The latest out of Atlanta, courtesy of David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution..
- Braves General Manager Frank Wren said that he approached Michael Bourn and agent Scott Boras in Spring Training about starting contract talks and Boras said he would wait until after the season, tweets O'Brien.
- No surprise here, but Wren said that the club would like to re-sign the outfielder this winter (Twitter link). The GM added that he would have to see how the market shapes up for Bourn, who figures to be a hot commodity.
- Pitcher Tim Hudson said that he would like to finish his career in Atlanta, even though he knows that's not a given, O'Brien tweets. The Braves hold a $9MM team option on the 37-year-old for 2013 and are expected to exercise it.
- Wren says that the team will target premium players but don't plan to "go outrageous" with any one player in particular. Instead, the Braves are more likely to go for two high-salaried players than one player with an enormous price tag (Twitter links).
- Catcher Brian McCann told reporters that he believes he'll need shoulder surgery and could miss between 2-5 months of action, according to O'Brien (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Wren says that unless an MRI shows something worse than the initial diagnosis, McCann won't require surgery (Twitter link).
- The Braves have asked all of their coaches back for '13 and they are all expected to return, according to O'Brien (via Twitter).
It’d be great if the Braves could keep Bourn, but I have a feeling someone else will offer more years than is probably prudent for the Braves to offer him.
I think someone will offer him more years and more money than is prudent for anybody to offer him. I wouldn’t go more than 4/$40 million for him, but he will probably get 5/$70-75 from somebody like the Nationals or Phillies.
Of course the coaches are coming back!! They did a great job this year molding this team into a championship contender. The ridiculous one-game playoff was not at all a showing of how the team played this year. I
Well it did show them struggle with runners in scoring position which is something they struggled with all season.
Everyone remembers the stupid infield fly call but i still remember Fredi calling for Simmons to bunt with 2 on 1 out with medlen behind him and Freeman on 3rd. I will never forgive him for that
No but this one game playoff shows Fredi doing his stupid “everyone bunt” scheme. Swear to god sometimes he makes me bang my head against the table
I totally agree. Good to see some people don’t freak out and start rolling heads
The Braves could use a high average middle of the lineup hitter, but who wouldn’t. Maybe they go after Upton.
Angel Pagan would be my first pick- since he can play left or center. Maybe go after Span offering up Hanson. Or try to swap Uggla for Vargas in a toxic contract swap.
Mariner’s have Seager at 3rd and Ackley at 2nd. No Dice.
Yes, Uggla had a terrible batting average this year, but he still gets on base as well as any 2B not named Cano.
I think a Shane Victorino/Juan Pierre with Jason Heyward outfield would work with Prado/Simmons/Uggla/Freeman/Ross(until Mccann is back) does not look bad on paper. A few things need to happen for this to work. Freeman and Uggla need to hit for avg as well as power and Pierre and Prado need to get on base. What do ya’ll think?
uggla never hits for avg so forget that now
True, but he is still hitting 20+ hr and giving you a good obp. That still puts him pretty good offensively at 2nd. .348 obp and 19 looks bad with .220 avg, but is still decent, and valuable
doesn’t provide value from the 6 hole, though. they need a good thumper who’s a threat to put the ball in play so that they can position uggla correctly in the lineup.
I was talking .270…for him that is hitting for avg lol
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Braves make a run at Nick Swisher.
Jim Bowden wrote a column for ESPN Insider back in February where he projected Swisher to be the Braves top offseason target. I think he would be ideal to take over left, enabling us to move Prado to third. I also wouldn’t mind seeing what the Twins want for Span.
there were reports that swisher wanted a jason werth type of contract. even tho he wont get it.
he’ll get 5yr 85 million from the yanks imo
I would love for him to be a Brave but realistacally they don’t have a chance, but I would also love Torii Hunter
If Mac was thinking his shoulder was hurt that bad, he should’ve had it worked on during the season. Hitting .200 didn’t help the team a lot. That’s the first time I’ve been displeased with a decision he’s made.
I’m a little surprised Freddi isn’t getting axed. He made some questionable decisions this year.
The team has alot of say in whether he gets surgery or not. Seems like surgery would be best for his career, but not for his production next year, which is what the braves are concerned about.
I could see the team physician having rightful say in treatment, but the front office?
The front office would be paying for the surgery and course of treatment.
McCann’s .200 was still better than what Boscan would have provided.
McCann has to be healthy. He has to be in the middle of that lineup.
Great, another disaster year coming in 2013. Fredi is a terrible manager, and I look for more of the same with him leading the ship. Our young stars will have to outshine our moronic and incompetent management yet again. Thankfully, i’m a masochists, and will be back for plenty of punishment.
Watch the post game interview. Fredi doesn’t even know how many games are in a season. He watches the game like the rest of the spectators and has no passion. Until the Braves get rid of him they will never reach their full potential.
I like Bourn but not for the price tag he’s going to be had at. We all know Justin Upton is going to be shopped around this winter even though their GM said right now they’re not too inclined to trade him for the right trade they definitely will. I would love to bring him and his leadership in to play LF.
His brother BJ Upton is also a free agent and would be a cheaper fix in CF albeit a low average but career wise about the same OBP as Bourn. Plus the guy can hit for power, steal bases and play superb defense as well. Both would fit the budget perfectly and we would still have room to make more moves.
Wish list:
– Sign Medlen, Heyward, Prado, and Kimbrel long term
– Resign Michael Bourn, Reed Johnson, David Ross, and Peter Moylan
– Sign Torii Hunter, Macier Izturis, and Travis Hafner.
where would Travis Hafner play?
Braves have been lacking a good pinch hitter for years now. Hinske is done, we all know that so to take his place I’d choose Hafner who would be cheap considering all the injuries, and the trend of the DH-types in the market. So obviously he can’t be an everyday player, but having him as a pinch hitter is a powerful weapon because he does get on base, and still has power.
Really this is a good plan?