Megathread: Braves lose Maitan, Bae and 10+ plus International Sanctions.

[CyYoung31]

The only "defense" I'd offer for anyone in that group is that Bowden at least seems to be "plugged in" - Bowden and Duquette's XM show is pretty solid, even though it's as analytically challenged as many of us here.

Of all of those people, Bowden is about the last person I'd try to be defending. And that's saying a lot.

[Bravesfannchar]

Do not want Ralph anywhere near the franchise... Dude can’t even tweet properly.

[jpx7]

Of all of those people, Bowden is about the last person I'd try to be defending. And that's saying a lot.

I don't know, Bonifay is pretty bad, just from a decision-making standpoint.

[CyYoung31]

I don't know, Bonifay is pretty bad, just from a decision-making standpoint.

Remember why Bowden resigned from the Nationals? Guy is no stranger to scandals and sketchy conduct.

[dak]

"Sources indicate the Braves are discussing a number of potential executives, including Chuck LaMar, Randy Smith, Herk Robinson, Jim Bowden and Cam Bonifay."

Guys, I'm pretty sure this was just a joke. Herk Robinson is in his mid-70s.

[nsacpi]

wonder if Frank Wren could come back

[thethe]

wonder if Frank Wren could come back

I just want an #askjwren segment.

[jpx7]

Remember why Bowden resigned from the Nationals? Guy is no stranger to scandals and sketchy conduct.

Yea, it's a tough call, who's worst amongst this careful catalogue of the worst-possible choices that the Braves seem to be constructing. I just give the edge to Bonifay based on the Derek Bell signing.

[thewupk]

I seriously doubt we hire anyone many would consider good. Hopefully our young talent can overcome what's likely going to be a sub-par front office.

[Enscheff]

I seriously doubt we hire anyone many would consider good. Hopefully our young talent can overcome what's likely going to be a sub-par front office.

Some team has to be the dumbest. The Braves are making sure they are that team.

Braves Way!

[chop2chip]

Some team has to be the dumbest. The Braves are making sure they are that team.

Braves Way!

With Coppy, I thought our front office was at least average. With the direction we are going now, I can't think of worse front office in baseball. (Though Jeter has all the signs of horrific meddler, so Miami may give us a run for our money)

At least we have a great scouting department. Bridges is the unsung hero of this rebuild. God forbid we lose any of those guys in the great purge of 2017.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Anyone else kinda surprised they haven't announced the sanctions yet? It sounded for a while like they were pretty much done with the investigation. The longer it goes on, the uglier I feel it is going to be

[striker42]

Anyone else kinda surprised they haven't announced the sanctions yet? It sounded for a while like they were pretty much done with the investigation. The longer it goes on, the uglier I feel it is going to be

MLB is interviewing Blakely again this week. So apparently they're still investigating.

[Hudson2]

IMO if it was worse they would have done something by now.

[The Chosen One]

IMO if it was worse they would have done something by now.

They aren’t gonna announce any punishments until the investigation is complete.

[mfree80]

It seems the delay is actually a punishment itself. Nobody is going to deal with the Braves while this is hanging out there...

[Chico]

It seems the delay is actually a punishment itself. Nobody is going to deal with the Braves while this is hanging out there...

Yes. If I'm the Braves I'm wanting the delay to be factored in to the decision of punishment since you're slow walking this.

One thing I'd be doing right now is examining the relationships prospective GM's have with current GM's and other decision makers while I'm stuck waiting. We're never going to be big players in free agency. We're going to need some smart trades over the next couple of seasons.

[Hudson2]

The chief executive of Braves owner Liberty Media alluded briefly to the scandal enveloping the team during the company’s quarterly conference call with Wall Street analysts Thursday.
“We are currently working through the process of hiring a new general manager,” Liberty Media President and CEO Greg Maffei said, “and there is an MLB investigation into certain alleged violations with the Braves, which is ongoing.

We won’t be commenting any further on that investigation until it is complete,” Maffei said.

The conference call came several hours after Liberty revealed its third-quarter financial results, which showed a 70-percent increase in Braves revenue.

So Liberty is reporting a 70% increase in sales. Does that mean payroll is on the rise?

[bravesfanMatt]

The chief executive of Braves owner Liberty Media alluded briefly to the scandal enveloping the team during the company’s quarterly conference call with Wall Street analysts Thursday.
“We are currently working through the process of hiring a new general manager,” Liberty Media President and CEO Greg Maffei said, “and there is an MLB investigation into certain alleged violations with the Braves, which is ongoing.

We won’t be commenting any further on that investigation until it is complete,” Maffei said.

The conference call came several hours after Liberty revealed its third-quarter financial results, which showed a 70-percent increase in Braves revenue.

So Liberty is reporting a 70% increase in sales. Does that mean payroll is on the rise?

increase in revenue is good, but increased revenue <> increased profit

[chop2chip]

increase in revenue is good, but increased revenue <> increased profit

Expenses also haven risen, but Liberty said the Braves’ operating profit before depreciation and amortization – a key measure of a pro sports franchise’s economic performance -- soared to $48 million in the July-through-September quarter, up from $16 million in the same period in 2016. Those figures exclude executives’ stock-based compensation.