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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,304 comments Add your comment
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 22nd, 2012
9:49 pm
JULIO!
old man
December 22nd, 2012
10:04 pm
TOBF
Wow! The catch by JJ was something special, eh?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 22nd, 2012
10:12 pm
Matt Chernoff @RealMattlanta
Not too shabby… RT @ZachKleinWSB In last 6-quarters since #Panthers loss, Matt Ryan is 38-44, 454 yds, 6 TD’s, 0 INT
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 22nd, 2012
10:16 pm
you betcha old man… the trade to get him was a tough one to swallow, big trade… but worth every last draft pick.
What a duo we’ve got right now. And imagine if we get another WR or a really good TE next year. Add in a good running back.
Dang, that’d be a great offense. Ours is good now, but that’d be even better.
keyLargo
December 22nd, 2012
10:18 pm
Uggla hit 36 HR’ in 11 and 19 in 12. I’d say averaging 27.5 HR’s a year for the Brave is pretty close to his career average. Such short memories.
Glord1
December 22nd, 2012
10:20 pm
I have spent the last 3 weeks a little frustrated that once again the Braves were gong cheap in LF. Now I’m starting to think that it might be a good thing not to block Evan Gattis. His numbers re spectacular in a very good winter league. He has hit really well at every level and does not strike out much despite his impressive power. If he can produce this year his salary will help the Braves lock up players like Prado, Medlen and Kimbrel in the near future.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 22nd, 2012
10:31 pm
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/288484/483/Former-Big-Leaguer-from-Jax-Ryan-Freel-Dead-at-36
keyLargo
December 22nd, 2012
10:34 pm
DS1 will be heart broken over Freel.
keyLargo
December 22nd, 2012
10:38 pm
More Ryan Freel News
http://jacksonville.com/sports/baseball/2012-12-22/story/jacksonville-sheriffs-office-former-mlb-player-jacksonville-native
Glord1
December 22nd, 2012
10:41 pm
Just a few numbers on Gattis the last two years playing at mid A, high A and AA.
610 ABs
40 HR
44 2B
138 RBI
Only 96 Strike outs
.316 BA
.990 OPS
Now he is dominating a AAA level league. Why would we want to pay someone like Cody Ross 8 mil a year. Why are people sure Gattis can’t make a huge difference?
Heath
December 22nd, 2012
10:42 pm
So… this Falcons-Lions game is getting more interesting.
Rice’s record is going down. Bitter sweet.
keyLargo
December 22nd, 2012
10:46 pm
Glord1 – I’m a fan of Gattis too but Keith Law said on twitter that he could not play LF or catch enough to be a regular. I have no idea where he got that and can’t understand how a good athlete with good speed couldn’t learn the easiest position on the field.
ncbravesfan90
December 22nd, 2012
10:51 pm
“I’m a fan of Gattis too but Keith Law said on twitter that he could not play LF or catch enough to be a regular. I have no idea where he got that and can’t understand how a good athlete with good speed couldn’t learn the easiest position on the field.”
I was under the same impression. I thought Gattis was just mostly a DH and catching a little in the Minor Leagues and started playing some in LF, but was primarily a DH. But nonetheless, I believe that Wren will, and should, make a deal for a LF.
Braves Fan
December 22nd, 2012
10:59 pm
Who cares. As long as they have players who play 3rd one day and left field another, bats 1st one game and 5th the next, we are going nowhere. If we have a team that can’t sign a player for each position we have, then we don’t good ownership. I don’t care, if you can’t get us a left fielder or a 3rd baseman who is really that position, don’t expect me to come down and spend my money. If you won’t spend for a full complete team, then why should I?
Glord1
December 22nd, 2012
11:02 pm
I have seen both Eric Hinske and Garrett Anderson play LF in Turner Field. If he can hit 20 and drive in 75 with a .265 average all he has to do is catch the balls hit near him. I saw him in Spring training last year and he looks like he moves pretty well for a big man. I wonder how many times Keith Law has actually seen him play.
keyLargo
December 22nd, 2012
11:03 pm
Detroit needs two TD’s now with 7 minutes left.
Glord1
December 22nd, 2012
11:05 pm
I ill be absolutely shocked if wren picks up an everyday player to play LF. I think he will save he money, sign a platoon guy and o into ST seeing how Francisco and Gattis play. If they can’t do it he still as his money and prospects o make a move. If they can do it he has more money for extensions.
Glord1
December 22nd, 2012
11:06 pm
Ball game
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 22nd, 2012
11:08 pm
Asante. Samuel.
Get ready NFC teams, we’ll be ready.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 22nd, 2012
11:16 pm
Megatron gets it… Falcons love giving up records to folks… gave it to Brees last year
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 22nd, 2012
11:18 pm
trey wingo @wingoz
Megatron just said I LAUGH at the Madden Curse…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 22nd, 2012
11:26 pm
#1 seed! Dome-Field!!!
See ya down there in January.
ColoradoBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:01 am
MFin04…
Gattis has absolutely destroyed LHed pitching in his past 2 minor league seasons. I copied these stats from Minor league central….BA .423/OBP .494/Slug% .891 for an OPS of 1.385 against Lefties in 2011 and 2012 combined. Not sure why they did not have his 2010 stats on this site.
His bad numbers against lefties in the Venezuelan league is probably just small sample size…only 46 PAs vs lefties in the winter league.
Mixxo
December 23rd, 2012
12:13 am
The Falcons…….doing what great teams do.
Oh, to have some of that in the Braves’ clubhouse.
Still have work to do men.
Ozzie
December 23rd, 2012
12:34 am
Gattis = AL DH guys. Name 5 amazing pitchers or pen arms in the DR league. DR is extended batting practice for players who want to stay in baseball shape over the winter.
It is not known for top flight pitching.
Gattis needs to be traded to an AL team if he cannot play LF or C. He won’t do enough as a PH to make a difference.
Meija makes the team. Gattis gets a look but in the end is in AAA or traded to an AL team.
Justin would be the right move if you want an athletic OF that would be the envy of the league. Gattis is a beast (so it seems) with the lumber but defense does matter and he can barely play C and next to no time in the OF.
Would be great of he was our Hamilton but I don’t see that kind of athlete in Gattis.
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
12:57 am
Smoak? GMAB
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
1:01 am
Now he is dominating a AAA level league.
no way that is AAA level
Yunel's Frosted Tips
December 23rd, 2012
1:04 am
Left field has always been the red-headed stepchild of this organization……..going way back
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
1:24 am
Again. Gattis’s AA manager said he can play left. Range is decent and so is arm.
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
1:24 am
where is Rico Carty when you need him?
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
1:27 am
I doubt he would say otherwise since Gattis is becoming such a favorite, but I have never heard that he was so terrible that he can’t play left, except from KLaw. it is after all the position that is least cared about defensively
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
1:31 am
there have been some stone cold butchers who played left over the years
Ward
December 23rd, 2012
1:35 am
Hello everyone! If Gattis can crush the ball? I say play him. He’s crushing the ball every where he goes. You can’t please everyone! Some one will always whine, or cry, and they will complain about some thing else if we had our LF? When we get our LF. Some will start to rise the whining of Mac, or Uggla. It’s the way it goes. Some thing to cry, or whine about. It’s always some thing, and then if you say some thing. The whiners cry about that. If they don’t like what going on, then go root for some other team. Just my take on all this.
Ward
December 23rd, 2012
1:40 am
I hope we can get a LF, but I’m O.k. with Francisco, and Reed Platoon, along with Prado, until The White Bear is ready? I’m not picky. I’m thanful we got B.J. Upton.
Ward
December 23rd, 2012
1:42 am
I’m Thankful Wren, did what he could do. All, havea good one! Talk tomorrow, and Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!” Be cool……
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
1:56 am
Nolie, I remember when Butler was traded. The sun stayed hidden until the 90’s after they gave him and the 3rd baseman up. Never had a good lead off man for the rest of the 80’s. Tried to catch magic like the Dodgers did with their pitcher. But it didn’t work.
JC Brave
December 23rd, 2012
3:14 am
[LF] is after all the position that is least cared about defensively. – nolie
Excuse my ignorance, but why is it like that? I mean, why is LF any different from RF? I’ve been hearing this my whole life and never understood why it is regarded as such an insignificant position defensively.
Zing
December 23rd, 2012
3:21 am
I’d say Gattis deserves a chance, yes. With the Johnson/Francisco/Prado backup plan – or co- no. 1 plan.
GermanBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
6:23 am
DOB: No “Wrecking Ball”?
richbrave
December 23rd, 2012
7:45 am
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
MEXICO
CULIACAN TOMATOES
Lead-off SS RAMIRO PENA [.304 BA] 1-5, GOLDEN SOMBRERO!!!!
PUERTO RICO
MANATI ATTENDANTS double-header combined stat line
1B RUBEN GOTAY [.279 BA] 3-6, 1 2B [8], 3 RBI [14].
C BRYAN DeLa ROSA [.182 BA] 0-1, 1 SO.
Old buddy TY ‘RELLE HARRIS started for the opposition and twirled four innings of two hit, five SO ball with no runs or walks allowed. His era rests at 0.00 in four outings. Still a CUB.
HERMOSILLO ORANGES
3B TERRY TIFFEE [.219 BA] 1-3, 1 SO.
VENEZUELA
LARA CARDINALS
C JOSE YEPEZ [.254 BA] 2-3, 1 R, 2 2B [3], 3 RBI [11], 1 SAC.
ZULIA EAGLES
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.307 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI [40].
DH EVAN GATTIS [.295 BA] 4-5, 1 HR [15], 4 RBI [41].
EL OSO BLANCO forges ahead by a nose as he and ERNESTO vie for the finish line in their tremendous competition down south for the HR and RBI championships of the VENEZULEAN League. Make no mistake. It is a competition between them.
The Iron Horse
December 23rd, 2012
8:00 am
Wren has $10 Million to play with. I sure hope he gets something done, in left field.
CB
December 23rd, 2012
8:05 am
richbrave, thanks for what you do for the blog. You provide great info for the lazy posters. Gattis is looking great, if Braves do not bring anyone else in he deserves a chance to start in LF if he has a good spring training. I don’t believe Braves would use him as bench player, wherever he is he needs lots of at bats.
Couch Tater
December 23rd, 2012
8:18 am
richbrave, thanks for what you do for the blog. You provide great info for the lazy posters.
JasonInFL
December 23rd, 2012
8:24 am
Us non-lazy posts appreciate it to Richbrave!
JasonInFL
December 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
*posters
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
8:35 am
Ryan Freel dies at age of 36, looks like suicide
Frank Wren
December 23rd, 2012
8:52 am
Who’s in LF ?
Jordan Schafer !
CB
December 23rd, 2012
8:53 am
Couch,ha! Are you including yourself in that group? Merry Christmas.
ChattTownBrian
December 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
That’s terrible about Ryan Freel. Why?
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
9:14 am
No other details
Mr Pitts
December 23rd, 2012
9:18 am
OK, I’ll mention Trumbo. Somebody post 2 decades of various useless stats and we’ll discuss.
While I’m waiting I’ll run through Killer Mike RAP one more time. What 55-year old white guy wouldn’t groove to Killer Mike, right?
Lemke's Knuckler
December 23rd, 2012
9:20 am
I wouldn’t mind taking a shot at acquiring Gerardo Parra, assuming he could be had for a few mid-level prospects. He’s always seemed like one of those guys that would eventually put his whole game together and be extremely productive. I’m not sure what his whole deal has been in Arizona, I’m sure there’s some reason he’s been a platoon guy. But looking at this splits, he has a pretty good line as a starter (stats as a sub are terrible).
.288/.340/.752
And we know he can play defense. I remember one series against the D-Backs a few years ago he threw out about 5 of our base runners from left field.
Mr Pitts
December 23rd, 2012
9:21 am
“Wren has $10 Million to play with. I sure hope he gets something done, in left field.”
I love the way you guys think yo know how much is left to spend on salaries by simply adding up current salaries based on some historical target. You guys do know a lot can happen wit balance sheets and income statements that we otherwise might not even be aware, right.Not to mention the target can be fluid at any time. C’mon, man, let’s keep our expertopinions on stats.
Couch Tater
December 23rd, 2012
9:26 am
Merry Christmas to you too, CB.
So lazy that everyday I call in my posts and have my mom type’m.
[No he doesn't. My arthritis prevents me from typing every day] – ed.
Couch Tater
December 23rd, 2012
9:30 am
Go back to baking the punkin pie!!!
ncgary
December 23rd, 2012
10:04 am
it is time for Christmas baking, brownies fudge bananna and cinnamon breads, when ya poor youy have to give from the heart……..lol
richbrave
December 23rd, 2012
10:10 am
Ozzie says if GATTIS is not a JOSH HAMILTON-clone he’s dirt, and worthless to the BRAVES. That he’s not even a JUSTIN UPTON, as if anything less is unworthy of being considered for potentially making the team. This from a fan? The thought process here if there is one……..mind-boggling.
ncgary
December 23rd, 2012
10:11 am
whose the fool known as geno, best not be bad mouthing no more of the good guys, cause i may have fatal disease, but i still got a lot of superman in me too………..lol
Brown
December 23rd, 2012
10:13 am
Hi Dave – I like the Top 50 list. I’ve enjoyed many of the same albums this year.
Curious – any love for M83? I think technically ‘Hurry Up We’re Dreaming’ came out at the very end of 2011, but it’s been one of my favorites this year. But then maybe it’s just an album you either didn’t like or didn’t buy. I would recommend if you haven’t checked it out.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2012
10:16 am
Lemke’s Knucker:
I’d rather have GATTIS over PARRA. He’s ours, and we need to see what he brings to the table before going after someone else. If we don’t land BOURN, I’m for staying out of the LF dumpster until ST is well along. A trade is always a possibility at some point in February-March for a good player like GERARDO if not he.
Angry acworth man
December 23rd, 2012
10:21 am
Breaking news…Nick Swisher just signed with the Indians!!
richbrave
December 23rd, 2012
10:22 am
ncgary:
GENO? Might ask JasoninFl. I’m not making a connection between the two other than the fact that he spoke up when nolie called GENO out yesterday over his “Turnip-truck” statement. A statement to which I took no offense. I made an error relating to the handedness of both WALDEN and JAIME, assuming one was aimed at replacing VENTERS, and got called out on it. That’s perfectly cool. And besides I’m always forgetting to use that experssion myself when PL puts in an appearance.
Angry acworth man
December 23rd, 2012
10:25 am
Bold prediction….Fowler is our opening day left fielder and Gattis is our opening day catcher. I believe the Rockies are desperate for pitching and will eventually lower their demands. Fowler is a local guy who really wants to come back to his hometown. Gattis is playing too well this winter for the Braves to not find a spot for him.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2012
10:25 am
All is lost. All is lost. SWISHER is the wrong Indian!
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:25 am
Enjoy losing Nicholas…
richbrave
December 23rd, 2012
10:27 am
Angry:
Heh! Are WE that desperate?
richbrave
December 23rd, 2012
10:28 am
I’m tilting at wind-mills this a.m. Later.
ncgary
December 23rd, 2012
10:29 am
i was just funning anyway rich but you are too nice of a guy for anyone to be going off on you
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:29 am
If we could get Parra for the right price Wren should do it. Great defense and cannon arm, we could give him a shot leading off, or he could be another option for the platoon. He’s under control for 3 seasons so he’d be valuable going forward. Reed Johnson might have a bad year and we don’t pick up his option and Parra could be our 4th OF going forward. Hell he’d likely be our starter since they refuse to bring in a real everyday LFer every single offseason.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:30 am
#HTTR today…
Griffin’s playing, right?
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:33 am
Indians sign Nick Swisher.
4 years 56 million with a Vesting Option for 5th year at 14 million.
Overall Possible 5 years 70 million.
He is 4 years older than BJ Upton who received 5 years 75 million.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:34 am
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Very nice column on dale murphy by @TylerKepner in @nytimes today. Gets my vote (murphy, I mean)
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:39 am
I’m pretty sure that his Vesting Option will be based on Plate Apperances, Swisher has always been durable as hell. So they’d likely have to limit his playing time if he declines to avoid that 5th year. I really believe that the production he’ll provide for the first 2 years of the contract won’t be enough to justify his declining bad years. The Indians are a horrible organization and are basically the Rockies of the NL. I clearly don’t understand the interest they had in Shane Victorino, and now this big contract. They are horrible and will not content, and they just sunk a huge investment into a good but not great player who will not be a difference maker for there ballclub.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:40 am
Also the bad Indians just surrendered a 1st round pick that they badly needed in my opinion.
Venice Jim
December 23rd, 2012
10:43 am
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Cleveland had protected first round pick, so Indians were in a better position to be aggressive than either BOS or TEX.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:46 am
I can’t get into Baseball video games anymore, I used to play them every year tho. My favorite thing to do was start a franchise with the worst team in baseball. Basically gutting the whole team and I’d only make realistic trades. Concentrate on getting as young as possible and spending big on young players I believe will be the cornerstone of my team. Most years I’d be able to make it into the 6th or 7th year of the franchise. Longest one I had was 12 seasons.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:47 am
VJ
Oh I didn’t know they had the protected 1st rounder, not as bad as I thought, but still bad.
Venice Jim
December 23rd, 2012
10:50 am
I just happened to read that a minute before you posted…
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
10:51 am
Remember the Cleveland Indians had a monster lineup years ago.
CF Kenny Loften
SS Omar Vizquell
2B Roberto Alomar
RF Manny Ramirez
1B Jim Thome
LF David Justice
DH Richie Sexton
3B Travis Fryman
C Sandy Alomar
And a Day of Rain
December 23rd, 2012
10:55 am
richbrave-
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.307 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI [40].
DH EVAN GATTIS [.295 BA] 4-5, 1 HR [15], 4 RBI [41].
EL OSO BLANCO forges ahead by a nose as he and ERNESTO vie for the finish line in their tremendous competition down south for the HR and RBI championships of the VENEZULEAN League. Make no mistake. It is a competition between them.
It’s a repeat of Mantle and Maris!! Wow… I’m stoked.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
11:01 am
JIM BOWDEN @JimBowdenESPNxm
Levine told us they’ve had great conversations with Towers regarding Upton…if they can’t get him it won’t be because of lack of effortXM89
Thad Levine, Assistant GM for the Rangers
Jim
December 23rd, 2012
11:22 am
It is time (after several years of it) to Stop drinking the Kool-aide. The Braves will continue to be an also-ran unless they go get a LF! It is about winning in the play offs after you get there; not just about getting there.
Joey G
December 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
What is AZ asking price for Parra?
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
11:34 am
I’d rather drink the Kool Aid than to drink the bile some consume so regularly – or as some do, to pretend they even have a glass much less one with any contents.
Ozzie
December 23rd, 2012
11:35 am
RICHBRAVE – I DIDNT said Gattis “had” to be Josh Hamilton. I said it would be “nice” if he was bc it would mean he was both a slugger and can field his position. Nice try at twisting my words when you have nothing to add in the AM.
He can hit a ton but he seems to be a one dimensional player and this board is getting their hopes up (to put it mildly) on Gattis with each and every meaningless HR he hits in the DR.
DOB & at times Bowman are feeding this frenzy by tweeting every at bat that results in a HR. Why? Bc its Dec, there is nothing going with this club, they have no starting LF and all blogs need web hits.
That was and is my point.
Anyway there is more to being a MLB player than hitting PH homers in South America.
Justin Upton would make the OF one of the best in BB both offensively and defensively (regardless of what you believe). If its not the case its bc his brother with hit .260 and SO a 150+ times not bc Justin is inferior to a committee in LF.
Justin is flat more athletic than Gattis, Reed Johnson, Prado or anyone else being consider as a poor mans solution in LF. Of the internal lot Prado gives you the most balance though he is light on the slugging aspect for an LFer.
So you are saying an OF of Heyward, BJ and one of Prado, Reed Johnson, Gattis and on some days Schafer or Constanza is better than Upton, Upton and Heyward?
Why bc its cheaper and it give you “options”. FInd a WS team that has a community playing an RBI position like that. Good luck.
If the Braves traded for Upton you would be hard pressed to find any professional analyst or sports journalist that would not rave about the OF & the Braves marketing dept would wet their pants on the promotional potential.
However if the Braves go with a committee (even if Justin is a no go but they pass on every other trade option) in LF you will hear crickets and or comments about what the Braves couldn’t afford, lacked in trade pieces, were putting their eggs in the platoon basket & hoping Francisco, Prado, Johnson and Gattis in some combination could make for a complete team.
All this with manager NOT known for being great when he has to make decisions about when to sit slumping guys or deal with complex line up choices. He is no Tony LaRussa.
So relax. I dont need Gattis to be Hamilton but I know defense and athleticism matter when you want to get a ring. Unless the Braves join the AL Gattis will only provide limited help bc he cannot field any position for 150 games.
wvbravesfan1984
December 23rd, 2012
11:39 am
with the huge contract swisher just signed, the signing of upton is looking better everyday…looks to be quite the bargain considering upton is just now hitting his prime years
Ozzie
December 23rd, 2012
11:41 am
All this to say I dont believe the Braves will suck in 2013 but the idea of having to need a small bus to cart around the players for LF seems like a poor way to start the season given the amt of money and prospects Wren is supposedly sitting on.
Sometimes the market comes to you and sometimes you miss the bus.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
11:44 am
I remember once many springs ago, mabey over 30 yrs. ago, when the Bravos had a young strapping power hitter’s in the minors who also was a catcher, wasn’t solid defensively, had # of pass balls, very strong arm, whenever he kept throw’n to 2nd, he’d 1 hop the CF’er. So the young mgr. then thought we needed his bat in the lineup, lets try’em at 1st, the only thing rough about that was, though he was a huge target, he couldn’t dig out bad throws. So the young mgr. then thought again, Hmmmm…, lets see, he’s tall, long legs, has strong arm, need that bat in the Line-up, lets try’em in OF(CF-to be exact) & he became one of the best defensive, offensive CF’ers in the game in 1980 – til after, then later moved to LF & finished in RF. – Dale Murphy became a legend in Bravo forklore, now not say’n Gattis would do a Murf ‘, I don’t see him bein’ a CF’er, but he could be a decent LF’er, once given a shot, He’s hungry to prove himself for the show, not a slouch at the plate so far, I’d like to see ‘em. Go Get ‘em Big “G” flag ‘em down. I Like this competition of the Big EE’s, ya’ll keep rake’n.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
11:54 am
When it comes to Evan Gattis there are alot of comparables we go look at as a hitter or overall player and possible role he’ll play. The names that comes to mind to me are.
Brennan Boesch
Eric Hinske
Ryan Doumit
Mike Napoli
Jonny Gomes
Mark Reynolds
Chris Davis
Adam Dunn
Luke Scott
Michael Morse
Ty Wiggington
Garret Jones
Bryan LaHair
Brett Wallace
Aubrey Huff
Mark Trumbo
John Jaso
Eric Thames
Those are off the top of my head, for hitting and position/role type comparables to me at this point. Will he back a Power guy off the bench? A platoon partner? Will he play a few positions alot? We’ll he be a DH type? Will he be a everyday player?
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
11:57 am
Well, maybe it IS just the Winter League, but if you look at all of Gattis’ record, he’s hit everywhere he’s played. Does that translate to hitting at the MLB level? Only one way to find out, isn’t there.
We’ve already see that the market for LFers is scarce at best, outrageousely priced at the very least and that trade partners are asking absurd returns for mediocrity and king’s ransoms for any truly worthy player targeted.
Sometimes you just have to see what you already have and how well they might work out. Sometimes it’s a bust and sometimes it’s catching the proverbial lightning in a bottle. But one way or another, speculation only ends when the decision to see is implemented.
There’s not much available right now that is affordable or worthwhile – this is the perfect time to take a look and to see if maybe we already have the answer or wait and see what is available later.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:00 pm
should make a run at an front-end pitcher… got a glut of pitching in the minors, 10-12mil free, Gattis or Juan will be starting for us, why not try to upgrade our current weakest link… David Price won’t be available now, but surely there are some strong #2s out there who we could inquire on… Maholm, Teheran, Spruill, and another piece maybe
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
12:08 pm
@Wes Jorga; I distinctively remember the unpardonable trade(Braves have had quite a few even recently), Brett Butler cf, leadoff man, fan fave’ , Brook Jacoby3b, about to bust loose in the biggs & did for a # of yrs. for the tribe, Rick Behenna RHP-starter, all for used car salesman (now- off stewart lakewood or somewhere else) Lenny Barker, who threw his one day in the sun perfect game for the tribe, but nothing else, but Turner was grossly mez-murized by him, had to pull the trigger & sent us into oblivion when that deal was made, but heck what can you do.
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
12:12 pm
Well said, Lew! Upton is preferable but is not worth trading Simmons away for. If the Braves had more money to play with than sure… But, what happens when they have to let Prado, or Medlin go because of payroll concerns.
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
12:17 pm
74, I forgot About Rick Behenna. Talk about a sellers market. 82 team was fun to watch and enjoyed Torre and Gibson leading them.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
12:18 pm
@VaBravesFan; good diggs,I agree, @Lew; I agree as well, we’ll never know, I’d rather it be us to find out than someone else, He might become the Big Thumper we been seeking. @richbrave or anyone above, why has he only been DH’n in Venezuella, wouldn’t wren & gonzales make it special request for him to put in more time in LF? DOB, anybody know? Is there any specific reason he’s not?
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:18 pm
I’m not so sure this “glut” of pitching actually exists. YOu have the four in the rotation – Hudson, Medlen, MInor and Maholm – only two of whom are truly veteran piutchers. Then you have Teheran and Delgado who have limited MLB experience. So you trade two of them – Maholm and Teheran for one experienced pitcher and you then have only five experienced pitchers and a bunch of totally unproven pitchers who haven’t pitched much aboe AA – if at all. When you figure that he last several years the Braves have utilized 8-10 starting pitchers every year, that leaves us extremely thin on experience.
Wouldn’;t we just love to see four fifths of our rotation with less than 50 MLB starts?
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:23 pm
Well after what Cody Ross, Shane Victorino, Angel Pagan, Nick Swisher, and Josh Hamilton all signed for Wren did a good job signing BJ Upton.
BJ is younger than all of those players, better defender, and the only power/speed combination of the bunch. Were in great shape to see good value throughout the full 5 years of his contract cause he’ll only be 33 years old in the final year.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
@WJ; Oh man, yeah, the 82′ team was awesome, we had the euphoria hitt’n A-Town big time, I had gotten the enjoyment sharing it w/ my Dad. Reeling off 13 straight at the beginning was someth’n special. 83′ – 84′ was fun, but no wild card. What year was that trade made? 83′? 84′? It crushed me whenn it was made, that & my fave Brave of all time bein’ traded hurt to, he still my favorite to this day, wish we had another like’em, he went full throttle when he played, O’l Sarge; Gary Matthews, man it meant someth’n to him when he played.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:31 pm
Nick Swisher, 32, 4 years 56 million (14 mil Vesting Option)
Shane Victorino, 32, 3 years 39 million
Josh Hamilton, 31, 5 years 125 million
Cody Ross, 32, 3 years 26 million (9.5 million team option)
Angel Pagan, 31, 4 years 40 million
Michael Bourn, 30, Is likely gonna top BJ Upton’s contract still. I would guess 5 years 80-90 million
Our BJ, 28, 5 years 75 million.
George_George
December 23rd, 2012
12:34 pm
Good morning all
I am more worryed about CF than LF. With BJ UPTON in CF the BRAVES could well have the lowest batting ave in the NL at the CF position. He will put up numbers like NATE THE GREAT.