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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
Venice Jim
December 24th, 2012
1:09 am
Finishing up the movies…pausing Bing when Julie and/or the venerable Mr. Plummer sing…
Trey
December 24th, 2012
1:09 am
Don’t worry, Tom. It’s easy to forget if you don’t take the classes for a while. I went to Greek School for a year, and I forgot a lot of it, but I am starting to get back into it.
Ozzie
December 24th, 2012
1:20 am
My comments on Gattis are about his preparedness for playing LF. He has very few starts in LF at any level.
LF is more than shagging flies or hitting the cutoff man. There is route running. Picking up the ball off the bat to determine its trajectory, etc. Some ball players can pick up almost any position some cannot. With Gattis we just don’t know. I hope he can but I just don’t see it without lots of practice.
If they really think he can be a LF he should spend 3 mos in AAA starting in LF every day.
Right now he is a back up catcher who can hit a ton. He needs time to be coached and practice playing LF so his offense is not overshadowed by his embryonic OF skills.
Tom O'Hawke
December 24th, 2012
1:20 am
Trey, I found that it’s not easy to find someone that wants to converse in Latin… unfortunately, that aids memory loss.
I’m sure you face the same problem with Greek.
Venice Jim
December 24th, 2012
1:20 am
Bing triumphs over Fred and all is right with the world…
Venice Jim
December 24th, 2012
1:24 am
Forcing myself to stop the Albert Finney musical version of Scrooge or I’ll be up for another two hours repeating choruses of Thank You Very Much…
Tom O'Hawke
December 24th, 2012
1:24 am
embryonic
I’m impressed.
Venice Jim
December 24th, 2012
1:26 am
Finally a day off from work, and absolutely nothing to do…
except buy groceries, and maybe another gift or two, make pecan pie, wrap gifts, think about cookies, be at the cabfamily by 2:30……
Tom O'Hawke
December 24th, 2012
1:27 am
It’s OK if you go to bed, VJ. The sooner you go, the sooner I go.
Venice Jim
December 24th, 2012
1:32 am
Actually, I brought the computer in to bed half an hour ago. Probably time to turn it off…
Enjoy Christmas Eve (also from the waving person next to me)…
Tom O'Hawke
December 24th, 2012
1:33 am
You too, buddy (also, the waving person next to you)
Trey
December 24th, 2012
1:40 am
Tom, that is true, but being raised with the Greek heritage, it is a language that I want to be able to speak fluently. I would be able to easily converse with the folks at my church.
Braveone
December 24th, 2012
2:29 am
From the previous blog which had 5,323 comments, TheOnlyBravesFan led the way with 388 posts. There were 286 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 TheOnlyBravesFan 388
2 nolie 281
3 Brava 262
4 Efrim 233
5 Lew 233
6 ncscoots 205
7 cabravesfan 187
8 Tom O’Hawke 172
9 JasonInFL 169
10 Heath 147
11 VaBravesFan 143
12 old man 137
13 Murph 129
14 TennesseePaul 93
15 DAP 92
16 Ward 89
17 richbrave 79
18 P’cola Brave 77
19 George_George 76
20 brian 74
21 JC Brave 71
22 Arkansas Transplant 65
23 CB 64
24 Nowhere man 60
25 Real Talk 58
The Outlier
December 24th, 2012
2:51 am
Hint: I am not a frequent poster, but I have been an observant and attentive Braves fan since I was 8 years old. Born in Milw, and moved to Columbus GA in the early ’50’s, I seen the greats (Spahn, Matthew’s,Aaron,Cepeda, Carty, Jones, and the HOF pitcher. In between, I saw Casey Wise at SS, and Zane Smith try to anchor our staff – saw us fritter away Brett Butler, and remember Claudell. I still remember my Ernie Johnson ‘54 card, and my own “pre-Columbian” Boster Braves’ card featuring Ebba St.Claire – or was it bonus baby Ed Parks – the mind reels. Anyway, I see the Braves being the premier team in baseball this coming season. They may win but a scant 92 games – given the Phils and Nats (personally – 95-97 is not out of the question) – but most they will be seen as the team to beat in the post season. The Braves will not be looking for a LF as the season progresses. Both Uggla and McCann will be “relatively” productive and healthy. That alone makes for WAR+. The former has a good career history and is total gamer, the latter will be playing for either/both a place in the pantheon (possible) or, a new career contract.
Reed Johnson will be the Braves’ equivalent of a “sixth” man”. Seasoned and competent. Andrellton and Jose Constanze can predictably be assumed to be productive. Prado has early potential for HOF (or “very great career”)status.
That I am not even discussing the pitching staff is significant. On paper – this staff simply rocks, at all levels – even if none are “stellar” (and long, late, and closers are without equal in the game.)
Even Shafer adds to the mix. He is a base stealer, and more than decent in the OF – plus he is at his “career crossroads”. Immature, yes; talented,yes – and best of all this “Hummer Lovin’” dude, knows he’s at “trails end”. I expect his performance to be the best he is able to produce – he ain’t lookin’ for all-star cred, but he’d like to stay in the game.
All of this could be a challenge for Freddi. Platooning, patience, keeping everybody involved – not a team of superstars yet, but a team of excellence: Heyward, Freeman, BJ, Prado, a healthy McCann, a thoroughly professional and producing Reed; and not to forget Andrellton – is he another Ozzie or Barry Larkin, or (going back some years) even a Luis Aparicio with power!
I am seeing all of the cogs, with not only flexibility, but redundancy. This club is a team to compete with the very best in 2013. Start to finish. (You heard it here first! – chisele my words on some unused marble lying around in the Forum of Tiberius.) I am serious as hell. This team ain’t no false pretender!
nolie
December 24th, 2012
3:03 am
Merry Christmas y’all.
nolie
December 24th, 2012
3:04 am
hi Low
Zing
December 24th, 2012
3:09 am
you too, nolie
nolie
December 24th, 2012
3:09 am
there ain’t all that much to playing left and there have been hundreds of stumblebums play it over the century. The biggest thing is can you judge where the ball is headed off the bat. If so you are well on your way, if not well the routes will be a little convoluted at times. both it and right are hitting and then power positions above anything else though of course the best defense possible within that parameter is always appreciated.
From what I hear Gattis is an Ok athlete for a big guy so if he has trouble out there it will be in judging fly balls.We won’t know how that is until we see him, too bad the team did not have much use for him out there.
nolie
December 24th, 2012
3:14 am
Thank you Zing, you too.
Zing
December 24th, 2012
3:15 am
Agree, nolie. Playing LF ain’t like playing SS or something. It’s mainly about whether he can catch the routine fly ball and fire in the ball that drops in for a hit. That’s it. He surely isn’t that bad since he played LF in AA for several games…
JC Brave
December 24th, 2012
4:01 am
Merry Christmas to you too nolie! Have a good one!
Couch Tater
December 24th, 2012
5:54 am
‘Twas the day before Christmas when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring..
The best laid mice and men, oft plan to go astray.
Because….
Papa was was a rollin’ stone,
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
But..
Heads will be ringing, the sad sad news,
Oh what a Christmas, to have the blues
Bash!
Cause mama said, we’ll conspire
as we dream by the fire,
to face unafraid,
the plans that we’ve made…
And, he’ll be in a Winter Wonderland.
Sylvester Bill
December 24th, 2012
7:46 am
Hope The Outlier has it right! Merry Christmas to all!
phil
December 24th, 2012
7:47 am
Good morning and Merry Christmas all….
richbrave
December 24th, 2012
8:04 am
Gotta’ gp. Big celebration here tonight. Grandma’s house as it were. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.
Gonna’ hafta’ hit it for 20 after this one BRAVA
JasonInFL
December 24th, 2012
8:10 am
What do people think of Michael Brantley of Cleveland? I wonder if there is any chance the Indians play Stubbs in CF and trade Brantley? He had a decent OBP last year, but an OPS of .750 and UZR/150 doesn’t have him as a very good CF.
Nolie or someone else familiar, where can a person look-up +/- fielding stats?
Jeff R
December 24th, 2012
8:12 am
Even Shafer adds to the mix. He is a base stealer, and more than decent in the OF – plus he is at his “career crossroads”. Immature, yes; talented,yes – and best of all this “Hummer Lovin’” dude, knows he’s at “trails end”. I expect his performance to be the best he is able to produce – he ain’t lookin’ for all-star cred, but he’d like to stay in the game.
Ekes, “The Outlier’s” screed was fine until he got to Schafer. Then he lost me.
And Merry Christmas Eve to all (just a being technical)
Sylvester Bill
December 24th, 2012
8:14 am
Jason
Had the same thought about Brantley. Doubt they trade him though. Would be a great fitin left field.
Braves' Nation
December 24th, 2012
8:38 am
Scott Hairston had a similar OBP as BJ Upton. EKES !
Frank Wren, pass on Hairston !
JasonInFL
December 24th, 2012
8:47 am
Schafer and his OPS+ of 63? Yeah, probably not adding much to the team at this point.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
8:59 am
he can’t even help Gwinnett… he’s that bad.
Fire Schafer! Maybe give him a lump of coal, Santa…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
9:10 am
Interesting… worst avg. against fastballs of 93+ in 2011
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ArBxIH6CMAAZEPT.jpg:large
McCann 2nd worst, with a .154
Mark
December 24th, 2012
9:15 am
Cmon Braves. Stand up and be an example for all sports and kids.
Release the PED guy that got caught and anyone else that cheats!!!!
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
9:16 am
Wouldn’t worry about Jordan Schafer sniffing the 25 man roster this season. He’s pretty low on the pecking order, you’d have to think that even Todd Cunningham would get his first MLB action before we call up Schafer.
Prado could play LF everyday if they believe in Francisco at 3B
Johnson is our 4th OF for sure who could platoon
Gattis has a shot to possibly play everyday or be in a platoon
Jose Constanza is likely next in line if Johnson were to get hurt.
Todd Cunningham would likely be given a shot if all other options don’t work out. Or we make a trade.
Leading me to believe that Schafer will be the CFer in AAA the whole season. If he makes the 25 man roster at any point during this season, Wren really has messed up. I would say the same thing for George Constanza…. They both should not be on the MLB roster at all, until rosters expand.
So if all combinations of Francisco/Gattis/Johnson prove to be non-productive Wren’s hand will be forced to make a trade, unless Cunningham is taking strides in AAA, which still leaves me very pessimistic.
Mixxo
December 24th, 2012
9:30 am
McCann 2nd worst, with a .154
Not surprised in the least.
LOSE this under performer already!!!
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
9:44 am
Yankees GM Brian Cashman blames the team’s lack of pursuit of Raul Ibanez on the club’s priority of acquiring a right-handed hitting outfielder. Beyond finding an outfielder, Cashman says that the team does not have an unlimited budget and must work within its means.
Feinsand points to right-handed outfielder Matt Diaz as a potential fit for the Yankees. Diaz has regained his health, should be an inexpensive sign and would bring a career batting line against lefties of .324/.364/.498.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
9:47 am
Keith Law on Swisher signing with the Indians.
What I don’t get is the logic of a below-.500 team giving a four-year contract to a corner outfielder who is entering his age-32 season. Cleveland lost 94 games in 2012 and had the second-worst run differential in the majors; prior to the Swisher signing, its only significant move of the offseason was trading Choo for Trevor Bauer, a great deal for the long term, but hardly enough to make the team a contender in 2013 or 2014.
Swisher has held his value fairly consistently through his prime years, but corner bats don’t typically age well into their mid-30s, and Swisher’s passive approach, with lots of walks and strikeouts, is often a harbinger of an earlier decline. For a good team, Swisher on a three-year deal at the same annual salary of $14 million would have made sense, since he could have delivered plenty of value in the first year or two to justify the contract even if his decline started before the deal was up. For Cleveland, however, the club is staring at a situation in which it is unlikely to post a winning record before Swisher’s performance slips from 3-4 wins above replacement per season to probably half that.
He may be more valuable to the team as a tradeable asset next offseason, before any decline sets in, than as a player to keep for the full four years, given the rapid inflation in free-agent salaries and the threat of a very thin free-agent pool after 2013.
Venice Jim
December 24th, 2012
9:47 am
I apologize to all who welcome my insightful comments that I was absent from the list Braveone posted overnight (although, since it has been 3 years since I had actually posted one of those, I guess no one is too disappointed)…
A fantastic Christmas Eve to all!!!
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
9:51 am
The Arizona Diamondbacks now have a glut of outfielders with the signing of Cody Ross, writes Nick Piecoro. The Diamondbacks’ intent is to trade another outfielder, and privately, some in the organization have indicated that the most likely guy to go is Jason Kubel.
This is why this deal makes sense from Arizona’s perspective: Kubel is regarded as a very subpar outfielder, while Ross is average, and a better athlete (with more speed) — at the same price. Piecoro notes that the signing of Ross raises some questions of logic about Arizona’s plan. If defense is being given a greater value by the Diamondbacks, why did Arizona trade away Chris Young — a better defender than Ross, as well as being younger and carrying less long-term financial burden — early in the offseason for a modest package?
It’s all water under the bridge now: Arizona plows ahead with a higher payroll and more depth at the big league level, and if Kubel does turn out to be the guy the Diamondbacks trade, they could get a second-tier prospect in return for him. Kubel is owed $7.5 million for next season and has a $7.5 million option for 2014, with a $1 million buyout.
Atlanta Braves: As they signed B.J. Upton, they tried to trade for Denard Span and have had conversations about Dexter Fowler; either one of those players would be a good fit for what Atlanta needs, which is a top-of-the-order hitter. But Kubel could be a decent Plan B — if the Braves became comfortable with the idea of adding another high-strikeout guy (151 last season) to a mix that already includes Dan Uggla and Upton. And if the Braves traded for Kubel, this would greatly reduce the playing opportunities for Juan Francisco, a very powerful hitter who is having a strong showing in winter ball (.944 OPS). If Kubel were to start in left field for Atlanta against right-handed pitchers, that would mean Martin Prado would play third, and Francisco would be on the bench.
Lew
December 24th, 2012
9:51 am
You actually needed research and formulas to know Mac couldn’t catch up to a fastball with a cyst and shoulder subluxation?
ncgary
December 24th, 2012
9:52 am
luis aparicio , hadn’t remembered him in years , used to love seeing him dig it at ss on saturdays
Lew
December 24th, 2012
9:55 am
Well, according to KLaw, Swisher already fell apart a few years back.
ncgary
December 24th, 2012
9:57 am
i thought k law fell apart a few years back too…….. lol
Mixxo
December 24th, 2012
9:57 am
So, Mac has had that cyst and shoulder subluxation his entire pro career?
He never could turn on some 93+ cheese.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
9:58 am
Possible loophole
There is an imperfect escape to the draft-pick quandary that Boras figures to explore — an improvised sign-and-trade arrangement that has already been discussed within some team offices.
The Indians have the No. 5 pick overall, among the 10 picks protected in the draft, so Cleveland will surrender its second-round pick for Swisher. If Cleveland signs another free agent tied to draft pick compensation, the Indians would give up their third-round pick; if they sign two more, they lose their third-round pick, and so on.
This is how a loophole could be created: Let’s say Seattle was interested in signing Bourn, but without giving up a top draft pick. With Boras working in concert with the Mariners and Indians, Cleveland could be the team that technically signs Bourn — with a prearranged trade to Seattle, who would give the Indians something in return.
In this way, Seattle would get Bourn while keeping the top of its draft intact, and Cleveland would get something in return for giving up its lower draft pick.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
9:58 am
that was 2011 Lew, not 2012…
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
10:00 am
but I mean I understand why Mac wanted to play, but I do think he should have shut it down this summer… wasn’t helping much, may have made the injury worse. Now he’s going to miss some time to start. Would have been nicer if he would be ready to play in ST.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
10:03 am
John Fay
“Freel was a fun guy to be around most days. He was outgoing, funny and goofy. Other days, he was a different person. He’d sit and stare silently at his locker. We used to joke that his mood depended on the medication. Those gags don’t seem so funny now.”
“His numbers dropped off significantly after the concussion that he suffered in a collision with Norris Hopper on May 28, 2007. He missed a month. He was not the same player after returning. ”
“When we asked him about the concussion, he guessed that it was his ninth or 10th. I tried to track him down a couple of times. My theory was the concussions had a lot to do with his career going south.”
Lew
December 24th, 2012
10:05 am
Mixxo – Needless to say you likely won’t be asking for a %$#^ refill for Christmas – you’re apparently still full up.
Mac has had a torn up oblique and then the shoulder issues the past year and a half – small surpirse he couldn’t catch up to a 93+ fastball. Prior to that he was about the best hitting catcher in baseball and certainly the best hitting for power. Even l;ast year with the shoulder problems, he still was fourth or fifth in the league in power categories for NL catchers.
Maybe he won’t be the best option for an extension, but let’s not negate what he really brought to the team just to be your typical self.
Lew
December 24th, 2012
10:07 am
OnlyBraves – So? He had no issues for the second half of 2011? How about you cehck out the numbers prior to his oblique injury.
I agree he should have sat out for a longer period of time and truly healed, but let’s get real – Dude was tearing it up big time prior to the oblique problem.
Lew
December 24th, 2012
10:13 am
People seem to forget that prior to the oblique injury in 2011, in 104 games, McCann hit .306, .375, .514, .889 with 18 HR and 56 RBI.
I imagine he hit a fastball or two to get to those numbers.
ncgary
December 24th, 2012
10:15 am
my docs seem to think blows to the head lead to als, and i cant disagree, cause as an old ski bum, i sure took some terrible tumbles where the head hit ice hard. not that i was a terrible skier , just a balls to the walls type. kick in 4 years of the navy and the fights that accompany this and my noggin probably has hafd at least 20 type of hits that if they weremnt concussions they were probably pretty close.
i didn’t think they were bothering me at the time, but now i wonder and wander……..lol
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
10:17 am
Pretty interesting situation with McCann. I’d love to see him continue his career as a Brave, but here is the kicker. If McCann comes back fully healthy and has a Great normal McCann season he will likely be gone cause the money will be elsewhere.
But if he has just a OK season, it would likely keep his contract expectations much lower. But still some teams (specially AL teams) would have alot of interest. But just maybe the Braves can keep McCann for much less than we all thought before the start of last season. Of course Bethancourts development would play a role in this still.
I mean most of us seen him atleast matching the 5 year 75 million contract that Molina signed. I think that’s well above what we can expect now, unless he really comes back strong. Also I don’t think the Braves are prepared to offer such a deal either.
I could see the Braves going 3/41.25 or 4/55. Which probably might be a little low with how salaries have shot up this offseason. But really how much can the Braves invest in McCann and feel comfortable about it? Regardless of his 2013 season I don’t see a 5/75 coming from the Braves.
ctrim
December 24th, 2012
10:19 am
$15 million sure doesn’t but what it used to
ncgary
December 24th, 2012
10:19 am
well being that last minute procrastinator
i guess its time to go wrap the presents i bought last night
hope everyone on the blog and their familys have a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new years
Lew
December 24th, 2012
10:21 am
ncgary – I think they’re going to find a correlation between concussions and all sort of problems.
Joe 12-Pack
December 24th, 2012
10:26 am
Frank Wren’s plan is to pretend that he is looking for a left fielder, wait for them all to be snatched up, and then say “aw, gee willickers. I tried”.
Then he will patchwork like he always does with terrific failure.
Can anyone name the last true outfielder the Braves have had in left who was of All-Star quality?
Prado, Chipper, and Klesko are infielders so don’t say that. Garret Anderson was past his prime & going through the motions.
Gerald Williams, Reggie Sanders, B.J. Surhoff, Charles Thomas, Kelly Johnson, Ryan Langerhans, Matt Diaz, Gregor Blanco, Melky Cabrera…?
It was probably Ron Gant 20 years ago.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
10:33 am
Even after the 2012 season Brian McCann would still be rated higher than Mike Napoli. Napoli is in a situation where something in his physical is holding up his 3 year 39 million contract from being officially done.
Napoli splits time between Catcher, 1st Base, and DH. Yet he only play 120 or so games last season. Also had a pretty so-so year with the Bat compared to his 2011 season.
Also Mike Napoli is 3 years old than McCann….. What all this tells me is there will be some teams out there (regardless of McCann’s 2013 season) if he’s healthy that he’ll have no problem getting a 5 year deal around 60 to even 75 million possibly more if he has a great season.
So my previous comment is basically wrong now. Teams are gonna pay top dollar for players who are older, already showing decline, and have injury problems. They just don’t care.
3 years 39 million for Shane Victorino , I mean you have to be kidding me.. Really? His bat speed is shot, he’s coming off the worst season of his career, he’s 32 years old……
3 years 39 million for Napoli, The guy is banged up, has no true position, still only managed to play 120 games with the DH available, coming off a not so good year and is 31 years old.
McCann who will be 29 years old, arguably the best hitting catcher in baseball from 2006 to 2011, 6 Time AllStar, 5 Time Silver Slugger Winner…. He’s younger than both Napoli and Victorino. McCann’s only concern is his shoulder. How much will that affect his price? Crap players are getting 3/39 so I guess McCann should get 5/75 regardless.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
10:36 am
Yep, our LFer’s have been pretty crap for atleast for my whole life. Martin Prado is arguably the best of the bunch out of all those names and he only played 222 games in LF in his career. That is pretty sad.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
10:39 am
My guess is we won’t land a legit slugging LFer until Heyward leaves for Free Agency in the future. That’s still probably off tho. By the time this all happens, players of Nick Swisher’s caliber will be making 20 million a season. And with our current TV contract it’s likely that our payroll will still be floating around 85-95 million.
Joey G
December 24th, 2012
10:47 am
Joe 12-Pack
You faile to mention Mike Deveroux (sp), Dwight Smith and Jerome Williams
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
10:53 am
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Trying to put together a clean hall of fame ballot. Looks like I’ll vote for 6-8. Thoughts welcome. Still mulling.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
10:55 am
Redskins and Braves fan my whole life. Skins have been horrible for just about the whole time, but now are becoming a much better team so it’s very new to me. This explains why I’m so pessimistic each week. Every Skins game usually comes down to the end of the game. We never blown teams out or are blown out much at all. We fight to the very end of every game and usually come out on the winning side only around 35% of the time….Basically my weekly Sunday heartattack. Now we are actually blowing teams out and so on, huge culture shock. Actually fun and exciting to be a Redskins fan for the 1st time in my life.
Grew up watching the Braves on TBS winning division titles year after year after year, but now are a still a good to great team, but seems to have that “Good but Not good enough” deal going on. So seeing the Braves fight for a Wild card spot and even missing the playoffs, throw in the trio of Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz moving on, to finally Bobby Cox, and now Chipper Jones, and maybe even Brian McCann after this season…. Wow a huge culture change…
Lew
December 24th, 2012
10:55 am
And yet, since Gant played LF for us, the Braves are one of the winningest teams in MLB.
Jeff R
December 24th, 2012
11:06 am
Wouldn’t worry about Jordan Schafer sniffing the 25 man roster this season.
Schafer – bah humbug!
Joey G
December 24th, 2012
11:06 am
Loved Ron Gant. Remeber when he came up as a 2nd baseman the tried at 3rd. Very disappointed when he had the dirt bike accident.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
11:09 am
This is how I view us right now. Were definitely gonna win a Wild Card Spot. I’d say 90% chance we nab a spot. Our chances for winning the NL East to me are much lower. I just really think the Nationals are that much better. Alot of things would have to go right for the Braves to finish out front.
My whole opinion changes if Wren was to add a Justin Upton or Josh Willingham or Shin Soo Choo type Left Fielder. I’d say we’d have a 99% chance of a wild card berth, and we’d be right there with the Nationals neck and neck basically being a real toss up.
Wild Card Spot is not the “Playoffs” I do not consider it a playoff appearance, Actually it’s a complete joke. What makes baseball so great is that 1 game doesn’t decide the World Series Winners. It’s a game of match ups. Under no circumstances should 4 starting pitchers Have ZERO impact in what would be called the playoffs. (The Single Wild Card game)
So if Fredi can’t get this roster past that 1 game bullshyt, it’s a complete failure. We are a playoff team, period.
ChattTownBrian
December 24th, 2012
11:14 am
Sheffield was pretty good and he played LF for us.
ChattTownBrian
December 24th, 2012
11:17 am
I hope you all have a happy and relaxing Christmas. For me I just want to soak in all the time I get to spend with my family.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
11:20 am
Sheff played RF for us.
DS1
December 24th, 2012
11:30 am
A couple of thoughts this Christmas Eve morning:
Was saddened to hear of Ryan Freel’s passing on Saturday. I had a lot of fun on the blog suggesting he was the one thing our club needed to make it perfect. I always admired his all out style of play, which probably shortened his career and maybe (?) his life? Many of us have demons and I try to not be judgmental of someone who thinks the only answer is to take his life. I pray for his family.
I am probably one of very few on the blog that would love to see the Braves give Matt Diaz a spring training invite. I see where the Yankees might be interested in his services. If Matt regained his hitting stroke, he could be a strong bat off the bench.
Lastly, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!
Bo Graves!
Venice Jim
December 24th, 2012
11:35 am
Thanks, DS1 – same to you and Mrs. DS1 !…
Mr Pitts
December 24th, 2012
11:45 am
OK, let’s talk about Trumbo and relevant WARs. I’ll listen to Killer Mike while awaiting the discussion begin.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
11:46 am
Looks possible that team’s may do a sign and trade combo to avoid the draft pick loss. Team’s with protected 1st rounders could sign an elite FA and only surrender a 2nd round pick and then trading that player to a team that would have lost it’s 1st round pick.
Something even crazier is a team like the Indians could sign Michael Bourn and only lose it’s 3rd round pick (2nd rounder lost signing Swisher) but have a trade in place while doing so. They’d likely receive better value than a would be 3rd round pick out of this deal.
So for example for fun, Wren could have called the Indians… We don’t wanna surrender out 1st round pick. We want yall to sign you BJ, and then we’ll trade for him. Then for example they agree to do it for Sean Gilmartin. Then we call BJ and say we have a sign and trade deal in place where Cleveland will sign you to our 5 year 75 million contract offer and then trade you to Atlanta.
So basically Cleveland would be trading there 2nd round pick for Sean Gilmartin, and the Braves would be trading Sean Gilmartin to keep there 1st round pick while getting the CFer they want. Crazy stuff….
Frank Wren
December 24th, 2012
11:56 am
Perhaps Brian McCann will entertain a “hometown discount”
kenhotlanta
December 24th, 2012
12:02 pm
Merry Christmas to all and I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. I’m off to visit my kids and grand kids for a couple of days, and I hope everyone gets that special gift that they wanted.
For all the hand wringing and negativity around here, I am really excited about Spring Training and our Braves this year…we have some great young players, some just about ready to step up and possibly a huge story with Gattis. We have solid pitching and a could-be-great starting lineup, plus more than the usual suspects for our bench. I think Frank is wise not to overspend on a LFer and save that money in case of injury or to add to the team after we see who’s who and what’s what.
If I had a Christmas wish besides for Gattis to be the real deal, I would hope for Schafer to just turn into a good 4th OFer and get everybody off his back…everyone deserves another chance to make good and lets hope he makes the best of what is prolly his last ride at the rodeo. For a couple of weeks there in 2009, the guy looked very exciting and was showing he had all the tools…then he made some bad decisions, but who doesn’t at some point or other? We all deserve that one more chance if it ever comes around.
Merry Christmas and a big thank-you to DOB and Carroll, we appreciate all you do.
BFChris28
December 24th, 2012
12:07 pm
If McCann doesn’t perform well, he’d be wise to give one. He wouldn’t get much on the market due to his health in that case.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
12:10 pm
Perhaps Brian McCann will entertain a “hometown discount”
Sure hope so. Like 3 and an option 14mil AAV if he does well, 10 AAV if he doesn’t.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
12:29 pm
Even if McCann has another below average season, AL teams will still be throwing big money at him. They will believe less time behind the plate would probably help him alot. They could lower his catching work load to around 100 games while DHing him for 50 games, still giving him 12 gamedays plus off days for full rest. Something along those lines. Most of McCann’s value is with his bat. I think he’s a above average to good but not great defender behind the plate. He would benefit with less time back there I think while allowing him to still play 140+ games a season and extending his career in the AL. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him work on playing some 1st base as well if he were to sign in the AL. Cause if McCann can be the hitter we all know he can be, the AL makes the most sense where he can maximize his playing time and career and wallet.
Jeff R
December 24th, 2012
12:30 pm
Perhaps Brian McCann will entertain a “hometown discount”
Not if his agent and he are smart. Besides, we need to see how the big guy produces in 2013. The jury’s still out.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
12:42 pm
Or McCann can accept a hometown discount and stay with the Braves. He’d likely play between 120-135 games a season but that would likely lessen year after year. He would be getting the full work load and wear and tear behind the plate whenever he plays. Likely shortening his career as a impact player as well we could see injuries mount and defensive abilities decline. Tho I think he’ll be rather productive with the bat for a long time just with reducing playing time year after year with no DH and Freeman at 1st base, along with already MLB ready Defensive Stud Bethancourt on his heels.
We could find ourselves with a expensive part time catcher depending on how long the next contract would be. Or we could find ourself possibly trying to trade McCann to a AL team if Bethancourt pushes enough.
I love McCann, but playing Catcher in the MLB is already right off the bat gonna limit how much a man can play. You pay top dollar for a guy that can go out and give you 150+ games a season. Or do we roll the dice and believe that McCann can continue to run out there for 130 games or more every single season for the next 4 or 5 years while providing great offensive production? Cause already we know that his defense isn’t likely to ever get any better and more likely to get worse. So there’s the delimma. Plus factor in that were gonna have a payroll floating around 90 million for quite a long time under our current TV deal, unless a new owner comes aboard with bigger pockets.
George_George
December 24th, 2012
12:43 pm
Merry Christmas Eve to all
ChattTownBrian
December 24th, 2012
12:44 pm
I don’t know man … this Gattis dude might be big for us given a chance. You just really never know. His numbers I’ve seen here during his games this winter have been big. I’m sure the Braves are have him on the mind when thinking any trades this offseason. Maybe this guy is your answer.
BFChris28
December 24th, 2012
12:46 pm
Merry Christmas Eve to Everyone!!!!!!!!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
12:49 pm
Can’t trade McCann after his age 32 season.. he’d be 10-5. I’d be hesitant to give him long-term money past his age 33-34 seasons, one because I think he’ll be starting fewer and fewer games, possible being injured more often, but 2nd we’d be stuck with him if/when that happens. Keep it as short as we can, as he is a catcher crossing the wrong side of 30. And we can’t move him to any other position
Jeff R
December 24th, 2012
12:52 pm
Missing for the AJC photo gallery of Atlanta Braves’ catchers, Bob Didier, who was the Braves’ backstop for the ‘69 Braves’ Western Division champs. 1969 was the first year for MLB’s playoff system.
Bill M.
December 24th, 2012
12:59 pm
VaBraveFan— I don’t think you can do a sign and trade of a FA. If you you sign a FA you must keep them for a certain length of time. Maybe 6 months. Maybe someone would let us know how long you must keep a FA before they can be traded.
Nick
December 24th, 2012
1:08 pm
1. I would trade Mac either way by the trade deadline next season. His performance will dictate the return. I don’t expect him to get any better, quite the contrary.
2. The Braves WILL NOT win a wild card spot nor will they come close to winning their division, be real.
3. The Braves don’t sign their players to extensions, forget about it, not happening.
4. 80-82 season folks, there’s always 2014.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
1:10 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
1:17 pm
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/teams-could-seek-loopholes-for-compensation-free-agents.html
jmart1951
December 24th, 2012
1:24 pm
Several pages back there was a discussion on the Braves starters and how they ranked as being a #1 through #5 pitcher.
I disagree with many of those assessments.
If Hudson had not missed the first month of last season he would have possibly been a 20 game winner. Is that a #1 or a #2 pitcher. I would say a #1
Medlin still has to prove himself for a whole year but my thinking is that at the moment he is a #2
Minor finished strong last year as he seemingly found the way to use his stuff effectively. Solid #3 with potential to become better than that.
Maholm is a solid #3 pitcher. Look at the stats of the ballgames he pitched once coming to the Braves. Several of those games he received no run support. Another game or two the defense let him down. Maholm is a good pitcher. He lost several games that should have been won except for lack of run support or errors.
The Braves starters combined with an exceptional bullpen make their overall pitching only slightly less effective than the Nationals.
The years where teams wine their division requires many of their players to career years or close to it.
Can you remember last year how many games the Nationals came back to win in the 8th, 9th or extra innings. More than likely that percentage of late come from behind wins will not repeat itself this year.
To automatically assume that they are a 98 to 102 game winner in 2013 is in my opinion a mistake.
The Braves have as much potential as the Nationals depending on how many of the Braves players post numbers that are either career years or close to that. Teams must gel in order to win it all.
VaBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
1:27 pm
Yep, possible loop holes are looming. I’m sure if a few teams did this offseason that new rules would be put in place. The whole draft pick stuff is really frustrating.
Look at someone like Rafael Soriano, who is considered a top setup man or closer. Whoever signs him we’ll have to surrender a 1st round pick…. Who is willing to do that? I don’t think anyone, definitely when your looking at a guy seeking 3 years 40+ million. So what is gonna happen is team will decide to offer smaller contracts to offset the draft pick compensation. So if they can land Soriano for say 2 years 20 million it wouldn’t be that bad giving up your 1st rounder. But will Soriano be willing to do that? I doubt it.
But o well. He’s the one who turned down 14 million dollar option, and the 13.3 million qualifying offer. Now his option is to accept whatever team’s are willing to offer or just be unemployed. I would seriously love to see teams start setting the bar. Instead of bidding for players how about they all just offer the same thing and let the player pick his poison. Who cares if you were expecting to CASH IN big time, take what is offered and have a job, or don’t and be unemployed. What else are they gonna do to make millions? Nothing.
Russell Bell
December 24th, 2012
1:27 pm
1. Mac will not be traded at the July deadline, and will rebound nicely from last season.
2. The Braves will comfortably win a wild card spot, and remain competitive within the division until the last week or so of the season.
3. Within the next ~15 months, the Braves will sign Heyward to a longterm deal, and possibly extend Mac or Prado as well.
4. The Braves will go 90-72 next season.
jim
December 24th, 2012
1:29 pm
The priority has to be keeping the young talent into FA — not spending money to retain a 30 year old catcher or 38 year old pitcher next winter. With a mid-market payroll the Braves will need to rely on a productive farm system to remain competetive. I would much rather see the Braves use the extra money they have this year to begin locking up Heyward and Prado — the longer they wait, the more expensive it will become and once Heyward, Freeman, Medlen hit free agency, they will be gone. The Braves cannot afford to bring in a comparable player via free agency, and cannot afford to lose draft picks
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
1:41 pm
Ben Duronio @Ben_Duronio
“@MLBJesus: For My birthday I want the DH eliminated.” implemented in NL
That’d be a way to keep Mac hehe
Venice Jim
December 24th, 2012
1:43 pm
Good to see some Christmas Eve frivolity on the ole blog…
jim
December 24th, 2012
1:44 pm
(continuing the previous thought — my browser crashed and I posted what I had already written)
I don’t understand the sentiment for trading for a “proven” veteran LF. Willingham and Gattis seem to be very similar players — on offense and same defensive shortcomings–but Gattis is MUCH CHEAPER and under control for 6 years. Kubel is not a leadoff hitter, bats left, defensively challenged, and is also more expensive. Gattis has more risk, but also much more upside. If Gattis makes the team by June 1, I expect his offensive power numbers to be better than Uggla’s from that point forward. Justin Upton will cost a lot more than either Teheran or Delgado or even both of them, and add to the future payroll enough money to make retenstion of Heyward, etc. unlikely — and will still not make us a better team on paper next year than the Nats or Reds and no better than several other teams — Cards, Giants, Dodgers, Phils.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
since when has Mac been a strikeout machine???
Phillies will win NL east easily
Yea, cuz Revere and Young are such great acquisitions…
Keep on drinking the stupidity
cornjolio
December 24th, 2012
1:49 pm
Gary Matthews played LF in the late 1970s; he was pretty good.
Brava
December 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
Merry Christmas to everyone!