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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,304 comments Add your comment
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
9:44 pm
wren offers every brave multi year deals, figures they might as well go out hapy
nolie
December 20th, 2012
9:44 pm
Fn Internal Server Error again. It is kinda amazing how crappy this site really is. Like the dawn of the interner era when everything was hit and miss, not its just this site that is that way
Zing
December 20th, 2012
9:46 pm
So, Efrim, based on that starting rotation you list for Gwinnett, I take it you anticipate Delgado beating out Teheran for the fifth starter spot?
nolie
December 20th, 2012
9:46 pm
those are some pretty big swallows, can they still fly after eating all that?
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
9:50 pm
its amazing how much better one day can feel than the last
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
9:52 pm
sure they can
Hugo Z Hackenbush
December 20th, 2012
9:52 pm
If only the Braves’ website would start its own blog…
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
9:52 pm
sure they can
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 20th, 2012
9:54 pm
time to become hardcore fans of the Gwinnett Braves… they is stacked yo.
I hope Sims comes to Rome next year… wanna lay eyes on him
Hugo Z Hackenbush
December 20th, 2012
9:55 pm
Sounds like Gondeee has been smokin the wacky tobacky…
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/12/20/3787858/a-scenario-for-bourn-to-return-to-the-braves
Frank Wren
December 20th, 2012
9:55 pm
My carefully thought out strategy is to play golf in South Fla. until March, then return to Atlanta and sign somebody to play LF. After that I plan to play more golf.
George_George
December 20th, 2012
9:59 pm
Zing
December 20th, 2012
8:00 pm
Incidentally, responding to a comment a while ago re: complaining about the one-game “playoff” for the two WC teams: It was people constantly pointing out the stupidity of the BCS system that finally generated enough public opinion to force the system to change. If enough people start getting annoyed/disillusioned b/c of the idiocy of the system that they stop watching baseball playoffs (I did after the Braves lost this year, but that had more to do with my absolute disgust over the umpiring decisions in that game), then it starts hitting the bottom line, and change can happen.
Or, we could just shut up and tolerate the moronic system that is currently in place without complaint. Can’t do it without being complicit in the system in my view, though.
ALSO, this is a darn blog, we’re entitled to crank as much as we want!
********************************************************************************
Yup I was put down by a blogger and by DOB himself just because I said I did not like the single playin game.
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
9:59 pm
still havent got to talk with my doc but hes gonna make a decision after the first of the yeatr whether i get the pacemaker for my diaphragm, it sure beats the alternative, and if im gonna go id rather go on the operating table trying to stay semi normal for another 18 months than fading away in a morphine bath
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
10:03 pm
My carefully thought out strategy is to play golf in South Fla. until March, then return to Atlanta and sign somebody to play LF. After that I plan to play more golf.
That is genius, Frank!
Zing
December 20th, 2012
10:06 pm
Cheers, George.
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:11 pm
buddy carlyle to the blue jays
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:13 pm
hes probably the piece that puts them over the top………:)
George_George
December 20th, 2012
10:15 pm
Zing
December 20th, 2012
10:06 pm
Thank you for the support. It so sick to finish six games better than the other team and not make the playoffs because of a single game. I would not like the rule even if we had been the team six games behind and won the game. As a matter of fact two WC teams should NOT play each other in that series, and I will keep saying it.
Brava
December 20th, 2012
10:15 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
A.J. Pierzynski’s 1-yr deal #rangers deal is worth about $7M
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:33 pm
all right we got to get the blog to the superbowl party in narlins
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:33 pm
chippers hosting
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:34 pm
how olds aj 37?
keyLargo
December 20th, 2012
10:35 pm
Watching ESPN’s “30 for 30″ about Bo Jackson playing football and baseball. Still gives me goose bumps to see how great he was in both sports. He led the league a couple of times in K’s by the way.
Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year.
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:35 pm
whered every1 go
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:36 pm
evenings have been stayiong lighter for over a week now mornings still shorter though
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:38 pm
guess everyones at rhe end of the civilization party, although that happened about 4 elections ago
ncgary
December 20th, 2012
10:40 pm
too early for the late crew and too late for the early crew
Venice Jim
December 20th, 2012
10:43 pm
ncgary – somehow I have totally avoided posting on this particular blog despite being around half the time. Hoping your decision works as best as can be hoped for…
SteveInFXBG
December 20th, 2012
10:49 pm
Looks like Gattis finished tonight’s game 2 for 3, with a HR, K, BB and 3 RBI. Mejia was 1 for 4 with a K and RBI.
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
11:05 pm
I’ve been seeing Gattis ABs and to be honest, even though I’m totally sold on the guy, he definitely looks good at the plate, very disciplined. I hope he does great during ST and earns a spot either as a bench bat or as the LFer in case the Braves don’t make a trade.
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
11:07 pm
That should’ve read I’m NOT* totally sold on the guy
Blog Monitor
December 20th, 2012
11:24 pm
kenhotlanta,
being the music aficionado you are, are you familiar at all with the following band?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_roc1h9OCQ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asM8683vfzM
Nick
December 20th, 2012
11:26 pm
Might as well give Gattis a shot. This team won’t contend this year, might as well give the young guys a chance.
SteveInFXBG
December 20th, 2012
11:32 pm
I’m starting to buy into the idea of giving Gattis a shot. He’s got a nice looking swing from the youtube videos out there – very quick.
SNEAKY PETE
December 20th, 2012
11:40 pm
The trouble with giving Gattis a shot IMO, is what happens if that shot turns out to be a blank
Tomas
December 20th, 2012
11:42 pm
Nolie, I agree Shin Soo Choo is more valuable, but they also pursued Denard Span, Ben Revere, it’s actually better to have a lefty at the leadoff spot, after the signing of Upton they have a balanced lineup.
I’m just saying, the lefty thing isn’t really an issue
kenhotlanta
December 20th, 2012
11:44 pm
Blog Monitor: Yes, I remember them from the mid to late 70’s. Their first 2 albums were pretty good and I believe they used Queen’s producer. They were similar to UFO and the Scorpions, and I haven’t heard them in years, but I enjoyed the 2 songs you posted.
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
11:48 pm
The trouble with giving Gattis a shot IMO, is what happens if that shot turns out to be a blank.
Then they can always go back to the Prado/Johnson/Francisco platoon anytime and try to trade for someone at the break if possible. They’ll have “payroll flexibility” after all.
JC Brave
December 20th, 2012
11:50 pm
I’m starting to buy into the idea of giving Gattis a shot. He’s got a nice looking swing from the youtube videos out there – very quick.
Nice and quick swing indeed. Looks good.
Wes Jorga
December 20th, 2012
11:55 pm
DOB tweets that Gattis’s AA manager says he does ok in OF, decent range and good arm.
SNEAKY PETE
December 20th, 2012
11:55 pm
well if this is it, it’s been great knowing you fellow Braves fans
SNEAKY PETE
December 20th, 2012
11:56 pm
What if Francisci is also mediocre or worse?
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2012
12:01 am
Nolie, I agree Shin Soo Choo is more valuable, but they also pursued Denard Span, Ben Revere, it’s actually better to have a lefty at the leadoff spot, after the signing of Upton they have a balanced lineup.
I’m just saying, the lefty thing isn’t really an issue — Tomas
No, it’s not an issue — if the lefty in question is a leadoff hitter, as the Braves would’ve used Span, Choo or Revere. All leadoff guys, or would’ve been if the Braves had gotten one of them.
But if the hitter is not a leadoff guy, the lefty thing really is an issue. Maybe not with you, but it is with the people that actually matter in this. Team officials. The ones who’ll decide whether to trade or sign the guy. And I was told again this week, they really want to avoid adding another left-handed middle-of-the-order hitter.
You and others here can continue to insist it’d be a balanced lineup if they added a fourth lefty regardless, and ignore the fact that if they added another (fourth) lefty middle-of-the-order hitter it would be anything but balanced. But you ignoring it and/or insisting the situation is something is however you see it, isn’t going to change the fact that team decision-makers don’t view it that way.
keyLargo
December 21st, 2012
12:06 am
What if Francisco and Gattis hit 50 HR’s between them? I can dream.
Here’s a good look at Gattis in the Ven. League.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gABm2sAh2go
keyLargo
December 21st, 2012
12:09 am
DOB
What do you think of Klaw’’s view on Gattis as a LFer below?
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.
Tomas
December 21st, 2012
12:14 am
I know this comment usually gets a “feel free to ignore it” from DOB, let’s just try to not put too much on winter ball results.
Juan Francisco has always had strong performances in D.R. and it really hasn’t translated. First time he has lost some weight and had more plate disciplined though.
DR has good players, but until we see it in spring training and then regular season, we have to assume he is still the same player he was this past year, who might only be just okay as a platoon player. Gattis well even if he does make the club he will have a lot of ups and downs adjusting to MLB, he hasn’t played over AA. Ideally Braves start him in AAA and he prove he can hit AAA pitching and then call him up mid season for an extra bat vs lefties, maybe a few starts at catcher and LF and boost a playoff run.
Nationals and Phillies are too strong this year to try out a weird platoon with Gattis, Francisco, and Prado to start the season
Tomas
December 21st, 2012
12:39 am
DOB I agree, really they should only sign or trade for a leadoff hitter, if they can’t do that they should just stick with what they have.
For example those Cody Ross rumors, why would they sign a right handed power hitting outfielder for north of 3 years 24 million when money is tight when Evan Gattis might be ready in a year and he is exactly that, a power hitting LF, it may just be a little to early.
richbrave
December 21st, 2012
12:50 am
Had to stay up to see if the MAYANS were correct. Guess they weren’t.
richbrave
December 21st, 2012
1:00 am
“……keyLargo
December 21st, 2012
12:06 am
What if Francisco and Gattis hit 50 HR’s between them? I can dream.
Here’s a good look at Gattis in the Ven. League.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gABm2sAh2go……”
Looks like they’re pitching him in and low. Better not drift out over the plate huh?
Add MEJIA as a bench bat, and between the three let’s look at 90 HR’s. Heh!
Ken Stallings
December 21st, 2012
1:04 am
Ah, yep, you got me on that one, David! I failed to note last night that this was just for 2012.
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2012
1:40 am
Had to stay up to see if the MAYANS were correct. Guess they weren’t.
You mean the Mayans from Sons of Anarchy? Pretty rough MC. Nice bikes, all with the ape-hanger handlebars.
Ward
December 21st, 2012
1:45 am
Hello everyone! richbrave – I saw the HR hit by Gattis, and I’m sold, and I’m a believer. Gattis “The White Bear”. Our LF in 2013.
uga-brave
December 21st, 2012
1:45 am
anyone else think Homeland has jumped the shark.
really he parked the the car at lanlgely and no person with cameras saw him move it?
uga-brave
December 21st, 2012
2:02 am
pretty sure we all agree that we are better offf with simmons.
SNEAKY PETE
December 21st, 2012
2:02 am
no, great show
Ward
December 21st, 2012
2:10 am
I’m O.k. with Francisco sharing the LF, and 3rd base too. Francisco is crushing the ball too. Gattis, and Francisco. Lot’s of pop, and I think they would fit in well with the Braves. Both guys’ are crushing the ball now. I’m willing to accept the try out, and see what happens? Better than spending money on some player that does’t perform.
uga-brave
December 21st, 2012
2:11 am
the fact that smilin thought pastornicky could actulally play should scare you.
Ward
December 21st, 2012
2:13 am
Why can’t Simmons lead off? He has speed, and showed he can get on base, and create all kinds of problems. I like the idea of trying Simmons in the lead off.
Ward
December 21st, 2012
2:14 am
If we don’t have to spend money, or trade now, why bother. Give Gattis, and francisco a chance, and sart Simmons leading off. I’m good with it, and will accept it.
uga-brave
December 21st, 2012
2:14 am
83 million that will be our payroll. dont kid your self.
Ward
December 21st, 2012
2:17 am
Why bother givng up your farm system for over priced, and hyped players? Braves have always been a home grown team from their farm system. I say wait until Middle of the season next year, and see if a trade needs to be done?
Ward
December 21st, 2012
2:20 am
Let’s see what Gattis, and Francsico brings us? It should be a lot of fun! All have a good one! Talk tomorrow, and Trust in Gattis, and Francisco……Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
uga-brave
December 21st, 2012
2:24 am
those funds are earmarked for a premium player at the deadline.
uga-brave
December 21st, 2012
2:30 am
Prado money. if anyone thinks that dude should not be paid is crazy.
uga-brave
December 21st, 2012
2:36 am
how about signing bourn for one more season at whatever, and having the beast defensive outfield in baseball.
uga-brave
December 21st, 2012
2:40 am
if we are serious about winning, why not? bourn in center leading off. upton in left and heyward in right.
kenhotlanta
December 21st, 2012
2:49 am
My problem with Homeland is I don’t like or trust most of the characters, so it is hard for me to invest in the series. Kinda like how Boardwalk Empire became this year.
SNEAKY PETE
December 21st, 2012
3:10 am
I don’t think you are supposed to trust any of the characters thus the suspense of what might happen next
SNEAKY PETE
December 21st, 2012
3:13 am
I think that is essential part to that tyoe of drama, I don’t trust any of the characters in Sons of Anarchy either
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
5:33 am
Wren’s usually made his major acquisitions by now, right? Anything extra would be for a middle reliever or someone like that.What we see right now is the team… a platoon where we yank Prado
Martin Prado
December 21st, 2012
6:41 am
I’m tired of getting yanked around on this team. Free agency cannot happen quick enough !
JasonInFL
December 21st, 2012
7:30 am
If the Braves make a move for a LF, I think it will be Fowler. If they can find a compromise, I think the Braves will overpay some, but not at the price of Delgado and Minor, obviously. But, if the Rox come down at all, I do think FW will give up more than he normally would.
Fowler has been working out with several Bravos this offseason too. I think he would be a good defensive LF, get on base at a pretty good clip, and score some runs. I think it will be Fowler or the internal options.
JasonInFL
December 21st, 2012
7:30 am
DOB, you get me a couple of tickets to a game this year and I will fly up to the Atl and fix this damn blog.
old man
December 21st, 2012
7:34 am
Well, Martin Prado mouthing off his displeasure in public now!!
Prado for Stanton, straight up.
old man
December 21st, 2012
7:55 am
The Braves have a couple of options right now, maybe even three. We are not a team with with a completely empty hole. We are not as desperate as some other teams might feel. So Wren is quite right not to overpay. We have perhaps missed a couple of players because we refused to overpay.
Ultimately, Wren will acquire someone like Bonifacio or Venable to add into the Spring Training mix, to increase the chances of ending up with a solid 8th player in the lineup every day. Or, he will make a big deal that supersedes Gattis, Francisco, Johnson, etc.
Either way, he will not overpay. So everyone can untwist their bloomers.
Ray
December 21st, 2012
8:00 am
I read a couple of places that Scott Boras is holding firm at the 90-100m range for Bourn.
Mrs Schafer
December 21st, 2012
8:19 am
How come nobody is talking up Jordan Schafer for the LF and leadoff position ?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
8:27 am
cuz Schafer is a twit… he sukks bad. no hit tool at all
Rick C
December 21st, 2012
8:28 am
JasonInFL, Fowler is not rated as a strong defender and he’s never played LF professionally.
Mrs Schafer, because he’s not a very good player.
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
8:31 am
Fowler is coming off a great season with the Rockies. Hitting 300 with a 863 OPS, 3 years of control left as well. I highly doubt they will lower the asking price. He’s actually a bright spot on there pathetic roster and is fairly cheap.
It was reported a while back that they wanted Mike Minor plus one of Delgado or Teheran…. Which is flat out crazy. Wren would likely give up Delgado or Teheran for him straight up, hell he might even add another lower prospect in the deal.
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
8:33 am
It cost the Phillies a young 5th starter Worley and a prospect to land Ben Revere who I would put well below Fowler in terms of value.
JasonInFL
December 21st, 2012
8:37 am
He plays CF in a very expansive OF. My point is he will be a better defensive LF in the ATL OF than he was a CF in Coors.
Bobbymahlon
December 21st, 2012
8:37 am
Dadgum 12/18/12 @10:20 pm I agree with everything you say not that I’m the judge but just someone who has been a Braves fan for years and watches every game in a little town in South Carolina called Greenwood. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BRAVES.
JasonInFL
December 21st, 2012
8:39 am
VA, agree. I think if the Rox would take Teheran/Delgado and another pitching prospect not named Graham, Wren will do it. He is obviously not going to include 2 starters out of his existing rotation.
keyLargo
December 21st, 2012
8:40 am
The worst thing that ever happened to Schafer was when he hit a towering HR about 425 feet opening day in 2009. After that he thought he was a power hitter and it destroyed what he actually is – a guy who has to slap the ball through the infield, bunt and steal bases.
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
8:45 am
LF S Fowler
3B R Prado
RF L Heyward
CF R Upton
1B L Freeman
2B R Uggla
C L McCann
SS R Simmons
That is as balanced as you can get right there. Tho I’d perfer to just have Freeman bat cleanup, cause Upton and Uggla I don’t view as cleanup guys.
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
8:52 am
Fowler would still be solid away from Coors, main question mark would likely be his Slugging. I still think he’d be able to hit around 275/345 with 15-20 SB. Play a damn good LF as well.
Rick C
December 21st, 2012
8:58 am
“Fowler would still be solid away from Coors, main question mark would likely be his Slugging. I still think he’d be able to hit around 275/345 with 15-20 SB. Play a damn good LF as well.”
He has hit 248 with a 331 OBP away from Coors in his career. Why would his AVG suddenly go up 30 points? He hasn’t had more than 13 SBs since 2009 and his CS% is not good. He’s a poor defensive player, and I guess I can see the argument that LF will be easier, but he’s never played there professionally. There’s no reason to think he’ll suddenly become a strong defender.
Mrs Schafer
December 21st, 2012
9:05 am
Mr. Wren has told me and my boy that Jordie will be given opportunity to win the LF job. Jordie has impressed Bobby Cox at some of those simulated games they’ve had this off season at Turner Field, working with Greg Walker.
I know my boy and know full well what he can do when he puts his mind to it.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
9:06 am
Look at his 2009, 2011, and 2012… .717, .782, .720. He may not be the player he was in Colorado, but those numbers are better than Bourns career OPS. .740 OPS right there (About BJs career, what Bourn provided last year)
And who knows, maybe getting him out of that park will make him hit more consistently on the road… hitting in Coors for 81, then trying to hit in other parks is difficult. Not the worst acquisition.
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
9:10 am
Fowler has a good walk rate and the overall tools to be better. Also factor in his age, about the time he could take another step forward. He’s not been terrible away from Coors his whole career… He’s been up and down.
2011 Away Line 286/367/415/782
2012 Away Line 262/339/381/720
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
9:19 am
Just did a calculation on his stats the last 4 years, take out 2009 which was a bad outlier (.595 OPS on the road)… I get this…
769 Road PAs, 670 ABs. 176 hits, 83 walks. 118 singles, 34 doubles, 17 triples, 7 HR…
leads to a road line of .262/.337/.396/.733
And I guess we can expect him to do better than that once he leaves Coors for good. Not too bad imo. Just wouldn’t give up Teheran/Delgado for him… leadoff type.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
9:22 am
outlier of 2010…
Efrim
December 21st, 2012
9:22 am
As I’ve said with Prado – Six years, $63 million is what I’d be looking for in an extension now that I’ve seen these ridiculous contracts handed out. $8 million in my last year of arbitration and a five year, $55 million dollar extension. That’d probably be the floor for me if I was his agent. That’s a total AAV of $10.5M. That would take him through his age 34 year old season. Not sure if the Braves will be willing to do that. If they get him for less than that, they should be pretty happy.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
9:23 am
shoulda extended him last season…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
9:25 am
Dude’s got a high BABIP… .353 career, .339 on the road. In 2010, when he had those poor road numbers, his BABIP was .276
.375 in 2009, .377 in 2011, .369 in 2012. He’s keeping it up there, so shouldn’t be too worried, I guess
keyLargo
December 21st, 2012
9:27 am
This “outlier” BS is getting out of hand. The definition of outlier on this blog is to eliminate good or bad performances which don’t agree with your point of view. Well, it’s BS to eliminate good or bad performances over a year or two, and then average up what’s left and call it a real representation of a players performance.
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
9:30 am
Boy next offseason could be even rougher. LF, 3B, C, and SP could all be needs.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 21st, 2012
9:30 am
looks like with his LD and GB%, plus his speed, that’s quite normal for him… .345-.350. Not too much to worry about
Martin Prado
December 21st, 2012
9:31 am
“As I’ve said with Prado – Six years, $63 million is what I’d be looking for in an extension” – Efrim
I’d better call Scott Boras to be my agent. I know he can get me the money I deserve. After I leave the Braves they’ll be left with Uggla and the other wannabe slluggers.