1) I've never seen such a bad call in a playoff game. Maybe not a bad call, but a misunderstanding of the actual rules.

2) If you don't know the infield fly rule you shouldn't post in a baseball thread.

10/6/2012 8:46:41 AM

we can agree that you don't like Chipper, right?

10/6/2012 8:51:21 AM

Begrudging respect, I'd call it.

10/6/2012 9:21:52 AM

seems fitting the Braves would be the first team to get eliminated in one game

10/6/2012 10:37:24 AM

The guy shit-talk trolling the Rays, my team, is a fan of the 2012 WILD CARD RUNNERS UP.

PS Fuck the Braves.

10/6/2012 11:25:24 AM

Braves got hosed bad

Shameful

10/6/2012 11:30:11 AM

spent the first part of my life as a braves fan so I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE MAKING US WHITE SOX FANS LOOK SO STUPID RIGHT NOW

10/6/2012 11:31:44 AM

at least the braves won 94 games and didn't lose a sudden death elimination game to a team that won 88 games

10/6/2012 4:13:35 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't understand why a game that is BASED and has always been played in SERIES comes down to 1 game. Dumbest thing I have ever seen in my life. Why sports have to continually screw up good products is beyond me.

10/6/2012 5:33:08 PM

Quote :

"I don't understand why a game that is BASED and has always been played in SERIES comes down to 1 game"

because bud selig

10/6/2012 7:16:04 PM

it should be at least best of 3

10/6/2012 7:43:38 PM

Braves are going to finish under .500 in 2013

10/8/2012 9:24:49 AM

so who will be in CF next year? Bourne, Victorino, Reed Johnson, someone else?

10/8/2012 10:05:21 AM

Bourne will probably cost too much to resign (plus he is a Boras client IIRC). We should probably look for a short term solution. I wouldn't mind Angel Pagan at the right price.

Todd Cunningham is a couple of seasons away, and could be who we thought Jordan Schafer might one day be. From MiLB.com's Atlanta minor league all-stars article:

Quote :

"Todd Cunningham, Mississippi (120 games): Atlanta's No. 12 prospect took a real step forward in 2012, posting a .309 average -- good for third in the Southern League -- while also finishing in the top 10 on the circuit in on-base percentage (.364), stolen bases (24) and runs (77). The 2010 second-round Draft pick also showed a slick glove in center field, where Trembley believes he has a long-term future. The 23-year-old was a Southern League Midseason and Postseason All-Star. "Cunningham can play all three [outfield positions], but center field is probably his best spot," Trembley said. "He's a switch hitter, decent baserunner with good speed and he was the Braves' Minor League Player of the Year. I think you'll see him at Triple-A next year." "

-------
^^I don't think we'll be that bad off. Chipper will be gone, but you can expect Prado to pick up where Jones left off at third. Freeman, Heyward, Simmons are real talents and should continue to play well at 1st, RF and SS. I don't think it's unreasonable to think McCann can rebound and perform better next year (and Ross could be the best backup C in the league). The rotation could be really good next year, with a full year from Medlen and Maholm, Hudson will be back, Minor finally straightened things out, Teheran may figure it out. Beachy should be back at some point. No more Jurjjens or Hanson (which are probably addition by subtraction). Kimbrel and the boys round out a fantastic pen.

So the real questions are 2b, LF and CF (IMO). I think we see the Braves pick up a LF free agent (Nick Swisher maybe?). Uggla is awful and probably will be that way until his contract expires... so all things considered, I like our chances.

[Edited on October 8, 2012 at 10:28 AM. Reason : [ o][o ]

10/8/2012 10:20:27 AM

I guess this is old now, but the guy who ran Braves Journal died http://www.bravesjournal.com/?p=8449

I've stolen most of my Braves humor from him over the past 10 years or so

RIP Mac

10/10/2012 12:54:52 PM

The Braves should at least be competitive next year. The Nats will be very good next year and it's hard to say at this point what the Marlins, Mets, and Phils will do. All have some pieces and some glaring weaknesses too.

The Braves rotation should be stout:

1. Hudson
2. Medlen
3. Minor
4. Malholm
5. Delgado/Beachy

Not sure when Beachy gets back though. May maybe? I assume they'll trade Hanson for an OF or something. He was garbage last year and has never seemed to give fuck so good riddance. The heart of the lineup should still be very good with Prado, Heyward, and Freeman. McCann will need to bounce back and Uggla is a lost cause. Hopefully Simmons will continue to develop. Still many questions though since Bourne and Chipper are gone.



[Edited on October 10, 2012 at 5:53 PM. Reason : o]

10/10/2012 5:52:58 PM

good article for the offseason (part 1 of 5):
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/10/8/3472760/atlanta-braves-off-season-questions-part-1-show-me-the-money

Quote :

"Add all those areas of the team together and you get approximately $70 million. And this is before the team fills out its lineup with a third baseman and center fielder. The good news is that those two spots are really the only two spots the team needs to fill. And if one considers Prado the starting third baseman, then the team only has two outfield spots to fill, several bench spots, and approximately $25 to $30 million to spend. Once again the Braves are in an enviable position of having their entire starting rotation set, plus two really good young starters waiting in the wings. As usual they probably won't spend much more on the bullpen. So that leaves the full $30 mil to spend on hitting."

Part 2: Who's on third:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/10/9/3478006/atlanta-braves-off-season-questions-part-2-whos-on-third

Quote :

"So after all that, who's on third next year? My guess is Juan Francisco ... or Martin Prado. Between those two I really don't know how it will shake out, but it's good that the Braves have options. It might come down to whether or not the Braves want to hand the third base job to a work in progress -- Francisco -- or give third base to someone they know can handle it -- Prado. As I hinted at, who end up at third may hinge on whether the Braves can acquire an everyday left fielder. Keep in mind that the team might choose to replace Chipper's productivity, not at third, but in left field or center field. "

Part 3, centerfield:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/10/10/3482834/atlanta-braves-off-season-questions-part-3-whos-in-center
tl;dr version - make an offer to bourne, back up options are BJ upton and shane victorino

Parts 4 and 5 to come Thursday and Friday.

10/10/2012 6:40:41 PM

The Braves will definitely have money to spend this offseason. Will be interesting to see where they go with it.

10/10/2012 11:33:27 PM

The Braves management has talked about having money to spend the last two offseasons and it has not happened. Outside of signing Uggla to his deal, the Braves have not really opened the checkbook at all recently and I can't believe they will until I see it. BJ Upton will be overpaid and Victorino is just highly unlikeable and I hope the Braves get neither. If they are going to spend money, use it on Bourne.

Francisco at 3B would be interesting. Dude as an everyday player would probably put a line of:

.220 BA, 25 HRs, 85 RBIs, 175 Ks, 60 Runs, 20 BBs, .280 OBP, .420 SLUG, 28 Errors

Dude is another Dan Uggla.

10/11/2012 12:36:59 PM

a guy that completely disappears against LHP.

10/11/2012 1:18:33 PM

Quote :

"Outside of signing Uggla to his deal, the Braves have not really opened the checkbook at all recently and I can't believe they will until I see it."

Chipper and Bourn coming off the books means money in the bank. This offseason they don't have to increase payroll to spend, they have ~$20m to play with.

10/11/2012 2:05:38 PM

you guys match up pretty well with minnesota for a trade

how about a ben revere/denard span for delgado or mike minor deal

10/11/2012 2:10:34 PM

i'm not sure how i would feel about giving up either of minor or delgado, as fleeting as good pitching is these days. Minor was our 2nd best pitcher coming down the stretch

10/11/2012 9:19:39 PM

anyone else having nightmares because of Nate McLouth?

10/12/2012 7:54:23 AM

Honestly I was happy for McLouth. Even though he sucked huge balls while playing for the Braves, he was still a good teammate and did not act like a bitch like some other players have (Escobar, Melky). It's not like he tore it up during the regular season by any means, but he did play well down the stretch and in the playoffs. Maybe he'll get a shot to be a regular again next year.

As for the Braves, what about them going after Hamilton. He's a good fit geographically and could kind of fill that "star" player void that Chipper is leaving behind. Not sure what kind of contract he will demand, but the guy can play center and hit anywhere in the lineup. I'm sure he'll want an 6-8 year type deal which will be a no go for any logical GM.

10/15/2012 12:34:10 PM

will. not. happen.

10/15/2012 1:23:01 PM

pass.

10/15/2012 1:28:58 PM

Just what the Braves need. The Otis Nixon of a new generation.

10/15/2012 1:30:24 PM

is he more Otis Nixon or more Darryl Strawberry (Nixon Braves connection notwithstanding)

10/15/2012 1:35:04 PM

Good question

Does he accept payment in the form of Grizzly rolls?

[Edited on October 15, 2012 at 1:44 PM. Reason : Is there a homicide clause in his contract? Shouldn't matter with no one coming to the Ted, I guess]

10/15/2012 1:43:19 PM

I know he can be a head case, but the Braves will need a CF if they cannot resign Bourne and it is hard to ignore a guy with his stats that fills an obvious need when we've got some money to spend.

Shit he took the last two months off and still had one of the 5 best offensive seasons in baseball this year. At the right price and contract length, it is worth the risk. The Braves should do everything they can to retain Bourne first, but I'd rather take a gamble on Hamilton than have Angel Pagan or overrated jackass BJ Upton taking his place.

Oh well the Braves are too conservative to even call Hamilton's agent. Cody Ross will be a good addition.

10/16/2012 1:42:20 PM

Rafael Belliard was 0-16 in the 95 World Series, too. What a jerk.

10/29/2012 9:01:53 AM

Time for the 2013 thread Ernie. No Derek Lowe in the first post this year please...

10/29/2012 9:14:41 AM

i nominate don uggla as intro post!

10/29/2012 9:21:32 AM