Braves Trade Rumors - News & Notes
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 6:20 PM EST
in Braves Trade News
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PrintIt's already been a hectic first 36 hours of the Winter Meetings, and while the Braves haven't made any moves, there certainly has been some chatter throughout the day. Here's a recap, with most of these coming via Twitter.
- The Braves and Brewers are not getting along.
- Dan Uggla and the Braves could be moving closer to an extension, and he loves Atlanta and Fredi Gonzalez.
- Despite the rumors, the Braves will not be going after Zack Greinke. They don't want to part with their young pitchers.
- The Braves could look to add a third lefty to their bullpen.
- Matt Diaz is wanted by just about every team in baseball.
- The Phillies might be interested in Jeff Francoeur. No, I'm not kidding.
- In non-trade rumor news, Martin Prado is feeling much better and is swinging the bat again. Chipper Jones' knee is also showing signs of encouragement.
Whether you like it or not, it's easy to get the feeling the Braves and Uggla will be able to work out a solid deal for both sides. I still think a four-year deal makes sense for both sides, as it gets Uggla the money he deserves and also gets him out of Atlanta by the time he's 34, when he'll inevitably hit a steep decline in production.
Adding a cheap, left-handed option wouldn't be a bad idea, especially with the Phillies being so left-handed throughout their lineup. The Rule-5 draft would probably be a good place to look for this acquisition.
I find it pretty awesome that a great dude like Matty Diaz would be linked to just about every team in baseball just three days after being non-tendered. We should wish nothing but the best for the Caveman. I'd also like to see Diaz signed by a team other than the Phillies, just to improve the likelihood of them sign Jeff Francoeur.
Finally, it's a good thing the team isn't going after Greinke. Not only does it not work out financially, but it would also require the Braves to deal a few of their young pitching prospects. Greinke would be a nice addition, but we don't really need him. We should do whatever we can to save our prospects for next off-season when we're looking to replace a shortstop, third baseman, center fielder, and possibly even a second baseman as well.
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The scary thing about Frenchy is...
He has the talent to be a huge pain in the ass. I would much rather him figure it out in the AL than in our own division. That is, if he ever figures it out at all.
What manager John Russell thought when Morton hit J-Hey with a pitch, "Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons!"
by I Saw Buzz Beaned on Dec 6, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
And the chances he'll figure it out after this long?...
the thought of him being in the Phillies lineup, or coming up to pinch hit in important situations, and flailing at breaking ball after breaking ball 8 inches outside, is quite appealing.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
he might be a difficult out in a platoon role though…and his problem really is simple to fix he might smarten up about it any time…Hell Cory Hart seem to figure it out and they were essentially the same player…
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
That implies...
the Frenchman is ready to accept being a platoon player, and wouldn’t pout causing problems if relegated to such a role.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
I saw that...
Charie Manuel is telling Frenchy that he can fix his swing. He can do the same for him that he did for Werth. We all see how that worked out. Just saying…..
What manager John Russell thought when Morton hit J-Hey with a pitch, "Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons!"
by I Saw Buzz Beaned on Dec 7, 2010 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
Uggla just went from a 3rd place team to a team that not only will contend for a Wild Card, but may well win the NL East. I’d be pretty happy myself.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
You forget
1) high class organization who aspires for a WS every year
2) fan base that actually comes to the games
3) management that won’t blowup the team when finances get tight
4) players around him that generally pride themselves as gritty ballplayers, no divas on this squad.
There’s more, but you get the idea
by murph35 on Dec 6, 2010 6:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He’s also going to make somewhere between 40-60 million dollars in the next 5 years or so. That would be pretty nice too.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
It's easy for fans to say this but..
Why wouldn’t most players take less money from an organization that wins so that they don’t financially cripple the team and keep them from bringing in other pieces (like the phillies have with h20 and Howard). I hope Uggla takes a little less to become a stalwart with the Braves and allow us to really puts some more quality pieces around him for years to come with the money we can save… Maybe we should switch to Geico.. Sorry couldnt resist there.
by murph35 on Dec 6, 2010 6:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
one of the reasons players rarely take less money is because the agents have a stake in the equation, right or wrong. They will always try to get the largest deal possible, for their clients. Also, there is pressure from the player’s union to take the largest deal possible, because elite players (or guys like Uggla even) set the rate for all the players in baseball. If a guy takes a smaller deal then the lesser players will subsequently make less money.
None of these issues are relevant to the player himself. But I would venture to guess they are significant issues, unfortunately.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
I once heard an interview with an agent on Colin Cowherd
He said he always makes his free agents write a list of what is most important to them to help guide him in finding the right team. Overwhelmingly, something like 95% of the time, the number one thing is money.
I know every athlete says they only care about winning, but that’s a bunch of crap. They are humans like everyone else and they want to be paid as much as possible.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
well thats the Occam’s Razor answer, I was giving the other, ancillary, rosy picture answers
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Colin Cowherd is a moron as well as an asshole. Sorry to go OT, I just despise him.
Morgan: Do you think I could come into the clubhouse after the game and display my ass for both those veterans and the younger guys?
Baker: Well, Joe, you are on the payroll of the team, and you're a legend, so I suppose — holy shit!
[Joe has appeared next to Dusty, in the dugout, completely naked]
Morgan: Hey.
It's ok
I like him most of the time. But sometimes he says crazy things. That’s kinda his job tho. They dont give you 4 hours of alone time on the radio every day if you only say innocuous things that everyone agrees with.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
Dan Patrick is on during the same time….so needless to say I don’t have to listen to that douche. Letting Patrick go is the biggest mistake ‘The Mothership’ has ever made (besides putting Tony Cornheiser on TV), he’s the man, when it comes to sports talk radio, no one even holds a candle to him IMO
TK is awesome.
Patrick is meh. Too arrogant.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
Dan Patrick is pretty great.
I can understand the claim that he’s arrogant, but it’s such a self-aware arrogance that it washes down okay. The crew around him play off his shtick really well, too.
And to call him arrogant...
when compared to Cowherd, is like me calling justin argumentative. Both of those guys (DP and CC) have a healthy opinion of themselves.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
No doubt
Me calling Patrick arrogant doesnt mean I dont see it in Cowherd too.
With that said, I do feel Patrick is a bit more smug than Cowherd. But that’s probably just me.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
I agree...
I want to dropkick my radio (which is difficult since its attached to my car) everytime I hear him say the Yankees and Red Sox have the best teams because their fans care more…
you might want to be careful on nbr 2.. the fan base comes out to games more than the marlins’, but so does my old little league team’s fanbase (although I was a pretty big draw)
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
1) high class organization who aspires for a WS every year
2) fan base that actually comes to the games
3) management that won’t blowup the team when finances get tight
4) players around him that generally pride themselves as gritty ballplayers, no divas on this squad.
There’s more, but you get the idea
5) Wears uniforms that don’t feature a color that looks like the soup at Thulsa Doom’s compound.
by Sam Jethroe on Dec 6, 2010 11:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I know there are concerns...
But I would like to see Uggla signed long term (around the 4 year mark, too). Considering Werth just got 7/126, if we got Uggla for 4/48, that would be a good deal. Their numbers aren’t THAT far apart (offensively, folks…but still).
I don’t want to trade pitching for more pitching.
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
4/48 isnt even close to what Uggla is asking for, iirc
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
Well....it's not close to what he wanted from the Marlins
But let’s take into consideration that he really didn’t want to be with the Marlins…so negotiations with the Braves could be a lot different, or maybe not, I just like to be optimistic!
there is no nbr he has asked for except 5/71 which is believed to be the fuck you request from the Marlins… because Hanley is due 5/70
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Possibly, tho the eff you stuff has only been speculation
But part of me thinks that if 4/48 would get it done, we would have done it by now.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
I'm on the fence about Uggla...
While I have been a fan of his, I just don’t see where he really fits? I am less than enamored with the idea of Odarp in Left Field. I guess he would be ok, I am just really concerned with team defense. How do you all see Martin playing in LF? Thinking long term, yes I know he will probably end up at 3rd. I’m not really a fan of him playing 3rd though. With that said, I do love the fact that the Braves are making moves and really trying to do what they can to make the team better!
The word is that Prado plays only LF in the winter leagues and has for a while. The Braves are the only team that plays him in the infield.
One of the things I love about the guy. He just wants to play! He doesn’t care where!
What manager John Russell thought when Morton hit J-Hey with a pitch, "Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons!"
by I Saw Buzz Beaned on Dec 6, 2010 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
My guess is...
we’ll see Uggla at 2nd for as long as he stays in Atlanta and Prado will stay in LF until Chipper retires. Once he retires, Prado moves to 3rd and we look for a left fielder. There are plenty of outfield options, while there’s only so many 3rd baseman.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
He could be.
He’s certainly athletic enough, and with his work ethic, I think he’ll be at least an average defender out there.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
Prado is probably best suited for 3B, but that is just my own personal thoughts, he really hasnt played anywhere enough for a appropriate valaution yet.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
I agree with everything in the last paragraph...
Greinke would have been great two years ago. We would not have had to bid for Lowe services. All in all, I really like the direction of the Braves. I can’t help but look at Ugglas numbers everyday and think about how amazing it will be to have him, Heap, Heyward in the same batting lineup.
16 Division Titles, 7 NL Pennants, 1 Wild Card, 3 World Series Titles....this is the Braves.
I can’t help but look at Ugglas numbers everyday and think about how amazing it will be to have him, Heap, Heyward in the same batting lineup.
I really wish Fredi would hit Chipper and his great OBP 2nd:
Prado
Chipper
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
that’s so damn good. I’d put that up against any other top-6 in baseball.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Heyward would never get to 2nd if Chip is on 1st
Unless he homers of course. With Heyward hitting 2nd, he’ll have the ability to drive in Prado every time he’s up to bat AND put himself in scoring position. You under-utilize his base running skills by putting old man winter in front of him on the basepath. Though I like the idea of Heyward 3rd, not with anyone that slow in front of him though.
Chipper has had plenty of injury issues, but...
…he has never been very slow. Who knows after the latest injury, but he was still faster than McCann, amongst others, last year.
DAMN RIGHT !
Is all I can say to that Lineup card. We can get by with Nate Mclouth , M. Young, or if we acquire L. Cain or T. Gywn Jr to platoon with Nate in CF. We don’t need to much offense out of CF this season just somewhere near or remotely close to the league average for the position would be great.
GO BRaves.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 6, 2010 7:06 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah that’s an awesome lineup.
16 Division Titles, 7 NL Pennants, 1 Wild Card, 3 World Series Titles....this is the Braves.
by romone_braves91 on Dec 6, 2010 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
OBTW still freaked out that Werth got that monster contract...
that shit is beyond ridiculous. I don’t think Crawford is going to command or get that kind of money from another organization. All GMs are making moves with caution.
16 Division Titles, 7 NL Pennants, 1 Wild Card, 3 World Series Titles....this is the Braves.
I guarantee you Crawford tops that in years and dollars
by Undocorkscrew on Dec 6, 2010 7:06 PM EST up reply actions
I'll take that bet.
Everyone knows that the Nats got the butthole fingered by Boras on this one, so the GMs are going to clench up from here on out.
Even though Crawford’s the better of the two, some common sense has to be acknowledged in the negotiations. The Nats were desperate, they way overpaid, that’s why Werth’s there.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
All valid points....
…..but I figured Crawford was going to get an 8 or 9 year deal even before the Werth signing. I’m not saying that Crawford will get more strictly because he’s more valuable than Werth, but I can see the Angels doing exactly what the Nationals just did. Well, not ‘exactly’……but I do think they’ll overpay in dollars and years. However, he’s gotta have some more serious bidders. The Sox and Angels are the two teams I keep hearing, with the Angels having an obvious need for him. In the end I think they’ll end up with him for 8 or 9 years.
by Undocorkscrew on Dec 6, 2010 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
I think the Rangers...
keep pushing the salary he gets up and up, inch by inch.
So, in that vein, it could definitely happen…I think it falls just short, tho, as if to say, “We want you really bad, but we’re not that f***** stupid.” I could see something like 6/115-120 following that line of thinking.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
Is Greinke even an option?
He is going to be paid 27M over the course of the next two seasons…we couldn’t dream of affording that this season.
It was rumored and speculated on by a few writers, but yeah, it’s not happening.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
Oh my bad
You mentioned it wouldn’t work out financially…seems that writers should do research and understand that too doesn’t it?
To be perfectly honest, I don’t think that’s a requirement for writers anymore.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
To be fair
I think it was the legitimate writers that debunked the rumor. The only place I even saw the rumor was MLBTR. I dont recall DOB or Bowman reporting it (though I could be wrong).
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
2 years @ $10M is the reported deal
Would have loved to have him, but that would have been too rich of a contract, makes Linebrink trade look a lot better for Wren.
I added it to the story, but...
A little tension between the Brewers and Braves, who thought center fielder Lorenzo Cain was available, and are now hearing he wasn’t
Seriously? Fuck the Brewers. Go finish 3rd again in the worst division in baseball.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Yeah screw um
Take Beachy and really I am not crazy about even giving them him for Cain. I mean check out his stats from MILB.com website. He must have some great speed that he has never used b.c. his #’s are really just slightly above average for a player of his age, size, strength, not to mention the type of speedest label the Brew Crew is marketing him as. An their is no point in looking at his MLB stats what 43 or so games makes him a speedster ? LOL. Not to mention the guy did pretty well at High Class A but tappered off in the latter stages of the Minor league ladder is alarming to me regarding his eventual potiental.
MILB’s stats for L. Cain:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=456715
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 6, 2010 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
They act like he was a huge prospect
he was their 13th best coming into the season and then only had 147 ABs in 43 games. I don’t know why they are clinging onto him so hard when their real needs are in the rotation and bullpen. If they want more than Beachy/A ball prospect, just say no. If healthy, Schafer can help patrol CF along with Matt Young.
probably still piss that we beamed Prince Fielder over and over again. They are going to be bad for a while especially in that division with Reds and Cards.
16 Division Titles, 7 NL Pennants, 1 Wild Card, 3 World Series Titles....this is the Braves.
by romone_braves91 on Dec 6, 2010 7:55 PM EST up reply actions
count me as one not that impressed with cain
a light hitting outfielder and they are trying to oversell him. guarantee you they want delgado, which is ridiculous
M. Young or J. Schafer
I me we are going to keep one or the other so just go with them and sign A. Everett to be our Utility player, I don’t like Diory H and that is rumor of what we are going with as our backup defensive IF.
Not to crazy about Hicks either.
M. Young or J. Schafer we have too good, cheaper internal opt’s right their. Good post granman29 I agree on Schafer and M. Young is another good opt.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 6, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
Woah.
I hope you were kidding, because I was.
by granman29 on Dec 6, 2010 7:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
to clarify
I also don’t think Cain is a great option. McLouth should be fine though if his very good September was any indication.
by granman29 on Dec 6, 2010 7:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Schafer is back...
Hadn’t you heard??
Dude’s going to rake again, and hopefully not break a wrist in the process…
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
hey man this is the first day of the news. give him time to learn of the greatness
and if you are being sarcastic…its the first day let those of us who are overly optimistic time to revel in the greatness before you ruin it with your brand of reality.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Not sarcastic...
Loved him being the opening day starter in 2009, which seems so long ago now. But I’m absolutely stoked to see if he can come back and contribute. I don’t think it’s unrealistic to see him earn the starting job in ST, if he’s truly healthy and ready to go. If not ST, then shortly into the season, regardless of how McLouth plays. He’s got the talent.
It seems like his desire to be great and willingness to work towards that goal will get him back quicker than most thought six months ago (dark days, seemed like). It’s a long road, but hopefully he’s almost there.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
As much as I want to see him on the big club and I really want him ( i have him in a deep deep dynasty league), I think whats best for him is at least a half season at AAA.
But with his abilities, i wouldnt put it past him to convince the FO to start him on opening day with another huge spring training
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Even with that in the spring,...
I can’t imagine they wouldn’t want to let him get regular work in AAA. If he’s in Atlanta, he’d need to play everyday considering his missed huge portions of the last 3 seasons, which would make McLouth an expensive 4th OF. Now, if he has a spring like ‘09, and McLouth a spring like he did in ’10, then Schafer probably gets the job (assuming Young doesn’t have a killer spring himself). But if McLouth has a good spring, then no matter what Schafer does he needs to get 100-200 at bats in AAA before we even think about calling him up.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
All I’m saying is he’s got the talent. If the results match, he’s an instant upgrade on both sides of the ball, assuming McLouth comes out average or a little slow out of the gate.
That said, we’ve still got five years of team control, according to BR, so there’s no need to rush him if he needs more time to adjust.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
Even that considered though...
I’d think McLouth gets a benefit of the doubt due to his contract, while the team is probably wanting to take it slow with Schafer, allowing him plenty of days to rest his wrist, to get reacclimated to every day at bats after missing large chunks of 3 seasons, to get reacclimated to high level pitching, etc.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
Werth got 7 years, 126 mil. Crawford was asking for 7-8 years at ~22 mil per. That’s quite a difference. And considering youd be bidding against the Angels and Yanks, he’d probably get it.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
i think we don´t need another outfielder
i think Mclouth will be great the next season
all this
Not only does it not work out financially, but it would also require the Braves to deal a few of their young pitching prospects. Greinke would be a nice addition, but we don’t really need him
Tim Dierkes is good. I’ve been following that site for years, glad it’s finally blowing up for him. Must get a ton of traffic.
Morgan: Do you think I could come into the clubhouse after the game and display my ass for both those veterans and the younger guys?
Baker: Well, Joe, you are on the payroll of the team, and you're a legend, so I suppose — holy shit!
[Joe has appeared next to Dusty, in the dugout, completely naked]
Morgan: Hey.
The site and content is great...
the comments on the other hand, not so much.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
Was going to post the same thing.
They’ve passed ESPN in terms of stupidity, and they’re slowly creeping up on the AJC.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
Sad thing is, I used to post there and on MLBTR all the time before I found Talking Chop.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
I thought we were friends...
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
I have more likes than comments at MLBTR...
And have as yet been unable to ascertain whether that’s a good or bad thing. All likes are not created equal…
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
All you have to do to pick up likes at MLBTR
Is say something inflamatory or homerific. The haters will like the former and the homers will like the latter, and since there’s no “dislike” button, you’re golden.
Even some of the content is questionable tho
They post some out there rumors that have no real logic.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
Wouldn;t that be the fault of Jon Heyman, Ken Rosenthal, etc, and not Dierkes?
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
Not entirely.
Heyman and Rosenthal print what they hear from players, coaches and execs. Dierkes prints what Heyman and Rosenthal print. They should ALL figure out if there is any logic to the rumor.
Why should Dierkes (or anyone else who reprints rumors) be excluded from trying to figure out how possible a deal is?
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
Because I don't think his purpose is to analyze the realisticness of the deal...
just to pass on the information as he finds it. Hell, if he was trying to exclude unrealistic trades, he wouldn’t print Uggla for Infante and Dunn, etc.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
In that case,
Why is it that Rosenthal, etc. aren’t allowed to do the same?
I just don’t understand why those guys get criticized so much. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen a guy like Gammons or Heyman tell a rumor — and admit that it is a rumor and nothing more — and then get slammed when it doesnt come true. But guys like Dierkes get to print whatever the heck they want, often with no sourcing, thought or reporting behind it, and it’s perfectly ok.
I just don’t get it. Why can’t Rosenthal be a good, competent writer and still report rumors without getting criticized? Isn’t that his job? To report rumors he’s heard from players, agents and clubs?
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
PLEASE Philly sign Frenchy. Please make this happen.
It would officially be “riot-mode.”
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Dec 6, 2010 8:50 PM EST reply actions
They will just vomit on him and tase him.
Morgan: Do you think I could come into the clubhouse after the game and display my ass for both those veterans and the younger guys?
Baker: Well, Joe, you are on the payroll of the team, and you're a legend, so I suppose — holy shit!
[Joe has appeared next to Dusty, in the dugout, completely naked]
Morgan: Hey.
I would love that.
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Dec 6, 2010 9:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
man
Sometimes I wish FW wasn’t so stingy on the prospects. I’m not saying to over pay but sheesh. We could clearly use a sure thing in CF with 3B and 1B already being questionable about the offensive performance we will get from them not to mention our closer spot.
sigh rant over
by drumzalicious on Dec 6, 2010 8:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I still see Jurrjens, Minor or Beachy being traded at some point this week
Don’t know why, and really don’t have any evidence that says it will happen, I just feel it.
I don't know...
Jurrjens’ value is as low as it’s been since joining the Braves, and Minor and Beachy could really improve their stock in the next year.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
True his value is low but he is young and one year removed from two great seasons.
I honestly think we should go after Sizemore. The Indians are cutting payroll and rebuilding.
Jurrjens
Delgado
Hoover
Mycal Jones
Milligan
by drumzalicious on Dec 6, 2010 11:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No way we give up that much for a guy who hasn’t been healthy for the last 18 months.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 7, 2010 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
I believe it would be worth it. Hoover, Jones and Milligan will most likely never make our team. Delgado and Jurrjens will be so far away we wont have the pain of remembering we traded them away lol
by drumzalicious on Dec 7, 2010 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
I have a feeling Delgado is going to be a stud, i’d much rather lose Vizcaino than Delgado, but I don’t think Vizcaino is traded right now because of the injury he suffered this past year, his value can’t be maximized either.
You'd probably change your opinion...
if Sizemore struggles to play 84 games due to numerous injuries, posting a line of say .237/.321/.312, while Jurrjens rebounds like an ace, Delgado comes up in August and pitches like all he’s been hyped to be, and then one more of the other 3 pans out.
Again, that’s WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY too much for Sizemore with his health concerns.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
I don't think you give up Jurrjens and Delgado...
…for Sizemore right now. The injuries are too scary. That’s why I doubt the Indians trade him this offseason. He would be worth so much more mid-season if he shows he is healthy.
That is if they think he'll get healthy...
if they don’t, it makes sense to get whatever you can for him now before everyone else realizes he’ll never be healthy again (if that is the case).
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
So here's a question for the TC faithful...
If tomorrow were opening day, we’d be looking at this (or something very close to it. an asterisk means that spot is still probably TBD.)
Prado
Heyward
Chipper
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Gonzalez
McLouth
Hudson
Hanson
Lowe
Jurrjens
Minor/Beachy
Kimbrel
Venters
Linebrink
Moylan
EOF
Beachy
FA Reliever/In-house option*
Ross
Mather
Hinske
IF*
Utility/OF*
With that 25-man roster, do you feel confident the Braves could win? In other words, is the team a few players away, or do you feel comfortable with where we’re at now? I’m just curious.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
The bottom third of the lineup worries me
And lets be honest — our 3-5 starting pitchers arent exactly question free. It wouldnt be surprising to see Lowe and JJ do anything from epic fail to all-star level play. And ofc, Minor/Beachy are still rookies.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
BAT HEYWARD 3RD
I pray to Jason Heyward every night
by JasonHeywardisGod on Dec 6, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
I think he was trying to figure out what Fredi will do, not what he should do
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
I think we are in good position.
I mean, certainly better than what came out the gate last year and that turned out to be a helluva team!
i think we have better lineup than the last year
Freeman is unknown but i think he will better defensively and offensively than Glaus (aside May, he was terrible). Defensively is obvious and offensively because Freeman will hit in the bottom of the lineup so if he sucks, he doesn´t hurt so much the team.
Melky. Anyone is better than Melky.
Mclouth. I think Mclouth can´t have a worst year than the last season and he will improve and help this team.
The last season, our 7,8,9th hitters; and sometimes the 6th were a blackhole in the lineup.
The rotation is almost the same of the last season.
I think DLowe will have a CY consideration year. Hudson will be a little worse than this year, but still great year.
Hanson will be in his 3rd season, i think he is somebody like Matt Ryan. Good 1st season, bad 2nd season, awesome 3rd season.
JJ will have a year like he did on 2009.
The only thing i think is worse than the last year is the bullpen.
I'm comfortable with that...
but I’d say *Beachy. If he’s not a starter, I’d think he’d go to Gwinnett and get stretched out. His max value is as a starter, and he’s never started a full season. Proctor fills his spot, since he’s on a $750,000 contract and has to be up. That leaves Marek, Martinez, Cordier, Gearrin, Hyde, Ortegano, and others fighting it out for that last spot.
And if opening day was tomorrow (it’d be really damn cold), and I’d say Young and Conrad (or maybe Hernandez or Hicks instead of Raw Dog) in those last two spots.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
Wow…I forgot all about Proctor.
And I’m actually liking the idea of Beachy in the ’pen. I think he could be a very good 7th or even 8th inning guy, similar to Medlen.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
by Scott Coleman on Dec 6, 2010 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
I do too, but let's look at Braves history...
and their penchant for keeping young guys where their trade value is highest (maybe my head is just fixated on Saltalamacchia when we desperately needed a 1B). We’ve got plenty of arms ready to start the season in the bullpen with Kimbrel, Venters, Moylan, Linebrink, O’Flaherty, and Proctor as apparent locks. With Martinez coming off a solid season, Marek looking more than ready last year, Gearrin, Hyde, and several others on the cusp too, why stick Beachy in the ‘pen when you can have him start in AAA, keeping his arm stretched out should a big league starter get injured (if Beachy beats out Minor for the 5th starter spot, then reverse this for them), and perhaps maximizing his value if June comes around, and you’re more than set with 5 healthy, solid starters and an emerging Teheran demanding a turn, but a huge hole in CF.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
I might want him in the bullpen for starting depth reasons.
We want him stretched out to fill a one-month or less hole in the rotation. However, since he has never started for a full season, I would rather he spends the first two months in the bullpen if he had to fill in for someone who went down for the season because I don’t think he’ll be able to handle the innings of a full season starting. It mght take a couple of weeks of spot starters to stretch him out, but then we should have him for the rest of the season.
Depends on how much better he'd be in that last bullpen spot...
compared to Martinez, Marek, or Gearrin, among others. I don’t think he’d be enough of an improvement, if an improvement at all, over those guys to make it worth it.
He can always be bracketed with a guy like Sullivan or whoever, in AAA to limit his overall innings. Or, who cares if you skip a start in AAA. Plus, if he is needed to be called up, you can always slide him back to the bullpen in August or September ala Kawakami in 2009, when Medlen is back ready, or when the starter he supplants is back healthy, or when Teheran is ready later in the year, or when Delgado is ready, etc. I just think letting him show he’s a legit starting caliber pitcher, delaying his service clock, and getting him stretched out in case he’s needed to start, is a better idea than having him be the last man in your bullpen in April and May (that is if he doesn’t beat out Minor for the 5th starter spot in spring).
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
In all honesty there should be an asterisk next to Chip because we don’t know for sure if he will make it out of ST.
We honestly have 3 question marks in that lineup and I’m not comfortable with that.
1. Chip will most likely still get on base at a good rate but will he be healthy? Will the “pop” return to his bat?
2. Freeman is a rookie and we shouldn’t expect anything serious from him. I’m talking expectations lower than Heyward something like a .260/.340/.430 line.
3. McLouth is no sure thing to return to his 2008 form. He showed some promise at the end of last year however as I said a question mark.
Now with all of this said the easiest position to cover is either 1B or CF as Chip is a Braves legend and they wont go get a 3B without him proving first that he can’t play anymore. Freeman is the teams 1B of the future and they have already said they intend to give him the job right out of Spring Training which leaves McLouth/CF as the position easiest to upgrade for now and the long-term.
If we acquire someone like Gardner, Ellisbury, heck even a fantasy like Sizemore then we are covered.
If Chip isn’t ready we can utilize McLouth, Hinske, or Mather in LF. Or if he is ready bring Schafer back up to the bigs.
And once again I’m not comfortable with Kimberly closing.
by drumzalicious on Dec 6, 2010 11:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
lol
That should say Kimbrel lol. Interesting spell correction.
by drumzalicious on Dec 6, 2010 11:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
But on your 3...
1) If I’m not mistaken, Chipper was said to be already hitting off a tee when we were playing the Giants. With that in mind, I don’t think there should be much question that he’ll be healthy come ST. Now if you meant make that month in March without reinjury, I might agree, or go through the season and play well for 135+ games, I’d agree. I’m concerned there, and would like a better OF option in case he or McLouth struggle, but his health, going by what was said when they were still playing and he was in the dugout, sounds like it should be good to go by March 1.
2) I’d take a .260/.340/.430 line out of Freeman in the 6 spot and smile. That’s not a bad line for your 6 hitter, or for a rookie, and is pretty close to what RoY candidate Gaby Sanchez just put up.
3) 2008 Nate would be amazing. But we don’t need that. Give me 2007 (.258/.351/.459) or 2009 Nate (.256/.352/.436), and I’ll be satisfied.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
I feel comfortable for the most part. I will be more confident if Shafer has a good spring so he can step in if Nate struggles.
by JonnyBravesFan on Dec 7, 2010 2:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
write this up as a subject poll...lets have a vote!
it just felt right and the chance to go to the postseason is hard to pass up. I’ve always respected their orginization… and Bobby…I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it...Derrek Lee (at press conference sayiing he had been traded to the Braves)
"Jones' knee is showing signs of encouragement..."
CHIPPER: “Ah thank ah maht hafta admit muh cuh-reer is over.”
CHIPPER’S KNEE: “Don’t give up, kid!”
CHIPPER: “Wha? Who’s that?”
CHIPPER’S KNEE: “Down here! Your knee!”
CHIPPER: “Ah’ll be damned. You know what? You’re right. Thanks for the encouragement!”
(beat)
CHIPPER: “Hey, you think it’s gonna rain today?”
CHIPPER’S KNEE: “Only one way to find out.”
(CHIPPER stands, but flinches in pain and grabs his knee)
CHIPPER’S KNEE: “Guess so!”
(both laugh, roll credits)
The South shall rise again! And it will have a tender, flaky crust!
by TheLetter2 on Dec 7, 2010 8:00 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
lol
For some reason, this makes me think of a very Braves-like run scoring: bases loaded, no out, Chipper Jones grounds into a double play, a run still scores, Troy Glaus comes up limping, Chipper Jones is grimacing, grabbing his side. Could you really say the Braves were winning?
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Honestly, if there’s a team I don’t worry about, it’s the Braves. The team routinely made the impossible possible last season, winning more games in the final at-bat than any other team in the majors.
With the Giants, we lose early or late. There’s very little middle ground. Down by two runs in the first inning? Yep, turn the game off, day’s done. Leading until the eighth? Yeah, we’re doomed. But with the Braves, anything could happen, and the “anything” was nearly always in your favor (a splash hit from Rick fucking Ankiel? Seriously?).
Decripit infielders and all, I never really lost doubt the Braves are a quality team. Which is why I cursed them more and more as it became apparent the Giants would have to play them in the postseason. Your guys are damn good. I salute ’em.
The South shall rise again! And it will have a tender, flaky crust!
rec'd
For the rain.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
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