…think more highly of him. As a Brave, I hope he does well, just am not as optimistic as others.

So what, we let everyone who might have talent but is injured cost us runs and wins?

You can SAY he had a major hand issue. The fact remains. Did he hit pitching? No, he struckout at an astronomical rate. If the kid shows up at spring training and proves otherwise then more power to him.

What amazing numbers? In the minors? Francouer beat up Atlanta high schools too and then busted in the bigs.

Look, I’m not knocking Shafer. But I’d like to see the guy hit big league pitching before you hand him left field and say “here ya go.”

I’m not beating up on the guy. I think hes a great talent with a lot of potential. What I’m not prepared to say is that the Braves should forego trying to upgrade their outfield because Shafer might live up to billing.

That would sweeten the pot, no? It would seem a bit silly to let him rot as a fourth OF.

I wouldnt be suprised if the Red Sox were involved if we are not. As I said, Dombrowski has a history, if not a masters degree, in changing organizations. He engineered the Marlins first divesture of an overpaid team. He was there for the Expos in developement of the talent they had in an earlier period. He took a horrible Detroit team and built it to a contender. They may be in a major transformation period. They have something like a 130 mil payroll. I think the only blemish he has had trading in us Jurrjens. He plays it tight to the vest. I think Wren might have learned something about not speaking until its done. Speculation, but based on the men involved the team needs and even the money. And while we lose prospects, we can gain some of them back when we lose Lowe. Acquiring Cabrera at 18mil for 6 years is not the kind of contracts we are used to but he is not exorbant in terms of cost.

I do not accept the premise that he is too slow to play 3rd base. True Miquel has put on some poundage, but he is still a kid at 26, and therefore if properly motivated could easily become a third sacker, as he has decent hands and always has. In addition he could be the leftielder until we bring up Heyward, and slowly bring him into the mix if he has troubles at the plate to start. He would instantly make Chipper a better hitter and see more fastballs, as he is a feared 4 hole hitter.He is righthanded (thank god).The offensive numbers for the team were highly inconsistent despite the acceptable level of runs scored over the course of a season. We would go 6 or 7 games and score a total of 10 runs and then breakout with a bunch in a few to make the total acceptable. Cabrera would take that out, as he is very consistent. Your point that the Phils improved with Halladay only supports the need for a major improvement offensively, not to keep pace, but to gain on a team that finished well ahead of us last year. The addition of Laroche and Cabrera makes us vastly improved offensively, which is what we need. The loss of Freeman is a price no doubt, but a price which might be required to secure one of the best young righthanded power hitters this side of the kid in St Louis.As far as market value, yep, sometimes you have to pay it. Relative to a Bay or Holliday, if we could secure him at 18mil per I would take it, as the cost of a Holliday is not that much cheaper., and has yet to put the numbers outside of Coors that Cabrera has.So if it sounds silly to you it does not to me. We have 20 the top 25 prospect who are pitchers. For my money Freeman and a couple of young arms are a fair price to acquire a solid team that could actually win next year.Remember next year, even if Chipper has a strong season and stays on, we have the cost of Javy coming off and KK… so there is 18 mil there. I want to win next year, as I am sure you do… Swisher, Nady et al aint the answer in any season.

Chipper is not on the decline. No trend at all. He really isnt 38 years old . The last two months he was on fire as I recall…. balls flying all over the place. Maybe we should resign him for another 5 years.Its pretty funny that we cant see a 26 year old move to a natural position , but think a 38 year old who batted , what 265 with 18 or so homers and 70 rbis should not yet be put out to pasture. One is a realistic expectation , the other needs divine intervention. What do I know….

he came out the gate good this year and fell off somewhere in july.

Take a look at my XMas wish post for the Braves next year. You know, the truth is, if there was a player to do it, or a reason for doing (His relationship with Bobby Cox), then Chipper will return to form.in a big way next near. On the other hand, he hit somewhere in the 230’s from mid June on, and very little production as his OPS plunged from the mid 900’s I think to the low 800’s.Okay, that is about as staty as I can get.The other thing is a tough one to statisically prove. He will hit 39 next season. Pre the steriod era, very, very few great ones picked it up at that point… Mantle, Mays, Aaron all started thier decents in mid to late 30’s. I am nearly 60 years old, and the kid in me wants him to do just that…. have a great year! Have a nice holiday season and thanks for your reply