Did Falcons just take lead over Braves in title pursuit? (Update: Phillies get Pence)
Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff just moved closer to a title.
(UPDATED: 9:15 p.m. with news of Philadelphia trading for Houston outfielder Hunter Pence.)
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff just worked his magic to sign defensive end Ray Edwards.
Frank Wren: You’re on the clock.
This is an important time for both the Falcons and Braves. The NFL is in free agency and major league baseball is bumping up against the trade deadline. This is when championship contenders often
Can Frank Wren get help for Fredi Gonzalez and Braves?
are determined.
The Falcons believed they needed to add at least one significant player on defense to compete for a Super Bowl. Edwards should provide that. He gives them a pass rusher from the left side as a complement to John Abraham.
The Braves need to add some offensive power, preferably a right-handed hitting outfielder who can drive in runs. Wren has had talks for several different players, but he hasn’t pushed the button on a deal yet. He balked at letting go of a valued pitching prospect (Mike Minor) for a rental player (Carlos Beltran).
The question now: Are the Braves willing to do what it would take to land a high-profile player like Houston’s Hunter Pence or the Chicago White Sox’ Carlos Quentin, or do they settle for somebody the next tier down (Ryan Ludwick or Josh Willingham) and hope the rest of the roster gets healthy enough for the stretch drive?
UPDATE: The Braves apparently pushed for Pence but Philadelphia pushed harder and acquired the outfielder from the Astros, according to multiple outlets. Fox Sports baseball reporter Ken Rosenthal first reported Houston will get four prospects in the deal, including two highly coveted ones: first baseman Jonathan Singleton and pitcher Jarred Cosart. So the Braves have now seen their biggest competition in the National League, the Phillies and Giants, both make major moves.
Dimitroff has worked this condensed free agency period brilliantly. Now it’s Wren’s turn.
For what it’s worth, in March I ranked Atlanta’s then-four pro sports general managers, and Dimitroff edged Wren for the top spot. We’ll re-evaluate after the Braves and Falcons complete their seasons.
There is still time before Sunday’s trade deadline for the Braves to make a move. San Francisco, coming off a World Series, already made its move by trading for Beltran. Philadelphia is pursuing several players and some believe may have the inside track on Pence.
We’ll find out soon enough how serious the Braves are about winning a World Series this year.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier: As Braves talk trade, Ross says ‘We need a piece’
Earlier: Braves would be taking a risk without major move
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231 comments Add your comment
JSS
July 29th, 2011
2:22 pm
No
O'Brien
July 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
I think Frank will settle for a small deal (like Ankiel and Farnsworth last year), and then keep his fingers crossed.
If we get a Willingham type player, I will be very disappointed. The Phillies and Giants both won a WS the last 5 years, but yet they appear to be more aggressive than the Braves, who have not even sniffed a WS in years.
RTR
July 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
Julio now Ray Ray- Go get em
DawgFan
July 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
So long as the Phillies are able to spend twice as much as the Braves, it’ll be hard to overtake them, talent-wise. If the Braves are to win this year, they’ll have to do it on sheer willpower.
Bobby Jones
July 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
What’s up Jake?
DHD
July 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
Brilliant article.
brave59
July 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
just get a deal done already trade for upton don’t give up julio. frank wren is going to be fired after this season.
joe
July 29th, 2011
2:31 pm
How did Ankiel and Farnzy work out last season? Time to step up and make a big splash and get Pence here before he signs with the Phils. If that happens, just hand them the WS trophy now…
Fish Bisch
July 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
Uh, yeah!
Falcons have been more successful than the Braves the past 5 + years.
DawgFan
July 29th, 2011
2:35 pm
Fish Bisch -
Just how bad were the Braves in 2007 that the Falcons were better than them then? If I recall, for the Falcons, Mike Vick was in jail, the coach up and quit in mid-season for a college job, and then the team had a terrible record.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2011
2:36 pm
JSS: Where have you been hiding out?
JChikara
July 29th, 2011
2:38 pm
Props to Dimitroff for realizing the Falcons for what they truly were last year: a 10-6 squad masquerading as a 13-3 team. He has kept up with the aggressive mindset of pursuing playmakers instead of projects. More importantly, the culture of the organization is that they expect to win instead of the Braves, who have this “let’s just do enough to pull it out” mentality. That gets coaches fired and GMs looking for work.
Blazerdawg
July 29th, 2011
2:38 pm
Good question to have given our history in Atlanta. TD started with a mess and has improved the team every month that he’s has been with the Falcons. FW has been on a more even, but elevated, plane. It will be interesting to see if FW can pull off the big move before midnight.
lobo
July 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
Wren can get back in race with Pence are bourn…But got to love Falcon getting Big Ray!!1 Maybe the Team owner “Blank” needs to buy the damn Braves.
Joey
July 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
Falcons 1
Braves 0
Your turn, Frankie.
Papadawg
July 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
The ownership of tghe Braves haven’t been serious about winning since the 90’s so why should I think this year would be any different
RJ Voorhees
July 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
@Jeff Schultz, I love your recent articles. Thanks for putting pressure on Frank Wren and the Braves to make something happen. I think it would be good for the Falcons and Braves to compete for the attention of Atlanta fans. Get it up Jeff!
Joey
July 29th, 2011
2:43 pm
I have a question, Jeff.
Do you think there’s a chance that Wren gets maybe Quentin AND one of the next tier guys (Ludwick)?
We have so many hitters under .225, Wren better get a couple.
Rey
July 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
The signing of Edwards to the Falcons couldn’t have come at a worst time for the Braves organization. Especially if they’re planning on settling for a bargain bin player like Ludwig.
Will be interesting to see how this one ends.
Luv 2 Hate Me
July 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
Sorry I’m not sold on Pence, he didn’t look all that good when he played the Braves. We need either Quentin or Upton in the lineup. Yes I will give the Falcons an “A plus” The Braves are on the clock and time is ticking
rduck
July 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
i hate to say it, but i don’t believe that Wren has it in him to make the big splash. he has shown a pattern of trying to play the safe game in trades and is afraid to possibly overpay for a player.i look for him to make a move, but i don’t believe it will be the big move everyone is hoping for. please prove me wrong Wren, please…
freddie
July 29th, 2011
2:49 pm
frankwren has made alot of bad moves look at the japense pitcher what a waste of money he traded alex for esobar bad move he is batting 295 alex 225 is derrick lowe worth 15million a yr no way
bvillebaron
July 29th, 2011
2:50 pm
Help me out here Jeff, which players and/or draft picks did the Falcons trade to sign Edwards? Wasn’t he simply signed as a free agent? Unless I am mistaken, this is an extremely weak attempt to compare apples and oranges.
drew25walk
July 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
What would it take to pry Adam Jones from Baltimore? I say he would be the answer to the Braves problems……and wouldn’t feel bad about giving up a few top pitching prospect to them….
What??
July 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
Why does everyone want Upton so much? And the stros are asking way to much for Pence in my opinion. Quentin is the most intriguing of the lot to me, but I don’t know what we would have to give the sox who are only 3 games out of first.
Jason
July 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
The Braves haven’t been a title contending team in well over 5 years. And a trade of one or two young pitchers for a good but not elite bat is not going to get them there either. The Braves need several more bats in the lineup. On top of that they can’t really depend on Chipper to be healthy through the rest of the year.
I am still of the opinion that if the Braves had traded Chipper approximately 4 years ago, they could have sold high and would now have the bats that they need to put them back in contention.
Dr. Warren
July 29th, 2011
2:55 pm
Falcons still need a start CB. Maybe Cromartie from the Jets. Meantime, why is no one talking about losing Snelling. He was a solid backup with starting talent. The Falcons season hinges on whether Michael Turner shows up in shape, or fat like in 2009.
Jack
July 29th, 2011
2:56 pm
@ DawgFan…. This isnt about money, its about prospects and the Braves are “richer” then Philly. Wren needs to step up and make an “executive” decision on which of the 4 pitching prospects the Braves can do with out and get that RHB. That is whats makes a good GM.
JOYcee Banicheck
July 29th, 2011
2:56 pm
Jeffy are you going to throw out article after article stating Wren needs to make a move? We know already… Quit crying ya baby
DawgFan
July 29th, 2011
2:57 pm
Is it because of the financial situation that the Dodgers aren’t selling? They are 13.5 out as of right now. I can’t believe they would hold on to a palyer like Kemp if the offer were right and it lowered their team payroll. Not saying necessarily for the Braves, just a comment in general.
honest_abe
July 29th, 2011
2:59 pm
No pe
Peter
July 29th, 2011
2:59 pm
Probably, since I’m a Dolphins fan.
DawgFan
July 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
@ Jack – I completely agree, but I think the money has something to do with it. The current Braves ownership has set a hard cap for their payroll. It should be noted that the Braves are nothing more than a tax dodge for Liberty Media, who will likely sell the team sometime in the next calendar year. As for the prospects, I think that Teheren is the only one really considered untouchable. If the offer is right, Minor, Viscaino, or Delgado could be on the move.
yellerjacket
July 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
JOYcee, He’s fueling my trade deadline addiction. Don’t kill that.
jimmya
July 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
when did good not going for beltrain now go get hunter pence
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
Thanks DHD.
Dr. Warren
July 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
Two Words: SNELLING GONE. Does anyone care?
smyrnabob
July 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
The pitching staff that gets the hottest in October will win the World Series. The Braves still probably need a bat to get there though.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
Thanks RJ — I agreed, It would be great if franchises kept trying to top each other. It would be great for fans.
Papadawg
July 29th, 2011
3:02 pm
Jason we have too many people who think we’ll again see Chipper of 10 years ago.
Interested Observer
July 29th, 2011
3:03 pm
Sorry, but the Falcons aren’t going to the Super Bowl, any more than the Braves are going to the World Series.
But, hey, both teams are competitive, fun to watch and while it’s not likely either will play for a ring, neither is it totally out of the realm of possibility.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2011
3:03 pm
Joey — Both Quentin and Ludwick? Wow, that would be a major roster-reshaping. That would be stunning, given the number of pieces you’d have to give up. Really an “all in” type situation. So I doubt it.
jimmya
July 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
braves need to restock farm system with hitting outfeilders good pitching nice but gotta have hitting to
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
bvillebaron — It’s a free agent signing vs. a trade, yes. But it’s still about making moves. Falcons had to trim players and payroll to sign Edwards. Similarly, Braves can trade players to get a player. Both involve risk but both have a potential upside.
M1
July 29th, 2011
3:06 pm
Not much Steel.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
Drew25walk — I’d rather see Adam Jones on the Braves than Adam Jones (Pacman) on the Falcons.
Jack
July 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
@ DawgFan… I hear ya. But now that Beltran (rental) is off the table, its ridiculous to not grab a bat that you can control at least through next year along with the money that will be coming off the books. I understand securing the future, but i think its a huge slap in the face to the fans if Wren stands there with his hands in his pockets..
Joel
July 29th, 2011
3:08 pm
Braves have made 15 playoff appearances since 1991, 5 NL pennants, 1 World Series title. The Falcons resume is a little lacking… Maybe Dimitroff is making the moves now, but the Braves have recent history on their side, discounting 06-09 of course..
PMC
July 29th, 2011
3:09 pm
Yes, yes the Falcons as constituted are closer to a championship than the Braves.
The Braves have rarely run thier club as if they were trying to win a championship. The Braves are more interested in winning the regular season.
Hankie Aron
July 29th, 2011
3:09 pm
Nice piece Count, I think Wren has to reel in Pence or Quentin. Quentin being the lesser of the two and probably cheaper as well.
RJ Voorhees
July 29th, 2011
3:10 pm
@Jeff Schultz, Who do you think the Braves will get? If you had to say
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2011
3:10 pm
What?? — I’ve never really been on the B.J. Upton bandwagon either. He still has some power but his batting averages the last five years have declined: .300, .273, .241, .237, .228 (currently).
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:11 pm
Need Abraham to have at least one more solid year without injury.
Hope this guy Edwards can be what he’s supposed to be and not rest on his laurels after signing a big contract.
I don’t know about some of these guys that sign here…are they coming just to be in their mecca, which is the crap part of Atlanta?
DetroitBraves
July 29th, 2011
3:11 pm
I agree with you O’Brien, Willingham would be disappointing. If Wren’s going cheaper I would rather get Crisp from Oakland than Willingham. That said, either would be better than last year’s big Rick Ankiel addition.
PMC
July 29th, 2011
3:11 pm
Only thing here, The Falcons just signed Ray Edwards to a very very reasonable deal.
ONe major difference in baseball is the lack of a salary cap and guaranteed contracts. When you go after big time or established players in baseball sometimes you wind up with awful deals like the Derrick Lowe contract or the 5 million wasted dollars they have paid Nate McClouth.
There’s a lot less dead money in pro football.
Frank C.
July 29th, 2011
3:11 pm
How about an “internal” trade: Lowe for Kawakami? No, seriously, the hesitation, or refusal, to let go of Minor is because he was a no. 1 pick. Not because he’s a can’t miss prospect. He’s proven more than once he isn’t. Oganizations hate to prove they were wrong on a high draft pick, especially a no. 1.
Frank Wren
July 29th, 2011
3:14 pm
We can’t trade any pitching. When Lowe and Hudson are retired and JJ and Hanson sign as free agents with the Yankees we will need all of our young arms for the rotation.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2011
3:14 pm
R.J. Voorhees — No feel for it. Just waiting to see what they do, like you.
Joe Tess Fish House
July 29th, 2011
3:15 pm
Both team have problems that eventuly make them loosers.
Falcons – 2 many fist round draft busts. At least they got rid of Jenkins althought I think they should of had did that last year, then sigh TO or Randy moss
Braves – They hires a loosing managar with a loosing record.
Jack
July 29th, 2011
3:16 pm
@ DawgFan… I hear ya. I just think, since now we’re not talking about rentals, its a slap in the face to fans if Wren doesnt make an aggressive move. If he can get someone that the Braves can control at least for next year, with money coming off the books next year, he needs to pull the trigger and “gamble” on which prospect that can be moved…
ATL Fan
July 29th, 2011
3:18 pm
The Braves most definately need an outfielder who can hit. Additionally, they need to get some help in the middle relief position. Haven’t heard much on that lately.
david
July 29th, 2011
3:19 pm
The bottom line is the Braves are for sale, and they will not make a big trade to raise the payroll.
DetroitBraves
July 29th, 2011
3:19 pm
Frank C. is dead-on, I think. I keep hoping that the Braves are pumping up Minor to create false value in a deal. But instead, they either really believe he’s a top prospect or they just will never do anything that implies he was taken due to signability at slot, rather than upside.
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:19 pm
Falcons are going to be in UGA’s situation soon..lacking in depth at O-Line.
Better start addressing that for the future.
Duh!
July 29th, 2011
3:19 pm
Schultzie, different ownership group. Braves can’t afford to go out and sign top free agents. To answer your question straight up, yes they did and will continue to do so. I don’t expect that the Falcons are finished yet either. Duh!
Thadsdad
July 29th, 2011
3:20 pm
I just read the Phumblins are a virtual lock to land Pence. It’s not because Houston is in love with the prospects offered, as a matter of fact the Astros prefer the Braves pitching prospects. But Wren and Co. are refusing to give up Mike Minor.
Mike Minor.
Not Teheran – Mike Bleepin’ Minor.
Minor will never be more than a No. 4 and I truly believe at my advanced age I could smoke him.
But, what the hell, the Braves’ll take that future Hall of Famer Ludwick and maybe somebody’s back-up catcher and then when they miss the playoffs blame it on all the key injuries.
Mike Bleepin’ Minor.
I can’t even believe this.
vomax
July 29th, 2011
3:20 pm
Apples to oranges, Schultz. Wren, like Dimitroff, made his “big” move before the season — trading for and re-signing Dan Uggla. Sure, the Uggla acquisition has been up and down (well, mostly down, down, down and recently up), but so could the Edwards acquisition.
DawgFan
July 29th, 2011
3:21 pm
@ Jack – Totally agreed, a move has to be made, but david @ 3:19 makes a pretty good point to. When teams are for sale, they often try to lower payroll, not increase it. That could very easily work against Wren.
RJ Voorhees
July 29th, 2011
3:22 pm
@Jeff Schultz, I don’t know what direction they are planning to go in. But it sure is frustrating
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:23 pm
Hoping the Braves don’t panic over McCann and make rash trade.
Yes, they still need outfielder w RH bat and certainly more middle relief.
But that’s it once they get healthy.
Do not overpay.
BTW, thanks a lot Sherril for making me lose interest after you gave up two runs in ninth to put it out of reach last night.
Rob
July 29th, 2011
3:26 pm
yeah, the braves are only in wildcard lead with all their best players on the bench and expected to be back soon. all is over….another bad article
brandon
July 29th, 2011
3:28 pm
Please Braves, don’t get Willingham or Ludwick…Pence, Quentin, or Upton please! If the Braves get one of the first 2, the Falcons lead the Braves in title pursuit. If the Braves get one of the last 3, I’d say it’s a split…
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:28 pm
I’d give serious consideration to trading Minor. That’s all he might be good for, the minors!
Too up and down in his young glorified career thus far.
See what the Braves can get.
Although Liberty Mutual are pitiful owners and a pitfully rude company with rude employees.
Wish we can hurry and get that solid individual owner quickly.
LONGISLANDBRAVESFAN
July 29th, 2011
3:28 pm
Enter your comments here
Rob
July 29th, 2011
3:29 pm
all of you screaming that we need to dump mike minor need to stop drinking the atlanta media kool-aid. we can’t afford JJ or Hanson in a couple of years, Hudson and Lowe will be gone…wonder what you all would be saying when the braves need starting pitchers and are nowhere need playoff contention. use your head and think for yourself.
LONGISLANDBRAVESFAN
July 29th, 2011
3:30 pm
I am definitely hoping against hope that FW can get Pence as long as he doesnt give up Julio. But would it be smarter if he can pull off a deal for willingham/balfour or ludwick/bell instead? Kill 2 birds with one stone? thoughts?
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:30 pm
DISSOLVE LIBERTY MUTUAL!
PMC
July 29th, 2011
3:30 pm
The largest difference obviously is the ownership. One owner wants to win championships the other owner just wants the team to be relevant enough to sell tickets long term and or make the team valueable enough to improve the selling price.
The Braves are more worried about 5 years from now than now.
Remarkable
July 29th, 2011
3:31 pm
Come on Jeff, you know it’s easier for the Braves to get tot the World Series that for the Falcon’s to get to the Super Bowl. Still,. . .?
Remarkable
July 29th, 2011
3:31 pm
Come on Jeff, you know it’s easier for the Braves to get tot the World Series than for the Falcon’s to get to the Super Bowl. Still,. . .?
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:31 pm
Give up Julio? Thought he played for the Falcons now?!hehehe
Real American
July 29th, 2011
3:32 pm
Call up Henry Aaron, Dale Murphy, Glenn Hubbard, etc, etc.
Joey
July 29th, 2011
3:32 pm
“Wow, that would be a major roster-reshaping.”
***************************************
Well, Jeff, that’s kinda coming, right? Surely this is Chipper’s final year. Nate will be gone. Surely Wren will give up once and for all on Shafer? SS?
Saints Fan
July 29th, 2011
3:32 pm
WHO CARES?????
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:33 pm
Ready for some COLLEGE football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:35 pm
How’d that Reggie “Heck yeah my parents took the house and I took the money” Bush turn out for NO?
Rob
July 29th, 2011
3:36 pm
the braves will always be better than the Falcons. sorry
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:37 pm
Reggie Bush = Scam Newton…………..sleazeballs……….Get ready to give back your phony trophy Scam
boggie boogie
July 29th, 2011
3:37 pm
Reggie Bush = Scam Newton…………..sleazeballs……….Get ready to give back your phony trophy Scam
rpidge
July 29th, 2011
3:38 pm
Wren reminds me of Vince Dooly. Vince would very seldom use his timeouts even when the whole stadium knew he needed too. Maybe he got paid at the end of the year for the timeouts he didn’t take during the course of the year. Wren sits back until all the parts of the puzzle we need are gone then he will try to tell us, if he makes a trade, that this is the part he wanted all the time. Pence and Quentin would be worth a Minor and a reliever currently on the big team and maybe McClouth. But to set back and do nothing until what you really need is gone is in my opinion unacceptable.
DetroitBraves
July 29th, 2011
3:40 pm
Rob, I know that not all pitching prospects turn out which is why you may want to horde them (though it may also be why you trade some). But I’m concerned about the Braves developing hitters. At least if they trade Minor for a hitter they still have other pitchers. I don’t know what they have coming along on the offensive side. Seems like all the minor league help is on one side of the ball. I guess there may be a shortstop and a third baseman in the lower levels but that’s a long way off.
jimmya
July 29th, 2011
3:42 pm
lets take a poll who wants a hitting team who wants a pitching team
for me i`ll take a hitting team more excitement
DHD
July 29th, 2011
3:42 pm
Braves: If they can swing a deal for Adam Jones, it will trump anything the Phillies do.
You’re welcome, JS.
Real American
July 29th, 2011
3:42 pm
Joe Tess is a very astute observer of the gridiron, and now, the Diamond.Sometimes genius is not recognized when it is so contrary to popular belief. Deep vision can be clouded by others short-sightedness. Colloquial style should not be used to criticize, but look to the content. Joe Tess is a brave visionary and should be respected.
oldmike
July 29th, 2011
3:42 pm
I think someone posted earlier that the Braves don’t care what is said on these blogs. I have to think that is the case. Management does go on talk radio and hears the same thing and still doesn’t care. What I don’t get is have they watched this team play this year. Outside of a few games they have done nothing on offense. Last year they did manage to score more runs until they hit the wall late year with all the injuries. This year they need to make a splash and show the Phillies they care about winning. Otherwise we are like the dog that lies on its back and puts it’s legs up in surrender. I don’t want to surrender. Are we in it to win? Or in it to build for the future and hope the plan works out. We had a 14 year run – that ain’t happening again. Do something significant. The Tex trade didn’t work out but it at least sent a message that we cared about winning. Let’s see what we care about this year!!!!
jimmya
July 29th, 2011
3:43 pm
it gets real boring seeing other teams 4th pitcher sutting us out all the time
longtime bulldog
July 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
How about Mike Stanton of the marlins.Now that would make a splash.It would also be easy to do because the marlins are in town.Just have him walk across the diamond.
Rob
July 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
@detroitBraves- i agree that we need hitters but we don’t have a big payroll and will need cheap, good pitching in the next couple of years. otherwise, because of our poor offense, we could end up in the bottom of the NL East. long-term planning is more important for a team with a smaller payroll than for a team like the phillies, who have and will have money to blow
JASon
July 29th, 2011
3:47 pm
“The Falcons believed they needed to add at least one significant player on defense to compete for a Super Bowl”
What is your point? The braves acquired Dan Uggla in the offseason to help them compete for a world series.
Dawg Whisperer
July 29th, 2011
3:47 pm
Sorry, Jeff. I’m not on this bandwagon. Its not tit for tat (no vulgarity intended). What the Braves do correlates with what other MLB teams do but not the Falcons or the NFL. I understand the correlation given the same fan base but the assumption is that the Braves must do something. Unfortunately, Wren deals in the real world dynamics of pennant chasing, sacrificing the future for the next few months, etc. with no guarantee of success other than to appease the media and some of the fan base. His world is not fantasy baseball where the consequences aren’t quite so severe. Having said that, if there is a deal worth making, I have confidence that he will.
Tomahawk
July 29th, 2011
3:48 pm
Sorry, but you need a CFer if you want to play with the big boys in October, and Bourn’s the only real difference-maker available.
GTT
July 29th, 2011
3:48 pm
He gives them a pass rusher from the left side to compliment John Abraham.
Complement.
Ridonkulous
July 29th, 2011
3:49 pm
Let’s cool the Ludwick talk. Ryan Ludwick is Jeff Francouer just six years older. Maddeningly inconsistent hitter. Compare their numbers for this year and Jeff has a better OPS, about the same HR & RBI. Again, Francouer is 28, Ludwick is 34.
DetroitBraves
July 29th, 2011
3:50 pm
Rob, I do get your point but I would take the chance myself. I realize there is some risk but the Braves have enough pitching depth I would take that chance. Otherwise, seems like they’ll just perpetually be a few runs short. We’ll see what Wren does. But I’m not saying you’re wrong. I would just go a different way.
Real American
July 29th, 2011
3:51 pm
don’t care too much for tat, but I do like………………
Falcons4Eva
July 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
Wide Receiver depth is a concern. Hopefully Falcons can bring Michael Jenkins back at less than his “outgoing” salary. It doesn’t take long to figure out a guys is a sure fire bust in the making. I for one knew Jamaal Anderson was a bust after season 2. Same will be for Piera Jerry and Harry Douglas. These WR on our rosters besides Roddy White and Julio Jones) are a bunch or nobody’s.
Tomahawk
July 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
I’d go all in and acquire Bourn and Quentin. Do whatever possible to keep the Big Arms, even it means unloading the great, but not “elite” prospects. All of them if necessary. Yes, all of them. I understand the “Texeira Syndrome” that’s spread through Braves Nation, but how often do you realistically have this great of a shot at a World Series? Even IF half our prospects pan out, there’s no guarantee that we’ll have a pitching staff this ideal, or a farm this stocked and ready to provide the big league club with a championship, because at the end of the day that’s why you have a farm: to provide the big league club. We have absolutely no idea who’s going to be healthy or what this team will look like in a couple years.
Get Bourn. Get Quentin. Neither are rentals, and they would absolutely make this team a wrecking ball-sized hunk of C4. Oh, and don’t ask “but where will they play” because it’s really painfully obvious. Anyone with a brain would already know the answer to that question. Send Schafer to AAA when he gets healthy. Let Mclouth play left whenever Prado has to play third, and when Prado has to play left you bench Mclouth (or swap Mclouth and Schafer, doesn’t matter to me who our 4th OFer is). These are easy decisions, people. You play the guys that deserve it. When that happens, you win. I’m tired of the Braves just settling for “getting close” every yr.
I don’t want to just see my team compete, I want to see them STEAMROLL everything in their path. It’s time for this franchise to dominate again and they are very, very close to doing exactly that.
bvillebaron
July 29th, 2011
4:05 pm
Thadsdad:
I think you post is somewhat erroneous. It implies that the Braves could acquire Pence solely for Minor which by all accounts is simply not accurate. The Astros want several (at least two as I heard it) prime pitching prospects for Pence, not just one. Wren may be balking at including Minor as part of any package, but do you honestly think that Pence wouldn’t be playing in Atlanta tonight if the Braves could acquire him only for Minor? C’mon man.
FWI there are a number of guys who make a living covering minor league prospects who value Minor very highly, such as Keith Law at ESPN (former Blue Jays employee) who said he would not trade Minor straight up for Beltran (something I agree with).
For all of you who are clamoring that Wren needs “to do” something, please condider the following:
(1) The Phils are an aging team whose window to win a World Series is getting shorter whereas the Braves are a young team built predominantly on HOME GROWN TALENT AND PROSPECTS whose best days are in the future (particularly if they don’t panic and make another Texeira mistake);
(2) Pence, Quentin and Ludwick are all corner OFs when everyone knows the Braves primarly need a CF; and
(3) The acquisition of any of these guys doesn’t guarantee the Braves win the World Series (none of them are as good as Texeira and I think Jim Bowden is right: it would help if the Braves could get a bat, but as presently constituted, they will win th wild card and once in the playoffs, they have a chance to win because of their pitching).
Tomahawk
July 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
Meant to say: Quentin plays left whenever Prado plays third. If Chipper’s in there, play match-ups with Heyward/Quentin in Right. Sorry. Got a little excited.
FSUFalcon
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
The Falcons have passionate and serious ownership..the braves do not…
Ted M
July 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
Did the Falcon’s let Snelling go like a poster said earlier? I would care if they did.
Ludwick no thanks he’s another McLouth. Get HP or CQ or stand pat.
BR
July 29th, 2011
4:41 pm
Falcons have what the Braves need; local ownership dedicated to winning.
jbdrs
July 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
Good article Jeff. Is there any chance Liberty Media will sell the Braves anytime soon?
Brendan
July 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
I think the Braves must do what Jeff Schultz advocated a few weeks back, namely, use Derek Lowe as a bargaining chip for what the Braves need. That’s the move that makes the most sense to me.
JK
July 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
With all of this talk about needing a bat may I mention that there are 8, yes eight, players on our current roster that will end up hitting 15 or more homeruns this year. We just need to get healthier. Sure, an outfielder with pop would be great but we will be fine if we do not make any changes at the deadline.
Falcons4Eva
July 29th, 2011
5:06 pm
Its becoming more and more apparent that the Phillies (if they get Pence or Quentin) is becoming the Yankees of the National League. They don’t care about giving up their #1 and #2 prospects (as reported on ESPN) in order to get Pence / Quintin to win NOW.
They will simply BUY their next “proven” super star each and every year to keep a championship caliber team on the field. The fact of the matter is, the Phillies, just like the Yankees and the Red Sox can afford anybody they want. They sell out every game and money is not the issue for them as oppose the the Braves.
That’s the difference between Us (the Braves) and the Phillies, Yankees and Sox. I say Give up what ever it takes (except Tehran) to get us a proven bat. Period. The Braves will be sold in 2 years anyway. Hopefully, we can get back to the days when money wasn’t the issue here, and we had more Superstars & Sellout at the TED. Seems to work out for Philly and Yankees.
ChopChamps95
July 29th, 2011
5:10 pm
The last time the Braves ownership cared about winning was the last season Ted Turner still owned the ball club (and thats a debatable point at best depending on who you talk to). Liberty Media isn’t committed to winning and it shows by the payroll, therefore Frank Wren goes the cheap route everytime it matters in response to picking up a player (just like he will at the trade deadline this year).
Arthur Blank on the other hand does care about the team if its a winning one. He opens up his wallet to get good players and Dimitroff goes out and gets the best available. As long as Liberty owns the Braves and Blank owns the Falcons, the advantage will go to Blank and the Falcs every time.
Stinger2
July 29th, 2011
5:18 pm
schultz: I admit as a fan, I don`t know anything about the Braves or Falcons unless I get it from some form of the media. Opinions? Yes I like everyone else can have one. Problem is most fans opinions are worse than yours.
The point I want to make from the above is: You and every other media person need to ask yourself before you release an article or make a verbal statement: Why am I writing this? Does it help the fans understand more about the player(s) or team in question. To the best of my knowledge is what I am writing the truth and not
‘posion pen” because I don`t like someone? I am not saying you personally are guilty of misrepresenting anything or even unethical reporting. The problem I have is that in this case, you are encouraging Braves management to do something (trade a player or players)that you, nor I, or any fan has a clue if its the right thing to do. Let management make their own decisions. Then you can report the facts.
Delbert D.
July 29th, 2011
5:18 pm
Ludwick or Willingham would be “ok” pickups if it doesn’t take much to get one (or both) of them. They have nearly identical 162-game projection career averages of 25 HR and .262 and .263 BA. Problem is, Ludwick has top seasons of 152, 139 and 136 games (but 99 so far this year), and Willingham has top seasons of 144, 142 and 133 (with 80 so far this year).
rally
July 29th, 2011
5:28 pm
Apple’s to Orange’s Jeff. Football vs Baseball…..Alot of different variables and factors. In football one man doesn’t make a team….in baseball one man can make a team in either pitching or hitting. Just my two cents.
david
July 29th, 2011
5:33 pm
I think our priority is to win the AAA title. Go Gwinnett!!!!
Mike R.
July 29th, 2011
6:20 pm
Did the Braves have the lead over the Falcons prior to this deal?
I considered the Falcons more legitimate contenders for the Super Bowl last year than I do the Braves currently for the World Series.
extremus
July 29th, 2011
6:22 pm
The Edwards signing is HUGE for the Falcons and immediately makes them an even more serious contender to win the Superbowl this season. A DE was a glaring need for a pass rush that had been repeatedly exploited all of last season at key moments, most notably when it was picked apart methodically by Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs.
The Braves could make a similar splash by getting a significant new offensive piece, and for what it’s worth going by the numbers I like Quentin as a possibility more than Pence, though either one could provide a boost. Until that happens and the Braves’ offense shows a consistent pulse, my money would have to be on the Falcons having the first parade down Peachtree.
Bill
July 29th, 2011
6:31 pm
No! The Braves are not close. When the going gets tough they fade.
DetroitBraves
July 29th, 2011
6:38 pm
@bvillebaron, I saw that Law wouldn’t have traded Minor for Beltran in his chat a couple of days ago. I think that says something about Minor, and a lot about having no club control beyond this year for Beltran, no Type A compensation when he walks, Beltran’s ability to play center, and the limited probability that he will make a meaningful difference over so few games. That’s just my guess.
That’s not to say Minor isn’t a prospect. He’s just not at the same level as some of their other guys.
Which brings me to the next point, which is that Minor for Pence is kind of a no brainer. I would be absolutely shocked if Keith Law didn’t agree.
But you are almost certainly correct – there is no way the Astros are looking at just Minor. They want some package that probably includes Teheran, Vizcaino or Delgado too. If Minor were enough by himself they would have taken the Cosart/Singleton deal (if such a deal was actually ever offered). So the people clamoring for Wren to pull the trigger on dealing Minor really need to ask themselves how they feel about trading Minor AND Delgado.
Hillbilly D
July 29th, 2011
6:40 pm
My guess is that it’ll take 3 to 4 players to get Pence.
DetroitBraves
July 29th, 2011
6:45 pm
@Hillbilly D, you’re probably right. And then it starts to look more like the Teixeira deal and the Braves have already been burned once recently in a deal like that (which isn’t necessarily in and of itself to not try again) and Pence isn’t as good as Teixeira (which is a very good reason not to try it again).
If Minor is without question the best player in the deal going to Houston then let’s get Pence. If he’s not, Wren’s got to think seriously about cheaper options.
lobo
July 29th, 2011
7:10 pm
Latest rumor:
Pence going to Phillis
Bourn going to Reds
BJ Upton and Ludwick to Braves
From MLB
Najeh Davenpoop
July 29th, 2011
7:13 pm
Nnamdi Asomugha is an Eagle. The Braves are still closer than the Falcons.
Omar
July 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
It most be nice to be a Philadelphia fan right now. As a Brave and Falcon fan I have to admit they play for championships up there.
NickGranite
July 29th, 2011
7:34 pm
We haven’t “sniffed a WS in years”? The major leagues is the most difficult of all major sports to make the playoffs with only 2 slots open to you as an individual team…either division winner or wild card. The other 2 slots in your league are the other division winners. if you make the tournament as we did LAST YEAR, you are sniffing the series.
M10
July 29th, 2011
7:39 pm
First the Braves are no where close there ownership is pathetic so thats going to hold them back.It starts up top.
TNScott
July 29th, 2011
7:50 pm
Sergeant Schultz, you and Milton Bradley need to remember one very important fact when it comes to Frank Wren competing Thomas Dimitroff. Arthur Blank ain’t Liberty Media. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if we sat out the trade deadline because LM is more concerned about the shareholders and their bottom line especially in the economic climate this country is facing. It’s always been that way from Time Warner to Liberty Media. They talk a good game but that’s all it is.
TNScott
July 29th, 2011
7:55 pm
Omar- Even more so in baseball. Bottom line is bottom line for the Braves owners.
dawg4u
July 29th, 2011
8:00 pm
It is a fact that our starting pitchers are wearing down as the season goes on. They were giving up 2-3 runs average and now 3-4 runs. It is just a fact of life that the season wears down these pitchers and their arms into giving up more runs later in the season. I still hope that Frank Wren isn’t pinning our hopes for the post season into getting our injured regulars back and producing. I know people say that one bat won’t correct our deficiencies. I get that but one bat and a good bat will send a message to the players and fans that we are serious about getting to the playoffs and beyond. Anyone who watches this team knows that we desparately need a bat in this lineup. Go get it FW before the deadline!
1eyedJack
July 29th, 2011
8:32 pm
The Braves need a new owner, with deep pockets and a singular purpose in mind.
Delbert D.
July 29th, 2011
8:44 pm
Jack – The Braves don’t really have an owner, they have an “entity.”
For Real
July 29th, 2011
9:02 pm
We really don’t need a trade…. We just need these guys to play better. Bottom line. A solid banger in center would be nice but all that thinking would change if these guys would turn it on. Most are playing just avg baseball. Don’t trade the future for some guy to come in here and slum it up like that 1st baseman we got from the Cubs a few years ago…..
Bill
July 29th, 2011
9:19 pm
MLB-TV just said Pence to Phillies all details after the game between Phillis and Pirates….Whats Braves next move?
Hillbilly D
July 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
I just heard a report during the Cubs broadcast that Hunter Pence has been pulled from the game.
Bill
July 29th, 2011
9:35 pm
Done deal Pence to the rich Phillies…..
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
July 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
2011 MVP………..Mike Vick
2011 Superbowl MVP……………Mike Vick
2011 Superbowl Champs…………….. Eagles
Why is it that the Eagles put weapons around Mike Vick?
Because they are football smart
Julio Jones is a BIG waste of money, especially when they play the Eagles. Roddy and Julio are going to be on lockdown, and we all know how CHOKE loves to float those butterflies 10 yards deep
Time
July 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
Pence to Phils is good. Now the market for Upton empties back out, the price goes down, and the Braves will pounce for the guy they really needed anyways.
milller
July 29th, 2011
9:40 pm
It’s easier for Thomas to make a deal with the backing of Blank.
Wren has no backing, no MONEY. Get real people. This is not the Ted Turner Braves.
Matt
July 29th, 2011
9:47 pm
I am so tired of the Braves attitude that they’re going to get a pennant for the best AAA pitching staff. Who gives a damn about that when the big league club doesn’t have the sack to go for it when they have a team that is close.
Hunter Pence
July 29th, 2011
9:58 pm
I am so excited to be going to the 2011 World Series champs. I heard I might be traded to Atlanta, but I would have retired before I accepted that deal.
See you soon.
unbelievable
July 29th, 2011
10:04 pm
Awww, its ok guys! I told you people a few days ago to cool out on Pence, because he’s not coming here. But its alllllllright, cause we’ve still got Mike “Wainwright” Minor on our team and the future is SOOOO bright! Good thing we didn’t give him away for that broken down rbi machine Beltran, who’d be gone at the end of the year, which is actually ideal because the winter market will have many more good players available! Now lets go get McLudwick and call it a year! Yall are brilliant.
unbelievable
July 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
Enter your comments here
Bill
July 29th, 2011
10:09 pm
Contaza had his first hit, rbi, and run scored after waiting 7 years to get to majors.. Congrad u earned it.
Sambo McPoots
July 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
Wren you suck, way too cheap, Falcons are now Atlanta team, if you don’t do something there may not be 5,000 in the seats by seasons end
What is Frank Wren Thinking?
July 29th, 2011
10:25 pm
Oh dear, the Phillies just signed Pence! Where’s my blankie?
Big Braves Fan
July 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
Jeff, do you think the Braves could go after Matt Kemp?
nobody
July 29th, 2011
10:30 pm
How will the eagles sign Mccoy, Desean, and Vick now? They have all kinds of money in the CB position. and they may have the best CBs in the league but their LB corp is TERRIBLE and so are their safeties. I see them having a good pass D but a below average run defense. RBs and TEs will have a field day. There starting MLB is casey matthews who wasn’t even a star at oregon in that defense….
Hunter Pence
July 29th, 2011
10:35 pm
I’m so excited to be going to play for the 2011 World Series Champs! When I heard they may trade me to Atlanta, I planned on retiring. Wow, that was close.
See you soon!
Tony
July 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
Wren has doomed us for another year. Missing out on the best players available. Dont even waste your time on any trades for second tier players, we alrdy have them. What a Joke. Art Blank, please help, buy the braves, and put Dimitroff in charge
Steve
July 29th, 2011
10:45 pm
How do other GM
Steve
July 29th, 2011
10:47 pm
How do other GM’s manage tp improve their clubs, while Fabulous Frank makes excuses. There needs to be a change.
Columbus
July 29th, 2011
10:50 pm
Wren WILL do something. I have faith in him. He has to know he MUST do something since the Phils and Giants have made big moves. I know we tend to NOT give up our talent now and I like that philosophy. I know the Phils gave up a LOT to get Pence and they might pay for it in the next year or two. The Giants are going to have much less of a chance to win in the next couple years due to personnel/contract issues so getting Beltran was a good match because they expect to suck over the next couple years anyway. BUT if we do want to win a World Series this year, as Schultz said, we will see in the next 2 days if we are serious about that. Unless they plan on waiting until the next trade deadline and that is risky but possibly less expensive, I think that Wren will do a good job. I really do. Time will tell.
Bob Rathbun
July 29th, 2011
10:53 pm
It has to be Carlos Quinten….we have to get him…Minor and Delgado bye bye
Columbus
July 29th, 2011
10:53 pm
He has doomed us? You dont even KNOW what moves he is going to make. Save your gloom and doom until after 4:00 Sunday and in the meantime have just have patience and faith and
Chhhiiiiilllll
Buuuuuuuuddy!
Bob Rathbun
July 29th, 2011
10:54 pm
Mark my words….Carlos Quinten will be in the lineup come Monday
Tony
July 29th, 2011
10:55 pm
Columbus, there arent any worthy player left, he passed them all by. Any others available are about what we have now. Second tier outfielders
extremus
July 29th, 2011
10:55 pm
We’ll know probably within the next 24 hours whether the Braves will make a move…because there aren’t many more than 24 hours left until the trade deadline. Then it comes down to going with whatever pieces are in place for each team, for better or worse. While I don’t know for certain my gut feeling is that Frank Wren will definitely do something significant given all of the recent injuries especially; it would not be a move made due to panic or overt haste, but simply to address needs that have become even more pronounced the past few days.
If they don’t make a move, the Braves will miss a potential greater opportunity to win a championship this season due to an anemic, currently patchwork offense. On the flip side, they would have those same trade pieces in place for use after this season ends, and they might actually bring more long-term value then…time will tell.
Tony
July 29th, 2011
10:57 pm
Outside of average players available at this point, there isnt anyone worth giving up pitching for. Quinten is the only option really available. And I doubt he has the guts to go and get him. Same story, just like when he was in Seattle. What did they win with him running the show
tony wilson
July 29th, 2011
11:03 pm
frank wren sucks fire his ass he got no balls braves do this every year
Columbus
July 29th, 2011
11:04 pm
Well he has Schuerholz to answer to and to advise him so I’m thinking something significant is going to happen but if not then I will not look for much in the future from the Braves as far as trades go. I think he will make a move but I hope it will not be too conservative. I know we will have to give up pitching. The question is, how much is too much to give up? Do you give up 2 prospects? Not top propects. I could give up Minor and a 2nd Tier prospect or 2. But not the two guys behind Minor.
Dr. Phil
July 29th, 2011
11:16 pm
I guess Wren is thinking about next year.
hammerhead
July 29th, 2011
11:42 pm
Admittedly, I haven’t read a single comment above, but it seems the Phillies are going to the free agent market for talent and the Braves are going to Buford. No offense to our AAA teamn, but damn.
Team Redneck
July 29th, 2011
11:47 pm
TO ALL YOU BRAVES FANS OUT THERE WHINING ABOUT THE PHILLIES, RED SOX, YANKEES HAVING MORE MONEY–
here’s a solution.
GO TO THE FREAKING GAMES .
Yeah. . .see, if you sold out TED the way the Phills, Red Sox, and Yanks fans have sold out their stadiums for the last few years night in night out, putting out 30-100$ a person to attend a game, then the Braves too would have money to spend on players !. . .So stop whining about other teams ‘buying’ championships. . .your team has an attendance hovering around 50%, or close to the likes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona DBacks. . .GET REAL ! if you really care, get off this board and attend the games and stop being jealous of fans that get rewarded for their loyalty to the team.
Glad for football season
July 29th, 2011
11:55 pm
What a bunch of crap! Once again, Wren has kept a white-knuckled grip on the “future” of the Atlanta Braves while in the meantime division and league rivals make the moves to secure World Series championships. What gives!!?? Allowing Pence to get away, especially to Philadelphia, is a HUGE blunder. The Braves are a perennial pitching institution, consistently drafting and developing pitching talent. Any prospect other than Tehran should be available for trade, especially for a player like Pence. Having the resources to get a key player while not completely depleting system in order to win a title NOW is a NO BRAINER!! If you keep talking about the “future”, then when is that going to be here, Frank?? Thank goodness it’s August…is training camp at Flowery Branch on TV? That will be more fun to watch than another pennant going down the tube.
Glad for football season
July 30th, 2011
12:03 am
This is why is stinks to be an Atlanta sports fan. Thank goodness the Falcons are becoming more aggressive. GMs in this town have always been conservative and unwilling to take make the big move needed to add to their respective teams. It’s like we avoid top tier talent like the plague.
boots
July 30th, 2011
12:06 am
Even if, and that is a big if, we sign Quientin, it will only be enough to break even, at best, with what the Giants and Phillies have done. Wren, and more likely Liberty Media, have fiddled while the Ted burns. The future is NOW, and Frank Wren is no Thomas Dimitroff. I know the fans are ticked, and I am quite certain the Braves players are, too. Everyone, and I mean everyone, knows we needed an extra piece or two, and Wren has let this team and this city down, no matter who he trades for.
Frustrated Braves Fan!
July 30th, 2011
12:37 am
Never thought I would ever say this, but the Falcons have now surpassed the Braves as the big team in town. They are not afraid to make moves to make them a winner. While Frank Wren continues to hold onto a two pitch lefty who will not amount to anything more than a journeyman pitcher while his two main rivals for the pennant are getting big hitters to help them win a World Series; TD goes mano v mano with his main rivals and makes big splashes. The Falcons will be the talk of the town come October while the Braves get ready for their offseason even if they win the wild card. But hey, let’s keep holding onto to those pitchers who will help sure up our 8 man rotation next year. Gotta build for the future like those fans on these boards have been saying for nearly 5 years now. Just a quick question….when will the future be here for some of you?
Braves Fan
July 30th, 2011
12:50 am
If the Braves were serious about winning a championship, then they do whatever they’d have to do (aside from Tehran) to land Quinton AND Michael Bourne.
They don’t have a real leadoff man and Michael Bourne would completely fix that. Kid hits for average, steals bases like there were TV’s during a L.A. riot, and plays a heck of a CF. Quinton is everything we were hoping Heyward was going to be this year but isn’t. He gives us immediate pop and both would solve ALL our offensive woes and OF situation.
Trade Schaeffer, Minor, Delgado and whoever else beside Teheran and Viscaino to make it happen.
Wren is gutless and this will most assuredly end with Willingham or Ludwick being the only moves that we make. Than and/or some obscure middle infielder platoon man so we don’t have to watch Lugo suck it up anymore.
unbelievable
July 30th, 2011
1:09 am
Team Redneck, Liberty Media loves people like you that think going to the games=them giving a crap. They’re just taking your money to the bank laughing all the way. BTW, I go to the games, and have been for 34 years, but these non-aquisitions (especially Beltran) weren’t about money, other than Wren not wanting to trade kids that aren’t going to cost much to keep that payroll down, so Liberty Media can get their tax write off. If we were sold out every night, they still wouldn’t spend…they’d just keep laughing on the way to deposit the checks. Yanks, Sox, Phils, etc. aren’t owned by corporations. Especially corps. all the way across the country in Colorado.
unbelievable
July 30th, 2011
1:13 am
Besides, if they have the opportunity to make moves like they did this past week and don’t pull the trigger, continuing to support them by going to the games is asinine.
unbelievable
July 30th, 2011
1:15 am
But get Quentin and all is forgiven. I’ll eat my crow and sing Wren’s praises. But my guess is: ain’t gonna happen.
unbelievable
July 30th, 2011
1:19 am
Alright, last comment then bedtime: I mean continue to support Liberty Media. I’ll always support my Braves (the players) go Bravos!
captguitarman
July 30th, 2011
2:42 am
The already strong Phillies and Giants have beefed up their offenses while Atlanta plays a pat hand, with their best hitter on the DL for a month or longer. A total common sense approach at this moment says its the Phils/Giants for the pennant. Nights like tonight against the Marlins are very rare. Let’s just hope the Braves’ pitching holds up. When I was a kid (a along time ago) I remember how the Koufax/Drysdale team and supporting pitching staff won a lot of 1 or 2 run games won the NL pennant, and I think the World Series. They had Maury Wills who set what I think is still the NL record for stolen bases in a year, over 100, and they new how to do squeeze plays and hit sacrifice flies, etc. and eek it out game after game with a run or two. Wills would get on once or twice, score a run or two, and that was it. I don’t see that in the Braves. More batting practice, more coaching, more bat voodoo ceremonies, lighted candles and shrines in the locker room. The pitchers have got to be tired of carrying the load.
The Real Brave
July 30th, 2011
5:36 am
Phillies acquire Pence from Astros
This is what winning organizations do. They don’t
wait to make moves even if in first place.
They make the moves to make their teams better.
We have missed the boat.
See what the Falcons did Thursday?
Ted M
July 30th, 2011
6:31 am
I fear the Braves are gonna now make a bad trade just to make a trade. Ludwick makes the Braves worse now plus we lose prospects.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
July 30th, 2011
6:37 am
The Phillies aren’t worried about the Braves. They know the Braves don’t have the offense or the makeup to challenge them for anything. The Phils are worried about the Giants and the AL.
Old Tech fan in NC
July 30th, 2011
6:49 am
Panthers are even more aggressive and will make the birds sweat this year!
Kyle
July 30th, 2011
7:01 am
The Braves will end up adding someone at the last minute to act like their doing something but not a big name like the Giants and Phillies did so that is why they will still be home come late October saying “they did their best”. Yeah, right.
Furman Bitcher
July 30th, 2011
7:18 am
IT BETTER BE UPTON OR BOURNE OR BUST. FRANK WREN BETTER NO COME TO ME WITH COCCA CRISP, COUNT CHOCULA OR FRANKING BERRY AND WE ALREADY HAVE 3 LUDWICKS ON THIS TEAM RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TommyP
July 30th, 2011
7:33 am
It WILL BE MICHAEL BOURN. He will be the piece that’s brought in, a player the likes we haven’t seen in Atlanta since Otis Nixon and Deion Sanders.
john d
July 30th, 2011
7:44 am
Frank Wren that was the last straw! While you were sitting on your dumb ass the Phillies went out and made a great deal assuring them the division title and probably the world series. You have so much pitching depth which every rebuilding team covets, yet for some lame reason you wouldn’t pull the trigger. Everyone in baseball except you knew the braves were one bat away from going deep in the playoffs and you were too stupid and gun shy to pull the trigger. If you don’t have the guts to do this job please quit. The J D Drew and Mark T. fiascos are history!
Joey
July 30th, 2011
7:56 am
I’m not picking on Chipper, but, he often says he isn’t playing for the money any more.
So, why doesn’t Chipper tell Wren, keep my paychecks for the second half and go get us Quentin?
Just wondering . . .
Gen Neyland
July 30th, 2011
8:09 am
Acquisitions always look good on paper (e.g. Uggla). Not to say they won’t pan out over time but to put the mystical 8 Ball (not the coke kind) into play and seek answers is a wee bit futile in predicting a future…
Stay Classy
July 30th, 2011
8:48 am
At this point I say go with what you got. Wish we would have done more to get Pence, but we didn’t, so the last thing Wren needs to do is to just go out and trade for the sake of trading. We made a run at the top 2, now we have to focus on putting a string of wins together. Our pitching can still be very strong and keep us in the majority of games and all we have to do is hit a little. We score 4 or 5 runs and we should win. They should take the opportunity to rally together and say “hey, we don’t have help coming so its time to pick each other up” An us against the world mentality. That is what I would do, cause the team we have is good, just need offer Jobu a refill.
Ted M
July 30th, 2011
9:10 am
The Braves offered a four-player package to the Astros for Hunter Pence, tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. However, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Astros sought two of the Braves’ top four pitching prospects and another good young pitcher, so a deal was not reached. With Pence and Carlos Beltran off the board, here’s the latest on the Braves’ hunt for a hitter…
probably a good thing we didn’t make that trade.
Ted M
July 30th, 2011
9:12 am
If Wren can’t make a fair deal for CQ then he should stand pat.
smitty
July 30th, 2011
9:22 am
the braves have been here before amid pressure to get a deal done and it hasn’t worked…….it’d be nice to get a right handed bat ( maybe uggla is finally assuming his intended role ) but as an espn analyst mentioned yesterday, the braves dont want to pay too high a cost and mentioned the teixeira trade as a bust…..
the braves traded away their future for a rental and the rangers went to the WS a couple yrs later with all the former braves…..just saying…..
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/52900-was-mark-teixeiras-trade-to-atlanta-the-worst-trade-in-braves-history
mike
July 30th, 2011
9:32 am
Phillies and Giants went aggressive and seperated themselves from the rest of the NL. The rest of us are left to bottom feed off the scraps remaining. But remember Braves fans the glass is half full with our talent rich farm system which at this rate should bring us a divisional title when our grand children reach their 30″s
Native to the ATL
July 30th, 2011
9:32 am
Guys, Liberty Media has Wren looking through other peoples trash piles before the truck get there on Monday. Aint no big names coming to Atlanta. All we will get for pitching prospects are the Garret Andersons and Troy Glaus’ of the world. So, it looks as thought we build through our minor leagues, unless we get a renta player that was once good. Mores the pity. Where have you gone Ted Turner?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 30th, 2011
9:36 am
Phillies and Giants playing for the World Series. Braves playing to make the playoffs. This is rather typical. Braves fans do not push the franchise hard enough. Phillies know they have to go after it or the fan base will destroy them. Rather disgusting to see how smug Wren is with all these Prospects and the unwillingness to move them. That is why the Braves will not win a WS for another 20 years…
smitty
July 30th, 2011
9:39 am
and one more thing schultzie, theres no comparison between the deal dimitroff did and what your asking of wren……the falcons ‘released’ a couple of journeyman players and then came up with cash to sign edwards……a pretty straightforward deal and its quite a stretch to say dimitroff is working his “magic”……..as far as wren, you’re asking him to give up young pitching prospects, perhaps baseball’s top commodity, assets that teams spend years and millions developing for a player who may or may not get the braves into the WS and who will bolt for bigger bucks asap…….have a nice day
Nativebird
July 30th, 2011
9:45 am
Quinton would be a great fit in Atlanta, and has big-time power from the right side. If Minor is off the table…then Tehran or Delgado will have to be part of the deal, other clubs will want top tier pitching prospects. Cant get aroud that.
Stay Classy
July 30th, 2011
9:56 am
If the Braves averaged 40,000 in attendance then I think the pressure would be higher, but when you average 25,000 not the same feeling. There are tons of braves fans out there shouting loud, but if you don’t fill the stadium then we will continue to lose out to Philly/SF/NY etc…
Stay Classy
July 30th, 2011
9:56 am
meant to say pressure would be higher on Wren.
Van Brocklin
July 30th, 2011
10:35 am
`
The 2011 Falcons will now take the lead
over the 1972 Miami Dolphins with a 19-0 record and a “perfect season”.
.
Elliot
July 30th, 2011
10:50 am
I have no problem with passing on Beltran, but we should have done whatever needed to get Pence. This team hasn’t made a big, team-changing, put us over the top deal since Fred McGriff in 1993.
Falcons4Eva
July 30th, 2011
10:55 am
@smitty….You’re missing the point on the comparrison between Thomas Dimitroff and Frank Wren. The job of the GM is to make the team better via the acquisition of talent. Frank Wren has failed in that effort – especially at a time when it matters most. Honestly, who do you have more faith in – Frank Wren or Thomas Dimitroff…Exactly.
Holding on to prospects is only as good as the championships they bring. Looks to me like the Phillies have championships – AND gave up prospects…So you can do BOTH!
So next year we will have 5 starting pitchers plus 4 more starting pitchers! Wow. How exciting that is next year, and the next year. We need a bat damit.
What is Frank Wren Thinking?
July 30th, 2011
10:57 am
I am new at this GM thing. I wonder if I’m supposed to be doing something?
Oh well, now where is my putter?
And where did I put my lucky penny?
Falcons4Eva
July 30th, 2011
11:04 am
Frank Wren is the Village Idiot!.
Betcha all next week he is going to put spin on the fact that he’s a miserable failure! Don’t give me any BS about the price was to high for Pence and Beltran. The fact of the matter is, how is it the Phillies can do it (giving up top prospects) and and stay on course to go to the World Series 4 times in the past 5 years…
Who among us REALLY REALLY believe we have a better than 50% chance of getting by both Giants and Philies? Hell, we even struggled to score against the Pirates – a 3rd place team in the Central. Look what happened to the Pirates yesterday by the Phillies – GOT CLOBBERED! and we barely scored.
Falcons can’t get here soon enough!
Red Stick
July 30th, 2011
11:31 am
It seems like the Phillies gave up alot for Pence. I don’t think the Braves should have given up 2 of the top pitching prospects for him.
Hopefully they will get Quentin.
Gumby
July 30th, 2011
11:52 am
The Phillies payroll for 2011 is double the Braves team payroll . The problem fro the Braves and Frank Wren is the lack of an MLB salary cap. Without one a GMs hands are tied, unless he wants to give up 2 pitching prospects. Baseball without a salary cap is now only going to be won by the rich teams.
Major League Baseball Salaries 2011 MLB Salaries by Team
TEAM TOTAL PAYROLL
Philadelphia Phillies $ 172,976,379
Atlanta Braves $ 87,002,692
Difference $ 85,973,687
DawgDad
July 30th, 2011
12:10 pm
We still don’t know what if anything Wren will do, so judgment is somewhat preliminary. Flat and simple, the reason the Braves did not land Pence or already have a player like him on the roster is — Chipper Jones. Chipper is eating an awful lot of payroll for value returned.
Effectively the Phillies replaced Jayson Werth with Pence. Whether or not they overpaid remains to be seen. It is hard envision the Braves coming up with a four-player package like the Phillies did, but I’ll say this, those top four pitching prospects the Braves have so far protected had better step right in and pick up the slack when age and Scott Boras start decimating the Braves starting rotation. Fans will not forget Wren sitting on the sidelines and watching a player of Pence’s caliber walk into the Philly clubhouse.
The left-handed imbalance in the Braves lineup and especially the outfield must still be cured if the Braves want to be a serious factor in the playoff and World Series hunt. Hinske-Constanza-Heyward — I’m shaking my head in sadness. I like all of these guys individually, but collectively this is a GM nightmare.
Sunshine Falcon
July 30th, 2011
12:13 pm
Mr. Blank local owner dude, who wants to win a Super Bowl above all else.
The Time Warner Group out of NEW YORK CITY, they are just using the Braves as a tax write off.
That’s my take.
Get Quentin, and prove me wrong.
ryan m
July 30th, 2011
12:23 pm
2 completely different situations Jeff. Falcons are in the beginning of their season and they made a splash with Edwards. Braves did the same at the beginning of their year with uggla. Falcons have an ownet who cares about winning. Braves don’t. Wren is not going to leverage the future for a rental or overpay a player which is smart. He will do something to help the club but you r simplifying the situation to get the blow hards in a frenzy. Not a well thought out blog
Sunshine Falcon
July 30th, 2011
12:29 pm
TommyP I read your post after I posted.
I would love to get Bourn, in here, too!
ryan m
July 30th, 2011
12:29 pm
It was the smartest blog in the world if all u want is to give the uninformed a soap box
Hillbilly D
July 30th, 2011
12:41 pm
The White Sox are only 3 games back in their division, which they may very well be good enough to win. Rumors of Carlos Quentin being on the trading block may be overblown.
Van Brocklin
July 30th, 2011
1:08 pm
The Windy City is always overblown.
Duh!
July 30th, 2011
1:09 pm
Coming down the road will be the need for starters. Look at it realistically friends. Lowe will be gone. Huddie, gone. We will not be able to afford both Jurgens and Hanson. Those young arms are tomorrows starters for Atlanta. You just can’t mortgage the future when the owners are unwilling to spend a lot of money. So it is indeed a fine line we are walking, hoping it all holds up long enough to make it to the post season and living in the reality of where we are. It ain’t perdy but it is afterall, all we have.
Shonuff
July 30th, 2011
2:05 pm
Schultz,
Nobody cares about your fantasy Atlanta GM rankings. You’re a hack.
Sincerely,
Shonuff
Isam
July 30th, 2011
2:12 pm
Ted Turner is not the owner of the Bravos but the owners of QVC are. Not much money to do anything. Not sure why Dimitroff and Wren would be in close competition. The Dimitroff moves in the last few including bringing on Tony Gonzalez has been head and shoulders above any things Wren has put forth in at least the last half decade. Renting Texiera for quality prospects was his doing, bringing on Kawakami too. Blank and Dimitroff are like the new Turner and Schuerholz…Renting Beltran was not worth it but getting Pence for a couple of years might have been. Hopefully, Wren does something to keep the Braves competitive by tomorrow!
Steve
July 30th, 2011
2:15 pm
How about Freeman and one of the big name minor leaguers for Konerko and Quentin? I know it sounds a little ridiculous at first, but think about it, look at both teams, their age and what they have in the minors.
Hillbilly D
July 30th, 2011
2:23 pm
One thing that has to be pointed out, in fairness, is that it’s easier to make money with an NFL franchise than with an MLB franchise. It’s hard to actually lose money with the TV contract. Comparing Wren and Dimitroff is really an apples/oranges comparison.
And let’s remember, Turner’s first 15 years as an owner weren’t anything to write home about. When he hired Scherholz and got out of the way, is when things turned around.
What is Frank Wren Thinking?
July 30th, 2011
2:53 pm
I wonder what a trade deadline is?
smitty
July 30th, 2011
3:02 pm
4eva……the job of a GM is to manage all the talent…….including acquisition but at what cost…….as
someone pointed out, the braves dont have the cash/payroll to go out and buy players, they have to do it the old fashioned way and develop talent on the farm…….pitching is always at a premium and hudson and lowe are not getting any younger…..despite uggla’s start, chipper’s injury, the braves have managed to win a few games……….maybe pence would have been the missing piece, maybe not, but wren (and i am sure others were involved in the decision) judged the cost too high…….lets see how the falcons and braves seasons pan out and then we can discuss the merits of the respective GM’s……until then its pointless suggesting that dimitroff is in “first place” because he had the money to bring in edwards and drafted jones at WR………we’ll all see if the giants’ acquiring
beltran or the phils obtaining pence is the difference maker……..its a toss up as far as i’m concerned
time will tell…..
mike
July 30th, 2011
3:17 pm
philly can afford big splash(lee, pence) because they get countless sell out, do you remember last braves sellout, even in playoff. you got point. we lost hockey team, hawks playing in half empty arena, braves same just above pathetic marlins fans, so what you expect from gm, i expect selling the team but new owners not going to be with deep pocket, it’s not working in a worst pro sport city in USA. what working? you know “let go dawgs” this is unfortunate reality in Atlanta.
NFL, NFLPA working on final details of new CBA – Atlanta Journal Constitution | News Channel 12 | Latest Breaking Local News and World Headlines
July 30th, 2011
4:00 pm
[...] Did Falcons just take lead over Braves in title pursuit? (Update: Phillies get Pence) [...]
Slimjr
July 30th, 2011
6:54 pm
Eagles 47, Falcons 18
2012 MVP= Mike Vick!
bj
July 30th, 2011
10:08 pm
TD is one smart man…thanks Blank for going out and getting him.
Wren is ok but not as polished a dealer as JS was..Hope he gets Bourn are BJ..can’t stand Juice Schafer and nate.
wins-by-a-link
July 30th, 2011
10:58 pm
Don’t blame Frank Wren, He can only do so much with what Liberty Media gives him, The Braves need local ownership like the Falcons who are much more likely to win a championship than are the Braves.
Keith
July 31st, 2011
12:45 am
Wren has been great for the most part. Don’t be surprised if he makes a deal for a bat that is “unknown” or not the normal names being thrown around….
Bourn make sense to me,, even t hough he’s left handed. Above average defense, great speed, and solid avg.
Keith
July 31st, 2011
12:46 am
Re: Simjr
While I do agree that Philly could very well beat the Falcons this year, the odds of Vick making another bad decision (i.e. dogfighting, birthday bash gone bad, etc.) are greater than him getting MVP.
GO BIRDS!
Ted M
July 31st, 2011
10:04 am
8:46am: The Braves acquired center fielder Michael Bourn from the Astros for four minor leaguers, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. He says the deal is done and will be announced shortly. Ken Davidoff of Newsday tweets that the Braves will receive money in the deal as well.
Bourn, 28, is hitting .303/.363/.403 in 473 plate appearances, and he leads MLB with 39 steals. The Scott Boras client has $1.45MM remaining on his contract this year and is arbitration eligible for 2012 before hitting free agency. The Astros’ outfield purge continues, as they sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies on Friday.
rtrider
July 31st, 2011
10:08 am
Michael Bourn to ATL for Schafer + 3 young pitching prospects (none of the big 4). The news just broke. Great deal for the Braves
Ted M
July 31st, 2011
10:09 am
8:59am: The Astros will receive Jordan Schafer, Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens, Juan Abreu, tweets ESPN’s Jayson Stark.