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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,304 comments Add your comment
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:34 pm
And since I’m talking current contracts being signed. Highly coveted Justin Upton who is 25 years old is still under contract for 3 years 39 million which is basically a bargain when compared to the market.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
@VaBF; Very good points on BJ; the youngest out of the list you mentioned. His brother is what 2 to 3 yrs. younger, I believe it wouldn’t be a whole horrible thing to have a Upton University manning speed in the Heyward degree w/ a phd. lol. But like it’s been said, toooo pricey for Justin, hate to lose simmons & some of our valued start’n staff w/ the exception of Maholm possibly. But Justin’s a little bigger boned than BJ, kinda w/ his size reminds me of the o’l sarge.
George_George
December 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
Repost from bottom of last page.
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.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:37 pm
George
BJ Upton will still provide RH balance in our lineup. He’ll have that special power/speed combo. I really think he’s good for 25 HR and 30 SB. I think it’s a given. The question is can this change of scenery trigger some improvement. At 28 years old, this is good time for him to have one of his best seasons since his first 2 years in the league.
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:38 pm
George_George – Does your current hate for BJ Upton supersede your hate opf Fredi Gonzalez and DOB having time off? Or did you just triple your equine trick portfolio?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:38 pm
We’d be adding a guy to replace Maholm… who’s also experienced and a better pitcher. Medlen and Minor get slotted down 1 spot to #2 and 3, which is better for them. Hudson is a 4, and the old man of the rotation. We still have the “rookie” in Delgado.
Not much different than what we’ve got now, except that we have an experienced front-end pitcher. We lose one of the latin arms, but we’ve got Graham, Gilmartin, and Wood all up and coming. Plus whoever breaks out.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
12:40 pm
I believe that too VaBrave, mabey the best is yet to come from him w/ maturation.
George_George
December 23rd, 2012
12:41 pm
MATT RYAN looked REALLY GOOD last night. FALCONS clinched number one seed.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:42 pm
Also don’t forget to factor the lineup he’ll be in the middle of. Our lineup to me is much better than Tampa’s. He won’t be counted on to be the main man here. We really need to be optimistic that BJ can produce closer to what his physical skills and tools are. I think he can and will improve over his combined past 4 years of 242 AVG and 316 OBP. I really think he’ll be closer to 260/340 while providing the 60+ XBH power and 30+ SB speed. Hell there is always a chance he could explode and have a career year. But atleast we know we’ll have the Power and Speed for sure.
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
12:42 pm
wouldn’t have minded having the Swish, but he was always gonna be way too pricey for the Braves
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
12:43 pm
Hey VaBrave; I was implying w/ you’re assessment on BJ upton, not at George.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:44 pm
Maholm is the most expendable guy on our staff right now imo… he’s just a grown up, 6.5mil more version of Mike Minor. He was added last year for consistency and to get JJ out the rotation. With Mike Minor likely being more consistent this year, posting about the same numbers as Maholm (3.75 or so ERA), we can “afford” to lose him if it means we can bring in a better pitcher, a front-end guy. To trade him for prospects doesn’t do much for us now, wait until the deadline to do that when Beachy comes back and Graham/Gilmartin could be ready (but that wouldn’t happen either!)
If Maholm, Teheran, and Spruill/Gilmartin can get us a #2 pitcher under control for a few years, you gotta do that imo. Upgrades the staff this year, means we don’t have to add a pitcher next year, and we only lose 1 really valuable prospect.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
12:44 pm
Yeah, me to nolie,
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:45 pm
TO – Adding another pitcher and subtracting two of our five with MLB experience changes nothing about what I said – IN fact, if you go back and read it, it was taken into consideration. You of all people whine constantly about the lack of experience in our rotation, yet you also constantly whine about dumping even more of that meager experience – and for what? Who do you really think you;re goint to get in the way of top of the rotation MLB pitching for Teheran, Maholm and a couple of minor league pitchers no one has seen yet?
And let’s not even mention your wanting to dump relief pitching too.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:45 pm
I’d have liked Swish too, but that 4th year… not a fan
Maybe BJ can go back to 2007 and post a .393 BABIP again…
George_George
December 23rd, 2012
12:47 pm
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:38 pm
Lew, look at past four seasons .237 .243 .241 .246. His first two full seasons BA .300 .273 , it would seem AL pitching found a MAJOR FLAW in his hitting.
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:47 pm
TOBF – Not TO – keyboard is skipping letters again.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:48 pm
I definitely rather have BJ over Swisher after seeing the contract they’ve signed.
Swisher 5 years 70 million (I believe that option will vest) Ages 32-36
BJ 5 years 75 million ages 28-33
While Swisher might be better in 2013 and 2014 as a hitter, I’m taking Upton for the final 3 years. I just think when looking at the total value of the contract that Upton has a great chance to provide good value for the whole entire contract, while Swisher will likely see decline in the final 2-3 years of the deal.
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
12:49 pm
wow on contracts. I thought going in that 15 was more than BJ is worth-still do in a vacuum-but in context to other signings Frankie did Ok there I guess
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:49 pm
Teheran has what, 4 starts in the MLB? And Maholm has over 200 starts, yes, but it’s as a #4 pitcher. If we can add a #2 guy who has 120 or so starts to his name, under control for 2 or 3 years, you wouldn’t do that?
George_George
December 23rd, 2012
12:51 pm
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
12:42 pm
wouldn’t have minded having the Swish, but he was always gonna be way too pricey for the Braves
**************************************************************************************************************
Me also. He would have made a very nice CHIRSTMAS PRESENT.
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
12:52 pm
they are NOT adding a starter, I fail to see why all the constant talk about it myself. not saying that y’all can’t talk about what you want to…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:54 pm
Trade 214 starts of experience in Maholm as a #4, 4 starts with Teheran, and get back a #2 guy who has 120 or so starts to his name (maybe even more than that)…
Again, the only way I’m trading Ma holm is if it’s part of a trade to replace him and get a #2 guy. Other than that, even if he’s just a grown up Minor, losing that consistency isn’t worth it. But to upgrade on Maholm, and use Delgado over Teheran (RD has more experience) is fine by me. Sure, our 6th starter (who would be Gilmartin) has no MLB experience, but he’s almost ready anyway. Only has 4 less MLB starts than Julio. Graham should be ready mid-season, and we can always sign some vet if need be.
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:55 pm
George _George – Doesn’t matter – he’s in ATlanta for four to five years and Fredi got an extension and DOB will get time off.
Maybe what you need to do is concentrate on Upton’s 94 doubles, 11 triple, 69 HR and 109 Stolen bases the past three years, Fredi’s 183-141 record sinc ebecoming Braves’ manager and DOB constantly updating our baseball and musical knowledge. Apparently they are all here to stay.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
12:55 pm
Nick Swisher is durable as hell, might as well consider it a 5 year contract unless he falls off like Vernon Wells. But even if he did the Indians would have to play him, after all they are a not big spenders, they’ll have to play em or trade em and pay some salary like we did with Lowe.
Norris Chuck
December 23rd, 2012
12:56 pm
From ESPN’s Dave Shonefield:
Last weekend, I presented the top 10 teams in my personal power rankings. That was before the Blue Jays officially acquired R.A. Dickey, so I updated my top 10 after that trade, and, to spur on more debate, now present the rest of my rankings. Agree or disagree, but I do think this is the most parity we’ve seen in a long time. It’s why the Orioles and A’s were able to surprise this past season and why we will undoubtedly see another surprise team in 2013. It’s a great time to be a baseball fan.
1. Nationals
Most talented rotation in the majors, deep lineup, depth. Re-signing Adam LaRoche to add another lefty power bat will help.
2. Reds
Superb rotation could be better if the Aroldis Chapman transition works, bullpen is deep enough to absorb his loss and Shin-Soo Choo provides a needed leadoff hitter.
3. Yankees
I think they can stretch things out more season with a deep rotation, excellent bullpen and power. Remember, they had the largest run differential in the American League last season.
4. Tigers
Deep rotation, great 1-2 punch with Miggy and Prince, and Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez should improve the lineup.
5. Braves
Left-handed power, power bullpen and a young team that could improve from last year’s 94 wins.
6. Blue Jays
Addition of Dickey adds a needed No. 1 to a rotation that could be dominant if Josh Johnson and Brandon Morrow remain healthy.
7. A’s
Young teams that show big improvement are usually for real, and this team has a solid rotation, a strong outfield and power arms in the bullpen.
8. Dodgers
Have to love the Clayton Kershaw-Zack Greinke combo and an offense with big upside if Matt Kemp and Adrian Gonzalez come close to 2011 levels.
9. Rangers
I think the rotation is playoff-caliber with Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando, Martin Perez and Colby Lewis.
Which of these five teams should be No. 1 right now?
Angels
Blue Jays
Giants
Nationals
Tigers
10. Cardinals
Have to replace Kyle Lohse, but they’ll score plenty of runs as long as Carlos Beltran (36 years old in April) and Matt Holliday (33 in January) keep producing.
11. Rays
Still some holes in the lineup, and replacing James Shields’ 220-plus innings won’t be that easy, but underestimate the Rays at your own risk.
12. Angels
Oddsmaker Bovada.lv has the Angels with the second-best odds to win the World Series (behind the Blue Jays), but I see a rotation with a lot of question marks behind Jered Weaver, and Josh Hamilton only replaces Hunter, who was terrific in 2012.
13. Giants
I discussed my issues with the Giants here. I could be wrong, although our friends at Bovada only put the Giants tied for ninth in their World Series odds.
14. Diamondbacks
Their run differential wasn’t much different than the Giants last year, and they’ve added Brandon McCarthy, infield depth and still have Justin Upton.
15. Phillies
I want to say we’re all underestimating a team that includes Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, but then I see an outfield of Darin Ruf, Ben Revere and Domonic Brown, and an infield defense that includes Michael Young and Ryan Howard and 30-somethings Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:56 pm
TOBF – Again, who is this Number Two paragon of which you speak and why would anyone trade them to us for Teheran and Maholm?
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
12:59 pm
I am looking foward to a full season of Simmons at short. I can’t remember a player with his defensive prowess playing for the Braves. Andruw probably comes the closest. Maybe McMillian at ss (Milwaukee) but in terms of spectacular plays he may turn out to be the best.
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:59 pm
And also – how does this address the fact we use 8-10 starters a year and that would leave us with five with experience?
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
1:02 pm
TOBF – On final thing (at least for now ) and the I need to get something worthwhile done (other tha attempting to educate you.
I told you Grienke wasn’t coming to the Braves – He’s not. I told you Bourjos was not coming to the Braves. He’s not. I told you Hanson actually had value. He did, I’ve told you all along the Braves would not trade starting pitching or current bullpen pitchers. DOB has told you the ame and quoted Wren as saying the same thing. They won’t.
Maybe you’ll start to listen? You won’t.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
1:02 pm
Huddy and Maholm are our only veteran guys who we can almost plug there numbers in for what to expect in 2013 right now. Everyone else is still a slot machine in my opinion. So many things could happen. Alot of scenarios on how things can play out.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
1:04 pm
My biggest concern with our pitching is we lack a single pitcher who is a sure fire 200+ Inning guy. But having the best bullpen really helps that part. But bullpens vary from year to year. They must repeat dominance or we could be in trouble.
George_George
December 23rd, 2012
1:04 pm
Lew
December 23rd, 2012
12:55 pm
Lew, I have said JASON had power but could not hit for ave, but at end of last season I said he had a good year. I will say the same for BJ if he does.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
1:05 pm
Well, Wren got this thing off & running w/ the signing of BJ could he possibly do one more splash to deal for his lil’ brother(Not likely,but….)w/o losin’ Minor, Medlin, or Simmons(some way)mabey our hitt’n Guru’s could touch ‘em up w/ some good o’l plate discipline. Be nice if Uggla & McCann bounced back w/ breakout years, Dang we be Hummmin!It’s a Big “IF” Dream, but “What IF”?
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
1:08 pm
Hey Lew, I heard ya, I still hear ya.
Trey
December 23rd, 2012
1:08 pm
My sympathies go out to Ryan Freel’s family.
Trey
December 23rd, 2012
1:09 pm
I was shocked reading about his death.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
1:17 pm
Hey ya’ll, it might be silly, just hope they take care of our closer in that so-called World tournament, hope he doesn’t do anything to relate to injury, or any wear n’ tear, cause you got to let the arm take time to get into work mode before you start grooving it. I’m sure they have this in mind, just hold’n my breath w/o Kimbrel, our bullpen would become avg. if that.
74bravesjersey
December 23rd, 2012
1:18 pm
Sign’n off, Catch ya’ll later & Merry Christmas to all you Bravo Bloggers here, have a great one.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
1:24 pm
If we move Teheran and Maholm, we go from having 6 with exp. to 5… but we’d massively improve at 1 rotation spot. A 200 inning guy, who can be our #1. We still need someone like that imo. Nats rotation is a good bit better than ours; adding someone like this would help a ton. Exactly who this is, I’m not sure. Shields and Greinke are gone, Johnson too, and Price won’t be traded now. But in my opinion, adding a front-end starter is something we should look into. It’s a bigger issue this season than next,
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
1:24 pm
Looks like my Redskins are gonna get knocked off today.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
1:26 pm
I’ve told you all along the Braves would not trade starting pitching
Hanson doesn’t count?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
1:30 pm
Rick Porcello is available… #2-3 guy maybe. Groundballer. He’d do better here w/ Simmons and Prado on the infield than he does in Detroit with Peralta and Miggy. Maholm probably doesn’t interest them, but maybe Teheran for Porcello is fair. 3 years of control on Porcello, and he throws hard. Doesn’t walk many
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
1:31 pm
Hanson doesn’t count?…TOBF
heehee. Lew musta falled offen the same turnip truck that rich did last nite
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
1:32 pm
WIGN would they trade Maholm for Porcello?
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
1:42 pm
Ozzie you obviously have forgotten Manny Ramirez. If Manny could play lf for so long then no doubt gattis can, because Manny is flat out the worst defender I have ever seen.
The braves don’t necessarily have to have a “slugger” in lf. If uggla plays his career avgs, the production you get from him is much more than your avg 2b, meaning lf slugging isn’t a huge priority, besides the obvious fact that the position itself has no bearing on who needs to drive in runs, its all relative to where you are placed in the lineup.
Maybe you should take another look at gattis’ numbers if you think he’s 1 dimensional. He has a high avg through the minors, monster slugging numbers, and very few K’s, meaning he is NOT a 1 trick pony. Carlos Pena is a 1 trick pony, gattis is simply a hitter.
Blog Monitor
December 23rd, 2012
1:45 pm
TOBF, do you get paid by the post count or something?
Blogs really are a place for people with OCD..
They can read moneyball and play fantasy sports and become an instant expert GM..
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
not Maholm, Teheran
Tomahawkin
December 23rd, 2012
1:56 pm
VaBravesFan
“Looks like my Redskins are gonna get knocked off today.”
There is a Pool Going on the Philly.com/eagles Forum…
I’m Banking on Foreskins 27-Iggles 17
I’m Also Pulling for The Aints, Can’t Stand Tony Blomo the Cowturds
Trey
December 23rd, 2012
1:57 pm
74bravesfan, I hope you have a Merry Christmas, too. Those who don’t celebrate Christmas, I wish you all a happy holiday.
keyLargo
December 23rd, 2012
1:58 pm
. Hudson is a 4, and the old man of the rotation.
If Hudson starts 30 games, he’ll lead the teams in wins.
Tomahawkin (Suffering Fan)
December 23rd, 2012
1:59 pm
14-7 Cowturds, The Ain’t’s Defense is Hot Garbage!
Tomahawkin (Suffering Fan)
December 23rd, 2012
2:00 pm
Trey
VaBravesFan
Are you content with this team as it stands right now? Who in Tarnation is gonna leadoff?
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:02 pm
why would you trade Teheran for him? Has a 94 ERA+ and a bad WHIP and Teheran has more upside
Tomahawkin (Suffering Fan)
December 23rd, 2012
2:03 pm
And Peep This?
Phillies Fans on the Philly.com/PhilliesForum Love the Adams deal, They Said that their Bullpen can F with ours, and even had the nerve to Rip Kimmie in saying that “Papelbon has something that Kimmie doesn’t have: Experience, and a Ring”
Ouch
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
2:03 pm
TOBF- i can see giving up maholm, as he wasn’t worth vizcaino, but no way do you give up maholm and teheran for a #2. id do that for a mat latos or an edinson volquez type, but thats about it.
why give up a #4 and a younger potential #1 or #2 for an older #2? i understand teheran might not pan out, but id rather see how he does this year going back to his original mechanics that helped him be the best minor league SP in the game. if anything, i’d rather give delgado, as we already know about how high his ceiling is. at best he’ll be a #3, albeit a very solid #3.
Juan
December 23rd, 2012
2:04 pm
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
1:24 pm
Looks like my Redskins are gonna get knocked off today
Keep the Faith……REDKINDS TOUCHDOWN
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:06 pm
we have no idea at all if he and Johnson were worth Vizcaino, who possibly might never amount to anything in the bigs
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
2:09 pm
@ nolie
i’d much rather have vizcaino than maholm or johnson. there’s a reason he was so highly touted. at the very least he’ll be a dominant reliever. stuff has never been his problem, control has been erratic, which is much easier to fix. high 90’s gas, + curveball, + changeup
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy
December 23rd, 2012
2:14 pm
Those who are clamoring for Upton are not objectively understanding the situation. I’m sure Wren could have Upton right now if he wanted too. However, that leaves no flexibility for him to make mid-season deals. He would have no talent or payroll flexibility. History shows Wren likes having flexibility during the season to address nee eds as they arise. It is an awful big risk to cast your lot in the winter in regards to rosters with out a game being played or other needs not seen yet. Do not get me wrong, I’d love to have Upton but not right now at the price.
Lets see how things go the first month or two then make a deal at the deadline, if it still seems Upton is available and no other glaring weakness…..pull the trigger. Now is the wrong time. Gattis/Francison/Johnson will not sink this club or put us out of contention.
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:16 pm
there are always reasons that prospects are ranked highly, but there are always way more that fail than succeed especially pitchers. In 50 plus years I’ve seen literally hundreds turn to dust right in front of the FO’s eyes. I had no real trouble with the deal, you base a trade on what you need now not what might happen 3 years down the road.
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:17 pm
I doubt that the lack of deadline flexibility is what is keeping Wren from getting Upton
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
nolie
i get that, and im not saying i wouldnt have traded vizcaino, im just saying i wouldn’t have done that particular deal. maholm was having a career season, way far off his norms, and he reverted back once he came to atlanta. for a prospect as highly regarded as viz, the braves could have gotten a better deal than maholm.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
2:20 pm
I think Porcello can be better with a good IF defense behind him… Detroit’s is atrocious.
From what I’ve seen/heard lately, Teheran has #2 upside now, same as Delgado. Delgado has performed at the MLB level, has a decent breaking ball. Teheran got spanked by AAA and his breaking ball isn’t real good. I’d keep Delgado over him right now.
We need a front-end guy right now… Teheran is probably at least 2 years from reaching that, if at all. 2-4 years of a #2 to 6 years of Teheran, with 2 rough ones to start… I’d go with the first. Teheran is a #5 right now.
#2, #3, #3, #4, #5 (New SP, Medlen, Hudson, Minor, Delgado)
or
#3, #3, #4, #4, #5 (Medlen, Hudson, Minor, Maholm, Delgado/Teheran)
First one is better.
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
2:20 pm
hopefully the thing keeping wren giving up the farm for upton is brains and looking beyond this season
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm
Maholm has a 113 ERA+ in Atl, better than what he had in Chi in the first half, he did not revert at all
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy
December 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm
nolie,
not having foresight in regards to a teams long-term plans would be incredibly irresponsible for a GM. Where would we be if the Braves traded Chipper Jones, Javy Lopez, Tom Glavine (especially since the team needed a lot when he was a prospect), Freeman, Heyward, Kimbrel, Furcal, McCann, Andruw Jones, John Smoltz (wonder if Detroit lack of foresight is regrettable today).
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm
no way I make that trade TOBF
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
2:23 pm
tobf, you won’t get a #1 for maholm and teheran. and don’t forget teherans first year numbers were insane, then the pitching coach got cute and tried to change his mechanics and delivery (ala tommy hanson) and teheran plummeted. with him going back to his original motion and mechanics i expect numbers closer to his first season. and delgado is most certainly not a #2. he has decent everything, great nothing. hes your classic “high floor low ceiling” pitcher
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:24 pm
nobody said a word about not having foresight, they have always done very well with who they have traded . none of those you mention are in anywhere the same boat as an injured prospect who is part of what they feel is a point of strength anyway in their pitching.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
2:26 pm
And imo, Maholm for Viz was pretty fair. Viz was hurt, for the 2nd time needing TJ. Very risky. If he was healthy, then yea, he’s too much. But given his injury, fair.
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
2:27 pm
nolie
maholm had a 3.54 era with the bravos and a 1.19 whip
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:30 pm
nothing at all wrong with those numbers, solid #3 starter numbers
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
2:32 pm
hey this is not an argument to the death, I agree that you have a legitimate way at looking at it, I just don’t think it is the only way to look at it
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
not in and of themselves no, but when you throw in chapman in that deal as well, it just seemed like a desperation, “whats the quickest deal i can make” move.
VaBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
2:39 pm
Gonna have to be content cause Wren isn’t gonna do anything. So much for all the financial flexibility we have, its useless.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
2:41 pm
Chapman was a throw-in… not a big deal there
keyLargo
December 23rd, 2012
2:44 pm
Maholm – Traded to the Braves Aug 4 – complete game shutout on August 10. 2 more shutouts in September with bullpen help. Exactly who you need, not trade away.
Half Empty
December 23rd, 2012
2:44 pm
Maholm/Johnson were traded for on the last day of the deadline, I don’t call that a “quickest deal I can make” move. The blog was pretty antsy by then, getting disgruntled even
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
2:45 pm
Does anyone know what happened to the Capitol Avenue Club website? It has been down for days.
Half Empty
December 23rd, 2012
2:47 pm
I don’y pay any attention to it since Peter left Wes, so no idea
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
2:49 pm
Ben Duronio said it was taken down for maintenance, thought it was supposed to be back up yesterday…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 23rd, 2012
2:50 pm
take care y’all
David O'Brien
December 23rd, 2012
3:05 pm
We saw the movie “Lincoln” last night. Go ahead and engrave the statue. Daniel Day-Lewis is your Oscar winner for Best Actor.
Half Empty
December 23rd, 2012
3:07 pm
guy is an awesome actor
David O'Brien
December 23rd, 2012
3:08 pm
DOB – Can you break down Mejia’s and Gattis’ HR direction? How many to LF, CF, RF?
Thanks – jbailz23
Sorry, but I know of no place that has spray charts or directional stats, as it were, for hitters’ home runs in winter ball. And if there is such a place that keeps them and posts them, I’d be surprised.
David O'Brien
December 23rd, 2012
3:09 pm
When I asked about him during Winter Meetings, was told the price tag was high. — me
I’m curious, DOB, do opposing front office execs say this about every single player? — Efrim
me: No, only for the players for whom they believe the price tag to be high.
David O'Brien
December 23rd, 2012
3:12 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? – 74bravesjersey
Real simple reason: Winter ball teams, unlike teams in the fall league or minor league affiliates, have no interest whatsoever in aiding the development of players to benefit their major league teams. Winter ball teams exist to win and provide entertainment for their ticket-buying customers. They don’t have a developmental-type relationship to major league teams, other than to welcome their players if they believe those players can help them win. They use them as they see fit, with the understanding they won’t overuse pitchers and such, because if they do those pitchers would be pulled and brought home by big-league teams.
Ozzie
December 23rd, 2012
3:12 pm
Manny (who played a lot on AL teams BTW) was a freak so lets not compare Gattis to Manny or any other proven superstar. We don’t know what he can do in ML games but we know he has been DH/PH in the DR with very little catching or LF time. Yet many expect him to be in the mix for LF and or back up catcher.
My point is we cannot expect him to waltz out there in a MLB game and just start in LF when his career (microscopically limited) has been at catcher. If he is the third catcher that means one PH a game and then random spot start if 1&2 go down. That is a waste of his bat should it translate to the majors.
Again he feels like an AL player which means a potentially nice haul if he were included in a trade. I am not against trying him out and despite my comments would love to see him shock the world in ATL by winning the LF gig or replacing Mac down the road.
Both seem tough to do based on what he can pick up this spring.
If we were an AL team I would be drooling at the prospect of Gattis as our new DH but we are not.
I like Juan F and know Prado will do his thing but the idea of having two platoons or more at both 3B and LF is not confidence inspiring. Especially since in addition to Gattis we have guys like Schafer, Constanza and Reed (who hits less the more he plays) as the rotisserie in LF.
Justin may be a complete pipe dream and likely is bc Wren is not going to over pay but sooner or later this team needs a real every day LF. This may be a bigger need especially if BJ doesn’t channel some of his best stuff at the plate and in the field.
To me a good GM is one who reduces the number of questions about a team going into ST not increases them. The GM who wants to keep all his options open (including finding lightening in a bottle at the trade deadline) needs more things to break his way than not. In other words luck has to intervene at some point or guys need to play over their heads.
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
3:17 pm
No, only for the players for whom they believe the price tag to be high…DOB
When that snark bites with his teeth, dear
Scarlet billows, they begin to spread
Fancy white gloves though has ol’ MacDOB, dear
So there’s rarely, rarely a trace of red
David O'Brien
December 23rd, 2012
3:18 pm
Forget gattis, all the guy can do ist hit homers, yopu never see posts about him singling or stealing a base or walking. Obviously he is a one trick pony…..
Obviously. He’s hitting .295 with a .360 OBP and has 33 singles, 8 doubles, 15 homers and 29 strikeouts in 190 at-bats this winter. Yep, he obviously just hits homers.
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
3:24 pm
ozzie
i didn’t compare their star power, simply their defense. if manny could manage to stick in lf (it actually serves to enhance my point that it was in the al) with his defense, then gattis can too. the point was manny’s defense might possibly go down as the worst starting outfielder in at least 30 years. point is he made up for it with the bat. and all of gattis’ numbers point to him being a legit hitter.
honestly i wouldn’t care if they kept him at catcher. macs not exactly gold glove himself, and gattis (if he follows his trends) will have more than enough bat to make up for it. honestly i’d rather have gattis catch, start prepping cunningham, see if terdo can turn it around, and deal bethancourt. i don’t care about defense as much from my catcher if he can’t hit the ball. bethancourt at this point is simply a younger j.c. boscan; a great guy to have as a backup, but never a starter.
dylan
December 23rd, 2012
3:25 pm
@ DOB
thanks for disproving that
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
3:25 pm
No trace of red, Nolie, even though you were kidding.
Trey
December 23rd, 2012
3:27 pm
Tomahawkin, there are always improvements that can be made for a team.
Ward
December 23rd, 2012
3:29 pm
Hello everyone! The White Bear your LF……That’s if no on one is signed, and it’s starting to look more, and more like. Wren, give The White Bear a Chance……Peace, and talk later my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
David O'Brien
December 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm
By the way, Gattis may end up staying to play in round-robin playoffs in Venezuela, after originally planning to leave Dec. 31. Asked Braves for permission to stay.
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
3:34 pm
Good news DOB for the Gattis gallery
nolie
December 23rd, 2012
3:34 pm
just get him here by ST
Wes Jorga
December 23rd, 2012
3:39 pm
Gattis just knocked in 2 runs in bottom of 1st. Now 5 for last 6 ABs