November 16, 2010

Show #131: Looking at the Braves 2010 Offseason

We look at the Braves’ needs, position by position, this offseason.


Show #131 [ 46:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 

95 Responses to “Show #131: Looking at the Braves 2010 Offseason”

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  1. 1
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    I would trade JJ for Rasmus in a New Y*rk minute. But I don’t think the Cards would do that. I believe JJ’s trade value is less than Rasmus, even though the upside for JJ is still very large. He’s a risk, his best season is tagged by doubtful peripheral stats, etc, etc. His best value might be as a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.

    I’m not surprised by McCann’s energy drink recovery. My eye problems have been 100% corrected by dietary change: sugar and caffiene. I don’t even wear my glasses to read the tiny print in Norton Anthology. And it’s been almost a year now since I made the change.

    I’m 100% in favor of Prado in LF and Uggla at 2B.

    The Braves did spend $$ on Wags last year.

    About Chipper: I think it will be a misereable ending. Pure nightmare. Something the Braves will have to work around and endure.

    I think Alex Gonzalez will have a better year than his time with the Braves last year. Not great, but 17 homers, fewer errors, and some heroics.

    Nate McLouth: see my note on Chipper.

    I’ll die if we get Upton.

    Steve, why, oh WHY, do you have faith in Wren getting something? I think he MIGHT, but it’s a coin flip. Won’t be a bit surprised at Glaus 2.0 or even Melky. His threatening to get a big bat has been going on for how long now? And not just through offseason, but trade deadline deals as well. He’s flubbed a lot.

    I’m ready to see Moylan go bye-bye. I’m not just stuck on the bad periods, but add those to his initial upside (which was nada) and you have a pretty complete picture. Lightning in a bottle’s what he was.

    The defense will be bad, yes. No question about it. It’ll just have to be part of our identity. You can’t fix all that in one year. It will frustrate Lowe and Huddy. But less so because they’ll expect it going in.

    Great show. Can’t wait for the Uggla show in a couple weeks… or the Pat Burrell show (puke)…

  2. 2
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    I think, too, we have underestimated the biggest blow the Braves have endured over the last little while: the Nate McLouth acquisition. That deal should have been one of the top pieces of Wren’s resume. Speed AND Power AND at center field for a decent contract. The “points swing” on Nate being bad instead of good is tremendous. It’s seriously the most miserable development of all the recent ones.

    I think we owe it to ourselves to feel tragic about the McLouth trade. And I don’t think we’ve processed it yet. It really, REALLY hurt us. And I have to temper my bad mood toward Wren by remembering that if that trade had worked out, this team would be very different right now. And how could he know that a young, healthy player would immediate nose dive?

  3. 3
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    My Best Luck EVER:

    Can’t believe what just happened. I got sucked into the ABT show and comPLETELY forgot to prepare for an in-class essay we had to write today. Didn’t do a THING, was supposed to have three works reviewed, notes all handy, bring all volumes of the text, etc, etc. Could have very easily flushed a third of my grade down the toilet.

    I get there and the topic is on A Streetcar Named Desire which I’ve read 3 times before this class AND written a paper on almost exactly like the one required in today’s instructions.

    Talk about going from panic to euphoria in ten seconds flat.

  4. 4
    Kate Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    Brave acquire Uggla for Infante and Dunn. I’m shocked that’s all it took.

  5. 5
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 7:20 pm

    Fantastic news. I was going to say Infante + Delgado, had no idea it could be had with Dunn. This is a good deal.

    Dunn came over in the Vazquez trade, so that helps my feelings on that a bit, too.

    This is good, good news. I know he K’s a lot and has a rock glove, but this is very, very good news.

  6. 6
    Mark in Memphis Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    Well gentlemen, it now comes down to where will they play: Prado, Uggla, Freeman & McLouth…

    It does give us some protection, should Chipper or Freeman not be ready come Spring Training.

    Also, something I don’t think you hit on in the podcast, it would allow us to get a fast, high average center fielder to slide McLouth to the bench (or off the team, if he doesn’t show improvement in ST) and give us a true “leadoff” type guy. The guy wouldn’t necessarily need to hit for power if he can hit for average, steal some bases and prevent runs with his play in CF. Hopefully, Freddie would line them up:

    1) new leadoff guy CF
    2) Prado LF (2B)
    3) Jones 3B
    4) Mac C
    5)Uggla 2B (LF)
    6) Heyward RF
    7) Gonzalez S
    8)Freeman 1B
    9) xxxxxxxx P

    Then 2 thru 8 we R-L-S-L-R-L-R-L

  7. 7
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    Uggla will be at 2B according to Frank Wren, per Bowman

    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101116&content_id=16117314&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

    I expect Prado will be at LF for about 3 days until Chipper tweaks his __________ and then it’s be Freeman, Uggla, Gonzno, and Prado in the IF.

  8. 8
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    I can’t believe we just got a legitimage power bat without giving up ANY pitching. This is unreal. Braves still in a position of strength.

    I’m a happy, happy boy.

  9. 9
    Leah Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 7:52 pm

    His name is Daaaaaaan Ugglaaaaaaa! I’ll miss O. Infante but as long as Prado is intact I’m good. And, let’s face it…I don’t mind those baby blues one bit. Haven’t had time to listen to the show but I will soon. Did you mention my name? I’m only going to listen if you mentioned that I am the Princess of the podcast. If not? I’m out.

  10. 10
    Leah Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 8:02 pm

    Per Buster Olney, “Love this trade for the Braves; Uggla is an absolutely perfect fit for what they need.”

    In the words of my 5year old…HOLY SMOKES COWS!!! The more I think about it the more excited I get. TWSS!

  11. 11
    Nate Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 8:22 pm

    Great trade. I love Omar, but we definitely needed more pop.

  12. 12
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Florida seriously, seriously got hosed. If Uggla walks, we get draft picks. If Chipper retires, we can longterm Uggla. We’re set up so beautifully with this it’s ridiculous.

    Get this, Dan Uggla had almost more Wins Above Replacement last year than Infante’s had in his CAREER.

  13. 13
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    Steve & Curt, get your asses in here!

  14. 14
    will Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    for bub

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MHeQTvQztA&playnext=1&list=PLE50A50DCA75089B1&index=27

  15. 15
    Steve Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    Bub – I know, I know. Feverishly getting things ready for our trip tomorrow. Could not be more psyched. And it is a TOTAL steal. I’ll be back in a little bit with more.

  16. 16
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    Will, that song is perfect.

    Hey, guys, want to make your big smile even bigger? Recall that we got Omar Infante AND Will Ohman from Chicago for… Jose Ascanio.

    :) :) :)

  17. 17
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    I had no idea I was being filmed when the Uggla trade happened.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tibLjnn_Nf4

  18. 18
    Nate Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    awesome

  19. 19
    Steve Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    I’m more excited now about the Uggla trade than I was just a few hours ago. I saw a tweet earlier this afternoon when the Infante and Dunn rumors were swirling that said he was waiting for the other shoe to drop (meaning which prospect would be in there, as well). And I was concerned about that, too. To have pulled this off with none of our top prospects (or freaking ANY, for that matter) is just astounding. We really got a big bat. This is no maybe/possibly/hopefully/if kind of bat. This is the real deal. And for very, very little. Infante was a life saver for the Bravos last year and is one of my favorites, but this trade so clearly favors the Braves as not to be believed. I mean, here are Uggla’s HR/RBI stats starting with his first year in 2006 up to 2010: 27/90, 31/88, 32/92, 31/90, 33/105. And no year did he have an OBP less than .326. Just look at those numbers. That’s now in the middle of our lineup.

  20. 20
    Nate Says:
    November 16th, 2010 at 11:50 pm

    Steve, I have had similar feelings tonight. I went from pretty happy to absolutely pumped. I had no idea he finished this year batting .287. The guy had a great year last year, and was a leader in that clubhouse. We got a steal. He’s going to be a great presence in the lineup and the clubhouse. Now let’s just hope the HR numbers don’t drop since he no longer gets to face the Braves.

  21. 21
    Curt Says:
    November 17th, 2010 at 12:11 am

    It’s pretty great. I still want one more piece. See what it will take to get BJ Upton and you have quite a team. I’m really going to miss Omar, but the Marlins really must have wanted to move him to trade him in the division for so little. Great start.

  22. 22
    David Says:
    November 17th, 2010 at 12:25 am

    I’d love to get another outfielder too, but I don’t think that we’ll be able to move McLouth. And I’d rather have McLouth’s glove in CF and his bat hitting 8th and hope that the latter comes around — as opposed to trying to find another CF, making McLouth the 4th OF, and not resigning Hinske. I think this will be the starting 8 next year (not lineup order):

    Prado LF
    McLouth CF
    Heyward RF
    Chipper 3B
    Gonzalez SS
    Uggla 2B
    Freeman 1B
    McCann C

  23. 23
    Leah Says:
    November 17th, 2010 at 11:13 am

    Great show guys! Steve, keep up the optimism or we’ll all dig a hole and crawl in. I’m a little less excited about Uggla after Hammy’s thoughts on Prado in the outfield. I tend to agree. If ever there was a player who would try to play through a strain or soreness it would be Meadow. I won’t be able to live if he gets damaged beyond repair. Does anyone else wonder about our medical staff? Why is it always our players playing injured and then needing surgery? Will that change with Fredi at the helm? Also, will he be less likely to play Chipper regardless of production? So many questions…but fewer “ifs” so that’s something.

  24. 24
    Bubdylan Says:
    November 17th, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    I feel like celebrating. Defensive woes and Chipper albatrossdom aside, this is a very capable ballclub. Man, if Heyward comes on strong, oh my goodness.

  25. 25
    Curt Says:
    November 17th, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    I can’t imagine Chipper will not continue to operate on his own volition when it comes to playing time. No way Fredi comes in here and pulls that weight.

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