BigD4VT

True, and that gives them more flexibility.

I think we can all agree on that except I don't think they need to go out and get one... When it's all said and done Heyward and Freeman will be scary good 3-4 combo. Freeman batted 3rd last night but they are trying to get Heyward some confidence by keeping him low in the order. 2011 was a dissapointment for him but the truth is he was playing hurt. I think once he gets going he will slide into the 3rd spot and stay there for a long time. Freeman will bat 4th. McCann and Uggla are better suited for 5th and 6th. Next year Chipper will have retired (and imediately be named batting coach, IMO) and Bourn will be playing for the Yankees or Red Sox. That will free up some money and allow the Braves to plug some holes. They will need a LF and CF and can go the free agency route, or pursue trades. They will have plenty of bait as those young pitchers they are holding onto now should all be ready. Chipper's replacement is currently in AAA. His name is Joe Terdoslavich. They look very similar on paper and it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine him holding down 3B for as long as Jones did. That's why I'm saying be patient now. Next year is when the Braves will be ready to make a run at the world series.

1) I went back 10 years and the only year they had a better record on the road than at home was 2009. 2) Doesn't matter how much offense you have. If you don't have pitching you won't get far. The Braves have pitching, but they also tried all winter to improve the offense but they couldn't make trades just for the sake of making trades. It had to actually improve the team without comprimising the future. 3) No one is stupid for getting bent out of shape... Fans of the Yankees, Phillies, and Red Sox get bent out of shape pitch by pitch. Nothing wrong with it. But I do think it's all for nothing in this case... The collapse last August was in large part due to tired arms in the backend of the bullpen. The Braves have the best trio of relievers in the game but they used them too much last year. The leadership (at least the front office part of it) is widely regarded as one of the best in baseball and has been for years. You don't have the success they've had without leadership. 4) With all due respect, teams that panic too soon, and teams that want to "win now" at all costs are the teams that find themselves in dead last in a few years. And when you're in last place with a roster full over overpaid "has beens" and a depleted minor league system it's tough to climb out. The Braves are doing things the right way. It just takes patience. 5) Well now they are 1-4 and no longer have the worst record in baseball.

I'm not worried about Durbin as he's a mop-up man. He came in last night when they were down 6-3. Doesn't really matter that it ended up 8-3. He's there, at least at this point, to eat the lost cause innings. I like the Hernandez move. I think he will be a solid long man before it's all said and done. I think at this point he's not used to relieving and it will take a little time. I'm sure Roger McDowell is working with him every day. Francicso, I like him as a pinch hitter because of his power but that's about it. He wouldn't even need to own a glove if he were on my team. I really do like Fredi, if for no other reason than Bobby Cox liked him and wanted him to be his successor, but if the Braves under achieve this year (on top of the collapse last year) then I don't think he will be the manager in 2013.

"To judge a baseball team off its first series is akin to rating an NFL club on how it handles the opening kickoff of Week 1." - Mark Bowman, MLB.COM I've been watching the Braves and pouring over stats since I was 11 years old. With what the Braves have they should win about 90 games. There are slumps and losing streaks in every season, and every team has them, but when they happen at the beginning of a season there is more of a panic. And in the Braves case, the slump goes back to the end of last season. I believe they will get on track and win their 90 games... but there are a few things that concern me so far. One is that Frank Wren doesn't seem to place much importance on defense. He traded for Dan Uggla, who isn't a good defender, to replace Prado who is. I'm glad to have Uggla's power in the lineup but I like Prado at 2B. Then there is the trade for Juan Francisco. The three errors he made last night weren't an aberation. He's not a good fielder. Never has been. Wren said he has a lot of upside, but it's obvious he means as a hitter. And it's obvious that Wren doesn't value defense. When you have good pitching you have to have good defense behind them. Another is Fredi Gonzalez. I do like him and I want him to be a good manager... But what I've seen so far is when guys do get on base nothing happens. No sac bunts. No steals. No hit & run. No nothing. This is a pitchers game now. If you can eck out an extra run or two by playing small ball you have a better chance of winning then if you sit back and wait for a home run. Another knock on him is the bullpen. Most people blame the collapse last year on his over use of O'Flaherty, Venters, and Kimbrell. They have one of the best bullpens in baseball but you have to use them properly. Frank Wren really likes the team that's on the field so if the Braves don't at least finish in 2nd place this year Gonzalez could be in trouble. A lot of people think the Braves should be out making trades and signing free agents but I dissagree. You can buy a championship that way but a long term winner has to be built from within. The Braves have some really good prospects that put you in mind of the late 80's, early 90's. Back then they resisted the urge to trade top prospects like Chipper Jones and Tom Glavine, and jumped at the chance to satisfy Detroit's urge to "win now" by sending them 36 year old starting pitcher Doyle Alexander in exchange for their top prospect, John Smoltz. He helped the Tigers get to the ALCS (they lost) then retired a couple of years later. Of course we all know what Smoltz did. When you have prospects you think will be quality major leaugers you hold onto them. Period. Who here doesn't wish the Braves still had Adam Wainright, Neftali Feliz, and Elvis Andrus?

He would be great off the bench. And that's probably what he's best suited for at this point (and the reason he hasn't signed). He hit only hit .261 last year so he's not what he used to be. Speaking of the DH. What's everyone's opinion of it? Interleague play will be an everyday thing next year which means baseball will have to make a decision to either a) keep it the way it is by using it in AL parks only, b) Use it full time in both leagues, or c) scrap it and let the pitcher bat in both leagues. I favor C but I think B will win out and I believe it will happen as soon as next season. The union will fight hard if they try to abolish it, and the managers won't be happy with more games that they have to use the current system, so I think Selig (who also favors C) will spring B on us sometime before the end of this year so they can get it in for 2013.

I didn't like Diaz in that situation either. He kills LH's but he's not as good against RH's. I saw a post somewhere saying they should of used David Ross. Fredi Gonzalez doesn't like to use his back-up catcher as a pinch hitter (because then he's down to only one catcher) but I say if it's the 9th inning and the tying run is on base then you use whoever gives you the best chance to score. Damon, again, he doesn't want to be a pinch hitter in Atlanta. If he were willing to accept that kind of role then the Braves might have tried to sign him. But he's not willing. He wants a minimum of 450 PA's, which for him means the AL so he can DH. He's played a combined 52 games in the OF over the last two years. He's not able to play defense every day at this stage of his career. Further, he's a LH hitter and the Braves already have a LH heavy lineup. They need (and they have stated this) a RH hitter who can play LF.

I think last year they had a problem getting people on base, which is why they got Bourn. And again, they had some slumps (Uggla, Heyward) and injuries (Jones, Prado, McCann) that hopefully won't repeat themselves this year. I think McCann and Uggla are legit 4 and 5 type hitters. And I think the legit #3 will come from either Freeman or Heyward. I don't think everyone realizes the potential those two have.

With the exception of the first half of the season, Uggla's production was the same, or actually even better, as it's been his entire career. He had a great spring and there is no reason to think he won't pick up where he left off last year. He's not a contact hitter though. .260 is a good year for him. They have one of the best offensive catcher's in the game. They have a young first baseman who I think will have a monster year. They have a young right fielder who I also think will have a monster year. And they have the best leadoff hitter in baseball. Nothing wrong with the offense. The Yankees ($198,000,000) and the Phillies ($175,000,000) were #1 and #2 in payroll last year while the Braves ($83,000,000) were #16. The Braves are owned by Liberty Media. They set the payroll each year and do not allow the team to go over that amount.

Actually 2024 I think, but that's good for them. If he were to go to free agency the Reds would never be able to compete for him, so they lock him up long term and ensure he will play his entire career with the Reds. That is a lot of money for a small market team to spend on one player, but down the road, with inflation being what it is, it will be considered a bargain. Doesn't have anything to do with the Braves though. They have their own rising stars who will be looking for big contracts in the near future. I know you, and several others, want to see the Braves sign a big free agent, or make a big trade, but it's not going to happen. The Braves are right where they want to be and are headed in the direction they want to go. They don't need to sell the future. They have enough young talent, in the minors and at the major league level, for anyone who pays attention to see that there is another dynasty coming.

There really wasn't anyone they could bring in with their budget. They tried to work trades with a few teams but everyone wanted those young pitchers. The Orioles price for Adam Jones was Jurrjens, Prado, and two of two of the big three stud pitching prospects. I wouldn't trade that package for Babe Ruth let alone Adam Jones. I think when it's all said and done the Braves will be in the thick of it but it's not their year to win it all unless something really special happens. Best thing to do if you're a Braves fan is be patient and let them build from within. They no longer have the budget to bring in a Greg Maddux, Fred McGriff, etc. They are a mid-market team and have to depend on scouting and drafting. Not free-agency and blockbuster trades. But don't worry, The Braves are very close, and I'm my opinion will contend for the NL East, and the farm system is loaded. As for offense... It's been declining league wide for several years. It's a pitchers game now. As 1nStripes said, lowest scoring day since 1987. The steroid era is over and sitting back and waiting for a 3-run homer will get you beat. It's time to get back to 80's style baseball (which I love) and play some small ball. It's a very exciting time in my opinion as I hated the home run explosion of the 90's and 00's. I couldn't be happier to see a 1-0 opening day shutout. Even if the Braves were on the wrong end of it.

Richlands isn't moving down. They will be 2A just like the rest of the CMD, except Abingdon which will be 3A. The purpose of mixed districts is to allow outliers (Abingdon will be the only 3A school this side of Pulaski) to be in a district in which they are a geographic fit. Marion's attempt to join the HOGO isn't the same thing. They do not have a travel hardship, because they are a geographic fit in the CMD. They won't be required to travel any more or less than he rest of the district. I believe Marion's desire to play in the HOGO is based on luxury rather than necessity and so I think their travel hardship will be denied.

I like this move. It will allow them to use Martinez more in middle relief and it opens up the possibilty of trading Medlen. Medlen would start for a lot of teams and has some trade value, so if that's what they're thinking, he could bring the RH OF/3B type they're looking for. Hernandez isn't the starter he used to be but he's never been a reliever. This could be an opportunity for him to find new life in the bullpen. I think he will be a solid long reliever and spot starter.

Yes he did. Also, "The kid from Bluefield" D.J. Flack moved with his mom who is from Richlands.

Yeah, they should go back to opening the season on a Monday afternoon in Cincinatti.

Chipper is hanging it up after this season. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/03/chipper-jones-to-retire-following-2012-season.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

I just don't think it will happen. They will probably only carry 5 outfielders. The 3 strarters plus Matt Diaz are 4 of them. Jose Constanza and "Dodge" Durango seem to be battling for the other spot. I'm more concerned about SS. Reports are that Pastornicky hasn't looked that good, and although Andrelton Simmons has (they love his defense) he hasn't played above single-A. If they're in a pennant race in July and the SS isn't hitting his weight they might be able to trade for a would be free agent and they will need all the flexibility they can get. I guess I'm saying that holding onto the money is worth more than what Damon would contribute.

I don't think they're as desperate for hitting as last year made it seem. If Heyward can get back on track and Uggla produces all season the offense will be fine. Not to mention having Bourn for a full season, and Freeman, who I think is set to have a big year. Then again, you can't count on a healthy year from Chipper and Damon would give them another option in LF... But I would still rather they wait until the trade deadline in case they need to take on salary to address a need they may not be aware of at this point. Maybe they will need to get an OF (or 3B), or maybe a SS or even a pitcher (Jurrjens, Hanson, Hudson are no strangers to the DL, and the young studs are unproven). You never know what will happen with injuries over the course of a season so they need to have some flexibility if/when something happens.

No, I think they want to save their money until the see where they stand in July. Damon will sign with an AL team anyway. His best chance for regular playing time will come as a DH.

But it's not a district. It's a conference for the first round of the post season for sports other than football. Graham will still be in the MED and Richlands and Tazewell will be in the CMD.

The conference tournaments are "all-in" so you could definitely see that matchup. I have no idea where the early round games would be played (@ higher seed in the current setup) but yeah, I'd say there is a pretty good chance of making that trip.

The conference tournaments are the first round of the (non-football) playoffs... See Beamerball's post above. The conference tournament determines seeding for the region tournament, which determines seeding for the state tournament.

The conferences are for the post season in sports other than football. This doesn't change the proposed districts.

I remember listenting to a radio show called "The Sports Babe" back in Manning's senior year at Tennessee and she said he didn't have what it takes to be an NFL QB. She thought Ryan Leaf would be much better. Lol.

I usually agree with you but I don't this time. Marion doesn't belong in the Hogo any more than Richlands belongs in the BDD. The CMD is a perfect fit for them. I'm proud of the Lady Blues for getting as far as they did, and for making Bealton sweat a little... But imagine if Richlands and Tazewell were combined (1300+ enrolment) and played Bealton... It's true you can only put five on the court at a time but do you really think Bealton could have found THAT five in a school with 700? When Richlands makes the state playoffs under the new system they will no longer have to "play up" a level as they, and everyone else in Region IV, Division 3, have had to do under the current system.