Unable to find an outfielder with an impact bat, the Braves will enter the 2012 season hopeful that Jason Heyward and Martin Prado will bounce back from disappointing seasons to help center fielder Michael Bourn, who provide a bit of a spark when he was acquired in July.
Via Fantasy Baseball 365
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January 28, 2012
Key Stats: Michael Bourn has been one of the most consistent outfielders of the past three seasons and had been doing it under the radar - until last season that is. Heading into the 2011 season, Bourn was not ranked in the top 30 outfielders by ESPN, CBS, or Yahoo - despite being the only player to top 50 steals in both 2009 and 2010. Now Bourn is the only player in baseball that...
Via Rant Sports
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January 28, 2012
The Atlanta Braves and Kenshin Kawakami‘s tumultuous relationship came to a conclusion after the 2011 season, when he became a free agent. Now, Kawakami is headed back to Japan to pitch for the Chunichi Dragons.
The Braves signed Kawakami to a 3 year $23 million contract before the 2009 season. He really didn’t pitch poorly for the Braves. He was plagued by poor run...
Via BravesWire
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January 27, 2012
By Kent Covington
In recent weeks, fans have frequently lamented the fact that the Braves haven’t done anything to upgrade their disappointing ’11 offense so far this winter.
But that’s not necessarily true.
Atlanta signed two guys by the names of Greg Walker and Scott Fletcher. They are the Braves’ new Hitting Coach and Assistant Hitting Coach, respectively. ...
Via Rant Sports
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January 26, 2012
Tim Tucker from the Atlanta Journal Constitution interviewed Tim McGuirk, the Atlanta Braves’ team chairman and CEO. Among the topics that they discussed was the payroll, ownership and TV deals. There are some interesting pieces to that article. For many fans who hope that the Braves will raise their payroll, this article will not be an encouraging read. More after the...
Via Chop-N-Change
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January 26, 2012
Brandon Beachy was an absolutely critical part of the 2011 Braves rotation. He was third on staff in fWAR at 2.8, despite only throwing 141 2/3 innings. The two players better were Craig Kimbrel, the best reliever in baseball, and Tim Hudson, who threw nearly 75 more innings than Beachy. So that 2.8 fWAR is a pretty solid number considering Beachy's body of work. He missed about...
Via Baseball Professor
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January 27, 2012
Brandon Beachy was the surprise starter of the Atlanta Braves last season. In spring training he was on the outside of the rotation looking in as Mike Minor had the early leg up on the fifth rotation spot, but a dominant March gave Beachy the chance and he didn’t disappoint. By the end of the year, Beachy had tossed 141 2/3 innings with a 3.68 ERA and a 3.19 FIP. His strikeout...
Via mlb.com
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January 28, 2012
Much has happened from the time Jason Heyward reported for his second season at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex last February. The Braves outfielder understands that hard work is at the heart of a return to form.
Via Baseball Professor
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January 28, 2012
There are two answers to this question: the short, quick answer and the long, detailed answer.
The short answer is Kimbrel is a top-50 player and, arguably, a top-30 player. Last season his end-of-season rank was 19, which would seem to validate this conclusion.
The long answer isn’t so cut and dry. While Kimbrel did rank 19th last season, you’ll be hard-pressed to...
Via Dugout Central
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January 26, 2012
By Bob Owens
For the second part of my potential trade candidates, I decided to do the National league East, as there are two players I can just say ” no explanation needed, thus limiting my research. Without further ado:
Atlanta Braves-Jair Jurrjens.
The Braves almost traded him to the Orioles for Adam Jones, and clearly have the rotation depth to part with him, even after...
Via mlb.com
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January 28, 2012
Through the Atlanta Braves Caravan, the team made a positive difference in the lives of some 200 youngsters on Saturday afternoon, when the Caravan kicked off its 2012 tour by making an appearance at the Jerry Clark Foundation's Fourth Annual Winter Baseball Camp.
Via The Sports Bank
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January 27, 2012
Hello again, everybody. It has been a few weeks, but it’s Friday, and I am back. So, let’s get together, and throw out some quick thoughts and observations about our favorite baseball team. There is a lot going on, and at any minute now the Chicago Cubans could really start taking shape.
Nonetheless, news could start breaking any minute so let’s get moving.
• After trolling...
Original Story:
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