Brace yourselves, but Braves should put Chipper on the market
OK, now it’s the Braves’ turn. After all those seasons of shoring up their roster with blockbuster trades in mid-season, at the expense of raiding the farm system, consider this: (Are you sitting down?) Tell the world they’re putting Chipper Jones on the open market. Anybody out there in need of a third baseman, or, on the American League side, a designated hitter?
I can hear all the gulps, and the screeches, and calls for my scalp. First place, forget where you saw this. This is not my choice at all, but considering the direction the Braves have taken the past four years, the lock is running low on sentimentality. Sure, Chipper is the face of the Braves. And the voice. He speaks for the team when anyone is looking for an opinion, or reaction to a news event. All of us seek him out, and he responds in his even baritone voice. He never lets you down. So to offer him for trade, hang him out there like a piece of meat for swap, a dreadful thought.
But think again. He deserves one more chance at a World Series, or postseason play, and he’s not going to get it here. He just signed a fresh contract, so that much is done, but the front office was rather slow getting around to that. This front office hasn’t been distinguishing itself, anyway. It has been making trades for Gary Sheffield, Mike Hampton, J. D. Drew and Mark Teixeira and shredding the farm system in the process. The Teixeira deal was the most destructive of all, literally re-stocking the Texas Rangers’ roster. Check the standings of the American League West.
By bartering Chipper, what the Braves might be able to do is re-stock its own roster with fresh talent. True, Chipper is 37 years old, but so is Raul Ibanez, the fresh personality who has brought so much to the Phillies’ lineup. And Chipper is a young 37, keeps himself young hunting and ranching on his acreage in Texas. He was the leading hitter in the National League last season, so the years haven’t been weighing heavily on him.
I don’t know what his contract arrangement may be, whether it includes a non-trade agreement or not. I doubt that he would stand in the way, with the right deal, with the right team. He only has to take a look around at what has happened to some of his old Braves pals. John Smoltz, for instance, tired of hemming and hawing and went his own way. And Tom Glavine’s rejection has been heavy on the minds of Braves fans lately. A deal for Chipper might go a long way toward re-stocking the roster, but it would have to be more productive than a lot of swaps that have been made lately. Except for Jair Jurrjens, and to a degree, Omar Infante, those transactions have not been richly productive, including such as Royce Ring, Josh Anderson, Mark Kotsay, Will Ohman, Jeff Ridgway and Mike Gonzalez, and a lot of them are history. Not a pennant-building haul, you might say.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals, Rangers, Rockies and Rays enjoy the fruits of some of the Braves’ misjudgments. Time to make a move while Chipper is still a major commodity. They can’t close the gap left by all those absentees, so skillfully scouted and carefully nurtured. Not that dealing Chipper Jones can come close to making up for them all, but he could wipe out some of the damage, and in the long run, have a good closing run for himself. If the thought of this offends you, let me remind you that this is the team that traded Henry Aaron and Dale Murphy, and allowed Phil Niekro to take a hike, and Smoltz and Glavine to go adrift.
There, I’ve said it. And I’m not sorry.
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401 comments Add your comment
Mike Lum
June 19th, 2009
4:45 pm
Uh, what? Chipper has been pretty clear about wanting to finish his career with the Braves, if at all possible. Much more so than being traded. A young 37? I love ol’Hoss, but he’s missed quite a few games these last few years, Mr. Bisher. And I wouldn’t exactly call the minor league system as being in shreds…there are several fine prospects out there. Glavine went adrift? Today he pretty much admitted the Braves were right…he won’t pitch again this year, and he’ll probably retire in the quiet of the off-season. This column was a total miss.
corkylikesbeer
June 19th, 2009
4:51 pm
Mr. Bisher..Chipper is a 10/5 he has veteo power on all trades.
Noah
June 19th, 2009
4:53 pm
Why does everyone keep bashing the farm system when its ranked as one of the better ones in baseball.
jeffrey d
June 19th, 2009
5:11 pm
Noah – I guess because people see that our farm system COULD have included Andrus, Saltalamacchia, Wainwright, and Feliz?
But really…a lot of the players we traded didn’t have a future with the Braves. With Yunel and McCann, Andrus and Salty weren’t going anywhere. The Braves had pressing needs (ilke 1B in 2007 and RF in 2004) and making those deals was a necessary evil. When you have a surplus, you use that surplus to meet pressing needs.
As far as Chipper goes, I don’t see why you trade him. He’s one of our top hitters, as well as an incredible influence on the young hitters (I believe McCann credits some of his success to working with Chipper). This Braves team has enough talent that it CAN be good, but it needs a change, and I don’t think that involves getting rid of Chipper. I’m gonna go with Mark Bradley – Bobby’s coaching style isn’t working with a lot of our players.
But of course since he’s so revered, he can coach this team until he dies.
country boy
June 19th, 2009
5:26 pm
Wow Mr. B now thats thinking outside the box. I would hate to see him go but it does sadden me to see Chipper play for a team with very slim post-season hopes every year now.
K Brown
June 19th, 2009
6:00 pm
Bisher, you’re an idiot. First, Mark Bradley writes about taking Cox out of managing the Braves and then you write this nonsense. It’s funny. In times of many newspapers going out of business you guys come up with these type of articles that stir emotions. Is it coincidence that the AJC is down on subscribers?
Poorjeff
June 19th, 2009
6:01 pm
Let me remind you Mr. Bisher, The Braves are the team that don’t have the nuts to fire Bobby Cox or at least move him to VP position and give way to a Younger more go-get’m Mgr.
Bobby will never be in a World Series again, his time has past ,he’s not the future. Please if you love the Braves …retire.
Do what you wish with Chipper..then we will have 7 Frenchy’s. God bless us.
Whopper Dawg
June 19th, 2009
6:10 pm
Do Chipper a favor and trade him to a contender. It is time to break it down and start developing the new guys and get new kids. I just don’t know if we have the GM to do it anymore.
jimmy a
June 19th, 2009
6:10 pm
yea but FIRE WREN FIRST
turkey
June 19th, 2009
6:11 pm
Furman, dead on it. Chipper is one of the few throughbreds the Braves have and they should give him a chance for one more ring. No sense in him finishing his career on a team fading fast. I hope Wren has sense enough to get good prospects for him.
DHD
June 19th, 2009
6:36 pm
I would trade my Momma if it helped the Braves. I have always said that I am a fan of the name on the front of the jersey, not the back. While it is fun to have a player that you get to know, be proud of, etc. it really doesn’t matter. Chipper is gone in 3 years anyway. If trading Chipper can help this team win in 2010, do it. We traded Aaron, Carty, Alou, Torre, Murphy, on and on…so why not Chipper?
7
June 19th, 2009
6:57 pm
DHD=I bet your mother loved you too. What about old Dad? Would you trade him too. It’s fathers day Sunday you know. Just having fun…friend.
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 19th, 2009
6:57 pm
Weighing the pro’s and con’s of trading Chipper Jones…..
Yes, he would bring a haul of young players but they would have to be the right ones. Yes, Chipper is unlikely to see another World Series much less the playoffs here in Atlanta. Yes, he can still rake. In fact, Chipper is probably a better hitter now than he has ever been.
No, the Braves cannot replace Chipper at third base as Hall of Fame third sackers do not grow on tree’s. Chipper has full 10/5 protection so finding a team with the right prospects which Chipper would waive his veto rights for is going to be difficult. Larry Wayne junior has bad wheels and everybody knows it. He cannot stay healthy anymore and has 15 million per season guaranteed through 2012, making his contract and health both obstacles to a trade.
And of course, Chipper is an icon and fan favorite. His loss would be felt at the turnstile as many fans would simply stop coming until the team proves that it can win again. Not to mention the fact that he does not want to be traded.
All in all, a trade is possible but highly unlikely. No, VERY UNLIKELY.
Curtis Jones
June 19th, 2009
7:30 pm
Mr. Bisher, love you man. But seriously. Your most recent columns make it clear that you should limit your musings to recollections about the Atlanta Crackers, Norm Van Brocklin and Satchel Paige.
NCBravesFan
June 19th, 2009
7:32 pm
Not sure how practical it would be to trade Chipper for a lot of reasons, but I agree with the overall theme here – the Braves need to be selling and not buying. I felt that way last offseason, but like everyone I suppose was hoping that things might work out when Wren went shopping.
I doubt it will happen simply because I think Wren is going to take this “let’s try to contend” theme he started and run with it until it works or he’s run out of town. I’d be surprised if the Braves changed tactics so soon after signing so many players.
Noah @4:53 – the reason people bash the farm system is that we have a putrid offense, especially in the outfield – and there is NO-ONE that can come up right now and play any better than the schleps we run out there every night.
In fact, that’s true of every position we lack at this point (2B and some would argue 1B).
Max Sizemore
June 19th, 2009
7:51 pm
Furman, I think a lot of folks like the fact that the times-they-are-a-changin’ AJC has retained the services of a young 90-year-old columnist who can still swing the keyboard. But trading Chipper would be like trading you — I’m not certain there would be a huge market.
Kevin
June 19th, 2009
8:28 pm
I Agree. Trade him to a contender where he can play in some more postseason games. Boston could use a DH if Ortiz doesn’t continue his recent hot streak and the Yankees will always ad another bat. Get 3-4 good prospects and make the move.
The Grinch
June 19th, 2009
8:40 pm
Great idea, but he wouldn’t go for it. Somewhere inside Chipper would love to win, but he’s already proven he loves Bobby more so he’ll be content to stay here and lose until Bobby retires or turns into a heap of bones like the Crypt Keeper. This team goes nowhere until Bobby does.
Jeremiah
June 19th, 2009
8:51 pm
I usually love your columns and agree with you often, but HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!
preston
June 19th, 2009
9:52 pm
Furman
You have lost your ever loving mine. Get real you idiot and write something real. Chipper is the best player we have had in 20 years. He is money and is worth a lot more than the cheap Braves are paying him.
Your article is very stupid
matt
June 19th, 2009
9:54 pm
what young talent have the braves lost to the rockies?? im confused
MattyO
June 19th, 2009
9:57 pm
Why does the AJC keep publishing this nonsense? I’ve never read an article by Bisher that made any sense or was any good by any means. Two pieces about how our farm system isn’t very strong, when it is the exact opposite, and no this. Enough, please. Go Braves!
N8
June 19th, 2009
9:58 pm
If Dale Murphy was traded, what makes Chipper immune to it? The only question is whether he would be up for it or not? My guess, is that he wants no part of it.
the real Andy
June 19th, 2009
10:08 pm
a) Chipper wants to retire a Brave b) he can veto any trade c) for whatever reason, the Braves seem absolutely committed to him retiring a Brave, and d) he just signed an extension.
it’s not gonna happen. even if one thinks it should, it’s just not gonna. Bisher’s articles are getting more and more ludicrous.
Murphy asked to be traded, by the way, because he thought it would be best for everybody.
danny c
June 19th, 2009
10:09 pm
Keep Chipper, fire Cox, then hire Ned Yost
John
June 19th, 2009
10:12 pm
Trade the white trash bum. He leads the league in errows and he’s a part time player. He embarress everyone on the team when he talks. A has been.
B-rockGT
June 19th, 2009
10:14 pm
HE LEADS THE MAJORS IN AVG, 2 IN OBP, AND 3 IN SLG SINCE 2006
yeah hes white trash. screw all you Chipper haters. there is no way he gets traded.
B-rockGT
June 19th, 2009
10:16 pm
in a season where they did Smoltz and Glavine wrongly there is no way they top it with trading chipper
David
June 19th, 2009
10:17 pm
This has got to be the stupidest blog i have ever seen lol i meen is this a joke??? trade chipper jones the face of the team and the leader of the team. that is just crazy! Furman, i know its a friday night but i had no idea you drank blunts and smoked 40s lol
B-rockGT
June 19th, 2009
10:17 pm
The Braves are 4.5 games out of first in a division that is very winnable because of our pitching. Phillies are struggling and Mets are hurt. We can definitely win this
Bubba
June 19th, 2009
10:18 pm
If it hasn’t alreday been said, dumb is dumb. It’s just as easy to trade a franchise player for a lot of nothing as it is to do the opposite. Mr. Wren appears capable of doing both.
bravegirl
June 19th, 2009
10:22 pm
ARE YOU CRAZY OR JUST DRUNK
hop
June 19th, 2009
10:22 pm
AS ALWAYS MR. BISHER IS DEAD ON !I have been saying it is time to think about reloading this team with great young talent,by trading chipper could bring another superstar or two.
the braves are not going anywhere with this current line up with too many holes to fill.
the homers here will talk about the great farm system,but it is not so, yes, we do have a few ,but not enough to scare anyone.
the chipper trade will bring back 1990 again,but the braves are not smart enough to think outside of the box.
frank wren has got to go!
r martin die hard braves fan
June 19th, 2009
10:26 pm
YOUR AS BAD AS TERRANCE MOORE!!!!!!!!!!!!! UP YOURS
MilitaryDawgInDC
June 19th, 2009
10:27 pm
God fisher, someone needs to take away your posting privleges.
Drixie
June 19th, 2009
10:29 pm
Chipper is a “young” 37? Chipper is a great hitter, but he’s also very prone to injuries, large and small. This is not a great team, but it’s not as bad as you seem to suggest. Our pitching staff is very good and I think there’s enough talent to win 85-90 games which would put us in contention for a fairly thin NL East. To your point about Chipper always being there for the media: who votes for the Hall of Fame? Oh yeah, it’s the baseball writers; Chipper might be a hick, but he’s no dummy. I agree that we gave up a lot for Tex, but so far Andrus, Salty, and Harrison are not exactly world-beaters. That minor league pitcher Perez is supposed to be good, but we’ll see. I also thought we had a pretty good farm system, so you’re telling the readers something we did not know. If we trade Chipper, maybe you could go with him – as great a writer as you are you deserve one more shot at covering a playoff team.
R. Brave
June 19th, 2009
10:37 pm
Man I don’t know who you are , but you are totally ingnorant! Chipper may be a bit fragile in his later years, but he is a force in the club house, and he still playing well and hitting. Get rid of TP for God’s sake and we will be O.K.
Tom Glavine
June 19th, 2009
10:38 pm
Furman, are you insane or just ugly?
Actually, I like the new picture. *wink*
Suckers.
Jordan, True Brave Fan
June 19th, 2009
10:41 pm
Are you serious Furman? To be honest, you’re an idiot. That is not a wise decision. Just tHink if he exited Atlanta for a minute: IT WOULD BE MUCH WORSE PAIN THAN JOHN SMOLTZ FOR BRAVES FANS.
If there is anybody the Braves need to trade now, it’s time to say goodbye to KELLY JOHNSON.
Anyone else agree?
Furman. You need to rethink what you just said.
Stupid sums it all up…
cvbraves
June 19th, 2009
10:43 pm
Article unworthy of comment.
Patrick
June 19th, 2009
10:44 pm
Chipper is a 10/5 player. He has ten years in the majors more than 5 with the same team. He can block any trade, and he wants to finish his career in Atlanta. This is the most obsurd article I’ve ever read.
RS
June 19th, 2009
10:45 pm
This is the most idiotic column I have ever seen on AJC.
yogi2
June 19th, 2009
10:46 pm
Bisher , you’re a joke! Chipper has payed his dues, has taken a cut in pay to sign other players,changed positions to assist other players,
He is the one of the greatest switch hitters of all time! Stick FRenchy and Shaffers up yours. never trade our greatest player next to Hank Aaron
Train Wreck Bystander
June 19th, 2009
10:50 pm
I agree, Chipper Jones does deserve another shot at a WS. I might or might not agree that he will not get another chance in his remaining years at Atlanta.
I would think that the Braves F.O. and Chipper could handle this between themselves, without calls for action from outside the loop. If the Braves got some interest in Chipper, I am sure they would run it by him. And if Chipper catches Smoltz syndrome, I am sure he would go to the F.O. and quietly ask about the possibility of moving.
I got the impression Chipper wanted to be a career Brave, World Series runs or not.
Homey
June 19th, 2009
10:54 pm
You’re smokin crack grandpa!
John
June 19th, 2009
10:54 pm
I find it hard to understand how the ajc can afford to keep all of it’s senile old sports writers on staff with the supposedly miserably struggling newspaper business. . .
John
June 19th, 2009
10:56 pm
Absolutely should NOT trade Chipper. Anyone who says otherwise has an agenda other than what’s good for this team on the field.
Ron
June 19th, 2009
10:56 pm
Mr B I’d you’re not just an idiot but a damn idiot.
Ron
June 19th, 2009
10:58 pm
pardon my typing,I may type like an idiot awwww….no need to cover now
BIG MAC
June 19th, 2009
10:59 pm
Bisher, you old buzzard…YOU ought to retire before you drown in your own drool–please take Bobby Cox with you.
Earl
June 19th, 2009
10:59 pm
Finally there is someone else who agrees with me. Although I would not trade him until I know the Braves are out of the hunt. Chipper’s continuation of nagging injuries are only going to get worse this year, then next and then the next. This team needs a big injection of enthusiasm and I don’t think Chipper is the one to do it.
I am also tired of hearing how players have paid their dues and deserve to stay (Glavine) when it is obvious that it would only hurt the team.
The only dues the players pay is to the MLB Players union. Enough said on dues.
leerebel13
June 19th, 2009
11:01 pm
We are not in need of prospects on the farm system. We are missing maybe one big bat, whether it be an outfield, first or second base, we need that one big bat to be a contender. We have some a couple of years down the road, but it would be nice to fill that void sooner than later.
coach smith
June 19th, 2009
11:05 pm
If you trade for a bunch of “young” prospects……..then the “young” guys who are here now (McCann, Escobar, McClouth, Jair Jurjiens,Prado, Kotchman, etc) WILL ALL BE OLD BY THE TIME those prospects can help!!!!!!
Sorry Mr. Bisher, you don’t extend Chipper, Sign LOWE, sign Kawakami, trade for McClouth and trade for Vazquez just to start a fire sale a few months later…..
If anything you trade FOR anothr bat that can be here long term and keep the guys you have on the team!
and by the way the Farm system is TOP 5 in BASEBALL STILL!!!!!
Where the hell where Salty, Andrus, Morton, Hernandez, going to play?
The pitching staff will have more good pitchers than spots when Huddy comes back (Huddy, Lowe, JJ, Vazquez, KK, Hanson, Medlen) so where was Morton or Glavine going to pitch?
Was Andrus, Salty, and Gorkys better than McCann, Escobar, and McClouth???? NOOOOOOOOOOOO
So stop with the farm system crap!
I would even try and trade Schafer and Frenchy and JoJO to get a serious long term power bat
Chipper will be here, he wants to be here, we want him here, and don’t look now but as bad as they have been the Bravos are only 4 games out of first!!!!!!!!!!!!!
uga-brave
June 19th, 2009
11:09 pm
furman,
no, dude go back to the flats. oh, thats right you forgot where it is.
the francoeur article you wrote in the offseason “it wont happen again,”
needs a follow up, how about this for a title, ” IT IS NEVER MY FAULT, COULD NEVER BE MY FAULT.”
seriously go talk to him and ask him how is nunbers are worse this year.
No More Bobby
June 19th, 2009
11:10 pm
Uhhhhhhh……….. NO!!!!
cdog
June 19th, 2009
11:15 pm
yes . someone is finally seeing the light. chipper was a good player in his day. he has lost a lot now. he is always injured. if the braves were to go on a losing streak he will have a mysterious injury. he would bring in needed prospects. the season could still be had if he was traded and bobby cox would use common sense and find a second base man for kelly johnson. he could be part of the trade with chipper. he is the obvious weak length thats keeping the braves from getting to the next level of winning.
yogi2
June 19th, 2009
11:18 pm
A player like Chipper comes along maybe every 30 years or so. we won’t miss him till he’s gone. The last great third baseman the Braves had was Eddie Matthews over 40 years ago. MR Bisher, the AJC should trade you,fire you,or send you to an assisted living home or shoot you! Maybe they could have you arrested for impersonating a jornalist
Mitchell
June 19th, 2009
11:18 pm
You know, I’m more than happy to see Smoltz go to the Red Sox. If he’s going to go anywhere in search of a final shot at the postseason or a World Championship, he’d be hard pressed to find a better team than the Sox. Plus, they’re not the Yankees so that’s a bonus for me too. Yankees suck.
But you know what? I deserve another World Series championship. As much as they probably still hold onto the disappointment at not having won at least two World Series, I definitely still hold onto it. I imagine they probably also resent us Braves fans for not filling Turner Field in those last playoff series but you know, if you lose four world series out of five, there are going to be a lot of people out there who don’t want to invest their time and emotion in a team that let them down so many times over the years.
I agree Chipper deserves to play in another World Series and I realize that might not happen in Atlanta but he had three chances, John and Tommy had five chances. They didn’t do it.
I feel bad for them but sometimes I think “what about me?”
So Over it and I thought T. Moore was gone
June 19th, 2009
11:19 pm
Furman,
Having always respected you, just realized you and Hammerin’ Hank are complete idiots and getting old. Actually, Hank playing the race card is the worst.
Ken Stallings
June 19th, 2009
11:20 pm
The problem with these blogs is that those writing the responses now think they are the stars of the show! That means some are enouraged to keep writing the most insulting, vulgar, offensive drivel a human is capable of passing through a filter for profanity.
It’s gotten worse in the last few months also. It’s one thing to criticize a columnist. But the juvenile insults and degrading language is sinking to the pits.
In terms of trading Chipper, I’ll post my response just below. I first had to ask again that the AJC start looking at cutting out these clearly vulgar responses. What we write here ought to rise to the level required to be published in the actual newspaper. And the AJC website administrators should make that an immediate threshold for the responses posted electronically!
peteh
June 19th, 2009
11:24 pm
NEVER TRADE CHIPPER!!!
addy
June 19th, 2009
11:27 pm
bisher , you are a washed up old fart with a rusty mind. go sit home , you shouldn;t be writing anything that people can read,
Ken Stallings
June 19th, 2009
11:27 pm
Every team reaches a point where restocking for the future is necessary. The problem is the Braves haven’t been in that situation since they traded Doyle Alexander for a prospect named John Smoltz. Since then it’s been a miracle run of championships at the divisional level, several league pennants, and one World Series trophy.
Having thought that a few relatively low-cost free agent acquisitions here and a few more farm-raiding trades for veterans there, and it would give us just one more sniff at the gold trophy. It hasn’t worked. Nice try, wish the budget had allowed more free agents and less damage to our farm system.
Now we need to face reality. This team isn’t going to get into post season. Chipper is still a dynamic all-star player and he’d fetch a nice price. And if we didn’t get that nice price, then we shouldn’t trade him.
The last area the Braves can dictate the tempo is in trading Chipper. And yes, it is time to look at that.
The key to the winning decade of the nineties was a farm system that matured in 1991. We were young and talented. That’s now the only way it will happen again. The Yankees and Red Sox live in a different world of free agent dollars. And the economy in Georgia is going downhill even worse. So, there won’t ever be the income to acquire the high-priced free agents. Imagine life without Greg Maddux? He was a free agent prize that year and we got him. That won’t happen for Atlanta again.
Best option? Trade Chipper and made 100% sure the players we get for him set this team up for championship runs starting in 2011-12.
John
June 19th, 2009
11:28 pm
uhh..how about no.
addy
June 19th, 2009
11:31 pm
granpa, you are an absolute idiot , i am pulling out my ajc subscription. how come idiots like you get to keep their jobs while so many other more capable lose theirs?
Mekons
June 19th, 2009
11:35 pm
Um, that’s nuts. First, the dude is making Carlos Lee money at the downside of his career. At best, we get a so-so AA prospect for him. Second, we don’t have an actual 3B to replace him. Third, he is one of our three most productive offensive players. Fourth, with our pitching, we should be looking for a bat (I know, I know, everyone is looking) because our competition just isn’t that great. If someone was running away with it, maybe I would think differently. Even if we can’t win this year, we are stocked for next year, and there are hitters coming on the FA market this fall that might be the missing piece. Or we might be able to pry Cantu loose.
I’m not overly emotional about players, but Chipper is productive and valuable. And there are no replacements out there ready to play at the ML level. Anyway, anyone we could get for Chipper.
gtfan82183
June 19th, 2009
11:35 pm
Furman, this might be the dumbest piece of op-ed I’ve ever written in my entire LIFE. I know you’re old and senile, and your columns keep getting more and more out of touch, but this takes the cake… FIrst of all, the Braves would NEVER trade Chipper, he’s the only face of the franchise they have, along with maybe McCann. Second, your point about them taking their time to re-sign him this spring, absolutely moronic. In case you forgot, Wren was busting his BUTT to put together arguably the most solid starting rotation in the NL, if not the majors… He was a little busy, not to mention all the fiasco’s with wish wasy free agents we tried to sign. Third, in case your old mind has forgotten, seeing as how Chipper has spent his entire career as a Brave, he’s automatically entitled to a no-trade clause… there’s no chance he’d accept it, but he wouldn’t have to worry about it because the front office would NEVER, and i mean NEVER trade Chipper. He’s not a worn out, broken down, middle 40’s pitcher like Smoltzy or Glav. He’s a serviceable position player, which has MUCH more value. Furman, you are an IDIOT. Please, give it up and retire…. You have nothing to contribute to the AJC.
Joey P
June 19th, 2009
11:37 pm
Mr. Furman I’m sorry did you say trade Chipper.Are you nuts or something. You must be one of those people who wants the braves to lose.I say trade Franceour to the nationals for Josh Willingham and move him to rightfield. Boom problem solved.Come on man we can’t trade Chipper. Frank if you listen to this guy you should definatly be fired.
Ripped Again
June 19th, 2009
11:40 pm
I have to agree with you on this ,Chipper does has earned another shot at another WS ring ,The Braves are no where near winning one I feel sorry for the guy playing on these bad teams,and it would be best for the future of the team if they was do do something like this .
Joey P
June 19th, 2009
11:44 pm
hey guys Furman is crazy,old, and senile.If Chipper is traded then hey lets trade Escobar,McCann,McClouth,Anderson,Johnson,just trade the whole team,because without Chipper there is no spark for the team. If the AJC could trade you I wish they would. Oh yeah you can only trade in baseball.Darn
biscut
June 19th, 2009
11:46 pm
you should never be able to write for the ajc you old, washed up, person.
chipper has done more for this team, city, and hooters…then you will ever do in a life time
Rusty
June 19th, 2009
11:46 pm
Keep Chipper. If your going to love this team when they win it all then you need to support them when they struggle. I am really looking forward to seeing these guys play with Jurjens, Hudson, Lowe, Hanson, and Vasquez as our starters and were still in it this year.
Joey P
June 19th, 2009
11:47 pm
so we just give up on the braves huh. I will never give up and don’t call them a bad team the beat the sox tonight didn’t they.
Joey P
June 19th, 2009
11:49 pm
I agree we can’t give up on them yet.
old fashioned ray
June 19th, 2009
11:58 pm
Why do some (most?) of the people who disagree with Bisher’s OPINION resort to such rude,impolite,and insulting PERSONAL attacks? Such comments reflect back on the writers. Apparently some haven’t been raised to be respectful of differences of OPINION! It’s my OPINION that the political world has become a primary example of shouting insults at those having different ideas,instead of logically replying with reasoned arguments and points. Can’t we strive for rationality and politeness in the sports world at least? And,although I don’t believe anyone cares,I oppose trading Chipper but ALMOST everyone else on the roster can be put out there for the right kind of trade as far as I’m concerned.
Tyler
June 19th, 2009
11:59 pm
Screw You Man You leave Chipper stays!!!!
ChrisfromSacramento
June 20th, 2009
12:00 am
This is the stupidest post I have ever seen. Bisher are you drinking some kool aid or what. Ya trade Chipper. You should be fired. You are a bonehead. You must be some closet Mets fan. The Braves are only 4.5 out. Go learn how to think and write.
Josh
June 20th, 2009
12:01 am
so Fisher how much Jack Daniels have you had to drink today? that was worst thing i’ve ever read in my life.
Van the Man
June 20th, 2009
12:03 am
Nuts!
Darren
June 20th, 2009
12:04 am
Hey Bisher, how about we put your old butt on the trading block!!!!!!
caleb22
June 20th, 2009
12:10 am
This could possibly be the dumbest thing I have heard in a long time. The braves are only 4.5 games back. What are you talking about?????
Mets Suck and so does Furman Bisher
June 20th, 2009
12:13 am
What!!!! Are you for real? David Ross (the Braves back-up catcher) has better stats this year than Salty has (that was NO bomb). We acquired Kotchman through the Teixiera deal (Kotchman is a solid ball player) so that ended up ok. As Mike Lum and Noah stated above we still have A LOT of prospects left in our farms system. It is simple, there are 2 reasons the Braves are losing and their names are Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson. Frenchy went to my high school and I am a huge supporter of him but if the 2 of them get out of the slump the Braves have a real chance of winning the East. These AJC writers are like the annoying people in high school that like to start talking crap just to get things stirred up. I don’t know this for sure but I bet they are not even from Atlanta. With that being said GO CHIPPER AND GO BRAVES!!!!!!
Dave O'Brien
June 20th, 2009
12:14 am
Time to trade furman bisher…to a local high school newspaper…in exchange for a couple of typewriters.
John
June 20th, 2009
12:16 am
Chipper is a Braves legend, and I personally would hate seeing him playing for any other team. But for the Braves as a franchise, it would be smart to try and trade him. The guy is not very durable anymore and only has 1 or 2 decent years ahead of him. Why not get some good prospects and pieces to build a good young team again? Chipper is does not have the best leadership skills, and it is time to hand the reigns to someone like McCann to be the captain. Watching Chipper play is like watching Mike Vick scramble while QB’ing, you always hold your breath and pray he didnt’ get hurt. Chipper is fragile and this team is the 3rd best team in the east and does not have a great shot at winning the WS the next couple of years, so why not try and trade him to get the pieces to help build a team that can take you to a World Series? I agree with Fisher here, even though I can’t imagine seeing Chipper play in a different uniform
Phoneguy
June 20th, 2009
12:27 am
I am not even believing this is being mentioned. After the Smoltz,Glavine fiasco. I mean….thats just a completely idiotic thought.
mark white
June 20th, 2009
12:27 am
Must be a sloooooow news day!
Phoneguy
June 20th, 2009
12:28 am
The more I think of it, the more pissed I get….What an IDIOT!!!
IlliniBrave
June 20th, 2009
12:34 am
How many prospective columnists could we get from another newspaper, say the Boston Globe or LA Times, if we put Furman Bisher on the trading blocks?
braves4ever
June 20th, 2009
12:44 am
Did you just wake up from a bad dream, or did they tell you to write your monthly —-. you have lost your mind.
Tom Davis
June 20th, 2009
12:44 am
are you serious…go grab a Scotch old man. Time and the game from the 1800s has passed you by.
Phoneguy
June 20th, 2009
12:45 am
We wouldn’t get any takers Illini. I think his Exlax must not be working, cause he’s getting backed up all the way up to his head. Cause his ideas are full of SH#T.
Tom Davis
June 20th, 2009
12:46 am
on second thought…i’m bout ready to slap the h*ll out of you.
Joe Smoe
June 20th, 2009
12:47 am
As stated before:
A) Chipper is a 10/5 guy, so he can veto any trade.
B) He signed a reduced price contract so he could retire a Braves.. why would he wave his veto if that is the case.
C) The Braves are 4.5 games out of it, and have a deep rotation, with one trade for a bat, or one player comming out of a slump we could be back in it.
D) Your writing this article just like Mr Moore, to get people to read your column, and not for a logical idea.
E) Who would play 3rd for the next two years?
tke443
June 20th, 2009
12:49 am
Purely the dumbest thing I have ever heard. We are only 4.5 GB and Phillies have lost 4 straight. Nobody is running away with the division and we have the best rotation in the division. Bisher is getting dumb in his old age. Wants to quit before its time to quit.
BeachGaBulldog
June 20th, 2009
12:50 am
Furman, I have disagreed with your last 2 columns and this one is just plain stupid.
Blair
June 20th, 2009
12:54 am
Mr. Bisher, if you could predict the reception to what you were writing (and you did), why even write it in the first place? Further, why suggest something that simple isn’t going to happen? I think it’s pretty clear that Chipper is in Atlanta until he finishes playing out his current deal. I believe he will hang ‘em at that point.
I think clearly it would be a bad move from a competitive standpoint, a bad move in the PR department, and a move that would yield zero security in the future of the Braves. We all throw out some bad ideas, I would just chalk this one up in that category.
old fashioned ray
June 20th, 2009
12:55 am
The personal insults continue,I see. Can’t you all just say you disagree and give your reasons? Calling names is so childish! GROW UP!!!!
Paul Lentz
June 20th, 2009
1:03 am
The Braves are pretty close to being able to make a big push towards the play-offs. I will take the Braves starting 5 over any other teams. We have 5 starters who are all able to go 6-7 innings AND who pitch every single time out (in other words, no visits to the disabled list). The Braves have a lethal lefty-right closer combination. The only spots for concern on the pitching staff is middle relief.
At first glance, the Braves line-up looks like it has a number of holes. However my assessment of the problem is that certain guys arent hitting in their appropriate slops in the batting order.
Trading Chipper would kill the Braves chances of making the play-offs this year. With all the injuries to the Phillies and Mets, if the Braves can trade for that elusive right handed power hitting right fielder, then the division is ripe for the Braves to take. It is going to be hard for both the Phillies and Mets to sustain any kind of prolonged winning streak because they have 4th and 5th starters who should be middle relief guys. But because of injuries, they have no choice but to start guys who arent quality back of the rotation kind of guys.
What I predict will happen is that the bullpen of both the Mets and Phillies will wear down and eventually break down just like the Braves did last year. Reason being, both the Mets and Phillies starters will end up being pulled earlier than is needed to rest a bullpen. Already both Ridge from the Phillies and Putz from the Mets are hurt. Oliver Perez has been a bust for the Mets. Delgado for the Mets and Brett Myers for the Phillies are going to be out for a big chunk of the season.
Other than Omar Infante and Tim Hudson, the Braves are pretty healthy. We have the makings of a pretty good line-up. We just need that big bopper to help push it over the edge, which would enable the Braves to finally bench Jeff Francoeur.
Just imagine what adding a big bopper to replace Francoeur would do to not only bat clean-up, but also to strengthen the lower parts of the batting order:
1. Nate McLouth…………..CF
2. Yunel Escobar………….SS
3. Chipper Jones…………..3B
4. (RH Power Hitter)………RF
5. Brain McCann……………C
6. Garrett/Diaz……………..LF
7, Casey Kotchman………1B
8. Kelly Johnson…………..2B
9. (Pitcher)
Or if the Braves cant swing a trade for a power hitter, then perhaps the Braves will adjust the line-up when Omar Infante comes back from the disabled list. However, I would not bench Kelly. I would bench Francoeur and play Infante in right. Imagine this line-up with Infante playing:
1. Nate McLouth……………CF
2. Omar Infante……………..RF
3. Chipper Jones……………3B
4. Brian McCann……………..C
5. Yunel Escobar…………..SS
6. Garrett/Diaz………………LF
7. Casey Kotchman……….1B
8. Kelly Johnson……………2B
9. (Pitcher).
I would keep Kelly in the 8 hole because he “seems” better suited for the 8 hole than Francoeur. If Bobby were to bench Kelly and play Infante at 2nd and keep Francoeur in right, then Bobby could ONLY bat Francoeur 8th, which he has shown a reluctance to do. So the logical move is to play Infante in right. However, I late in games where the Braves have a lead, if Garrett is playing in left, I would take him out, move Infante to left and put Francoeur in right as a defensive replacement.
Also, Infante is suited to bat 2nd. He makes contact, can bunt, hit and run, and is a pretty clutch hitter. Moving Escobar down to the 5 hole would provide right handed protection to McCann. Escobar can knock in runs.
However, I seriously doubt that the Braves will be able to trade for that big bat (in part because Braves management still believes in Francoeur). Also, I doubt that the Braves would bench Francoeur before benching Kelly.
Matt
June 20th, 2009
1:09 am
I completely agree with this. I just can’t see Chipper giving the Braves their money’s worth for 3 more seasons. He does have veto power, but I think he would go to the right team with a chance to play in the World Series, especially after the Smoltz and Glavine situation. Do it now, while he is near the top. Don’t wait till it’s too late like Dale Murphy and get nothing in return.
UGA Student
June 20th, 2009
1:14 am
Are you kidding? You get paid to write this?