Braves, Wren whiff on Greinke — and this is getting old

Zack Greinke is on his way to the Angels. (AP photo)

Zack Greinke: On his way to Angels. (AP)

Frank Wren is trying to swing a deal. (Curtis Compton/AJC)

Frank Wren: Looking for help. (Curtis Compton)

(UPDATED: 9:10 p.m.)

The first pitcher they went after (Ryan Dempster) said no. He prefers Los Angeles.

The second pitcher they went after (Zack Greinke) was traded to Los Angeles (no, not that L.A. team, the other L.A. team).

The Braves are trying to get better before Tuesday’s trade deadline. We think. But this journey is turning into some weird nightmare, or at least a Randy Newman retrospective. (“I Love L.A.!”)

Remember when the Braves used to get what they want? Remember when 90-plus-win seasons and playoff games seemed as plentiful as potato chips?

General manager Frank Wren said Friday night that he didn’t believe the Braves were close to a trade for a starting pitcher of significance. No kidding. I’m not sure how many are left.

When Wren was asked if he was balking at parting with a coveted prospect like Julio Teheran for a rental player like Greinke, he responded: “I really don’t want to go there. We’ve had a sense for what [teams] are looking for with all these big guys. Some may be a little cost prohibitive.”

And there it is.

At some point, maybe it will be about this season, not next year or the one after that. But right now it’s not looking that way.

The Braves still have a few days until Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to fix their starting rotation, which has been dropping engine parts for the past several miles. But if they don’t succeed, it will be because Frank “You’ll Get My Prospects When You Pry Them From My Cold Dead Hands” Wren is focused on tomorrow, not today. Again.

Try to explain that to the players in the clubhouse. They believe the team needs a boost to catch Washington in the East (or survive a six-team wild-card cage match with all limbs intact.)

Even Tim Hudson, the current No. 1 starter, said of the team’s attempts to get a starting pitcher: “Everybody’s encouraged by it. It’s an area that’s been inconsistent for us all year. We’re here to win. There’s no reason to take it personally – unless I’m being bumped out of a job.”

It’s obvious where Chipper Jones stands. This is his last season. He wants another shot at the World Series.

When word circulated the other day that Florida had exploded another dumb-bomb and traded Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers, signaling a housecleaning, Jones was sitting on the Braves’ team bus in Miami. On walked Wren. Jones began his mock throat-clearing and in a humorous hoarse tone said, “Josh Johnson!”

Wren smiled. But he didn’t make a move.

Wren satisfied the Cubs in a potential trade for Dempster, so we can’t put that one on him. (Dempster still hasn’t been traded to the Dodgers, so there’s at least some possibility he could change his stance.) But Wren generally has been resistant to parting with top young pitchers Teheran and Randall Delgado for a potential rental player.

The Brewers traded Greinke to the Angels (for shortstop Jean Segura and two prospects) because Wren wouldn’t give up enough for a pitcher who potentially could lead them to a World Series. The Marlins are asking for the moon and the sun for Johnson, as they should. He’s not only good, he’s signed through next season. He might be worth more than even Greinke. Great players don’t come for cheap.

Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci reaffirmed the upside for teams that acquire starting pitchers at the deadline. He noted that over the past five years, contenders have traded for 19 starting pitchers in July. Those pitchers accumulated a record of 94-45. Nine pitched in the postseason. That includes Edwin Jackson, who went 6-3 (including playoffs) with St. Louis last year following a trade and helped the Cardinals to the World Series. Verducci referenced other recent “sudden-impact” pitchers at the deadline: Cliff Lee (Texas, Philadelphia), Roy Oswalt (Philadelphia), Ted Lilly (L.A. Dodgers), C.C. Sabathia (Milwaukee) and Joe Blanton (Philadelphia).

Friday did not pass without the Braves making a move. They signed 41-year-old Miguel Batista, who was just released by the New York Mets, to a minor-league contract.

Wren doesn’t necessarily see Batista being called up and becoming a factor for the Braves down the stretch. But you never know. It was worth a shot. Batista comes cheap. And isn’t that what’s most important of all?

By Jeff Schultz

445 comments Add your comment

pat

July 27th, 2012
6:38 pm

Braves Suck

July 27th, 2012
6:43 pm

this team is pathetic. i dont care if it is for depth, miguel batista? the braves used to be one of, if not the, most revered pitching team in the game. now we are relegated to the batista and livans of the world? seriously, screw this team. what’s he gonna do, protect our AAA club’s bullpen from overuse? i’m done with this trash team, and more importantly, the stingy a** management.

Taylor Wooten

July 27th, 2012
6:45 pm

whats really going on here? is this GM so incapable, or is he just the front for his liberty bosses, who control the cash?

lanier

July 27th, 2012
6:46 pm

start Batista Sunday

Taylor Wooten

July 27th, 2012
6:46 pm

they are running this franchise into the ground

Sonny Clusters

July 27th, 2012
6:51 pm

We was under the weather for awhile and had to go to the hospital for an operation. A nurse told us our doctor was a slow starter and was in a slump right now but he had the potential to get hot and go on a tear so they kept running him out there for surgeries. All we could think about was Dan Uggla and how Fredi keeps running him out there despite all those strikeouts and popups and runners left on base. Anyway, the doctor came in with some big Pop-Pie arms to say hello to us and that’s when we decided we was feeling a lot better and was ready to go home.

Jimmy casey

July 27th, 2012
6:52 pm

Con sarn it if I were wrin I would trade for cole shamels cause I like the way he squeals like a pig when my brother/uncle plays the banjo.

Braves Suck

July 27th, 2012
6:52 pm

You know why the Braves suck? They have no superstars. Sure, a lot of above average players, but no superstars. (Chipper used to be one, and while his numbers for a 40 year old are impressive, he’s not a superstar) What do I mean by superstar? A defining player or two. Players who are amongst the top at their position. Folks like Josh Hamilton, Pujols, Cano, Jose Bautista, etc. This team doesn’t even have one 40 HR hitter. How many will reach 30? Uggla? OK, but he’ll do it with a .235 average. After him, no one will even get 25. And before anyone says “It’s not all about HRs,” point taken. But the fact is this team doesn’t have superstars, or even one. Just a bunch of above average players. Go look at the world series champs of years past and see how they had superstars on their team. the giants of 2010? lincecum and cain. cards of last season? pujols and wainwright (who was out for the season, yet that didnt seem to faze them one bit) you could add holliday to the mix, but he’s borderline now. tired of this team not doing ish, go out and get a difference maker you bums

BigWad

July 27th, 2012
6:53 pm

I hope we can laugh at this later next week after we sign Johnson or Grienke to a longterm deal. I`ve been spoiled by the Ted Turner money tree years but I can`t stand this level of ineptitude on the field and in the front office. Get anybody to buy this team and get Liberty Comm out of here!!!! I would trade Uggla, JJ, and either Delgado or Theran for Johnson on a longterm deal based on performance clauses. Now!!!!!

old fart

July 27th, 2012
6:54 pm

Tt’s official. Wren is brain dead.

bulldogbubba

July 27th, 2012
6:55 pm

Buck Belue says Dan Uggla tears it up in August. I will believe it when I see it. I think Uggla has already checked out this season. Pitiful. Have to tip your cap to Chipper for hanging in there, but it is not September yet. GO BRAVES!!!!

Braves Suck

July 27th, 2012
6:55 pm

this team is garbage for yet another reason. why do players seem to leave the braves and get better? i’m looking at you MELKY CABRERA. dude was a complete bum here, and now he leads the league in average? how much would that have helped us if he had played like that while he were here? how come no one comes to the braves and becomes awesome then? oh right, its the braves.

Taylor Wooten

July 27th, 2012
6:57 pm

Could somebody get Disney to buy the team?

bulldogbubba

July 27th, 2012
6:57 pm

wELCOME BACK MR. CLUSTERS.WE HAVE MISSED YOUR THOUGHTS. THOUGHT MAYBE YOU AND MARK BRADLEY HAD GONE ON VACATION TOGETHER.

Dirtybirdsin12

July 27th, 2012
6:59 pm

If we had a manager capable of leading this team to a World Series then I would be all for trading the farm for Greinke. As is, I don’t think it would be worth it

Braves Suck

July 27th, 2012
7:02 pm

all these reporters who cover the braves, neigh, atlanta sports in general, are resolutely ballless. drop a pair, and start keeping it real. you should be asking the hard questions, instead of mere perfunctory coverage of the worst sports city of all time. how can a city that is this big, even host the olympics, and absolutely SUCK in all facets of major sports? whens the last time we even SNIFFED a championship? the falcons? 1st round playoff losers, all day long. and they dont just lose, they are laughed off the field. the braves? lol yeah right. go spend some money you liberty bums. i wont even go to the games anymore while they still own. the dawgs? top recruiting talent each year, and can’t do anything. they are about as pathetic as it gets, considering other top SEC teams have multiple titles in recent years. thrashers were garbage while they were here too. why is this city such trash when it comes to sports? fu** everything about being a sports fan in this dump

bravofano

July 27th, 2012
7:02 pm

No starting pitching move is necessary. They will still be bad either way. But I think it has been said multiple times to just send JJ back down or try to trade for a bullpen guy. Medlen can be the starter they need and he should be. Then you have Sheets, Hudson, Hanson, Medlen, and Minor. That’s a decent rotation for this team for the rest of the year. Bring Delgado up for the bullpen so he continues to get major league experience. I mean he is usually good for one to two innings at least so I think he would work well there. This way they don’t end up making a trade they would regret for a team that is NOT GOING TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES. They are not even close. So continue to build for the future. Don’t do some dumb trade for a team that can’t win it all and is not even the best in the division. So we trade everything and get Greinke for two months. That accomplishes nothing. It does not change the fact that Fredi can’t manage and that Uggla cannot hit and that Chipper is hurting this team by not playing every day and just soaking up salary. Imagine no Chipper Jones and the money that we could be using for a player that could play every day. I know Chipper has some latitude for what he has done for the organization. But seriously, he should have taken a pay cut to stay on the roster since he is not going to be out there as an every day player or be on the DL.

Sonny Clusters

July 27th, 2012
7:03 pm

We saw it with Andruw. We saw it with Frenchy. Now we are seeing it with Dan Uggla. Horrible at-bats. Non-competitive at-bats. Sissy at-bats. Pop-Pie arms or not he has sissy at-bats. Fredi Gonzalez says they’ve been together a long time and he’s read Uggla’s baseball card and he knows to keep running him out there. Gotta tip your cap to that kind of thinking. .213 and dropping.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:07 pm

Mr. Schultz it seems that Wren is afraid to make a trade and the Braves really havent made an addition since the Uggla trade in December of 2010. The fact is the Braves need to trade for Grienke because of Tommy Hanson is not a number 2 starter and not really a number 4 either if you look at the numbers. In fact if you look at the numbers Randall Delgado has been the 3rd best starter this year behind Beechy and Hudson.

Dirtybirdsin12

July 27th, 2012
7:07 pm

This is one of the best hitting teams in the NL, in spite of Dan Uggla. You people need to learn where to direct your complaints.

DOB Has To Ask Tougher Questions

July 27th, 2012
7:07 pm

You have to tip your cap to the Braves for not wanting to get embarrassed in a trade again! Atta boy, Braves!
Also, you gotta give a tip of the old capper to the Oakland A’s for totally screwing up crappy baseball markets like Atlanta. The more they win with that payroll, the more of an excuse Wrenny has to hold down the payroll and say some stupid crap like “You don’t need a large payroll to win. Just look at Oakland.” Soooooooo, atta boy, Oaky!

kral

July 27th, 2012
7:08 pm

that was funny sonny…hope you are doing good, but I KNOW I may be a fool too..keep hoping ugg will turn it around..because I believe if he could just hit .250 with 10 to 15 smackers the rest of the way..oh well I JUST KEEP HOPING

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:09 pm

The AJC needs to call out Wren more to make the trade

jimmya

July 27th, 2012
7:09 pm

best thing wren could do is nothing dont give up our farm players for someone to just be a rental

kral

July 27th, 2012
7:10 pm

a Braves blog is like old GM nite at the church bingo game

Wrecker

July 27th, 2012
7:11 pm

Fifth best record in the National League and in the playoffs. What more do you people expect? You all were screaming about the run production last year. The Braves brought in new hitting coaches and now we are third in runs scored, despite an off year by Uggla and slow start by McCann. You guys screamed and moaned about Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz, but now you pray for those days and disparage Gonzalez and Wren. Let me tell you, there have been many lean years in the Braves’ history. The consistent excellence of the last 22 seasons has spoiled you all. Qwityerbitchin’.

Steve

July 27th, 2012
7:12 pm

Can we trade Frank Wren?

BravesFan79

July 27th, 2012
7:16 pm

I would trade whatever it took for Grienke, because hes indicated hed like to be a Brave, and we got a excellent shot as resigning him. I wouldnt trade any major prospects for Dempster.

kral

July 27th, 2012
7:18 pm

said well wrecker

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:20 pm

It seems that the Teixeria trade really has made this organization afraid to trade any prospects.

Braves Suck

July 27th, 2012
7:20 pm

ANGELS JUST GOT ZACK GREINKE. WHAT’S PLAN C?

B1

July 27th, 2012
7:21 pm

j man, some of most brain dead comments ever.

B1

July 27th, 2012
7:22 pm

we didn’t want greinke. hello. do you know the game of baseball? No you don’t.

kral

July 27th, 2012
7:23 pm

I wish some of you were Cub fans..are at least follow the philosophy of Collin cowteurd..if they do not give you a winner..go to a movie..eat out..jump on the bandwagon for another team

Steve

July 27th, 2012
7:23 pm

The Braves have been to one playoff under Frank Wren. ONE

B1

July 27th, 2012
7:23 pm

we want jj, chipper has been dropping this lately. word is, he wants to come on down to atl-ga.

Zing

July 27th, 2012
7:23 pm

It seems as though it’d be a mistake to trade Delgado, who seems so close to a breakthrough, for a two-month player, but if it’s more like a 1 1/2 year player in mid-career, I could see it. The Braves will have Vizcaino and (eventually) Beachy back next year, and they can/should have Medlen in the rotation in spring 2013 (if not before), so there’s more depth at SP than it might at first appear.

B1

July 27th, 2012
7:25 pm

no one’s trading delgado where’d you hear that?

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:26 pm

Well “Wrecker” I expect a move to be made when we have the CHANCE to make the playoffs.
When we have the prospects to make that trade.
We missed the playoffs by ONE GAME last year because we didnt go for it and stood pat.
I expect a different result
I expect a team with urgency
So Quit your appathetic attitude toward accepting mediocrity.

Sonny Clusters

July 27th, 2012
7:27 pm

Jeff, we’ve never seen you with a short sleeve shirt on. Do you have Pop-Pie arms? Do Pop-Pie arms slow down a journalist trying to meet a deadline? Do you think a baseball player with Pop-Pie arms who is not making contact with the baseball is being hampered by those arms or is it something between his ears that’s causing him troubles? We was thinking Uggla might try to take a little off his swing with 2 strikes and put the ball in play especially with runners on. This is like when Francoeur came up again and again and again with runners on and never got them in. Then, finally, Bobby called him back to the dugout when it was his time to bat . . . and he was gone right after that.

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 27th, 2012
7:27 pm

Make Chipper the new GM and lets trade for Josh Johnson!

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:28 pm

B1 you should change your name to B.O. because your opinion and your insults stink.

fire frank wren

July 27th, 2012
7:28 pm

too late grienke to angels…cause wren would not give up a crap prospect in tehran…yeah let’s wait 5 years for him to be league ready

fire frank wren

July 27th, 2012
7:29 pm

frank wren needs to be fired no one wants to come to the braves…..with hi and fredi at the helm

fire frank wren

July 27th, 2012
7:29 pm

frank wren = biggest idiot gm in the game

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 27th, 2012
7:30 pm

Wren scours the dumpsters for castoff pitching like Batista whose older than Chipper.

"Chef" Tim Dix

July 27th, 2012
7:31 pm

Adam Wainwright would have been nice to have…All of these years… Not against trading prospects for proven value but unless, UNLESS you sign ZG it is not going to vault this squad in the World Series.

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 27th, 2012
7:31 pm

If Angels got Grienke fire Wren the slacker!

Wrecker

July 27th, 2012
7:31 pm

J-Man, I am not apathetic. I am excited about the chance to make the playoffs. If the season ended today, we would be in a one-game wild card playoff.

B1

July 27th, 2012
7:32 pm

obviously, no real fans here, we didn’t want greinke…you guys are out of touch. go back to your church softball teams, ok?

Old Devil

July 27th, 2012
7:32 pm

Can anyone on this blog spell “POPEYE” correctly? Maybe Uggla just needs a can of spinach???

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:32 pm

Miguel Batista????? thats our move for the playoff push?

B1

July 27th, 2012
7:33 pm

wrecker = jman

JoeyBagOBravos

July 27th, 2012
7:33 pm

I’m glad the Angel’s got Greinkme… If we want, we can sign him this off season, but no need to give up good prospects for 2 months rental.

I say put Medlen in rotation, use JJ in long relief, if he sucks it up, release him and find a good reliever on the waiver wire after the trade deadline. Moylan’s comin’ back, but all we to do is find bullpen and bench help if anything.

If we sign Greinkshe in the offseason, then use prospects to trade for a top-notch bat (left field if Prado goes to 3rd, maybe centerfield if Bourne signs elsewhere)

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 27th, 2012
7:34 pm

Go get Remlinger,Bedrosian,and Alejandro Pena out of the old folks home Wren. Everybody breathing that follows baseball knows the Braves need a good starting pitcher to get to post season…

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:35 pm

This is an insult to all Braves fans that we couldnt get a starting pitcher. Now were gonna keep having Jurrjens with a 8 ERA and Hanson allowing steals left and right with a sub 5 ERA to just get killed. But WHERES the PROSPECTS at they could pitch better than Hanson and Jurrjens. Its a terrible day for Braves fans.

JoeyBagOBravos

July 27th, 2012
7:36 pm

Old Devil – Schmugla needs something… I say he should screw all of the talking, adjustments, patience, advice and just start swinging at everything and try for the fence. What does he have to lose at this point?

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
7:37 pm

Multiple reports as you’ve probably heard: Greinke going to Angels for SS Jean Segura and 2 prospects.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:38 pm

Jurrjens has not pitched but 2 quality starts all season and yet he keeps getting chances yet Delgado pitched way better and is in the Minors and Yeheran pitched 4 scoreless innings in his only start before getting hit up but he still pitched better than Jurrjens.

kral

July 27th, 2012
7:38 pm

we lost last year jay man because of injuries and slumps in SEPT. which at the time could not be foreseen,,nobody will hardly ever trade in SEPT.. go Braves beat the NL EAST LAST PLACE PHILS and one time WS winner in 5 tries in a row

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:40 pm

And the people that think Sheets is the Ben Sheets from 2008 are mistaken because he is coming back from 2 TJ surgeries and its not fair to expect much from him. But hey the Braves dont care to make the playoffs.

"Chef" Tim Dix

July 27th, 2012
7:41 pm

So, all you prospect traders, would you have traded a healthy prospect SS Simmons too?

"Chef" Tim Dix

July 27th, 2012
7:42 pm

"Chef" Tim Dix

July 27th, 2012
7:42 pm

Enter your comments here

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:45 pm

Yea he had injuries Karl but we kept playing people that kept underperforming……DEREK LOWE. and didnt let the young pitchers have that chance Teheran in particular. But we will keep having Uggla striking out until its too late. in fact if you look at Ugglas numbers if it wasnt for that hot July/August where he had the 30 game hitting streak of 11 he would be a sub .200 hitter for the Braves.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:47 pm

No I wouldnt trade Simmons but only because he has shown he can play in the Bigs. But the pitching prospects havent quite showed that yet

FSUBrave

July 27th, 2012
7:47 pm

shows you how incompetent frank wren is…he ran baltimore into the ground and was run out of town, and now he has made some of the dumbest trades that have done nothing for us over the last 3 yrs, while we are still paying Lowe and Kawakami. Face it wren is not even in the same league as JS…we need a new GM that can build a contender…watch, the braves will be swept by the phillies…we are out of it by aug 15th

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:49 pm

The Braves should either go for it or just rebuild.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
7:51 pm

What sucks is that all the people that are defending Wren will be nowhere to be found when we dont make the playoffs again. You hid out until november last year

TROTTINGHOME

July 27th, 2012
7:58 pm

Grienke wasn’t coming here so he could beat the Brewers for the next 5 years….to bad

CHICKEN wren STINKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 27th, 2012
8:03 pm

There is NO way the Braves stand a chance as long as they keep CHICKEN wren as GM. Now THE WORST GM in pro sports, The New don waddell of GM’s, Lies, will NOT make moves and is so STUPID he alone has Killed this team.

Why is john s. not after another REAL GM is amazing ? I guess in his, now OLD feeble mind, being loyal to CHICKEN wren is more important than WINNING !!!!!!!

A 41 year old pitcher, What a JOKE !!!!

I would take one new jock strap for CHICKEN wren, he is as worthless as worthless can be, HE STINKS !!!! I will NOT attend another Braves game until CHICKEN wren is FIRED and the Braves CLEAN HOUSE, including john s. too !

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
8:06 pm

Wrecker

July 27th, 2012
8:16 pm

J-MAN is not Wrecker, trust me. I was disagreeing with him.

Busch Leaguer

July 27th, 2012
8:20 pm

After the yanks sweep the Red Sox ,the fire sale will start,Go get Lester and Bard .

JC Boscan III

July 27th, 2012
8:21 pm

Even if we were willing to give up some prospects to get Greinke, without Liberty Cheapskate Media upping the Braves payroll by $10-12 million, keeping Greinke after 2012 would mean letting either Bourne or McCann go when their contracts expire. Greinke is going to get $20-22 million per year, and if Bourne stays with us, that will be $10 million more. So, approximately 2/3 of our payroll would be devoted to Greinke and Bourne. Then, McCann would have to be traded during 2013 or lost to free agency at the end of that year. We have cheap owners. With a $100-105 million payroll, we could sign a Greinke without having to ditch someone else at some point.

So, until Liberty commits to winning instead of mediocrity, we are stuck with middle of the road payroll and a team that reflects that payroll………… GO BRAVES!!! Spend some money, Liberty Media — or sell the team to someone who cares………!!!

donsutten

July 27th, 2012
8:22 pm

Seems like it might be time for a little tempting of the staff. Call em in for a pitcher’s only
meeting and ask everyone there … “who would like to become a real high paid pitcher?”
Someone who would do his darnest to be a winner. If everyone said… “ME!” I would say okay prove it! And I would draw lots for starts. Give them an incentive… cash for a win!
You just might find an “Ace” waiting to happen…. one thing for sure… each would be busting his butt trying and something just might pay off. Next…. try it out on the hitters!

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
8:29 pm

Nope Im not Wrecker but I am a fan that questions a GM that just stands pat after chocking a 10 1/2 game wild card lead and still stands pat after having a starting rotation that is 1 of the worst in the Majors.

Busch Leaguer

July 27th, 2012
8:33 pm

Plan C will likely involve Wren going “Hat in Hand” to Dempster and offering a $$weetener to approve the trade to the Braves. The Braves offer to the Cubs is much better than the Dodgers offer.Time to grovel Frank.

Mark. (another one)

July 27th, 2012
8:39 pm

How about JJ and Medlen swapping roles? Or, how about Medlen as a starter, Delgado as the bullpen bridge, and JJ in AAA? Hudson, Sheets, Hanson, Medlen and Minor is a pretty good starting five.

Busch Leaguer

July 27th, 2012
8:48 pm

As long as Frank is signing cast -offs, go re-sign Rick Ankiel . The Nats released him today. Gives Frank a cheap alternative when Bourn hits the yellow brick road next year.

Braves Suck

July 27th, 2012
8:51 pm

getting real tired of crappy braves not living up to their billing. when will hanson become a true ace? will he ever? dude is so slow to the plate that even bengie molia could swipe home on him.

Mike

July 27th, 2012
9:10 pm

Did Zack sign a contract extension? I have 0 problem with not selling the possible future again for a few starts.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:14 pm

Folks — been working on a rewrite that I just posted. Feel free to weigh in on it. Sorry haven’t been commenting on game but column took priority. Will check with you shortly.

Officenthesky

July 27th, 2012
9:16 pm

I keep hearing about the Teixeira trade as if it is the sole reason the Braves are hesitant to give up prospects in a trade but I think it is only part of it. Don’t forget it was only a couple seasons prior that we traded a prospect named Adam Wainwright for JD Drew. That has to be a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that focuses on starting pitching.

GFJacket

July 27th, 2012
9:21 pm

DO NOT MORTGAGE the future for a rentaplayer again. If you can’t guarantee he will sign a long term deal, then go with what you have. Heck, put Teheran, Delgado, and Medlen in the starting rotation now and let them learn on the job. Look at what Glavine did back in 1988 – 1990. Look at what he did the next 8 years.

Sonny Clusters

July 27th, 2012
9:24 pm

That is some good writing, Jeff, but what good is another pitcher when the team has so many holes? There is a big hole at the bottom of the order with Uggla and the light hitting new shortsop whose name we have not yet bothered to learn. If they was going to start a career minor leaguer why not Constanza and bat him ninth before Bourn? Then they could let Prado play second and jettison Uggla like they clean out a submarine. By the way, 1 earned run in 18 innings means after 3 starts Sheets is already the ace of the staff.

Jimbo fisher

July 27th, 2012
9:24 pm

You mean the Miami marlins, not florida

chris

July 27th, 2012
9:24 pm

Its a shame a terrible shame to watch management screw up another season. The way I look at it if we cant get an arm start looking for a bat or three..shit, we can’t win 2-1 or even 5-4 anymore with this pitching staff- might as well win 12-10 every night….GO GET SOMETHING please before the deadline..or if we don’t and miss the playoffs Wren should be fired…THIS is unforgivable you hang on to a kid who has not shown squat and you’re “hoping” he turns into a major league pitcher–and toss Chipper’s last season down the toilet. I’ve been patient on Wren, read these blogs that have called for his head and not jumped on that train but Im purchasing my ticket if we miss playoffs this year because of his as Jeff puts it “pry my prospect from my cold dead fingers” approach……It’s definitely getting old.

TeheranTime

July 27th, 2012
9:25 pm

See, I don’t see trading your top infield prospect and two minor league pitchers for a guy who has ever done a whole lot for a winning team, who just had to take ten days off and would require mortgaging your future to get. Maybe I am wrong in it, but I wouldn’t do it.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:28 pm

Clusters — I live in short-sleeves, my friend. No Popeye arms however since I cycled off the juice.

kral

July 27th, 2012
9:29 pm

yeh, do you you have the guts to come on at this moment and comment on Sheets…how about predict his future..how about predict ..ohh the ell with you j-man..I am wasting my time..you have been managing..gming…. playing pro baseball teams a lot longer than me..oh you are just a fan..excuse me I ALMOST THOUGHT YOU KNEW WHAT the ell your were talking about..sorry ..go to a football blog and tell them how to coach a team.. keep trying you may get lucky and get something right before the fact

Delbert D.

July 27th, 2012
9:30 pm

Wren has been frozen in that pose for, what, 2 months? The guy next to him hasn’t moved either.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:30 pm

Mark (another one) — Very possible that Medlen is headed for the rotation.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:33 pm

Clusters (on Uggla) — Offense generally isn’t a problem on this team, despite Uggla’s dreadful season.

chris

July 27th, 2012
9:33 pm

well guess we better go get some bats…three or four ….not going to be able to win 3-2 or 5-4 games…itll be 12-10 might as well outslug em……….. just saying == we won’t be out pitching em.

kral

July 27th, 2012
9:34 pm

AND CORRECT MY GRAMMAR BEFORE YOU LEAVE ..I’M SURE YOU ARE ALSO A QUASI ..ENGLISH TEACHER..sorry about the caps..but some people deserve them j who thinks he is the man

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:35 pm

Ben Sheets: 6 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 4 strikeouts, 94 pitches. … Guy has been amazing. In three starts. Three HIGH quality starts. He has allowed one run in 18 innings.

Gray Holt

July 27th, 2012
9:35 pm

Ol’ Ben is looking great…

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
9:35 pm

Hey Schultz, Uggla has stunk while in Atlanta in fact if you dont count that 30 game hitting streak he had last year is is batting under .200 as a Brave. Can we bench him or send him to the Minors like we did Kawakami when he underperformed?

Delbert D.

July 27th, 2012
9:36 pm

Uggla’s OBP is similar to Heyward’s. The pitchers prefer to walk him a lot.

Brooks

July 27th, 2012
9:37 pm

Agenda for 2012-2013 offseason:
1. NEW OWNERSHIP
2. fire wren (do like what the hawks are doing)
3. Sign josh Hamilton and a top starting pitcher (like the angles with pujos and Wilson)
4. Resign bourn and McCann
5. Chipper for manager 2013???? (hey, a man can dream…)

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
9:37 pm

With Janish and Uggla in the lineup you only have 6 dependable bats in this line-up. Also how did Uggla start in the All-Star game SMH

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
9:38 pm

I’m glad your finally attacking Liberty media

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:39 pm

Crowd chanting “U-S-A”. … Did we beat Bolivia in something?

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:40 pm

J-Man — Sure, Braves could bench Uggla or send him to minors. But you still have to pay him.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:42 pm

Random comment: It’s strange to look down at first four batters in Phillies lineup tonight and see .253 (Rollins), .253 (Victorino), .257 (Utley) and .244 (Howard).

Mike

July 27th, 2012
9:42 pm

Jeff,

I’m not kidding when I say this but I think Atlanta is off the hook in terms of all Olympic celebrations forever. London managed to squeeze in a Mr. Brean/Chariots of Fire live act.

Mike

July 27th, 2012
9:42 pm

Mr. Bean even.

FSUBrave

July 27th, 2012
9:43 pm

wren is doing what his mastah’s tell him to

G

July 27th, 2012
9:45 pm

Venters is a train wreck. This team better score 6 runs a game. They can’t pitch

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:45 pm

Mike — I also heard London’s mascot actually worse than “Izzy” if that’s possible.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
9:46 pm

Schultz no the Crowd just like “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan that why their chanting U-S-A.
But at this point you would think it would be more beneficial to just have Uggla bat out of the line-up with the way he is going. Maybe a trip to the Minors could benefit him. I fear were seeing another Nate McClouth situation. But batting .100 since June is unacceptable and he leads the Majors in strike outs so he isnt even giving you productive contact outs like a Janish gives you. I think Pastornicky or Constanza with Prado @ 2nd deserves a chance to start.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:47 pm

Venters strikes out Ryan Howard with bases loaded. Still 6-1.

Mister Frisky

July 27th, 2012
9:48 pm

Braves are irrelevant to the games best players.When they sign a 20 million $ a year regular, then I know they want to win.Until then it’s the AJC as usual doing the bidding for Wren.They were never close to getting anyone to put them over the top.More of the Janish and Wilson’s from the dumpster to come.

Brooks

July 27th, 2012
9:50 pm

Doesn’t liberty cheapskate media know that you have to spend some money to make some. Imagine how many more people would be at the park watching the game if we had superstars like pujols and Hamilton in the field and in the lie up. I’m no business major, heck I’m only in high school but obviously liberty only cares about there money, and I’m showing them how to make even more..

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
9:52 pm

Mister Frisky — I do hereby take personal responsibility for every bad thing that has ever happened to the Braves, and also traffic and Spaghetti-os — those are my fault too.

Zach Irwin

July 27th, 2012
9:54 pm

There are usually consequences for trying to contend for a championship on the cheap.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
9:55 pm

Well your invention Speghetti O’s makes up for all the bad things youve ever done in fact you can now kick a puppy and you would still have extra Karma points left. I love Sphegetti O’s

Buddman1939

July 27th, 2012
9:58 pm

Can not wait for Big Ben to finish his spring training. Then look out. Number ONE starter.

Josh

July 27th, 2012
9:59 pm

This team needs a left handed starter and bench help. I truely believe James Shields would be much better for the Braves than Dempster and possibly even Greinke if they can lock him up for a couple of years. Plus, he is a proven big game pitcher unlike Dempster or Greinke. Make it happen Wren. Lets get real without a guy like Shields and another right handed bat this team is going nowhere in the playoffs.

kral

July 27th, 2012
9:59 pm

mister frickasee you and j man have provided much inspiration and hair-pulling ..lately..and idiot blogs ..THANK-YOU

l jones

July 27th, 2012
10:00 pm

Only an idiot would trade Tehran for a two month rent a player.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:02 pm

Hey Kral you have provided nothing of any merit and add no positive quality whatsoever to any post you ever post……….
SPANK YOU

Andy

July 27th, 2012
10:02 pm

Julio Teheran is looking like he might be a bust. Take a look at hims numbers this year. He is destined to start next year at AAA again. That will be 3 years at AAA. How many guys do that and go on to have great careers? I would trade him in a second for Josh Johnson along with 1 or 2 other middling prospects. .

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:03 pm

People who come to Turner Field…..notice I did not say baseball fans……are just clueless when it comes to understanding how to act at baseball games. They continue to insult all true baseball fans in Chicago, St. Louis, New York, Boston, San Francisco and other place where they actually go to watch…..baseball being played. If Braves fans are not texting in a key inning, they are doing the wave on a 3-2 count with the bases loaded, or trying to look at themselves on camera phones and waving at their freinds at home, or trying to make a business deal…..or impressing the new girl at the office…..or chanting USA USA USA…..but…..most of the time…they simply have no idea what the ball strike count is or what inning it is…..or even who is pitching for the Braves. Braves fans were great in the old Fulton County Stadium….when most knew recognized such names at Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Johnny Bench, Wade Boggs, and etc……and actually watch the games. Today….they would think those people were members of a law firm. I do not miss going to games at Turner Field. I remember going to the WS in the mid 90s and Smoltz was pitching in a duel vs. the Yankees……and the count was 3-2 with the bases loaded. I stood up to cheer Smoltz on….and the people behind me said….”You need to sit down….we can’t see where the peanut man is.” I will never ever forget that. I did not know at the time that they would clone themselves and become most of the current Braves fans at the ballpark these days.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
10:03 pm

J-Man– I loved Spaghetti-Os when my birthdays were in single digits. Not since 9.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
10:05 pm

Andy — I’m not ready to declare Teheran a bust or a future Cy Young winners. He’s a prospect. A great prospect, but just a prospect.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:05 pm

We still need a real starting pitcher because Hanson, Jurrjens, and Minor are awful to inconsistant. And even Huddy seems to throw a stinker every 3rd start

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:06 pm

Andy….

Braves management would make that trade as well…right now…..but the GM for the Marlins would fall out of his chair laughing at the Wren……and even a louder laugh while reading your post.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:06 pm

Hey I grew up on them and when your a 20-something single bachelor then their truly the food of kings.

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:08 pm

Jeff….

If the kid is such a great prospect in your opinion….then why is he getting pounded in his second year at the AAA level. If he is hurt, then that is something else. If not, then I would say he is in a big downward move towards being a bust. Have you seen him pitch at Gwinnett lately? If so, what is his deal….in your opinion….or based on what you have heard from anyone in the Braves system or on the AJC?

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:09 pm

Ok Schultz if your gonna call out the Fans for chanting U-S-A then you gott to definately call them out for doing the “Wave”

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:10 pm

J-MAN….

I am not 20 something…..and I have no clue what you just posted (meaning or sense wise). Are you at the ballpark texting or something?

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:10 pm

Newsflash——Prospects do not make it to the Bigs or have the impact people thought they would.
Remember George Lombard, Wilson Betemit, and Andy Marte

Don Waddell

July 27th, 2012
10:11 pm

The Braves are moving in the right direction.

Norman Cochran

July 27th, 2012
10:12 pm

The only way for Atlanta Braves to get any better is get another owner! One who cares about winning and willing to do what is necessary to win. Right now the team is nothing more than a tax write off for them!!

one for all

July 27th, 2012
10:12 pm

GM Wrenn dont let the mudslingers get to you. Set a plan. Build through drafting and development. Okay. Stick to your plan. Next year when the money frees up, spend cash wisely. Dont blow it on the wrong players. Braves have great young team. Be patient. Fill needs in off season as easy as now.

kral

July 27th, 2012
10:12 pm

I am sorry j-man not into spanking..but your quality of blogs are unquestionable of high merit..pat your self on the back..ell you have raised my level of respect for people who say a lot of stuff about things in which in reality they do not have a clue about

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:14 pm

TampaGator: Schultz was talking about Speghetti O’s and the Fans chanting USA randomly on at the game. But its ok your from Tampa I’ll let it slide.

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:15 pm

I am amazed by Ben Sheets….what a pick up he has been. I hope he continues to pitch well….and the Braves have enough sense to put Medlen into the rotation very soon. In all honestly, I would rather have Medlen than Shields from Tampa. He has not been a consistent starter this year for the Rays. He has been like a box of chocolates this year.

Dawg'88

July 27th, 2012
10:17 pm

For once Schultz hits a homerun here. He is spot on with his analysis and has every right and reason to rip Wren and the Braves front office here. When indeed will the Braves ever worry about now…instead of later.

If no move is made to shore up this staff, then they are thumbing their nose at the fans, the team and most of all Chipper. All deserve better than these wait til later philosophies.

Lets be blunt here…when Chipper goes and possibly McCann as well as Bourn (and thats looking like a good possibility because the Braves are cheap), then there won’t be a team good enough to have those young starters pitch for to win.

But most of all….Chipper deserves better. He stuck it out with this organization and sacrificed more than the majority of major league players do normally. Too bad the Braves don’t want to return the favor.

Wait til next year? When will next year actually mean something?

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:17 pm

I also do not have access to the game….I am watching opening night in London…and following the Gamecast on ESPN….and they were making fun of the Braves fans as well.

Delaware Dawg

July 27th, 2012
10:18 pm

Since we can’t trade for another starter – KRIS MEDLEN is the answer. Let’s bring him into the rotation as 4th starter, move Minor into 5th and roll to take the division! Go Braves!

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:18 pm

Its ok Kral its not your fault you mom could write the name Carl on your birth certificate correctly. And your name sounds like flem hacked up by a chain-smoking tuberculosis patient. So I forgive you and your bitter ways.

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
10:19 pm

Braves win. Braves win. Braves win.

mace224

July 27th, 2012
10:19 pm

Hey we got Miguel Batista. Nobody should EVER complain this team doesn’t have minority representation.

Justin

July 27th, 2012
10:19 pm

I say we move Medlin to the rotation and trade for Wade Davis.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:20 pm

Jeff Schultz

July 27th, 2012
10:20 pm

Nationals are losing 6-0 to Milwaukee in 7th. If that stays, Braves will pick up a game and sit 4 back in the East.

Delaware Dawg

July 27th, 2012
10:20 pm

TampaGator – go back to sand land you troll. Can’t wait for my Bulldogs to come down and trounce your gator snouts this fall.

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:21 pm

How many times has Janish walked since he arrived? It seems he walks once, twice, or three times in every game he plays…..and he plays excellent defense. That was a great trade by Wren…to fill in for Simmons. You got to give him credit for that move so far.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:22 pm

Can the Nationals finally lose a game. It seems like they win 2 games a day.

Plate Appearance

July 27th, 2012
10:22 pm

APPLAUDING FRANK WREN

I don’t consider not trading for Greinke a whiff. He was far too expensive for the Braves budget and would have been a liability in building future squads — from a financial standpoint.

I applaud you Frank, for showing restraint!

Ben Sheets is our Greinke!

Well done!

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:22 pm

Opps…..a rude and insulting Dawg fan just arrived….using highly immaginative and never used before adjectives to describe me. So impressive.

Trey

July 27th, 2012
10:22 pm

Wren needs to stop being a hoarder. He’s going to wind up on Hoarders. Wren is worthless.

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:23 pm

Plate….

But he needs to tell Gonzalez to put Medlen into the rotation…..and he will become our Dempster.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:24 pm

@ Tampa I agree I like Janish. He atleast gets on base. Granted he cant hit for anything but he works the count everytime. Way better than Jack Wilson.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:25 pm

Wait your gonna give praise for Wren doing nothing……..Then hell I deserve praise because I’ve made as many moves to improve the Braves as Wren has????????

TampaGator

July 27th, 2012
10:25 pm

Braves win….Braves win…..and burry the Phils a little deeper in the Clearwater training “sand” a little deeper…….Did you like that creative pun….Dawg fan? See ya…..

kral

July 27th, 2012
10:26 pm

braves win and dang they beat the 100 million dollar man..sweet ..sorry jay..I know this does not contribute to the quality of blogs..but everyone can not live up to your high standards

collegedude

July 27th, 2012
10:27 pm

Good to see that the AJC is finally picking up on what has been obviously wrong with the Braves for the last 3 years. Wren has to go for the Braves to have a chance again.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:28 pm

Wow I’m looking at the Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers and he has a 1.77 ERA in 10 starts including shutting the Nats down tonight

kral

July 27th, 2012
10:29 pm

and it was the hated phillies..try to enjoy the victory jay…oh..nevermind

Teddy B

July 27th, 2012
10:31 pm

Miguel Batista huh…I see. Didn’t he strike out Babe Ruth one time? I think he’s old enough to have done it. Well, GJ Wren we’re all set for the stretch, thanx.

Guess the one bright spot is Ben Sheetz. The guy is doing awesome, now only if we had 3,4 more of him

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:31 pm

Its ok Kral you try at least and you do well for someone whos mom misspelled Carl on you birth certificate. And even though you name sounds like something hacked froma chain-smoking tuberculosis patient at least you try little buddy. And hey who knows maybe you will one day write something that has merit. I rooting for you little buddy.

Columbus

July 27th, 2012
10:33 pm

Not getting as old and your negativity Schultz. We can county on your consistency. Even if they fail to make a deal at least the Braves try to make changes and do a better job….you have no room to criticize the Braves…NONE

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:35 pm

I enjoy every victory I just remember last year as well. But Kral maybe you can one day be able to change your name to Carl. Instead of having a name that sounds like something a chain-smoking Scotsman drinking some expired mike hacked up…….

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:36 pm

chultz is 100% right the Braves needed to make a move and chose to stand pat.

Billy

July 27th, 2012
10:37 pm

About time someone from AJC called out Wren.

farm system is not worth a damn if you never get anything for them and they stay on the farm.
To get something you got to give value for value.Get off you a@@ FW and get Johnson are Shields.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:37 pm

Schultz is 100% right the Braves needed to make a move and chose to stand pat

Big Crimson 75

July 27th, 2012
10:40 pm

Damn , I wish Beachy didn’t get hurt!!
Get use to Ben Sheets doing this. The guy was a quality pitcher in Milwaukee.
Sheets, Hanson & hudson give us 3 good arms for the Postseason.
Jair Jurghens is costing this Team badly.
With Beachy, we’d be set.
Go Braves
Roll Tide

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
10:44 pm

I wonder if the Padres would trade Edinson Volezquez. Has a good ERA and eats up a bunch of innings

CSP

July 27th, 2012
10:44 pm

Wasn’t Sheets the First Pitcher pursued? And isn’t that working out pretty well? So get off Frank’s sack…

kral

July 27th, 2012
10:48 pm

that was funny j..you sound like you would enjoy every win…man they were hard to come by in the ’70s..I may have a little scottish blood..smartess guess you have made all night..but whose to judge..I mean you work for a professional baseball org..right..dang seems like one of us is flim and one is flam..dang first time I WAS EVER glad I was spit

Don

July 27th, 2012
10:49 pm

So you really want to trade several of your top prospects for a 2 month rental of a starter that might get 12 starts in before the end of the year, we cannot afford to re-sign, and does not perform well under pressure because of a well documented anxioty disorder?? Thank goodness none of you are the GM.

BrandonLee49

July 27th, 2012
10:50 pm

With The Dodgers Wasting their efforts on Hanley Ramirez, that hardly leaves any funds avail for Dempster. So unless Demp would rather Stay in Chicago.. you Kiddin me!!!, I don’t see that deal coming… Demp isn’t thrilled about the Prospect of being a Brave, but his other Choices just dried up. There are of course Other Options for Wren to make a move on or dismiss. Dempster is Not our Best Choice, so Wren may be perfectly content on Waiting until that Better Fit comes along, and it may be over the Winter, which I would Prefer, rather than throwing Good after Notsogood with Dempster, Let’s face Facts… Neither Dempster nor Greinke, Nor Iron Man is gonna make the Braves into a World Series Contender. Sure, in the Best of All Worlds, THe Braves pick up a Top Starter And a Power-hitting Outfileder, but That’s Worse than Obama’s “Dream”Scheme.. Frankly it isn’t Reality… So Chill-out… Celebrate a Nice WIN Tonight, McCann, and Sheets provided high Quality Performances, very Nice Game !!!!

kral

July 27th, 2012
10:53 pm

and you j ..you know rhyme with a word ..sounds like spit..smells like..dang I LOWERED the overall quality of this blog again..when will I ever learn..to late

Biff Henderson

July 27th, 2012
10:56 pm

It’s amusing to me to read about how the Braves are afraid to part with prospects to try to win now when the same crowd saying this also chastised the Braves for making that Teixeira trade a few years ago. You can’t have it both ways. If you’re gonna constantly ride them for the Teixeira trade and bring that up at every turn, you can’t really turn around and blast them for never wanting to trade prospects for a rental player. Sure, a guy like Greinke could possibly be signed to a contract extension, but that was also the thinking with Teixeira at the time the trade was made.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but at least try to have some consistency with the core principle of your argument.

John Schuerholz

July 27th, 2012
10:56 pm

Kyle

July 27th, 2012
10:57 pm

Great article. We need more stories like this concerning Atlanta sports and calling out these bums that run the teams….into the ground. To sit here and hold on to players that you think might be something one day and pass up the ones that you know are good just shows Wren is a stupid SOB.

JC Boscan III

July 27th, 2012
10:57 pm

Maybee Franck Renn wood peigh morr atension two theeze blogz iff posturs wood mayke sum smalle atimpt too spel korrectkly. Jusst ann opinyon.

john

July 27th, 2012
10:58 pm

Wondering if Jeff and all his followers are Yankees! Braves are looking good and all I see here is bitching bitching bitching. You people need to find something else to bitch about—sick of it. GO BRAVES!.

kral

July 27th, 2012
11:02 pm

and by the way no offense to JS..no one is ever 100% right …lived long enough to know that

Mister Frisky

July 27th, 2012
11:04 pm

J-Man,Kral is Lobosolo in disguise.

david

July 27th, 2012
11:05 pm

Looks like Wren did OK by Signing Sheets. Nobody give him credit for that move.

kral

July 27th, 2012
11:05 pm

Good-night j..hate I might have offended you at some point…cause i saw from your blogs you are sensitive to others..hope you do not have to spank yourself

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:05 pm

I bet he is lobosolo in drag lol

kral

July 27th, 2012
11:11 pm

mr. frickasee I AM NOBODY IN DISGUISE..and for you to blog something about me to a 2nd party after all the crap I have directed at you after all the crap you have spouted on blogs..in the south it is called chicken snit ..give or take a letter..if you want to address my comments to you or j..so be it..but do not go 2nd party..that is gutlees

Delbert D.

July 27th, 2012
11:12 pm

Liberty Media. Is there anybody in charge, or are the Braves being run in automatic by QuickBooks Pro?

MJinATL

July 27th, 2012
11:13 pm

I know everybody is going to blame Wren, but we are a mid market team. Liberty Media doesn’t view us an asset to invest in, plus no mega TV contracts in the next decade or so, and once our TV deal is up for renewal its not going to be for much money because those billion dollar TV deals are gonna go by the wayside by the time we are eligible for one

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:14 pm

Ok Kral I dont even need to respond to your lunacy. All you have is lame insults and you cannot even come up with a decent retort. I think everybody knows you are just psychologically inadequate to engage in a verbal debate with me. Just like your physically inadequate to be able to satisfy a woman.
At the end of the day your just inadequate in every way.

And that is how you finish it off with a rhyme, little man.

Dawg Whisperer

July 27th, 2012
11:16 pm

Jeff… when you ante up the $100,000,000 to pay these absurd contracts, Wren will be happy to make the deal. Until then, your belly-aching is getting old.

Mister Frisky

July 27th, 2012
11:17 pm

Kral you are a complete Amateur!I will forget more about Brave baseball than you will ever know.Good Night Now.

Peanut gallery

July 27th, 2012
11:18 pm

The Braves are owned by Liberty Media.

Liberty Media doesn’t give a flip about the World Series if it costs them too much.

Frank Wren can’t say his bosses are cheap.

Skeezix

July 27th, 2012
11:22 pm

Never been a Wren fan. I just think the man is in over his head. But I’m a Braves fan first and so I hope he rises to this challenge and gets us a quality starter. Adding a top flight starter to Hudson, Minor, and Sheets could be the difference maker. Without another starter…………well, that would just be disappointing. Josh Johnson would be awesome! Medlen deserves a shot and I hope he gets it soon.

But what to do about Uggla. The man is completely lost.

What’s with signing Batista? Don’t get it.

Let us give FW credit for taking a chance on Sheets and Durbin. Both good pick ups (that I was skeptical about at first).

LostCasue

July 27th, 2012
11:24 pm

Guys it is a business and the Braves don’t have Turner backing Wren. He is working with what he has room to work. I for one am glad he hasn’t made the stupid moves. A two month rental is useless to give up ML caliber pitchers. Trade Hanson and get some of the other teams top prospects. Minor and Delgado are still kids! Let the grow up and enjoy the ride, remember 1988-89? Patience, patience, patience!

LostCasue

July 27th, 2012
11:25 pm

Enter your comments here

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:26 pm

I think the Braves need 2 starters because of Hanson’s inconsistancy, to go with Minor and Jurrjens. Now we could add Medlen but we still need somebody else.

Colt

July 27th, 2012
11:29 pm

Ok, so Greinke is gone, but Wren shouldn’t stop looking, and he won’t. Did anyone see Brewers pitchers Mike Fiers tonight? He shut down the Nats, and while his record is only 4-4, his ERA is 1.77. In fact, over his last eight starts, Fiers has gone six or more innings and only given up five runs. This guy is good, and he’s gotta be affordable for Wren and Limited Liberty Media’s pocketbook. Go get him.

kral

July 27th, 2012
11:30 pm

yes sir when you call someone out who says things that they state as the gospel..you are so sexually inadequate..might wonder how you have 7 grand-children..that’s the problem frickassee..your forgot so much baseball..you now have become an authority..bless you..how dare anyone question your knowledge.I mean you know exactly how much baseball I have forgotten..well there is one thing about bb you need to remember ..if you think think you have the answers to this amazing game you are truly a fool..typical frickasee. insult someone and run

tony

July 27th, 2012
11:30 pm

mad hell frank wren sucks no balls time you go sick rejects gm cant make trade

Casey

July 27th, 2012
11:30 pm

Thank God Jeff Schultz is not Braves GM.

Casey

July 27th, 2012
11:33 pm

Yes! Let’s all throw a temper tantrum like 4 year old children. Because, Greinke is the last pitcher on the planet. Oh wait! He is not! There are at least 15 pitchers out there who are available and as good as Greinke or Josh Johnson.

bart

July 27th, 2012
11:34 pm

Cheap shot Jeff – there are only a few pitchers available. We’ve rented too many players in the past at great expense with little to show for it.

braveshoo

July 27th, 2012
11:37 pm

The braves for once made the right move. We cant afford to sign Greinke long term, so he would have been a rental only. Move Medlen into the rotation, and Delgado to the pen, and send JJ to AAA. That rotation will get us in the playoffs without mortgaging our future. If we are only a wildcard and not the division champ, I’ll take Sheets as our 1 game playoff starter. He just beat the 144 million main man of the Phillies. Manage the team we have, and lets see what we can do. This isnt “fantasy ” baseball.

Alaska Braves Fan

July 27th, 2012
11:40 pm

Those of you who are so over-the-top critical of Frank Wren: If it were in my power to give you the opportunity to function as a General Manager by committee, I would. (Well, not really; I’m not into intentional disasters.) Please compare the Braves stats with those of the rest of the NL. Just how bad is FW? Actually, he’s very, very good. I don’t always agree with him, but very often, he is proven to be correct. Also, many of you contemplate moves that require unlimited funds, and have no sense of how that plays out overall. Wren – any actual GM – doesn’t have that luxury.

In a few words: You’re not competent to criticize the work of an MLB GM!!

ABF

Fed Up With Liberty

July 27th, 2012
11:41 pm

The blame isn’t on Wren.

It’s on cheap ownership that leaves him with arms and legs tied.

LIBERTY MEDIA, SELL THE TEAM!

Breaking News

July 27th, 2012
11:42 pm

This breaking news was just received from the Associated Press: In a effort to improve the Braves rotation and put the Braves in a position to go deep into the post season, GM Frank Wren announced the signing of Derek Lowe.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:42 pm

Well Kral Im here. And Im not afraid to talk and run. I see you can you the cpoy and paste feature on the computer because there is no way you spelled inadequate on your own. But instead of the useless dribble that we got going on lets actually debate.

I think its a mistake for Frank Wren to hold on to the Prospects when he is loaded with starting pitching prospects and will have plenty of money freed up next season, to sign a Grienke type player long term along with Bourn.

phil

July 27th, 2012
11:42 pm

This nickel and dime crap is the reason I have not paid for a ticket in two years. They don’t even try to compete. In a market like Atlanta, the payroll is a joke. It appears they are more concerned about selling high priced tickets too the fans of the team that is visiting Turner Field.

Breaking News

July 27th, 2012
11:45 pm

More news from the AP: After an extensive and lengthy analysis completed by the AP’s expert sports journalists, it has been determined that Liberty Media does indeed suck.

kral

July 27th, 2012
11:45 pm

part of that was for frick..you know he was one time baseball commish..and part was for j the reknown sexual therapist..he may can cure you on a blog..if not he can at least diagnose your problems right here on a blog and the rates are free..as JS would say WOO WHOOO

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:45 pm

Well Kral Im here. And Im not afraid to talk and run. I see you can use you the copy and paste feature on the computer (I can as well lol) because there is no way you spelled inadequate on your own. But instead of the useless dribble that we got going on lets actually debate.

I think its a mistake for Frank Wren to hold on to the Prospects when he is loaded with starting pitching prospects and will have plenty of money freed up next season, to sign a Grienke type player long term along with Bourn

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:47 pm

Kral I dont care about Frisky and if he is a sexual therapist. I challenged you to an intelligent debate over Wren not making the trade to get Grienke.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:48 pm

Now are you gonna debate me or are you gonna keep throwing out insults and avoiding the issue.

mace224

July 27th, 2012
11:53 pm

I thought Disney already did own this team.

NorCal Brave

July 27th, 2012
11:53 pm

I don’t think it’s a catastrophe we didn’t get Greinke; puzzling though that Angels only had to give two AA players and a promising SS.

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:56 pm

The Braves have 24 million freed up with Lowe and Chipper coming off the books
They will have 6 million freed up when they DFA Jurrjens= 30 million
Bourn makes right at 7 million =37 million
Diaz makes 2.5 mil = 39.5 mil
Hinske makes 1.5 mil= 41 mil
McCann has a 12 million dollar opt makes 11.5 million with 500k buyout= 52.5 million or 40.5 mil
Hudson makes 9 million and has a 9 million option so =52.5 or 40.5 mil if option declined 61.5 or 49.5 million available.

So the Braves will have plenty of money to spend if they keep the same payroll as this year.

the truth...

July 27th, 2012
11:58 pm

Jeff…………this column makes me sick…………..

For once Wren is doing it right….with a little help from the Angels and maybe Dempster himself.

We need NO MORE RENTALS……………

Period……

J-MAN

July 27th, 2012
11:59 pm

Ok Kral you talked about Mister Frisky insulting you and running well I challenged you to a debate and your no where to be found……………
Are you really so psychologically inadequate to where you cannot even debate your point?

kral

July 28th, 2012
12:02 am

j you have and opinion..well many do on how the braves are run..the difference between me and you is I do not propose to know more than the people involved in the day to day operation of the braves..you want to debate..how can either us debate truthfully about the what the braves should do..when it comes to that we are both sexually inadequate so to speak..you see blogging as a forum to throw out opinions..I see it as people getting and opportunity to rip people with very little recourse involved..I personally would not tell you what the braves should do…I just like to call out bloggers who seem to to think they have more knowledge than they have forgotten.. you might say wow..you want discuss it with..and I would say yeh..it is fruitless we neither know what we are talking about

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
12:04 am

@J-MAN

Baseball Rules from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_transactions

A player who is outrighted to the minors is removed from the 40-man roster but is still paid according to the terms of his guaranteed contract…

So DFA’ing JJ will not relieve us of his contract….still have to pay him….

George

July 28th, 2012
12:05 am

I agree with all of you in the idea that we MUST get an impact starting pitcher. I am holding back judgement until Tuesday though before I blast Wren for failing to make an impact move. Let’s look back to last year when we were in need for an impact bad. It was a very similar situation. The Phillies acquired Hunter Pence on a Friday night (deadline was Sunday) and a lot of Braves fans, myself included, began to bash Wren for missing out again. Wren moved on to the next day to acquire Michael Bourn (without giving up any major prospects) and now we have one of the best centerfielders in baseball.

So I say let’s wait until Tuesday before we lead the cavalry to Turner Field looking for Wren. He made an impact move last year when no one saw it coming after Pence was dealt, let’s hope it happens again.

If any of you have noticed, the Braves camp has gotten eerily quiet since the Dempster deal came out. They weren’t considered to be one of the finalists for Greinke if you listen to the post-trade reports. Wren knows we need a SP so it makes me think he is on to something and not letting anyone know, much like the Rangers have been quiet in the last few days. Let’s just all reserve judgement until Tuesday at 4:01 pm.

braveshoo

July 28th, 2012
12:08 am

Although I would prefer moving Medlen into the rotation and keeping our prospects, if the Braves do trade for a starter, I would rather it be Josh Johnson or James Shields. Johnson is under control through 2013, and Shields is under control through 2014, and both will cost less than half the cost of Greinke per year even if you could resign him.

kral

July 28th, 2012
12:08 am

excuse the grammar but I GUESS you could say we should get this player or fire this person..go for it..but ..you might one day be proven right..I SEE both sides of things and tend to dislike people who see or are sure about what they see..when actually they might as well have their back turned to it

Casey

July 28th, 2012
12:11 am

@J-MAN “But instead of the useless dribble that we got going on lets actually debate.”

The word is drivel. Open a dictionary.

Space Monkey

July 28th, 2012
12:11 am

It’s all about the TV contract. Wren knows he has to keep prospects and pray they pan out. Otherwise this team will quickly turn into a AAAA club. We can’t afford quality free agents because of the TV contract, which doesn’t expire for 20 more years. Say goodbye to Bourn. Prado or Simmons will be our leadoff man next year, and we will revert to being the slowest team in the Majors.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
12:12 am

@ the Truth Im well aware that we have to pay Jurrjens for this season but if the DFA Jurrjens before arbritration then they are off the hook to not have to pay him next season and since Jurrjens makes 6 million THIS season. We wont have to pay that NEXT season. But thats cute that you sent me a wikipedia short-cut.

CrimsonTide84

July 28th, 2012
12:13 am

I tell you this right here…. the Braves would be top pick to win the World Series if Nick Saban were in charge. He would cut the non performers and sign guys to replace them. Bank it, book it, count on it! RTR

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
12:15 am

Well Casey I stand corrected ok thank you very much but unlike Kral I can admit when I make a mistake.
I want to debate Frank Wren not making the Grienke trade. Either debate me or just admit defeat.

Casey

July 28th, 2012
12:17 am

@NorCal Brave “puzzling though that Angels only had to give two AA players and a promising SS.”

ONLY. How many AA players and young SS would be too much for you to give up in return for getting a pitcher for 2 months?

Thank god you are not the Braves GM.

G

July 28th, 2012
12:18 am

Wren is terrible… Kawakami, Uggla, no starting pitching… Remember he is the guy who was fine with this staff in training camp. A staff consisting of Hudson coming off surgery, Hanson ad JJ having awful 2nd halfs, a rookie…

MasterDebater

July 28th, 2012
12:18 am

J-Man

What do you want to debate? Tell your side and I’ll debate you.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
12:22 am

I think its a mistake for Frank Wren to hold on to the Prospects when he is loaded with starting pitching prospects and will have plenty of money freed up next season, to sign a Grienke type player long term along with Bourn. Especially when you will have anywhere from 40.5 million to 61.5 million dollars available depending on the McCann and Hudson option of course.

Thats my point debate it.

MasterDebater

July 28th, 2012
12:22 am

I’ll most likely debate circles around any of you.

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
12:24 am

J-Man………..you are a piece of work……………..

NO RENTALS PERIOD

kral

July 28th, 2012
12:26 am

debate you about trade sure..what you want tell me that grienke is the answer..maybe fw tried to get him you do not have a clue as to what frank did or did not do..see you are supposing about something that you really do not have a real clue about..talk about inadequate..you believe everything you spout..but do not let reality hit you in the azz..are you a politician everything they say in a debate is so accurate

NO RENTALS

July 28th, 2012
12:27 am

Frank Wren please don’t trade Delgado.

and the truth… is right………

NO RENTALS

MasterDebater

July 28th, 2012
12:28 am

J-Man

I actually agree with you. I’d like to see the Braves go ahead and give up a prospect or two to get a proven starter, particularly if it’s a guy who will be around for more than just the final two months. You never know how prospects will turn out. People like to talk about the Teixeira trade and yes, the Braves did end up losing that trade. But if you go over the trades the Braves have made over the past twenty years, you can count on one hand the ones that ended up being stinkers in terms of giving up prospects that ended up being good players.

MasterDebater

July 28th, 2012
12:29 am

I would not have given up 3 of our top 9 prospects, which is what the Angels did, to get Greinke though unless I had some sort of assurance that he’d sign a contract extension.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
12:32 am

@ the Truth I dont believe in rentals but we have the money to have resigned Grienke long term. And the only reason the Teixera deal failed for the Braves was because the didnt resign Tex after making the deal.

kral

July 28th, 2012
12:33 am

no j here is what you do know to be a fact no big time pitcher has been added to the Braves..but you do not no what FW has tried to do..did do..or will not do..debate that

Komagawa

July 28th, 2012
12:33 am

Everyone has a right to an opinion. Schultz expressed his. I’m glad Mr. Wren doesn’t wake up every morning and look to see what Schultz’s advice on running the team is with his cupa Joe.

Rotunda moochelle maobammy

July 28th, 2012
12:39 am

Chump is as chump does.

1996

July 28th, 2012
12:41 am

We’ve had horrible experiences with rental players and have lost so many prospects along the way…Texeria, Sheffield, etc. etc. Those prospects have done well for other teams and our rentals were just journeymen. Wren though has not impressed…and I’m really more concerned about Freddi’s managing abilities and post game interviews!

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
12:42 am

Kral I know that FW has way better prospects to offer up for Grienke. I also know he got shafted by Dempster Wednesday which I dont blame him for but he didnt react and move on properly and go all in for Grienke like he could have. And what he has done is sign a 41 year old Miguel Batista…….Hell Livian Hernandez has more left in the tank than Batista. I also know he didnt make any moves to improve the team after choking a 10 1/2 game lead with 30 games left to go last year. So right now he has stood pat and done Nothing. Now maybe that can change with Josh Johnson trade but lets be honest the Braves are just gonna go trade for some KC Royal rejects again.

kral

July 28th, 2012
12:45 am

all you just stated is pure speculation..there are no facts in there at all..unless maybe your a personal asst. to the gm looking to climb over someones back

JASon

July 28th, 2012
12:47 am

“Braves, Wren whiff on Greinke — and this is getting old”

You whiffed on this article. We got sheets you moron

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
12:47 am

How is it speculation……….HAS WREN MADE ANY TRADES………YES OR NO?
Either you make a trade or you dont theres no speculation bout that.

Miles Davis

July 28th, 2012
12:49 am

That’s it. Wren has till Tuesday to prove to me that spending my money to come watch this team is worth it!

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
12:49 am

the Braves do NOT HAVE the money to pay $20-25 million dollars for a pitcher and have him represent 25% or our payroll…………

If Wren had the money he’d do whatever it took……you guys don’t know Jack…………the days of Ted and Jane are over gang…..

Not until Liberty Media sets the Braves free will it change…………..

So you can pontificate and berate Wren and company all you want….it is what it is…..

NO RENTALS

Really?

July 28th, 2012
12:50 am

It’s all Ted’s fault. I hope that goodwill games colorizing doosh is enjoying all that worthless aol stock.

kral

July 28th, 2012
12:56 am

it is not a question of whether he made a trade or not.. my point is you do not know what he has tried to do..so well your right no trades..damn good point..really…he did not do what you consider best for the team and the overall organ..maybe..shame on him ..wish I your abilities.will check later ..sorry to run out but grandkids coming in the morning..3 and under 1..but keep on j…persistence is good

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
12:56 am

Arent you tired of being in contention only to have a team out of steam in September.
3 years in a row this has happened.
Rockies beat us in 2009 because we didnt have enough pitching
2010 we make the playoffs but because Prado tore his oblique and D Lee and Glause were hurt along with Chipper.
2011 Our pitching sputtered out as D BLOWE kept going to the hill to lose games, and Hanson and Jurrjens were hurt.

Now in 2012 we have Huddy who is our Ace but now has a stinker game every 3 games.
Hanson now has an ERA near 5 and cant hold runners on.
Sheets has been amazing no doubt but he is still coming back from 2 TJ surgeries and its not fare to expect him to be the Ben Sheets of 2008, also cant go 100 pitches yet hopefully he will build his endurance up
Jurrjens has an ERA over 8 and has only 2 quality starts this season
Minor has an ERA over 5 and is near the league leaders in HRs allowed.
Delgado IMO is our 3rd best pitcher behing Sheets and Huddy and he is in the Minors
Teheran has an ERA over 5 in AAA

Yet after all of that your gonna tell me that the Braves dont need another starter??????

fsuboy

July 28th, 2012
12:56 am

my problem with all this . is that im tired off hearing about all these prospect we have but we never see them. sure we see them every once in a while. I think the braves will do nothing to help there teamand we might make a wildcard berth but will lose cause the team that beats us will be a team that took a chance on a trade. the cubs said today that they would eat all but 2 millions left on sorina of the cubs..sorry for the spellin.. BUT if i was the Braves i would get him and dempster to help the team.. WE dont need a untility player and bull pen help…Im tired of losing in the playoff…ITs hard to contnue to be a brave fan..I miss the days of TED..

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
12:58 am

Arent you tired of being in contention only to have a team out of steam in September.
3 years in a row this has happened.
Rockies beat us in 2009 because we didnt have enough pitching
2010 we make the playoffs but because Prado tore his oblique and D Lee and Glause were hurt along with Chipper we were ousted quickly by the Giants.
2011 Our pitching sputtered out as D BLOWE kept going to the hill to lose games, and Hanson and Jurrjens were hurt.

Now in 2012 we have Huddy who is our Ace but now has a stinker game every 3 games.
Hanson now has an ERA near 5 and cant hold runners on.
Sheets has been amazing no doubt but he is still coming back from 2 TJ surgeries and its not fare to expect him to be the Ben Sheets of 2008, also cant go 100 pitches yet hopefully he will build his endurance up
Jurrjens has an ERA over 8 and has only 2 quality starts this season
Minor has an ERA over 5 and is near the league leaders in HRs allowed.
Delgado IMO is our 3rd best pitcher behing Sheets and Huddy and he is in the Minors
Teheran has an ERA over 5 in AAA

Yet after all of that your gonna tell me that the Braves dont need another starter??????

extremus

July 28th, 2012
1:31 am

I’m thinking that Wren is hoping that he struck gold with the cheap pickup of Ben Sheets, and that it will ease the pain of if not justify the Braves’ lack of a more cost-intensive trade for a front-line pitcher. While so far Sheets has been excellent, he’s one man in a 5-man rotation, and outside of Hudson we frankly aren’t sure what to expect on a given outing.

The real holdup here isn’t merely Frank Wren; it’s the faceless Liberty Media ownership (you know, the one out of Denver that pays their CEO more than the entire Braves roster in a year). Put Wren in charge of personnel moves with say, the Yankees’ payroll and readiness to sign big names, and maybe folks wouldn’t be complaining so much about his seeming ineptitude. But since the ownership is faceless, the only visible person most Atlanta fans have to aim their anger and frustration at is Wren. I’ll be honest; I wouldn’t want his job, because Liberty will never allow him to make the deals needed to meet fan expectations as long as they own this team.

Casey

July 28th, 2012
1:53 am

@Brooks “4. Resign bourn and McCann”

You mean re-sign not resign. If you don’t know the difference, look it up. It is basically the opposite.

Have any of you graduated from high school?

Casey

July 28th, 2012
2:08 am

For all of you morons who keep blaming Liberty Media and saying they won’t spend any money, the Braves’ payroll is higher than Washington’s. Explain that. Or better yet, explain the fact that the Phillies have the second highest payroll in MLB, more than double the Braves or Nationals. The same goes for Boston. How about explaining why the Marlins’ payroll is $40 million higher than the Braves? What about the fact that Cincinnati has a lower payroll than the Braves and a better record?

If the payroll was the only thing that mattered, then the Yankees would win every game every year and we could all stop watching.

AND STOP WHINING YOU SORRY BUNCH OF LOSERS! The Braves are the 6th best team in baseball with 63 games left. We are only 5 games behind the best team in baseball.

Jon Warren

July 28th, 2012
2:18 am

Enter your comments here

IlliniBrave

July 28th, 2012
2:18 am

What is getting old is your constant b****ing about trading away long-term future potential for a short-term rental pitcher. You wanted Dumpster the baby? And Greinke – Mr. Anxiety Disorder? You seem to want to give away the farm – aka Texiera – and yet Wren, along with most fans, does not want to go down that road again.

Give it a rest, guys (MB and Schultzie). DOB has got the story covered in a level-headed fashion, and we aren’t going to make another stupid move again.

Jon Warren

July 28th, 2012
2:25 am

Frank Wren needs to be fired, point blank, PERIOD!! He most definitely is running this team in the ground. Your only job is to make a ball club successful. He has yet to do so. We have a team that for the first time in a LONG time is capable of making it deep in October and very possibly winning a series. But its gonna take him comming off a few “Young talented guys” and some money to make it happen. We need a shortstop who can hit and lord and behold a freaking pitcher. James Shields is the #1 guy on my list. But more importantly if he doesnt make a move to get us there TERMINATED should be the letterhead on his next email!!!!!!

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
2:40 am

Im not blaming liberty Media we have a payroll around 90 million dollars. But I do blame the use of said money.
Lowe is getting paid 10 million bucks not to pitch here.
Chipper is making 14 million (I love him to death but hes not able to give 14 million in production)
Uggla is making 13 million dollare to lead the Majors in strike outs and to hit .100 since June and to be slightly above .200 as an Atlant Brave.
So its not how much you spend its how you spend it.

I take to Burgers hold the cheese

July 28th, 2012
2:40 am

I have Trade Frank Wren for a New GM and two new sports writers ….No Trade no clue no Balls….Yes Angels got Grienke..And Wren will trade for walter Johnson oh wait he dead….well at least we 55-44 so should sweep Phillies we took Game 1 yesterday July 27…so as Pittsburgh finally gets in Playoffs we don’t

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
2:46 am

But I do blame Frank Wren for being inefficient and lacking the courage to make a trade.
McClouth, Kawakami, Lowe and Uggla are moves he made.
But lets talk about the moves he didnt make like this winter when he should have traded Jurrjens and gotten a good reward of prospects for him, or the lack of effort to go after Grienke. I used to give Wren credit when it came to trades such as the Javier Vazquez trade and the Bourn trade but Wren has gotten gun shy when it comes to trades.
I hope he sees that he needs to go after Edinson Volquez, Josh Johnson, or James Shields.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
2:49 am

3 straight the Braves have been contenders only to sputter out in September…..Remember that

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
2:49 am

3 straight years the Braves have been contenders only to sputter out in September…..Remember that

Najeh Davenpoop

July 28th, 2012
3:28 am

There are two huge differences between the current situation and the Teixeira trade.

1) Starting pitching is the biggest hole on this team right now. Offense wasn’t the biggest hole on the team when the Tex trade was made.

2) The Braves are an ace starter away from being a legit contender for the World Series. They were a lot more than just a cleanup hitter away from being a legit contender when the Tex trade was made.

The current situation is nothing like the situation back when Tex was acquired. This is the time for Wren to go all-in. Teheran, Delgado, who cares? Ship their asses out if an All Star is coming back here. This team has all the other pieces to go deep into October if they can get a starter, and the whole point of playing these games is to win a title.

najeh dappenfart

July 28th, 2012
3:55 am

Point 1,. Wrong Point 2.Almost wrong. All quit your whining… We whipped Hamels ace and right there on the heels of the Expos!!!

IlliniBrave

July 28th, 2012
3:59 am

Stupid is as stupid does. While I’m not always supportive of Wren’s moves, most of the comments here criticizing him for not giving away Teheran, Delgado, etc. for a two-month player are simply asinine.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
4:04 am

I never said to give up Teheran and Dlegado but if you give up 1 of them and maybe Edward Salcedo they that there would have been more that what the Angels offered for Grienke. But I think we should go all in for Edinson Volquez of the Padres. He has a low ERA he eats up innings and is top 10 in the Majors in opponent batting Avg.

Fearless Iranian Man from Hell

July 28th, 2012
4:10 am

Of course Schultz and the rest of the generic fanbase wants a panic move or a big name rental. Ben Sheets wasn’t on anyone’s radar, look at what he’s doing, that is a player you ADD to your team. Since when does a GM have to make a move to appease fans and a “writer” who never made it past bat boy status. Some of the best trades are the ones that didn’t happen. No wonder people criticize our ‘fanbase’, it’s mostly generic, sports writing in Atlanta is putrid. I didn’t hear one “expert” mention getting Ben Sheets, the guy is mint and the Braves didn’t dump any valubale prospects to get him, yet since Wren hasn’t made a panic move, all of a sudden the armchairs know best, like always. They should have fired you during the Thrashers departure Schultzie, you jumped on that BS bandwagon, it was a nice contrast to your normal neglect of hockey, you at least got paid to write about a team you never supported and pretended to care for when it left. My guess is that you secretly wear Mets underwear/panties.

mace224

July 28th, 2012
4:14 am

Braves interested in Edinson Volquez or Julio Reyes (Whatever his Legal name is). Forget him. Braves are holding their own without Simmons. He’ll return soon. Play Janish at second. His average should approach the Uggla line by then.

mace224

July 28th, 2012
4:34 am

I’m missing something. Everyone’s writing off a 25 y/o pitcher with an 11-5 record (ERA might be a little high). If all you armchair GMs want to get rid of him, I’m sure alot of teams would line up to get him. And they’d be laughing in your face afterward.

RunninWithTheDawgs

July 28th, 2012
5:26 am

Why are we so worried about our pitching when we’ve got players like Uggla and Bourne that are supposed to be generating offense and not doing the job. We all might be supprised how well our young pitching staff would do if we started producing more runs.

Mike Geigerman

July 28th, 2012
5:59 am

Can somebody get that nasty no nothing troll calling himself ” Braves Su —” off this site. It’s an embarrassment to the blog.

Jim

July 28th, 2012
6:44 am

Wren is SMART!!!! Ted Turner is not around with deep pockets anymore, NO MORE STUPID St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers deal a la Schuerholtz.
Delgado will be a superstar a la Wainright that we gave a way for NOTHING.
This team is more than one pitcher away for the World Series.

michael clifford

July 28th, 2012
6:46 am

once again the braves are ” middlers” middle of the pack boo hoo we only have 90 million to spend boldness is needed here I would trade Tommy Hanson in a heart beat he is a 4+ era pitcher at best trade hanson and delgado why is attendance down at turner field look no further than the braves mediocre record at home this season they are better on the road

michael clifford

July 28th, 2012
6:50 am

hey Casey the reason the nats have a lower payroll is that they have more players with less than 3 yrs of service so they get paid peanuts

matt

July 28th, 2012
6:58 am

Bring schuerholz back!!!!!! And Ted turner!!!!!!!! This is so bogus its disgusting. Chipper deserves a fair shot at it. Frank wren is a joke.

Charter Member

July 28th, 2012
7:12 am

I have followed and rooted for the Braves since that first season in ‘66. I have seen the highs and lows. I am glad Wren isn’t willing to overpay for a rental. I would rather go with what we have and package prospects for a bat (3B or LF) this winter.

BamaBill

July 28th, 2012
7:22 am

Medlin will have to go into the rotation, and I think we’ll see that. I also think we’ll continue to see Sheets pitch well. Remember, he’s had almost 2 years off to heal and rest, which is the expected full recovery time frame from his type of surgery. You also have to see that we are entering crunch time, have a good offense, good pitching staff (no, not great), and the players that are having off years so far are one good swing or pitch from turning that around. We don’t have to give up the farm to get a 2 month rental. IF, and that’s a possible if, Delgado builds upon his last start, Uggla gets it together mentally, and we can get a good RP to bolster our bullpen, then we have a good shot. People are acting like the Braves are the Royals..

shorty

July 28th, 2012
7:26 am

Fire Fredi and Frank ..the twins of Fail…and while we’re on the subject of pink slips give one to Bud Selig…he is just a notch above David Stern as the worst commisioner in pro sports.

GoBravos

July 28th, 2012
7:26 am

Unless you are missing that last arm to get a lock on a WS, it does not make sense to trade long-term talent for someone who is going to be a free agent at the end of the season. I am glad the Braves learned from the Teixeira fiasco. While we do need new ownership to infuse some funds and flexibility into the organization; the Braves put a good team on the field year after year.

dcb

July 28th, 2012
7:30 am

Sorry for those Braves fans who want instant gratification and fixes with “rental” players. To this long-time Braves fan who paid the bucks for MLB.com this year in order to watch the Braves play during a 3-month Maine hiatus from Georgia’s summer, it makes no sense to trade future pitching staff aces for a two-month possible flash-in-the-pan. With due respect to Chipper Jones and his desire to get to another World Series during his last year with us, stick to your Plan Wren. We’ve already seen what giving up a lot of talent to get the savior who would take us to the World Series has done for us in the past.

RealGoodDeal

July 28th, 2012
7:45 am

Uggla’s reputation-potential for a real good starter.

Fed up

July 28th, 2012
7:46 am

Frank Wren should return his paychecks from the last year. He did nothing over the off season and he is doing nothing now.

RealGoodDeal

July 28th, 2012
7:48 am

a fan

July 28th, 2012
7:49 am

GoBravos & dcb you are right on, trading for a rental is “foolish”

a fan

July 28th, 2012
7:56 am

Some of you people need help, 283 responses to Schulzts’s negative nonsense, only 23 to Sheets winning 3rd in a row.Could Greinke or Dempster have done any better? If we got either one of them and still did not win the WS you would all be crying like you have done so often over the Tex trade. Grow up!!!

Bobbymahlon

July 28th, 2012
8:17 am

Who would you rather have for a right hand pinch hitter Mejia or Pastor, one hits 300 one hits 250, one has 20+ home runs one has around 5. Well we have the one with the inferior numbers, don’t tell me we have the Pastor for backup at short because Prado proved he could fill in for a day or two.

clay

July 28th, 2012
8:19 am

Wren will make a trade everyone, just calm down.

JE

July 28th, 2012
8:25 am

look…i get everyone’s frustration, but dempster didn’t want to come here. wren did what he could regarding dempster. oh, and he picked up ben sheets (3-0, 1 ER in 3 starts) for absolutely nothing. everybody seems to have forgotten about that jewel at the garage sale.

shorty

July 28th, 2012
8:25 am

Even going after rentals is something alot of contenders do including the past few world series winners..right now Delgado and Terehan look like flashes in the pan..I want a winner in atlanta Now..waiting so Fredi and Frank can screw things up more is unacceptable.

Scott Puckett

July 28th, 2012
8:35 am

I am an old timer. I don’t agree with trading off young talent to get the short time rental of talent. I got two trades for you youngsters to research. Wainwright for Drew and Barker for Jacoby and and Brett Butler.

Nurse Ratched [aka Randal Patrick McMurphy]

July 28th, 2012
8:49 am

Liberty Media, management & coaching… ’nuff said. Would the last person to leave the stadium please, please turn out the lights… |-)

reckingball

July 28th, 2012
8:49 am

Shultz, you would not make a pimple on a bad GM’s arse.

reckingball

July 28th, 2012
8:56 am

If the Braves trade anyone, it should be Hanson.
Don’t know what they could get for him?
Trade JJ(and pay the rest of his salary) for some low level prospects, if they can get that.

Jfreak13713

July 28th, 2012
8:59 am

Lets see how the next couple of days go before we hang Wren in the town square. I’m guessing Wren understands what this team needs and will TRY to make deal to ge it. The Dempster deal was foolish anyway the guy has a career losing record with an ERA similar to Hanson. Not worth the money!

PMc

July 28th, 2012
9:02 am

I disagree that it’s terrible the braves didn’t get Grienke. Wren found Sheets for nothing, we should be celebrating that. This is a major market city with a medium market budget and fan base.

Not to mention Grienke is a head case sometimes.

There are other guys they can get to make an impact but true top of the rotation pitchers were going to have to draft or do without.

Sheriff

July 28th, 2012
9:02 am

We may not have been able to get Greinke even though we really did need him ( Plus he actually wanted to come to Atlanta ) but we have got to bring in someone who can contribute right away in our rotation. I have been overwelmigly surprised by Ben Sheets productivity thus far. Not sure if anyone saw that coming. Delgado and Company just aren’t pitching like they are ready for the big leagues quite yet and if we are going to make a run at anything other than exiting the Wildcard Series, we need a frontline guy. Frank Wren is constantly in the media talking about how he wants to do go after this position and that position but most of the time, it turns into nothing because it cost too much, or we get some scrub that has been released by another team. The media needs to pounce on Frank Wren if we want him to be pressured to complete this team. It’s bad enough that we can’t fill up the seats at the stadium, but we need a Rotation that is feared like it used to be. This is obviously just my opinion but let me know what you think.
Thanks.

PMc

July 28th, 2012
9:05 am

If Teheran is so good he can’t be traded why isn’t he pitching NOW???

Sheriff

July 28th, 2012
9:08 am

I couldn’t agree more PMc. We have so many of these “Golden, Untouchable” Prospects, yet they either haven’t shown that they are Great or haven’t had the chance to show it. To me, until it is proven that they can live up to all the hype given to them by the media and scouts, they are just another Minor league player.

74bravesjersey

July 28th, 2012
9:08 am

Alright then; Tons & Tons of frustration mounted here. What to do, work within ourselves suppose? Alright uncle Frank, you feel snake bitten, well, please move medlen to the rotation, then look for bullpen help which would come much cheaper, see, be creative in the looking process. If plan A’ isn’t workin’ have plans B’ to Z’ in the ondeck circle. C’mon man, get with it, if it’s w/ a budget, then get creative intelligently, cause, it’s obvious Meds needs to come to the rotation, then find a couple of sturdy bullpen pieces(not 41 yr.old Bautista-has been), & looks like Durbin’s really stepped up his game to be that void of Med’s spot. Call up Mejia, Durango if you can’t get a decent righthanded bat. Mejia’s hitting what? 275 avg. 21 Hr’s. Get him to learn to play OF as well, let Prado cover 3B/2ndBase. Let Chipper(&his Dad-McCanns Bro.& Dad) help Uggla quit lookin’ awefully ugly up there since Walk & Fletch can’t help em’. All in All get creative.

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
9:08 am

@nninWithTheDawgs

Uggla and Bourne not producing? You’re right on half of that………..and dead wrong on the other…

Bourne is a super producer…so much that his free agent price may be so high we can’t re-sign him…

Uggla is a different story…I didn’t like the trade then and still don’t like it. I would rather have kept Infante and Dunn and done without Uggla’s 40 home runs he has hit in the 2 years he’s been here….about half of them have been with no one on and had no bearing on the win-loss outcome.

Dr. Phil

July 28th, 2012
9:13 am

I like this team. They are mismanaged on the field and in the front office, yet they continue to win more than they lose. They certainly will not get far in post season, even if they make it to the wild card. There are too many pieces missing, and Wren’s head is buried in the sand up to his buttocks. As long as Wren is calling the shots, the Braves will be stuck on “pretty good team.”

Hugh Jass

July 28th, 2012
9:13 am

The Braves would be morons to trade Teheran and Delgado. I am actually glad that Dempster turned them down and we still have Delgado. A rental player is not worth our top prospects.

Uncle Tom

July 28th, 2012
9:18 am

The real problem is here LIBERTY MEDIA. Come on Ted, come back!

74bravesjersey

July 28th, 2012
9:23 am

It is kinda cool though that we we’re able to take it to Mr. 6 yr.144mil. dollar Braves beater Hamels after he gots his big signin’ out of the way. That felt good. McCanns just unloaded upon Mr. 144mil-invincible. Just hope to keep rollin’. See, Chipper & the clubhouse see what we see,the need of creativity, reinforcements that can stir things up. Only wish’n. We did see the move for Bourne last year, Awesome, & hope to afford to keep ‘em. Be smartly creative.

reckingball

July 28th, 2012
9:29 am

The Angels trade their #1, #4, and #9 prospects for Greinke(who reportedly has head problems), and will want $20million(plus) a year to sign a long term contract.
And this is what Shultz and his legion of puppydog followers, want the Braves to do?
Sell the farm for a 2 month rental?
That would be a moronic move.

74bravesjersey

July 28th, 2012
9:31 am

Yes Liberty Media has the team in Bondage. Mabey some one from the brass can talk to them about increasing payroll, & tell them of the increase revenue & the advantages of having a world championship Baseball team could bring to their market. The Ceo’s secretary could answere the phone(Hello Liberty Media & owner of 2012, 13 World Champion Atlanta Braves, How may I take you’re Call?). Only wishin’ right?

John

July 28th, 2012
9:33 am

I think Liberty Media is ruining the Braves frankly. If Ted Turner still owned the Braves, you think he would sit still and let the Nationals run away with the division while not making an investment in the team! I think it is time Major League Baseball, are you listening Bud Selig force the corporate cheapo who is only concerned about profits and the bottom line to sell this team to a legitimate owner. And owner who is willing put a good product on the field, one that the fans of Atlanta can be proud of.

don

July 28th, 2012
9:41 am

Well, I’m no fan of Wren and have made that obvious many times in posts. However, if he has really learned from the Teixeira trade, the Drew trade, and a few others, I am sure glad he is GM rather than Schultz.

I suspect that many want to throw caution to the wind to “win one last one for Chipper”. Why? There is no legitimate reason to clean out the minors again just to try to bring a happy ending to the career of a 40 year old part time player.

steve

July 28th, 2012
9:53 am

wren is doing the right thing remember the TEX trade look how that back fired… Wren will make a trade to improve the braves i see them getting a right handed bat and a SP if the price is right. They will have money to sign FA after the season.

drew

July 28th, 2012
9:55 am

Yeah, the Braves suck, yada yada….Wren sucks, yada yada…it’s Chipper last year yada yada…so let’s do the desperate thing and trade away the future. Right…got Texiera?

Schultz does a good job pointing out the deadline trades that worked out…how about the ones that didn’t. It’s a crapshoot. Someone else already said it, but we don’t need to empty the pantry for a starter. Medlin is the guy we need to add to the rotation.

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
9:57 am

Jeff………….are you a moron? Have you lost touch with reality ?

Comparing the Braves to the Angels in the trade for Greinke is ….well, just absurd.

The Angels budget is almost $65 MILLION more than the Braves…..

They signed Pujols to a contract worth almost $300 MILLION…..

They have Trout the Rookie of the Year in the AL and maybe MVP….for peanuts…the MLB minimum…

They can AFFORD to give away a top prospect…..

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY they can actually affor do sign Greink to a long term deal…………

The Braves can not afford it………………..plain and simple………..

This article frankly make you look stupid Jeff….have you lost your mind?

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
10:03 am

Wow … the past 6-7 comments actually make sense and reinforce the logic of NOT giving away our young pitchers for a pipe dream….

Sorry Chipper, the bottom line is the Braves don’t have the resources to sign all the pieces it would take to PERHAPS be capable of going to the WS in your swan song year….

Remember even if they had the dough, and went all out with it to “strengthen” the team, it WOULD NOT GUARANTEE ANYTHING other than we could play the last of the 162 game 2012 season….

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
10:03 am

NO RENTALS

KEEP DELGADO

patrick

July 28th, 2012
10:10 am

After reading all these blogs… None of you deserve to be Braves fans go somewhere else. You aren’t in the front office and have no idea what’s going on. Uggla is struggling yes but he is also a leader and plays hard no matter what. Remember mortgaging the future for Mark Texiera yeah the rangers are still thanking us for that. So I would be a little catious giving up JT, Delgado Spruill and more for an ace we have a 50 50 chance of re signing. The Braves have a legit shot at catching the Nats and winning the N.L.

As B1 said go back to your church league softball teams!

Patrick

July 28th, 2012
10:16 am

Jeff,

I wanted to compliment you on writing a great article!
I know that in bigger markets, the media can have a big effect on what teams do.

I am glad to FINALLY see an Atlanta reporter but some SERIOUS heat on the team for their lack of a commitment to win and point out the fact that they need to spend money in order to take this team to the next level and also question the Front Office if they are even committed to doing that.

So, BRAVO for writing this Jeff. I hope that this does something to light a fire (even just a small one) with the front office.

I hope that you continue to write pieces like this. That bring heat, give due criticism and basically just tell the truth.

Keep up the Excellent work!

Jeff

July 28th, 2012
10:17 am

Braves Suck-

You’re a complete idiot, dude. All you’re doing is ranting about nothing. As if any anything you say has any substance at all. The funny thing is you are right about one thing- the braves dont have superstars…and actually they do not suck…at all. So you really look like a total moron posting that complete waste of space on this website. You are referencing absolutely nothing. Also funny….you mention management!!!! As if management even controls or has any influence whatsoever on whether or not the Braves sign superstars. I dont normally post stuff but you must be put in check for such idiotic, meaningless cr@p. Now go check on your fantasy team.

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
10:18 am

Liberty Media got 100 million in a lawsuit. They can afford to pay Josh Johnsons 9 million salary…

Time

July 28th, 2012
10:20 am

Another completely foolish column, filled with completely idiotic bloggers spouting nonsense.

You don’t trade the #1 prospect in baseball for a 2 month rental. Further, the Braves would be wise to avoid trading for a guy like Grienke, who they would feel pressured to resign to a mega-deal he doesn’t deserve. I can count on one finger the amount of pitcher mega-deals that have actually returned close to their contract value….CC. That’s it.

I think the pitching problems are greatly overblown. Especially by the dolts that write for this paper. If they do pursue a pitcher at all, it should be James Shields who has big game experience, strikes out a ton of guys, and fits the profile of a pitcher who would excel moving to the NL. And with a 7 million dollar salary next year, his arrival would not preclude the Braves from acquiring another impact player.

Which IMO, should be Justin Upton. If he’s truly on the market, I’d happily give up Julio and Delgado for him. Drop another 40 hr impact bat in the middle of this lineup and watch it really take off.

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
10:22 am

A little birdy told us he aint trading his hatchlings for a hawk.

Banned Poster

July 28th, 2012
10:25 am

Great article Jeff. Wren is sitting on his hands with these pitchers for three years now and they are not helping us and Teheran is going backwards. It is time to win now. Schurholtz made two bad moves when he gave up prospects and his last one he will never live down and for some reason that is stopping us from winning today. BS I call on that one. As for those of you who want Medlen in the rotation, that is fine, but the Braves are not going to win with 4 #3 starters. They need a top of the rotation guy and they need him NOW!

jek

July 28th, 2012
10:27 am

The real problem for Braves pitching is not that they did not make a deadline deal. It is that they went into the season in the first place with no improvement in the triple A level staff that caved at the end last year. And if the plan was to stick with the young “talent” that should have been ackowledged. My sense is that the talent was not that good, but I am not a big league GM. Also, the reason that Dumpster And Greinke don’t want to come is that they know that the Braves are a “cheap mode” team that would not make a real effort to bring them back for a longer term.Liberty- Frank- Freddie-hopeless!!

DawgDad

July 28th, 2012
10:33 am

Braves are in a position where no matter what Wren does he’ll be open to criticism. The “all-in” camp (which presumably would include Chipper and Bourn) doesn’t care about the prospects or how many years the Braves spend looking up at the rest of the league. It’s possible another Tex-trade could cost Wren his job, and he has to be VERY careful who he signs up for 1/5 of the payroll, if anybody.

It’s possible the Brewers just liked the Angels prospects better than what Atlanta had to offer, the Dempster trade falling through was a blessing in disguise, and I still think there are pitchers out there who could help. The Braves have other needs that might be more pressing and should not be ignored, say, a big right-handed bat.

The players on the roster need to produce – Minor, Delgado, Medlen, and Teheran between them need to hold down the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation and be ready to step up if one of the “Big 3″ falters or goes down. Uggla and Paul Janish need to stop competing for the Mendoza batting title. The bench needs to get some timely hits, and the bullpen needs to hold up.

Cecil34

July 28th, 2012
10:43 am

Word has gotten out throughout the MLB that this organization is wanting to operate on the cheap with no true commitment to winning aything, just staying competitive, (Liberty Media) so no one of substance wants to come here.

They know that there will be no blockbuster contracts coming out of this organization, therefore no one wants to come here to perform for 2.5 months, just to move on after the season.

That, coupled with perhaps some misgivings concerning the coaching staff, has put the death knell on any trades of significance.

Bobbymahlon

July 28th, 2012
10:47 am

74bravesjersey: At this moment Mejia is batting .307,74RBIs,21homers with 7 stolen bases.

Bobbymahlon

July 28th, 2012
10:51 am

Mejia was a left fielder before he grew, but he can’t be worse than the water buffalo in left. He also could give Freeman a break against some of these tough left handers.

lee

July 28th, 2012
10:57 am

Forget the pitchers. Trade for Hunter Pence, move Prado to second and Ugs to the bench or AAA.

Stinger2

July 28th, 2012
11:01 am

The Braves GM has made both mistakes and correct decisions…like we all do.
At this point concerning a move to improve the club with about 60 plus games to play, he has not made a mistake. The Braves will not be in a position to sign Grenike to a 100M contract which it will take to get him as a non 2 month rental. With Dempster, who wants him? Also a probable rental and given his attitude.
Give Wren until the deadline to make the right decision before you pass judgment on his non-action as of this a:m.

Ralph

July 28th, 2012
11:02 am

Jeff – Help me out on this, does Wren consider Teheran to have more trade value than Delgado, I don’t get it, he was willing to give up Delgado for Dempster but wouldn’t give up Teheran for Greinke. Teheran is going backward, has an terrible year compared to last year. I know he is still young but he ain’t getting younger. Delgado shows great promise and should be taken completely off the table.

74bravesjersey

July 28th, 2012
11:04 am

@Bobbymahlon; Thanks for the heads up about Mejia. Could Wren & Gonzo have the fourthrite to give Mejia a shot, since he’s paid his dues in the minors to bring him up before he wastes away?

Ralph

July 28th, 2012
11:05 am

Get Uggla out of the line-up, put Prado on 2B and get a big bat left fielder and we will be ok with the pitching we have once Simmons returns.

Deadline Dopes

July 28th, 2012
11:08 am

To give up multiple PITCHING prospects for a player that is not going to sign long term makes little sense. How did you think we got so lean in starters? By trading away players like Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz. Those players have been contributing to the Rangers’ success for years now. If that’s not enough Evis Andrus certainly could have helped this team as well.

I’m not saying never to trade prospects. But be smart about it. This team has to realize that it will not be able to spend big dollars on big names. So they have to win with their kids before they become FA’s. The only way to do that is to stock up on prospects, hopefully SOME of them will work out.

Also, giving up the farm for greinke, does that make us WS contenders? I think not, unless you can clone him 3 times. Bringing greinke in would move presumably JJ out of the rotation; but you still have MINOR, DELGADO, and HANSON. All of those are woefully inconsistent. And Sheets? Seriously, bionic man? If he can keep this up, great. But I doubt he can; and when he falters, then what?

Deadline Dopes

July 28th, 2012
11:10 am

Also, why is Medlen pitching long relief still? Can Martinez not handle it? On a team that is hurting for STARTING pitching, why is Kris still wasting away in the bullpen?

George Allen

July 28th, 2012
11:11 am

Unfair write-up on Frank Wren…might have been fair if Nats were pursuing Greinke and got him, but emptying the farm system for two months of a pitcher is not the answer. (IMO)

panamajack

July 28th, 2012
11:14 am

If I were Fredi/Frank I would try to trade Uggla for any prospect, if they can’t find any takers (which I doubt) they should approach Danny Boy and tell him “say look, we are giving you two choices, you can either willingly go to AAA and get your sh*t together or ride the bench the rest of the year, you are hurting our chances of making the play-offs” end of conversation.

George T.

July 28th, 2012
11:16 am

Bobby and John for Frank and Fredi……how is that working out?

Jack Dennis TN

July 28th, 2012
11:17 am

Pitcher, hell! They need a RH hitter. Still. When Pastornicky is used as a PH, you know you’ve got severe bench problems.

panamajack

July 28th, 2012
11:20 am

If I were Fredi/Frank I would first try to trade Uggly for any prospect, that having failed I would approach Danny Boy and tell him, we are giving you two choices, you can either willingly go to AAA and get your sh*t together or you can ride the bench the rest of the season as a pinch hitter.

Frank is an EMBARASSMENT!!!

July 28th, 2012
11:22 am

Frank Wren is an embarrassment to the city of Atlanta – He can’t get anything done – He is Useless…..I don’t give a crap about getting Chipper some kind of win……I care about winning period….All I have heard from this blog for the last couple of years – is the future – is the future – The Future is NOW…..Frank Wren is about as useful as tits on a boar hog…….

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
11:22 am

Braves have Chippers money next year to sign any pitcher so the last 7 blogs are idiocy…

Ken Stallings

July 28th, 2012
11:23 am

Jeff,

You so clearly graduated from the emotional school of journalism! So often the theme of your columns (such as this one) center of themes of people being incompetent, or foolish. The world doesn’t work that way!

Frank Wren doesn’t operate in a vacuum. The reason the Braves under Ted Turner’s ownership got those players is because Turner was willing to spend the money, even to incur a temporary loss, to win! Liberty Media doesn’t think that way. Wren has a budget and he will be fired if he exceeds it. It is a simple reality. Most everyone sees it, and I know you see it also. So, stop patronizing us and write columns that accurately reflect this truth!

Given this financial reality, and the consequence that the Braves are truly no longer a player on that $100 million/five year contract for a free agent field, it is vital to draft and groom a strong farm system. Wren is intelligent to understand this, and in this respect, he is showing a keener insight to reality than did the vaunted John Scheurholtz who traded the farm for Mark Texeria thinking the Braves could leverage Georgia connections for a hometown discount.

Texeria instead made it very clear that in any long-term contract his mantra was “Show me the money!” The Braves traded him to Anaheim just to hope to salvage something of value for him when he predictably packed his bags for the mega-money in the Bronx. A better balanced column would have at least made passing reference to this factor!

I congratulate Wren for understanding his situation. Perhaps you can write columns that better reflect that you understand this situation — which again I am confident that you do. In the course of doing this, you better reveal that you understand your readers are not fools either, but rather people who see the reality also!

panamajack

July 28th, 2012
11:23 am

Tell Uggla, AAA or the bench, the choice is yours!

bustersonly

July 28th, 2012
11:29 am

Maybe Uggla would be willing to go to Gwinette to get his stuff together and come back with the September roster expansion, wouldn’t hurt to ask him.

Bobbymahlon

July 28th, 2012
11:31 am

74bravesjersey: Would hope so.

Ralph

July 28th, 2012
11:34 am

Yeah maybe they could hire B/Mac’s brother and Chipper’s dad to go to Gwinett with him for a little professional coaching.

danny

July 28th, 2012
11:34 am

If you folks can’t see the bigg picture here then I wonder where you’ve been.Schultz you are a friggin idiot. I love reading all the writers for AJC but you are just plain dumb. Sick of your negative comments and sick of you.

Bob Showfety

July 28th, 2012
11:40 am

Could it be that the Braves just don’t have any real prospects to offer for a front-line pitcher?

B MONEY

July 28th, 2012
11:41 am

FOR ALL YOU WREN HATERS, GET OVER IT THE MAN IS DOING A GOOD JOB IF YOU NEW BASEBALL

74bravesjersey

July 28th, 2012
11:42 am

Just like angels Trumbo & Trout, arizona’s Goldscmidt, etc… we have another young Thumper or 2 that are hungry to get the call, to perform, just like simmons, give them a shot(Mejia, Durango,Gattis if he’s well) you never know. Simmons has gone beyond defensive wiz & has blown everybodies socks off. Some of the dead weight has gotten pretty lame. O’l Francisco sure looked alot better down in Miami, mabey turnin’ the corner w/ some plate Discipline. Uggla, you gotta get you’re zone back w/ better plate discipline, quit bein’ a easy out for those pitchers. Look for you’re pitch, not there’s. That’s where it lies fellas, mental toughness & a approach not to give in to their sucker pitch. Ugg’s, quit being suckered, kow you’re zone, when you we’re w/ florida, you raked against us pretty handidly. Clear you’re mind, look for you’re pitch.

Don

July 28th, 2012
11:43 am

I am VERY happy that we did not “get” Grienke. He is a rental that might be only for two months. We can bid on him after the season. If he would have signed an extension prior to completing the trade that would have been different.
I have a fair amount of confidence in Medlen being a starter.
Overall, GREAT job by Wren not doing this trade.

74bravesjersey

July 28th, 2012
11:44 am

Dang forgot the ‘n’ in know you’re zone, got in a rush here.

Worthless Wren & Haven't got a clue Fredi

July 28th, 2012
11:45 am

Wren and Fredi do the best imitation of Mutt & Jeff I know – neither one can do anything constructive without falling all over themselves…….Wish they both were run out of town.

Wish BMoney knew how to spell......

July 28th, 2012
11:47 am

BMoney – it is obvious, you mean “KNEW” or maybe you are just ignorant and didn’t know……..

B MONEY

July 28th, 2012
11:48 am

GO BRAVES , MEDLAN IS THE MAN

Supes

July 28th, 2012
11:49 am

As usual a LOT of ignorance going on here…Jeff is right about one thing…DOING NOTHING is not going to benefit this team.

Has Wren acquired an ace pitcher or impact player? No
Has Wren of Fredo moved Kris Medlen to the starting rotation (and putting Delgado in the pen not AAA)? No
As currently constructed our starting 5, are they able to win a WS? If you think (yes) I have some ocean side property to sell near KC, MO

So how is WREN doing NOTHING benefiting the Braves (Yes you wise a&& prospect huggers that are glad we haven’t landed a SP or impact player as of right now)

One last point, I’m so fraking tired of reading (well we don’t wanna give up 2 prospects for a 2 month rental)…DUDE where did you see that it was a GUARANTEED 2 month rental? Where? Something could have been worked out as to have him sign a 5-6 year extension here you know! Did Wren even TRY to work on this deal? I guess we’ll never know…all I know is that the Angels just “got that much closer to a post season run” and the Braves…well we got a 41 year old scrap pile reject to add to our pen…

74bravesjersey

July 28th, 2012
11:49 am

Hey Boy’s, just keep playin w/ the swag, let last year be last year but not forgotten only to be reminded of to why you want each atbat each pitch to be clutch, & not crumble. Make em’ count, to mean somethin’ to ya. Find’in success when everybody else say’s you can’t do it.

Ralph

July 28th, 2012
11:51 am

Put Medlen in the rotation and call up Buddy Carlyle to replace him in the pen.

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
11:54 am

Ugg’s sucks!

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
11:56 am

Braves need a A 2b right now. We all see it but Fredi or Wren dont care.

Ralph

July 28th, 2012
11:56 am

Venters looked real shaky last nite, he was lucky to get out of their with his scalp! still throwing a lot of balls in the dirt, he scares the hell out of me.

Ralph

July 28th, 2012
12:01 pm

How about trying to get Reed Johnson from the Cubs.

Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)

July 28th, 2012
12:02 pm

This is meant as a serious suggestion – Send Dan Uggla to McCann’s dad and brother for hitting guidance. It seems to work for Mac? Or is that too insulting a thought for the Braves hitting coaches? We have Uggla for the next 4 yrs, try something unconventional if necessary?

BravesWin

July 28th, 2012
12:03 pm

I have to agree with the sentiment that a big move would be useless with our current manager.

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
12:03 pm

Id just make Venters throw strikes if I were a hitter. Hed walk you a lot.

Ralph

July 28th, 2012
12:11 pm

I’m just glad that Matt Garza is out of action until after the Deadline, otherwise Wren would probably give up Delgado for his sorry ass.

Ozzie

July 28th, 2012
12:11 pm

Here is the bottom line on Braves pitching – its 5-6 inning starts and pray the pen can hold the lead or stop the bleeding.

Playoff teams and certainly WS contenders don’t operate that way.

If Wren thinks beating teams with 5.5 inning starts will last all summer, into Sept & the post season he is likely pouring bourbon on his Cheerios every day.

Teams that win the WS have multiple 210-220/yr inning starters who pitch multiple complete games a year, regularly pitch 7-8 innings and can pitch great on 3 days rest.

None of those attributes exist with the Braves rotation.

Having said that unless Greinke, Hudson and Sheets could pitch every game in a series and almost every game in September (to avoid a collapse) this team is two starters not one short of a legitimate playoff rotation.

Couple that with the yoyo offense and you just don’t have a team that is one player away from contending. It is a nice mirage and at times looks very real but it still a mirage.

Wren should be making trades for next year (unless he could have gotten Dempster and Greinke) like getting Justin Upton so you have a LF in 2013.

Getting a CF prospect who is ready for 2013 and or keeping close tabs on BJ Upton (the latter bc Bourn is too expensive looking even now, image the off season).

Get some quality 3B prospects in case you can trade Uggla and move Prado back to his proper spot 2B.

Heck if the Braves had a clear objective few on the realities of the rotation they would trade Bourn now to a WS contender and reap an excellent bounty.

Far fetched? Put it this way if the Braves were in another 6-8 game losing streak (Chipper goes down again and we will see one) and in third place drifting lower Wren would trade Bourn just like he traded Tex when the wheels came off. Tex was a far better player & an RBI guy yet Wren dropped him like a bag of dirt (for nothing) after they were swept by the Phillies in late July.

Shooting the wad on one pitcher is a desperation move to cover up the fact Wren should have made 2-3 moves in the off seaon to prepare for a legitimate playoff run and avoid another embarrassing collapse.

JS promised change in 2012 an they did nothing so I say play with the hand you wanted bc discount trades and DFA dumpster diving rarely results in miracles.

Peter R.

July 28th, 2012
12:12 pm

Well, I completely disagree. The Braves have a nice chance to build on their youth movement and get something going with a moderately sized payroll. A guy who can win 12 or 13 games while getting paid the league minimum is a big plus in my opinion. I would rather the Braves set themselves up to be competitive over 3 or 4 seasons rather than just have one run. Here we are today and we’re only 4 games back when every major sports news source every where predicted the Braves would be 4th overall. I think the Angels gave up way too much to get Greinke. The Braves made the right call. If they only get bullpen and bench help, then I’ll understand because starting pitching at this trade deadline is at an all time high in demand. I don’t want to see another former Braves prospect winning 12 games before the all star break. Sorry, but I have to agree with Wren on this one.

Ozzie

July 28th, 2012
12:13 pm

few – view, typo

bustersonly

July 28th, 2012
12:14 pm

Please Mr Wren, don’t be making “Changes for Change Sake” just get rid of Uggla, he is the only thing that is hurting us right now.

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
12:19 pm

Greinke….Braves or Angels?

The Angels, who spent $317.5 million this offseason on Pujols and Wilson and are currently sporting a franchise-record $151 million payroll, are buoyed by a huge new television contract that gives them a reasonable shot of retaining Greinke beyond this season.

Do you get it yet?

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
12:20 pm

Im glad that didnt get Ryan Dumpster but surprised since Wren searches in DUMPSTERS for pitching.

chris

July 28th, 2012
12:20 pm

If we cant get an arm get some bats..at least we can score 15 runs to keep up with pitching staff we have…..JJ needs to go- we’ve given him another shot and he’s showed hes just not got same stuff and location as a few years back…put Medlen in there and see what he can do…cant put Grienke or Dempster in there for sure

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
12:23 pm

Braves will have McCann,Bourn,Chipper money to spend next year. At least Chippers 16 million to get a pitcher.

Sweet, Old Buck

July 28th, 2012
12:23 pm

Come on, Jeff! The Brewers wanted a young shortstop. They, first, asked Texas for Profar. He was off limits. The Angels gave them what they wanted – a shortstop who was their top rated prospect.

Marco Pillow Throwerder

July 28th, 2012
12:25 pm

How can Uggla be this bad? Hes the worst hitter in MLB thats a starter. Just release him. Please play somebody else ar 2b. I beg you…

JoeFan

July 28th, 2012
12:30 pm

Don’t have a problem with not selling out for Greinke. Wren can fix the rotation by inserting Medlen for JJ and if Hanson doesn’t improve replacing him with Delgado. Strengthen the bench and bullpen and the Braves will stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. Also want hurt if Uggla begins to hit. The time to restructure this team is in the offseason when Wren should have the monetary and player flexibility to rebuild the roster.

Keith

July 28th, 2012
12:45 pm

Jeff,

I usually agree with you, but this time I’m undecided. :)

Let’s say this offer was presented to Wren:

Greinke for the rest of the year

FOR

Delgado + Teheran

Would you have done it?

Keith

July 28th, 2012
12:46 pm

While knowing that you will have to pay $20 MIL per year at a minimum to pick him up long-term. Wed don’t currently have a player we’re paying 20 MIL per.

I don’t think that would have been a smart trade.

Now if it would have been

Greinke for
Delgado….Absolutely!!!

Greinke for Teheran – Yep!!!

But not both.

I still am hoping they will be able to get a starter, and I’m ok with dempster but would prefer Johnson. However, johnson will be both of those guys + probably another prospect from the reports.

GO BRAVES!! :)

Ultimatum

July 28th, 2012
1:01 pm

Don’t blame Wren, blame the awful Liberty Media ownership. If the Braves don’t make a significant move, Atlantans should call their cable provider and demand a package that does not include Liberty channels. They don’t care about Atlanta, evidenced by the fact that they never invest in winning.

Liberty: make a deal or get out of Atlanta!!!

nobobfan

July 28th, 2012
1:01 pm

To summarize the literati: we have a looser manager & a guy with Pop Pie arms stinks, and a fellow named Medlin should start if we can’t get Grinky.
All caught up on past few days? Good.

Keith

July 28th, 2012
1:03 pm

Agree, Wren does a smashing job with the payroll he has to work with.

Go BRAVES! :)

Ken Jacobsen

July 28th, 2012
1:13 pm

I’m just thinking… wouldn’t it be more sensible to judge Wren’s moves for this team after 4:00 on Tuesday instead of today?

Don't give a dang.....

July 28th, 2012
1:21 pm

I don’t give a dang about make Chipper’s last year great……he has had a bunch of years to make it great and just hasn’t got the job done…..I hope when he is gone – HE IS GONE FOR GOOD!

bvilebaron

July 28th, 2012
1:24 pm

You really want to know what is getting old? Constant whining by your Mr. Schultz and the Wren bashers about how he has run this team. How about if we inject some objectivity and facts into this analysis, huh?

Wren basically stole Bourn at the deadline last year and he has been terrific this year in case you haven’t noticed. After they lost Beachy, who only happened to be leading the NL in ERA at the time, for the year, he goes out and signs Ben Sheetz, who has given up exactly 1 run in the first 18 innings he pitched.

He had a deal in place for Dempster (which I was not in favor of given what he was giving up and the fact that he is overrated) and it blew up because Dempster had a hissy fit about the deal being made public. Given the amount of money the Phillies, the NL East’s version of the Yankees, paid to re-up for Hamels, Wren probably concluded (rightfully IMHO) that the probably couldn’t afford him when he hits free agency this offseason and thus it made no sense to give up most likely prize prospect Teheran and more given what the Angels paid to rent Greinke for 2 months. Besides, if they truly feel they can afford him, the can get involved in the bidding this offseason.

Your comments about the old days with the Braves are also off the mark. The Braves currently are owned by Liberty Media, have a lousy TV contract, poor attendance and are no longer owned by Ted Turner in case you haven’t noticed. This is the way it is folks. Given all of that, it makes no sense to mortgage the future for a 2 month rental who does not GUARANTEE a playoff spot.

Finally, the trading deadline is Tuesday and this is Saturday folks. Wren made the Bourn deal on the last day last year which was wise since the price tag went down by then. Let’s see what does or does not happen between now and then before you start writing these childish articles.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
1:31 pm

Wren hasnt only done an average job at best with the pay roll
Were paying Lowe 10 mil not to pitch here
We are paying Uggla 12 mil to lead the league in strike outs and to be slightly above .200 as a Brave
Chipper while having a good season is making 14 million. A lot for a part time player.
Thats a good chunk of money right there. In fact if Prado, Bourn and Kimbrel havent been there to bail us out we wuld be in trouble.
Also Wren has stood pat when he needed to make a move during this off-season (Particularly trading Jurrjens when he had value, many people called for that move to be made including myself)
I think we should go for Edinson Volquez he has a 3.20 ERA he eats up innings and is top 10 in opponents batting avg. against.

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
1:32 pm

@Don’t give a dang…..

You are a complete MORON

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
1:35 pm

I always thought Wren did his best job when it comes to trades such as the Javier Vazquez deals and the Bourn deal. I just dont understand why he is standing pat.

iopbrave

July 28th, 2012
1:42 pm

Braves TV contract sucks so they have no money to compete- doubtful that Liberty will spend any more money than they have, too. I believe the Liberty CEO’s annual pay is almost equal to the Braves annual payroll! 24 more years on the TV contract- they should tar and feather whomever made that deal.

We’ll continue to check out all the old washed-up, released players such as Batista since they are in a our budget.

Go Braves!

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
1:56 pm

Liberty medis spends money 90 million aint nothing to blink at but we are wasting a good chunk of money on players that underperform.
Lowe 10 mil not to pitch here
Uggla 13 million
Chipper 14 million great player but 14 mil is too much to pay a part time player
Jurrjens 6 million
Matt Diaz 2.5 million

Keith

July 28th, 2012
2:09 pm

Re:bvilebaron

Exactly! With the Sheets signing and if he can land one more starter, Wren will be up for GM of the year!! Mark my words. Not sure if he’ll get it, but you watch, he’ll be at the top of the list if that happens.

GO BRAVES :)

Biggun

July 28th, 2012
2:11 pm

A trade for the sake of a trade makes about as much sense as hiring a newspaper columnist to be the general manager of the team. Im sure Mr. Wren sees the big picture better then we, the fans, do.

jt

July 28th, 2012
2:12 pm

Hell Jeff, I predicted this Wren jerk, would not get a quality pitcher 45 days ago. He get everyone pumped up, and then Nothing. As far at the bench hitter, I guess he considers Bautista for that. I also predicted that as well, after all we have Hinske don’t we?
These guys are not willing to part with the money it takes to get someone like Greinke, or that jerk from the Cubs. Same Ole S@@t different year.

SAL

July 28th, 2012
2:12 pm

This team has not been consistent enough to convince me overpaying for a rental player makes sense. Hovering around 10 games over .500 is not getting it done. If you are a wildcard team it is a one game play in. I think Wren is correct in not panicing like many are encouraging him to do. Sheets has been a big surprise so Braves have added a solid starter. Perhaps Medlin moving to the rotation and another solid reliever to take his place will suffice. Remember the current dry spell in post season is due to the Shurholtz panic give away to Texas. In Shurholtz’s defense though at least he went after an everyday player not a guy who plays once every 5 days.

Ozzie

July 28th, 2012
2:13 pm

The Braves payroll is 87mm. Not 90 or 95mm. The Braves payroll in 2000 was 92mm more or less.

So 12 years of inflation and the Braves payroll is at best the same as it was 12 years ago or 5mm less.

Now the book keeping is all over the place here but these #s are in the ballpark.

Under corporate ownership of AOL/TW and Liberty the Braves payroll has stagnated. They are in a purgatory.

Either go young and lop payroll down to 65mm or go all in at 100-110mm but sitting in this vomit inducing”almost” range has to stop. 87mm is just enough to make you believe you can win it all but it turns out not to be the case.

At least with 65mm you have a fat profit margin which can accrue for a few years (offering opps to spike payroll when the kids prove ready/worthy of a run) and you give young players a chance to actually develop with contained expectations.

Fencing sitting payrolls are painful to watch. You make bad decisions, you rush or expect to much from prospects, you cannot afford even one bad contract and you look the fool come the hot stove season being rejected by every player worth a darn and or missing out time and again b/c you cannot afford to add that extra 2-5mm to a deal.

Ozzie

July 28th, 2012
2:15 pm

Run on sentence there at the end… too quick to post…

longtimefan

July 28th, 2012
2:21 pm

Many of you judge Wren retrospectively on deals as if all other GMs hit home runs on every free agent signing and trade acquisition. Wren has done a good job working within the financial confines set by ownership. The naysayers give no credit to Wren for signing Sheets who has given up one run in 3 starts and has cost the club no prospects and is likely playing for near minimum salary. The Bourne acquisition for 1 and1/2 years at all-star caliber play was a steal. Lowe was serviceable and an innings eater when the Braves were desperate for SP and won something like 15 games 2 years running. He inherited a GM position several years ago needing 3-4 SP with limited options. He has not mortgaged the Farm and has held on to the Future-Heyward, Freeman, Simmons, Prado and the many young arms. I believe FW has done a good job. Beachy will be back sometime next year and the young arms will shake out to provide a couple of solid starters. It is so easy to criticize someones actions after the fact. I remember several years ago many of the same “experts” here calling for Wren to sign Jason Bay for north of 100M. How’s that working out for the Mets? I’m glad the career baseball guys are taking care of business instead of the armchair critics.

chris

July 28th, 2012
2:26 pm

did you write this article before the texeira trade also?

coo coo bird fan

July 28th, 2012
2:31 pm

To the idiot who says the Braves have NO superstars…. Its clear u are an idiot so I’ll make this easy for you….. Brian McCann, Freddie Freeman, Dan Uggla, Jason Heyward, Michael Bourn, Craig Kimbrell, Tim Hudson, and of late Ben Sheets. Find another blog to regurgitate your nonsense and I’m outta here like McCann against the Phills.

Klaus

July 28th, 2012
2:35 pm

He has been GM for five years and he is no closer to a legitimate post season run now then when he took over. He has a built in excuse called Liberty (which is partly to blame) but his eye for talent is hit or miss.

Sheets was a coin flip and a cheap one. His starts look great but not the done by the 6th inning bit. Sooner or later the pen will not be able to hold the line esp since the rest of the starters (apart from every third Hudson start) are in the same boat.

Bottom line Wren has air cover in Liberty and it allows him to vacillate between being short sighted & cheap to over paying and or jumping the gun. He dodged 100mm mistakes bc he cannot afford to offer that kind of money. If he could be would have at least one 100mm mess.

How long can he be GM on a team that watches games on TV in Oct?

bvilebaron

July 28th, 2012
3:00 pm

J-MAN:

Thanks for confirming the contents of my earlier post. As the old saying goes, if the shoe fits, wear it. Of course, you can look at those contracts now and criticize them, but where were you when they were made. I bet you were one of those guys who wanted to keep Vazquez and not re-up Hudson at the time. C’mon ‘fess up!

A couple of other thoughts for you. Jurrjens had little or no value this past offseason coming off an injury and a miserable second half last year. The Lowe, Chipper and probably Jurrjens and Diaz money will come off the books this winter.

yaktheripper

July 28th, 2012
3:11 pm

I haven’t read all your comments but the majority of them sound like spoiled crybabies. “Wren sucks….waaaaaa” just like the tool that wrote this article. Okay so we didn’t get Dempster, not for lack of trying. We didn’t get Grienke, not for lack of trying. Who do we get now? What would you do? Oh yeah, “trade Uggla”…who wants Uggla folks? Do you? Thought not. Who do you replace Uggla with? Prado? Nice…who replaces Prado. Oh, no answer. THIS is a playoff team but NOT a World Series team, and besides a stunning Felix Hernandez type impact player at this point, there’s no one available to make this a World Series team. So why trade YOUNG, CONTROLLABLE, talent for an arm that might or might not get as another 5 W’s along the way? I was suspect of Wren initally too folks..that was his FIRST year, the man is doing a pretty decent job and hasn’t strip mined our farm out of panic. You’d think Schultz..a “sportswriter” would balance these options and weigh logic, but no…he’s moans, groans, and cries like the rest of you big baby Braves fans. Get a grip people. We’re doing good not great and it’s probably not our year no matter how epic it would be for Chipper to go out on.

pepper

July 28th, 2012
3:14 pm

I am completely comfortable with Braves not making another “mark teixeira” type deal where we give up multiple prospects for a rental. If we still had harrison, andrus and feliz, then we would not be in a pickle in 2012. At some point, sanity has to set in. Delgado for Dempster, for example, would be a disaster. For the Braves, it is mandatory that we have some inexpensive, homegrown talent to make up much of the roster, with a few judicious free agents to fill in. Dempster would leave and then we’d be back in same situation we are in now, minus Delgado. I just do not understand this “let the future go hang” attitude.

jeff

July 28th, 2012
3:22 pm

Wow. a lot of haters. anyone around for tex deal few years back? Why waste talent on a rental. sheets has been spectacular. we can fight for greinke in off-season with Larry Wayne and Lowe off books. who do we get over uggla? scutaro just traded for recent first rounder. Starters have underperformed but no one to blame but them. thank you Frank wren for not depleting our system. grow up braves fans

MitchC

July 28th, 2012
3:27 pm

Jeff, thank you for this. This team is pathetic, especially after The Collapse last season.

The Collapse and the fact that it’s Chipper’;s last season, should signify that it’s time for Wren to show some.. guts, and do something big. I think the situation of how much we traded away to get Mark Texira, for essentially a rental, still haunts this team, and scares them into not making moves.

If the Braves miss the playoffs this season, both Wren and Fredi G should be shown the door. With Chipper gone, and other contracts up, its time for a housecleaning unlike one we’ve ever done here before, even worse than 2002 and 2003 when we lost Glavine, Maddux, and Millwood in two straight offseasons.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
3:32 pm

I actually did want to keep Vazquez and I admitted that we were better off trading him to the Yankees getting Vizcaino and everything. But Jurrjens had trade value and was mentioned in Colorado, Baltimore and Boston as potential destinations. But the point is we can look at those contracts now and criticize them, because at the end of the day you have to be held accountable either way. Either you become a genius or your a fool. Its the world of Sports all deals are subject to scrutiny. And the fact is that Wren has made questionable moves.

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
3:42 pm

J-MAN….

do who’s the genius and who’s the fool?

Don’t think for a minute Big Frank wouldn’t have traded JJ this past winter if he could have…… fact is he is damaged goods and no one will pick up his contract much less trade you anything for him.

Yep Wren is not batting 1000 for his moves………..but if he trades our young arms for a 60 day rental he will be batting zero on that one………..

The Sheets deal is an A+ for sure….and getting Janish to replace Simmons wasn’t bad either…

Yep the Lowe deal sucked big time, and personally I think the Uggla trade and signing was a huge mistake….all that said we won’t gain anything by going the Rental Route….

And lest anyone forget…..we will not get rid of JJ’s or Uggla’s contract by DFA-ing them…we are stuck with the contracts like it or not……..

If Big Frank could trade Uggla i’d be all in on that one…..he is just too inconsistent….

NO RENTALS BIG FRANK

Stinger2

July 28th, 2012
3:43 pm

Jeff: After all the comments on this blog, do you see the same drift as I do?
That being FW is doing the right thing in regards to not making deals that will hurt in team in the future. Also, he still has time to make a trade or take some other action to get a starter.

Stinger2

July 28th, 2012
3:43 pm

Jeff: After all the comments on this blog, do you see the same drift as I do?
That being FW is doing the right thing in regards to not making deals that will hurt in team in the future. Also, he still has time to make a trade or take some other action to get a starter.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
3:46 pm

Well all Im saying is that Frank Wren has had some questionable moves, we can agree on that and I feel that he still needs to make a trade. I think Edinson Volezquez would be the best deal possible. And truth he wouldnt be a rental. But Wren had several offers for Jurrjens this past offseason, he just didnt like the offers and he over valued Jurrjens.

longtimefan

July 28th, 2012
3:47 pm

Actually the majority of Wrens moves have been pretty good. The only one I would call a bust was Kawakami. Please show me ONE GM in sports who has been playing the game for any length of time and is batting 1.000. Look at all the high priced players who are underperforming or are outright busts-some GM not named Frank Wren signed them. It’s not as easy as some think.

Stumpknocker

July 28th, 2012
3:51 pm

……Remember when Ted Turner owned this team and money was no object………..Now they’re just a tax rite-off for Liberty Media…….nuff said.

longtimefan

July 28th, 2012
3:53 pm

Truth is, I like our starting rotation fine with Hudson, Hanson, Sheets, Minor and maybe Medlen. Our offense is near the top of the NL and bullpen is solid with best closer in baseball. If starts hitting like he has shown he can we may win the division outright rather than the WC. I believe that is a realistic appraisal.

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
3:54 pm

NO RENTALS

BIG FRANK

NO RENTALS

Belcher

July 28th, 2012
4:08 pm

Did Wren grt rid of Adam Wainwright? If so. Wren should be long gone!!!!!!!!!

LakeDawg

July 28th, 2012
4:10 pm

Not convinced that Dempster is anything more than a mediocre player having a good year. It’s conveniently overlooked that We picked up Sheetz, who’s now 3-0. As for Greinke and Johnson, I wouldn’t mortgage the future for them.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
4:11 pm

Well Im not saying Wren is a BAD GM but he isnt a good 1 either. Derek Lowe was a bust along with KK, not trading Jurrjens when he had value was a bad decision, And giving Uggla a big contract has turned out to be a bad decision.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
4:14 pm

@ Belcher nope that was Schulholtz. In fact Schulholtz had a terrible time with trades in his last 7 years as GM. The Tex deal, the JD Drew deal, Trading Milwood for Johnny Estrada wasnt a popular 1.

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
4:18 pm

Adam Wainwright was a Big John Schuerholz deal and along with Jason Marquis they were traded for J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero….

yep Big John knew how to give the farm away I’d say….that was only a couple of years before the Texeira blunder………..

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
4:20 pm

Looks like some sanity is returning to the Braves Management….Fredi just announced that Medlen will start Tuesday barring some trade in the interim…..

The insanity continues though as JJ is being moved to the pen……..can you imagine? I think JJ needs to spend the month of August at Gwinnett pitching every other day in the pen there….

kerryb

July 28th, 2012
4:25 pm

I’ll say it again for Jeff Schultz and all of these arm chair GM’s. I would not trade my top one or two pitching prospects for a 2 month rental of Zack Greinke. Anyone that thinks we should have needs to come to their senses.

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
4:25 pm

Moving Medlen back to the rotation is a good move but the Braves still need another starter. Hanson and Minor are very inconsistant. We also need another bull-pen arm and another right handed bat to come off the bench

J-MAN

July 28th, 2012
4:26 pm

Kerry B you gotta be lobosolo because he is the only 1 that refers to people here as “Arm Chairs”

kerryb

July 28th, 2012
4:27 pm

Learn from the past. It would be nice to have Matt Harrison who was an All Star this year in our rotation. Guess why that won’t happen? It was because John Scherholtz got trade happy with our top prospects.

Hillbilly D

July 28th, 2012
5:09 pm

If Ben Sheets puts up 2-3 more wins in a row, we’ll be seeing columns about how smart Wren is.

MLS

July 28th, 2012
5:27 pm

Until Atlanta has a owner other than a corporation/Company they will never be competetive again. These corporations care only about one thing and one thing only “THE BOTTOM LINE P&L’s”. That sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The replace Vick project has worked out just fine

July 28th, 2012
5:59 pm

Enter your comments here

Jeff Schultz is a Professional

July 28th, 2012
6:02 pm

Jeff,
Did you hear about the Saints building a statue insulting the Falcons?
Please address this issue.

Falcons 62 - Saints 7

July 28th, 2012
6:04 pm

September 16, 1973

Alex

July 28th, 2012
6:14 pm

Come on Jeff, this is all rhetoric without any facts. Check out Greinke’s stats in September/ postseason, and his home road splits. This guy wasnt worth our future. I truly believe next year we will make a big move if necessary, as we will have a lot better read on how these young pitchers are cashing in on their potential. Ask the nationals if they are upset that their GM did the right thing by waiting and assembling the crew of players they have now…

Alex

July 28th, 2012
6:14 pm

Come on Jeff, this is all rhetoric without any facts. Check out Greinke’s stats in September/ postseason, and his home road splits. This guy wasnt worth our future. I truly believe next year we will make a big move if necessary, as we will have a lot better read on how these young pitchers are cashing in on their potential. Ask the nationals if they are upset that their GM did the right thing by waiting and assembling the crew of players they have now…

Jack in Macon

July 28th, 2012
6:18 pm

Jeff, you are wrong! I want a Braves team that can complete year-in and year-out with Washington who probably will be the elite team in the Division for awhile. With the Braves payroll, we have to develop our own talent. One pitcher will not make enough of a difference to win the World Series.

Why don’t you spend you energy and talent taking on Liberty Media and convincing them to sell the Braves to a group from Atlanta that wants to invest in the team and up the payroll about 50%. If that happens then you have something to hold over Wren.

splendid splinter

July 28th, 2012
6:19 pm

@longtimefan – you got it right pal. Most of the guys who blog on this page are crack pots who want to trade the entire team after every hiccup. And while Delgado has a lot of potential and worth keeping, has anyone looked at his record? I don’t think 4-9 is going to get anyone to the HOF. Maybe he’ll be great next year but maybe he will stink it up next year. Then everyone will be yelling that we should have traded him when we had the chance. And what team is it exactly that wants a .213 hitting 2nd baseman in a trade? Hey – hindsight is 20-20.

danny

July 28th, 2012
6:47 pm

I would have no problem with them giving the marlins Delgado, Tehran and another top prospect or two for Josh Johnson. No problem at all

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
6:54 pm

@splendid splinter

You really should not use that username………..there was only one “Splendid Splinter” and he, Ted Williams was one of a kind….

That out of the way, check Glavine, Smoltz and Maddox and their first few years….then tell me how bad Delgado and Minor look to you………….I think these numbers should make us all think again when we think we’re so wise….

Glavine

1987 2 W 4 L 5.54 era
1988 7 W 17 L 4.56 era

Smoltz

1987 2 W 7 L 5.58 era

Maddox

1986 2 W 4 L 5.52 era
1987 6 w 14 L 5.61

the truth...

July 28th, 2012
6:56 pm

Danny…you are delusional……….Johnson has been injured more than healthy and you want to give away the farm for him……..

take a deep breath and read the stats above on the Big 3 and their early years…..

Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)

July 28th, 2012
6:57 pm

IF Chipper or Mac wants it, the DH is waiting in the American League. Red Sox and Yankees would pay big money for either of those two? What do you guys think?

danny

July 28th, 2012
6:59 pm

Mac should definitely be traded. Sorry Guys. He plays catcher and is already wearing down. Can’t see. Knees hurt. Trade him to an AL team in off-season and bring up Bethancourt.

PHIL

July 29th, 2012
5:48 am

DO PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND THAT A TOP YOUNG PITCHER FOR A RENTAL PITCHER, NO MATTER WHO IT IS, IS A DUMB DEAL . COX MADE HIS LONG CONSECUTIVE DIVISION TITLES ON THE BACKS OF PITCHERS. LIVE TO WIN THE LONG WAR NOT A SHORT TERM GOOD FEELING VICTORY. WE ARE IN THE HINT WITH WHAT WE HAVE AND CAN WIN BUT TRADING YOUR FUTURE FOR A POSSIBLE TITLE IS NOT SMART AND WOULD IN NO WAY GUARENTEE A TITLE.

LawDawg

July 30th, 2012
10:17 am

I’d gladly part with some players for Johnson, since he is signed for an extra year and may be convinced to sign with the Braves long-term. It would be interesting to know what the Marlins want.

BradB

July 31st, 2012
5:51 pm

Chipper shouldn’t have joked around with Wren, he should have put a ball on a tee in the clubhouse with Josh Johnson written in permanent marker on it, and knocked the life out of it into Frank Wren’s forehead so he would know what was needed for this team of ours to make a legitimate push to win a championship and couldnt look at a mirror without seeing it. Go Braves, notice there is no Win in Wren.