Freddy against lefties on occasion plus pinch hitting duties that arise. If he justs hits near his stats for the past two years he could be in demand by a number of teams needing right handed power. O keep him for trading in the next off-season.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
2:39 pm
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Huddy is hosting a Super Bowl party in Atlanta http://conta.cc/V94iDe and Chipper is hosting one in New Orleans http://chipperjonestailgateparty.com
ncscoots
December 20th, 2012
2:39 pm
taking a risk on an aging catcher
Kee-rist, Murph, he’s twenty-bleepin’-eight, LOL. Look around the league at how many 30+ (heck, even 35+) catchers are playing. McCann is old?!? Come on.
Real Talk
December 20th, 2012
2:43 pm
:}
Heath
December 20th, 2012
2:43 pm
nscoots:
I think 100-120 a year for McCann this year… And maybe even beyond. Catchers are more prone to sit out for injury than any non pitcher. I’d rather have a platoon at C and premium LFer
Murph
December 20th, 2012
2:43 pm
scoots, he’ll be 29 next season. 30 when he starts his new contract.
Do you McCann will be playing at a high level when he’s 35? A $15-20mil level?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
2:44 pm
He’s not old yet, but may be at the end of a deal, if it’s 5+ years. He plays a demanding position, no opportunity to DH or play another position regularly… it adds up. I wouldn’t be comfortable guaranteeing him 15+mil for his age 34 seasons and beyond. Lock him up til then, then go year by year after that or whatever. Some players may stay healthy and produce well into their 30s, but with him playing C, it has me a bit worried.
3 or 4 years, 15mil AAV. But I’m afraid that some other team can beat that. He’s gonna be 30 in July of 2014, this is his chance to cash out if he wants.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
2:47 pm
He played 121 last year, I’d say he’s probably going to be at 120 max this season. Depends on when he gets back. 22 games a month. If he isn’t back til May 1, that’s 110. The earliest they say he can be back is 2 weeks into the season, so that’d be 121.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
December 20th, 2012
2:48 pm
If the Braves thought Mac was done they wouldn’t have picked up his (expensive) option. I think there is commitment in both directions. Unless something horrible happens to him this year, he will be resigned.
RC
December 20th, 2012
2:50 pm
Is this Phillies/Mike Adams story old, or did it just come out? Hadn’t seen that he signed with them, but I’m pretty shocked by the terms ($12M/2 years, with a $6.5M vesting option for year 3). For a team that thinks the free agent outfield prices are “too high”, it’s surprising to see them dropping $6 million a year on a setup man/middle reliever.
Real Talk
December 20th, 2012
2:50 pm
Kee-rist, Murph, he’s twenty-bleepin’-eight, LOL. Look around the league at how many 30+ (heck, even 35+) catchers are playing. McCann is old?!? Come on.
According to http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/position/c/minage/30 only 4 over the age of 30 started out of the 30 starting catchers, just to understand what Murph is saying
Heath
December 20th, 2012
2:50 pm
Picking up his option this year and letting him walk next mutually exclusive. This year, no good internal options… Next year, they have some
nolie
December 20th, 2012
2:50 pm
not sure why you think that. outside of last year, he walks a fine amount, with a very similar BB% to dan uggla. (about 1 % point difference) DAP
313, 322,331,298
354,369,311,346
how hard is it to see the difference in the last 4 years?
TennesseePaul
December 20th, 2012
2:50 pm
Do you McCann will be playing at a high level when he’s 35? A $15-20mil level?
35… the last year of the hypothetical contract? Does it matter? I’d question the team if they signed him to a 10 year deal at the age of 30. But, I don’t think he’ll receive such an offer from any team. Not even Joe Mauer is signed past age 35.
I’m curious Murph, do you think McCann will be good for the first 3 years of that contract? 2 years? 4 years? Zero years? I’m interested to know what production you expect from him post 2013.
Murph
December 20th, 2012
2:51 pm
I’m waiting for someone to throw AJ Pierzynski’s numbers from last season at me… just make sure, before you do, that you look at the 2 previous seasons as well. And his contract.
nolie
December 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
I see Yuup is here, can Yep be far behind?
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
December 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
And furthermore, where are all the folks wondering how the Braves are going to replace Chipper’s “veteran presence”? Well, if you want that, you’ve got to keep somebody around. Mac’s your guy.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
LOL!
Dayton from Nebraska @BravesAmerica
The Marlins now have BOTH Placido Polanco AND Juan Pierre?! Look out 60 wins, here comes Miami!
Wes Jorga
December 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
Since game winning hits are no longer valued as they were in the past, what is the best metric to rate “clutch” hitters. Hitting with runners on base is the best I can come up with. Does anyone know what is used and who are the better clutch players currently playing?
Brava
December 20th, 2012
2:55 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves Teheran & Delgado are done w/ winter ball for season. Teheran 2-1 w/ 3.23 ERA in 7 starts, Delgado 0-4 w/ 5.40 ERA in 7g (6 starts)
Murph
December 20th, 2012
2:55 pm
I’m curious Murph, do you think McCann will be good for the first 3 years of that contract? 2 years? 4 years? Zero years? I’m interested to know what production you expect from him post 2013.
No way to even take a guess at that until we see how he comes back from his surgery. He may be the old BMac… or he may just be an old BMac. Hard to say.
If he comes back reasonably well I’d love to see the team wrap him up for 3 years with an option for a 4th. I don’t think that deal gets done, though.
TennesseePaul
December 20th, 2012
2:55 pm
He’s not old yet, but may be at the end of a deal, if it’s 5+ years
Ha! Genius TOBF. True brilliance. Are you worried that the team might try to re-up him at the end of his next contract for equal or more money, or do just like musing about the correlation in increasing age with passing time?
Brava
December 20th, 2012
2:56 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves Teheran was dominant in last 3 starts in D.R. winter league, allowing 2 hits and 4 walks w/ 15 K’s in 16-2/3 scoreless innings.
David O'Brien
December 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
Teheran and Delgado are finished with winter ball for the season. Teheran went 2-1 with a 3.23 ERA in 7 starts, and Delgado was 0-4 w/ 5.40 ERA in 7 games (6 starts), both for Licey in Dominican Republic.
Teheran was dominant in his last three starts, allowing 2 hits and 4 walks with 15 K’s in 16-2/3 scoreless innings.
Real Talk
December 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
Murph it looks as though that might be the best any catcher could get at his age…only 4 starting catchers over 30 in the league last season. I think its a 4 year contarct with a mutual option on the 4th year, but alot depends on how he bounces back
old man
December 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
Trying to figure a “double split” on Venable, away from PETCO, versus righties only: .284/.350/.481/.831. Of course, it’s a guesstimate.
If his RF play translates to LF, he looks like a double plus defender.
And fast as greased lightening. Like a left-handed Bourjos, with less pop, and can’t play CF?
I think he just gives you some insurance on the LF/3B question. You would bring in 4 guys, and you would let them duke it out for one or two spots, full time or platoon. Just go in with no pre-conceived plan–let the players figure it out on their own.
But what do you pay for “just insurance?” Either way, he at least has trade value later.
In San Diego, he’s playing every day, and eventually he’ll get a FA payday just by attrition. Here, he might end up not being a starter. Boy, would he be motivated to stay on the FA express a couple of more years.
I could see a Venable/Gattis platoon, with Prado or Simmons hitting lead off some.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves Teheran & Delgado are done w/ winter ball for season. Teheran 2-1 w/ 3.23 ERA in 7 starts, Delgado 0-4 w/ 5.40 ERA in 7g (6 starts)
Keep Teheran, trade Delgado
Picking up the option doesn’t mean that Mac isn’t cooked… doesn’t mean that he isn’t either. We had no other options this year, and his contract is reasonable. 1 yr, 12mil. 5-6 years at over 15mil may not be.
Efrim
December 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
The replacement need not be a free agent, however. So the “money” could be available for a younger, equally productive, cheaper player. But the question at that point would be, are the trade pieces there?
Well, from what I read, it’s not as great of a farm system as it used to be but that it’s okay, since it’s the same farm system that graduated Heyward and Freeman.
So because Heyward became a major leaguer in 2010 after being drafted in 2007, we get a pass on the level of our farm system until 2020 when he is 31 years old…………….
BraveDan
December 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
Brava
December 20th, 2012
2:20 pm
Photo of some Braves at the Hawks game last night
How about the Thunder from OKC? Sweet victory!!!!
brian
December 20th, 2012
3:02 pm
exactly cab – not saying it will happen for BMAC. I just don’t want him to cut his career short by wearing his body out prematurely catching all the time. I think he needs to be somewhere where he can catch a few games, play a few at 1B, and DH some so he is always in the lineup, just not catching all the time.
I know he loves to catch and has worked so very hard on it but his body is showing signs of wear and tear. Not just this year but his bat fading in crunch time is just the punishment of catching.
TennesseePaul
December 20th, 2012
3:02 pm
just make sure, before you do, that you look at the 2 previous seasons as well.
Just reviewed it, AJ maintained a consistent level of performance throughout his 30s.
He hit .280/.317/.423/.740 with a 93 OPS+ for his age 30-35 seasons.
From age 25 through 29 seasons AJ hit .287/.330/.435/.765 with a 98 OPS+
So AJ had about a 5% drop in his 30s. If McCann follows the same curve, he’d produce at the level of a 112 OPS+ as a catcher in his 30s.
Real Talk
December 20th, 2012
3:02 pm
Delgado SHOULD be traded!!!
old man
December 20th, 2012
3:02 pm
What would SD want for Venable?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
3:03 pm
Are you worried that the team might try to re-up him at the end of his next contract for equal or more money
No, after those 5 years, the $$ he would get on a new deal likely wouldn’t be high… but I am concerned that he may not be very productive for the last 2+ years on a 5+ year deal. May cause us to be unable to keep Heyward and Freeman later on, as we’d have to pay Mac and another guy to start at C.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
3:03 pm
Kevin Burkhardt @KBurkhardtSNY
Heard the #Mets are very interested in Grady Sizemore. He’s coming off microfracture surgery, but I would def take a shot w him.
old man
December 20th, 2012
3:05 pm
What if the Braves had 3 guys knocking the crap out of the ball in ST, all so good that a platoon makes no sense, and we have to throw a dart and pick someone for LF/3B?
So we end up with two hot commodities to trade for pitching or prospects.
So if it turns out you did not need all those bodies in there competing, you’re still in great shape.
brian
December 20th, 2012
3:05 pm
scoots – McCann has more mileage than many of those 30+ catchers like David Ross, etc. McCann hit the league young and has logged a lot of innings. His bat was so valuable he had to be in the lineup many times when he should have had a break
TennesseePaul
December 20th, 2012
3:05 pm
No way to even take a guess at that until we see how he comes back from his surgery. He may be the old BMac… or he may just be an old BMac. Hard to say.
Which is probably a large reason why the team isn’t announcing they extended McCann. Both will wait until the season is over and go from there. If’n he’s back to being McCann, he’s worth the investment. Obviously this team has a threshold/limit on what they’ll pay a player. So we’ll just have to see how that plays out. But that doesn’t mean, if McCann returns well, the team should not even try.
H&R Block
December 20th, 2012
3:05 pm
with Prado due a big contract & Freeman & Heyward arbitration eligible, like Medlin, in the near future, McCann will not be getting a big contract from the Braves after 2013.
Unless Uggla’s remaining contract could be unloaded on somebody, though highly unlikely.
nolie
December 20th, 2012
3:05 pm
Stew ranks all GMs 1-30 on sexiness. You gotta take a look: DOB
Frank will be devastated
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
3:07 pm
If he comes back reasonably well I’d love to see the team wrap him up for 3 years with an option for a 4th.
That’d be perfect, I’d even up the AAV to 16 or 17mil… but he’d really have to want to stay. AL teams could offer him more years with the DH
Efrim
December 20th, 2012
3:07 pm
Sure hope we don’t need a starter by 2014 that isn’t currently in the organization(I think we will). Not gonna be easy to fill 3B, C, LF, and SP.
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
3:09 pm
Photo of some Braves at the Hawks game last night…
I just burst out laughing at one comment that says “It’s time for Hanson to go watch the Lakers”
Ha!
nolie
December 20th, 2012
3:11 pm
WIGN would we want Venebal?
Murph
December 20th, 2012
3:11 pm
If McCann returns to be a 95-100 OPS+ player for the remainder of his career, is that worth $15mil a season? Not trying to be snarky, I really have no idea.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
December 20th, 2012
3:11 pm
Efrim, look for that starter at the trade deadline 2013.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
3:12 pm
Looks like Pierzynski had 5571 innings at C by age 28; Mac already has 8014
Like Mac, AJ first appeared in the MLB at age 21, but wasn’t a full time starter til age 24. Mac was a starter basically right away.
nolie
December 20th, 2012
3:14 pm
never in my life saw so much hate for a yearly allstar than here against Mac
Efrim
December 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
WIGN would we want Venebal?
Honestly, I think I am ready to eat my arm rather than to see a Johnson/Francisco platoon and a $83 million dollar payroll be there on opening day. I mean, we went from 2012 Bourn/Chipper/94 wins -> “premium player” talk -> B.J. Upton AND ANOTHER FIRST ROUNDER GIVEN UP -> lots of rumors -> Juan Francisco and Reed Johnson as the LF/3B platoon…..
I’ll take Will Venable. He’s certainly better than Bonifacio and that platoon based on Winter League performance.
DAP
December 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
nolie 313, 322,331,298
354,369,311,346
how hard is it to see the difference in the last 4 years?
thats OBP, we were talking about walks.
but, if you want to talk OBP,
upton career: .336
uggla career: .343
besides, it really isnt hard to see that uggla and upton are generally the same type of hitter. i didnt think that was controversial.
RC
December 20th, 2012
3:18 pm
Sure hope we don’t need a starter by 2014 that isn’t currently in the organization(I think we will). Not gonna be easy to fill 3B, C, LF, and SP.
While it’s very likely that we’ll need to fill one of those spots, I don’t think the team will need to fill all of them.
In my opinion, it’s highly likely that all the SP the team has in 2014 are already in the org. Medlen, Minor, Beachy, Teheran, Delgao, Graham, Gilmartin, possibly even Sims and Wood…..I think 5 of that group will be productive enough to make up a rotation by 2014.
3b depends entirely on whether or not Prado can be extended. If he can, great. If he can’t, the team may be in trouble.
LF could go any number of ways. At this point I’d say the most likely is that Gattis is starting by 2014, filling the role they way Ryan Kelsko did once upon a time (terrible in the field, but enough bat to make you live with the defense). It’s also possible that Uggla eventually slides to LF and Ahmed or someone else is the new 2b.
That leaves us with C. Seems very likely that McCann will be gone, and I’m not willing to put the chances that Bethancourt will be ready by 2014 (or ever) at greater than 30% right now. That said, if we have to “slum it” at catcher for a short time, it’s probably one of the better positions to be in that situation. There are plenty of defense first guys kicking around in AAA, and having one hole in the lineup is acceptable, if not optimal.
Efrim
December 20th, 2012
3:18 pm
Gaurav (GA)
Lots of praise for Gattis this offseason here in Atlanta, what do you see his actual ceiling being? Can he legitimately be a starting LF?
Klaw (3:14 PM)
Extra guy. Not an everyday LF. If he could catch, that would be a different story, but he can’t, and he’s just a power bat off the bench.
He just hates us. All of us. Every Braves fan. What a jerk……
nolie
December 20th, 2012
3:21 pm
but, if you want to talk OBP,
upton career: .336
uggla career: .343
LAST FOUR YEARS. guy. wat more important than career totls here.
Upton’s first two seasons totally skew those career totals. He has not been the guy in ages.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
3:23 pm
Brett Taylor @BleacherNation
RT @CSNMooney: #Cubs have signed Edwin Jackson (four years, $52 million) and Carlos Villanueva, pending physicals.
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
3:23 pm
Never in my life saw so much hate for a yearly allstar than here against Mac.
Kind of disturbing seeing so many on here blasting McCann, and yet we are always reading ridiculous trade proposals expressing interest in the lowest level of scum players around the majors.
Efrim
December 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports that the Cubs have signed free agent right-hander Edwin Jackson to a four-year, $52 million contract.
nolie
December 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
that is the most likely level of all three Mejia, Francisco and Gattis. but we can hope
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
3:26 pm
4/52 for EJax to Cubs.
Wow
nolie
December 20th, 2012
3:26 pm
this steeenking damn site
nolie
December 20th, 2012
3:28 pm
another indication of how the salaries have been outta sight this year.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
3:29 pm
Ken Davidoff @KenDavidoff
The #Mets have reached out to the reps of free agents LHP Francisco Liriano and RHP Carl Pavano, among many others, to replace R.A. Dickey.
DAP
December 20th, 2012
3:39 pm
RC Sure hope we don’t need a starter by 2014 that isn’t currently in the organization(I think we will). Not gonna be easy to fill 3B, C, LF, and SP.
While it’s very likely that we’ll need to fill one of those spots, I don’t think the team will need to fill all of them.
let me add, that we do have a MLB catcher under contract for 2014. you dont want Laird to be back there full time, but he can handle it half the time, or so. the C spot can be adequately filled inexpensively. anyone other than McCann would be a drop off anyways.
Murph
December 20th, 2012
3:40 pm
never in my life saw so much hate for a yearly allstar than here against Mac
Are you taking my posts as hate? If so, you couldn’t be more wrong. I like Mac a lot. I just question, given the other holes that are likely to exist in the lineup for 2014, if signing him to a big, expensive contract extension is the best move.
That’s not hate. I haven’t once called him fat, bald, worthless, etc. At least not today.
RC
December 20th, 2012
3:41 pm
EJax + $2 million/yr = Upton? Yeah, Braves did good by moving when they did.