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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,304 comments Add your comment
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:11 pm
DAP, do realize how freeman, upton, mccann followed by uggla would cog the basepaths? A slow runner behind a fast runner could work, but putting a slow runner in front of a good baserunner is going to take away some scoring opportunities.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
2:12 pm
Because I can pretty much assure you they aren’t putting Upton sixth to begin his career with the Braves
Even if that were to be the appropriate spot for him?
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:14 pm
two of his first three full years were outliers markedly higher than all of the rest, the next three were very much the same as each other and last year was markedly lower than they were hopefully due to injury since the doctor said after seeing the arm that he had to have been playing in extreme pain
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:15 pm
TOBF, would find it hard to put Uggla in the 2 spot. I would put Upton there before him.
Arkansas Transplant
December 19th, 2012
2:15 pm
Even if that were to be the appropriate spot for him?
Some think there’s not an appropriate spot for him anywhere on this team.
RC
December 19th, 2012
2:16 pm
The Angels are offering Kendrys Morales for innings-eating SP. He is a switch-hitter and plays 1B and
corner OFDH.Fixed it.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:16 pm
might do sixth but I kinda doubt it, definitely not 7th as someone earlier suggested.
why in God’s name did they use such outdated code for this damn site. I get kicked off of here more in one day than I do on all my other sites in a year combined. What a mockery of an IT dept.
TennBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
2:16 pm
Real Talk – I agree that those 2 lineups are the most likely as the roster stands now. Honestly, I think both are very solid lineups.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
2:17 pm
Some think there’s not an appropriate spot for [Upton] anywhere on this team.
I’d say those folks were a day late and 75MM dollars short.
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:18 pm
sorry DAP, should have said do you realize. Still working on my typing skills. My fingers don’t work as fast as the brain. That’s slow.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:18 pm
why would you put Upton with his crappy OBP at second ahead of Uggla who actually has a much higher one. You want your first few guys to get on base more than anything else
ATL Insider
December 19th, 2012
2:18 pm
@unbelievable
Why would it be? He is 29 years old. Does that mean he can no longer play OF?
Bobby Cox
December 19th, 2012
2:20 pm
Garrett Anderson or Raul Mondesi are available. Like Juan Francisco they are tearing it up in the winter league.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
2:20 pm
why would you put Upton with his crappy OBP at second ahead of Uggla who actually has a much higher one.
Frankly, that’s why I would lean towards Uggla ahead of Upton in the lineup, until Upton remembers he’s actually a talented baseball player.
Rick C
December 19th, 2012
2:21 pm
I wonder if they may consider batting Upton second. His career numbers are best out of that spot with a 271/349/463 line and he’s had more PAs there than any other spot. If you look at the past two years where he has had a low overall AVG and OBP, he’s still excelled batting second. In 2012 and 2011 he hit 262/312/503 and 356/462/644, respectively, out of the second spot. He only had 9 PAs there in 2010 and none in 2009.
RC
December 19th, 2012
2:21 pm
@unbelievable
Why would it be? He is 29 years old. Does that mean he can no longer play OF?
I’d say the fact he’s a big guy who’s never been in the best shape and recently recovered from a traumatic leg injury would be the reasons he can no longer play OF.
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:22 pm
ncscoots, you are right. And anyone who can’t find a spot for Upton on this team needs to find another blog.
Puma
December 19th, 2012
2:24 pm
I could see Upton hitting 2nd if Uggla has a rebound year. I don’t think Fredi is moving Heyward from the #3 spot at this point.
I guess a lot of that depends on how Simmons starts the year, him batting one or two makes this line up pretty deap.
Brava
December 19th, 2012
2:24 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
#yankees, ichiro hoping to finalize language issues today. agreement was $13M, 2 yrs. $6.5M each yr.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:24 pm
Morales was badly injured ankle in 2010 missed most of two seasons and does not get around well at all anymore. Even B4 that he had played a total of 76 innings in OF in the bigs. pretty unlikely he is gonna play OF for a NL team
DS1
December 19th, 2012
2:26 pm
Kendry Morales is not a real good fit for the Braves, at least not at the expense of our 4th starter.
Keylargo
I don’t think you need to be overly concerned about Mac. His 2013 year will largely determine what kind of offer he gets from the Braves.
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
2:27 pm
I expect BMac to return to his old self in 2013 and that will be huge for the Braves!!
Murph
December 19th, 2012
2:27 pm
anyone who can’t find a spot for Upton on this team needs to find another blog
I love statements like this.
Do what you’re told, think how I think, or get off the blog!
No.
Ummmmmm… ok, well… I’m going to scroll by your comments then!
So?
So… so? I… uhhhhh… you wouldn’t say that to my face!
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:27 pm
nolie, you could be right about Uggla ahead of Upton. I was looking more of the type of players for the spots. But I’m not sure Dan could keep up his OBP in the 2 spot unless there was someone on base in front of him with speed. He can’t consistantly hit a curve ball. Most of the time he walks is because someone missed with a curve that he didn’t swing at.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
2:30 pm
TOBF, would find it hard to put Uggla in the 2 spot. I would put Upton there before him.
I wouldn’t. .316 OBP last 4 years vs. .345. Uggla can take a walk, BJ can’t. Plus, I’m thinking that Uggla may be starting to lose power, while Upton should still keep his. I’d personally put Upton 7th, maybe 6th, but neither are happening. He’ll be 4 or 5.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
2:30 pm
I could see Upton hitting 2nd if Uggla has a rebound year.
I don’t see how anyone could want Upton hitting at the top of the order, until he proves he can stop making outs hand over fist. It’s one thing to have a slugger who does that, but makes some amends by cranking 3-run shots when he does hit safely. But no chance that guy should be near the top of the order, getting more plate appearances than just about any other hitter on the team.
There’s great hope that Upton starts realizing his potential, but how ’bout seeing him do a little of it before sticking him at 2 or 4 or something? That’s my opinion, anyway.
DS1
December 19th, 2012
2:30 pm
I can just see all hell breaking loose on the blog after Fredo starts Schafer in LF and at leadoff in a few early spring games!
Brava
December 19th, 2012
2:30 pm
Jason Martinez @mlbdepthcharts
#RedSox RHP Pedro Beato designated for assignment; #BlueJays claim RHP Mickey Storey off waivers from #Astros …
Puma
December 19th, 2012
2:32 pm
Hate to say it cause I like him, but I can’t see BMac being with Braves after 2013, unless its a short term deal which he’d be dumb to sign. Braves have too many young guys about to hit arb years that will be getting big raises the next 3-4 years. Which raises the question, if BMac plays well in the first half, do Braves shop him at the deadline?
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
2:32 pm
Uggla is not batting 2nd, but enjoyed the humor!
Rick C
December 19th, 2012
2:32 pm
His best numbers are batting fourth, but Uggla does have a good career line out of the second spot: 265/334/494. Batting fourth he’s hit 280/381/539.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:32 pm
I’d start with Uggs and see what happened, they ain’t written in stone that has to last all season long
that is if Prado leads off, If Simmons leads on, not a great idea IMO , for the start of the season anyway, then Prado hits second
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:32 pm
murph, got a little carried away with that comment. But my point is Upton has a place on our team for the next five years, so it would be a good idea to get used to it.
Brava
December 19th, 2012
2:32 pm
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Anyone recall a team that filled up transactions column like the #BlueJays? Mickey Storey is 8th guy they’ve claimed on waivers this winter
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
2:34 pm
Puma, I doubt it but it is a question that would come up if he is playing well at the Trade Deadline, very good question and one I think the Braves will take because it means BMac is back to his old self
Murph
December 19th, 2012
2:34 pm
jfp, I’m just givin’ you a hard time.
HooRah
December 19th, 2012
2:34 pm
Real Talk is an ass every time he comes on here and has already been wrong too often to think he knows what he is talking about. Another Dentz type
Brava
December 19th, 2012
2:34 pm
Rob Biertempfel @BiertempfelTrib
#Pirates are interested in Porcello, but Tigers don’t want straight-up swap for Hanrahan
DS1
December 19th, 2012
2:35 pm
With Fredo’s record of mixing things up, is it even worth the effort to suggest starting lineups? He might end up having 162 different lineups next year. (he says half heartedly exaggerating!)
Rick C
December 19th, 2012
2:35 pm
ncscoots, as I pointed out, Upton has hit best in the second spot throughout his career, including the last two years. His AVG and OBP were brought down mostly from hitting in the middle of the order.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:35 pm
do tell
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
2:37 pm
HooRah how have I been an ass and tell me when I was wrong?
Puma
December 19th, 2012
2:37 pm
Scoots – in re Upton in 2 spot: I base that only on the fact that he has his best numbers there and it kind of assumes that Simmons does not do well at the top of the order. I think ideally its Prado / Simmons in the 1 & 2 spots, in some order. But you can bet Upton will be hitting 5 or higher in the lineup at the start of the year based on his contract alone.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
2:37 pm
Hate to say it cause I like him, but I can’t see BMac being with Braves after 2013, unless its a short term deal which he’d be dumb to sign. Braves have too many young guys about to hit arb years that will be getting big raises the next 3-4 years. Which raises the question, if BMac plays well in the first half, do Braves shop him at the deadline?
Yeah, I can’t see it either…. especially if they’re planning to sign Prado, or some FA after the season, maybe even a pitcher. We’ll have about 30mil to spend on FA next winter, but also need to keep in mind that no one is coming off the books after 2014. And even if we move Uggla, we still have to pay big money to Heyward, Upton, Freeman, and maybe Medlen. There won’t be enough to go around, possibly.
As for trading him, no. Don’t trade your starting catcher if you’re contending. Not even if Bethancourt is crushing in the minor leagues. Just collect the draft pick at the end of the season.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
2:38 pm
that is if Prado leads off,
I got money says Fredo hits Heyward 2 and Upton 3, in that scenario. I don’t think his mind would allow another permutation to actually form.
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:38 pm
ncscoots, I don’t believe Uggla or Upton should bat second. I was commenting on someone elses lineup and giving them the benefit of the doubt on the rest of it. Still believe it should be Simmons then Prado followed by Heyward. The rest would be determined by the starting pitcher (lefty, rightie).
unbelievable
December 19th, 2012
2:38 pm
Im not writing off BMac getting a deal just yet. Bethancourt is proving to be an offensive liability every time he’s pushed to a new league. He’s 21, but he’s struggled to get his OPS over .600 ever since leaving low A ball. There’s no guarantee that he’ll be ready for the job in 2014. He needs to show some major progress with the bat this year.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:38 pm
here’s hoping that since Upton now has his big contract he will concentrate less on hitting homers to raise his payout and more on being the more complete hitter that he was at one time
Murph
December 19th, 2012
2:39 pm
I can just see all hell breaking loose on the blog after Fredo starts Schafer in LF and at leadoff in a few early spring games!
I still remember his first few games in a Braves uni… so full of hope. Real shame what happened to him.
If he were to start in LF I think you’d see a guy give everything he had. 110%. All the grit he can muster. Maybe he falls short, but I for one would like to see what he’d do if given the opportunity.
Only 25 years old, still very fast… if he ever figures out how to hit again, which he might under the tutelage of the dynamic duo in ATL, who knows? He could prove to be useful yet.
DS1
December 19th, 2012
2:39 pm
The subject of McCann’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:40 pm
murph, it’s all good. I deserved it that time.
Puma
December 19th, 2012
2:41 pm
Real Talk – regarding possibility of trading BMac at deadline, I doubt they would do it either, just seems like a smart thing to consider. And your right, if he had value, it would be because he was playing well and at that point, we probably need him in the lineup and would just tender offer at the end of year for the draft pick.
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
2:45 pm
it is a question that would come up if he is playing well at the Trade Deadline, very good question and one I think the Braves will take because it means BMac is back to his old self
What is his “old self”? 2006 – 2008 or the last four years?
DS1
December 19th, 2012
2:45 pm
Murph
I too would love to see the kid get a fair shot this spring, as I also am hoping will happen with Gattis, Mejia and Francisco. Let em slug it out and see who wins the starters AB’s.
But Schafer’s got a lot of big rocks in his backpack.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
2:46 pm
Rick, Puma, a leopard doesn’t have more or fewer spots, based on his sleeping spot on the savanna.
In other words, a different spot in the order isn’t going change how Upton hits, career splits or no. He hits like he hits.
jfp
December 19th, 2012
2:47 pm
murph, I believe Schafer gave it his all and maybe tried a little too hard. Put a lot of pressure on himself to overcome the suspension and then the wrist, sometimes that’s the worst kind. I have a lot of confidence in our hitting coaches and hope that it will pay off for Upton also.
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
2:47 pm
But Schafer’s got a lot of big rocks in his backpack.
That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Right next to his peanut butter cups.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:49 pm
three of the last 4 seasons minus the injured 2012 is just fine with OPS over 820 all three years
Puma
December 19th, 2012
2:50 pm
Scoots – “In other words, a different spot in the order isn’t going change how Upton hits, career splits or no. He hits like he hits.”
Have to disagree with that, especially when you consider who is in front of him or behind him in the order, will determine how many fastballs he will see. In a vacuum, yes, I can agree he just hits like he hits..
DS1
December 19th, 2012
2:52 pm
Key
You are constantly harping on McCann. I understand the point about hoping he’ll get in better condition. But to say he did well in his first 4 years is not accurate. He did extremely well in 2 of his first 4 years. OK in the other two.
And in the past 4 years, I’ll happily take the “healthy option” McCann during the last 4 years. Easily a 825 OPS guy in those AB’s.
In his first and third seasons, he OPS’d at 745 and 772. Both were OPS+ years of below 100.
So how can you really say he performed a lot better in the first 4 years, when 2 were great and 2 were less than league average.
nolie
December 19th, 2012
2:53 pm
pretty much been shown over the years that the preceding/following hitter idea is wrong as often as it is right
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
2:54 pm
keylargo I think his .274 .Avg and 23 HR avg and 82 Rbi avg over those three years would suffice…not bad for a catcher but hate anyway because WE ALL get it YOU dont like him!!
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
2:55 pm
Last year was just a continuation of the decline that started in 2009. He’ll never have a year like his first three again. Decline is decline no matter where you start from. You never know when he will fall of completely or become an 80 game per year player.
DS1
December 19th, 2012
2:57 pm
To say a player has had a large drop off, assumes he was consistently at a much higher level. I’d not call McCann’s first 4 years as overly consistent.
And I’m a big fan.
Rick C
December 19th, 2012
2:58 pm
ncscoots, well he has hit how he has hit out of the second spot with more PAs there than any other spot. He does have a 340 BABiP there (his second highest to 356 out of the 9th spot), but it’s not like we are looking at a small sample size here.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
2:58 pm
here’s hoping that since Upton now has his big contract
Exactly. I was hoping that Upton being in a lineup where he didn’t have to be a star would allow him to just play, let his talent take over, like that. But if they pencil him in at cleanup with nary a thought, that as much says “You got the big dollars, you gotta be the hero.” Same expectation as in Tampa, and I wouldn’t say that he thrived under that expectation.
Murph
December 19th, 2012
2:58 pm
But Schafer’s got a lot of big rocks in his backpack.
Yeah, I’m not expecting the kid to be able to beat out anyone except for maybe the 4th OF spot…. but baseball is a funny sport, and you just never know.
Schafer/Upton/Heyward would be one of the fastest, most dynamic outfields in all of baseball. At least on defense. They could be a total disaster at the dish.
He’s worth a look. I mean, everyone here is so quick to give McNate the benefit of the doubt because he was injured… well, so was Schafer. If he’s back to 100% and working hard with the hitting coaches… maybe?
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
3:01 pm
Murph Really comparing McClouth and Shafer…no, really….not the same dude…McClouth has had some decent years in the majors aka last season for Baltimore, while Jordan is all hype as of now…now I am not saying he totally cant get it turned around but I seriously doubt it!
glove51
December 19th, 2012
3:01 pm
Morales for a SP? HELL NO!
DS1
December 19th, 2012
3:01 pm
Key
Sorry, but excluding an injury plagued 2012, I don’t see the decline. I see the two huge years in his inconsistent early 20’s, and a very consistent 825 OPS in the year since. (and averaging his first 4 gets you close to the 825 OPS).
nolie
December 19th, 2012
3:01 pm
Yeah, I’m not expecting the kid to be able to beat out anyone except for maybe the 4th OF spot..murph
he ain’t beating out Johnson and if johnson is out third ofer we is doomed, or some such
unbelievable
December 19th, 2012
3:01 pm
What is his “old self”? 2006 – 2008 or the last four years? – KeyLargo
People here are ready to ship off every player after an injury or a slump. Two years ago it was Heyward, now its Uggla and Bmac. You do realize over the past 4 years Brian has accumulated 3 All star appearances, one all star mvp award, and 3 silver slugger awards. The guy had a crap shoulder all season last year and still hit 20HR’s.
keyLargo
December 19th, 2012
3:03 pm
DS1 – I never mentioned his year in 2009. I was comparing his first three to his last three. If i’m going to agree to make a player the highest paid on the team, I want his best performance. McCann is playing at about 70% of what he could do. His failure to get into condition and refusal to work on improving his speed as the slowest player in the NL.
I just compared his first three years to his last three on the previous page at the bottom. Sorry it missed making it onto this page because the decline in his stats is absolutely there. EVERY SINGLE category except walks was in decline.
SoGaBoy
December 19th, 2012
3:05 pm
Paul Thorn..”What the Hell is Goin On”
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
3:07 pm
but it’s not like we are looking at a small sample size here.
So we’re talking 700-800 PAs (don’t make me look it up, LOL)? Does he have another slot or two with roughly the same number of PAs? What are his numbers in those slots? Are they drastically different?
700 PAs isn’t a huge sample. That’s basically one season plus, and you wouldn’t normally judge a player by a single season, though, natch, that happens here all the time.
I’m just saying that lineup slot performance, like most aspects of offensive performance, tends to normalize to overall performance eventually.
That’s what I mean by “he hits like he hits”.
Half Empty
December 19th, 2012
3:07 pm
if he plays like he did at any time before getting hurt he is just fine for most of us
Half Empty
December 19th, 2012
3:09 pm
I agree that way too much is made of stats broken down by hitting slot.
jfp
December 19th, 2012
3:11 pm
Why do so many people have only short term memory? McCann has played on a little over 7 seasons and he had one bad season. He has played with numerous issues and overcame them just fine, with the exception of the shoulder problem. Have any of you ever had shoulder problems? If you have could you imagine swinging a bat and knowing that it’s going to hurt every time you do. With that in the back of your mind could you even try to imagine how hard it would be to hit major league pitching? Wow, I don’t know how he made it through the rest of the year. McCann will be fine, I’m not saying he will be fine from the start, but he is a professional hitter and he will come around. We just need everyone to pick up his slack until he’s ready. The bigger question is whether or not Uggla can be constistant.
Puma
December 19th, 2012
3:11 pm
Basically its either Upton or Uggla hitting 4 or 6 and I just can’t imagine they start the year with Upton hitting 6. This obviously assumes Heyward is back at #3, which I think he will be.
But someone above did bring up a good point that Fredi is not shy about tinkering with the lineup so who knows.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
3:12 pm
Scott G @JustBaseball25
I bet Trout has a career like griffey, top player, on pace to smash records, then around 30ish body breaks down.
Scott G @JustBaseball25
His frame is thick and will continue to thicken which will lead slowing and increased injury. Especially if over compenssates w/training
Wonder if something similar happened to Uggla… thick frame, big muscles, and he trains A TON.
Murph
December 19th, 2012
3:14 pm
McClouth has had some decent years in the majors aka last season for Baltimore
Last season was a total fluke. I watched video, analyzed hours of tape… he had his eyes closed 90% of the time he made contact while in an Orioles uni.
Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself.
DS1
December 19th, 2012
3:15 pm
The Babe had a thick frame.
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
3:18 pm
Murph He had good season in Pittsburg, so if he is doing it with his eyes close then that makes it worse for Schafer that a guy can put up better numbers with his eyes closed than he can with them open…sorry too easy….I agree McClouth is an average player at best but Jordan so far is all hype and that cant be argued with!
jfp
December 19th, 2012
3:18 pm
TOBF, don’t believe that has effected Uggla that way, he has remained pretty healthy and he is pretty fast. Not sure if anyone hustles as much as he does.
brian
December 19th, 2012
3:18 pm
Trout has every reason to stay in good hape now and then as he gets older resort more to stretching than weights.
same thing happened to Chipper though later in his career. He overtrained for a while then kept approaching spring training like he was in his prime.
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
3:19 pm
I just can’t imagine they start the year with Upton hitting 6
I am once again alone on an island.
That’s exactly where I’d slot him, in the first ST game. Whatever happens after that, happens, but he wouldn’t be my Opening Day cleanup hitter, based on his recent history. I’d have to be shown that he’s the best option.
Yes, I know that’s why they signed him, LOL.
The Observer
December 19th, 2012
3:21 pm
Gattis is getting spun on here like Schafer was in 2008, 09 & 10; Wren prefers old & washed up & cheap
Murph
December 19th, 2012
3:21 pm
McClouth is an average player at best but Jordan so far is all hype and that cant be argued with!
Well, technically Schafer isn’t even hype anymore. He’s way past that stage and now is a rung above being a complete failure.
I want to see what he can do, which makes me probably the biggest Schafer supporter on the blog, but I’m certainly not going to hype him up.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
3:23 pm
he was never as agile/fast as trout. He hasnt been injured but doesnt mean hes not over training. could be possible 4 sure. he could also be lacking in training or training improperly. i feel its more mental because he has streaks of goodness- Scott G
I hope it’s just mental, I’d like to see him do well for 1 more year. He’s gonna be 33, approaching the end of his good years.
“Thunder” and “no mercy” won’t bat 6th… even if that’s where he should be. He’ll be cleaning up.
Rick C
December 19th, 2012
3:23 pm
ncscoots, he has 863 PAs batting second over 195 games. His next highest total is batting first, where he has 766 PAs over 167 games. He has a 249/331/415 line there. In total his OPS is 65 points lower batting first compared to second. His third highest total is batting third with 636 PAs over 145 games. He has a 258/356/383 line there. OBP there is higher than batting second but a huge drop off in SLG.
cornjolio
December 19th, 2012
3:24 pm
“I want to see what he can do, which makes me probably the biggest Schafer supporter on the blog, ” – Murph
Murph, what more of Schafer do you want to see? I can’t believe his name is even being discussed. Its almost 2013 !
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
3:24 pm
Murph and I think that is what the Braves want to do…give him one more chance just to see if he really is a miss or is there something Walker can fix and create what they thought they had in him a few years ago…my diagnosis is he gets cut in Spring, but hoping at least he shows enough to play at Gwinnett
Murph
December 19th, 2012
3:29 pm
Murph, what more of Schafer do you want to see? I can’t believe his name is even being discussed. Its almost 2013
Well, given that we don’t have a LF currently, I don’t think you can turn your back on any options.
I’m not expecting the kid to make the team, just pointing out that he did once show promise and is only 25 years old. Stranger things have happened…
Lew
December 19th, 2012
3:29 pm
I actually agree with TOBF for once – I would not hit Upton second – he’ll be hitting fourth IMO – but Uggla hitting second coupld prove interesting. He always hustles which would limit GIDP somewhat and he walks a lot, which coud lead to two runners on a fair amount of time with Heyward and the middle of the lineup coming up. He could also hit a fair number of two run HR from the two spot.
Might just be worth a try.
Puma
December 19th, 2012
3:31 pm
Scoots – you are not wrong, 6 is really where Upton should hit, at least to start. I am just saying it ain’t gonna happen. Kind of like when they kept putting Lowe out there game after game…for some reason when you pay an underperforming player lots of money, you have to hurt yourself even further by continuing to run him out there. Got to give Fredi props for benching Uggla last year, albeit for a short period.
Murph
December 19th, 2012
3:32 pm
Uggla with Heyward hitting behind him… interesting idea.
Plus, if he’s hitting like he has the last 2 years, it at least gets him out of the way and back on the bench quickly. Like pulling off a bandaid… just grip it and rip it and move on.
Real Talk
December 19th, 2012
3:33 pm
Lew I cant even imagine the Braves doing that
ncscoots
December 19th, 2012
3:34 pm
I am just saying it ain’t gonna happen.
We better get ready for Heyward at 2 and Upton at 3.
I don’t believe Fredo will hit Simmons at leadoff early, so there you go. I got my Fredo thinking-cap on and that’s what it’s telling me.
RC
December 19th, 2012
3:36 pm
I’m not expecting the kid to make the team, just pointing out that he did once show promise and is only 25 years old. Stranger things have happened…
I agree. It’s entirely plausible that he could be to the 2012 Braves what Gregor Blanco was to the 2011 Giants: good defender, good speed, able to start for short spells….just a good 4th OF
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 19th, 2012
3:36 pm
I actually agree with TOBF for once
The world truly is ending….