Upton to the braves. What you guys think? Lost Prado though.

Just wanted to add the link.I would post the picture but to much work. Pretty funny if you haven't seen it.

This post was edited on 1/25 5:52 PM by whitworth15

Prado was gone after this coming season anyways. Braves offered him an extension and he told them he'd test FA and want $12 million per. Great deal by keeping Teheran and Graham. Plus, we get Upton for 3 years, and hopefully can resign him.

Will miss Prado, but his worth was limited. Teheran's upside is sky high, and glad we kept him. Hope both the Uptons will smoke it this year.

How much of a loss is Delgado? I haven't followed the minors that much outside of the Sox and Jays, but I've read that Delgado was rated pretty high.

Brothers are often very, very competitive and maybe the sibling rivalry can boost their play and stats.

I hope so manch.

man, i really that we are making moves. In recent times, does it not seem when we go out and get a player(noteworthy), they usually can't figure out how to hit the ball until we then proceed to trade them?

Maybe it is just me.

The problem with losing Prado is that the braves really don't have anybody who hits for average.  You're going to have a bunch of players who hit 250-275. 

Personally, as an Atlanta fan, I have some doubts this will work out.

Mugsy, I think we all do. That being said, it could work out great. Heck, I miss infante too but prado was a big loss.

I just hope the braves will be super solid defensively now especially now that we have a very good outfield and a capable thirdbase. I loved chipper, but that wasn't his strong suit.

Mugsy, Simmons has the potential to be a .300 hitter. I'm interested in seeing how Fredi sets the lineup. Who will lead off? Bat second? There will be more speed at the top of the line up than any season recently.

I've seen a report from Jim Powell (Braves radio guy) with Fredi's projected lineup: Simmons, Heyward, J Upton, McCann or Freeman, BJ Upton, McCann or Freeman, Uggla, Johnson or Francisco.

Also, to answer who asked about Delgado, he is one of the higher rated pitchers (top 5 in Braves) but isn't one of the tope 2: Teheran and Graham. Delgado also pitched a lot last year and didn't put up great numbers. His ceiling is probably 3 or 4 starter. Ahmed is a decent defensive SS but can't hit for anything, and is completely blocked by Simmons. Other guy, I have no clue on.

Only real loss is Prado. Super utility guy and clubhouse leader. Ultimate team player. Hopefully, someone steps up in his leadership role, I'm looking at Huddy and McCann, maybe even Heyward.

I'd love to know how this deal came about, and who initiated it? On sports talk radio this morning, it was conjectured that the deal was driven by Arizona, who wanted a Latino star for more appeal to their fan base. Prado certainly fits the bill for them, IF he becomes a star.

I frankly think the Braves raped them on this one. This outfield could conceivably hit 100 home runs in a season. The Braves now have "juice". First time in a long time that I've been excited by the onset of baseball season.

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Originally posted by fsugrad06:
I've seen a report from Jim Powell (Braves radio guy) with Fredi's projected lineup: Simmons, Heyward, J Upton, McCann or Freeman, BJ Upton, McCann or Freeman, Uggla, Johnson or Francisco.

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I don't like Heyward as a #2 hitter. Given the talent and the lack of knowledge of the new players, I'm not sure who I would put there.

*edited to add link to ajc.com article about the projected lineup.

This post was edited on 1/25 2:51 PM by DFSNOLE

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Originally posted by DFSNOLE:

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Originally posted by fsugrad06:
I've seen a report from Jim Powell (Braves radio guy) with Fredi's projected lineup: Simmons, Heyward, J Upton, McCann or Freeman, BJ Upton, McCann or Freeman, Uggla, Johnson or Francisco.

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I don't like Heyward as a #2 hitter. Given the talent and the lack of knowledge of the new players, I'm not sure who I would put there.

*edited to add link to ajc.com article about the projected lineup.

This post was edited on 1/25 2:51 PM by DFSNOLE

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Heyward almost has to go to the 2 spot. More speed and contact Upton has the better power for the 3 spot.Really no one else on the team to go in the 1 or 2 spots besides Simmons and Heyward. I guess they never get days off, unless we put Constanza in there for leadoff to give them a break.

I guess I'm old school but I don't think your #2 hitter should strikeout nearly as often as he gets a hit (152/158). A #2 should have great bat control and be willing to sacrifice himself to get the runner over by bunting or hitting behind the runner. This isn't meant as a flame on Heyward. I just don't think #2 is the place for him. Again, I'm not sure who I would put there. 

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Originally posted by DFSNOLE:
Mugsy, Simmons has the potential to be a .300 hitter. I'm interested in seeing how Fredi sets the lineup. Who will lead off? Bat second? There will be more speed at the top of the line up than any season recently.

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There are a lot of major league players, who when they enter the league, have the "potential" to hit .300.  But the reality is that there are very few who actually do it on a consistent basis.  And you can have all the speed in the world, but it doesn't really help if they aren't getting on base and putting pressure on pitchers to shorten their delivery and throw more fast balls.

Who cares about average -- in and of itself -- anymore? Is this 1988?

OBP is what you need to be worried about, and the Braves will be fine there.  
 
Lineup orders are about as important as which color gatorade the team drinks in projecting wins. As long as the best hitters are getting the most at bats, i.e., at the top of the lineup, then the team will be fine. 

Would hate to lose Prado and the prospects, especially Delgado, but getting Upton in his prime is a big deal. I love this move for the Braves, and I like it for the D-Backs -- if you think that they had to move Upton. Personally, I would have never giving up Upton in any circumstance, but the D-Backs must have felt strongly about their differences.   

This post was edited on 1/25 7:54 PM by lilspanky