Michael Bourn a Phillie or a Nat? Say it ain’t so, Scott Boras
Michael Bourn has been a big part of the Braves' rebuilt offense. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
We all know that Michael Bourn will be a free agent at season’s end. We all know that he’s represented by the dreaded Scott Boras, meaning he won’t come cheap. We all know that the Braves haven’t been willing to pay for big-ticket free agents lately, unless you count Derek Lowe.
And now comes more good news: If Bourn doesn’t stay here, he’s apt to wind up playing for a team in the Braves’ division.
Buster Olney of ESPN Insider lists the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies (link requires registration) as likely-if-not-downright-ardent Bourn suitors. The Washington link has been around a while, and the Philly tie makes sense. Bourn came up in the Phillies’ organization.
On cue, Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer names Bourn as a probable target for the Phillies, who just dumped center fielder Shane Victorino and right fielder Hunter Pence. To his credit, Bourn refused to sniff at the notion, telling Brookover: “Ryan [Howard] and Jimmy [Rollins] are friends. I know Cole [Hamels]. I know Kyle Kendrick. I know they have a good team, but right now I’m worried about putting this ‘A’ on my head and going out and playing baseball. That’s about it.”
We’ve gotten used to seeing big names depart Atlanta after a brief layover here — Gary Sheffield, J.D. Drew, Mark Teixeira — but for the Braves to lose Bourn would be a real blow. They’d long sought a center fielder and a leadoff hitter, and in Bourn they’ve found both. And the thought of seeing him leading off for someone else in the same division would be rather revolting. But, as they say in baseball, that’s baseball.
Oh, and how good has Bourn been in 2012? FanGraphs assesses his WAR (wins above a garden-variety replacement player) value as 4.6 games. Among non-pitchers, that’s the 14th-best in baseball. Jason Heyward is 15th, Martin Prado 26th. Be a shame to break up that outfield.
By Mark Bradley
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202 comments Add your comment
Reality
August 8th, 2012
10:40 pm
Ha. The Phillies impending pursuit of Bourn is the worst kept secret in Philadelphia. Sorry this is just being brought to your attention Braves fans. As a Phillies fan I don’t even particularly want the Phils to sign him, but it is going to happen. They traded Victorino and Pence to get under the luxury tax threshhold for this year, so they can go over next year without the extreme 37% penalty, while for 2014 the threshhold rises to $189 million. Those that think the good times stop rolling at CBP are deluding themselves, you don’t understand what the past 5 years have done in terms of growing the fan base. I live in Ocean City New Jersey, six years ago you would never see children playing baseball, wiffle ball etc on the beach. Now it is an endless string of games as far as the eye can see. They will be at 90% capacity for the season before a single game ticket is sold, plus there is the aforementioned new TV deal with Comcast or the creation of a Phillies regional sports channel. Sorry to break it to you, but the Phillies payroll at close to $200 million is the new normal.
Gritsfed
August 9th, 2012
12:16 am
I think one of the reasons the Braves’ dottled around at the trade deadline was because they need money to resign Bourn.
John Leonard
August 9th, 2012
12:31 am
Bourn is a good player and more valuable to the Braves than most,but not worth more then 8or9 Mil per year.
the truth...
August 9th, 2012
12:34 am
Jurgens get NO RAISE in arbitration….they might even end up releasing him if he continues to crash like he has….remember we have a bunch of pitchers already.
Phil Niekro
August 9th, 2012
1:22 am
Wren will fart around like he always does and Bourn will sign elsewhere,then Wren will BS us fans and say his usual Bs that we offered him a contract but he signed elsewhere.Watch and see.When it comes to signing free agents like that he farts around too much and drags his feet.even though he has the money coming off the books he will act as if he is afraid to spend it.Watch and see.we need Bourn back and do whatever it takes to keep him here for years to come.keep him here until he retires.But Wren won’t.
VOL
August 9th, 2012
5:52 am
The Braves should let Bourn walk at the price he will command. He’ll be 30, stikes out a lot, has a decent but not great OBP and will not get any faster. At the 15 mill + per yer he might get the price is just to high. Also the Braves should strongly consider dealing Mac to get younger and cheaper. ‘Court is developing in the minors and probably is MLB ready defensively. With Chipper retirng we need to add some pieces. Mac would/should bring a nice return. After this the lineup needs to be deconstructed and rebuilt around Heyward and Freeman for the future.
hal
August 9th, 2012
7:36 am
somone did explain how trading him would help trade him too soone with the money too sighn him and jusyt maybe get something worth while back
Show Bourn, the MONEY
August 9th, 2012
7:57 am
With Chipper retiring. Wouldn’t that free up some money, to offer, Bourn, a good contract. BRAVES NEED, HIM.
Packer Ed
August 9th, 2012
8:31 am
Hey Folks, maybe Santa Claus will bring us a new owner that has cash and a burning desire to win it all and then we can sign Michael Bourn.
At some point the Braves will have to anty up to compete.
Could happen.
CRMAC300
August 9th, 2012
8:36 am
I am confused. Don’t the Braves compete practically every year? Weren’t the Braves competitive before Michael Bourn? Won’t they find a way to be competitive without Bourn? Get over Bourn, Braves fans. No matter what the Braves offer him, half a dozen other teams will beat it. Instead of overpaying for a lead off man who strikes out too much, the money will be better spent on starting pitching and strengthening the bench. Braves give their fans a reason to watch them play every night. They don’t need to cripple the roster with another ridiculous contract (see Lowe, Derek).
Pippa's hiney
August 9th, 2012
9:35 am
I would not automatically assume him gone.
disbot3000
August 9th, 2012
10:50 am
If you’re pleading to Scot Boras’ good nature, you’re wasting your time. I don’t think he’s aver shown himself to really care about the teams involved, or even what may be in the best personal interest of his players. He only cares about the highest dollar amount, and if getting that big pay day (let’s not forget he gets a percentage of whatever the amount is) means even going to a last place team that’s going nowhere with a reputation for a toxic clubhouse, that’s where he’s going to steer his client. Hey, maybe I’m not being fair, but I think I am.
I sure hope we can hold onto Bourne somehow though. I think it would require the Braves really stepping up and Bourn demanding that his agent keep him in Atlanta for it to happen though.
doug
August 9th, 2012
10:51 am
I hope Bourn stays also, however the Braves can’t mortgage the team with one player. With the retirement of Jones it should free up some money to at least compete on Bourn, by the way, you don’t think the Yankees know about him.
The Braves could be wise to inquire with the Angels about Peter Borjious (sp) he can flat fly also, great glove and could show some power if he played every day.
Don Sutton
August 9th, 2012
11:25 am
@ CRMAC300 and everyone else suggesting we just let Bourn walk — I’m tired of COMPETING! I want a championship and Bourn is exactly the piece we need to maintain. Not asking to bring in a bunch of high priced free agents like Phillies, Yankees, BoSox, etc. Just break the bank on this one to mesh with our young talent and the pitching we already have. LET’S GO BRAVES!!
Fastball
August 9th, 2012
1:30 pm
Let Bourn go. In fact, trade him if possible.
Tim Scott
August 9th, 2012
2:51 pm
It’s been enjoyable watching MB this year and half of last. He will not resign with Atlanta,Liberty is not going to pony up what Boras is going to command. Like him or not Scott Boras does exactly what his clients hire him to do,get as much as they can. It simply is not in the Braves best interest to tie up millions of dollars in a long term contract for Mr Bourn. The Braves have so many holes to fill and it is not the practice of this cheapskate ownership to part with a nickel.
So thank you Mr Bourn,lets enjoy the rest of this season and see how far you can take the home team and good luck in the off season.
Mark Teixeira : The Latest Fuzz
August 9th, 2012
4:19 pm
[...] Michael Bourn a Phillie or a Nat? Say it ain’t so, Scott Boras – Atlanta Journal Constit… [...]
(Philly)Hater
August 9th, 2012
5:42 pm
Enter your comments here
(Philly)Hater
August 9th, 2012
5:50 pm
Someone posted earlier that Liberty Media has all this extra money and should pour more money into players salaries…….must be a liberal or communist. If you look at Dave O’Brian’s last blog, the Braves are currently revenue neutral. Billionaires don’t become billionaires by LOSING money on their buisness.
The reason Braves don’t make as much money is that the Braves fan base can’t even sell out PLAYOFF games!!!! Red Sox, Phils, and Yankees sell out just about every game!!! It’s simple math…..
The Braves will lose Bourn. That’s a given. If the Braves are smart, they should trade McCann (while his value is high) and get some nice pieces in return while bringing up ‘Court. It hurts me to say that since I’m such a huge fan of McCann….but buisness is buisness
This is the current Braves’ reality….we have to think and act like a middle market team that we are.
(Philly)Hater
August 9th, 2012
5:58 pm
Looks like even the Phillies have some second thoughts about paying Bourn $15-20 million/yr
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20120809_David_Murphy__Bourn_not_the_answer.html
(Philly)Hater
August 9th, 2012
6:01 pm
@Reality….gloat all you want. But since when has $200 million/yr payroll guaranteed anything??
With all the money y’all have tied up on medical nightmares like Upton and Howard….not sure you’re in any better position than the Braves
nick p
August 9th, 2012
10:17 pm
and there in lies the difference between the 1990s braves and Braves post 2000s, those times we could have anyone we wanted, now just the first 5 years before real free agency kicks in!
Reality
August 10th, 2012
12:10 am
Well Hater, I didn’t believe I was gloating, but having been on both sides of the Baseball Franchise revenue picture, I will certainly take the Phils situation now (or the Braves situation in the 90’s) over when our owner claimed we were a “small-market” club in 1996.
And if you read my post, I clearly stated that I do not want the Phillies to break the bank for Bourn, even if it will benefit the team in 2013. However, there are reporters who regularly have access to the thinking of Phillies executives, Jason Stark for example, talk radio hosts around town for another, who sussed out their thinking with their deadline trades and offseason plans. The Pence deal was the giveaway. David Murphy has always seemed confused in purpose, he is supposedly a beat writer, but regularly writes theoretical pieces, like the one you linked to, more befitting of Bill James. Read it again, he is just laying out an argument against signing Bourn, not quoting sources from inside the organization that they are bluffing.
Nothing is guaranteed in baseball, the best team rarely wins (which fans of both the Braves and Phils can ruefully agree on), but having established players certainly gives a team a better chance. Utley’s (I presume this is who you mean) contract as a whole has been a bargain for the Phils, he signed below market well before hitting free-agency. Howard’s contract is obviously ugly looking, but how much money has he brought into the team’s coffers over the years? $500 million? A billion? That was my original point, a high revenue team can eat these contracts and move on.
That's Expensive
August 10th, 2012
3:46 am
It seems that everyone is in love with Bourn. I’m not saying he isn’t a good player but, at 30 I don’t see giving a leadoff man whose game is built on speed a 5 year contract worth 75 million. After starting off hot, his average has slowly fallen which is now under .290. If someone gives him that contract, let him go.
need for speed
August 10th, 2012
6:11 am
Bourns numbers have been droping and will continnue to drop. The Braves have speedy outfielders in AAA. Luis Durango is a righty hitting 285 and has 39 stolen bases. Constanza the lefty is at 323 but with just 11 stolen bases. Bourn gets the big contract and starts eating more he’s just going to get fater and slower. Give Durango a shot.
Mark
August 10th, 2012
7:55 am
I love Michael Bourn’s speed and defense, but he’s not a huge money player. If the Phillies or Nats want to drop $17 million a year on him, they can have him. Ask the Red Sox how that worked out for them will Carl Crawford, who was a similar player to Bourn when he hit free agency.
The Sertoma Kid
August 10th, 2012
9:33 am
Let the greedy bejeeber go. Free agency may have been great for the players, but it’s lousy for the fans.
GoHeels27330
August 10th, 2012
12:17 pm
Milt… I was thinking the exact same thing. Everyone was excited about having Uggla when FW resigned him. I still like this. Uggla is streaky but he does have a solid glove and when he gets hot he is as dangerous as any hitter in MLB. He is starting to show signs of heating up now. Once he convinces himself of that he will go to work and propel our Bravos into and through the playoffs. As far as Bourn is concerned I hate to lose him but I have yet to hear him say he would like to stay in Atlanta so only time will tell. We have him now so lets get that WS Championship and then he can decide where he wants to be.
For the person that said Atlanta said they would not deal with Boras again you are right. I believe it was Sheurholtz that said it after he and Furcal screwed the Braves over
metalman
August 10th, 2012
12:30 pm
I say trade Bourn now, get a little something for him and we will still be able to make the same “FAIR” offer that Boarass will reject!
lou
August 10th, 2012
1:53 pm
Signing Bourn would be a nice way to start winter. Don’t know how wren can and will stand up to Boras. Length of contract should be no problem. His age at the end of a 5 or 6 year contract he will still be capable. physically., unlike a lot of guys who sign multi-year contracts( i.e. Pujols at 41 with a bad elbow already). Some guys are a young 30 and some guys are an old 28. BRYAN McCANN. The braves would be insan e to offer a longterm deal to him. He used to be in the top2 catchers in baseball. you can make a case he is now 9th and sinking rapidly. He can’t move. He actually waddles. He can no longer block balls in the dirt even slightly off the plate. Good Hit(not this year),No Defense and No Run(LIABILITY ON THE BASES). Bad combination Bad PR now but good for team long term..
Klaus
August 10th, 2012
2:35 pm
Uggla was a mistake and fans were complaining last year from week three with a breather over the summer and them more complaining as the collapse unfolded.
Uggla has been great for one month and very poor the rest of the time.
He was hired for RBIs & power not solo shots, SO and Walk combo records.
Uggla was a lifetime .250ish hitter and Wren just saw 30 HRs a year for 4 years and hit speed dial.
Klaus
August 10th, 2012
2:38 pm
Put it this way if Uggla was making 2-3mm a year he would be in AAA or traded by now. 13.5mm/yr and three+ years left on his deal is why he is still a Brave.
If Uggla’s was named Constanza making league min he would be DFA with his performance thus far in 2012.
urban redneck
August 10th, 2012
2:44 pm
MB, please stop giving kudos for first. you’re just encouraging them.
we can’t afford bourn unless we don’t re-sign bmac. however, i would hate to see someone within our division acquire him. go bravos.
Klaus
August 10th, 2012
2:45 pm
With Chipper leaving the Braves need a real #4 hitter who can carry a team. Heyward will be a 3 and FF 5-6 (along with Mac til he leaves).
The Braves lack a true every day cleanup guy who makes pitchers sweat bullets.
On any give day Chipper will beat the best pitching in the Majors – no one else on the team can do that as consistently as Chipper (when he is healthy).
Losing Chipper and dumping money on a 30 yo lead off guy would be a bad idea. This whole line up face plants when Chipper is out for more than a game or two.
Put Heyward in CF and Johnson in RF for a month you could still win. Put Prado at 3B for a month with Chipper on the DL and you wont make the post season.
Now or next year.
Which means the first priority is to replace Chipper’s bat in the line up. That is where the biggest check has to go.
Klaus
August 10th, 2012
2:51 pm
After that its (money) for a true Ace and then a CF assuming Chipper’s spot in the lineup (presence versus actual 3 or 4 in the order) is in LF.
I still can see Prado being traded this offseason bc he doesn’t hit like a LF or 3B. He also fades (injuries or fatigue) come the summer dog days.
If they can find a way to unload Uggla then Prado returns to 2B where his offense profile fits best.
Wren will have some complex scenarios to work through this offseason. They will require patience and chess match strategy.
If he impulsively jumps on the first thing he sees (like Uggla) he will regret it.
bravo-n-knoxville
August 10th, 2012
3:59 pm
Bourn will command $18-20 mil per yr.from age 30-35 who relies on his legs and strikes out way too much for a leadoff hitter. Trade for Jacoby Ellsbury as his replacement that way the Braves get a younger, more powerful replacement at a cheaper rate…imho.
chad
August 10th, 2012
4:34 pm
i like bourn but i have a feeling he will look for carl crawford money…at that price let him walk and i will still be a fan to the day i die,,,not like some of your other busters
GB's Hamburgers
August 10th, 2012
5:19 pm
I feel so dang sorry for all the baseball players having to uproot their famililes and concubines …. forced to take undeserved millions of dollars …. it’s enought to make a grown man ______________ (fill in the blank)
ohhawk
August 10th, 2012
5:59 pm
You could put together a pretty good starting lineup with the players the Braves have shed over the years……you can add Bourn to that lineup.
I thought corporate ownership was intended to enhance your position in the marketplace? Any good Yale graduates out there with a secret mathematical formula?
Shawdaddy
August 10th, 2012
9:21 pm
Scott Boras, by the direct actions of a most just and powerful God, if Michael Bourne so much as puts one arm into a Phillies or Nats uniform, a wrath and fury of biblical proportions will rain down from the skies upon you and you shall cower in regret all the days remaining of your life. Now, you have a nice day.
Teddy B
August 10th, 2012
11:42 pm
Unfortunately I think that in the long term the Braves are going to have to make some tough choices as to who they keep and who they let go. Think about it, we’ve got to start figuring out some contracts soon. Kimbrel, Heyward, Freeman, plus guys like Prado (invaluable due to all the positions he can play but don’t tell his agent). We might not have the money to lock up all of our home grown talent and we might have to let a few great guys go. Just the way it is and always will be.
Bourn is a great lead off guy, hate to see him go but what can you do? If Boras had it his way Atlanta could only afford Bourn. That is why I despise him, he is unreasonable and makes teams squeeze out a few guys to sign that one whopper. Can’t win a championship with 1 superstar though Scott. I’d like nothing else than to see MLB BAN HIM and have his clients represented by humans and not reptiles.
At least we have Bourn for now and if we keep playing this good we just might have all the pieces to win it all this season!
Teddy B
August 10th, 2012
11:50 pm
Boras has no friends in the MLB or life in general, the way he put the fix on Mark Appel this year shows that he isn’t the best choice of an agent any more. He cost that kid a whole lot of millions, and when Appel gets hurt or just doesn’t do any good this coming season and realizes how much money Scott Boras cost him I think people will start to realize the way he plays the greed game is rotten and totally against everything Baseball used to stand for.
Thank goodness Heyward isn’t represented by that snake or I’d find a new favorite player real fast. I’m hoping Heyward is easy on the Braves like Chipper was during his career. Sure he can make more money somewhere else but why not stay close to home and all his family and friends?
Maybe he’ll be the type of man to leave the team enough money left to field a competitive squad to play with him and win some championships!
Rowland Office was good in CF
August 11th, 2012
12:00 am
I’m a big Bourn guy, too. Been a long time since we’ve had a truly productive CF, but he’s 31 and at that age where speed can fade suddenly. I’d love to have him, but it’ll take a 5 yr deal at least. I just don’t see him being the same player in 5 years, and I haven’t even touched on his struggles against
lefties.
the mace
August 11th, 2012
12:01 am
Forget Bourne. Sign Maholm.
ragnar danneskjold
August 11th, 2012
8:48 pm
Just looked at season stats in the middle of Saturday game:
Bourn OBP .352
Uggla OBP .352
ESPN puts the D in ouche
August 11th, 2012
9:32 pm
Take this $&it off the web page all ready.
BravesfaninWis
August 12th, 2012
11:01 am
Bourn will not be a Brave after this season, bank on it. The Braves are to cheap to be able to outbid other teams for his services. We as fans have been down this road multiple times before. The only reason guys like Chipper and Smoltz stayed with the Braves is because they took loyalty over a bigger payday. That kind of commitment is a dying breed these days. I would love to see Bourn stay, but there is no possible way that will happen. We better get used to watching tear up Braves pitching as a leadoff hitter for another NL East team, because its going to happen sooner rather than later.
Ted Turner
August 12th, 2012
11:50 am
Signing Bourn will show how much the front office is willing to win….
Rob from Carolina
August 12th, 2012
1:37 pm
I say they let Bourne go, put Andrelton in the outfield, and keep our shortstop we have right now. Andrelton can play outfield and lead off.
dave batman
August 12th, 2012
4:18 pm
You’ve got A Simmons at short, send Uggla packing to one of the front runners that may
need his power (sometimes), then sign Bourn. Anyone who can hit 240 or 250 can play
second.