Justin Upton and Texas
- Thread starter cajunrevenge
- Start date
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
I think Bill hyped Pena. Most scouts didn't though because he was a DH who wasn't a good enough hitter.
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
Internet forums were in their infancy at that time, Shanks, AJC, even 1 or 2 of the national guys touted him as the saviour in waiting for the Braves
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
That is true. But always a back up. He was supposed to be the replacement for Javy Lopez. Remember this was in 2000. Before the internet killed newspapers they were all free. Article after article all over the US had Pena as the 2nd coming of Lopez.
If he took steroids like Javy he might have been!
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
Would have needed more than steroids. He is a very generous 5'9"
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/penabr01.shtml
He is with Detroit, had a good year as a back-up C/1B...
He is with Detroit, had a good year as a back-up C/1B...
I really don't remember BIll hyping Pena. As a matter of fact, I think he said that he would never have a spot bc of defense while posters where hyping up his minor league offensive stats.
Hmmmmm. My memory may be a little fuzzy, but I remember Pena as kind of a fringe guy who deserved a chance, but was not projected to be a key guy for the Braves. I really don't remember much hype. I do remember him as a likeable guy, and a good interview. Wasn't there a story about him and Yunel Escobar being childhood friends in Cuba and dreaming of playing for the Braves? I think Yunel kind of threw a tantrum when Brayan was let go.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
I forgot about the veto'd Mariners trade. I wish we could take that deal Justin for Taijun Walker, Nick Franklin, Stephen Pryor and Charlie Furbush. We dont really need the relievers but Franklin could start at 2B for us right away and Walker has the ace potential that everyone says we need. He has a limited no trade clause that gives him the right to veto trades to 4 teams but the list of teams can be changed. The original list was Oakland, Detroit, Cleveland and Kansas City. During the 2012-2013 offseason the list was Toronto, Cubs, Seattle and Boston. The lists make me wonder how he was going about picking those teams. It looks to me like he was trying to predict which teams might trade for him and blocked 4 of them. Maybe he knew the Braves were pursuing him and he wanted to help Wren make that happen but in all likelihood he submitted that list long before BJ signed with the Braves. If he takes Seattle off that list I think Wren needs to be all over their GM trying to get Walker and Franklin from them. Their GM isnt known for being very good at his job so maybe it could happen.
Dunit24
Awaiting a Promotion
I dont want the Braves to trade Justin Upton for anyone. He's 26, streaky hitter yes, but an MVP type hitter. I want to hold onto Justin Upton, Freddie Freeman, Evan Gattis, Jason Heyward, and Andrelton Simmons as long as we possibly can. Thats a heckuva nucleus on the offensive side, and a young one.
chipchildress
Awaiting a Promotion
if you can get a decent return for justin, i'd trade him in a heartbeat. if you could get a marginal return but have your partner take bj's contract with him, i'd do it in a second.
What has Upton ever done to be considered an MVP type hitter?
I have no clue. The overrating of him on this board is crazy. And this is coming from someone who always overrates players.
I never liked Brayan Pena from the time I saw him called up.
I've never seen a catcher that bad defensively, and he couldn't throw out a runner to save his life.
Didn't even like his hitting style or approach.
I've never seen a catcher that bad defensively, and he couldn't throw out a runner to save his life.
Didn't even like his hitting style or approach.