Do you think we'll try to shock everyone and go after a 3b or an established front-line starter Just think if we acquire either or how illegal our team would be?
Yall don't jump down my throat, I'm just entertaining discussion
Ha, who knows. I was beyond shocked they pulled off Justin Upton. However, this is much more than they have done in any offseason in recent memory so I would say it's done for. Medlen, Hudson, and Maholm are going to have to anchor this rotation. Anything positive from Minor is a plus. If Beachy comes back healthy, the rotation is rock solid, not flashy. The bullpen is typical Atlanta fireballers. And the lineup, well, is the best I've seen it since I played Ken Griffey Jr Baseball for SNES. This is the first time that fans can knock off the "ownership is a bunch of cheapskates". They found a way to cost efficiently put together a real great club.
I don't think they will go after a third base man, I think they're comfortable with Fransisco & Johnson. Fransisco is currrently killing the ball in the winter league. I would actually like to see a veteran starting pitcher join our staff, I don't trust Teheran yet and Beachy won't be back until the all star break. Our rotation was deep but not as strong as I'd like, too many questions still.
1. Hudson, will his age catch up with him, can he still be the ace of the staff, will he remain healthy all season?
2. Medlan, can he duplicate his numbers from last season?
3. Minor, can he take the next step up and be successful?
4. Maholm, can he be more than just an average pitcher?
5. Teheran, can he live up to his hype, will he choke under pressure?
Beachy, how will be pitch after TJ surgury?
Gilmartin or Graham, are they ready to step up if Teheran falters?
Our bullpen is one of the best in MLB if not the best wwhich should help our starters some but I think we'll need another veteran starter at some point this year.
Other questions I have is who is our back up 1st baseman? Who in our impressive line up will hit for a high average and get on base so we are not just hitting a lot of solo home runs? Will we lead MLB in strikeouts by our batters? How frustrated will the fans get by all the strikeouts?
Believe that DTY is right about 3B. Wren imho thinks it's set. What I wonder about is 2B. I know that Uggla is durable, but what would happen should he be injured? Would we be OK with TP there for everday?
Always liked Jon Lester its a shame what happened to him. Peavy would be a great target but would be too expensive probably, he'd rake in the NL east if you ask me.
I don't really want to deplete our farm any further.
We have to draft smart this coming draft (we will have a pick from Bourn if he signs and the other pick from what's his face I can't remember).
I think I'm cool with giving Encarnacion a shot (hey maybe he could be E-5 Jr) ya know? He's really raking and showing his potential ya know if he realizes his full potential that could be scary. He has Adrian Beltre type of offensive upside...remember how Adrian struggled early on and he's been a beast since he figured everything out?
Wouldn't it be something if its Juan Francisco who ends up being our offensive MVP...god I'm getting excited. I think we should add a SP and maybe a decent bench utility player but I don't know where they'd come from.
I think Evan Gattis should make the team as a backup C/1b/COF (like Hinske was except he can be an emergency 3rd catcher). He can come in and be our early sesaon primary pinch hitter and etc. If they don't get him enough ABs they can send him down for regular ABs and call him back up whenever there is an injury or something or whatever.
What would we offer for Peavy (IDK if I'd feel comfortable with ANOTHER blockbluster deal...I was thinking maybe along the lines of some under-the-radar signings for depth)
TP and Janish both are good fielders but shaky with the bat so they will probably both start in the minors for some seasoning on their bats I hope someone can work with them and help them out.
I'll do some research on
For MI This is available: Freddy Sanchez (why we would need him when we already have equivilent options) Kelly Johnson (decent backup 2b and COF) Alex Gonzalez (decent backup MI with power) Ronny Cedeno (IDK maybe a decent minor league signing to help mentor our young MI we have Salcedo/TP etc) Jason Bartlett (don't need him when we have TP already) Yuniesky Betancourt
UTL: Chone Figgins (might be a decent low-risk minor league deal with invitation to Spring training, guy can play all over 3b best, has decent speed - but will need some work with hitting coaches to rediscover success)
King Felix?: A Dream: Would you mind if Altanta went ALL in and made a run at King Felix (by offering Teheran or Graham + 3 prospects)? He's signed for four years at pretty reasonable contract for his talent.
SP: Kyle Lohse --> we might have one opening, sure he's tied to a draft pick but we'd still get a draft pick when Bourn signs. What do you think of this possibility to add another quality veteran arm to our rotation? We have the money to do it.
I share your enthusiasm for the call tp play ball, but Tyler Pastornicky can't field with a shovel for a glove. Yes. Paul Janish is an awesome fielder, but I believe that until he gets healthy Fred G. will run Pena out as our utility infielder. That's why he signed him (because Tyler has hands made for construction workers), and although he may not play much, he will play more defensively than the Pastor...imho.
King Felix isn't going anywhere because he wants his career to play only for Seattle, and has reportedly hinted that he would accomodate the Mariners to ensure that is accomplished. We don't need an aging Chone Figgins either. I wouldn't mind seeing Frank Wren make a deal by using Johnson & a minor league pitching prospect for Jed Lowrie (if that would suffice). He has some pop, hits for a good average, and can play 2B/3B/SS.
I agree with irocnek regarding Prado's exorbant yearly extension demands played a vital role in Wren now having an opportunity to get someone locked up that he could not have if Martin was not included in the deal. Had Frank offered Graham, Gilmartin, or the LH out of Georgia (name escapes me...Wood?) in the deal without including Martin, then Wren probably would not have had the available money to extend anyone as he does presently. Who knows? Just seems that Frank did an excellent job in pulling in an uber talented player like JUp10, and still having some cash to secure player(s) for the future. Go Tomahawks!!! Peace.
One more trade and then on to spring training. We need a leadoff man and I have givin up on Uggla so lets deal with Toronto. Trade Uggla and Venters for Bonnafacio and either Josh Johnson or Mark Beuhrle or Brandon Morrow. We get our leadoff man with speed and better defense at 2nd base (Bonnafacio) and strengthen our rotation. Toronto gets a DH (Uggla) and a possible closer in (Venters). A good deal for both clubs.
I believe Pena's deal is a major league deal and not minor league so that pretty much guarantees that he will be the backup infielder on the opening day roster. Other than that you have Johnson, Johnson, and Laird on the bench. That leaves one spot to fill which I predict will be Mejia giving you a backup first baseman and another pinch hitter.
The only way I see Gattis making the opening day roster now is if McCann isn't ready yet which is quite likely. Looks to me like Schafer will be gone and Constanza will be starting cf in Gwinnett. I think Pastornicky starts at second in AAA with Janish at SS when he is healthy. Both of those guys give us some infield depth for the season.
I'm guessing that FW must have been somewhat impressed with what he saw from Francisco in the winter leagues as far as being in shape to make him confident doing this move, Chris Johnson is just a security blanket for the move and a little salary relief for Arizona who no longer needed him.
I'm highly doubting the team makes a move for a SP or backup infielder. Maybe I just have a lot more faith in Mike Minor than some of you, but I think the starting staff is looking pretty darn good right now. Could see addition of a journeyman starter added to AAA roster, like Rodrigo Lopez was previously.
I believe we are done at the present moment, I just feel like their might be a bigger move coming this year. We have Malholm and Huddy with expiring contracts, that's $15.5 million gone. I don't think Mac is resigned if he's good or bad when you have Gattis who has good power and can take this year to develop his defense this year in addition to the continuous growth of Bethancourt. I think that is a net $11M (BMac's $12M minus contracts of Gattis and Bethancourt). If Dan has a great year, I think the FO can find value in his contract as well and move him, $13M off the books. I say all this to say, we could use this to lock some players down with friendly conttraccts to avoid arbitration and even bigger, get a stud of a pitcher, maybe Lester, maybe even bigger. and I feel like it will be this Winter or maybe even by the trade deadline that something big will happen. I agree with you Sexy, i think its a front line starter. Too many expiring contracts and moveable pieces not to think something else will happen.
You will have significant pay raises next year including: J. Upton, Heyward, Medlen, Kimbrel, Venters and Freeman as well as smaller increases for Juan, C. Johnson and Martinez.
FW should have alot of payroll flexibility looking at the next year but like Shyne I doubt anything happens now but should we need a front line starter or 3rd baseman later this year I think it can be done. I expect Hudson to be kept for another year. Beachy should move into Maholm's spot and it is just a matter of figuring out catcher going forward. I love the pitching, starting and relieving right now.
Remember this, that national TV deal which kicks into our payroll.
By the way guys - go to Macon.com there is an IN-DEPTH interview with Frank Wren. He opens up a lot more than he usually does. He briefly touched on moves and it makes me think he's happy, but always open.
Yes, I think Huddy might retire at season's end if we win it all (that's what I'm hoping for!)
I don't think Mac will be resigned either.
Maholm might have his option picked up (I think he has one more?)
But the rest will be earmarked for arb raises for our core players.
Our need for a front line starter hinges on how Beachy comes back Teheran progresses and Medlen shows. I think Medlen will regress just a bit, but his change up is nasty and his command is great.
FYI in case you did not know Maddux is apparently working with him I read...good news for us Braves fans if you ask me.
Maholm doesn't have any more options. I think Huddy would love to come back to the Braves, and due to his relationship with FW I think he has a great shot, but can probably be had for a little more discout, maybe 6-7 million.
I have a hard time seeing Mac back with the Braves. If he plays well and healthy this year he could probably get 4 years 60 million from an AL team. If he struggles then maybe he comes back to the Braves on a 1 year deal. Signing him long term is too risky for this team and would start to put us in a bind in a couple years.
The Braves have ALOT of players in arb now and even though these guys are cost controlled the cost is going to start rising substantially. Even if a pitcher struggles this year I think management will take the wait and see approach with Beachy because basically you are getting an ace back after the all star break. The only moves I could see would be rental 3rd baseman or catcher if something is failing early in the year and doesn't look to have a chance at improving.
I just don't think we really need a 3rd baseman at this time. I think a majority of folks have no confidence in Johnson or Francisco, in which I could understand. But I don't think we are gonna get the kinda rental everyone wants with trade pieces such as Johnson and/or Francisco without giving up some more prospects. I think we have two good options there with Francisco coming off a nice winter and Johnson had a great year last year. As much as I would like to have one of the top players for each position, I think it would kill us or any team financially at some point. Therefore, I like what we have and I believe the value that comes from this platoon situation will be more than the salaries combined.
I have a feeling Uggla will have a good year this year. I wouldn't mind having another bonified starting pitcher with experience, such has Lester or Josh Johnson. I think Chris Johnson will be find at 3b. I think we will be happy with him there.
Wow great posts by everybody, very nice read... i like the team the way its set up, some players (3rd base/2nd base) will surprise alot of us! Time will tell & can't wait for that 1st pitch of the season!!!
BJ can play 2b if you'll remember. Ship Uggla off for whatever package of prospects we can get, move BJ to 2b and sign Bourn 3 years at money he's requesting? We have the payroll to do it, whatcha think?
I think we are done for now. I don't see anymoves being made before season gets started. Unless, we get some bench help or a cheap deal for a true leadoff man. May wait and see how Chris Johnson and the other 3b man we have perform, to see if we need to do something before trade deadline.
Expect we would have few, if any, takers on Uggla after the down year he had. Also the Braves would have to send cash with him for anyone to be interested.
I doubt if Wren has a mind set of trading for a player like BJ to fill CF and then, even before spring training, change that plan. You might wind up with a disgruntled player.
