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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,547 comments Add your comment
nolie
January 9th, 2013
9:23 pm
you are a troll, it is exactly what you are looking for Lame, I simply take pity on you at times and feed your need
nolie
January 9th, 2013
9:26 pm
right Brian, do NOT use tap water. use boiled and cooled water or buy distilled water. It can be deadly so why take a chance
Chop
January 9th, 2013
9:29 pm
Just give Simmons in the deal for Gods sake! !We would get the even better Upton and really have the city of Atlanta excited about this season. Im telling you, we will regret it later on if we don’t have the Upton brothers.
Mark
January 9th, 2013
9:31 pm
Lets see if they’ll swap brothers. Send Melvin
ColoradoBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
9:37 pm
Braves team is better with Simmons at SS and a ? in LF, than they would be with J. Upton in LF and a ? at SS.
ChattTownBrian
January 9th, 2013
9:42 pm
You’re right nolie and I boiled the water today when I used it. Got to admit I am worried some because we live near a lake and this nasty parasite lives in freshwater. They say you get stiff neck, vomiting, fever, seizures and then death a few days to a week after that. There is no known antibiotic that can kill this stuff.
nolie
January 9th, 2013
9:42 pm
I think so Colo, his runs saved numbers last season were incredible for as short a time as he played, if he hits at all his runs created numbers will be outstanding at SS. Nothing all that special about Justin away from ‘zona
DawgDad
January 9th, 2013
9:44 pm
Promising a position to a player is — stupid. . . . Simmons looked REAL good last year; he’s a player fans will pay to go see. . . . The Braves are going to strike out an awful lot this coming season. . . . The logo may be a dumb idea, but there’s nothing to be gained by NOT being offended. As far as I can tell the logo depicts a pre-20th century Indian warrior, and there aren’t ANY of them arround today to be offended. Tune out the self-serving noisemakers.
abeeeewright
January 9th, 2013
9:44 pm
CTB … the good news about the brain eating amoeba is that you’ll be dead pretty quick after symptoms start, so you won’t suffer … much.
Prolly best to boil water and refrigerate before use than to use tap water or well water.
Also, don’t go swimming in ponds. About 1-2 folks per year get their brains et that way.
nolie
January 9th, 2013
9:44 pm
that water is pretty much going up against your brain barrier, most anything harmful could cause osmote and cause trouble. Just be safe
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
9:46 pm
It’s much much harder to find a good SS, let alone one like Simmons than a good LF…. more good options/possibilities there.
Keep Simmons, at least for the next 5 years.
nolie
January 9th, 2013
9:47 pm
now that was just plain mean ABW
ChattTownBrian
January 9th, 2013
9:48 pm
I don’t know much about BJ at all, but I recall he’s a bit emotional. Could be a good thing or not so good I guess. Braves obviously see something in his style they liked to QUICKLY sign him to such a contract. They had to have been targeting him from the get go.
abeeeewright
January 9th, 2013
9:51 pm
It’s not been scientifically shown, but more people get their brains et by zombies than by amoebas (on average). This is skewed by the big zombie outbreaks followed by years of no zombies.
I agree with nolie. Boil water you’re going to push into your body, especially your nose. There’s a lot of stuff in water that would be bad for you if it got past your natural defensive barriers.
abeeeewright
January 9th, 2013
9:55 pm
nolie … I meant it nicely. If CTB is still with us a week from now, he’s in the clear. If not … well… at least it was quick.
BTW odds are ridiculously small that neti- ing with tap water, even in LA, will result in death. Same with swimming in ponds.
If I thought there was a serious danger I would not be so frivolous.
nolie
January 9th, 2013
9:57 pm
Brian is a bit of a hypochondriac and anxiety prone, I was teasing that you were playing with him
abeeeewright
January 9th, 2013
9:58 pm
BJ Upton will give me more fodder for my bad joke about Braves stranding runners at third base.
DS1
January 9th, 2013
10:04 pm
OK
Before we picked up BJ Upton, I was not a big fan. Nothing specific, but when you hear some of the stories it’s easy to just not care what a guy does on the field.
But now he’s OUR guy, and I am a big fan. Until he gives me a serious reason not to pull for him.
Kinda like something we used to say about Strom Thurmond. He might be an azzhole, but he’s OUR azzhole!
Mark
January 9th, 2013
10:06 pm
ChatTownBrian
think they liked Melvin because he strikes out 170 plus times per year and will fit in nicely. Since Chipper retired and Macs hurt the only guy we have left that makes consistent contact is Prado so they may plan to trade him and plug Francisco in at 3B and he’ll reach the 180 mark.
DS1
January 9th, 2013
10:06 pm
Who is this Lame Kiffen dude? Doesn’t he realize that if he’s isn’t with the “in” crowd, he ain’t shyt?
DS1
January 9th, 2013
10:08 pm
Mark
If guys K a lot, then they don’t get all worn out running down to first base.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
10:11 pm
Upton came up a bit short there…
Mark
January 9th, 2013
10:11 pm
DS1
Great point. We gotta keep them fresh!!
brian
January 9th, 2013
10:17 pm
Agree with ColoradoBravesfan…..Braves are a much better team with Simmons at SS and a lower option in LF than having Justin Upton in LF and and someone else at SS (no clue who that would be)
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
10:17 pm
think they liked Melvin because he strikes out 170 plus times per year and will fit in nicely.
Nothing better than adding a .310 OBP guy to the lineup, eh?
OBP is overrated….
nolie
January 9th, 2013
10:18 pm
right, I don’t give a paca’s patootie about Ks as long as the OBP is there
brian
January 9th, 2013
10:21 pm
Simmons will not be traded this offseason.
There are only a few players out there that Simmons would be traded for in a package or alone.
Young defensive wizards at SS who can hit/have potential to hit do not grow on trees and Upton is not the caliber of player to get one in a trade.. Stanton yes, Upton no
abeeeewright
January 9th, 2013
10:21 pm
Isn’t BJ better than Constanza? Schafer?
Cherokee
January 9th, 2013
10:23 pm
Suck it Walt! I’m Cherokee and a huge Braves fan and I see it as an honor…
abeeeewright
January 9th, 2013
10:24 pm
I hate to say it, but OBP was up when TP was hitting coach.
TP and BJ. Now there’s a combination.
Mark
January 9th, 2013
10:25 pm
Mrlvin is better than any of our options prior to his signing but he is also much more expensive and if I remember correctly 20 million more than any other team was willing to pay.
DS1
January 9th, 2013
10:25 pm
abee
Can you imagine the blog eruption when Fredo gives Schafer a handful of starts and hits him leadoff in the spring???
DS1
January 9th, 2013
10:26 pm
OBP started dropping off when we dealt Yunel for A-Gon a couple of years back.
DS1
January 9th, 2013
10:27 pm
Melvin…………… I like it!
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
10:30 pm
Isn’t BJ better than Constanza? Schafer?
Marginally better than Georgie…. and in Schafer’s case, much better except for the juicy one of 2007-8.
nolie
January 9th, 2013
10:36 pm
blog seems some better today, maybe they got tired of all those angry quotes from members that I have been sending to feedback address for the last few days.
abeeeewright
January 9th, 2013
10:37 pm
DS1 … maybe not the blog eruption, but certainly the 10Paul eruption.
Venice Jim
January 9th, 2013
10:39 pm
Isn’t BJ better than Constanza? Schafer?
Marginally better than Georgie
Good to know that TOBF hasn’t stopped hating during my sabbatical…
nolie
January 9th, 2013
10:43 pm
Lame os gonna be sooo disappointed that he missed you tonight VJ ……
DS1
January 9th, 2013
10:45 pm
Abeeee
I’m thinking that it would be poetic justice if Schafer ended up this spring being the player we all thought he might be a few years back.
Probably won’t happen, but I’m pulling for the guy. If you want to rip kids for screwing up, I’d have to disown some of my kids.
Heading out folks. G’nite to all you regulars, and to all you folks not with the “in” crowd, why don’t you folks get a clue!
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
10:45 pm
welcome back
MikeInFL
January 9th, 2013
10:48 pm
Marginally better than Georgie
LOL, Upton was a 3.3 win player, 109 OPS+, in a bad year last season.
Too much focus on OBP on here. Yes, it’s part of the puzzle. But I look for the Braves’ SLG % to jump from a meak .389 last year to about .430 this year (Upton, healthy McCann, Uggla semi-rebound, no full-time Pastornicky or Janish, improvement from Heyward and Freeman.)
Put Gattis in LF, 8th spot, and if he can hold his own this will be a top-three offense.
cabravesfan
January 9th, 2013
10:50 pm
nolie-
VJ is off to work again
cabravesfan
January 9th, 2013
10:51 pm
and I’m sure his cyber “friend” will pop up to repeatedly post the same thing over and over
Mark
January 9th, 2013
10:51 pm
Mike
SLG % will go up some from last year. K numbers are going to increase significantly.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
10:53 pm
just some humor, since it’s well known that I’m not a fan of any of the 3!
SLG % will go up some from last year. K numbers are going to increase significantly.
This is Atlanta man…. both numbers will go the wrong way! Homers, XBH, and SLG down… same with avg. and OBP…. Ks will go UP!
nolie
January 9th, 2013
10:53 pm
there is no such thing as too much focus on OBP, it has the highest correlation with winning % of any stat, and I seriously doubt the team S% is gonna jump any where near 40 points this year
Simon
January 9th, 2013
11:00 pm
The Braves problems could be solved – a lead off hitter and a left fielder for little cash – if they just did one thing.
Do a Harry Walker/Matty Alou intervention with Schafer.
tell him to get a heavier bottleneck bat and beat down the ball. Slow his swing down and beat the damb ball into the ground.
If Shafer doesn’t do it – send him down till he sees the real world of who he is or release him.
Do the same with Constanza. AND get Constanza back switch hitting.
nolie
January 9th, 2013
11:01 pm
you can’t send Schafer down unless he clears waivers and then agrees to go there
MikeInFL
January 9th, 2013
11:04 pm
Upton K’s only slightly more than Bourn did last year.
Not gonna get into an OBP debate, Nolie. I know it’s significant. But I (and most baseball people, from all I’ve read) believe that BJ is a better overall hitter than he showed last year;
Can’t discount how bad BMac was last year with the shoulder; and what’s so overlooked, is that most of our team has not yet reached their prime.
Statistically, having Simmons in place of Janish/Pastornicky, and IF Gattis can hold down LF, not having Francisco/Constanza/Hinske getting regular AB’s will have a big effect.
There seems to be this tendency by some prominent posters to take last year’s numbers and project them to next year, and draw absolute conclusions. Last year’s stats are useful, I’m sure, but things very seldom stay the same from one year to the next when you’re dealing with young players.
If we can stay reasonably healthy, I look for a big offensive season.
Mark
January 9th, 2013
11:05 pm
I’m guessing Jordon would cleaqr waivers because there are D1 schools that wouldn’t pick him up.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
11:05 pm
he (Schafer) sees the real world of who he is
A guy who never OPSd higher than .688 (in 2011, in just 47 games, had a .633 w/ Atlanta through 42) outside of 2007-8, when he was probably on the juice.
Get Schafer and Constanza to just hit the ball into the ground and then let them be on our team? nah
nolie
January 9th, 2013
11:07 pm
But I (and most baseball people, from all I’ve read) believe that BJ is a better overall hitter than he showed last year;
you mean the last four years which have been very similar. and 40 points in one season is a huge increase in team S%.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
11:07 pm
you can’t send Schafer down unless he clears waivers and then agrees to go there
He should refuse and get released or whatever… maybe UF will take him. >.<
nolie
January 9th, 2013
11:09 pm
yeah he would likely clear, but you just can’t ignore that is what will have to occur
braveslover
January 9th, 2013
11:10 pm
Ok, we go into the season with our current roster. BAM…Prado gets hurt. Now we have no left fielder and are stuck with a lard who strikes out as much as Uggly. Thus we battle the Marlins for who will stay out of the basement.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
11:12 pm
Dang, that slugging increase has to rank up with RBF’s thought that this team could score 100 more runs next season… LOL
LOL, Upton was a 3.3 win player, 109 OPS+, in a bad year last season.
Been around there the last 3 season, 106, 114, 109 OPS+, 745, 759, 752 OPS… .242/.317/.436/.753 batting line, 4.1, 4.1, and 3.3 WAR the last 3 years. He’s not getting much better, staying about the same. And he was approaching his prime.
Maybe he gets better, but I can’t see him getting so good to be “premium”, like he was in 2007 when he had the insane .393 BABIP. Rootin’ for him though… kinda
nolie
January 9th, 2013
11:16 pm
you can never say never so we might as well hope they all have average or above years.
if that happens we will have a pretty decent offense
nolie
January 9th, 2013
11:19 pm
actually Mike, I kinda think BJ will improve some his first year
MikeInFL
January 9th, 2013
11:22 pm
Define “premium.” Per fangraphs, he was worth $15 mil last year. Seems like we’re in a pretty good spot with him.
I’ll stay in the blog minority and predict a good offensive season from BJ, and a big one from the Braves. Lots, lots of talent.
We shall see.
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:22 pm
Chop:
Just how are you related to the UPTON’s?
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:33 pm
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
DOMINICA
EASTERN BULLS
Lead-off CF JOSE CONSTANZA [.256 BA] 1-5, 1 R, 1 SO.
VENEZUELA
CARACAS LIONS
PH/CF JOSH KROEGER [.500 BA] 2-2, 1 R, 1 RBI [1].
LARA CARDINALS
No BRAVES played
ZULIA EAGLES
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.316 BA] 0-3, 1 SO.
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:35 pm
The BRAVES will collaapse under the pressure applied by the NL east. They win 72 games max. NATS win 103 and beat the BRAVES head to head 14-4
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:36 pm
Schafer clears waivers because he’s been caught with the goods.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 9th, 2013
11:37 pm
about .840 or higher OPS, 125 or higher OPS+….
…. is that too high a standard?
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:38 pm
EGIII undergoes massive reconstruct on his right knee. Probably misses half of the upcoming season. Doctors unsure if he will ever be the player he was before injury.
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:54 pm
Hello
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:56 pm
Enter your comments here
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:56 pm
98.6
ChattTownBrian
January 9th, 2013
11:56 pm
abeewright, ouch!!
nolie, anxiety is hereditary I think. Both parents sides have a history of it to my knowledge. Also, the thyroid imbalance is proven to cause anxiety to a degree. Some with an imabalance might never have an ounce of anxiety or depression, but the percentage I would guess has it. It’s a chemical thing, and I of course have the problem.
richbrave
January 9th, 2013
11:57 pm
We had a blog waiting……………
MikeInFL
January 9th, 2013
11:58 pm
No, that’s pretty reasonable.
Looks like 4 major league CF’s have met that over a 3 year period. Hamilton, Kemp, McCutcheon, Granderson. Don’t know that the Braves had the resources to obtain any of those guys. And at $15 mil, we’re not paying for an .840 OPS center fielder.
Thing about Upton….
If a guy OPS’s .780 in the minors, and then .750 for 4 years in the majors, yeah, you assume that’s what he is.
Upton OPS’d .844 in the minors; and .894/.784 in 2 major league seasons.
Since then, he has morphed from a pretty selective hitter to a free swinger, playing in a tough hitter’s park. I’m not suggesting he’s McCutcheon. I do think that a lot of his OBP and strikeout problems are the result of a failing approach. I think the Braves see a lot of talent, and have a good coaching staff to work with him. And, he will be surrounded by a bunch of sluggers, and may not feel the pressure to swing from the heels every time up.
Could be wrong. He might be a disaster. But even if he duplicates last year, that’s an improvement over Bourn’s 99 OPS+, and he’s every bit the base-stealer Bourn was.
richbrave
January 10th, 2013
12:00 am
No provocateur
BravesFanGary
January 10th, 2013
12:11 am
With Laroche re-signing in Washington it appears possible the Nats could move Morse. Do you guys think he could be a viable option for LF? If so what could it cost the Braves? and Would the Nats even trade within the division? He certainly would provide some POP. It may be far fetched but at least it’s not a re-hash of Upton, Bourn, etc, lol
David O'Brien
January 10th, 2013
12:12 am
Ernesto Mejia hit in hand by a pitch tonight in Venezuela, but X-rays negative (which is, of course, a positive)
nolie
January 10th, 2013
2:13 am
they got Morse for Ryan Langerhans
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:16 am
Hello everyone! Still have Laringitus, and I hope to feel better in a couple of days. It sounds like, Wren, will go with Francisco, and Gattis, unless Towers calls, and offers a deal. Today every thing is quiet, and the longer this plays out the longer you won’t see any thing done until Spring Training, or just before season starts? That’s the way think we all read it! We have a long waiting process, and it’s possible we could still Justin Upton, because Wren, has said, He could trade some players next year to ease the pay roll. To pay for Justins contract. All, very interesting to me. I hope we can get Justin Upton, or we go with the platton?
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:19 am
Sounds like Towers, is the one who likes to screw everyone in a trade. It can’t work out all the time. Hope Towers, goes down a little, and works out a fair trade, and hope he calls the Braves, or some thing.
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:25 am
The way I see it is, he likes to over price everyone! Then when you don’t make a deal, he whines about it, and says you are the one who over values. Yeah, I get it!
nolie
January 10th, 2013
2:29 am
Then when you don’t make a deal, he whines about it, and says you are the one …ward
sounds like many of our resident troll
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:29 am
Make Towers be the one to go down…..That’s just my take on all this….
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:30 am
nolie – Agree, we do have a lot of trolls…..
nolie
January 10th, 2013
2:33 am
I think most of them are just one or two trolls with a whole lotta names ward
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:34 am
nolie – Another good movie coming out > Gangster Squad, I heard great reviews on it!
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:36 am
nolie – Oouch!!!!!!!!! Stung!!!!!! will laugh along….
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:39 am
I go by one post, and always have, and don’t play those childish games.
nolie
January 10th, 2013
2:43 am
did you see Django Unchained yet ward??
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:45 am
Have a good one my fellow friends……. and I’m calling it a night. nolie, be cool, and Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
nolie
January 10th, 2013
2:45 am
it has a very high rating of 8.8 at InternetMovie DataBase which is the largest and most popular movie site on the web.
Ward
January 10th, 2013
2:48 am
Sorry, didn’t see your post! Django Uncahined, no not yet, but already know it will be good, and plan on buying it, and keeping the movie…. Have a good one buddy! Peace Out!, and Talk tomorrow, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!” Gotta try, and get some sleep! This cold is not very fun at all……didn’t get much sleep at all the last few nights…..
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 10th, 2013
5:45 am
Understandable Mike… hoping that he does improve, he’s ours now.
David O'Brien
January 10th, 2013
5:51 am
DOB
Do you think the writers were just making a statement that there would be no first ballot PED users but perhaps next year they will vote them into the HOF? — jmart1951
Nope. They’re not getting in anytime soon, not unless a lot of people view the issue a lot differently than they do now. And for that, I’m glad.
David O'Brien
January 10th, 2013
6:04 am
Let’s see, Rangers,Nats,Phillies,Orioles,Giants,Yankees,Angels,Dodgers don’t platoon outfielders. They are winners. Just keep letting Bobby Cox run things with platooning and 3rd place is guaranteed this year. — DOB’s BJ for BJ UPTON (Dec. 19)
Phillies likely to go with what they have, use platoon in left field (the Philadelphia Inquirer,Jan. 9): http://articles.philly.com/2013-01-09/sports/36239761_1_darin-ruf-john-mayberry-phillies-outfield
chipl1960
January 10th, 2013
6:26 am
Up early I see.The brightest among us are always early risers!! As I follow the hot stove season I find it fascinating how the GM’s are playing the waiting game with each other. It is a 30 team chess match. Much skill is required to succeed in such games which I believe escapes the average or casual fan.
chipl1960
January 10th, 2013
6:34 am
I wonder if Towers wants players already in the big leagues or would take a combo of AA or AAA blue chippers. I think his asking price is too high.I think he has lost much bargaining power by putting Upton out there for so long.
Bobo
January 10th, 2013
8:52 am
Typical non story–rehash of all the old–try doing some actual reporting sometime since you no longer have your boy chippy to write about now. That should free up about 80% of your time.
ncscoots
January 10th, 2013
8:55 am
And, [Upton] will be surrounded by a bunch of sluggers, and may not feel the pressure to swing from the heels every time up.
Fredo will negate that pressure-free environment by hitting the guy 4. Since that’s probably the absolute worst lineup slot for Upton, I can practically guarantee that’s where he will hit.
Dadgum.....
January 10th, 2013
8:55 am
In reviewing the HOF voting, it appears the voters did a pretty good job overall. Biggio being the exception. Murph may have a shot with the Veterans committee and certainly Morris will get in via that route. I was surprised at how low a vote the juicers got. 36% does not bode well for their future induction. Sosa will never make it. Doubtful for Bonds. Clemens maybe. Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa affected more games than Shoeless Joe or Pete Rose. Put those guys in then come talk to me about the juicers.
Now back to the HOF voters. I applause the voters that decided to take the year off and not turn in a ballot or stop voting altogether. They kept the integrity of the vote in view. Certainly the vote is subjective in nature and quite honestly some should have their voting rights yanked. To wit: the voters who returned blank ballots. You see, that is plain wrong. That is making a mockery of a very high honor. Seeing you must have 10 years of experience as a baseball writer just to vote. Many out there would love to vote that may be more qualified to boot.
By sending in a blank ballot they are still counted against the percentage a player gets. So, that blank ballot is actually a vote against every player. Not sure how many ballots were cast but maybe those blanks cost Biggio a percentage point. Might not have made a difference but next year it might.
I will never get to vote for the HOF. Sure wish I could. Might even be as qualified as the majority who do. One thing is damn certain. I would recuse myself from the process before I returned a blank ballot.
Rock on…..Dale Murphy should be in the HOF right beside Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe.
Real Talk
January 10th, 2013
9:19 am
On the HOF voting argument, first if you used PED’s you dont get in, second if you think Joe Morgan is a HOF’er then Biggio is one as well, but if you think Ol’ Joe was overated then Biggio cant get in…they had almost identical lifetime numbers. Lastly, on the Braves I think they will make a move only if in spring it looks like Juan and Reed cant get the job done…Everyone have a great day!!
Robert ( chi-town)
January 10th, 2013
9:20 am
Ever since the one game loss to the Cards the talk has been to get an impact left fielder for this team! As time goes on, the typical Atlanta Braves front office has done nothing to improve the offense. Here we go again with feeling “really good” about the possibility of Francisco being the big power guy if he plays every day! And Frank feeling really content with a platoon of Johnson/Constanza/Gattis and Schafer! Oh brother, if this happens, I hope Braves fans are really content to finish at least ten games behinf the Washington Nats!