Braves Aquire Justin Upton!!!

[iamaj]

Upton's defense should improve by going to LF. Prado played excellent defense in LF, but does anyone think he could do it in RF? Upton, on the other hand, played average to great defense in RF. His D is the last thing I'm worried about.

[Coach100]

^ Isn't Prado playing 3B for ARI? And Justin's defense will be well above average in LF.

[Bravo95]

Pretty sure I never said I was worried about his defense or anything like that, just that I was focused on it. Same with his brother. Hell, same with Freddie, who can scoop from the dirt as well as anyone but still needs to expand his range (if possible). Every athlete has areas of their game to work on -- it's the same as someone saying they want to see how Jason performs against LHP or BJ showing more plate discipline. I've complimented this coaching staff for helping other guys improve defensively, so I'm sure the Uptons will do the same. The only question is how much.

[HickCaesar]

Our outfield defense shouldn't drop off much from last year when it was probably tops in the majors. The infield defense may be a little more sticky but with Simmons at shortstop you have to think it will be roughly average.

[Born a Brave]

After seeing some clips from the J. Upton press conference, Fredi reiterated his apparent intention to hit McCann in the clean up spot. That would drop Freeman to sixth in the order. To me, that is lunacy. How McCann somehow deserves to hit higher in the order than Freeman after the last year and a half is totally beyond me. I'd love for McCann to come out of the gates blistering, but I'm not counting on it.... With McCann missing most of Spring Training and hoping to be ready by Opening Day, I don't see how he can hit his way into the 4th spot... I'm probably just overreacting for now, considering there are still 2 full months til Opening Day.... We shall see...

[NBA_Starter]

After seeing some clips from the J. Upton press conference, Fredi reiterated his apparent intention to hit McCann in the clean up spot. That would drop Freeman to sixth in the order. To me, that is lunacy. How McCann somehow deserves to hit higher in the order than Freeman after the last year and a half is totally beyond me. I'd love for McCann to come out of the gates blistering, but I'm not counting on it.... With McCann missing most of Spring Training and hoping to be ready by Opening Day, I don't see how he can hit his way into the 4th spot... I'm probably just overreacting for now, considering there are still 2 full months til Opening Day.... We shall see...

I don't like it either.

[GLASSMAN]

How McCann somehow deserves to hit higher in the order than Freeman after the last year and a half is totally beyond me.... We shall see...

Damn the politics

[iamaj]

All the Braves have to do is trade for a competent manager, and they can compete.

[NBA_Starter]

All the Braves have to do is trade for a competent manager, and they can compete.

[GLASSMAN]

Easier to manage good players.

[BRAVE KID]

They are already competing..even with Fredi.

[BRAVE KID]

And for the record, a healthy B-mac is better than Freeman offensively. Freeman has yet to have a wOBA over .348...B-mac hit .350 just a couple of years ago (2011)..

Of course, Freeman is going to be better. All he has to do is continue with cutting down on the K's and increase or stay steady with the walk rate.

But at the moment, a healthy b-mac would be better. But b-mac has to leave no doubt about it..

[NBA_Starter]

I think Freeman has to hit Cleanup.

[ugafan]

At least to start. If BMac shows signs of his former self, then he can earn the spot.

[GLASSMAN]

And for the record, a healthy But b-mac has to leave no doubt about it..

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