2012 Official Off-season thread ...

bstrassburg · Post #41 » by **bstrassburg** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:06 pm

More details about the Simmons situation surfaced:

It was reported over the weekend that the Rangers attempted to acquire Andrelton Simmons from the Braves in order to flip him to the Diamondbacks as part of a package for Justin Upton. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports takes the story one step further, adding that the Rangers are so interested in Upton that they were willing to flip top prospect Mike Olt for Simmons to facilitate the trade. Knobler reports that the D-backs want Simmons, but the Braves will keep him rather than making a run at Upton to fill their own corner outfield needs.

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#VDxLb26RlwyPVStH.99

bstrassburg · Post #42 » by **bstrassburg** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:09 pm

Also some interesting stuff on Torii Hunter, I wouldn't be opposed to this. Doesn't really give us the middle of the order right handed power bat for 3B/LF or the lead-off player we want for CF, but had a great season last year and has always been a fun player to watch.

As many as 13-14 teams have checked in on Torii Hunter, and the 37-year-old is likely to play for a new team in 2013, according to Scott Miller of CBS Sports. The Tigers, Rangers and Braves are being the most aggressive, according to Miller's sources.

Hunter has already spoken with his close friend Jason Heyward about the Braves, who are a clear fit for the former Gold Glover. As Miller notes, Hunter grew up in Arkansas watching the Braves on a regular basis.

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#VDxLb26RlwyPVStH.99

Post #43 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:57 pm

It seems like Torii Hunter is always linked to us.

bstrassburg · Post #44 » by **bstrassburg** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:03 pm

Sounds like Torii Hunter is now likely going to Detroit, the Cody Ross to the Braves rumors are heating up again.

Post #45 » by **ATL Boy** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 3:10 am

bstrassburg wrote:Sounds like Torii Hunter is now likely going to Detroit, the Cody Ross to the Braves rumors are heating up again.

Due to the age factor I'd rather have Cody Ross than Torii Hunter

bstrassburg · Post #46 » by **bstrassburg** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:59 pm

The nice thing with Torii Hunter is you know you're getting some consistency, Cody Ross is best used as a platoon player against LHP and is terrible defensively.

Bowman just tweeted:

Braves had visions of signing both Torii Hunter and B.J. Upton. With Hunter off the board, Upton remains their top free agent target.

Going to be interesting to see where Bourn lands, sounds like the Nationals will only look at Bourn if they aren't able to re-sign LaRoche and some have said that the Phillies covet BJ Upton, it's going to be interesting if the market for Bourn doesn't really develop and we're able to bring him back on a more reasonable contract than expected.

Post #47 » by **HMFFL** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 11:08 pm

I'm actually concerned that Torii Hunter will continue to be consistent due to his age. I'm actually happy that he decided on Detroit.

Nemesis21 · Post #48 » by **Nemesis21** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 5:13 am

Braves top FA they are going after is BJ Upton,

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/atlanta_braves/index.html

Sign Upton and Cody Ross. As far as backup catchers, what about Russell Martin or Kelly Shoppach?

bstrassburg · Post #49 » by **bstrassburg** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:53 pm

Nemesis21 wrote:Braves top FA they are going after is BJ Upton,

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/atlanta_braves/index.html

Sign Upton and Cody Ross. As far as backup catchers, what about Russell Martin or Kelly Shoppach?

I literally posted the basis of the BJ Upton rumor two posts up.

Also, the Braves would never spend the money on Russell Martin or Kelly Shoppach, which is why they are signing Gerald Laird. The Braves and Laird are expected to announce an agreement soon.

bstrassburg · Post #50 » by **bstrassburg** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:01 pm

In other former Braves news:

The Cubs have signed JC Boscan to a minor league contract and the Angels have signed Jo Jo Reyes to a minor league contract.

Nemesis21 · Post #51 » by **Nemesis21** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 5:08 pm

Laird signs with Braves,

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/statu ... 9896244226

Post #52 » by **HMFFL** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 5:50 pm

bstrassburg wrote:In other former Braves news:

The Cubs have signed JC Boscan to a minor league contract and the Angels have signed Jo Jo Reyes to a minor league contract.

Reyes still being relevant in the league is amusing to me.

bstrassburg · Post #53 » by **bstrassburg** » Fri Nov 16, 2012 5:45 pm

BJ Upton visited Turner Field yesterday and visited the Phillies earlier this week.

ohara · Post #54 » by **ohara** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:16 am

Nemesis21 wrote:Laird signs with Braves,

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/statu ... 9896244226

I was just about to post this. A far cry from David Ross. Oh well.

ohara · Post #55 » by **ohara** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:21 am

I could deal with BJ Upton to replace Bourne. I hate losing Bourne, but I do like Upton and think he will have a pretty strong year with Atlanta. I'd be quite happy with him as a matter of fact. Sounds like a good fit.

Post #56 » by **ATL Boy** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 5:11 am

ohara wrote:I could deal with BJ Upton to replace Bourne. I hate losing Bourne, but I do like Upton and think he will have a pretty strong year with Atlanta. I'd be quite happy with him as a matter of fact. Sounds like a good fit.

+1, he's also cheaper and has much more power (28 homeruns last season to Bourn's 9) in fact I think that the power difference makes these players pretty even

ohara · Post #57 » by **ohara** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 6:10 pm

Bourn wants more than $15mil/yr for 5 years. Bet someone gives it to him, but it sure wont be Atlanta. I'd jump at BJ Upton since he will be significantly less.

Post #58 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 3:37 am

I'm going to miss Bourne but I have expected him to sign with another team for most of the regular season. We won't compete to keep him. As a player, he was growing on me, and was becoming one of my favorite Braves. I just wish his career with us would be longer.

ohara · Post #59 » by **ohara** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 8:48 pm

Saw where ESPN Rumors was surmising on the Rockies trading young CF Dexter Fowler. He is an Atlanta, Ga. kid and the Braves were apparently looking at him in the past. Seems to be an emerging star at CF. Only 26, bats 300 and has a little power. Surrounded by the right team, could be ready to explode. But it would likely cost us something like Teheran. But given our surplus of pitching right now, that might be worth thinking about if it fills our CF hole for a while. And given he is an Atlanta kid, he will likely want to be here and want to stay.

bstrassburg · Post #60 » by **bstrassburg** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:14 pm

ohara wrote:Saw where ESPN Rumors was surmising on the Rockies trading young CF Dexter Fowler. He is an Atlanta, Ga. kid and the Braves were apparently looking at him in the past. Seems to be an emerging star at CF. Only 26, bats 300 and has a little power. Surrounded by the right team, could be ready to explode. But it would likely cost us something like Teheran. But given our surplus of pitching right now, that might be worth thinking about if it fills our CF hole for a while. And given he is an Atlanta kid, he will likely want to be here and want to stay.

Fowler has terrible home-road splits, his numbers are a product of Coors Field.