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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
263 comments Add your comment
And a Day of Rain
January 11th, 2013
10:27 am
How can you justify to anyone that you passed that up for a “prospect” that clearly has some serious mental issues, committment to the game issues and should be in the prime in the majors but is still toiling away in the minors and you went with him because he had a good winter league season in Venezuela? That’s crazy. – Patrick
serious mental issues
Evan Gattis (Braves) — BaseballMoves.com
January 11th, 2013
10:30 am
[...] Source: ajc.com [...]
Mr Maggot
January 11th, 2013
10:31 am
I’ll conclude that Patrick has a crush on the Upton brothers.
braves1in13
January 11th, 2013
10:32 am
“J. Upton would be nice, but giving up Teheran or Delgado plus EOF or Venters, plus Nick Ahmed and another good/great prospect …?”
Upton has the capability of belting 25-30 HR and driving in 90-100 runs while playing EVERYDAY. Teheran and Delgado will only help the Braves every fifth day. Venters or EOF would be tough, but they don’t pitch every day and the Braves still have a solid pen without one of them. Finally, prospects are prospects and Ahmed won’t sniff SS while Simmons is around.
I think most people on here are too focused on the future and are failing to see just how positive an impact J Upton would have on an everyday basis.
Don’t sell the farm, but in my opinion, the Braves have the players to get a deal done and be very competetive in 2013 and remain competetive in the years to come. Get it done, Frankie!
Patrick
January 11th, 2013
10:45 am
Mr Maggot
You think that Evan Gattis is better than Justin Upton. That the Braves will be a better team with him playing left field?
rico carty
January 11th, 2013
11:04 am
Are you kidding?
An outfield of Upton, Upton, and Heyward? The Braves need something to boost attendance and this will do it. I live in Upstate NY but will travel this summer to watch these guys. Imagine the PR possibilities for this trio.
We must get it done. Chances like these don’t come along often. Well worth the risk of giving up young pitching talent. Who knows whether Julio or Randall will amount to anything. No guarantees with young arms.
As for Gattis, move him back to catcher. He can be McCann’s understudy in 2013, let McCann walk and have Gattis start in 2014.
Trade Bethancourt for other prospects.
Big B
January 11th, 2013
11:06 am
Here’s the short-and-sweet….. Any DECENT owner, coach, or GM will tell you that you if you have a chance to put yourself over-the-top THIS YEAR,,, YOU DO IT AND YOU DON’T THINK TWICE. You let “next year” work itself out while you celebrate a championship THIS YEAR… With that in mind,,,, if you have a chance to get Justin Upton.. YOU DO IT! Here is the deal:
Braves Get: Justin Upton
Arizona Gets: Choice of O’flarhty, Venters, or Avilan
Choice of Tehran or Delgado
Graham
Ahmed
Salcedo
The stipulations are that if AZ decides that they want Ahmed AND Salcedo,, they don’t get to choose the lefty reliever they get.. they have to take our choice (Avilan). If AZ wants Tehran AND Delgado, they have to choose between Salcedo and Ahmed… This CAN be done and NEEDS to be done… Prado needs to start at 3rd, Upton, Upton, Heyward needs to be our outfield and Simmons NEEDS to be our SS… This team CAN win it all THIS YEAR if they are bold enough to make the move THIS YEAR to do it. I would gladly take a Championship THIS YEAR and worry about Mac, Prado, long-term contracts,, blah blah blah,,, all when they arise instead of always trying to “plan for tomorrow” while being “competitive” today.. I’m tired of “competing.” It’s time to WIN! WREN!! GO WIN!!! GET JUSTIN UPTON!!!
Bench
January 11th, 2013
11:09 am
With attitudes coming into question in the past with both Upton’s, it seems a unnecessary risk to have he both on the same team. Glad the Braves didn’t have two Yunnel Escobar’s at the same time.
Razorback Red
January 11th, 2013
11:10 am
Big B thats way too much. Arizona has lost a lot of leverage. I believe you’re giving up too much there.
mrnatural
January 11th, 2013
11:19 am
Inquiring minds would ask why D’back GM Kevin Towers is so intent on shedding his team of the awesome talent that is Justin Upton. Why did he jump at Cody Ross before he had a trade in place for Upton, the player many of you would like to give up the farm for to play LF for our Braves? Something is rotten in Denmark.
Rick C
January 11th, 2013
11:20 am
Patrick, I don’t think anyone is saying that, but it doesn’t mean that Upton is necessarily worth the package of prospects it would take to get him.
rico carty, the Braves already had arguably the best outfield in baseball last year. The suggestion that we need to get someone like Upton to boost attendance is stupid. The low attendance is all on the fans, plain and simple.
Fantasy Baseball Blog at beondeck.com | Fantasy Baseball Advice
January 11th, 2013
11:21 am
[...] in the never ending Justin Upton trade talks, but that option too is a long shot. A more realistic option for the Braves is Evan Gattis an opportunity in the outfield. At 26 years old, Gattis is not a typical minor league prospect. He provides power and if he can [...]
Big Time
January 11th, 2013
11:26 am
Well Matt the Brave we tried that trade one time before : #1 pitching prospect, plus one major league ready SS, another hitter, plus another pitcher for Mark Texeria and see where it got us & where it put the Texas Rangers. I don’t think so. Even though Upton is signed for three years & we just rented Texeria. Just say no Braves.
David O'Brien
January 11th, 2013
11:28 am
“DOB: Do players requests these limited no trade clauses like Justin Upton did? How does that work?”
Of course they request them. Or their agents advise them to, and they do. Some teams give them. The Braves don’t.
JoeFan
January 11th, 2013
11:29 am
Wren is not going to sell out for Upton. The Braves under JS and Wren have been burnt to many times on trades and free agent signings. Wren is going to see what he has in Gattis before he even considers trading for another outfielder.
Let's Go
January 11th, 2013
11:33 am
Big B @ 11:06 am
Stick to fantasy baseball. You are over paying about 10 times too much for a guy that in the last 4 years averaged .283, 23 HR, & 77 RBI’s while playing half his games in a hitter friendly ballpark. If the Dbacks would take Tehran and Pasternicky and maybe a AA player then yes make the deal but anything more than that is too much. Plus with HGH testing now on the table every team better be worried about trading for any player who had that one big “contract” year.
Big B
January 11th, 2013
11:39 am
Razorback Red,,, I think that if you acquire a guy like Justin Upton from AZ, you’re going to have to part with pieces you don’t want to give up so you can keep other pieces you don’t want to give up even more…. I think LHRP, SP, Minors SP, Minors SS, and Minors 3b prospects are what it’s going to take if you don’t give up Simmons (which I would NOT do).. You look at the package that they could have gotten from the Mariners and it screams “over-pay.” Unfortunately,, if you want Upton (and I DO,, very badly),, you’re going to have to overpay some. I’d be interested in seeing what you think a “reasonable” package is for Justin Upton. Just because Upton rejected the trade doesn’t weaken AZ’s stance.. They,, like the Braves,, are just a capable of going into the season with what they’ve got and letting things ride til’ the trade deadline. It doesn’t make it a good idea,,, but they can do it… I’ve said from the start of this mess,, if the Braves want Upton (and they should), they have to give up a lefty reliever, young major league SP, 3b prospect, and a SS prospect because those are the areas that AZ has stated that they want in return this offseason in any trade talks with other teams… They satisfied the SS position with Cabrera in a prior trade and can now afford to sit back and sure up the rotation, pen, and minors. Remember,, AZ’s minor league pitching is very good and they don’t HAVE to accept junk from anyone for a high-performance-player like Upton.
Big B
January 11th, 2013
11:46 am
Let’s Go,,,, Are you kidding!? He has negatives just like any other player in baseball but he is arguably the best available outfielder in the trade market with Stanton. If you think you’re going to get a PROVEN high-production, high-quality-stud outfielder for peanuts like Pastornicky and “a AAA” player then I think we all know who’s really playing “fantasy” baseball.. Upton is a proven ballplayer who is young, under control, marketable, and produces! You don’t just stumble on these guys. They are hard to find. Reasonably speaking, the overpay to land him from AZ is exactly what it would take to get him. If you think he could be gotten for less,,, I’d love to see your plan because I doubt it would get done… unless you included Simmons which I would NEVER do.
Justin Upton Rumors: Friday - Unofficial Network
January 11th, 2013
11:46 am
[...] price for Upton, the Braves seem willing to proceed with players already in the organization, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes. The Diamondbacks wanted a package centered around shortstop Andrelton Simmons earlier in [...]
bvillebaron
January 11th, 2013
12:02 pm
Adding Justin Upton would be great, but it depends on the price. My comment to one of the posters who claims adding Upton would reduce the Nationals advantage over the Braves is that the Braves are not inferior to the Naionals as presently constiuted–their main advanatage is, hard to believe, superior starting pitching and a bullpen which is almost as good. Since pitching and defense wins championships (see how poorly the Yankees’ vaunted lineup did in the playoffs last year), Justin’s boost to the offense would not IMHO offset the hit to the starting pitching staff if they traded more than one or at most two of their premier pitching prospects to acquire him. To me posters who would trade Teheran, Delgado and Graham for Upton are foolish.
ALJ
January 11th, 2013
12:05 pm
Matt the Brave
January 11th, 2013
12:01 am
So, the Mariners were going to send their #1 pitching prospect, plus one major league ready SS, another hitter, plus another pitcher. Why can’t the Braves do this exactly?
Matt, why not, because that would be overpaying.
Yickitty
January 11th, 2013
12:14 pm
DOB,
Is there anything that prevents the Braves from a sign and trade deal for Bourn? Seems like Texas wants him but doesn’t want to give up a 1st round draft pick. Maybe Braves could trade his rights for a lesser pick/player/cash or some combo? Or is that allowed under the CBA?
74bravesjersey
January 11th, 2013
12:14 pm
I’m all in for Upton(2), if done crafty & carefully, & good Diggs on your’e read “Big B”. I love to see the outfield w/a J-Hey Degree at Upton university.
least of the east
January 11th, 2013
12:22 pm
Seattle is lucky Upton refused to go there. they offerred too much. Baves can’t afford to trade 2 top pitching prospects. maholm has 1 yr left. Hudson is getting old. we dealt hanson already. beachy is coming off TJ surgery.
Upton is more potential than talent. I am not sold on him. if we can’t afford an OF like Ross or even hairston, how do we pay for Upton ? the guys Towers wants back are all cheap. we would need to dump a big contract on them. deal makes no sense !
The Scout
January 11th, 2013
12:33 pm
Nationals have a better manager and a more balanced lineup than the Braves.
The Uggla Factor also benefits the Braves’ opposition.
braves1in13
January 11th, 2013
12:45 pm
Not that projections are entirely accurrate, but here’s something to chew on:
Bill James proj. for Upton in 2013: .289/.372/.492 with 26 HR, 86 RBI, 106 runs, and 19 SB.
The main internal candidates of Francisco and Johnson in a platoon with Prado:
Francisco: .272/.308/.502 with 12 HR, 41 RBI, 31 runs in 246 AB
Johnson: .272/.325/.382 wit 4 HR, 27 RBI, and 35 runs in 296 AB
And then, there’s the unknown in Gattis, but will he seriously project anywhere near the numbers for Upton above.
Upton will vastly improve our lineup and make it pretty solid from top to bottom. The question is, are the Braves willing to part with some talent to get a very talented outfielder who will help in 2013?
74bravesjersey
January 11th, 2013
12:53 pm
DOB; Thanks for the good reads, man, I’m gett’n stirred up, we know Frank’s weighing his options. I’ve been pull’n for Gattis since last spring; Would College ball count for somethin’, considered in his maturation process for Minor league experience?
PDOG
January 11th, 2013
1:03 pm
Upton would be great but only for the right price. I would give up Ahmed, Terd, Gerrin and the D Backs choice of Delegado or Mahlom and a pitching prospect from A ball or below.
74bravesjersey
January 11th, 2013
1:03 pm
Be awesome havin’ a already formidable lineup become that much more, & he’s still maturing, & who’s to say Walkn’fletch might bring that strong plate discipline philosophy to the lineup, that 6 to 7 hitters in the lineup that would battle the count. Possibly cutting down the strikeouts would be tremendous.
74bravesjersey
January 11th, 2013
1:08 pm
Good Deal there PDOG; I’d go w/ that! Keep Gattis, Hopefully a spot for Mejia, man, what a team, Fired up Bravos! Fired up Falcons!
Rick C
January 11th, 2013
1:10 pm
“The Uggla Factor also benefits the Braves’ opposition.”
The Nationals have their own Uggla at 2B with Danny Espinosa. 247/315/402 line last year with 189 SOs.
WigWamWisps
January 11th, 2013
1:29 pm
I don’t even know if I am comfortable with dealing for Justin Upton if the deal includes multiple pitching prospects. I would imagine that a player like Graham, maybe Ahmed and our big two pitching prospects are what Kevin Towers would ask for IF he dropped his demands for Andrelton Simmons. I don’t think I like the deal at all.
in Wren we trust
January 11th, 2013
1:38 pm
Having a young slugger in LF could be a great thing.
Having a young slugging 3B could be a great thing.
Having Prado NOT be an everyday player would NOT be a good thing.
Whatever happens, I think Prado should either have the starting LF or 3B job. Period.
He also needs a contract extension for about…forever!
in Wren we trust
January 11th, 2013
1:38 pm
Having a young slugger in LF could be a great thing.
Having a young slugging 3B could be a great thing.
Having Prado NOT be an everyday player would NOT be a good thing.
Whatever happens, I think Prado should either have the starting LF or 3B job. Period.
He also needs a contract extension for about…forever!
Submariner
January 11th, 2013
1:42 pm
New Flash: Frank Wren pulls off a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets. The deal sends Kenshin Kawakami and Jair Jurrjens to NY for Tim Tebow and a bucket of orange Gatorade. In the deal the Braves get a brand new insulated bucket filled to the brim with tasty orange flavored G2. Tebow will be used to deliver high-end corporate bubbas to their luxury boxes behind home plate at Turner Field. Adding left handed depth to the 20 man usher roster. The deal is seen to be a major win for the Braves, while New York gets Kawakami and Jurrjens to park cars for Jets players when they arrive to MetLife stadium. Woohoooo!
Submariner
January 11th, 2013
1:47 pm
In unrelated news….The Braves continue to search for a left fielder that can hit for power and defend in the metro area thrift stores.
bravesbudfan
January 11th, 2013
1:57 pm
You would have to be an idot to give up the two best pitching prospects that are major league ready, a shrt stop that has a very high upside, plus Gattis and Bethancourt. The last time Atlanta did a trade like that it put tha Rangers in the World Series and we have nothing to show for it today! NO THANKS. We will need the extra money to lock up Prado, Heyward and others so we do not lose the young nucleus we have moving forward.
Brown
January 11th, 2013
2:11 pm
Hi David,
Is Dexter Fowler still on the Braves’ radar?
Since he fits the leadoff mold better, I tend to think Fowler is a better option (and perhaps less costly in terms of trade pieces). Thoughts?
Thanks
Brown
January 11th, 2013
2:13 pm
*as compared to Upton
Rick C
January 11th, 2013
2:18 pm
Brown, the Rockies were reportedly asking for Minor and either Delgado or Teheran for Fowler.
jbailz23
January 11th, 2013
2:27 pm
Did I really see someone offering Beachy, Delgado and another prospect for JUpton?
I want JUp don’t get me wrong but even Beachy for him straight up we lose on. Beachy has crazy potential, and don’t give me that Tommy John crap, they’ve got the recovery from that down to a science…
Mark (another one)
January 11th, 2013
2:56 pm
Any thought to putting McCann in LF and protecting is shoulder and legs? We know a healthy McCann can hit, and we have some defensive depth at catcher. Laird, Bethencort and Gattis can all play there and the first two are on the 40 man roster.
Brown
January 11th, 2013
2:59 pm
Yeah – don’t think McCann is quite mobile enough for the outfield. More likely to end up in the AL as a DH
AdirondackDave
January 11th, 2013
3:25 pm
A couple things I like about Gattis don’t get much attention but are important. First, for a slugger, he doesn’t strike out a lot. Closer to Chipper and Mac than Uggla, etc. in that regard. Second, he won’t steea a lot of bases but I notice Gattis gets more than his share of triples which tells he he won’t clog up the bases and has good running instincts. These are positives that Mejia and most other sluggers don’t typically bring to the table.
DOB … Do the Braves control Simmons for 6 more years or just 5? Thanks.
Let's Go
January 11th, 2013
3:26 pm
Big B @ 11:46
Upton may be the best that is still available but that doesn’t mean you overpay for his services. Is he going to make the Braves better? Maybe, but how much better? Not enough to give up 4 quality players. At this point of the year if you can’t get a player for what he’s worth than you don’t make a trade. This is not July where one guy for 2 months gets you info the playoff. Unless the Dbacks lower their demands for Upton he will still be available come late March and by then everyone will know if the Braves really need a LF or not.
Roy Hobbs
January 11th, 2013
3:27 pm
I know that J Upton is supposed to make less this year than the next two years of his remaining three years. I think years 2 and 3 are about what Bourne is rumored to be asking for.
I think the lineup is much better, 1 through 8, with the return of Bourne than it would be with J Upton, and we dont have to give up 3 or 4 prospects to get him.
I would much rather see them find the money to bring bourne back than trade a bunch of prospects for Upton. Bringing Bourne back gives Atl the best outfield in baseball, a legit leadoff hitter (instead of hoping that Simmons or Prado can do it), and again, we dont lose several of our top prospects.
Lukewarm Stove: The Justin Upton Package, and Where the Diamondbacks Go From Here | Bleacher Nation | Chicago Cubs News, Rumors, and Commentary
January 11th, 2013
3:29 pm
[...] they’ve got the need. Plus, the Diamondbacks are obviously incentivized to move Upton. But David O’Brien says the Braves aren’t willing to give up a package of talent in the range that the Mariners were, [...]
AdirondackDave
January 11th, 2013
3:40 pm
And for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t trade Simmons (5-6 years of control) even up for Upton’s 3 years of control. Braves have one of the biggest bargains in baseball with 2-3 more years of Simmons for next to nothing.
Rick C
January 11th, 2013
3:50 pm
Roy Hobbs, Upton is owed 9.75MM next year, 14.25 in 2014, and 14.5 in 2015. Bourn was looking for a bit more than that, it would be a longer contract, and he’s 5 years older.
phoenix
January 11th, 2013
3:52 pm
I look for the Braves to remain in “neutral” this year, after all Uggla is still the heart of this team. And what he lacks in hitting, he makes up for with his limited range.
Finklestein
January 11th, 2013
3:54 pm
What the heck is going on with Bourn?
Looks like his greedy, smart aleck agent screwed up and has taken Bourn down the river.
Finklestein
January 11th, 2013
3:57 pm
Michael should never have messed with that fancy pants agent.
Roy Hobbs
January 11th, 2013
4:07 pm
Rick, I guess what I am saying is maybe with the way the CF market has fallen apart on Bourn and Boras, maybe he would take a 3 year, 42 to 45 million dollar deal at this point. Then the question becomes is the difference between 10 this year for J Upton and 14 this year for Bourne worth 3 of our best prospects.
I think the change to free agency with the draft pick now attached has really hurt Bourn, and its very possible that his asking price has come down.
Given the choice between three years of Bourn and three years of J Upton, I would pick Bourn, at least for this team, as it is put together today.
Samurai Squirrel
January 11th, 2013
4:14 pm
Do BJ and Justin have any more brothers? If McCann doesn’t return, we could possibly need a new catcher next year. Heck, I’d even take one of their athletic sisters…
single white dove
January 11th, 2013
4:16 pm
JOHNNY DAMEN? why not?
Disgusted
January 11th, 2013
4:27 pm
With both Uptons you are paying for potential and upside.
With BJ all it cost was $$$$$$$$ and a first round prospect.
For Justin even if it takes two pitchers (none of them named Randall Delgado) and two more mid range prospects than so be it — just do it.
I really perfer they keep Delgado as the Number 5 SP. Teheran is no big loss. Would give Teheran and their choice of any other prospect in the system.
Disgusted
January 11th, 2013
4:28 pm
They won’t have to trade Simmons now, AZ got their shortstop prospect in the trade they made — his name slips my mind right now.
Disgusted
January 11th, 2013
4:29 pm
I do think the Braves will be looking for catcher help cause Laird is just not very good.
He was a good defensive C but that was three, four yrs ago.
Horn's dad
January 11th, 2013
4:30 pm
Hey spaceman109. I never said they should trade Simmons to get Upton! I said that Towers has made it obvious that he wants to trade Upton and Upton has said that he would like to play with his brother. The Braves have plenty of pitching depth in the minors and that’s what the DBacks would want…
Disgusted
January 11th, 2013
4:31 pm
I want JUp don’t get me wrong but even Beachy for him straight up we lose on. Beachy has crazy potential, and don’t give me that Tommy John crap, they’ve got the recovery from that down to a science…
Because of Beachey’s crazy potential that is all the more reason not to rush him. He is worth waiting for even if its waiting till 2014.
Plate Appearance
January 11th, 2013
4:37 pm
GO WITH GATTIS
I hope Wren does give Gattis a chance in LF.
Leave payroll flexibility and go with Gattis!
Disgusted
January 11th, 2013
4:38 pm
I really don’t know if the brothers being on the same team would work out long term. Could be drama. Look at the Jackson family.I really think we’d get .265/ 25 hrs from Gattis next year. I think the smart money would be to use him and save the $. However, if the Upton’s kick ass in Atlanta, it’ll be great for ratings and attendance. I’ll be happy either way.
@Ben — That is asking an awful lot from a 26 yr old guy who has never played above A ball.
Not saying it cannot be but wow, the Braves are kind of in a win it now mode so if they can add J Up and his known talent and upside for a collection of prospects you got to feel positive about it.
As for saving the $$$$$, J Upton does have a favrable contract and the price for big league talent goes up. It ain’t going down if you want em to win you have to spend some. LM can afford it — the dollars are there if they want to find em.
Gattis is an outside shot to be a big time player.
Joey
January 11th, 2013
4:41 pm
“and I worry about that because Wren isn’t Schuerholtz.”
********************************************
True. Wren definitely is not Schuerholz – you know, the one that traded about 5 future MLB starters(at least 2 AllStars) for 12 months of Tex?
Not to say Schuerholz didn’t make some good deals – he did – but, with the 2nd largest payroll in MLB in the 90’s. When the Braves and Yankees first met in the WS, the big story was that it was between the two biggest spenders in MLB.
Wonder why Schuerholz retired a short few years after Ted sold the team? Cause the plug got pulled on his checkbook balance, and he was no better than anybody else without Ted writing BIG PAYCHECKS.
I think Wren has done very well with the budget he has to operate in.
Disgusted
January 11th, 2013
4:41 pm
As for prospects remember, every June you have the opportunity to restock the system every year.
Most prospects are replacable. Most do not make it. Even if one gets away that is the price you pay for trying to compete and put a team together.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Disgusted
January 11th, 2013
4:46 pm
I will second that Joey @ 4:41.
At the time the first Texiera deal was done with the right intentions. And we did get one strong year out of him — as for the prospects that went to Texas well, sometimes that just happens.
Its not that none of em got replaced.
Sure we let Andrus go but we had a young Yunel and later developed the better Simmons.
Neftali Feliz is darned good but hey, today we have Kimbrell.
Now Harrison, that was a mistake — they rated Jo Jo ahead of Harrison and that was a big time SOUR MONEY BOO BOO.
Salty is a journeyman with some power and the other pitcher I don;t think made it.
The second Tex deal for Kotchman sucked. Might have been better off taking back the draft picks instead of Kotchman and Marrek.
We have had two excellent GM’s since 1991. And Bobby Cox was not so bad as a GM putting the roots of the contending yrs together.
Joey
January 11th, 2013
5:10 pm
It was done for the “right intentions,” but the truth was, that Braves team needed more than one slugger at the time – our pitching had become pretty bad, and nobody could drive in a run, other than Tex, Escobar and Chipper.
I do think Wren is gonna sit on that $8M til about June, just to see if Gattis, or Francisco breaks through – if so, we shouldn’t need another player, with Reed, Prado and those two.
Another defense of Wren I always give is, a few of his acqusitions, who, if they had only just hit their career averages (no better) after joining the Braves, probably would have put another Big Pennant up on the wall by now – Nate McLouth, Dan Uggla, and Michael Bourn. But some guys are better off just playing with a really bad team, who by June, has no shot at the playoffs.
No pressure, no worries. But put them in a pennant chase, and they can’t hit the ball out of the infield.
Hope BJ is ready for that pressure.
Angel Eyes
January 11th, 2013
5:27 pm
Well I see typical Wren is sitting on his Duff and not made the deal.
Russell Bell
January 11th, 2013
5:28 pm
JOHNNY DAMEN? why not?
Because at this stage of his career, he would most likely add little if any value over internal options.
JoeBravesFan
January 11th, 2013
5:31 pm
Prado is already going to be going back and forth from 3B to LF…and you want to add 1B to that, too?! That’s not realistic. Prado had better get that extension offer this month if the Braves plan on playing him everywhere.
Mr Maggot
January 11th, 2013
5:42 pm
We need Trumbo and Wren better get going on this.
Lead off
January 11th, 2013
5:42 pm
If we get the other Upton, we still have an issue at lead off. Why spend that much for someone that doesn’t fit as well as everyone seems to think.
Angel Eyes
January 11th, 2013
6:14 pm
Somebody take a mallet and wake Wren up. Make the deal stupid.
Bobbymahlon
January 11th, 2013
6:21 pm
I think we could get Mike Morse on a better deal than Upton and he is a better hitter.
Bobbymahlon
January 11th, 2013
6:33 pm
What about making a deal for Mike Morse now that the Nats have signed LaRoache, a .300 hitter with close to 100RBIs and 25-30 dingers.
Ken Stallings
January 11th, 2013
6:49 pm
What the Mariners were willing to offer for just one player was WAY too much to pay for any one player!
Anytime you are looking at a four-to-one ratio of players in a trade, Prospects are not just prospects. To a team with a limited budget for free agents, your prospects are vital to your future. Three players of the right talent mix I might trade, but not four.
MIdtown
January 11th, 2013
6:49 pm
J. Upton is a gamble at best with a hefty price tag. Do not like it. Brothers playing together in what should be the ultimate professional environment only adds to distraction in my view.
Plus I hope Wren is not even thinking about moving O’Flaherty or Venters. With our bats not exactly providing fireworks, watching O’Ventbrel was half the fun for the season.
David O'Brien
January 11th, 2013
6:54 pm
Is there anything that prevents the Braves from a sign and trade deal for Bourn? Seems like Texas wants him but doesn’t want to give up a 1st round draft pick. Maybe Braves could trade his rights for a lesser pick/player/cash or some combo? Or is that allowed under the CBA? — Yickitty
No way baseball would approve of that deal, as it would clearly be done to circumvent the rule.
Angel Eyes
January 11th, 2013
6:57 pm
We need OFFENSE. No Matter what it costs. Make the deal NOW!!!!
Norris Chuck
January 11th, 2013
7:10 pm
DOB,
The guys from the MLB Network are SCREAMIN for Arizona and The Braves to come to some kinda agreement in a Upton trade.
What in your opinion do you think is gonna happen?
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy
January 11th, 2013
7:10 pm
I do not see the Braves pursing an OF’er until at least the end of spring training and would more inclined to think the trade deadline in July. I think DOB is just giving the masses something to talk about for another month.
The Braves have to see where they are with in house options. Gambling on Upton is no different than gambling on the prospects that would be traded and/or play for the MLB team at this juncture..
Upton is a gamble for the talent Towers is asking for as unless he turns out to be anything less than an impact bat the trade will be failure. We do not know he can be that consistently and will just pay more to gamble than with the prospects. Besides, there is no rush for any team other than the Mariners to add Upton, he’ll be available at the deadline if need be.
David O'Brien
January 11th, 2013
7:21 pm
We’re making the bold move, folks. Moving to a new page at ajc.com, and to a new blog format that requires — wait for it — registration. That’s right, the cloak of anonymity wont’ be quite the same anymore, which hopefully will help us build a less-hostile environment and the kind of conversation that so many of you have pined for on days when things have gotten particularly nasty.
Beginning now, this blog is moving to a new home within AJC Sports, and we are making some other changes we hope the members of this blog community will enjoy. Things should be a lot easier to access from your mobile devices, by the way.
Game stories, features and articles and player profiles will move from the blogs into our sports news pages. The blog will focus on the issues you and others are talking about, with opinion and analysis front and center.
Readers will now be asked to register before posting comments in the blogs and stories. We value the spirited discussion and debate, and believe this change will improve the interactivity for everyone.
Bookmarks and RSS feeds: If you visit the blog from a bookmark or use an RSS reader, you will need to update those links. Thanks for being patient with us as we ease through the transition. The old blogs will stay up in the old format for a while longer, but all new ones will be written in the new format and this last blog written in the previous format is being moved to the new one.
Here’s the link:
http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/atlanta-braves/2013/jan/11/braves-could-add-another-upton-or-gattis-might-get/
BravesFanInNashville
January 11th, 2013
7:23 pm
Loved the comments about bringing Bourn back because he’s a better fit for our lineup and he costs Zero prospects. If he signed for 4 yrs $48 Million we could be guaranteed to keep our rotation cheap until his contract is up. He’d only cost $10 million more than Justin Upton but we’d have him for 4 years instead of 3. If we have even 2 prospects that stay with us for those 4 years vs. having to pay even what we are paying Maholm this year( $6million) Bourn would pay for himself with the money we save by keeping and playing our young prospects. Upton costs $38 million AND prospects which will leave us having to replace them with more expensive and only serviceable players like Maholm.
Re-signing Bourn is looking more and more like the move to make. Don’t get me wrong I would love to see Upton playing left field for the Braves but he would cost a lot more than Bourn overall and he doesn’t solve our lead-off issue.
BravesFanInNashville
January 11th, 2013
7:26 pm
Love it DOB! Most of us just want to talk baseball with other Braves fans that can respect other people’s point of view!
Mr. Snarky
January 11th, 2013
7:33 pm
Gattis ain’t getting any younger…let’s give him a shot.
Angel Eyes
January 11th, 2013
7:38 pm
@BravesFanInNashville First of all love your posts and respect you very much. Now question: Just how do you think it is possible to get Bourn. I don’t think possible. Please explain your thoughts
CJ
January 11th, 2013
7:43 pm
1. SS – Simmons / LF – Constanza
2. 3B – Prado
3. RF – Heyward
4. CF – B.J. Upton
5. 1B – Freeman
6. 2B – Uggla
7. C – McCann
8. LF – Constanza / SS – Simmons
Wes Jorga
January 11th, 2013
7:45 pm
I would feel more comfortable with an Upton trade if I knew when the TV contract revenues were availale for payroll. If the payroll went up to 115 to 120 million then it would relieve the concerns about not being financially able to keep the team together.
chipl1960
January 11th, 2013
8:19 pm
All signed up and ready to go!!
chipl1960
January 11th, 2013
8:20 pm
Thanks DOB
Angel Eyes
January 11th, 2013
8:33 pm
@DOB Won’t let me in. Say wrong display name. Help please
the truth...
January 11th, 2013
10:59 pm
DOB….
What are requirements for display name? The message says the name will not register but no explanation?
Maybe in our society “truth” is really not a reality anymore?
BravesFanInNashville
January 11th, 2013
11:17 pm
Angel Eyes.. Hey thanks for saying hi and for having your wife say hello on the blog last night! As for Bourn I don’t really have a plan I just think he’s going to have a lot fewer options than he thought he would at the start of the off-season. He may come back to us by default! This could be one of the few years that a Boras client wishes he had taken the offer given to him by his former team at the beginning of the off-season. He may have in fact, held out for less.
Word is that several teams do not want to sign him or Kyle Lohse because of the draft pick compensation. It’s not hard to picture one of two scenarios; one that Bourn comes back and signs a one year deal to try to reestablish his value, or two that if he is given any kind of a reasonable multiyear offer now he takes it in case he has an injury next year that could cost him tens of millions later! ESPN is saying his most likely landing spot is back with Atlanta which surprised me!
Disgusted
January 12th, 2013
8:09 am
What if you do not have facebook or the other links.
Oh well, guess I have to retire from posting on this blog — Good luck all and lets look forward to a great 2013.
Disgusted
January 12th, 2013
8:10 am
Its been a fun ride posting on the blog — the change sucks but that happens.
Will miss some of yall. Go Braves.
Posts about The Braves From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
January 12th, 2013
12:37 pm
[...] to get a general sense of how good the team was in order to figure out what di more… If Braves don’t add an Upton, Gattis could get look in LF – blogs.ajc.com 01/11/2013 Now that Arizona outfielder Justin Upton has rejected a trade to [...]
Angel Eyes
January 12th, 2013
3:11 pm
WELL I guess only the “ELITE” get to speak there mind” Everyone has opinion. Right or wrong. If you don’t agree with someone you don.t get to speak This sucks, YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW. It’s called FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Sal
January 12th, 2013
4:43 pm
DOB,
I am sure the subject has come up somewhere along the line – so, what do the Braves and Schafer say when the subject of Matty Alou, Harry Walker, bottleneck bats, pounding the ball into the ground, taking full advantage of his best asset, speed, and winning battle titles comes up? With Schafer you could add stolen base titles to the mix if he could get on base enough(and stay healthy too I know).
Do they just think Schafer is not as good as Alou? He is incapable? That he can’t learn how to stop using a homerun swing to get a single or double?
I am serious. No one who hits as few homeruns and has the speed of Schafer should be striking out much at all.
I think he can be as exciting on the bases as Medlin is pitching, but he has to get on base. First base would be a good start.
But do the Braves and Schafer just scoff at this sort of thing? I know Alou was an excellent talent but seems like unless Schafer has eye problems, he could learn how to hit better with a change of style also.
your pal,
Sal
Barack Odrama
January 12th, 2013
9:32 pm
comment
Dan Uggla's Swing
January 14th, 2013
11:30 am
Most of the comments on this blog are making me realize just how bad the “Steroid Era” really was for baseball. The love for the homer really stop, it will not win us a WS. The Braves won the ‘95 series with pitching, yes, Justice hit a game/series winning homer, but think about it. That was the only run scored in the whole game, the key was the pitching. The Braves need to focus on scrappy contact hitters with good OBP, not high strike-out power hitters if they ever want to win another championship. Go back and re-live the one game wild card playoff game again if you think I am wrong. Lots of men on base, lots of men left on base. Watch the ‘12 WS again, Tigers are a solid power hitting team, yet were beaten by a team with better pitching and better contact hitting. I would much rather spend less money on two decent BA, high OBP hitters than one power hitter who is going to strike out with RISP and the game on the line. It wont take a power hitter to fill the seats, it will take wins and a championship.
Virginia Brave Fan
January 14th, 2013
9:09 pm
When are the Braves announcing the Justin Upton trade?