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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,304 comments Add your comment
ChattTownBrian
December 26th, 2012
11:15 am
All I can say regarding Upton is give the guy a chance. Maybe a new start here helps. Pretty sure the power will be there of course, but you’d love to see the OBP and average go up.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
11:15 am
Heyward was hurt, not sukky…
However, I’m really hoping BJ performs more like his early career.
Yeah, I hope he can get back to a .393 and .344 BABIP, even though he’s dropped to more reasonable numbers since then (.310, .304, .298, .294 the last 4 years)…
Mako
December 26th, 2012
11:16 am
“Whiners” vs the blind homers. Business as usual
Nowhere man
December 26th, 2012
11:18 am
The braves mug shot HOF, Bobby, Andruw, Furcal, DLowe
Nowhere man
December 26th, 2012
11:19 am
Andruw must have finally went to RF.
Nowhere man
December 26th, 2012
11:21 am
All we wanted for Christmas was a new DAILY blog.
Nowhere man
December 26th, 2012
11:24 am
Bobby said he knew all that extra hitting practice would bring about results.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
11:26 am
oh, and somehow become above average defensively in CF… currently he’s a slightly below avg. defender
Felix
December 26th, 2012
11:50 am
Sad news indeed on Andruw. Assaulting his wife? On Christmas (or any day)?!
Great! Just great!
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
12:01 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1457316-atlanta-braves-offseason-questions-that-still-need-to-be-answered
There is only one opening in the Braves rotation, but if either one of these starters is sent down to Triple-A again, they will lose trade value. Delgado is definitely the pitcher to trade; Atlanta cannot miss out on Teheran’s immense potential.
The only question is when Delgado will get traded. Does he get flipped for prospects? What about a bat for left field? Should Atlanta start the year with Delgado in the rotation and Teheran in the bullpen (or Triple-A) in order to boost Delgado’s value?
This one is an absolute doozy.
One of them HAS to go… I say keep Delgado, trade Teheran. He’s produced, Teheran is still a wild-card. Shoulda moved him for Choo…
Zing
December 26th, 2012
12:02 pm
TOBF: Malone and LM could give a rat’s behind about the Braves. The Braves were a throw-in in the deal for certain Turner assets to make things balance out for tax reasons. (Great! That’s how you want your team to be handled!) They’ll set payroll purely based on maintaining the asset and not losing any cash. Period.
Please God will someone buy the Braves off this ridiculous corporate behemoth in 2013?? Isn’t there some billionaire in Atlanta who wants to play ball?
Nowhere man
December 26th, 2012
12:08 pm
Bring back Bourn on a one year deal.
Zing
December 26th, 2012
12:10 pm
Nowhere Man: Only guy on that list who gets in is Bobby. Andruw is a maybe and hasn’t helped his case recently, either on the character side of the equation or in signing with a Japanese team, thus foregoing his chance to add 20 or so home runs to his career tally. Plus, I think he used PEDs in his career… if you look at how he suddenly jacked 51 and 41 home runs in 05/06… I really thought at the time that he’d looked around the league and decided he needed to ‘roid up to get ready for his next contract. If he gets in, it’ll be primarily for his amazing defense for 10 years–that’s his best argument in my view.
Zing
December 26th, 2012
12:15 pm
Hard to see how merely starting at AAA would erode either player’s value. What if Teheran is sent to Gwinnett and is dominant? Wouldn’t that actually increase his value by reassuring everyone that he is as good as billed (because of his struggles in AAA last year)?
Odds are both of these guys see the rotation for a number of starts regardless of who wins the 5th spot. Rare is the team that goes through the entire year with the same 5 guys starting even close to 80% of the games. (I would actually really like to see the stat on that if there is one).
Time
December 26th, 2012
12:29 pm
@DOB – Many thanks for the Killer Mike suggestion. Over the last couple years, and especially since the untimely death of MCA I’ve been listening to nothing but old school. Too many rappers and not enough emcee’s was my view. But you’re right, the Killer Mike album is all time good.
Arkansas Transplant
December 26th, 2012
12:31 pm
One of them HAS to go… I say keep Delgado, trade Teheran.
This I don’t agree with.. and who really cares if they lose value if they return to triple A? How much trade value does someone really have if you don’t plan to trade them? There’s no reason they HAVE to move either.
Arkansas Transplant
December 26th, 2012
12:35 pm
Delgado and Teheran are greater than Maholm.. so why move one of your better pitchers with more potential just because some writer thinks they’d lose value in his opinion.. which is only “his” opinion.
brian
December 26th, 2012
12:42 pm
TOBF – I keep Teheran for the reasons mentioned above. Delgado will be moved unless one starts and the other takes a bullpen spot. If both are pitching well midseason then the Braves could move Delgado or move Maholm for teams needing an inning eater at an “affordable” price.
brian
December 26th, 2012
12:44 pm
agree AT – I also think one could pitch long relief in the bullpen or possibly a 7th inning role with a possible move to the rotation mid year or earlier if someone gets hurt.
Maholm may have as much trade value as anyone to a pitching starved team. May be able to get a very good prospect for him
Zing
December 26th, 2012
12:47 pm
Remember, also, Maholm (and Hudson) are possibly both gone after 2013, though I expect Hudson will stay on and finish his career in Atlanta. So, it’s not like there won’t be spots that need to be filled. If both of those guys are as good as they could be, then why would the Braves move them just to make room? They’ve already done that by trading Hanson b/f his free agent year and dumping Jurrjens.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
12:49 pm
I believe BJ Upton will benefit from the change of scenery and being in a better lineup. I think he can maintain his power numbers while improving his AVG/OBP to around 260/340. I think he’s a good but not great defender in CF, and his stolen base totals could vary depending on where he bats in the order.
Hopefully he can produce something around 260/340/450 along with 60+ XBH and 30+ SB. That would be great production from the CF position. It would be a massive improvement overall from his batting line of 242/316/420 over the past 4 seasons, tho he did average 32 Doubles, 20 HR, and 38 SB each year as well
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
12:52 pm
Graham and possibly Gilmartin since the Braves like their lefties, will be ready next year. Graham, Gilmartin, Teheran, Delgado for 2 spots, assuming we don’t add from FA/trade. We’ve been waiting on those guys since 2010, still aren’t big contributors yet.
possibly a 7th inning role
I wouldn’t like putting a potential starter, a top of the rotation starter at that, in the bullpen. And they aren’t needed there anyway. Walden’s and JV got the 7th covered.
If both are pitching well midseason then the Braves could move Delgado or move Maholm for teams needing an inning eater at an “affordable” price.
That won’t be happening…. not if we’re contenders. No way, esp. on Maholm.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
12:53 pm
Were paying Upton for his Power and Speed combination while providing RH balance in the order. But they are also banking on him improving overall. It would be a huge let down if he doesn’t…
Judge Judy
December 26th, 2012
12:56 pm
“The braves mug shot HOF, Bobby, Andruw, Furcal, DLowe”
Toss in Otis Nixon & Deoin Sanders …
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
1:00 pm
If Tim Hudson has a solid season there will be mutual interest from him and the Braves for another 1 or 2 year deal. Starters under control for 2014 who are likely to contribute. Missing that veteran guy I think we’d need still.
Beachy, Minor, Medlen, Delgado, Teheran, Gilmartin
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
1:10 pm
Strangest But Truest Player of the Year
Has there ever been a stranger but truer baseball player than Adam Dunn? I mean, seriously. At least he didn’t hit .159 again. But he still did all this:
[+] Enlarge
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Adam Dunn leads the majors in strikeouts (598) over the past three seasons.
• In 328 of Dunn’s always-entertaining trips to home plate, the ball never got around to leaving the batter’s box (222 strikeouts, 105 walks, 1 HBP)! So who else has ever had that many trips like that in one season? Nobody, obviously.
• Dunn also worked only 110 hits into his repertoire (amidst those 222 strikeouts). And that means he’s now had back-to-back seasons with at least twice as many punchouts as hits. So how many other position players have ever done that two years in a row? You guessed it. Zero.
• In yet another bid for swing-and-miss history, the Big Donkey had more strikeouts (156) than the pitcher who was leading the big leagues in strikeouts, Justin Verlander (152), as late as Aug. 5! Alas, a late-season oblique strain got in the way of that quest. …
• But not this one: Dunn struck out at least once in every one of his first 32 games of the season, barely squeaking by the old record — of 14!
• In yet more unprecedented Human Air Conditioner developments, Dunn became the first man in history to whiff 134 times before the All-Star break. Would you believe Albert Pujols has also whiffed 134 times — in the last two seasons combined?
• In non-strikeout news, this man hit his 30th homer this year before he hit his 30th single! And kids, all we can say is, don’t try that at home.
• But finally, here’s this important question: Who had the better year — Dunn or his “hot-hitting” teammate, Alex Rios? Don’t answer too hastily now. Dunn hit .204 in 649 trips to the plate. Rios hit .304 in 640 trips. But Dunn still reached base more times (216) than Rios did (214)? You can look it up!
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
1:17 pm
Great Read! Would post some on here but there is alot.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8772294/strange-true-feats-2012-mlb-season
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
1:29 pm
2014- Medlen, Beachy, Minor, Hudson (?), Graham, Gilmartin, Teheran, Delgado, and who knows, maybe Wood. Someone else could “break out” as well
If the guys wouldn’t lose some value by staying in AAA, I’d be all for keeping them. We’re gonna need it next winter. Gotta fill 3B, LF, and C. Maybe we could try to get a top pitcher via trade as well. But for now, whoever of Teheran/Delgado goes to AAA will lose value. Graham needs to be kept, I don’t think the rest of the league values Gilmartin too highly; he’s a soft-tosser (bad 1st rd pick, btw) with little upside.
But from the list above, we’ve got 8 guys for 5 spots, and we will likely need to add a top pitcher. So that’s 9 guys for 5. Only Teheran, Delgado, and Gilmartin are tradeable imo, and whichever one goes to AAA will be worth about nothing in a trade this winter. Toss in Gilmartin, still horrible.
Keep Delgado, trade Teheran and Gilmartin for something good, even if it’s a high upside prospect at AA or something. We’d be set to have a 2014 rotation of Medlen, Beachy, Minor, Graham, Delgado… we can always add Hudson or some other pitcher and keep Graham in AAA for seasoning in 2014. Minor/Delgado could become expendable. And don’t forget about Wood, he’s going to AA next season, may not be long on him.
George_George
December 26th, 2012
1:43 pm
Nowhere man
December 26th, 2012
11:19 am
Andruw must have finally went to RF
*********************************************
Good day all
The thing that used to freak me out with ANDRUW when he was here was how he would have a big old smile on his face when he would strike out.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
1:47 pm
from MLBTR, so…
Comment From fan
Is rick porcello on the move?
1:44
I think they’ll wind up keeping him. I love him as a buy-low guy — strikeouts and grounders trending upwards, FB velocity spiked last year, still so young — but he needs a good IF defense to be successful. Detroit doesn’t have that. Tons of teams (Marlins, Padres, Angels, Rangers, Mariners) should be in on him.
We’ve got that defense… wish we’d be in on him
George_George
December 26th, 2012
1:53 pm
Good day all
The thing that used to freak me out with ANDRUW when he was here was how he would have a big old smile on his face when he would strike out
*****************************************************
My fear is BJ will have the same BAD ATTITUDE and he does not have the natural ability that ANDRUW had.
brian
December 26th, 2012
1:56 pm
no kidding TOBF – wouldn’t mind trading delgado and another minor leaguer for Porcello. I do think he is a buy low candidate and would excel in Turner field.
We could give them minor league pitching to refresh their minor leagues. He would be a solid 5th starter
brian
December 26th, 2012
1:56 pm
no kidding TOBF – wouldn’t mind trading delgado and another minor leaguer for Porcello. I do think he is a buy low candidate and would excel in Turner field.
We could give them minor league pitching to refresh their minor leagues.
Half Empty
December 26th, 2012
1:57 pm
Bobby said he knew all that extra hitting practice would bring about results. @ Nowhere Man
Does this idiot EVER make a post that isn’t mean-spirited and nasty?
George_George
December 26th, 2012
1:59 pm
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
1:10 pm
WOW, I really want DUNN for LF. GET HIM NOW!
Half Empty
December 26th, 2012
2:02 pm
why in the world would we want Porcello? Bad WHIP, poor ERA+. We have a number of better options with more upside
phil
December 26th, 2012
2:08 pm
It is downright windy and cold out today….
Good day for a fire.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
2:11 pm
wouldn’t mind trading delgado and another minor leaguer for Porcello
Or Teheran straight up
Porcello is a similar pitcher to Hudson imo… his K/9, BB/9, K/BB, and HR/9 ratios all nearly the same. Throws a bit harder. Just needs a good infield defense, and Detroit doesn’t come close to providing one.
old man
December 26th, 2012
2:15 pm
George_George
Do you have any evidence of BJ smiling when he strikes out? I’ve never seen that.
I am a little puzzled about exactly what constitutes “the same bad attitude.” Maybe a little explanation would help.
SNEAKY PETE
December 26th, 2012
2:17 pm
bah humbug on Porcello
Half Empty
December 26th, 2012
2:27 pm
exactly. talk about trading someone just to make a trade.
George_George
December 26th, 2012
2:29 pm
Zing
December 26th, 2012
11:09 am
The Lawyer: Who in our outfield had more strikeouts and a lower OBP? Nobody.
However, I’m really hoping BJ performs more like his early career. The hitting instructors did a good job with Heyward, so hopefully they can turn BJ around a bit.
***********************************************************************
BJ’s OBP .292 is really bad. I don’t know what made FRANK so hot to get him.
George_George
December 26th, 2012
2:35 pm
old man
December 26th, 2012
2:15 pm
George_George
Do you have any evidence of BJ smiling when he strikes out? I’ve never seen that.
I am a little puzzled about exactly what constitutes “the same bad attitude.” Maybe a little explanation would help.
*************************
I have not seen BJ play much at all. I am baseing “bad attitude” on his problems with his MGR and EVAN LONGORIA over his lactidasical play in outfield with TB.
Russell Bell
December 26th, 2012
2:35 pm
bah humbug on Porcello
Agreed. I think offseason boredom is stoking this particular trade conversation.
Ozzie
December 26th, 2012
2:40 pm
The market decides on pricing and sometimes it moves away from you in a hurry. Wren has never been the guy who sets the market for a variety of reasons.
He tends to get myopic on “his” guy and won’t move until that transaction has occurred or the deal collapses.
This year he was hoping to make a quick trade after his big FA move and the market flat out got away from him. It moved too quickly and the prices shot up. This was akin to watching the auction get away from you on Ebay. Sometimes you have to hit the buy it now button.
That said, I wonder if he is holding out hope that Ahmed puts on a show in ST (non roster invitee) and he can re-engage with Towers or another on the fence GM. The guy AZ signed for SS is good but he is not a world beater & he needs more seasoning.
If Ahmed (college level player btw) were playing in ML today he would be the fastest if not top three wheels guys in all of baseball. If he hits and fields well in ST – along with flashing his wheels – Towers or another GM may bite.
Wren needs the cash to pull off that kind of a deal for Justin or a similar comp’d player of note. Or he can go cheap and trade for Trumbo who may as well be Gattis. Both have question marks on the field but can rake. Trumbo gets the nod bc he is raking (and sadly SO) against ML pitching.
I don’t think Wren is comfortable hoping the Dominican league news feeds are indicative of what he will see in the Majors. It would be fantastic if Gattis or Meija came up and hit ML pitching like they are in the DR but that league is an “entertainment” league where pitchers are throwing batting practice.
They love PR as much as we love reading it folks. You think they are not pouring gas on the fire with hot hitters? You need to follow the league more closely. The long ball and giving players cute nicknames is standard operating procedure. They are lapping up our reactions here in the states.
DR winter ball is the WWE of baseball.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
2:40 pm
BJ Upton was the youngest notable CFer on the market. Even if his AVG/OBP doesn’t improve much were still gonna get Power and Speed and solid value throughout the entire 5 year contract. Of all the free agent long term deals signed this offseason there are concerns on the backend on just about all the contracts except BJs. Were getting him from 28-33 years of age…
Half Empty
December 26th, 2012
2:44 pm
Of all the free agent long term deals signed this offseason there are concerns on the backend on just about all the contracts except BJs. @ VaBF
exactly, there are concerns about the entire 5 years, not just the last two
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
2:47 pm
good one HE!
Bourjos is younger…. Hanson+Spruill or Gilmartin and EOF shoulda been enough. I hope.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
2:47 pm
Half Empty
While Bourn and Swisher most likely being better than Upton in 2013 and 14, My money is on Upton for the following 3 years… Who know we might hit the jackpot with BJ and he explodes at this prime year of 28.
Half Empty
December 26th, 2012
2:51 pm
If so Upton is dang sure going to have to change his attitude and approach.
JasonInFL
December 26th, 2012
3:10 pm
Ozzie, I agree with your assessment on Frank and the trade market getting away from him…
unbelievable
December 26th, 2012
3:19 pm
Ozzie, I agree with you in regards to Wren. Seems like he gets too focused on certain player types especially with trade ideas, plus he seems to have struggled filling the LF job other than Prado working out there last year. Go back and look at the Teixeira deal. There is no way that Kotchman/Marek was the best available deal, but Wren had to get that 1B in return.
Now it seems Wren is trying to find his Bourn replacement for LF, but his focus is just on a fast slap hitter who can leadoff. We already have several candidates for the leadoff role with Simmons/ Prado. Wren needs to focus on getting the best bat available right now. This team wasnt good enough offensively last year with Chipper and Bourn, we sure wont be this year with Upton/Fransisco replacing those two.
Half Empty
December 26th, 2012
3:24 pm
I think you guys are taking way too much for granted concerning what Wren is looking for and who he has talked to.
old man
December 26th, 2012
3:30 pm
George_George
So the thing about Andrew smiling all the time was not relevant to the “bad attitude.” Two unrelated thoughts in your post. That’s what threw me.
Andrew Jones is a near-HOF player. So I disagree that he consistently had a bad attitude. He had one episode when he got pulled by Cox. And he smiled a lot. For any human being to generate those numbers, it would be impossible to have a consistent bad attitude.
And BJ’s manager has said very nice things about him, about his effort, his attitude, etc.
I think the notion that either of these guys have a “bad attitude” is unfair. The guy I saw talking at BJ’s press conference did not seem to have a bad attitude at all–just the opposite in fact. No player gives 110% every inning of every game, every ground out, every turn around the bases on a two out pop fly, etc. They can’t. It’s a long season. MLB players who try to do it end up injured a lot. Like a lot of players, Andrew and BJ each have made a couple of mistakes in crossing the line where they lacked proper effort in a specific circumstance and got called out for it.
If BJ had an overall “bad attitude,” rest assured Wren would not have signed him.
BravoMan
December 26th, 2012
3:30 pm
Does anyone know where I can buy a BJ Upton tshirt?
I live in Northern Indiana.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
3:33 pm
I wouldn’t wish that shirt on my enemy…
Half Empty
December 26th, 2012
3:33 pm
why would BJ show anything like a bad attitude at his introduction if he did have one? Do you seriously think he is that stupid? Nobody shows a bad attitude in a situation like that unless they are really neurotic.
Ward
December 26th, 2012
3:51 pm
Hello everyone! Havea good Christmas? We have snow too in Montana, and it finally snowed a day, before Christmas. All, is good, and life is good. I was checking some sites, and Baves are interested in Scott Hairston, but he’s asking for 10 million a year, and Braves could go there, or not? Justin Upton has been brought back into the mix of things, so we wait , and wait, and keep waiting…….
Ward
December 26th, 2012
3:54 pm
I heard nothing on Bourjos, and Parra, only Hairston, and Justin Upton, and Braves were floated in the mix of Justin Upton.
Travis
December 26th, 2012
4:00 pm
One thing for sure, the real grass versus Turf will add some years to BJ’s legs. I think the biggest downside for Prado if he is platooned, is that unfairly to him, it may diminish his value should he decide to move on. I know the Braves can’t worry about that but maybe Martin does. A full year at third would be better for his pocketbook if he performs well. Prado is not your prototypical left fielder in terms of power.
O.M.G.
December 26th, 2012
4:04 pm
Ward, glad you had a good Christmas. What do you think about Andruw getting attested?
Ward
December 26th, 2012
4:09 pm
O.M.G. – Sad, because Andruw is still a soid player, also I heard a recently that the Cubs, might be willing to trade David DeJesus, and Braves have floated interest a little in him.
dylan
December 26th, 2012
4:10 pm
Why would bj show a bad attitude at his introduction? Dude got a 5 year 75 mill contract after hitting under 250 with a sub .300 obp. I’d be grinning in disbelief if that were me
Ward
December 26th, 2012
4:12 pm
I would just go with Gattis, but if Wren can find us a solid outfielder for LF? I would be happy too, until Gattis is primed,and ready.
Ward
December 26th, 2012
4:16 pm
Anyways, talk later tonight, and good talking. I feel some thing could be done, before Spring Training. If not? Gattis would look good in LF……Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
December 26th, 2012
4:25 pm
Adruw Jones spent his Christmas getting stone drunk, beating his wife while landing in jail. Which just goes to show that no amount of money can buy happiness.
The news of Ryan Freel’s suicide is hearbreaking. The dude was an all out hard nosed, balls to wall ballplayer who left it all on the field. R.I.P. Freel.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
4:29 pm
Regarding your idea, Va, of a sign&trade to not give rather than giving up the 1st rd pick…
timdierkes@timdierkes
Regarding the idea of a sign-and-trade loophole to reduce draft pick compensation – wouldn’t be permitted. MLB would see it as collusion
Hook em Horns dad
December 26th, 2012
4:35 pm
Any thoughts on Alfonso Soriano for the left field job? I know defensively he’s not the best, but he’s still got a good bat and if the Cubs are willing to eat some of his salary, I think it’s worth a shot. Especially if we are only need him for a year or two.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:03 pm
Remember how much we discussed the Braves payroll situation going into this offseason, we were all wrong Liberty slashed it big time. Wren said he wasn’t gonna spend big for 1 player, that he’d rather add 2 premium players with all the money we had available and with our young pitching depth.
So as of right now we have roughly 10 to 13 million in dead money and all of our young pitching prospects still and it’s basically too late to make that LF addition we were hoping for.
Medlen
Hudson
Minor
Maholm
Delgado or Teheran
Plus Beachy set to return in 2nd half, and Gilmartin likely knocking on the door come September.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:06 pm
Well atleast this season instead of paying Derek Lowe 10 million to pitch for another team, were not using it at all. Plus I guess one of Teheran or Delgado will be in our bullpen cause if we keep either of them in AAA again…….
Give the job to Evan Gattis, the guy is 26 years old, if he’s not ready by now he’ll never be. Plus he’s actually a top 10 prospect in our organization (HAHA) Use the the platoon idea as a backup plan.
AdirondackDave
December 26th, 2012
5:07 pm
Glad to see Frank hasn’t blocked Gattis with a mediocre leftfielder. I think the leadoff spot is overrated unless it’s filled by somebody outstanding… which Bourne wasn’t for the second half last year. We’ll miss his great defense to one degree or another (depending on how well BJ plays out there), but his strikeouts wasted his value leading off big-time.
I have no doubt Simmons will be fine leading off (.280 BA, .340 OBS, 75 K, and 15 SB). If he strugges, Prado can move up a notch in the order.
Most important, in my mind, is giving Gattis close to full time ABs in left, catcher, and some pinch-hitting. I want to see what he does with 400-500 at bats. I’m betting even money that he’s a strong candidate for ROY.
I’d like to see a similar opportunity for Mejia but I can’t figure a way to give him a significant number of at-bats. Other than Freeman going on the DL (or an occasional day of rest) how can Fredi use Mejia in a way his bat deserves? He’ll probably continue to pound the ball in spring training and get traded?
Wes Jorga
December 26th, 2012
5:08 pm
DOB tweets that the Braves have 8 to 9 million currently available.
nolie
December 26th, 2012
5:14 pm
Regarding the idea of a sign-and-trade loophole to reduce draft pick compensation – wouldn’t be permitted. MLB would see it as collusion…TOBF
of course they would, I couldn’t believe that supposedly knowledgeable sports journalists were writing about that
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:15 pm
Wes
That’s probably the amount they’d spend before the season. They’ll likely leave 3-4 million for mid season move. Our payroll is sitting between 81-83 million right now, with a estimated total payroll around 93-95 million, that would be my guess. I remember Wren something something along the lines of a slight increase and our 2012 Payroll was 94 million.
nolie
December 26th, 2012
5:16 pm
It is still December, we have no idea if it was slashed or not. I have always thought there was a good chance that they would not spend all the available funds, but it is too early to claim that they have slashed it
Zing
December 26th, 2012
5:16 pm
TOBF: if all of those guys are actually ready and set to be successful in the majors, that would be truly astounding and would require dispatching one or more of those arms to the bullpen. I don’t see that happening, though. But sure, if we are all set with Hudson (with a contract extension), Beachy, Medlen, and Minor for 2014, then that does leave just the one spot presumptively for whoever ended up in that 5th spot in 2013 (Delgado/Teheran). I don’t see a problem, though, just a better opportunity for a deal, because one or both of those guys will now be proven against ML hitters. I’d think Gilmartin would be most likely to be traded, as he’s closest to being ready but the Braves wouldn’t need him yet.
Truth is, if you froze this little bit of back-and-forth we’re having about the SPs for a year and showed it to us on 12/26/13, there’d probably be one big major development that we’re leaving out. Think about it: would we have been talking about the 2013 rotation on 12/26/11 with Medlen’s name written in permanent ink?? Though I love the guy, uh, no.
For the record, I DID argue with a bunch of guys on here in early 2012 that Medlen deserved to get opportunity no. 1 ahead of Minor, Teheran, and Delgado… but it worked out just fine for him, didn’t it?
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:17 pm
Assuming Gattis is starting in LF our bench would be
Laird
Janish or Pena
Johnson
Francisco
Mejia
And a Day of Rain
December 26th, 2012
5:18 pm
Dave – We play 13 away games at AL parks before the trading deadline. That’s about 60 or so DHs for Mejia, plus pinch hitting, plus fill-in for Freddy (normal rest, vs tough lefties, blowouts) to showcase him.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:20 pm
nolie
I’m being sarcastic when I say they slashed it, but they might as well do it. No way Wren can spend that money in a positive way now. All of the options are gone unless he’s willing to trade some prospects. Certainly won’t be able to use 10-13 million for a mid season move. Whatever Wren doesn’t use becomes dead money to the team. Now if we had the choice of saying heck with it, we can just stack this 10 million onto our 2014 payroll and sit around 105 million total, but that isn’t how it works.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:26 pm
If Liberty has allowed Wren to spend around 94-95 million for this season, but can only spend 83, why can’t saving this money not being used for the 2014 season? There is no real positive way for Wren to use it, so lets invest it into the 2014 payroll. Guess that would make too much sense.
Cause what will happen is Wren will say spend only 83-85 million in 2013, but in 2014 our payroll will still be 94-95 million. That unused money from 2013 just goes away in the pockets of LM
nolie
December 26th, 2012
5:27 pm
he was never going to sign two free agents Va, just wasn’t gonna happen. and there are more players who could yet be traded for than there are that have been mentioned.
y’all need to sukk it up, there are still months ahead. you will go crazy
nolie
December 26th, 2012
5:29 pm
each year is separate, if it does not get spent this year, it is unlikely that most will get spent in another
jmo obviously
Zing
December 26th, 2012
5:30 pm
VaB: Youch, except for Johnson, that’s a rather unproven bunch. I hope Mejia gets a chance, but I could see Wren/Fredi wanting Pena for a little more defensive flexibility.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:31 pm
If we’re at 85mil for this season, I bet we only get 5mil of the TV rev next year and go to 90mil for 2014… We should have been pushing 115 instead.
LM seems to be the group that would say “use it or lose it”… and so if we can make do with 85mil this year, they’ll let us have 5mil of the new TV money and make do with 90mil… Malone will pocket the rest and buy more land.
I wonder if the man could name 1 Braves player…
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:31 pm
Unless the Twins decide to trade Josh Willingham, or prices on Justin Upton and Dexter Fowler go down I really don’t see any matches anywhere. There unlikely to add a LH middle of the order type like Jason Kubel..
There likely looking for another RH middle order bat, or any kind of Leadoff bat.
Just gonna have to roll the dice with Gattis, and hopefully lock some current players up.
Disgusted
December 26th, 2012
5:32 pm
Payroll is slashed as I can see it. Still a competitive team for 2013.
What is scary is what is going to happen beyond 13 as to what they do with Mc Cann, Prado, Hudson and Malholm.
Hudson has a chance to stay if they do not totally disrespect him, but the others ?????????????????
As one poster said previously, this team was bought by Liberty for a tax transaction, so the corporate bemoth has no real interest in the Braves.
Who is to say that payroll might be slashed into the 68 to 72 mil range for 14, who knows.
I do not see tham making any effort in extending Heyward, Freeman and Kimbrell past their ARB yrs and beyond that. When its time for them to get paid — assuming LM is around its probably sayonara.
VaBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:33 pm
Braves were at 94 million in 2012 and Wren said there might be a slight increase. Not a 10 million decrease.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:35 pm
good points Zing… I am assuming of course that those 2 others will be ready, but who knows… if they are, that’s great, we can fill some of next season’s needs via trade, and not have to spend so much on FA. Plus, we never do know who will break out and make their mark. As of now, I’d say that we need to go and get a top pitcher next season, but if Medlen and Minor show that they’re for real, then that would change… the 2014 offseason is 10 months away. Too long
AdirondackDave
December 26th, 2012
5:35 pm
And a Day of Rain …. I doubt Fredi will use Mejia for DH on those days. Betcha Mac gets most or all of those DH opportunities.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 26th, 2012
5:37 pm
Maybe they’re spending the extra money on the draft/scouting…
…. oh wait, they can’t
nolie
December 26th, 2012
5:38 pm
that will depend on whether a RH or LH pitcher starts for the AL team
Disgusted
December 26th, 2012
5:40 pm
Nolie — most of the fan base including myself just do not trust the corporation in plain English.
We range from disliking LM to hating them — for good reason
I don’t know if another owner could be attracted to this franchise if it were up for sale unless the terrible TV deal is bought out. Buying out contracts is stuff that happens in big business
As for payroll — accept it — its been slashed to 80 something mil like it or not that is how big corporate business works.
Who knows about after 2013 — looks ugly.
And a Day of Rain
December 26th, 2012
5:42 pm
Dave- Could be. But I hate to give up on Mejis – it’s almost like he is a walk-on.
Disgusted
December 26th, 2012
5:43 pm
I don’t think that they will be making any trades to add to payroll in February — by then the rosters will be pretty much set.
nolie
December 26th, 2012
5:44 pm
I would disagree that you have good reason, there are other owners, including individual ones, who are much worse. Hating Loria is one thing, hating LM is just mostly about being spoiled
nolie
December 26th, 2012
5:45 pm
yeah like there haven’t been hundreds of trades in Feb throughout the decades……
Zing
December 26th, 2012
5:46 pm
TOBF, what would be truly awesome is if in 10 months we’re talking about trying to keep together the group that brought the first WS to Atlanta since ‘95!!! (I can dream, right?)
Zing
December 26th, 2012
5:47 pm
I was at that game six in ‘95 when the Braves won it all behind Tom Glavine and David Justice, btw… what an awesome, awesome event that was…
AdirondackDave
December 26th, 2012
5:54 pm
And a Day of Rain… Couldn’t agree with you more. The guy (Mejia) deserves every opportunity. He’s got a major league starter’s bat, no doubt about that in my mind. Maybe he’ll take a que from Gattis and work on a second position, 3rd or outfield during spring training and perhaps first couple months in Gwinnett if he’s sent down.
This really a good example of how the NL is handicapped in player development and utilization without the DL. Both Gattis and Mejia would likely get at least 300-400 ABs if the leagues had the same rules. I’m not keen on the designated hitter but it certainly is unfair for one league only to use it.
Disgusted
December 26th, 2012
5:54 pm
Nolie — Yes there are worse owners like Nutting, Loria and before he sold the Padres, John Moores.
Can throw David Glass in there.
That is not good company.
What is wrong with being spoiled — other cities have better owners and at one time we had one of the best before he got infatuated with corporate mergers and the United Nothing.
Ted was not perfect but he was a good sports man who was never afraid to spend a dollar even if it did not always work.
Personally I want that attitude from the top again with a more stable baseball person.
As for trades in February, it happens but it happened more back in the day when the business of the game was a bit less complex.
I do not think Wren is going to move Teheran/Delgado cause they are sageguards in case they choose not to give Hudson and Malholm what they are worth.
Payroll is gong more down I think in the enusing years. Time will tell.