Chipper Retirement Talks

[KB 34]

Here are a couple links to read but basically (DOB and others?) believe Chipper will retire after this season. He will talk about his plans this afternoon.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=MLB&id=1903&line=293556&spln=1
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/06/15/jones-to-announce-hes-likely-leaning-to-retirement-after-2010/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[warefreak]

If they announce that he is probably going to retire I seriously hope they're going to announce an extension on Glaus for a couple more years...

[Agent-X-]

If they announce that he is probably going to retire I seriously hope they're going to announce an extension on Glaus for a couple more years...

I think it really comes down to whether the Braves have earned a special place in Troy's heart. He's been here for part of one season; that's it. But if the Braves journey deep into the playoffs, just maybe Troy will pursue and lobby for a contract extension.

Regardless of what Chipper decides to do, he appears to be done. I saw him in the dugout during a Troy Glaus home run and he just didn't look like he was having fun. Nothing against Jones. Right now, his contribution to the team's success is pretty low.

I hope the best for Chipper. Regardless of what Glaus decides to do, we have a need at 1B and 3B going into next season that needs to be filled by acquisition or from within.

[warefreak]

Well we have a very good 1b coming up next year. I don't know if he's going to be ready though. All I do know is that with Glaus and Chipper gone next year we will be the twin of the Mariners this year. Very good pitching with no offense.

[BigWorm]

He could always play for the veteran minimum next year, if he's so inclined.

[BigWorm]

Oh and way to go RAIN. You finally did it.

[Dreamscape]

Well we have a very good 1b coming up next year. I don't know if he's going to be ready though. All I do know is that with Glaus and Chipper gone next year we will be the twin of the Mariners this year. Very good pitching with no offense.
I don't understand how you believe that Frank Wren and the Atlanta Braves would do nothing to address their offensive needs. Remember, we had no idea what to expect from Glaus in January. There were scores of fans focused on getting LaRoche back and disappointed when Wren let LaRoche fall through his fingertips.

Fact is, it will be the next challenge. We don't know if Glaus can really move over to third full time and if the case is that he cannot, you would be turning Freeman into trade bait if you go that route with Glaus. Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages to both options. There are plenty of short-term options for third basemen even if you kept Glaus at first, including Adrian Beltre (who holds a player option he may decline) and Jorge Cantu. Aramis Ramirez will likely hit free agency so he could be interesting if he can get healthy, a Troy Glaus-esk possibility. Or if Glaus can move over to third, you could get a short-term fix at first including Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche (if his mutual option is declined), or a slew of old guys like Derrek Lee, Aubrey Huff, or Paul Konerko.

Regardless, even without Glaus or Chipper next year, it's not the end of the season. Last I heard, the Mariners didn't have Jason Heyward, Martin Prado, Yunel Escobar, or Brian McCann.

[Lauren T.]

Oh and way to go RAIN. You finally did it.
I'll believe it when I see the press conference. ;)

[Lauren T.]

MLB.com article (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100615&content_id=11193402&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl) - nothing definitive yet, but some new information is in there.

[Agent-X-]

It is discouraging to hear that Donny has noticed Chipper's apparent indifference (probably because of his own high personal standards for himself). However, for Chipper's sake...I don't want him to be miserable with himself. If he's really as disgusted with the way things are going for him and he doesn't feel he can turn things around, I hope he makes a decision to walk away while he was still able to command a presence at the plate (he still does have a ridiculously good BB%. Was on pace for a career high, too).

If Chipper does decide to hang them up after the season, I don't care if Glaus is re-signed or if we go external. Fact of the matter will be that $13M will wipe off the salary for 2011 and that would give us at least $26M to spend in free agency and via trade. Admittedly, it does not include pay increases to arbitration eligibles, contract raises and escalating renewing deals...but venturing out to assume a trade of Lowe at 50% sunk cost ($7.5M/year for two years) and perhaps a wise non-tender we'll have possibly $30M to fill 1B (Freeman?), 3B, the closer role, the setup role and Hinske's pinch hitter/corner outfielder/corner infielder spot. I think it can be done. In fact...I think we may be able to splurge to get it done if the right pieces are combined.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean in the opening of your paragraph. I mean I know how great I am and how near-omnipotent my observations are. :headscratch:

Seriously, what is up with that?? I merely observed that Chipper Jones was one of the few players in the dugout who seemed unaffected by Glaus's addition to the Braves' lead. I understand and see that he is not very happy with his performance. And I can see that he is not driving much offense right now... third base could use an addition to it right now, actually. True??

[warefreak]

What kind of talent do you see coming up next year via free agency at 1b or 3b? Almost all of it has been locked up. The Cardinals have a very good 3b in AAA right now as Freese has locked up that spot, but I don't see a lot of talent being available via trade or free agency other than Glaus.

I haven't studied or looked at the impending free agents though so this is actually a question where I am hoping there is some good talent about to become available.

In case it comes up... I don't want the Braves to EVER sign Adrian Beltre. I live in Seattle area and the guy was a bum here.

[warefreak]

Fact is, it will be the next challenge. We don't know if Glaus can really move over to third full time and if the case is that he cannot, you would be turning Freeman into trade bait if you go that route with Glaus. Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages to both options. There are plenty of short-term options for third basemen even if you kept Glaus at first, including Adrian Beltre (who holds a player option he may decline) and Jorge Cantu. Aramis Ramirez will likely hit free agency so he could be interesting if he can get healthy, a Troy Glaus-esk possibility.

I am pretty dang sure he can move over to 3rd. He played it his whole life and I don't think his shoulder is going to be a problem. None of those 3b you mentioned are good options IMO. Cantu is my favorite of the three of them though.

Or if Glaus can move over to third, you could get a short-term fix at first including Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche (if his mutual option is declined), or a slew of old guys like Derrek Lee, Aubrey Huff, or Paul Konerko.

This is what I want to see happen. Derrek Lee and Paul Konerko is the kind of player that would be perfect to let Freeman sit tight for another year at AAA and really develop his game.

Regardless, even without Glaus or Chipper next year, it's not the end of the season. Last I heard, the Mariners didn't have Jason Heyward, Martin Prado, Yunel Escobar, or Brian McCann.

You're right, but the 4 of those don't do anything against a top calibre pitcher. We need a Glaus or a Chipper who can matchup with the top talent pitcher and make some damage the way Glaus did against Johan Santana the other day.

[Dreamscape]

You're right, but the 4 of those don't do anything against a top calibre pitcher. We need a Glaus or a Chipper who can matchup with the top talent pitcher and make some damage the way Glaus did against Johan Santana the other day.
Still not sure Glaus can move over to third, but I think it is pretty dangerous precedent to show so much interest in what one certain pitcher did against a lineup. Frankly, I think all four I mentioned can and have hit pitchers like Johan Santana. Jason Heyward will make pitchers like Santana look very, very mortal in coming years. Troy Glaus is not nearly as good as he seems to be made right now during his hot streak. He didn't suddenly become an MVP candidate over night. He is more along the lines of a good .850 OPS guy. Those players are very valuable, but not irreplaceable.

[quick]

I speculate as follows:

Chipper is unhappy with his play, for the second year; he knows his physical skills are deteriorating and he gets hurt often;

Chipper really doesn't want to play for anyone but Bobby;

Chipper knows that if he makes his intentions understood now, but plays out the rest of the year, it gives the Braves a shot--now--to sign Glaus to play third next year using some/all of Chipper's money. Chipper knows there really isn't a third baseman in the pipeline. Chipper has restructured his contract, etc., to help the team. I think he is a team guy.

Glaus could be had for Chipper money right now, I suspect. I have been critical of Glaus early, and he may well falter later this year or in the next one or two, but we just don't have lots of options in the farm system. I don't think he'll have any trouble at third, his natural position. He has probably lost some range, but he knows by now if his arm is okay. Sign him for the balance of Chipper's two years--not too long for an already older player, and it should give the team time to acquire/develop a solid, power hitting 3--bagger.

Freeman will play first next year, which is no great issue. That is what we all expect, sooner or later, and he'll get the rest of this year to finish polishing his skills.

That is how I see it....

[sdp]

Watching Glaus play catch with Chipper last night, it's clear he can throw a baseball 90 feet and on standard plays, I don't think his shoulder would give him a problem. Glaus appeared a little tepid on his release of the ball and his throwing motion seemed a bit mechanical and not really fluid. The problems may come when he's got to unload and fire the ball across the diamond.

Of course, this is just my observation of a game of catch, so it could be nothing.

[warefreak]

If Alex Gordon actually was available he'd be the guy I would go for. He is one heck of a stud and many scouts thought of him better than Evan Longoria. I think he just needs a change of scenery and a different coach to get him going.

[KB 34]

Dream had a really good point about what kind of numbers Glaus can be expected to produce. Here are his numbers this season by month.
Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ sOPS+
M/A 23 19 84 72 8 14 1 0 2 9 0 0 11 21 .194 .310 .292 .601 21 4 1 0 0 0 1 .245 40 66
May 28 27 120 103 17 34 3 0 6 28 0 0 15 21 .330 .408 .534 .942 55 1 0 0 2 0 1 .359 114 156
June 14 14 63 52 10 17 5 0 5 12 0 0 10 17 .327 .429 .712 1.140 37 2 0 0 1 1 0 .387 155 201
So far this season Glaus has improved every month of the season and has a ridiculous OPS of 1.140 this month. This is pure speculation but he might be the best player in the majors this month. With that in mind I wouldn't think about extending his contract at this point since he's going to peak and his production will decrease, either that or he's going to win MVP in a landslide.

I'll be interested to see where Glaus ends up after his hot streak ends and we get a really good idea of where Glaus stands. Dream's suggestion of a .800 OPS player would be pretty good. Another way to think of that would be a .355 27 HR type player. That's a really valuable player if he performs that way for 140 games.

The Braves have a pretty good situation where if Chipper retires they presumably have plenty of money to replace him. This hasn't been discussed but I'd be interested in exploring a cheap fix at 3B and getting a serious bat in LF. The Braves have been good at producing infielders and someone like Infante at 3B coupled with a $14 million LF bat might be a lot more productive than internal options in LF and a good 3B whether it be Glaus or someone else.

This season has gone pretty well but in many ways I'm completely fascinated by 2011, especially with Chipper and Bobby Cox probably gone. It's going to be a completely different franchise and I think with the right manager and personnel moves it could put the current team to shame. Glaus might or might not be an answer, and I'm of the opinion the Braves have to deal with this year first and figure out how Chipper's decision fits in after the postseason.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Supposedly the Braves are having a press conference right now (http://twitter.com/ajcbraves/status/16419763734) to discuss Chipper Jones' future.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Supposedly the Braves are having a press conference right now (http://twitter.com/ajcbraves/status/16419763734) to discuss Chipper Jones' future.

In a nutshell, Chipper is leaning towards retiring after the season (http://twitter.com/ajcbraves/status/16421313975), but that it will not be addressed again until after the season.

[Lauren T.]

I listened to it on the radio. He was pretty pissed it was leaked, and he doesn't want people talking about it again until after the season ends and he has time to make a decision. He did make it sound like he's leaning that way, though.

[Devil Wears Prado]

I thought Chipper said he wouldn't let the retirement talks carry through the season and that he'd make a decision on whether or not he would retire before the season ended? I thought I read that somewhere on Rotoworld, but I may be wrong. Wish he would just tell us.

[Lauren T.]

Here's a video (http://twitvid.com/KUCTB) of the press meeting from the Braves -- you can all see for yourselves.

[alaskabravesfan]

In a post Chipper world: Why not let Brooks Conrad play 3B everyday and spend the money on a hard-hitting LF?

[KB 34]

I would be quite concerned if the Braves counted on Brooks Conrad at 3B. Conrad is currently 30 and made his first major league appearance two years ago with the A's. To put this in perspective a late bloomer in Diaz made his first major league apperance when he was 25, compared to 38. Conrad his struggled in the minors with his OBP. This season he was at .358 in AAA, but the prior two seasons he had OBPs of .313 and .305. At the major league level last season he had a .259 OBP and is only at .310 this season. He has some power but I would be shocked if his OBP was much above .300 as an everyday player. As a bench player I like his power and his OBP doesn't cause quite the problems. Given his age I don't think he can reasonably be expected to improve, which is a problem. We're not talking about a 23 year old prospect, we're talking about a 30 year old journey man minor leaguer who recently got good enough to play some major league baseball. Before I started Conrad at 3B I'd take Infante, but realistically I think the Braves could easily get a legitimate 3B without too much trouble if they decide to spend the money on LF, which I think they look to do if possible.

[Wahoo]

Gotta say, I respect Chipper. I don't think there's any question that this is his last year. I feel grateful that he is smart enough to recognize to know when his time has passed. Hopefully we can make a great run for him and Bobby. He'll be standing in Cooperstown in a few short years.