Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 12/3
By Jeff Schafer
{Editorial Note: Please keep in mind the thoughts in the Morning Chops are not of the Editor as they are articles we find while surfing the web that we thought would be interesting to share.}
Braves cut Johnson, Janish, Martinez
"October 7, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Elliot Johnson (30) is congratulated after scoring a run in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY SportsSecond baseman Elliot Johnson, third baseman Paul Janish and right-hander Cristhian Martinez became free agents when the Atlanta Braves failed to offer 2014 contracts on Monday night.Johnson batted .261 with 10 RBIs in 92 at-bats this year, when he earned $520,500. Janish hit .171 with two RBIs in 41 at-bats and made $725,000.After pitching in relief on April 3 and 6, Martinez didn’t appear in another game this season and had shoulder surgery in July. He had a 7.71 ERA over 2 1-3 innings and earned $749,750.In addition, Atlanta agreed to one-year contracts with left-handed reliever Jonny Venters and infielder Ramiro Pena. Venters didn’t pitch this year and in May had elbow-ligament replacement surgery for the second time in his career."
Atlanta Braves farm system preliminary grade breakdown
"I have rated 37 players.One Grade B+One Grade BSix Grade B-Nine Grade C+20 Grade CThere are a few Grade Cs that might wind up as C+ and vice versa, but the final breakdown should be very close to that."
Could The Atlanta Braves Be Participating In A $300+ Million Theft?
"The MLB announced last Tuesday that the Braves will soon be moving from downtown Atlanta in Fulton County to an area close to Marietta in Cobb County. The announcement came shortly after the Cobb County Commission voted 4-1 to approve the Memorandum of Understanding that called for approximately $300 million in taxpayer funds to be used to construct the $672 million stadium. Not only will taxpayers be on the hook for constructing the stadium but they will also be on the hook for covering half of the stadium’s capital maintenance expensesSo why should anyone be upset, especially if the the development is going to support more than 5,200 jobs with a payroll of over $235 million?In an article written by Georgia State Representative Charles Gregory titled “Move would be ‘legal plunder’ of taxpayers”, he says that everyone is ignoring one problem and that problem is theft.“Sadly, I’ve come to realize that not everyone readily makes this connection. Far too many of us have become desensitized and accustomed to, or are simply OK with stealing (or having government steal on our behalf) from others as long as it’s for something we like or benefits us.” Gregory goes on to say, “Classical political theorist and free-market economist Frederic Bastiat refers to the phenomenon as “legal plunder” — when a group of politically connected individuals use the force of government to commit theft from the masses in the name of the so-called “greater good,” or what he calls “false philanthropy.””"
Atlanta Braves Won’t Play in Gwinnett in Spring 2014
"For the second straight season, the Atlanta Braves will bypass Coolray Field in their spring training travels.According to media reports, Atlanta will travel to Rome, Ga., in March 2014 for its annual Future Stars game against its top minor-league players.In 2012, Atlanta came to Gwinnett in its initial spring contest against the Future Stars. Last season, Atlanta took the contest to Mississippi.“We are honored to host the Atlanta Braves at State Mutual Stadium in Rome, GA,” Rome General Manager Michael Dunn said in a Braves news release.“The fact that our fans will be able to see former Rome Braves and current Atlanta Braves play in their hometown stadium will be a thrill of a lifetime. We’re excited to welcome them to our city.”"