Braves Aquire Justin Upton!!!

[A Force]

Just thinking...This the first time we have star caliber LF since Ryan Klesko days (not counting Chipper's stint)

[HickCaesar]

Just thinking...This the first time we have star caliber LF since Ryan Klesko days (not counting Chipper's stint)

Our whole outfield is star caliber now!

[vtgriff09]

Johnson and Francisco are power defenders. But they are also surrounded by strong defense at SS, 1B, and the entire OF. Prado has never shown the defensive ratings at 3B to suggest that you are getting rid of a defensive magician at 3B anyways. Upton may be the best defensive LF in the game now. We could nit pick on every single tiny issue that the Braves have.....but when we look at the scheme of how we have improved:

1-younger
2-more power
3-hit lefties better (key from last yr)
4-stud OF under control minimum of 3 yrs
5- balanced lineup of lefties and righties
6- strong defensive OF
7- bullpen has become even more elite this offseason
8- kept our top prospect and a full season of Medlen, Maholm and Simmons

This team does not have many weaknesses and all they have to do is go out and perform at this point. The only issue that they may have is dealing with the pressure of what Buster Olney calls, "The best team in baseball." But great players make you the best team, so they will be fine. Great day to be a Braves fan

[SluggeR]

I use to love the Braves back in the day, when their was brothers (Deion/Justice/Ron/etc.) on the team. May have to consider circling back, since the braves have added some ACTUAL brothers (Uptons) LoL..

[HickCaesar]

I use to love the Braves back in the day, when their was brothers (Deion/Justice/Ron/etc.) on the team. May have to consider circling back, since the braves have added some ACTUAL brothers (Uptons) LoL..

Plenty of room on the bandwagon!

[Bravo95]

Pastornicky.

I thought everyone learned their lesson about that in 2012.

Why is someone acting like the Braves traded Prado over $400,000??

Didn't say that. Just showing the gradual breakdown in negotiations. Also, talking about how it looks from the outside for a team like the Braves to take a player like Prado to arbitration when they rarely do that with anyone. It's "out of character." They did not value him the same in the long term, lowballed him, and both sides made a smart business decision. Hence, the "it's a great deal for us" part.

[wcg]

this is the first time we had a real outfielder playing LF since 1989 and lonnie smith

klesko was a 1B and Ron Gant started as a 2B

[Bravo95]

With both Uptons in the mix, the health and consistency of our rotation and McCann will be the #1 story going forward. Beachy will come back this summer hopefully, but we can't expect too much from him right away. Hudson and Maholm have to maintain most of what they brought last season, Medlen and Minor have to show they can handle 200+ innings with consistency, and we'll just have to deal with any bumps along the way for Teheran.

[HowFit]

Would be nice to have Chipper for one more season...

[Bravo95]

If you all are talking about LF, Andruw Jones played there in '96 if that counts.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...99610200.shtml

(^This might have been my all-time favorite Braves game to watch).

[marlon641]

Sick sig, Bravo95

[wcg]

i dont think chipper will come back but i wouldnt be surprised to see Jim Thome or someone like him added to the bench for leadership

[wcg]

i am talking full time LF andruw only playued there a couple of games

[Bravo95]

Would be hilarious-yet-pretty-cool if CJ announced his comeback during the ceremony at the Ted when they retire his number/unveil his statue.

[Braves302]

Starting outfielders for the 2013 All Star Game?