Atlanta Braves (archived)

[TBrown]

Originally Posted by Scotty's Flat Top

Mike Bourn was a saint.

I meant as a baseball player.

[Scotty's Flat Top]

Originally Posted by TBrown

I meant as a baseball player.

Haha.. gotcha.

[Escape Goat]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

For the record: I expect the Braves to extend McCann, let Bourn walk, move Prado to 3B, hope Terdoslavich can jump to LF next year (and fill in the usual 25th man stiff if he can't), and plug CF with a short-term crappy acquisition off the scrap heap.

Bad decision if they let Bourn walk because they are cheapskates. It's been forever since we had a true lead off guy.

[Escape Goat]

Originally Posted by Scotty's Flat Top

The Mike Hampton contract was one that comes to mind. THAT ONE GOT TO ME. Hampton raped the Braves.

Yeah, that was terrible. He wasn't even all that good on the rare occasion he wasn't hurt.

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by Escape Goat

Bad decision if they let Bourn walk because they are cheapskates. It's been forever since we had a true lead off guy.

Oh, they'll definitely let him walk because they're cheapskates. But coincidentally it happens to be a smart decision anyway. Signing a 30 year old guy whose whole game is based on speed to a long-term massive contract makes as much sense as signing a 30 year old catcher to a long-term massive contract. Bourn will go to one of the teams with a payroll such that they don't have to care what that contract will look like when he's 35.

[Escape Goat]

Like the Yankees?

Who all do you guys think we lose next year?
I take it Chipper, Bourn, and possibly McCann?

Braves might not be all that good next year. If Brian goes, atleast we have the best back-up catcher in the League.

[TBrown]

Haha do you follow the braves?

[slh1089]

Originally Posted by TBrown

Haha do you follow the braves?

Buuuuuuuuurn

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by Escape Goat

Like the Yankees?

Who all do you guys think we lose next year?
I take it Chipper, Bourn, and possibly McCann?

Braves might not be all that good next year. If Brian goes, atleast we have the best back-up catcher in the League.

McCann has a team option next year for something like $13 or $14m, and then he's a free agent. So while they could in theory cut him loose this offseason, it will (and should) be a no-brainer to pick up the option year.

It's dicey after that. He'll be 30 years old in 2014. Signing a 30 year old catcher to a long-term, expensive contract is a bad risk. He'll want to come back here, but it'll also realistically be his last chance to get paid. I have no idea what will happen with him.

The coldly rational thing to do is to pick up the option year and then shake his hand and wish him well. I can't see it playing out like that.

[_vol]

I'm thinking Mac will sign an AL deal and begin rotating into a DH role over the next several years. The guy, to have his hands so close to his body to start his swing, can get around on any fastball in the league. Amazing bat speed.

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by _vol

I'm thinking Mac will sign an AL deal and begin rotating into a DH role over the next several years. The guy, to have his hands so close to his body to start his swing, can get around on any fastball in the league. Amazing bat speed.

That's the best thing for him. It's the best thing for the Braves too. I will still be surprised if he doesn't end up signing some sort of extension with Atlanta.

[whocaresgobobcats]

It'd be awesome if Bethancourt is ready by 2014. Sign Ross to another 2 year deal and help Bethancourt break in. Eh, might be a long shot though.

[Scotty's Flat Top]

Originally Posted by #1ArencibiaFan

It'd be awesome if Bethancourt is ready by 2014. Sign Ross to another 2 year deal and help Bethancourt break in. Eh, might be a long shot though.

Either way BC will be ready for the big club in 2014. Should be after 6 seasons in the minors anyhow.

[shelbyvillevol]

Atlanta Braves‏@Braves

Tonight's lineup at COL (8:40, PTV/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Jones 5 Freeman 3 McCann 2 Uggla 4 Heyward 9 Hinske 7 Wilson 6 Hudson 1

Chipper batting 2 hole tonight. That's different.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

So, I'll just throw this out there for the sake of discussion...

I'll preface this by saying I love Venters, and don't want to see him go anywhere. But do you think the Yankees will throw out any feelers on him now that Rivera is out for the season?