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OT: Braves get BJ Upton!

  • You braves fans on here, tell me what you think of the move. I really like the move. My only question is, where do you put him in the lineup? He's not a leadoff hitter, and I really don't want to move Prado outta the 2 hole, because he really produces there.

    bleedorange1899

  • bleedorange1899 said...

    You braves fans on here, tell me what you think of the move. I really like the move. My only question is, where do you put him in the lineup? He's not a leadoff hitter, and I really don't want to move Prado outta the 2 hole, because he really produces there.

    To me, Upton is best suited for the No. 6 hole in most lineups. He has just a little bit of power, but not enough to be a middle-of-the-order hitter. And I really like using speed in the No. 6 spot, and that's certainly one thing Upton can bring to that lineup.

    He could lead off from time to time, too, but I wouldn't put him there until his on-base percentage climbs well above the .300 mark again. He finished this past season at .298.

    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

  • Ryan Callahan said...

    To me, Upton is best suited for the No. 6 hole in most lineups. He has just a little bit of power, but not enough to be a middle-of-the-order hitter. And I really like using speed in the No. 6 spot, and that's certainly one thing Upton can bring to that lineup.

    He could lead off from time to time, too, but I wouldn't put him there until his on-base percentage climbs well above the .300 mark again. He finished this past season at .298.

    Does this basically guarantee that they aren't going to re-sign Bourn ?

    signature image

    1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

    DownTheField

  • Yeah pretty much. We'll miss Bourn but I think in time Simmons could be a really good leadoff hitter. He hit pretty well in the 8 hole, which is a tough place to hit.
    Ryan, I'm kind of the same way too. I think it really depends on how good Uggla is at the plate. I'm thinking their spots in the lineup are interchangeable, and it could really balance our lineup with all of the lefties.

    bleedorange1899

  • bleedorange1899 said...

    You braves fans on here, tell me what you think of the move. I really like the move. My only question is, where do you put him in the lineup? He's not a leadoff hitter, and I really don't want to move Prado outta the 2 hole, because he really produces there.

    I like him just not for 5 years and 70 million! For a guy who struck out 169 times last year, I would rather pay him around 60 million.

    UTDelt91

  • Yeah I thought the contract was a tad high, but we're getting him in his prime years. Hopefully, we can coach him up to cut down on his strikeouts and take more walks, which should raise his OBP, which has declined every year, but his homer totals went up at the same time. He's a talented guy though.

    bleedorange1899

  • Fired up! Braves are due for a good playoff run

    follow me on twitter: WESinTN

    WESinTN

  • I definitely thought they overpaid for him. good player, but i think they reached. granted, if you feel strongly about a guy i guess you make getting him a priority and leave no room for others to step in. Kudos to the braves....i'll miss chipper though :-(

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    GO VOLS!!

    BuckShot JP

  • It's a good move.

    I think you've got to wait and see how the rest of the lineup fills out before you can say where he'll be hitting, and even then, Fredi Gonzalez is likely to do the opposite of what would traditionally make sense.

    While McCann is out with the shoulder rehab, I could see Upton closer to the top of the lineup until McCann returns, in which case, Upton moves down to the 5-7 spots. The big question mark is the leadoff hitter. And, Fredi loves loves loves Jose Constanza, so let's just say he gets the nod at the leadoff spot.

    There's also the question of which Dan Uggla you get this year, but for this discussion, let's assume you get 2012 Dan Uggla again.

    Let's just play around a bit here with the order:

    With those assumptions, I could see this as an opening day batting order:

    7 Constanza
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    3 Freeman
    8 Upton
    4 Uggla
    6 Simmons
    2 Bethancourt
    1 P

    When McCann returns, I could see this changing to:

    7 Constanza
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    2 McCann
    3 Freeman
    8 Upton
    4 Uggla
    6 Simmons
    1 P

    I could also see Fredi swapping Constanza and Simmons in that order, batting the P 8th and Constanza 9th from time to time. He has proven he likes the "second leadoff hitter" concept.

    bknight2

  • BuckShot JP said...

    I definitely thought they overpaid for him. good player, but i think they reached. granted, if you feel strongly about a guy i guess you make getting him a priority and leave no room for others to step in. Kudos to the braves....i'll miss chipper though :-(

    Braves overpaid for someone? Never!

    See also Derek Lowe.

    bknight2

  • bknight2 said...

    Braves overpaid for someone? Never!

    See also Derek Lowe.

    ahahahahaha

    signature image

    GO VOLS!!

    BuckShot JP

  • It's a terrible move and we over paid.. If Constanza is our leadoff man, we are screwed and will finish at least 3rd or worst in the East.. Constanza is a career minor league journeyman that can't hit for anything..

    Boomer020 ●

  • bknight2 said...

    It's a good move.

    I think you've got to wait and see how the rest of the lineup fills out before you can say where he'll be hitting, and even then, Fredi Gonzalez is likely to do the opposite of what would traditionally make sense.

    While McCann is out with the shoulder rehab, I could see Upton closer to the top of the lineup until McCann returns, in which case, Upton moves down to the 5-7 spots. The big question mark is the leadoff hitter. And, Fredi loves loves loves Jose Constanza, so let's just say he gets the nod at the leadoff spot.

    There's also the question of which Dan Uggla you get this year, but for this discussion, let's assume you get 2012 Dan Uggla again.

    Let's just play around a bit here with the order:

    With those assumptions, I could see this as an opening day batting order:

    7 Constanza
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    3 Freeman
    8 Upton
    4 Uggla
    6 Simmons
    2 Bethancourt
    1 P

    When McCann returns, I could see this changing to:

    7 Constanza
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    2 McCann
    3 Freeman
    8 Upton
    4 Uggla
    6 Simmons
    1 P

    I could also see Fredi swapping Constanza and Simmons in that order, batting the P 8th and Constanza 9th from time to time. He has proven he likes the "second leadoff hitter" concept.

    I like your lineups. I know Gonzalez loves Constanza but I just can't see him as an everyday player. He's a great guy to have on the bench for pinch running or laying down bunts. I really think we're either gonna have to sign or trade for a left fielder who can bat leadoff, or another power hitter and move Prado to leadoff, who I think is just a much better hitter in the 2 hole. But I can see a scenario like this:

    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    8 Upton
    3 Freeman
    4 Uggla
    2 McCann
    7 whoever plays left
    6 Simmons
    1 pitcher

    This line has many interchangeables, like Freeman and McCann. You could also move Simmons up to leadoff and move everyone else down. Alot of flexibility.

    bleedorange1899

  • I agree whole heartedly about Constanza, I've just seen Fredi show too much love to him to think he won't be a part of the team next year. And, if the Braves suddenly aren't serious about signing another OF to fill that gap at lead-off, then I'm almost certain we'll see a lot of Constanza, like it or not.

    To me the biggest question mark for 2013 is C. Can McCann stay healthy? If not, who fills that void? With Ross now in Boston, Bethancourt not ready for big league pitching and a journeyman signed for the interim, that could be this team's biggest weakness.

    bknight2

  • bknight2 said...

    I agree whole heartedly about Constanza, I've just seen Fredi show too much love to him to think he won't be a part of the team next year. And, if the Braves suddenly aren't serious about signing another OF to fill that gap at lead-off, then I'm almost certain we'll see a lot of Constanza, like it or not.

    To me the biggest question mark for 2013 is C. Can McCann stay healthy? If not, who fills that void? With Ross now in Boston, Bethancourt not ready for big league pitching and a journeyman signed for the interim, that could be this team's biggest weakness.

    Yeah that's a huge question mark. I don't want to rush McCann back either because we saw what happened the last time he came back too soon from an injury. JMO, but bring the Bethancourt kid up. He's really, really good defensively, and we've got enough hitters in the lineup that he shouldn't be counted on to produce at the plate, atleast not right away. Plus, he could use the experience catching at the pro level, and the front office could get a close look at him, which could help them decide whether or not to resign McCann next year.

    bleedorange1899

  • bknight2 said...

    Braves overpaid for someone? Never!

    See also Derek Lowe.

    Kawakami was a joke deal

    bmay931

  • UT Delt said...

    I like him just not for 5 years and 70 million! For a guy who struck out 169 times last year, I would rather pay him around 60 million.

    My thoughts exactly. Between BJ and uggla the braves will definitely lead the league in K's this year. 350+ is not an over estimate at this point.

    bmay931

  • bleedorange1899 said...

    You braves fans on here, tell me what you think of the move. I really like the move. My only question is, where do you put him in the lineup? He's not a leadoff hitter, and I really don't want to move Prado outta the 2 hole, because he really produces there.

    I can't believe the Braves are paying a guy that hit .248 last season 70 million guaranteed! That's another head scratcher by the Braves front office. Anybody know how many guys in the NFL have a contract that guarantees 70 million? ZERO!!!! Stupid pickup by the Braves.

    BrisVol

  • bleedorange1899 said...

    I like your lineups. I know Gonzalez loves Constanza but I just can't see him as an everyday player. He's a great guy to have on the bench for pinch running or laying down bunts. I really think we're either gonna have to sign or trade for a left fielder who can bat leadoff, or another power hitter and move Prado to leadoff, who I think is just a much better hitter in the 2 hole. But I can see a scenario like this:

    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    8 Upton
    3 Freeman
    4 Uggla
    2 McCann
    7 whoever plays left
    6 Simmons
    1 pitcher

    This line has many interchangeables, like Freeman and McCann. You could also move Simmons up to leadoff and move everyone else down. Alot of flexibility.

    Upton is a lifetime .250 hitter... I really hope and pray Freddy doesn't hit him in the 3 hole.. My preferred lineup would be:

    7 Spann
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    2 McCann
    3 Freddi
    8 Upton
    4 Uggla
    6 Simmons

    If we don't get a lead off type for a left fielder I would go like this

    6 Simmons
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    2 McCann
    3 Freeman
    8 Upton
    7 _________
    4 Uggla

    That lineup is pretty potent if Upton can keep the same numbers and Uggla can start hitting decent again.. I think this team will be good but I just don't see paying 15+ million a year to a career .250 hitter

    Boomer020 ●

  • Boomer020 said...

    Upton is a lifetime .250 hitter... I really hope and pray Freddy doesn't hit him in the 3 hole.. My preferred lineup would be:

    7 Spann
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    2 McCann
    3 Freddi
    8 Upton
    4 Uggla
    6 Simmons

    If we don't get a lead off type for a left fielder I would go like this

    6 Simmons
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    2 McCann
    3 Freeman
    8 Upton
    7 _________
    4 Uggla

    That lineup is pretty potent if Upton can keep the same numbers and Uggla can start hitting decent again.. I think this team will be good but I just don't see paying 15+ million a year to a career .250 hitter

    The reason I put Upton higher is because we need to break up our left handed hitters simply for match up reasons late in the game. Part of the reason our.offense was so good last year is because we could play lefty, righty matchups and burn the opposing team's bullpen. That's why you put Upton and Uggla between Heyward, McCann and Freeman. We're paying Upton and Uggla to anchor the middle of the lineup. Think about it. Our 3 thru 7 hitters could be something like this:
    Heyward
    Upton
    Freeman
    Uggla
    McCann

    And depending on who's hot at any given time, you can swap some of the players around. So you're giving the other team headaches, and giving yourself flexibility every game. I don't care who you are, I wouldn't want face that lineup.

    bleedorange1899

  • Boomer020 said...

    Upton is a lifetime .250 hitter... I really hope and pray Freddy doesn't hit him in the 3 hole.. My preferred lineup would be:

    7 Spann 5 Prado 9 Heyward 2 McCann 3 Freddi 8 Upton 4 Uggla 6 Simmons

    If we don't get a lead off type for a left fielder I would go like this

    6 Simmons 5 Prado 9 Heyward 2 McCann 3 Freeman 8 Upton 7 _________ 4 Uggla

    That lineup is pretty potent if Upton can keep the same numbers and Uggla can start hitting decent again.. I think this team will be good but I just don't see paying 15+ million a year to a career .250 hitter

    As bleedorange said, it sounds like Upton is going to be in the middle of the lineup. I forgot he hit 28 home runs this season. I wouldn't expect him to do that every year, but as long as he's doing that, he can hit anywhere between No. 4 and No. 6. Personally, I wouldn't want him hitting third.

    Since the Braves were seeking a right-handed bat to break up their lefties in the middle of the order, I think something like this is more likely.

    7 (Free agent or trade)
    5 Prado
    9 Heyward
    2 McCann
    8 Upton
    3 Freeman
    4 Uggla
    6 Simmons

    Or, as you said, put Simmons at the top of the order if you don't get a leadoff type to play left field.

    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

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