Should the Braves keep Brian McCann? For one year, yes

TheOnlyBravesFan

October 17th, 2012
3:11 pm

Keep him this year, see what happens.

Kudos

tooltime234

October 17th, 2012
3:13 pm

Pick up the option for one year. Not much down side to it. The free agent pool is not going to be that strong so a lot of people will get overpaid and I don’t think the braves will be after a big name in free agency. Use that money on McCann this year and then see where we stand in one more season.

StevoDeg

October 17th, 2012
3:17 pm

Wow, I hope we keep McCann. Those offensive numbers show that Bethancourt isn’t ready to handle MLB pitching (or minors level pitching) but that was the knock on Simmons too, if I recall.
Mr. Bradley, what are the chances of exploring the option of Evan Gattis? I know I’ve heard wonders about his offense, but is his defense decent enough to give him a look?

Heisenberg

October 17th, 2012
3:21 pm

That said, the quickest way to clog a payroll is to keep players who don’t figure to be half as good by the time their contracts lapse

See Yankees, NY. That said, pick him up for 2013.

Almost the Weekend

October 17th, 2012
3:21 pm

Exercise the option. His clubhouse value now that Chipper is gone is worth it. And kudos to you, Mr. B.

"Chef" Tim Dix

October 17th, 2012
3:26 pm

Can’t replace even his weak production by his terms for the money so you have to pick up the option.

BTW, those screaming loyalty, face of the franchise, etc…Doubtful any check cashed by Brian bounced.

Big Crimson 75

October 17th, 2012
3:26 pm

19 Mil for Michael Bourne!!!!!!
Forget being a player, I shoulda been an Agent.

Hanan

October 17th, 2012
3:27 pm

Drop him! Take your nearly 50 million in freed up cash and go get free agents Josh Hamilton (LF) and BJ Upton (CF) and move Prado to 3B. Or get free agents BJ Upton (CF) and David Wright (3B) and leave Prado in left.

Or just keep a 30 year old aging and injury prone catcher and be the first team out of the playoffs again next year. What the hell, we’ve only been the first losers in the playoffs for 20 years now. Why break a great tradition like that?

Biff Pocoroba

October 17th, 2012
3:28 pm

Good, tough catchers are not easy to replace.

"Chef" Tim Dix

October 17th, 2012
3:29 pm

OR…

Go cheap and cut ticket prices.

"Chef" Tim Dix

October 17th, 2012
3:31 pm

BJ Upton…The New “Junior” cry.

gtt

October 17th, 2012
3:32 pm

Yes, get him healthy and keep him.

Hanan

October 17th, 2012
3:33 pm

Oh and Ross, a great defensive catcher, hit .256 this year and would’ve hit around 20 hr’s and 60 rbi’s if you project his number to 450-500 AB’s (about average for starting catchers). We could let him be the starter next year and groom Bethancourt for the 2014 season.

archie

October 17th, 2012
3:33 pm

Face it, the Braves again are screwed for next year. Even with that terrific pitching, they’re solid at only 4 positions: Freeman, Simmons, Heyward and wherever Prado plays. Centerfield is a mystery (in case no one noticed, Bourn’s teams somehow avoid the playoffs) Uggla is a disaster, and catcher is a huge question mark.

But since the Braves front office is staffed by nice guys, who don’t mind a quiet post-season, they’ll continue to coddle Uggla (”oh look, he hit .239 last week, he’s back!”) and McCann, who has become a no-tool player before the age of 30.

With so many holes in the lineup, the Braves have no business playing in October. And they’ll be in their La-Z-Boys next fall too.

"Chef" Tim Dix

October 17th, 2012
3:35 pm

Ross will be the first to say that a week of Ross is all he’s got. Pro part timer.

"Chef" Tim Dix

October 17th, 2012
3:38 pm

Weak outfield free agent year. Offer Bourne 50M for 4, option for 5, max.

Matt Amatician

October 17th, 2012
3:42 pm

“we’ve only been the first losers in the playoffs for 20 years now”

2012-1995=17

Hanan

October 17th, 2012
3:52 pm

NO NO NO. Bourne is fine defensively, but anyone who’s read Moneyball knows that SB’s are overratted. Plus he is a terrible contact hitter; 155 K’s! Are you kidding? You’re a leadoff hitter with great speed and no power. In the words of Lou Brown “Well, you can run like Hays, but you hit like s#$%. With your speed, you should be hitting the ball on the ground and be legging them out.”

RNB

October 17th, 2012
3:55 pm

Let him go and free up salary to sign a big hitter to plug in left or center. Another priority would be to sign a good starting pitcher.

collegeballfan

October 17th, 2012
4:07 pm

I completely agree Bradley.

yabbo dabba doo

October 17th, 2012
4:10 pm

kick him to the curb!

Bobby Coccyx

October 17th, 2012
4:18 pm

Geez, it wasn’t that long ago that McCann was projected to sign for more money than Y. Molina somewhere… Now he’s being tossed into the second-hand bin.

George Stein

October 17th, 2012
4:21 pm

Mark Bradley just cited a player’s WAR. This is progress.

Jamaaliver

October 17th, 2012
4:33 pm

Let him walk and use that money to totally remake the roster. Hell, a lowr payroll might make the Braves easier to sell. And we can get a real owner!

ChipperisGod

October 17th, 2012
4:40 pm

WAR is irrelevant to me. It seems completely made up, to me it depends on which replacement you have back there that would determine this statistic, not any old replacement. There are varying levels of skill set in terms of the various replacements that could take the place of the player in question that doesn’t seem to be factored into WAR. And who cares about what a minor leaguer would perform over a major leaguer anyway? I dunno, seems silly.

Anyway, Mac didn’t have a good year, but we saw in July of this year, when he’s healthy, the guy is an absolute beast.

I’d pick up the option. There is no one in FA, Bethancourt still needs another year and Ross is not an everyday catcher despite his flair for the dramatic.

After this year, then you decide. If he puts up the usual Mac numbers (280, 25, 80) then yeah, I’d give him maybe three or four year contract next offseason. Still, catchers do not age well. It’s a very tough decision, but I think the decision is obvious right now. Pick up the option and see what happens, the alternative is worse than an injured McCann to me.

Worst case scenario, you eat 12 million, Mac has a subpar year and Bethancourt is ready by the 2014 season, and we say goodbye to the best catcher we’ve had since Javy.

Mister Frisky

October 17th, 2012
4:41 pm

If you pick up option for 13 mil,thats 26 mil for the Braves two worst hitters and most consistent rally killers.Thats about 27 % of payroll on two diminishing hitters.NO THANKS!

David Puddy

October 17th, 2012
4:42 pm

“His clubhouse value now that Chipper is gone is worth it.”

12m for a good guy in the clubhouse. Oh, gosh. Please.

David Puddy

October 17th, 2012
4:46 pm

“Geez, it wasn’t that long ago that McCann was projected to sign for more money than Y. Molina somewhere… Now he’s being tossed into the second-hand bin”

Some of the offense he provides–beyond a more defensive catcher–is given up by his weak defensive play. Only nitwits like Matt Turnoff make these declarations ignoring the value of sterling defensive play and poor defensive play,as in McCann’s case.

Rowsdower

October 17th, 2012
4:50 pm

For those of you proposing that Mac be let go, who are you planning to have catch? Ross? He’s 35 and wouldn’t make until May if he had to start every game. Bethancourt? He’s not ready. A free agent? Are there any worth a damn?

Bring Mac back. While he’s healing Bethancourt can get a cup of coffee and we’ll have a better idea where his progression is. Mac comes back healthy and his old self you re-sign him for 3 years. If he doesn’t let him walk next year.

Hanan

October 17th, 2012
4:53 pm

.280, 25, 80. for an absolutely horrible defensive catcher that sits down every 3rd or 4th game? There are several free agents who can put up those numbers AND can field their position. Totally agree with Frisky. Ugg and Mc are the most overpaid hitters on the team. Waste of 26 million dollars.

Ask yourself this: If the braves (who insisted on this option when the contract was written) are going to excercise that option after a terrible, injury riddled season by a 30 year old catcher who can’t field his position, WHY PUT THE OPTION IN THE CONTRACT TO BEGIN WITH????? This is precisely WHY you put these options in there.

ATLcracker

October 17th, 2012
4:54 pm

Guys, We don’t HAVE David Ross. He is a free agent. We don’t have any kind of option with him. He can sign with any team in MLB. With the problems Washington and some other teams had at catcher last year don’t you think at least one of them will be willing to “overpay” for the best backup catcher in Baseball? Not signing him to an extension when we had the chance will turn out to be another blunder by Frank Wren.

Hanan

October 17th, 2012
4:55 pm

aren’t (not are)

Hanan

October 17th, 2012
4:59 pm

That’s true ATL, but if Bathencourt is as good of a fielder as we here, then we just bring him up if we can’t lure Ross to stay.

The point is, a hitting catcher is a luxery, but it’s not worth it if he’s always on the DL and can’t field his position. You don’t have to have a slugger behind the plate. Personally, I think we should have traded him when he was a hot commodity a couple of years ago. We don’t need a hitting catcher, we need a hitting thirdbaseman, and some hitting outfielders.

Rowsdower

October 17th, 2012
5:00 pm

@Hanan – “.280, 25, 80. for an absolutely horrible defensive catcher that sits down every 3rd or 4th game”

Uh, you’re insane if you think catchers with those slashes grow on trees. Also, ALL catchers sit once every 5th day. No catcher can play 162 games. It’s impossible, so lower your bar and remember that guys that can hit for those numbers AND play great defense are limited to Chooch and Yadi. That’s it. Oh, and Yadi missed 24 games…

JoeBravesFan

October 17th, 2012
5:11 pm

Pick up the option and see how he does after this surgery. If he does well, use him as trade bait at the deadline and get something REALLY good in return. They shouldn’t do what they did with JJ and hold on to him. If they had traded JJ before the trade deadline last year, we could have gotten a great return…but then he got injured again and we aren’t going to get ANYTHING for him.

Mister Frisky

October 17th, 2012
5:12 pm

Get another catcher like a Rod Barajas type to go along with Ross.Use McCann money for the addition of proven clutch hitters.

JoeBravesFan

October 17th, 2012
5:14 pm

Of course, if they DO trade B-Mac, they should obviously look to do so outside the NL East, because with our luck, he’d terrorize us everytime we played against his team.

Hanan

October 17th, 2012
5:17 pm

I understand that. But my point is that when you invest that much money in a guy who plays part time, you should be able to expect that he can field his position. If not, he better hit like Piazza, otherwise it’s not a worthwhile investment. His recent WAR numbers bear out that point.

My point is that if you don’t either have a 5 tool guy or ridiculous hitter like Piazza, then just go get any old good fielding catcher, pay him a million or less and invest the other 11 million in a good hitter who will play 150-160 games and can field.

taylor

October 17th, 2012
5:21 pm

“280, 25, 80. for an absolutely horrible defensive catcher that sits down every 3rd or 4th game?”

You can probably count on 1 hand the number of catchers you hit those stats in the Majors. That said, every catcher sits every 4 games or so. That is just how grueling the position is.

taylor

October 17th, 2012
5:23 pm

*who hit those stats

Larry30

October 17th, 2012
5:23 pm

This situation, among others, points to the inadequacy of Frank Wren. Any forward thinking GM would have envisioned this predicament, injury or not. McCann should have traded after the 2010 season when his trade value was sky high much like the rangers traded with us for texeira. His bat is all that keeps him in the game the past three seasons he has not even been an average catcher. They will sign him, throw away another $12 mil. He will sign with an AL team next year and we will get nothing for him.

Whacked Out Fan

October 17th, 2012
5:26 pm

Any thought of converting BMAC into a third baseman? Just a wild thought.

Many years ago the Big Red Machine converted Johnny Bench from catcher to third base. It extended his career.
Also, Joe Torre was a catcher with the Braves. He was converted to third base by St. Louis after being traded for Orlando Cepeda in 1969.
He went on to win a batting title, RBI crown and MVP.

Another former catcher that was converted was Dale Murphy — his move was to Center Field and that turned out pretty good too…

With Chipper gone and the Braves ever so famous for no longer signing big name/mone free agents — BMAC at third isn’t a bad idea….

How About it Frank”n”Wren….Freddie GGGGGG?

McCann to third!!!!

Joey

October 17th, 2012
5:29 pm

I can’t believe those votes. $12M for a catcher with bad eyesight, who never throws out a base stealer, who lets passed balls go by by the dozen, who now has a bad shoulder?

Why? Cause he’s nice? He’s a good guy? Mac is a good guy, but that is no reason to spend that much money on him.

Think!!!

Think what that $12M can get the Braves – two healthy baseball players. We have catchers in the system that can put up his numbers from ‘12.

Thank him for his service, and let him GO!

Don

October 17th, 2012
5:31 pm

Absolutely not. The Braves can use $10 + mill better than McCann. Who knows when he will actually be able to play and what condition he will be in when he does. Albeit injured, he has been a non factor the last 2 Septembers. He seems to be on his way down.

Third Eye Blind?

October 17th, 2012
5:31 pm

I like the idea of making Brian a third baseman! Might plug the hole for several years. Great thought Whacked

Rowsdower

October 17th, 2012
5:32 pm

@Hanan – I agree his WAR was horrible this year, but he was also playing with one arm. Let’s see what happens after the surgery. There is plenty of money to take care of all the arb eligible guys and still get a premium CF and LF/3B. The money for Mac is already earmarked and there really isn’t much of a market to replace his bat when he’s healthy. If he comes back and is a shell of his former self like this past season, you let him walk.

@Taylor – Thank you for reinforcing my point!

DONNAN OF A NEW ERA

October 17th, 2012
5:35 pm

Whatever Bradley says, the Braves should do the total opposite of.

Dumb and Numb

October 17th, 2012
5:38 pm

How is all of these guys have such a strong opinion to let Mac go and give absolutely no solutions on who to sign or trade for?

Does anyone remember when Ron Gant broke his leg in the ATV accident? He had to have metal rod inserted for it heal.

What did the Braves do? They released him from his contract and would not take the risk of paying an injured player that they did not know how long it would take for him to heal and play, if ever play; baseball again…..

Turned out that was one of the Braves alltime stupidest moves — Gant came back and played several productive years with the Cardinals and A’s.
Where would Braves history have been had John S. not released Gant and not have traded Dave Justice? I would BET the HOUSE that it would have included a couple of more World Series titles vs just making the WS….

Ted M

October 17th, 2012
5:44 pm

I love McCann and he has been a great Brave in many ways but you have to let him go. Sentiment should not be a factor. Sign Ross and go w/a Kid if it doesn’t work make Ross the starter and trade for an inexpensive back up.

Look for great outfielders, other then Bourn. Maybe even Hamilton.

Heisenberg

October 17th, 2012
5:46 pm

Another former catcher that was converted was Dale Murphy

There it is! Let Bourn walk and put Mac in CF and hit leadoff. He is a stolen base machine.

Bronkelliott

October 17th, 2012
5:47 pm

I for one think he should be released. It may not be the popular opinion but it may lead to many griping by the fans come mid year when he becomes a possible liability. He has been on the decline for 2 years. He may never fully recover what he once was. He was a great player at one time but I think that is in the past. I am hoping for better but think this team needs to get younger and stop carrying too many players on the decline. Stick with Ross and a new young catcher that Ross can mentor and save the money for a good center fielder (not fade out Bourn).

Chris

October 17th, 2012
5:52 pm

Can’t really call someone making $1 million a month a “great servant”

Braves Girl

October 17th, 2012
5:54 pm

I think he got Uggla-titus. And, it is catching(no double pun intended). Let Brian heal(remember all the crys to get rid of Prado last year when he was hurt….) and he will come roaring back like our LF\ SS\ 2nd baseman\3rd baseman – Prado. Plus part of his salary will be paid by insurance, so let him do his thing and get better and better, and better, and better…… We should pay to trade Uggla to Washington so he can rub off on them. And, BTW – please tell me the person that paid for Uggla, Lowe, Nate McLeod…is not still holding the money bag. Someone should take away his credit card and give it to someone that can make a deal.

Three Jack

October 17th, 2012
5:56 pm

Let him go. The last thing we need is a recovering catcher who had trouble throwing out runners before his shoulder gave out. Re-sign Ross to make sure a veteran in on the roster then open competition between him, Bethancourt and Gattis during spring training next year. If the 2 minor leaguers are not ready, then pickup a free agent to split duties with Ross until one of them becomes ready. My prediction, Evan Gattis will win the job if given a fair shot.

JimK

October 17th, 2012
5:57 pm

This is a financial decision, so we need to know the facts. Will the months McCann misses due to recovery from surgery be 100% paid by insurance and deducted from the $12 million we would owe him for picking up his option? Let’s say with rehab time, age and all he isn’t back to 100% until after the 2013 All-Star break. What value should we place on half a season? I say the Braves should not pay more than $6 million in real money to McCann for 2013. If the insurance company requires the team to pay more than that, then the Braves should deny the option, make McCann a one season offer which tops at $6 million in team payments to him exclusive of insurance, and if he declines, we let him walk.

The team will need a catcher to share the job with Ross for the months McCann misses anyway. Watching Gattis get a chance against major league pitching would be fascinating. Other in-house options like Kennelly, Yepez, or Boscan may prove insufficient, so there will be some shopping for a transitional catcher anyway. The important thing is not to let emotion get in the way. We made that mistake with Glavine and it cost the team millions. Consider how many scouts a few million dollars can buy.

*{jj}*

October 17th, 2012
6:02 pm

Sign AJ Pierzynski for 2 years 14 million..135 games 27 hrs 77 rbi 278 ba 326 obp 501 slg 827 ops 3.3 owar 2 years for 14 are Mac 1 year for 12..

DONNAN OF A NEW ERA

October 17th, 2012
6:07 pm

Isn’t Ross our backup catcher?

DONNAN OF A NEW ERA

October 17th, 2012
6:08 pm

“Jair Jurrjens, whose career fizzle is the strangest this franchise has seen ”

No, that would be Steve Avery.

*{jj}*

October 17th, 2012
6:11 pm

no that would be KK

*{jj}*

October 17th, 2012
6:13 pm

no that would be Andruw Jones

*{jj}*

October 17th, 2012
6:14 pm

no that would be Kenny Lofton

Hillbilly D

October 17th, 2012
6:16 pm

This is a toughie. He appears to be on the decline but who knows, the surgery might reverse some of that. Don’t think I would extend him, right now, but I’d probably exercise the option and go from there.

Ross is a pretty good option but keep in mind, he’ll be 36 years old when the season starts. That’s pretty old for an everyday catcher.

Stinger 2

October 17th, 2012
6:39 pm

I am a believer in the wisdom of Frank Wren and Fredi. Whatever they decide will be fine with me. It does not matter what the opinions of bloggers are and that is why I never give one. I do like to read what those who share their opinions say. As of a few minutes ago, 71 persent of the voters are saying keep him for one more year.

Ted M

October 17th, 2012
6:42 pm

McCann shoulder will “probably” get better but he is gonna have other injuries. His knees have been barking pretty much lately. Ya gotta let him go.

Its always better to let them go too soon then too late.

Sonny Clusters

October 17th, 2012
6:56 pm

“There is nothing I could have did.” – actual quote on local news. We was thinking we don’t want to hear Frank Wren saying that next season when the Braves need a catcher and a bat or two with some pop and a shrewd strategist in the dugout. “There is nothing I could have did.”

64 year Ct. Braves fan

October 17th, 2012
7:00 pm

Don’t exercise the option on McCann. He is a terrible defender, so slow he can’t beat out a ground
ball that deflects off of 2 infielders. (Slowest major leaguer since Ernie Lombardi) Can’t see or hit
anymore. Take the 12 mil and use it to procure 2 outfielders who are “CONTACT” hitters with speed.
Angel Pagan comes to mind.

Dick Dodge

October 17th, 2012
7:09 pm

No player is worth $12 mil, just because he’s a good “clubhouse guy”.

While I’m pretty sure Braves management will exercise McCann’s 2013 team option….I feel that the smart move would be to decline it and let McCann walk.

Let’s suppose that McCann has a great second half in 2013 after he recovers from his injury? Not only will the Braves have to pay $12 mil for half a season of McCann (best case scenario)…but Braves management would then be faced with the dilemma of having to overpay to re-sign McCann beyond 2013…..because a team like the Yankees or Red Sox would surely be interested in signing McCann (his added value as a DH would drive up the price).

If McCann bombs in 2013…the Braves would have wasted $12 mil in precious payroll.

If McCann values getting a max contract…then he should force the Braves hand. To be honest, I wouldnt dog him for doing that…because he has every right to make that financial decision for him and his family.

However, if McCann really wants to end his career as an Atlanta Brave, if that is something that he truly values…then he will direct his agent to sign a contract extension along the lines of 5 years-$60 mil.

If the Braves decline McCann’s 2013 $12 mil team option…there is NO WAY that McCann gets $12 mil a year…given his production the past 2 years….his recent history of injuries. What would likely happen is that McCann would be forced to sign a one year contract that is laden with incentives…to protect said team from the possibility that McCann is slow to recover from his surgery. Think about it, what sense does it make for a team to sign McCann to a big contract….given the uncertain pace of his recovery?

It’s an important off season for the Braves. They have the payroll flexibility to put the Braves in great shape for the future. To me, unless McCann is willing to sign a contract extension that protects the Braves…I see little upside in picking up his $12 mil team option…especially given his recent surgery and expected recovery time.

Nativebird

October 17th, 2012
7:09 pm

McCann at third is not a bad thought…assuming his bat indeed does come back around…we need desperately a right handed power hitting third baseman that hits 30 singers and 100 RBi’s again. Power at the corners and defensive catching is a good mix.

Sonny Clusters

October 17th, 2012
7:11 pm

We was thinking . . . surgically repaired shoulder, balky knees, syrup-like speed, poor vision, defensively challenged, hits into lots of double plays , , , maybe they should let him go and spend that money on some bats. IF, the team had speed . . . would Fredi make use of it? Watching playoff baseball is different somehow. Can anybody else sense this or is this just something a Clusters notices?

wins-by-a-link

October 17th, 2012
7:14 pm

McCann should not be brought back, Nor should Bourn be signed to a new contract, McCann could be facing surgery and a long recovery plus his time behind the plate has taken a toll on his body, Bourn simply strikes out way too much for a lead off type player, He is good when he gets on base but the strike outs are a killer. Bring up the young players and let them have a shot, We can lose just as good with them as with the high priced vets.

Ken Stallings

October 17th, 2012
7:19 pm

This is a very tough choice for the Braves. McCann has been a multi-year All-Star catcher and likely the best hitting catcher in the NL over the last several years — this season being the sole exception. The problems are that catcher is the most debilitating postion in baseball, with the shortest career span and therefore the fastest path to the majors.

Bethancourt is an outstanding prospect and so the Braves might need one more season of bridge to get him ready. Boscan could be a bridge. He’s not a great hitter, but would he be any different that McCann was over the last month of the regular season?

David Ross cannot handle catching over 60 games a year, or he would wear down.

Can Brian McCann recover from this surgery and regain his career hitting form? Yes, it is possible. However, this is a $12 million question the Braves are in no position to spend another $12 million on a question mark — not even one with the track record of Brian McCann. Dan Uggla is — to put it politely — already a dubious $12 million a year outlay given plate performance over two years.

With another person waiting patiently in the wings, this might be a good chance for the Braves to make a hard choice and say goodbye to a good man and great player.

Dave

October 17th, 2012
7:31 pm

I’m going to be cold blooded here. McCann has been a great Brave given any criterion you want to judge him by. That said, he has a future in baseball, just not in the National League. The Braves would be crazy to sign him to a long term contract given his injuries. Trade him now or see him walk after next year is the question. The $12 mil cost isn’t really the deciding factor. Rather, can the kid and Ross cover for a year till the kid, we hope hits his stride and can we get enough in a trade to make the painful move palatable? No to the last part, pay the bucks and part ways after next season. A prospect or two for him? Trade now. Sorry Brian.

One more

October 17th, 2012
7:46 pm

I really don’t understand why there are even talks about BMac leaving. One bad year? He is a 6 time all star. And if he walks, who will be #1? David Ross….yeah right. I don’t believe for one second that Wren would shell out the cash needed for a good catcher for even one year. You let BMac walk next year and Bethancourt is in lineup in 2014.

Skeezix

October 17th, 2012
7:47 pm

I didn’t realize he would get $12m. I like Brian but $12m sounds like too much for an unknown.

Ted M

October 17th, 2012
7:49 pm

um Dave you can’t pick up McCann’s option and trade him. No one would want him unless the Braves picked up 8 mil of his contract and then you’d just get a non dis-script prospect and risk being stuck with him.

We are debating if he is even worth 12 mil; you seem to be saying he is worth 12 mil plus a great player or great prospect.

Hillbilly D

October 17th, 2012
7:49 pm

Sonny Clusters

You have to be able to play small ball in the post season. Take runs where you can get them. That’s the difference.

Dave

October 17th, 2012
7:59 pm

Ted, maybe I’m screwing up. I thought he had a year left and didn’t know you couldn’t trade in an option year. Sorry. To my mind, it then is time to let him go.

Sonny Clusters

October 17th, 2012
8:03 pm

Hillbilly, you are right!

Bob

October 17th, 2012
8:06 pm

McCann is a poor investment. All of you that are in love with him and want to exercise the $12M option, what would you do if it was YOUR money? Just my opinion.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:18 pm

Always good to hear from Clusters

Peter

October 17th, 2012
8:19 pm

Pleassssssse keep him and Ross !! Best combo in baseball if McCann is healthy !!!!!

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:19 pm

They will pick up Mac’s option. Bourn will be gone.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:21 pm

If Mac is back by the end of May that might make him more rested for the playoff run at the end of the season.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:24 pm

Seems some people have moved here from the DOB blog.

OK Bradley

October 17th, 2012
8:26 pm

So you re-sign Mac. Say he has a decent year. Decent. So there is your next decision. Do you pay the guy based on his service as a Brave or do you just let him walk after next season? If the answer is you aren’t going to over pay for your catcher, then why did you over pay him next season to keep him from walking?

I can’t see the Braves overpaying the catcher position unless it is based on sentiment. When you base your payroll on sentiment, you’re going to over pay.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:27 pm

I did get attacked by one of the DOBBERS the last time I was here.

OK Bradley

October 17th, 2012
8:27 pm

ACE

“October 17th, 2012
8:24 pm
Seems some people have moved here from the DOB blog.”

Guess they wanted a blog that had been refreshed recently.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:29 pm

I think you give Mac this year and see what type of comeback he makes. This will give you a better idea about a long term contract. Since it would probably be ine Molina contract area.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:30 pm

OK that is true. DOB is probably on a motorcycle ride with Fredi.

rainman34

October 17th, 2012
8:32 pm

There is only one guy that would make it a great offseason for me and that is mike olt from texas. The best pure power hitter from the right side in the minors and he just happens to play third.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:32 pm

If anyone dares to question something he says he threatens to ban them. Then the rest of the DOBBERS pile on to tell you how stupid you are for questioning their leader.

Dick Dodge

October 17th, 2012
8:38 pm

There’s just little upside to picking up McCann’s option, given the surgery. A lot of McCann fans simply have not thought it all the way through…the sense of the Braves picking up McCann’s $12 mil 2013 team option. At best, we’re going to get half a season of All-Star production (is it realistic to believe that McCann is going to come out hitting the ball off the cover 6 months from today?).

What do we do for the 1st half of the season? Pay $4 mil for another catcher in addition to McCann and Ross that we’ll have to bench when McCann comes back?

As I said before, Braves fans need to think beyond 2013. Under what scenario does McCann re-sign with the Braves? Under what scenario would it make sense for the Braves to re-sign McCann after 2013? If you’re going to pay McCann $12 mil for half a season…wouldnt it only make sense IF you knew he would re-sign for a reasonable amount?

Let McCann and Bourn walk……package Tommy Hanson and David Ross in a trade to the Dodgers (who need starting pitching and have exhibited a willingness to absorb salary)…..sign Cody Ross to play left and Josh Hamilton to play center.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:41 pm

Josh Hamilton has too many question marks to give him a huge long term deal.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:43 pm

Lots of decisions to be made. Do you lock up Prado to a long term deal and what about Medlen do you try to sign him to a contract that will take care of his Arb years.

Nowhere man

October 17th, 2012
8:45 pm

@ACE, good to see that you are still around. They still talk about you on the O’brien blog.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:49 pm

Hello man, I miss some of the good bloggers, Capt Mudd, George, VJ etc. Just got tired of the thought police. If you say something that disagrees with DOB and the DOBBERS. DOB will go on some big diatribe that drives the DOBBERS into a frenzy.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:51 pm

It is somewhat scary that a reporter could be so obsessed with one blogger.

Nowhere man

October 17th, 2012
8:52 pm

Hang in there dude.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:53 pm

Thanks man.

ACE

October 17th, 2012
8:54 pm

Could be a late night for watching the playoffs if they ever get started back or started at all.

Klaus

October 17th, 2012
8:55 pm

Pick up option and flip him to an AL team in late March when the medical reports will be in on his recovery & status.

Wren can put together a deal now verbally (now being after the WS is over) with 2-3 AL teams and then play the waiting game.

Dick Dodge

October 17th, 2012
9:00 pm

If I was GM, here is how I would fill out the 2013 roster:

1. Heyward (RF)…………….$4 mil
2. Prado (3rd)………………..$ 7 mil
3. Josh Hamilton (CF)…….$25 mil
4. Freddie Freeman (1st)…$. 500K
5. Cody Ross (LF)…………$ 10 mil
6. Simmons (SS)…………..$ 400K
7. David Ross (C)…………$. 3 mil
8. Pastornicky (2nd)……..$. 400K

If the Braves arent able to trade Uggla…then here’s my 2013 line-up:

1. Heyward (RF)
2. Prado (3rd)
3. Josh Hamilton (CF)
4. Freddie Freeman (1st)
5. Cody Ross (LF)
6. Simmons (SS)
7. Dan Uggla (2nd)
8. David Ross (C)

Without Uggla, the above starting 8 would cost around $. 50 mil. With Uggla, it would cost $63 mil.

Heyward could be the next Rickey Henderson. Prado is a great fit for the #2 slot. Signing Josh Hamilton would put a beast in the #3 spot of the order. Cody Ross would add some much needed right handed power. If Uggla is traded….giving Pastornicky a shot at 2nd would be cheap, as well as be another right handed bat.

Our starting pitching:

1. Medlen………$. 3 mil
2. Hudson………$. 9 mil
3. Maholm……..$. 7 mil
4. Minor…………$. 500K
5. Hanson……..$. 5 mil

If Hanson isnt traded, our starting five would cost $24 mil…..if he is, around $19 mil.

Even if we keep both Uggla and Hanson…our starting 8 line-up and starting 5 pitchers would cost $87 mil…leaving the other 12 spots (bullpen and bench players) to be paid. However, by packaging Hanson…there are teams who would absorb Uggla’s contract for a starting pitcher like Hanson…which would be plenty of money to sign 12 bench and bullpen guys.

UPGRAYEDD

October 17th, 2012
9:06 pm

Guy gets hurt and everyone’s ready to sell him down the river. Damn, just damn. Sign him up for another year, absolutely. You guys overreact to everything.

David Puddy

October 17th, 2012
9:07 pm

I ?can’t believe the useless detail some put out here. I don’t read more that 6-7 sentences. Does anyone else read this detailed and lengthy jibberish?

Mark

October 17th, 2012
9:08 pm

Gotta pick up Mac. See how he responds after surgery, He was hurt all year but played through it. Can;t just let the best hitting catcher in baseball walk because of one injury plagued year.

Wanna save some money? Find some tea

Mark

October 17th, 2012
9:13 pm

Sorry. I was saying find someone that’ll take Uggla and take whatever we can get for him. Imagine if he played for the Yankees now. They sit Granderson and A Rod ikn the playoffs and we played Uggla 150 games while he hit lower than his weight.

Klaus

October 17th, 2012
9:13 pm

Cody Ross is a biblical decoy and not worth 10mm a season. No way Wren even sniffs that number around a guy in his 30s who was let go by team who he helped win a WS.

Hamilton is on the wrong side of 30 and at 25mm a year you might as well call it a decade bc the Braves would be handcuffed with one guy making 30% of the payroll.

Trade Uggla, Hanson yes. Maybe trade Mac if you can flip him after the option. You do the latter bc you are not going to extend him at a price point he cannot easily top in the AL.

Trade arm package to TX for Elvis. Trade one of Elvis or Simmons to AZ for Justin Upton. Sign BJ Upton as a FA and you have CF and LF covered.

Put Prado at 2B.

With the trading of Mac et al you can likely land a top 3B prospect and defensive catcher. Give Juan Francisco a shot at 3B but have a back up.

Pastornicky is a trade toss in bench guy not a starter.

Hanson JJ part 2. Wren is looking to broom him this off season. In fact he may be the only guy he trades when the dust settles.

Mikey D

October 17th, 2012
9:17 pm

The most important move this team will make this offseason is re-signing David Ross. As crazy as it sounds he is an absolute difference maker on this team. He also gives you the luxury of letting B-Mac heal up until May (or whenever) which would make Mac better for the long haul as well. Ross makes every pitcher on this team better (see Medlen)

Mark

October 17th, 2012
9:20 pm

Agree with Klaus on most points except no way I’d trade Simmons. Would love to have Elvis back and play him at 2nd but that aint happening. I’d pass on Upton too. Francisco, not for me – poor defender and Ks way to much.

Mark

October 17th, 2012
9:22 pm

Ross is huge. Best backup catcher in the league this year. Could start for a lot of them. Hope he likes it here enough to be part time player again with Mac

*{jj}*

October 17th, 2012
9:29 pm

Cody Ross will be back with Red Sox…bet on it.

I can’t believe some people saying David Ross can’t catch 60 games a year..what a Idiot. The Pirates are already Rumored to want him for there every day catcher.

OTP

October 17th, 2012
10:05 pm

Can Prado catch?

Dick Dodge

October 17th, 2012
10:27 pm

McCann has been injured two years in a row. Also, Buster Posey and Yadier Molina are better hitting catchers than McCann has been the past 2 years.

Dick Dodge

October 17th, 2012
10:29 pm

If you’re Cody Ross, why would you re-sign with the Red Sox (a team that is rebuilding)…if the Braves were willing to offer him a substantial raise? We dont need Ross to carry our offense. We just need him to do what he did for the Red Sox…provide some right handed power…which is what our offense needs.

stinger

October 17th, 2012
11:00 pm

Keep him, pay him what he’s worth and no more. He’s a good guy and good influence in the clubhouse. Yes.. he’s on the down hill side of his career but we need him. The key is to pay the right price for 1 or 2 years.

Whopper

October 17th, 2012
11:16 pm

Love McCann, but let him go. Ross is about as good and is better behind the plate, Use the money for more bats.

Dick Dodge

October 17th, 2012
11:58 pm

If we pick up McCann’s $12 mil option….then we’re basically committing $25 mil (Uggla’s $13 mil included) to two players who struggled mightily in 2012. If our payroll is $90 mil in 2013…that’s approximately 28%.

McCann is untradeable. $12 mil for the possibility of half a season of production…..is too much of a gamble.

Now if McCann really wants to finish his career as a Brave…he will sign the kind of contract that gives the Braves financial flexibility to pay for a strong roster.

If he’s all about the money (which is his right)…then force the Braves hand. Simple as that.

We will find out where McCann’s loyalty lie 3 days after the World Series ends (because I’m sure the Braves will have discussed with him the possibility of signing a reasonable long term contract).

Either sign him to a reasonable contract extension…or decline his 2013 team option. Given the surgery….picking up the option makes terrible economic sense…given that there is no guarantee that McCann will re-sign after the 2013 season.

Mike McDonald

October 18th, 2012
12:04 am

The Braves have to recruit seven new position players, two starters and two relievers despite what Wren and his homers say. Mac doesn’t fit. Bourne doesn’t compute.Uggla has to go to remove a malignancy that puts the team at risk. Five position players including Ross, as back-up. Even so, Heyward is still on the bubble and needs to show consistency.
Beachy is unlikely to be another Miracle Medlin in the near term and we have the aged warrior, Hudson. Medlin re-dux, if lightning strikes twice and he repeats his 2012 heroics. And hopefully Minor is major again. Leaves two holes in starters.
The relievers are the core and Scott Burris’ side-arm Aussie will need replacement and another long reliever may be needed.
In short, the Braves have at least ten spots to fill. Dumping Uggla’s salary will only make the task that much harder. But he has to go, he’s that much of a detriment.
You can bet that the NL East will be a lot more competitive in 2013, especially the Phillies.

BooBoo

October 18th, 2012
1:09 am

I pity the fathers that will sire the future’s equivalents to Biff Pocoroba, Bruce Benedict, and Bob Uecker, only to encourage them to lose that “try hard with what God gave you” attitude, the identity those past pro basebnall players had. All future players in baseball will be injected with human growth fluids (undetctable until it becomes so common place it become as legal as marijuanna), just like blue-ribbon heffers at the county fair. As long as a “player on the hoof” can make contact with a pitched baseball, he will become a bloop-broken bat-excuse me home run slugger. It is okay to hit .198 if you jack 30 hrs. However, tear an overgrown muscle, break a bone, shred a few ligaments here and there and no one wants to wait for that beast to recover. Grind it up for supper. There is another cow in the next stall ready to be the next hero.

kirkinga

October 18th, 2012
1:32 am

Pick up his option, let him come back and show some value, and then trade him. The prospect can gain valuable experience platooning with Ross while Mac is on the mend.

I know people are concentrating on hitting, but I think they might think about finding a couple of starters that can pitch into, and beyond the 7th inning. Look at the Giants’ lineup and it isn’t exactly loaded with professional hitters. The Braves need to pay EOF and make sure the pitching is the first priority. Trying to make it to the playoffs again with only one stater that can make ot pass the 5 or 6th inning is asking for trouble.

Columbus

October 18th, 2012
2:58 am

McCann is a great hitter who has had some injury issues. If hes not injured, hes awesome at the plate and he always works out of any slumps well. He couldnt swimg the bat most of this year which is why hes having surgery. hes in the top 3 hitting catchers in the game. he plays with intensity and HATES to lose. Hes the type of player you want on the team….As long as he can catch, keep him. What sucks is there is not room at 1B for him to get our from behind the plate. Dont know how many more years he has back there, but I DO know this….McCann is a hitter and a good one

GTB

October 18th, 2012
4:47 am

He looks like he is in terrible shape. Lose weight, get stronger = extend career.

had enough

October 18th, 2012
5:00 am

Let Mccann go and use the money to bring back Borun.

Ted M

October 18th, 2012
5:40 am

A lot of you guys forgot about Brandon Beachy. He was The Braves best pitcher for the first couple of months… perhaps the best pitcher in the NL.

Ted M

October 18th, 2012
5:52 am

The Braves are absolutely positively stuck w/Uggla. The best case scenario is if the Braves have the guts to sit him on the bench. I don’t think they do…their philosophy is – its better to lose w/a lousy high priced player on the field then to win w/a lousy high priced player on the bench.

Since we’re stuck w/him, it would be wise to play him for the first 6-8 weeks to see if a return to glory is possible. But that’s it.

Jim

October 18th, 2012
6:12 am

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT KEEP Mccann!!!!!! He is a defensive liability and a double play machine. Go with Bethancourt and Ross and use the 12 million along with the Chopper and Lowe money to find an oitfielder or two and a thirtd baseman and/or build up the bench.

Jeff R

October 18th, 2012
6:13 am

McCann would ultimately be better off in the AL with the DH, though after the ‘13 season.

steve whitmire

October 18th, 2012
6:44 am

if we get shed of him, he’ll go somewhere else and have a great season next year and we’ll be kicking ourselves. Keep him one more year and see what happens. Let Bourne go and find a couple of major bats to go with our pitching and maybe we can make a run for it next year. Good column Bradley, as usual.

danny

October 18th, 2012
6:50 am

A bad knee, bad shoulder, bad eyed catcher who somehow can’t ever get in shape. No way they should re-sign him.

K Conway

October 18th, 2012
7:08 am

It’s a business and the Braves can’t afford to pay so much for someone who can’t produce! Do the smart thing and use the money for some good free agents or face the fact that there are going to be a lot of empyt seats in the stands!

TommyP

October 18th, 2012
7:27 am

Not since Esasky….since Nate McClouth’s strange demise.

It’s never strange for a pitcher to decline…has everything to do with arm health.

Bruce Benedict

October 18th, 2012
7:39 am

We can sign another free agent catcher who will be cheaper, more productive, and available for a full season. McCann used to be terrific, he’s just a shell of his former self. Betencourt may need 1-2 years, so sign another guy to pair with Ross in meantime.

Shug

October 18th, 2012
7:55 am

$12 million is not chump change. McCann is simply unreliable. The money should be spent more productively.

Shug

October 18th, 2012
7:56 am

And, please, none of this “leader in the clubhouse” tripe.

Christian Hiers

October 18th, 2012
7:58 am

jair Jurrgens pitches to contact. He would make a good batting practice pitcher. also, he pouts too much to the media guys.

Let's Go

October 18th, 2012
8:00 am

The biggest problem with McCann that I see is not just his injuries and slump but the fact that he is not that good of a defensive catcher and after all this time in the league he’s not going to ever be one. His bat was always so good that you could overlook his defense but the last 2 years that has not been the case so as much as I like him I think I would rather see the the Braves not pick up his option and sign David Ross to a 3 year deal for the 12 mil that you would have given McCann. 4 mil a year for Ross at this point is a better investment and now is as good as ever for Brian to head to the AL for the rest of his career.

JoeFan

October 18th, 2012
8:07 am

To much risk associated with keeping McCann. From strictly a business standpoint and baseball is a business, the $12 million can better be spent elsewhere.

Big B

October 18th, 2012
8:19 am

The simple fact of the matter is that, while I LOVE McCann and everything he’s done for this team, he never has dedicated himself to REALLY getting in shape. He’s starting to learn that at 23 years old it’s easy to roll out of bed, do a little running, maybe some push-ups, and then head to the ballpark and let that be the round-out to your daily “work-out.” Now that he’s older his body isn’t cooperating the same way it did when he was younger and able to play heavier. It’s a hard lesson for some guys to learn. Just look at Andrew Jones’ career. The kid was a BEAST! He was on track to mash and be in the same discussions as Pujols, Bonds*, McGuire*, and Sosa*. Sadly, he decided that he “hit better when he is heavier” which lead to abysmal seasons to follow, his eventual flight from Atlanta, and the rest of his playing career being relegated to back-up left-fielder duty. Just imagine what he could have done if he’d gotten to the gym and just focused on staying at a healthy playing weight for his career. I look at guys like Julio Franco who made it a mission to stay fit, (or in his case, UBER-fit!). What I like about this team is that you have guys in Prado and Heyward who work their tails off. In particular, Heyward, at his age, dedicating his off-season to staying lean and athletic is an incredible show of maturity and understanding. Unfortunately, McCann does NOT have the same habits of the healthier and more productive players on this team. B-Mac is naturally gifted and can hit a TON. Yes, he had to deal with injuries this year and THAT is the reason his average and power suffered. However, he slid downhill last year too and it’s directly relative to the fact that he plays the most demanding position on the field, he plays as many or more games than his peers at the same position on a year to year basis, and he is too heavy to keep that level of play up over the course of the next 5-7 years. If you just look at what Ross, our back-up catcher, you can see that he obviously works very hard to stay in shape and that he realizes that with advancing age you have to work 2, 3, or 4 times harder each year to have the same, or even a fraction of, the results you did when you were younger. Chipper knew it and had to haul himself in a heap out of the dugout each night this season at 40 and, by most accounts, he was “gym guy” (although his eating habits left something to be desired, but I shouldn’t go throwing stones on that one..). To wrap up a long statement,,,, I love McCann. I think he has about 2-3 more “productive” years ahead of him. Point of fact, after this surgery and recovery, he’ll probably bomb 30-35 HR’s and drive in 90-115 RBI while hitting .285-.310…. However, that success will only last another 2-3 years MAX because we are all starting to see the inevitable physical breakdown of a VERY talented young catcher who caught too many games on too heavy a frame and hasn’t dedicated himself to coming to camp “in shape” and “ripped” instead of “bulging.” Just beware, The shoulder can be fixed, but his knees aren’t far from the scope either and committing long-term to this guy just because you “love” him and the history he has with us is a mistake. IF the Braves pick up his option (and I think they will), they only need to do so with the intention of allowing him to come back from surgery to build his value at the plate and them trade him mid-season to an AL team for a BOAT LOAD in return… Otherwise, they need to decline that option, give Ross the reigns for next year ONLY, sign a cheap backup to a one year deal, call up Gattis and Bethancourt when the rosters expand next August, and get them PLENTY of major league at-bats. Now,,, if McCann shows up to camp this year after rehabbing that shoulder for a few months as a lean 200-210 pounds with better eating habits clearly on display,,, THEN you take a shot that MAYBE he gets it and understands that for him to have an extended career over the next 5-7 years AS A CATCHER he has to be healthy and muscular and not overweight, with the hopes that he will “sweat the weight off as the season goes forward…” For McCann, it really doesn’t make a lot of difference in the money because even if he stays pudgy some AL team will make him a DH and pay him a ton. Just look at Ortiz. But if he’s serious about being a Brave and being a catcher,,, he’ll use this shoulder surgery as an opportunity to rehab his entire body, eat better, work out harder, and lose the extra padding around his stomach while he’s still relatively young and it’s not as hard as it will be with each passing year. It’s easier to lose 30 pounds at 28 years old than it is at 32 years old,,, and it’s easier at 32 than it is 38,, and so on and so forth….

geez,,,,, hope everyone enjoyed my little editorial article… sorry about the length there folks.. I just hope it was an interesting and provocative read…. Go Braves!

Tami

October 18th, 2012
8:27 am

OK….Brian won’t be able to play in the everyday lineup for 2013 until about early to mid-May next season. Invite Bethancourt to spring training, then, and begin the next stage of grooming him. Braves should keep Ross, who is a capable backup. He knows the Braves’ starting pitchers pretty well, now. So, it doesn’t really benefit the team to go shopping for another backup catcher right now. Then, maybe Bethancourt starts the season with the A-team until Brian is completely rehabbed and ready to come back. That should help Bethancourt as he goes back down to say AAA Gwinnett to play out the season. When rosters expand, he gets his chance to come back up to the A-club in September.

Now…from May onward, I believe we will see a significant improvement from Brian. Every critic out there says he’s on a decline. Hello? He was injured! Let’s not write him off yet. Let’s see how he’s doing by the All-Star Break or when the big trading deadline on July 31st occurs. If he’s not improved significantly by then, then it will be an easy decision on Braves’ management’s part. But….if he improves as I feel he will, SIGN HIM UP to a long-term deal. 4 years, with an option for a 5th. Or maybe 3 years, with an option for a 4th. At that point, the team probably says “g-bye” to Ross and brings Bethancourt up for the 2014 season to back up Brian. There could be a point during the new contract term that this switches up with Bethancourt beginning to start and Brian backing up. Or they go on a rotation, such as how things were when Javy Lopez was still the starting catcher. I think it was Berryhill who was the backup (someone…check me on that), and Maddux preferred him to catch whereas Javy caught Glav & Smoltz.

I don’t think it’s a great idea to just cut off Brian before we see how the surgery has helped his arm first.

moorman

October 18th, 2012
8:29 am

if he was hispanic or american african………he would be released, case closed….

SimpleDawg

October 18th, 2012
8:50 am

Gotta keep Mac for 2013.

See if he can play 3rd…..may be a solution there.

Bourn strikes out way too much to command a big contract….his speed is wasted on fly ball outs and Ks.

MitchC

October 18th, 2012
8:50 am

Since we have so much money coming off payroll, I’d keep Brian for one more year and see.

The reality is, even with Chipper;s decline, he still gave us some production. Uggla has been a disaster. Even if we got.. 275.. 15 to 20 homers, and 60 to 70 RBI from Mccann, you need his bat, and his defense.

Keep Brian for 2013 and see. I cant see not.

Sam

October 18th, 2012
9:12 am

A-Rod, anyone?

ESPN is saying the Yanks will be looking to move him and will be willing to pay $100 million of the $150 remaining on his contract. 5 years for $50 mil, why not? He could plug our third base spot.

At least we’ll get a lot of publicity and ticket sales when he trys to break Barry Bonds HR record.

Birdman of Falcatraz

October 18th, 2012
9:14 am

Its a business, and the smart business decision is to let McCann walk. Chipper, Lowe and McCanns salary off the books gives you extreme felxibility. We need a new third baseman or left fielder, we may need a new 2b if Uggla continues his struggles. A catcher coming off surgery at 30 years old is a high risk but also potentially high reward gamble. Put your 12m elsewhere. I bet he won’t get 12m on the open market coming off surgery, so you try to bring him back at 6-8m after he tries the market.

*{jj}*

October 18th, 2012
9:23 am

Dick, Cody turn down Braves last year for RS.

Moorman, lol someone always plays the race card..The Braves want to win, They would play any color and kind to achieve that end. Get a life and stop making excuses for yourself.

tbhawksfan

October 18th, 2012
9:25 am

No to McCann. A well below average defensive catcher and a season and a half of mediocre hitting. His D will never get better and his O will likely never again be what it was.

Rehab will probably not go fast or well as he’s not the type to do all it takes to come backfast and strong.

I was thinking of signing him only to trade, the surgury made it moot. If he wants to play for the Braves, he should throw out his option and extend at his value based on now; not the past which is ….past.

Just because we have the $ doesn’t mean we should invest it poorly.

A stop gap, Ross and wait for a real Catcher in Bethancourt.

Don’t make the same mistake as with Chipper. Though his last season was productive; for his age, he put himself before the team as the Playoffs approached and compromised our chances with his grandstanding farewell tour and then promptly was the Braves playoff goat.

Of course, that Freddi G even allowed him to do that is another problem.

rostertmc

October 18th, 2012
9:31 am

You must let B-Mac go and here’s why:

On a team where money matters (and this team spends less money than they can or should), than you CAN NOT give 12 million or 13.4% of your total spending to a catcher. Much less a catcher who’s production is way below average like Brian’s has been for the last year and a half.
If we were like the Yankees where spending isn’t an issue… than I would say pay him and give Brian another year to heal and hope his production returns. If you pay Brian the money it will cripple the team in some area and maybe two area’s on the roster. A limited bench or a hole in left field or a less than desired relief core… something will suffer. And if Brian returns with the same lack of production and a limited roster in some way… it will not be good.
Also, you can not be a team with a reputation of being cheap unless you are a local white athlete that the fans like. Not when your owners spend money less than where they stand in market share in the league, which this team has done for the last several years.

I fully expect the Braves to bring B-Mac back and not spend money somewhere else on the roster. The isn’t a team in MLB (IMO) that would offer McCann anywhere near 12 million a year if he became a free agent. So why should the Braves? =
They shouldn’t.

sam

October 18th, 2012
9:32 am

Mitt Romney just said McCann’s slip in offensive production is another indication of the failed Obama administration.

Floyd

October 18th, 2012
9:34 am

Bradley…any hope Atlanta might land Shane Victorino to replace Bourn in CF? The guy is a baller…would fit in really well with this franchise. And, frankly, I’m not entirely convinced he might not be a very solid alternative to Bourn, given the latter’s alarming propensity to strike out far too often for a leadoff hitter. Move Prado to third, put Victorino in CF and then we face what seems to be the never-ending quest to find a power-hitting left fielder.

Lowcountry Brave

October 18th, 2012
9:39 am

Absent a trade, the Braves are not going to find a decent catcher out there for a one or two year deal. In this regard, Ross and some average catcher would likely split time for a couple of years until Bethancourt is ready (assuming he ever is, as he is not exactly tearing up the minors from an offensive perspective). I don’t think that this would be the worst thing in the world if, and only if, the Braves use the extra cash to pull in two solid sources of offensive production. While this is possible, it really may not happen, which would be a disaster. The smart thing is to bring him back, and use the year to evaluate both him and Bethancourt. To me, this is the safer move, as well as the move that gives the Braves the most flexibility given the numerous variables at play.

tmc

October 18th, 2012
9:47 am

One thing is for sure, you can’t go with the attitude of “we got money this year because of all the money coming off the books from last year. So spend 12 million on McCann and give him a chance to return to form.”

That is a loser’s mentality and will cause you roster problems for sure.

Love McCann as person, but his production and defensive skills have eroded so much in the last 2 years… can’t do it @ 12 mil. No way.

ASHCAN!!!!!

October 18th, 2012
9:52 am

@Hanan, i don’t think SB’S are overrated. It puts pressure on the pitcher to keep the leadoff out of scoring position making him(pitcher) think too much facing the batter throwing off his mechanics. sometimes leadoff hitters at the start of games set the tone if there aggressive. I think bourn is the 2nd best leadoff hitter( 1st otis nixon) the braves ever had. We won’t see how valuable they are until we miss the production from the top of the batting order when there (lead off/bourn) gone.

ASHCAN!!!!!

October 18th, 2012
9:57 am

Perfect example, when we let furcal walk we were horrible at leadoff for a number of years. We(braves) kept experimenting with different players to lead off. Bourn is a true leadoff hitter, and power don’t always define that position but on base percentage.

ASHCAN!!!!!

October 18th, 2012
10:00 am

Definately keep mcCann, he will only get better and he has a lot of baseball left at his age.

a fan

October 18th, 2012
10:07 am

For you Uggla bashers I repeat Michael Bourn & Dan Uggla had the identical OBP a respectable 348

Wink

October 18th, 2012
10:09 am

Brian McCann option should not be picked up, why not you say?

Well, let say McCann rebounds in 2013, you still have to sign him. He currently makes, $12 mill plus and he will certainly want a pay increase and long term contract to reup with the Braves. Brian has health issues the last couple of years and now you sign on for 4 to 5 years to take the chance he has rounded the corner on his health concerns.

That money would better served to extend Prado and prepare to pay Heyward & Freeman, 3 parts of the equation we know form our core players going forward.

What is not being talked about is McCann’s eye sight, he has tried contacts, lasik, & glasses, anyone notice he constantly wipes at his eyes during an at bat, in addition to the shoulder, his continued decline to throw out base runners and he is dropping in the batting order.

Catchers in general, are for defensive purposes, Bentancourt can handle that aspect of the job already. Most MLB clubs bat the catcher 7th or 8th in the order, McCann currently sits in the 6 hole, only because of the blind loyalty of Gonzalez. McCann and Uggla should have been in the 7th & 8th holes for most of the 2012 season.

Yes, McCann is a 6 time all star at his position, and lead catchers in batting categories, but the position historically is not a offensive position and someone has to lead, but does not automatically put that catcher in the clean up spot…nothing against McCann, but he has seen his better days and is in steep decline; he’s injured and he’s a catcher…it happens!

There is nothing to gain by exercising his option and only delays making a decision on the position or the player. So we have a ton of money this year to spend, add Mac’s money and completed the overhaul and prepare to build on the new CORE!

If you are contemplating making a dumb decision, then do the following, get rid of Uggla or McCann, one must go! If you want to rent a player for a year or two, without major commitment, then contact the Yankees and still A-Rod; the Yankees would have to pay most of his salary. Now there’s a gamble worth taking A-Rod replaces Chipper!

Mark in ATL

October 18th, 2012
10:11 am

Pick up the option and say goodbye after 2013….move onto the younger kid with a cheaper contract.

TomTomClub

October 18th, 2012
10:20 am

Let McCann walk! Resign David Ross @ 2yr/7M. Trade Tommy Hanson and Julio Teheran to Minnesota for Ryan Doumit-C/1B/OF and Ben Revere-CF. This trade matches up salary wise and it addresses needs for both clubs. Then sign Josh Hamilton @ 4yr/100M with a team option 5th yr.

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
10:21 am

would you people please stop pontificating on McCann getting an extension from the Braves?!!!!!! He will almost assuredly go to an AL team who will pay him WAY more money than any NL team will because he can extend his career DH’ing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geez…

a fan

October 18th, 2012
10:24 am

Uggla and Bourn same OBP 348

JR

October 18th, 2012
10:29 am

Re-sign him for 3 years at about 8 mill per. If he will do that then keep him. I would not pay 13 mill. Love the guy, but business is business and we need to free payroll

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
10:33 am

JR, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFF McCann recovers and is even like 80% of what he once was, several AL teams will vie for his services at the end of 2013. He will be paid WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY more than 8 million a year by one of those teams to catch SOME and DH a LOT…

No to JH

October 18th, 2012
10:41 am

Josh Hamilton is a wreck, and if you watched the last month of the season you would have known that.
Only part time hustle, much like Andruw, which we don’t need. IF we could get Constanza to spank the ball on the ground and run, he could be a 280-300 hitter. He doesn’t seem to get that, nor did Bourn for some reason.
Pick up Mac’s option, if he is 100% after rehab it’ll be worth it. If not, we’ll surely get part of a season, and then move on.

dobearsbare

October 18th, 2012
10:43 am

Release him and work up a prearb long-term deal with Kimbrel. The Braves have plenty of guys who are good in the clubhouse. Their window of championship opportunity, such as it is, probably ends when Kimbrel leaves.

Whoever mentioned David Wright — no way the Mets let him walk.

TomTomClub

October 18th, 2012
10:48 am

No to JH McCann is a wreck, and if you watched the last year at all you would have known that.

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
10:49 am

I think it’s very possible David Wright goes to a contender. Even if the Mets offer him a legitimate deal, at this point in his career, is he willing to wait on a re-build? He may stay in NY, but I won’t be surprised at all if a current contender pulls him away. He should be a target for us if we can clear enough (McCann) money off the books to make him a good offer. Then, we can start looking at finding a Lowe to Cleveland type deal to un-load Ugly Dan. If those 2 happened, I’d be pretty excited about next year, ’cause our starting rotation will likely be even better than this year, and the bullpen should be good as ever…

Peter R.

October 18th, 2012
10:50 am

Eh, just set him free. He’s made plenty of money. The Braves don’t owe him anything. If Wren thinks he can’t perform, then I’m fine just letting him go elsewhere. Makes business sense to me to try and get some players this season who could provide the offensive punch to drive this lineup. .230 last season with some pretty weak at bats to boot. We have one Uggla, we don’t need another. Baseball is a cutthroat sport, how do you think the As and the Rays have stayed competitive? By making the tough decisions and spending their money the right way. If he’s out until May then that will cost the Braves too. Just let him go.

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
10:52 am

Let him go. Trade Uggla, even if you have to eat some of his salary. Go get a couple of premier outfielders like C. Ross and Hamilton. Move Prado to third. Lineup looks like this:

Ross
Prado (2B)
Heyward
Hamilton
Freeman
Fransisco (3B)
Simmons/Pastornicky
D. Ross/Bethancourt

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
10:53 am

I meant Prado to 3b or 2b; depending on who you get for Uggla

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
11:00 am

Look, I understand that McCann has been a great clubhouse guy and he can’t help the injuries and eye issues. But you know what he can help? Being fat and a bad defender. If I’m paying you 12 million dollars you could at least work on your defense and step on the treadmill every once in a while. Carrying an extra 20-30 pounds of spare tire is detrimental to your swing; and don’t give me the Babe Ruth and Prince Fielder comments; they were/are great IN SPITE of that disadvantage. Fact is that if Fielder and McCann lost some wieght they’d be better hitters. Anyone who’s played the game knows that fat around your wasteline slows your bat speed and reduces your ability to adjust your swing to offspeed pitches. That’s why McCann has to cheat a little, start his swing early and yanks everything to left field.

He may recover from the injury, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that he hasn’t done little things to get in better shape and become a better fielder. He is, at this point, a bad investment!

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
11:02 am

I meant “right field”

AlanFalcon

October 18th, 2012
11:15 am

Without question, the Braves would still have one of the very top combinations with Bryan and David, at the end of 2013 they can make a decision, for now how ever it’s imperative that both be Braves is 2013

AlanFalcon

October 18th, 2012
11:18 am

Hanan, good thing you arn’t the Braves GM, we would be in a world of hurt.

Yorker

October 18th, 2012
11:22 am

Vizcano

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
11:27 am

AlanFalcon: so you, along with Mark Bradley and David O’Brien all think that it makes good financial sense to tie up roughly 15% of next year’s payroll on one player who was already a poor defensive player before all this started and who just had major reconstructive surgery on his THROWING SHOULDER? Okey Dokey:)
You know what this sounds like to me? A bunch of McCann’s buddies hoping he gets a big pay-off, that’s what…

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
11:27 am

Please explain Falcon? What was wrong with my analysis? Unsure about Hamilton? Ok. Get Wright, move Prado to 2B, Ross in Center and make constanza an everyday leftfielder (if you can’t find another LF for 10 million or less.

reckingball

October 18th, 2012
11:28 am

It’s really a no-brainer.
The Braves will keep McCann for the 2013 season.

No to JH

October 18th, 2012
11:36 am

TomTom,
No offense, sir, but of course Mac was a wreck this year. That is why he had surgery to repair his shoulder. IF he comes back from surgery, ala Prado, Medlen, etc…he’ll be worth the $. If not, then he’ll be gone after the season.
Hamilton’s wreck had nothing to do with health, it was ATTITUDE!

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
11:38 am

The GM’s job is to field the best team with the money available. The decision boils down to risk management. Is the risk of paying McCann 13 million for another lack-luster year (maybe partial year due to injury), worth the chance of having him healthy and back to form? I don’t think it is. Especially when you have several good free agent options like Wright, Hamilton, C. Ross, Pierzynski, Granderson, and Pagan who would fill your needs. Again, if you offload McCann and Uggla, add in the money from the departures of Jones and Bourne, you have nearly 50 million dollars to make your team better. Keeping McCann and Uggla gives you the same production (or worse) as last year….which wasn’t good enough.

Pal Joey

October 18th, 2012
11:44 am

I say, go with Ross. He’s as good as 80% of catchers in the N L and he is not too expensive. I would pick up McCann’s salary for another year, but would be very skeptical about signing him to an expensive five year contract after that. He would make a good addition to an AL team as a back up catcher and designated hitter. He is a great guy and I would really hate to lose him, but unless he shows marked improvement in 2013 after he comes back from surgery, it would be fool hardy to pay him a big contract for another five years. Catching is a grueling position and it wears out players like no other position. I wish him a speedy recovery and I want him to come roaring back. But in reality, I am less confident that will happen.

tmc

October 18th, 2012
11:46 am

What picking up the $12 million dollar option on Brian McCann means to me:

That the Braves organization is more interested in PR and good publicity than winning a championship and putting the best product on the field. PERIOD.

Tim

October 18th, 2012
11:50 am

I have always liked McCann but there comes a time when you have to look past what they were and look at where they are headed. So far, no one can say he will return to his old form. This is two years in a row where the wear and tear of being a catcher has caught up with him. In the past two years, he is not the old Brian McCann. His offensive production is down and he is a defensive liability.

It is time to start fresh. Use the 12M you save on him and pick up a servicable catcher on the free agent market. Then find a good RH bat for the line-up either at 3rd base or the OF. Also, use the money to bring in a good lead-off hitter. That will make this team 100% better.

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
11:53 am

The Braves were tied with the CUBS this year for worst NL team BA with runners in scoring position and had the 4th most strikeouts in the NL with runners in scoring position. McCann had the worst average on the team with men in scoring position (.167) and Uggla led the team in K’s with men in scoring position……..still want to keep them? I don’t!

Tim

October 18th, 2012
12:04 pm

Here is who I would like to see the Braves pursue in free agency this year in order of importance:

3B – David Wright
OF – Shane Victorino
OF – BJ Upton
C – Mike Napoli
P – James Shields
OF – Angel Pagan
OF – Nick Swisher
P – Annibel Sanchez
C – A.J. Pierzynski

I would make signing David Wright my number one priority. It solves your RH bat problem in your line-up immediately.

I would then go after Shane Victorino as a lead-off hitter. He can play centerfield and will do a very good job for you. Defensively, he would be a good get for the Braves.

I would then try to sign Mike Napoli as a catcher. His offensive numbers are very decent and he would be the stop gap till Bethancourt was ready to move up.

Larry30

October 18th, 2012
12:07 pm

This isn’t a hard decision. He is not worth $12 million, period. He is a below average defender and his greatest value is in his bat and offensively he has been below average for a season and a half. This whole scenario illustrates a lack of vision in the front office. They were willing to entertain trade offers last offseason for Prado, who most people can see is one of the most valuable players we have. Yet they hang onto McCann until this situation arises when anyone who can impartially evaluate talent could see that over the course of a season McCann would gain weight and become ineffective behind the plate. I was suggesting a trade involving McCann in 2011 and was ridiculed for even thinking of trading an all star and the “best catcher in baseball.” We could have cleaned up with some AL team on a trade but our GM has a disturbing habit of buying high (Lowe, Uggla, Mclouth, kawakami) and selling low. If our front office has any sense and vision they will save the $12 million and start coming up with a plan to sign Freeman to a long term deal.

WhoCares?

October 18th, 2012
12:10 pm

Wow. Everybody’s so sure. Absolutely we can get Hamilton, or Upton, or Wright. Yeah? Maybe, maybe not. and Hamilton is damaged goods. If you;’re uncertain about McCann, be uncertain about dropping even more cash for Hamilton. Same for Upton; big downside in his production. Wright would be a solid replacement for Chipper, but just by waving our money doesn’t mean we get him. And no matter, because without McCann we need a catcher. Ross is too old for full-time duty, and Bethancourt seems REALLY not ready. Has good defense, but look at Lavarnway in Boston. Good defense, but called up too early to be effective. Best option: stick with McCann.

what of it?

October 18th, 2012
12:11 pm

cut him loose. he’s the second highest paid catcher in baseball and not nearly worth it. The offensive numbers have taken a nose dive which isn’t surprising given his lack of durability (even for a catcher), and his defense isn’t close to average. he’s lead the league in errors for catchers on more than one occasion.

Nice guy. Not a leader. let him get his paycheck elsewhere. god knows we paid him handsomely. as a middle of the road spender, we simply don’t have the luxury of seeing if he turns things around

what of it?

October 18th, 2012
12:14 pm

Larry30 – couldn’t have said it better myself. Freeman should be the face of the organization for the next 15 years

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
12:17 pm

All you need to be able to do is get 1 of the big names (hamilton, wright, Swisher) a decent outfielder (feel certain we could lure C. Ross to come play on a contender with his brother) and move prado to the open position. No matter who is behind the plate you will have offset the loss in offensive numbers.

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
12:17 pm

AND we’ll be better defensively overall.

LostCause

October 18th, 2012
12:19 pm

Is there someone available for a better value for 2-3 years? That is the question, either by trade or free agency. But if they keep him … make sure he is healthy before he returns otherwise you will have last years results at this years inflated price! Be smart Frank!!!

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
12:19 pm

there are several FA catchers available who are worlds better defensively than McCann and won’t cost 1/2 as much so I refuse to see him as our “best option” under any circumstances, whatsoever…

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
12:21 pm

no on AJ Pierzinski…period…one of the most hated players in baseball and will ultimately be a clubhouse cancer…

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
12:25 pm

same goes for Cody Ross, way too obnoxious to be a Brave…

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
12:27 pm

Napoli would top my list for FA catchers, but David Wright would be my top FA acquisition target…

Alpharetta Guy

October 18th, 2012
12:32 pm

To chime in on the “McCann to Third” comment, my son played travel ball w/ the McCann boys back in the day (back when Brad was considered more the stud than Brian). Brian was the only 13 yr old on our 14 yr old team & was our backup catcher. He played 2nd base and was a vacuum cleaner there–nothing got by him. That was years ago and it would take some transition time but he’s a good athlete & could probably settle in to being an average defensive 3rd baseman.

Alpharetta Guy

October 18th, 2012
12:32 pm

To chime in on the “McCann to Third” comment, my son played travel ball w/ the McCann boys back in the day (back when Brad was considered more the stud than Brian). Brian was the only 13 yr old on our 14 yr old team & was our backup catcher. He played 2nd base and was a vacuum cleaner there–nothing got by him. That was years ago and it would take some transition time but he’s a good athlete & could probably settle in to being an average defensive 3rd baseman.

Mister Frisky

October 18th, 2012
12:34 pm

Considering the performance or lack there of in October,no one should be safe as it pertains to making this team October clutch.

Ken Stallings

October 18th, 2012
12:50 pm

No one is going to offer Josh Hamilton $25 million a year to sign. No one! Things are changing in baseball and I think even the evil empire (New York Yankees) are starting to realize the disadvantages of signing players for Monopoly money. The Yankees are saddled with contracts for veterans that makes it impossible to unload them even in give-away trades.

I expect Hamilton to sign for something like $18 million a year. Could the Braves be that team? It is possible and should be looked at. I will say when I was first on this idea, Hamilton had not yet puled his disappearing act to close the season. So, that was very much a red flag. So, I have soured on him some.

I very much like the idea of trying to sign David Wright to play third base. That would allow the Braves to keep Prado in left field, where he plays very well. Then, it comes down to centerfield, and there are many options if Bourn actually does get offered a ridiculous contract. I don’t think that will happen either. Without power, Bourn will be offered nothing more than $12 million a year. Scott Boras will ask for more, act like anything less than $20 million a year is an insult, but all the big budget teams are already heavily leveraged: Dodgers, Angels, Yankees, Mets, Phillies.

This isn’t a great year for free agents getting monster deals that change the landscape. I think the Braves can resign Bourn for something in the area of $12-14 million a year, and if so, should give it serious consideration. Anything more than that, and they should cut ties with Bourn and go in a different direction.

Tomahawkin

October 18th, 2012
12:53 pm

Mister Frisky

“Considering the performance or lack there of in October,no one should be safe as it pertains to making this team October clutch.”

Co-Sign!

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
12:58 pm

Reckingball: you’re probably right, if Wren picks up McCann’s option, there won’t have been any brains involved:)

derek k

October 18th, 2012
12:58 pm

David Wright serves and

1- good guy and would fit in as a brave
2-Right handed and hits for average and power <– something we need!
3-An awesome 3b

If we could great if we cant oh well. But i have always liked D Wright. But it prob wont happen.

It would be awesome to get him and Ryan Braun! both power and average guys then WS here we come! haha

derek k

October 18th, 2012
1:00 pm

David Wright *would be a great fit…*

1- good guy and would fit in as a brave
2-Right handed and hits for average and power <– something we need!
3-An awesome 3b

If we could great if we cant oh well. But i have always liked D Wright. But it prob wont happen.

It would be awesome to get him and Ryan Braun! both power and average guys then WS here we come! haha

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
1:03 pm

did you really just say Ryan Braun?!!!!!!!!!! The posterboy for effective modern PED use? If he were a Brave, I’d take out a second mortgage on my house and get season tickets just so I could throw a bag of hypodermic needles at him every time he plays! Ryan Braun? NO WAY!

BurgerBrave12

October 18th, 2012
1:13 pm

Braves should definitely decline the option for $13 Mil for 1 season. Then re-offer McCann a 2 year contract worth $7 million per season with a 1 year option worth $4 million. Braves would pay him less per year, get a catcher for 2-3 more years, and Brian ultimately gets more money in the end. By then we’ll know if his career as a catcher is truly done.

bill

October 18th, 2012
1:15 pm

every year the same regrets and the same conversation. Love you DOB but noone knows whats going to happen and whether Bourne will hit >320 or go to rehab to guard Willingham. We won 94 games this year and most though 82 was probably where we would be. The real question is what are the Nationals doing to improve the team with the best regular season record. This one and out does not need to become a bad habit.

Defense wins Championships

October 18th, 2012
1:49 pm

What everyone has to ask is “Would l sign that check?” Sorry, l can’t. BMc has not earned 12 mill in the last 3 years, he won’t next year. l want players on the Braves, who earn their pay. Uggla gone, Hanson gone, Jurrjens gone, Bourne gone l can’t sign his check either. If GM Wrenn will spend the money wisely and get some men who play and earn their pay, The Braves will be Monsters to face our opponents. Freeman 1B, Prado 2B, Simmons SS, Francisco 3B, Heyward RF, new catcher 1 yr contract to Bethancourt, 2 stud 300+avg hitters with pop. Pitching and Bullpen are great. Janish, Reed Johnson, Mejia, catcher, Jeff Baker? on bench. Go Braves

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
2:08 pm

I think Bourne has to go to. 270 something for a leadoff guy who strikes out ALL the time and disappears down the stretch? Not worth 10 mil or 6 mil. Maybe 3-4 mil.

No steroid users please! No Braun, no Melky. Let them go to abusive organizations like New York, Boston, or Texas.

Let McCann and Bourne go, trade Uggla if you can. Either land top notch proven players or trade Uggla for prospects and save that $$$ for the 2014 free agent market.

With our pitching we need to focus on filling a lineup that has guys who get on base and put the ball in play. Guys that can hit to the opposite field and put down a sac bunt or hit a sac fly.

Dick Dodge

October 18th, 2012
2:12 pm

If the Braves were to overwhelm David Wright with a $20 mil-$22 mil a year offer for 5-6 years….I feel that Wright would entertain the possibility of signing with the Braves. Dude wants to win….which he will never do with the Mets.

Braves line-up with both Wright and Cody Ross (at $8-$10 mil a year for 3 years)…and packing Uggla and Hanson in a trade…as well as declining McCann’s option:

1. Bourn (CF)………..$13 mil
2. Prado (2nd)………….7 mil
3. Heyward (RF)……….4 mil
4. David Wright………..22 mil
5. Freeman (1st)………..500K
6. Cody Ross (LF)……..9 mil
7. Simmons (SS)………400K
8. Ross/Bentecourt (C)..4 mil

My starting 8 would cost us around $60 mil.

We dont have to replace McCann. Just put the dollars into upgrading another position (David Wright would provide more offense than Chipper at 3rd….Cody Ross more power than Prado in left..and Prado more offense than Uggla at 2nd).

Bourn, regardless of the fact that Boras is representing him…will get somewhere around $12-$13 mil a year. Lead-off hitters with no power DO NOT command $15 mil a year. Show me one example of that.

Uggla can be packaged in a trade. He does have a high OBP…plus he’s healthy. Some team will absorb his salary…especially if they can also get Tommy Hanson in return. While it could come back to hurt us if Hanson rebounds….the fact is that he’s due a huge raise in arbitration…plus we need to free ourselves from Uggla’s salary..so we can direct the combined $16-$17 mil that Uggla and Hanson are scheduled to make in 2013, to improving our offense.

Starting 5 pitching:

1. Medlen………….$3 mil
2. Hudson……………9 mil
3. Maholm…………..7 mil
4. Minor………………..500K
5. Teheran/Delgado or some bum off the scrapyard until Beachy returns….$500K

My starting 5 would cost us $20 mil. When combined with the $60 mil for our starting 8 line-up (plus Bentencourt)…would cost us $80 mil for 14 players…leaving around $10 mil left over to sign the bullpen and bench players (11 players)…which is very doable.

My line-up gives us GREAT flexibility when it comes to lefty-right balance. Plus the economics fit.

Bye-bye McCann, Uggla and Hanson. Hello healthy line-up with consistent power from the #3-#6 slots of the order..preceded by the table setters in Bourn and Prado.

I know that I advocated for the signing of Josh Hamilton. However, if David Wright were to become signable….he would be a better fit (playing 3rd and having right handed power….especially if the Braves were able to shed Uggla’s salary).

Hanan

October 18th, 2012
2:57 pm

Dick Dodge, you said it man! That is a great plan, though I worry about having enough left over to sign the bench and bullpen. If you let born go, put Ross in centerfield you could find a nice LF or 2B for about 6-8 million and move Prado to whichever position is open. That would free up another 5-7 million for the bench and bullpen (15-17 million total), which might allow you to extend the contracts on some guys like Kimbrel and Flaharty.

By the end of the year, we may have to figure out a place for Gattis too. Kid’s could very well hit his way on the roster this year. That would solve your catcher problem or leftfield problem, but would at least give you a reserve/pinch hitter at a discount price.

Klaus

October 18th, 2012
3:23 pm

wright has an team option they intend to pick up so i am not sure what folks think he will be available. if they pick up the option and trade him (bc they cannot work out a deal) he will not be traded in the division – even if it means taking a lessor package.

Now if the Mets tell Wright take this new extension or we won’t pick up your option then he will be a FA and likely command 18-20mm a year at a min.

Klaus

October 18th, 2012
3:26 pm

Bourn will get 14-15mm bc of SB and he hit a ton in the 1H of the season. He faded a bit but that could be attributed to the Braves offense being unbalanced and putting too much pressure on a lead off guy to drive in runs versus table set.

BJ Upton in CF is a much better option. Younger, more pop, more upside and likely cheaper bc he has been a bit up n down over the past 3 years.

FLUSH Him on out......

October 18th, 2012
4:08 pm

Flush B Mac on out with the rest of the waste surrounding Gimper Jones……he is used up and on his way down……spend the money on some young really hungry young hitters who have enough grit and spit about them to get out and really play ball and not whine about this hurting and that hurting…..he has done a good job in past seasons (except this past season) so it is time to give him his walking papers and bring up some more young talent.

Braint

October 18th, 2012
4:12 pm

See if McCann will sign for $8 million instead of the $12…..his best asset was his offense because his defense isn’t really that good. If he can’t hit – which he’s shown over the last 1.5 years – than what’s the point in keeping him? Our pitching will be better next year, Freeman and Heyward will be looking to explode, Prado is Prado, we get a full year of Simmons, Uggla is servicable for a 2nd baseman (He’s expensive but productive if he can keep his K’s lower). Go after a LF (offer contract to a clean Melky), a CF (make offer to Pagan), and let’s roll….

BravesfaninAugusta

October 18th, 2012
4:15 pm

Actually I say, No don’t pick up the option

BravesfaninAugusta

October 18th, 2012
4:19 pm

Dick Dodge: Love your ideas… I will be very pleased if Wren doesn’t bring BMac back… The dude is done was overrated anyway

space monkey

October 18th, 2012
4:59 pm

I’m not a huge fan. He’s terrible on defense, and I believe the shift has killed his offense, since he refuses to bunt, but a one-year option is a no-brainer.

David Puddy

October 18th, 2012
5:04 pm

“,.but a one-year option is a no-brainer……”

I agree. It always is when it’s somebody else’s money.

David Puddy

October 18th, 2012
5:07 pm

If you could net out the offense allowed by his poor defense….well, the offensive numbers would near the ordinary level for a typical MLB catcher.

Teddy B

October 18th, 2012
5:34 pm

I’m 50/50 on McCann. He’s always hurt with a strained muscle and he needs to be on a club where he can DH. The NL needs to adopt the DH, we lose all of our stars and superstars to the AL as they age, its getting old. And also there is a chance that the surgery may not completely heal his shoulder issues and we may lose $12 million for nothing if we take on his option. Its risky.

As for Bourn, let him walk. He played so poorly after the All-Star break that I wouldn’t even pay him $10 million a year. Scott Boras wants way too much for an average CF who has no power at all. Thanks for playing with us for a year and a half but we’re done with you. Good Luck out there, kid.

We need to stay focused on our young talent and get ready to offer them extensions. We need to lock up Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, and Kimbrel for years so don’t blow that money on multi-year deals for aging stars who may end up washed up like JJ and contribute nothing.

Ron

October 18th, 2012
5:35 pm

What in world! Let’s see we can’t keep Bourne because he will be too expensive but we could afford Josh Hamiliton?! Don’t make laugh! Sign Pagan or Victorino for CF, Sign Cody Ross or Trade for Josh Willingham for LF. Put Prado at 3rd. of course you sign McCann, he’s 1 season from being an All-Star and hitting 20 homeruns, he’s been injured season and a half. He’s a gamer, Georgia boy, handles the pitchers well and a team leader! A no-brainer!!

Norwegian Blue

October 18th, 2012
5:58 pm

I’ve been a Braves fan for 30 years and good guys like McCann just don’t grow on trees.I know this is a business, but I would sign him to a 3-year deal out of loyalty. Best case he returns to form. Worst case he becomes a valuable veteran backup and mentors Betancourt.

Screw Loyalty - Value Production

October 18th, 2012
6:40 pm

The boy’s best days are over! Face it! It’s a business and the real value is what have you done for me lately – as in this last season – HERO to ZERO! Let him go….don’t waste money on a broken down old horse the way we did on Gimper Jones who could only play every 3 or 4 days…..FLUSH HIM OUT & SEND FREDI WITH HIM!

derek k

October 18th, 2012
7:47 pm

BravesFanSince80s Yea i just said Ryan Braun! Why not? He was never proven guilty.

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
8:04 pm

are you dillusional? they couldn’t prove he was innocent (because he wasn’t) so instead attempted to villify a respected member of the medical community and in the process jumped through a loophole in the system and avoided a suspension. The guy is garbage. Leave him in Sausageville where he belongs!

BravesFanSince80s

October 18th, 2012
8:08 pm

@Ron, we could “afford” to sign Bourn to a huge extension with all the money coming off the books next year (same reason people are calling for players like David Wright or Josh Hamilton be signed) but the Braves will never pay him what he’ll get from wealthier teams because to us, he simply isn’t worth what those teams will pay. I like Bourn, but he strikes out too much to be a premier leadoff guy and his speed is wasted on a team that Fredi Gonzalez manages anyway and I think Frank Wren saw that last year as well…

David Puddy

October 18th, 2012
9:26 pm

Keep it short and sweet. Nobody in their right mind will waste time reading 1000 word postings. Am I wrong? No on Bourne and McCann.

David Puddy

October 18th, 2012
9:27 pm

Look what overpaying has gotten the Yankees again.

the truth...

October 18th, 2012
9:31 pm

@Mark Bradley

Why do we have to read about THE SURGERY AND WHAT IT FOUND…..on CNN rather on the AJC?

Ironicly it is an AP article that CNN published that so far I have seen nothing so detailed on any AJC article or blog….

Got an answer?

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian McCann’s agent says the Braves catcher expects to be “completely healthy” for the 2013 season following surgery on his right shoulder.

McCann’s rehabilitation could last six months, so his status for the opening month of next season is uncertain. The Braves, meanwhile, must decide this month on their $12 million option on McCann for 2013.

Tuesday’s surgery by Dr. Xavier Duralde repaired McCann’s torn labrum. The Braves say the tear was larger than expected.

McCann’s agent, B.B. Abbott, told The Associated Press on Wednesday the six-time All-Star is “extremely encouraged” that Duralde’s report calls for a complete recovery.

McCann is expected to return to light baseball activities in about four months. The full clearance could come two months later in April, the season’s opening month.

the truth...

October 18th, 2012
9:34 pm

NOTE….THE LABRUM WAS TORN…..not just frayed……..maybe Brian being able to “feel the pain himself” made him know surgery was imminent whereas Wren couldn’t possibly know how badly it hurt…

tmc

October 18th, 2012
10:00 pm

This just in…

-teams don’t just trade MVP’s or their best player. So you can rule out Braun (i had to laugh at that one) and Wright.
-if the Braves don’t want to afford Bourn, they are not going to pay Hamilton more than Bourn.
-yeah McCann is a good guy… I don’t get paid small bucks being a good guy. Why do you think the Braves should pay him top dollar for a catcher producing very poorly? (that is small town thinking)

Pay Prado, find a LF, resign D. Ross and either a new catcher or McCann for 4-7 million each, IMPROVE THE BENCH!, retain the bullpen and add one or two more.
-McCann’s 13 million can help any one of these solutions or little bit of all of them.

Mister Frisky

October 18th, 2012
10:52 pm

Watching St.Louis makes you realize Braves have a long way to go before they can be taken seriously in October.

tyger

October 18th, 2012
11:13 pm

Uggla for A-rod!!!

the truth...

October 18th, 2012
11:38 pm

@Mister Frisky

………apparently the rumors of you demise were greatly exagerated….

reckingball

October 19th, 2012
12:47 am

BFS80s @12:58pm……..”there won’t have been any brains involved:)”
kinda like most of your comments.
Ha, sorry, couldn’t pass that up. I kid.

smooth

October 19th, 2012
6:48 am

I have yet to hear McCann say that he would be willing to do whatever is necessary to remain a Brave, so it is time we make him an offer of much less money and see if he is willing to stay a Brave. (If he is not, let him go) He is damaged and has never been a good defensive catcher.} He does not deserve the money that he will get if we keep him this year.

David Puddy

October 19th, 2012
7:36 am

“Watching St.Louis makes you realize Braves have a long way to go before they can be taken seriously in October.”

This is true. The Braves as a team look nothing like a coherent, well balanced team. More like a bunch of individuals swinging for the fences…..and the majority looking like out of shape bubbas. Very striking difference.

David Puddy

October 19th, 2012
7:38 am

“so it is time we make him an offer of much less money and see if he is willing to stay a Brave.ure”

He will cling on to that option until his fingers bleed……no way is he negotiating downward.

pj

October 19th, 2012
8:36 am

Why wouldnt they keep him………….they kept Chipper for years hurt!!!!!!!!!!!! One bad season is nothing to worry about. He played hurt most of season because they do not have a back up catcher that can play everyday!!!!!!! I would dare to say nobody on this blog would be as good as BMAC even when he is hurt. How about all you haters catch with a torn labrum & cyst in the shoulder on your throwing arm and see how well you do!!!!!!!!

Hanan

October 19th, 2012
9:46 am

We might have been overpaying some, but Chipper was usually the best offensive tool we had, even the last few years. That yearly .400+ OBP and .500+ slugging was unique on this team. The guy was the only player in the lineup who thought about “situations” before stepping in the box, recognized when pitchers were trying to throw around him, took his walks rather than chasing bad pitches, I hit the ball to the opposite field. You could see over the last couple of years that he taught those traits to guys like Freeman and Heyward (McCann apparently wasn’t paying attention). I think we actually led the NL in BB’s this year and Freeman (and especially Heyward) have come leaps and bounds in their ability to take walks and drive the ball the other way. The money we spent keeping Chipper around the last few years was not wasted, in my opinion, because he helped groom some of these younger guys.

McCann is NOT that type of guy though! I don’t want him in the cage giving pointers to our younger hitters and I certainly do NOT want him teaching our up and coming catchers how to field their position. There’s not “loyalty” issue here. We “loyally” paid him millions of dollars and met every stipulation of his contract. In return, though I’m sure he gave his best effort while on the field, he never improved his defensive game and didn’t bother to stay in shape. We are now done conducting business with you. We wish you the best of luck, but we cannot afford to risk 13 million dollars on a damaged product that may be irreparable.

Hanan

October 19th, 2012
10:25 am

for 13 million a year I bet everybody on this thread could keep themselves in good shape. Here are the pros and cons, as I see them:

Pro’s

-has hit for decent power and good average
-is a nice guy

Con’s

-doesn’t keep himself in good shape
-is prone to bodily injuries-back and shoulder (maybe related to not keeping himself in good shape)
-is a below average defensive catcher
-is nearly 30, when most catchers see a noticeable decline in performance
-costs you 12 million a year, now the second highest player on the team
-just underwent major surgery and won’t be able to swing a bat until April 2013 (big unknown!)
-CAN’T HIT THE BALL THE OPPOSITE WAY! Now has to find a hole in a stacked right side of the field.
-has a history of eye problems
-is incredibly, unthinkably slow

Did I miss anything? To me, this is an easy decision. The cons far, FAR outweigh the pros. The risk of “if he returns to form” is not worth committing 12 million to.

Mister Frisky

October 19th, 2012
11:08 am

@the truth…I spit truth,I’ve never been a liar.And I won’t stop posting till I retire.

BravesFanSince80s

October 19th, 2012
12:42 pm

Hanan@10:25, VERY well put…

Mixxo

October 19th, 2012
2:30 pm

Hanan@10:25, VERY well put…

Agree totally.

Let him go and lets improve. The guy is d-o-n-e.

rico carty

October 19th, 2012
2:37 pm

McCann is a great guy and has been a great player, but kind of a no-brainer here, especially with his injury. You have to let him go now and save $11.5M. Get a servicable catcher somewhere who combined with Ross can get the job done defensively. What McCann gives you, you’ve already go..good lefthanded power. Use that money, Chipper’s money, and Lowe’s money and fill your needs. Absolute no-brainer for a team on a budget.

LawDawg

October 19th, 2012
2:57 pm

WAR is a completely meaningless statistic and is not worth citing for any reason.

Based on WAR, replacing Cabrera with a AAA journeyman would only have cost about 6 games for the Tigers. Can you imagine the Tigers being a .500 team this year without Cabrera?

HB#1

October 19th, 2012
3:34 pm

Well ALL the players on the club contribute to the teams victories. If I remember correctly Cabrera’s WAR number for this season was actually 7.4. Which is great. His presence was directly responsible for the Tigers winning 88 games and making the playoffs verses winning 81 games and finishing third in your division. Think about this. What would you expect the Tigers record to have been were they to have replaced every starter in the lineup, and their starters and relievers, with the AAA club? Maybe 20 or 30 wins, right? Well if you subtract the WAR numbers from all the Tigers starters and pitchers this season, it comes to a team total of about 65; meaning that the cumulative WAR rating for all the members of the team is just about right on the money.

See, you are looking at one small aspect; one individuals numbers and trying to expound on the meaninglessness of the stat. But you have to look at the whole picture. If you give Cabrera a 25 WAR because you “think” that’s how valuable he is, then you have to give Fielder a 18 WAR, and Verlander a 16 WAR, etc. etc. etc, pretty soon your cumulative team WAR for the Tigers is something like 120; way over the actual number of wins the Tigers had. This means that your statistics predict that the Tigers AAA club would somehow find a way to go 0-194 while only playing a 162 game season. And that would just make your statistic look stupid and pointless. So what you want is a statistic that assigns a WAR number that still remains relevant when you add up a teams totals, but is also representative of the tangible difference between players. So if Cabrera is a 7.4, and a minor leaguer is a 0.0, is it fair to say that Chipper Jones is a 4.3?

Anyway, long story short, LawDawg, you are wrong, WAR is a very useful stat for evaluating a players overall worth, and this thread is about whether or not McCann’s contract should be extended.

David Puddy

October 19th, 2012
4:30 pm

Folks,anyone actually read the lengthy postings? I don’t.

HB#1

October 19th, 2012
4:39 pm

I read the first few lines then decide if I want to read more. Better content in the long posts sometimes. Of course your login name is David Puddy. Guess we shouldn’t expect too much depth from you.

HB#1

October 19th, 2012
4:40 pm

For David: WAR good, McCann Bad.

HB#1

October 19th, 2012
4:42 pm

Sorry I couldn’t explain the subtleties of WAR in 120 characters or less. Just skip the long posts, read the short ones, and contribute to the conversation if you like. Is it really that much of an inconvenience for you to have to scroll past a long post?

Sambo 4 Rambo

October 19th, 2012
5:17 pm

Some of you are plain stupid. Theyve made it quite clear that they have planned for his 12 mill in 2013. Its not a suprise. Did i see where someone suggested him playing third?? I wet my panties I laughed so hard! Mac moves about as well as syrup from a jar, and his poor arm strength has declined every single year. I truely believe no base runner in MLB fears being thrown out by Mac. But with that said, hes still the best option around to fill in the hole. Worry about it next year, our focus needs to be on CF, LF or 3B

David Puddy

October 19th, 2012
8:42 pm

HB#1…..good point.

BravesFanSince80s

October 19th, 2012
9:56 pm

Someone who comes on here and claims we’re stupid for our opinion and then completely ignores the pretty large class of FA catcher that will be available this off-season, play WWWWWWAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY better defense than McCann, cost probably less than half what we’d pay McCann, and then try to claim McCann is our “best option” need to do a little looking in the mirror when calling others stupid…

Kandy Krowley

October 19th, 2012
11:35 pm

No matter how poorly someone performs, you should keep them around.

P Rose

October 20th, 2012
9:22 am

Whacked Out Fan
October 17th, 2012
5:26 pm

Any thought of converting BMAC into a third baseman? Just a wild thought.

Many years ago the Big Red Machine converted Johnny Bench from catcher to third base. It extended his career.
Also, Joe Torre was a catcher with the Braves. He was converted to third base by St. Louis after being traded for Orlando Cepeda in 1969.
He went on to win a batting title, RBI crown and MVP.

Another former catcher that was converted was Dale Murphy — his move was to Center Field and that turned out pretty good too…

With Chipper gone and the Braves ever so famous for no longer signing big name/mone free agents — BMAC at third isn’t a bad idea….

How About it Frank”n”Wren….Freddie GGGGGG?

McCann to third!!!!
_______________________________________________
I love this idea. It appears to me that Mac’s troubles are a result of his being flat worn-out. Maybe that is what happens as you approach 30 and you’re doing 200 squats every night. Let the young guy catch, move Big Mac over to third, and watch his resurgence begin.

BravesFanSince80s

October 20th, 2012
10:23 am

you’d have better success if you move Freeman to 3B and McCann to 1B guys, Mac can’t move well enough to play third. Not gonna happen…

David Puddy

October 20th, 2012
10:44 am

Moving all of these fat bubbas around the infield will not yield a championship caliber ball club. Perhaps we should spend millions on aging FAs, no?

chase

October 20th, 2012
10:48 am

need to try and re-work that option and extend him for 3 years at a total of 21 million (7 mil a year)

then re-sign ROSS

Then try and get a hold on BOTH UPTON BROTHERS and move PRADO to 3rd

or go for broke and Sign one UPTON or PAGAN and bring in JOSH HAMILTON!

BravesFanInNashville

October 20th, 2012
12:18 pm

First of all before I say this, I’ve been a huge fan of Brian McCann’s for years. Loved how he signed long term when Francouer turned down a similar opportunity with the Braves.

He can’t play third base for many reasons.
1.) Just like he can’t throw out runners as a catcher and therefor everyone runs on him, he’d be the most bunted on 3B in the league because his mobility is a snails pace faster than a parking meter and when he does get to the ball late he doesn’t have enough arm to make up for the extra steps he just gave the batter.
2.) He would have no range to field balls hit into the hole between 3B and SS or shots hit down the line.
3.) He could not come in and make the bear handed play on a slow roller that we’ve seen Chipper make so masterfully for the last decade and 1/2. Those balls would be automatic infield hits unless the hitter fell down out of the batters box.

The best case scenario for the Braves and Brian McCann is that he comes back healthy because he rehabs really really hard and gets himself in the best shape of his life since he’s playing for a contract next year. He’ll never have a bigger incentive than this winter to commit himself to a training program. Working out this year will literally pay him back many millions of dollars. If he does’t do it this winter he’ll get 1/2 of what he could have earned if he reported to camp in great shape.

Even if he does get into and stay in great shape there is the question of his eyesight. That hasn’t been an easy fix either. As people age those problems will only get worse. He’s so talented and a really easy person to root for but as a business decision this is tricky because it has many downsides for the Braves.

I think the Braves will pick up the option (which may not be the best move) and see how he does when he can start playing. Insurance will pay for his games missed so they’ll only have to pay him for true availability. It’s really possible we could see a trade is he’s healthy and playing well to an AL team next July or before.

Not Prudent

October 20th, 2012
12:27 pm

If he’s not going to be ready until May or so, cut him NOW and use that money toward acquiring STUDS in LF & CF; re-sign Ross and pair him with a good defensive catcher until Bethancourt is ready to step in in 2014.

I’m a McCann fan but lets get real; his skills have diminished and he’s coming off major arm surgery.

Time to move on …

Mike McDonald

October 20th, 2012
1:37 pm

“As of now, the Yankees are officially the Atlanta Braves. They have a nice little season. They qualify for the playoffs. And then bad stuff happens to them.”

So wrote ace NYT sports writer, George Vecsey. The thrust of the article lamented the Yankees’ practice of overpaying for aging not-so-super stars. However, the quote clearly indicates that Atlanta is the MLB poster child for feckless playoff performance.

Absent a total change of ownership and front office and field management, there’s virtually no hope for improvement in Atlanta from the last 20-year pattern of the Braves, under several ownerships.

Speaking of George Vecsey of NYT, he is one of a long line of great NYC sports writers who intimately know the game, incisively write about it and remain fiercely independent. No homers or hummers, there.

Choke full of vomit

October 20th, 2012
3:34 pm

Remember the time when Johnny Estrada went down(good hitter,def. catch as well), guess who they called up, young up ‘n’ comin’ B-mac. But man, o’l Johnny didn’t do too bad, had very good plate discipline. Clutch player, went w/ the pitch, o’l yanni was Top Notch!

Reason

October 20th, 2012
7:06 pm

Keep him a back-up catcher.

David Puddy

October 20th, 2012
8:01 pm

Georgia is not relevant at this point…..other than tailgating, buying hats, t-shirts and, jackets with the logo.

The rev al

October 21st, 2012
8:55 am

Comments by F. Wren suggest he believes the braves are set for the future. No way they will spend enough to keep Bourne which will be a Huge loss to the team. He is an amazing fielder, a threat as a lead off man to steal the bases every time he gets on base and a solid .280-.300 hitter. Braves management will pocket most of the money from chippers contract and the ten million they no longer have to pay for Derrick Lowe. All they have to do is find a journeyman third baseman and center fielder and all will be well. Meanwhile Washington is becoming a top tier team committed to winning as are the Phillies. It will be a while before the braves get to the playoffs again.

Sambo 4 Rambo

October 21st, 2012
4:25 pm

Going into free agent listings and looking for a catcher this year is waaaaaaayyyyyyyy off the mark. Considering we have the best one – two catcher duo in baseball. And i dont see where signing ross will be an issue. You focus on that issue next year when the contract is up (like i stated) and whos to say the kid dont bounce back from surgery and mash!? Might wanna look at the field and see where we have blank voids and focus on replacing a legend……..and just like the braves were, the 80’s are useless!

Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)

October 21st, 2012
5:53 pm

The Braves will obviously pick up Mac’s option for 2013 and it is the right thing to for the franchise, as Offensive catchers like McCann are few and far between.

That said, I concur with previous posts. The only way Mac stays in Atlanta beyond 2013 is if he moves to 3rd base. Otherwise the wear and tear behind the plate make it financially untenable for our Bravos to invest in Mac for another 4-6 years.

BravesFanSince80s

October 21st, 2012
8:11 pm

Brian McCann didn’t have surgery to repair a hangnail Sambo 4 WHATEVER, he had major reconstructive surgery on his throwing shoulder. He has knee issues, back issues, EYESIGHT issues, and hasn’t really been able to catch everyday for quite a while. Now if the option year were for a lot less money, we might not be having this discussion, but the fact remains that his option year will be the most he’s ever been paid as a Brave and given the circumstnaces, that just isn’t a smart financial move for a mid-market club. You don’t tie up 15 percent of your annual payroll on one player coming off a poor prior season and a half and major surgery. One more point of contention, YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE A CATCHER WHO HITS BETTER THAN ANY IN THE NL TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!

graphite

October 22nd, 2012
8:18 am

Better spend some of that money with the Indians to get the curse removed.

Hatfieldgeoff

October 22nd, 2012
8:56 am

Brian McCaan is a good hitter whose defense has always been overrated. He has an average arm and lets quite a few balls get by him. Even sitting out one day a week, the position is just beating him up so he is a much weaker hitter the last two months of each season. He needs to get into better shape for the rigors of playing catcher. Again this would probably cut down on injuries and give him more energy throughout the season. If he doesn’t my guess is next year will be the same as this one and he will be somewhere else in 2014.

Bobby Cerasuolo

October 22nd, 2012
10:39 am

Here’s what the Braves really should do. Pick up McCann option then trade Uggla Pastornicky and Spruill to the O’s for Luis Exposito Chris Davis and Nolan Reimold. Now with McCann while he is rehabbing move him to 3rd a move I think will prolong his career and make room for the younger players then sign Upton and Pagan heres the lineup for next year.

Pagan LF
Simmons SS
Prado 2nd
Heyward rf
Upton CF
Freeman 1st
McCann 3rd
Exposito/Gattis C

BravesFanSince80s

October 22nd, 2012
12:15 pm

Brian McCann can not play 3B in the major leagues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ARG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the hell is the matter with you people?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yuuup

October 22nd, 2012
2:36 pm

I remember something like this happening about 6-7 years ago except it was McCann replacing a older and injured Johnny Estrada. I love Mac as much as the next guy, but unfortunately for him this is a what have you done for me lately business.

Mac is a very average at best defensive catcher, his throwing out base runners is horrible, and he just came off the worst offensive production of his career. When you add that to a 12 million dollar payday, it usually doesn’t bode well for that player. I like him, but the Braves should probably go cheaper and younger at the catcher position. I am sure there are several available catchers on the trade and free agent markets that could give us the numbers that Mac gave us this past season at a fraction of the price. Besides, Heyward, Freeman, Prado, and Kimbrel are the new faces of this franchise now that Chipper is gone.

HB#1

October 22nd, 2012
4:21 pm

Everyone who’s suggesting we move McCann to thirdbase is clueless about baseball. Period. You can safely ignore those comments.

HB#1

October 22nd, 2012
4:21 pm

Everyone who’s suggesting we move McCann to thirdbase is clueless about baseball. Period. You can safely ignore those comments.

TLHRob

October 22nd, 2012
4:56 pm

Kudos for the Esasky reference Mark. That one was really going back a while now, but definitely on point…have to wonder about having that big RH power bat in the lineup in 91 and 92.

steve

October 22nd, 2012
8:19 pm

I think the Braves owe B-Mac his option year based on everything he has done for the organization, not his fault he took a beating behind the plate, we have so many good young players that if our owners really cared about winning championships they would up our payroll to 120 million and we could get great free agent players instead of bargain basement ones, no brainer in we are so close to having a dominating team and those types of teams bring a lot more fans to the ball park which in turn means more revenue, if they don”t care about winning then they need to sell now .

Peter

October 22nd, 2012
11:27 pm

How about the GENIUS of WREN……!!!!!!!!!!!!

Both Blanco and Infante are going to the World Series……. Obviously they both sucked and that is why he traded them…….

Gosh..we got Rick Ankiel, and Uggla…. are we not lucky Braves fans !

BravesFanSince80s

October 22nd, 2012
11:38 pm

the Braves don’t “owe” any player they’ve already made quite wealthy in years past when said player has become an injury liability. Hank didn’t finish in ATL, Murph didn’t finish in ATL, nuff said…

Omar Infante

October 23rd, 2012
7:12 am

I miss Atlanta and all my fans there, but I am very excited to be playing in a World Series this season.

Thank you, Frank Wren. I hope you are satisfied with Dan Uggla and all the money you are paying for a slow, poor-fielding .220 hitter who hits an occasional solo home run.

Sincerely,

Omar

Peter

October 23rd, 2012
8:14 am

For all Braves fans who are looking for out fielders. Perhaps Blanco will be a free agent ?

Please tell me we will ever be a contender to win it all with Wren at the helm…… HIS TRACK RECORD IS HORRIBLE…STARTING BACK IN HIS DAYS IN BALTIMORE.

Fredi's humidor

October 23rd, 2012
11:08 am

Look for Wren to go after Josh Willingham (34 in February) & give up several pitching prospects.

He strikes out a lot & will make a nice compliment to Uggla, likely hitting well below his career average once in a Braves uniform..

Beachy working on patience as he begins throwing program | Atlanta Braves

October 23rd, 2012
1:07 pm

[...] The Braves have until three days after the World Series to come to a decision on the options for Brian McCann ($12 million), Tim Hudson ($9 million) and Paul Maholm ($6.5 million). I’d be surprised if all three aren’t picked up, but we’ll see how that goes. In case you missed it, here’s DOB’s story on McCann’s shoulder surgery and Mark Bradley’s take on the Braves’ upcoming decision. [...]

Should the Braves keep Brian McCann? For one year, yes

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Should the Braves keep Brian McCann? For one year, yes

286 comments Add your comment

About Mark Bradley

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