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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,304 comments Add your comment
brian
December 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
For what it is worth, I do not think any “expert” slammed the braves for signing BJ. Most seem to feel we are getting him as he hits his peak years and that he is a good fit
Tom O'Hawke
December 18th, 2012
10:26 pm
nolie
I didn’t realize you were really getting worked up over this. I’ll stop messing with you.
Actually, I have some kitchen work to do, so I’ll take a powder for now.
Curt
December 18th, 2012
10:29 pm
I wonder if Giancarlo Stanton is totally out of the picture. I know that he is about the only star left in Miami and that he does not cost them much so keeping him is something the Marlins probably want to do. At the same time, the Marlins need pitching and the Braves have an abundance of starting pitching so a trade like this seems worth pursuing for both sides. I’m sure Stanton wouldn’t mind getting out of there.
Mark
December 18th, 2012
10:29 pm
Upton is a speeder version of Uggla minus the walks and we can try to spin it all we want with youth …but Upton isn’t an upgrade from Bourn. IMO
Ralph
December 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
GREAT BLOG DOB -I hope we stand pat with what we have unless we could somehow trade Uggla and McCann which is very doubtful. I can’t wait to see Majai and Gattis in a Braves uniform. I see the weakest link on this team as Uggla and McCann, just hope they surprise the hell out of me because we are stuck with them, NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE REST OF THE TEAM.
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
I think BJ will do ok here, but I’m not sure how one can look at the stagnant last 4 years and decide he is peaking. I guess it depends on what matters to you in a player.
Chief Knock-A-Homa
December 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
What has happened to the possibility of Corey Hart being available from the Brewers??
And, it seems like more and more, when Wren pulls the trigger on a deal, it’s been something that hasn’t been being talked about at all…
DOB – do you see anything potentially happening that no one would see coming?? Give us your best guess!
nolie
December 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
I was just kidding about the meds Tom, based on the fact that I was sounding too serious.
Not really all worked up ol’ buddy
though I was serious about the close-enough attitude
jed
December 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
we will miss the michael bourn we saw in the first half of the season, but certainly not the bourn we had for second half. i wouldnt have re-signed him either for the money he’s seeking.
JHarber
December 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
If Stanton is traded he will will be a Texas Ranger, Mark it down.
MFin04
December 18th, 2012
10:35 pm
I’m sold. Screw it and go with those two Mexican Ball dudes in LF and lets play ball. No use in overpaying for lesser talents.
AdirondackDave
December 18th, 2012
10:37 pm
Thanks, Wilson.
Mark
December 18th, 2012
10:39 pm
I would not have signed Bourn either for the money and years they want because of his age and the fact that he Ks too much. ut to suggest that Upton is better, or even as good, as Bourn is a little dillusional IMO.
But heck, I would not have paid Upton 75 million either.
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
10:40 pm
I agree , you take Dan’s last two seasons subtract the walks which are always important to a team, add some speed and you have BJ’s last 4 seasons. I hope to see that improve in a new environment.
At least the Ted is not a tougher hitter’s park than the Trop, so we have that ray of light.
brian
December 18th, 2012
10:44 pm
Stanton is someone I would give up profar or Andrus for along with Perez and other prospects
Mark
December 18th, 2012
10:45 pm
Does anyone know what the record for the most Ks by a team in 162 game schedule is?
Next years team, especially if Francisco plays a significant number of games, could break the old mark!
HooRah
December 18th, 2012
10:46 pm
I would kill for Stanton, but if they trade him now they might get killed
jed
December 18th, 2012
10:46 pm
mejia has put up strong numbers in the last two seasons. is he terrible on defense or something?
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
10:47 pm
2010 Arizona Diamondbacks 1529
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
10:50 pm
I have not seen him but I hear from friends who have watched him a lot that he is limited only to 1st and is not all that great there. Big and S L O W is their description.
David O'Brien
December 18th, 2012
10:50 pm
I am a Jerry Lee Lewis fan…what is the name of the live album you mentioned? I’m pleasantly surprised he is still capable of making a good live album. — Wide Right
I was shocked at how good it was. It’s Jerry Lee live at Third Man Records, Jack White’s label and studio in Nashville, with a top-notch band. The Killer sounds great throughout.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sG47sjLVfA
Mark
December 18th, 2012
10:50 pm
Yeah, I think thats definately within reach! Thanks
Curt
December 18th, 2012
10:51 pm
I don’t know what the Rangers have to trade with but I’m not sure its more valuable than Teheran or Delgado.
Assuming the Braves do go into spring without making a trade, I look forward to seeing what Gattis can do and it is clear the Braves are too. You can see them prepping for this by signing Schafer (I am not a fan) and Reed Johnson (who I do like a lot) then also have Constanza . I believe that a platoon with Gattis involved may just be as good as signing someone (with the exception of having a true, proven lead off guy).
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
10:53 pm
looks like we did 1289 last season, quite a ways off
GREG
December 18th, 2012
10:53 pm
The most underrated and overlooked album of the year was….KISS “Monster”. Don’t scoff until you give it an honest listen…
JHarber
December 18th, 2012
10:55 pm
olt will be center piece for Stanton with several others is what I hear. Not close yet but I think Texas makes a big move.
Venice Jim
December 18th, 2012
10:58 pm
And my Jayhawks are wiping the floor with Richmond’s squad.
richbrave getting trash-talked by the ole blogmeister…
Mark
December 18th, 2012
11:00 pm
Sneaky
Upton will match or surpass Bourn because he beat out Uggla by one.
Chipper is gone and hes the only guy we had that walked more than he K’d.
Francisco will match or surpass Uggs and Upton.
With Chipper out of the lineup Jhey and Freemans Ks will probably go up.
Mac is gonna be out for a while and whoever is catching will K more than he did.
Simmons will go up since he’ll hopefully play the entire year althouigh the SS number may be about the same.
Prado is the only contact guy we will have.
Tom O'Hawke
December 18th, 2012
11:01 pm
I was just kidding about the meds Tom, based on the fact that I was sounding too serious.
— nolie
Not really all worked up ol’ buddy
Whew… thank you for that. I have to admit, you had me going a bit, there. When you mentioned BP, I got a bit scared.
though I was serious about the close-enough attitude
I promise, in the future, I’ll do my best to try for spot-on, my friend.
Fols
December 18th, 2012
11:03 pm
Deftones made the list….i’m in.
Just cruised through Killer Mike, sounds good but i’ll have to test it in the car where I have privacy!
Nerdville
December 18th, 2012
11:05 pm
except for wren scraping up some scraps in march, who we have now is who we will have when the season starts. sounds incredible with all the extra money we were suppose to have, but that’s wren for you. face it braves fans, we are screwed again.
Mark
December 18th, 2012
11:05 pm
I’d be scared of getting Stanton. Be kinda like “insider trading” because you couldn’t enjoy the rewards for worrying about getting caught. PEDS. Poor analogy but you get the idea.
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
11:35 pm
you could easily be right Mark, I hope not though
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
11:36 pm
I meant about the Ks
Tom O'Hawke
December 18th, 2012
11:38 pm
Prado is the only contact guy we will have. — Mark
Don’t forget Simmons… he doesn’t strike out much at all.
Mark
December 18th, 2012
11:41 pm
I hope I’m wrong too.
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
11:44 pm
Good call, you are right Tom, Simmons does not have all that much history even in the minors, but he does not strike out all that much so far.
Tom O'Hawke
December 18th, 2012
11:46 pm
S PETE
You betcha… I just doubled our contact-hitting percentage from 12.5% to 25%!
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
11:47 pm
and noles says you are a big dummy.
J/K
Tom O'Hawke
December 18th, 2012
11:50 pm
That’s OK, S PETE, either way… it’s true (some of the time)
Instrumentalist
December 18th, 2012
11:50 pm
DOB, you should check out Jesse Harper and his Best Intensions. He was the singer/lead guitarist for Old School Freight Train. Amazing guitar player. Plays a Rockbridge acoustic, same as Dave Matthews.
Gowaydevil
December 18th, 2012
11:51 pm
the new Redd Kross is record of the year. Your list = fail
Tom O'Hawke
December 18th, 2012
11:53 pm
There’s plenty of time for Wren to make additions, but I’m very much, OK, with him waiting to see what he has, already, in the spring.
Thoughts…?
Mark
December 18th, 2012
11:53 pm
I think Simmons Ks will increase next year becuse he’ll probably end up hitting closer to the top of the order. He will be our 2nd best contact hitter though behind Prado.
He is a great talent. Looking forward to watching him for a few years!
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
11:53 pm
he actually speaks quite highly of you
Tom O'Hawke
December 18th, 2012
11:55 pm
We’ve been buds on here for a while, now, S PETE.
I left just before the season started, and went to Twitter. I was hoping nolie would, too.
JC Brave
December 18th, 2012
11:56 pm
I love Simmons’ swing.
SNEAKY PETE
December 18th, 2012
11:58 pm
noles does tweet. in fact except for this blog he does not communicate much at all anymore, which is why we are so glad he has it and encourage him to continue
SNEAKY PETE
December 19th, 2012
12:00 am
does NOT tweet
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
12:02 am
S PETE
How’s your older brother doing? Big Jake/Big’un, right? And your father is “Moby Grape”, right? Last I knew, he was living in Northern Italy. (My mom’s family is from N. Italy)
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
12:04 am
does NOT tweet
Don’t know about anyone else, but I knew what you meant.
SNEAKY PETE
December 19th, 2012
12:06 am
My dad is Moby, he was the one who commented for a few weeks as Big Un last time he was here. Jake is a workaholic, between the law enforcement SWAT etc, raising and training the dogs and competing in gun meets and hunting he is gone most all the time. BIG old hoss like my dad, healthy as an ox and in unbelievable shape for his age. Career SEAL never wore off.
SNEAKY PETE
December 19th, 2012
12:08 am
You take care Tom, I think I am off to bed. I have a busy day coming up.
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
12:09 am
Good night, SNEAKY PETE. Tell your brother & father I said “hi”, please.
tony austin
December 19th, 2012
12:21 am
I posted this on the last blog, last comment, didn’t realize a new blog was up and running, sorry about that:
Gattis hit his 13th homer tonight in Venezuela – DOB
I don’t know the quality of pitching in that league, but this settles it for me; I think the Braves need to stop pursing a LF for now and give Gattis a chance. Save the prospects, save the big FA contract and let’s see what he’s got. If it doesn’t work out, then of course pursue whatever option.
TennBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
12:22 am
I know I am biased because I am a huge fan, but honestly top 50 of 2012 and no Wrecking Ball. DOB do you secretly work for the Grammy’s who also snubbed Bruce??? At least Rolling Stone gave him album of the year. Of course, Springsteen could sing the dictionary and Rolling Stone is gonna name it Album of the Year.
rpidge
December 19th, 2012
12:26 am
Keep buying them tickets and filling the seats. The Braves are not going to do what is necessary to make the team a real contender any time soon. Wren and Liberty are fat and happy with everyone’s attendance.
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
12:28 am
I don’t know the quality of pitching in that league — tony austin
I believe DOB rated it as between AA – AAA
Agree with you on holding off…
Tom O'Hawke
December 19th, 2012
12:33 am
Keep buying them tickets and filling the seats.
Filling the seats…??? You’re on the wrong blog, buddy.
Do a google search for, “Chicago Cubs”. That’s where you want to be.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:18 am
probably closer to AA overall at best. there are some good ones but a lot who are nothing special at all. don’t put all that much reliance on it
The Duke of Flatbush
December 19th, 2012
5:23 am
Tough to improve your team when you don’t spent like your competition. Get real owners that really care about winning. The guys in Hugo Chavez Leagues won’ make alotta other major league clubs, yet we are depending on them to fill our holes.
Cheap
Cheap
Cheap
The Duke of Flatbush
December 19th, 2012
5:24 am
Why didn’t you sign Andruw Jones to be the 4th-5th outfielder when he was asking for so little?
Cheap
Cheap
Cheap
urban redneck
December 19th, 2012
5:40 am
i have a problem believing that a list of top fifty albums does not include will smith. go bravos.
Voice of Harold
December 19th, 2012
6:24 am
Did you catch the David Byrne/St. Vincent cd? Love it. Very cool to see The Coup on the list.
Obee
December 19th, 2012
6:54 am
Two bets:
If Medlen stays healthy, he’ll win as many or more games than Greinke.
If Gattis gets a shot, he’ll be this year’s Andrelton Simmons–hopefully without the injuries.
The Rover
December 19th, 2012
6:59 am
Led Zeppelin, “Celebration Day”; the DVD is also awesome !
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
7:23 am
From the Rolling Stones Greatest Albums of All Time, the Beatles have 3 of the top 5 albums.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
7:26 am
.825 OPS for BJ.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
7:29 am
I have always been a bigger Stones and Zep fan than the Beatles. Of people who grew up listening to classic rock and basically it being the primary genre I listen to, I probably like the Beatles less than most people out there. Don’t get me wrong…I like them…just a lot less than most I suspect.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
7:30 am
Just downloaded Psychedelic Pill
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
7:31 am
Unfortunately, yes, Giancarlo is out of the picture. I liked a blogger’s idea the other day. While not plausible, I still liked it…Trade Freeman and Teheran for Giancarlo and sign LaRoche. Perfect.
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
7:38 am
JasoninFL – I was not saying I liked the Beatles, just that having 3 of the 5 most popular albums of all time was impressive. Hard to imagine, probably impossible, what it would take to duplicate that feat.
Mrs Schafer
December 19th, 2012
7:39 am
Jordan Schafer for LF !
Wolfman Jack
December 19th, 2012
7:41 am
keyLargo,
I think it was 1965 or 1966. Didn’t The Beatles’ have 5 of the top 10 selling albums at some point?
That will never happen again.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
7:46 am
keylargo, I didn’t necessarily take it that you were a huge fan. I figured I would offer my opinion…something I do far too much of.
And you are correct that the feat was impressive. They were transcendent in a lot of people’s eyes..that’s for sure. Their contributions to music are undeniable…I just could never get in the “Beatles” mood.
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
7:48 am
Wolfman Jack! Talking about impossible to duplicate.
Heath
December 19th, 2012
7:49 am
When DOB starts talking about music… I feel dumb/uncool bc I only recognize 20ish % of the bands he lists
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
7:50 am
When people start talking about playing Schafer in LF and batting him leadoff, I feel stupid as I must be missing something.
qwam
December 19th, 2012
7:51 am
lol i told you fran wren dosent want a championship contender want to depend on the farm system all the time.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
7:54 am
Efrim, if you are around, I agree re: Choo. I had mentioned him quite a while ago, but without the excitement that I should have had about the possibility. The more I hear about other players we are interested in, the internal options, and the more I look at Choo’s stats, he probably was the option option all along. I also think he is the one that FW thought we would get. When he left the winter meetings and mentioned that a couple of things “could pop”, I think he was talking about Choo. We would have had him if Towers wouldn’t have had another hallucinogenic moment and traded what some rate as a top 5 prospect for the SS prospect he received.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
8:02 am
.825!!! Hah… he wont be worth what Bourn was for us last season
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
8:02 am
.825!!! Hah… he wont be worth what Bourn was for us last season
Ray
December 19th, 2012
8:07 am
would those of you that are complaining that Wren hasn’t done the job so far this winter prefer he over pay for a free agent or in a trade? I would rather have him not make a move then make a horrible move.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
8:10 am
Ray, depends on for who. Again, a lot of teams are down some this year (one of the reasons the Royals and Blue Jays are going for it) and the Braves are an impact bat in LF away from being legit contenders. Again, I would never want them to pay the reported asking price for Fowler, but an overpay in this market may be necessary to get us over the hump. For example, I would probably overapay a little for Swisher via free agency or Willingham/Upton via trade.
Kramer
December 19th, 2012
8:13 am
Rap music is an oxymoron as there is no music in Rap, just noise. Neil Young is a good choice, but if you want to hear something that captures that Allman Brothers’ sound the album of the year is self-titled cd The Sheepdogs. You can’t live in the south and not like The Sheepdogs. Sonik Kicks is good but Bruce Foxton’s (Weller’s former The Jam bandmate) album which Weller sings and plays on is far superior. Finally, any beat writer who doesn’t have the disc by David Byrne (Talking Heads) and St. Vincent called Love This Giant on their top album ballot should never be allowed to vote for the HOF.
Ray
December 19th, 2012
8:15 am
@jason, for Upton, the cost starts with Simmons. Bad bad move. Willingham is not worth a Medlin, Delgado plus. His value is equal on the field and his contract. Swisher, wanting 4-5 years at 12-15m no thanks. The Marlins went all in last year for it and look what that got them and look where they are today. For anyone to say Wren is not wanting a championship makes no sense. It benefits him and his staff more by winning championships than not winning.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
8:15 am
[Pitching in the winter leagues is] probably closer to AA overall at best. there are some good ones but a lot who are nothing special at all. don’t put all that much reliance on it
But I would say this re Gattis: this pitching is probably still a touch better than what he has seen in the minors, so far. That’s not a huge factor in evaluating his winter performance, but I do consider it a plus.
Francisco, on the other hand, has raked in the winter leagues before and then died a bad-swing death in the bigs. I discount his work there to a greater degree than I do Gattis. I know the FO is raving about the work he has put in on his swing, but the sucker had more holes than Swiss cheese. I find it hard to believe that he’s closed enough of them to be a viable everyday player. But I haven’t seen him, obviously, so maybe he has. I’m willing to be surprised, but that’s what it would be: surprise.
Wide Right
December 19th, 2012
8:17 am
Thx DOB. Great clip…makes me want to see a show at 3rd Man Records. I will check out the CD.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
8:23 am
Ray, you are correct…I wouldn’t include Simmons for Upton. But, I do think sometimes you have to ask if the team would be better off with Upton/Asdrubal type combo or Simmons/Gattis. But, unless I had another long-term solution at SS, I wouldn’t trade Simmons either.
old man
December 19th, 2012
8:27 am
Tom O’Hawke,
Thanks for your cool-headed intervention last night. Yes, it was semantics. But as usual, even my process of throwing a public tantrum helped me work through what I think about where the club stands. My guess is that a .780 OPS from our mystery 8th man or platoon is our break-even point in terms of offensive production. That’s quite possible with internal options, or with a reasonable deal. So I don’t think Wren is too desperate right now.
Ray
December 19th, 2012
8:28 am
Jason, that is what many on here forget when it comes to trades or signings. It’s not just Wren. There is the other party involved. The part we don’t know nor will ever know is what the other GM is demanding from Wren or what the FA is demanding. Perfect example, last year many were up in arms last winter because as they put it, Wren wasn’t in on Cody Ross. Why won’t Wren sign Ross, blah blah blah. The fact came out, he did offer Ross a deal. Ross just happen to accept the Red Sox deal instead. And from what I have been reading the Rockies are asking crazy return for Fowler.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
8:29 am
But, there are “rumblings” that AZ may still trade Upton. Now that they got their SS, maybe they will take a different package.
JasonInFL
December 19th, 2012
8:30 am
Ray, for sure. Agree 100%.
Brave New World
December 19th, 2012
8:30 am
Bourn was worth a bunch to us in the first half of 2012. But, much like the second half of 2011, Bourn tanked in the second half of 2012. Bourn has yet to prove he can hit in the clutch. He is not worth breaking the bank for. Upton is not far behind Bourn in speed or defense, but he has way more power. Yes, Upton will strike out a bunch (just like Bourn), but an average Upton year will produce 85-90 runs, 80 or so RBI’s, and 25-30 home runs. Upton is just hitting his prime – this was a good signing for us. If Prado winds up leading off, that’s not so bad. GO BRAVES!
Ray
December 19th, 2012
8:34 am
I would like to see the Braves get Upton. No doubt. It all comes down to how much Towers will demand.
Need A LFer
December 19th, 2012
8:34 am
Evaluating Francisco,Gattis,& Mejia against A pitchers in Dominican Republic is dumb. You saw Cody Ross,j.Willingham,D.Fowler,& V. Wells numbers against MLB pitching last year. Cheap azz Braves wanna platoon in LF & 3B ? That tells me 100% that Bobby Cox is running this damn team. Sad.
Frank Wren
December 19th, 2012
8:36 am
Gattis has a bright future but we defer to experience in LF. Therefore, I’ve invited Matty Diaz to spring training and he will be given every opportunity to win the spot. He may be in a righty/lefty platoon in LF with Jordan Schafer.
Other than that,, this roster is set for the 2013 campaign.
Play ball !
Ray
December 19th, 2012
8:36 am
@Need, why would you want Wells and that horrible contract? Okay, you want Fowler or Willingham, what are you willing to give up for either one. You want to play a little GM?
Whut ?
December 19th, 2012
8:38 am
Why are you people thanking DOB ? He has said nothing here that we didn’t already know from last blog & info. available all over the internet ! Wren said last week that he would be comfortable with current team (platooning Prado,R.Johnson,Francisco). So where is the new news ??? Stop being homers.
brian
December 19th, 2012
8:42 am
surprised to not see Kenny Chesney in the top album category……I know how highly you think of him DOB