GDT #59, 6/6/14: Braves (Teheran) vs. Diamondbacks (McCarthy); 9:40 EDT

[UNCBlue012]

Braves Lineup:
1. Heyward RF
2. BJ Upton CF
3. Freeman 1B
4. J. Upton LF
5. Gattis C
6. Johnson 3B
7. LaStella 2B
8. Simba SS
9. Teheran RHP

DBacks Lineup:
1. Gregorius SS
2. Parra RF
3. Goldschmidt 1B
4. Prado 3B
5. Hill 2B
6. Peralta LF
7. Gosewisch C
8. Inciarle
9. McCarthy

I haven't done a game day thread in a while, so hopefully this format is good enough for everyone involved here! haha We need to start a winning streak and it would be perfect to start with Teheran against the Diamondbacks. Let's hope Justin's bat can wake up on the road, Heyward can stay hot and Freeman regain his stroke. Let's hope T-Ran can keep his good work up and that the offense can do work against a pitcher that's 1-7 with an ERA over 5.

As always...

GO BRAVOS!

[nsacpi]

Expecting a vesuvian explosion from Chris Johnson against his old team.

[mfree80]

I am 800 miles from Arizona, and don't get their local cable channel, but I am considered part of their marketing territory, so the game is blacked out for me.

I guess its radio only tonight :-(

[tvsportscaster]

Late lineup change, BJ went back to Tampa for the birth of his child, and his flight will arrive later than expected, so Schafer starts in CF and bats 8th with Simmons moving up to the 2nd slot.

[Julio3000]

Expecting a vesuvian explosion from Chris Johnson against his old team.

I'd just lava to see that.

[Julio3000]

Expecting a vesuvian explosion from Chris Johnson against his old team.

Mount Chrisuvius.

[50PoundHead]

We're playing the Mariners again?

[stpeteirish]

We're playing the Mariners again?

hope we do better than we did vs the real Mariners.

[jsebe10]

Late lineup change, BJ went back to Tampa for the birth of his child, and his flight will arrive later than expected, so Schafer starts in CF and bats 8th with Simmons moving up to the 2nd slot.

For realz?

So more DPs!?

[tvsportscaster]

For realz?

So more DPs!?

Yes, for real, you think I'm making that up.

[cajunrevenge]

Better win today, I have a feeling the nats are about to go on a roll.

[Lville21]

McCarthy is extremely slow.

[thethe]

TLS hits the ball hard. Might be time to think about moving him up to the top of the lineup.

[bravesnumberone]

Simmons really accomplished a lot there swinging and running/falling off balance.

[jsebe10]

Yes, for real, you think I'm making that up.

Shut up.

[thethe]

Shut up.

This is unnecessary.

[cajunrevenge]

No wonder the dbacks suck this year they are running out players names Ender Inciarte and gosewisch. Those are just not big league caliher names. Inciarte could atleast change his name to Infante.

[bravesnumberone]

:facepalm:

[jsebe10]

This is unnecessary.

No it's not. He was being a smart A. He's always being a smart A.

[jsebe10]

JT has looked real good since that back scratch HR.

[thewupk]

Let's see if we can get it to 20 scoreless innings in a row.

[AerchAngel]

Wally Pip?

[thewupk]

Promising start

[thewupk]

And that was a poor bunt attempt.

[thewupk]

POWER IS BACK

[bravesnumberone]

Woooo

[USMA76]

Who cares about the botched bunt attempt?

[jsebe10]

Beautiful swing from Heyward. Love it.

So is this the worst slump of Freddie's young career?

[thewupk]

Jason at .260 average and a wrc+ of 106 now. Won't be too much longer until he's back where he should be.

[AerchAngel]

Freeman.....since he said (he was near the top of leaders in average) no one can get him out.........


well.....dude...Karma is paying you back.

[Gary82]

Freeman.....since he said (he was near the top of leaders in average) no one can get him out.........


well.....dude...Karma is paying you back.

exactly what I was thinking. baseball will humble your ass.

[bravesnumberone]

Yep, Freddie needs to shut his ass up next time and keep playing ball.

Damnit, Julio. Don't give it right back.

[jsebe10]

Gattis it's June...you should be on the same page with your pitchers already.

[thewupk]

That was horrible

[The Chosen One]

Heyward sucks.

[bravesnumberone]

Another mentally weak moment from this team. It's the ****ing pitcher.

[jsebe10]

Trying to get too cute

[bravesnumberone]

And then blows right through the leadoff hitter. Frustrating.

[jpx7]

It's almost like Jason Heyward is good at basesballs.

[cajunrevenge]

So Heybeast is back, Justin learned how to hit in months that don't start with A, we have a 2b hitting .400 and BJ has shown signs of life. Howcan we still be losing games?

[cajunrevenge]

It's almost like Jason Heyward is good at basesballs.

Imagine how good he would be if he loved bsseball.

[AerchAngel]

LaStella

WOW

[UNCBlue012]

My lord LaStella can just hit.

[UNCBlue012]

Freeman.....since he said (he was near the top of leaders in average) no one can get him out.........


well.....dude...Karma is paying you back.
I don't get it. If it's not that he can't see the ball well, then I'm just surprised. He's a really good hitter... he's swinging at awful pitches, missing good ones....

[AerchAngel]

He refuses to be struck out.

I hope Uggla is gone by the deadline. We eat half his salary, I don't care. At least with Stella, you will get a battle each time at bat and not 3 pitches and a possible K.

[tvsportscaster]

Once again leave it to the Braves to make a pitcher who's been sucking eggs all season to pitch like he's the second coming of Cy Young. This team is so frustrating sometimes.

[thewupk]

I miss Andruw

[UNCBlue012]

Once again leave it to the Braves to make a pitcher who's been sucking eggs all season to pitch like he's the second coming of Cy Young. This team is so frustrating sometimes.

I was more pissed that we gave up an RBI to one of the worst hitting pitchers in the game.

[UNCBlue012]

LaStella is 9 hits away for tying Dan Uggla in hits this season La Stella has 25 AB Uggla has 114 AB...

[thewupk]

Julio swung at ball 4 twice

[thewupk]

Heywalk!

[USMA76]

Do we run Heyward with one out?

[UNCBlue012]

Double for Simmons!!!

[thewupk]

damn Heyward is fast

[UNCBlue012]

Jason man. Dang.

[CyYoung31]

Why are the As on our helmets not bolder anymore? I don't like it.

[Tapate50]

Julio really needs to pick it up with the bat. How can we expect to score any runs with him anchoring the bottom of the lineup so inconsistently?

[UNCBlue012]

I don't think it's possible for Freddie to suck anymore right now. Poor guy is just struggling.

[jsebe10]

Freeman needs a couple days off.

[tomahawkchop10]

As bad as I ever remember freddie going.

[UNCBlue012]

It's been said a lot, but it's pretty amazing how lucky we really got in the trade. Delgado is young, but he looks absolutely awful.

And Justin just missed a homer. Freaking A.

[TURBO]

Hate Chip.

[thewupk]

damn Justin just missed it. And Chip made it sound like it was long gone.

[jsebe10]

Fck off Chip!

[UNCBlue012]

They haven't exactly played anyone good, but the Nationals have been absolutely dominated the last couple of days.

[thewupk]

They haven't exactly played anyone good, but the Nationals have been absolutely dominated the last couple of days.

That's the Nats. Beat up on bad teams and struggle against anyone remotely good.

[thewupk]

Schafer made that look interesting.

[thewupk]

Nice game for Julio

[Runnin]

I like Julio's makeup.

[GovClintonTyree]

Julio is very lucky Chavez missed that slider/meatball.

[AerchAngel]

I like Julio's makeup.

#1 material?

[atl717]

Good game for Julio. Please don't send him back out for the 8th.

[thewupk]

Julio is very lucky Chavez missed that slider/meatball.

According to Chip, Julio hit his spot.

[GovClintonTyree]

According to Chip, Julio hit his spot.

Yeah, I heard him. Problem is, the pitch bisected the plate, belt high.

[thewupk]

Yeah, I heard him. Problem is, the pitch bisected the plate, belt high.

Yeah I was being sarcastic Chip has to be the worst play by play guy of all time.

[cajunrevenge]

Julio Aceran. I hope the Braves make a big move for Price or Samardzjia. If there is any proven formula for winning in the playoffs it is 2+ aces. At the least it should get us to the NLCS.

[GovClintonTyree]

Yeah I was being sarcastic Chip has to be the worst play by play guy of all time.

You think Skip Caray ever looked at Chip, shook his head, and said, "Son, when we get home I'm gonna punch your mama straight in the mouth."

[atl717]

Julio Aceran. I hope the Braves make a big move for Price or Samardzjia. If there is any proven formula for winning in the playoffs it is 2+ aces. At the least it should get us to the NLCS.

Yeah, Samardjiza is not even close to an ace. He's got a lucky ERA that will balloon. He's been a slightly better than average pitcher in his career. Someone will overpay for him, hopefully not us.

[TURBO]

Goldy scares me here.

[jsebe10]

What a stupid walk ...Look, either use him in the starting rotation or send him to Gwinnette

[bravesnumberone]

The Wood in the pen experiment needs to end. Go out and find a lefty reliever.

[jsebe10]

Yeah, Samardjiza is not even close to an ace. He's got a lucky ERA that will balloon. He's been a slightly better than average pitcher in his career. Someone will overpay for him, hopefully not us.

How does a pitcher have a "lucky ERA"? Dude has been a stud for the Cubs and they can't even score him some damn runs.

[thewupk]

What a stupid walk ...Look, either use him in the starting rotation or send him to Gwinnette

Or he needs to learn to get his head out of his ass and just pitch.

[bravesnumberone]

Wtf is Fredi doing? My God.

[Garmel]

Goldcshmidt just missed it.

[thewupk]

How does a pitcher have a "lucky ERA"? Dude has been a stud for the Cubs and they can't even score him some damn runs.

Well you can have a super low BABIP which means you have been lucky on balls in play. This year Jeff has been really good but he's no ace

[TURBO]

Why not let Simmons face Prado?

[thewupk]

Wtf is Fredi doing? My God.

pulling a LaRussa

[emk418]

Ok explain to me bringing in Simmons to face PG but pull him for prado? fredi fredi fredi

[bravesnumberone]

So he brings Kimbrel in the 8th but didn't bring him in to face one of the best hitters in baseball. The lulz.

[bravesnumberone]

That'll work.

[jsebe10]

Why didn't he do the double switch so Craig doesn't have to hit in the 9th?

[TURBO]

Why didn't he do the double switch so Craig doesn't have to hit in the 9th?

Pena is hitting ninth already.

[AerchAngel]

Funny that no one comment on Julio being a #1.

[nsacpi]

Why didn't he do the double switch so Craig doesn't have to hit in the 9th?

He did when Simmons came in. Pena is hitting 9th.

[nsacpi]

Ok explain to me bringing in Simmons to face PG but pull him for prado? fredi fredi fredi

I think the explanation has to do with being comfortable with Kimbrel going for 4 outs, but not 5 outs.

[The Chosen One]

What's Heyward's WRC+ now?

[Julio3000]

Just got back to the game.

So. Tommy La Stella likes the multi-hit games. Contra conventional wisdom, so does Jason Heyward, who is doing a reasonable impression of a phenomenal baseball player.

Also, still waiting for that massive JT regression.

[Runnin]

When Kimbrel is commanding that FB low in the zone you can fuggedaboutit.

[thewupk]

Pena bunt incoming

[AerchAngel]

Wally Pip strikes again!

[thewupk]

What's Heyward's WRC+ now?

107

[nsacpi]

Nice to see Schafer getting the bat going.

[Garmel]

Schafer is having quite a game for himself.

[Julio3000]

Also, has Jason ever not scored from 1st on a double? Standing, even?

[AerchAngel]

Just got back to the game.

So. Tommy La Stella likes the multi-hit games. Contra conventional wisdom, so does Jason Heyward, who is doing a reasonable impression of a phenomenal baseball player.

Also, still waiting for that massive JT regression.

No one will say he is a #1 because he doesn't strike out 10 a game but have a substantial ERA below those guys who do.

[jsebe10]

Pena is hitting ninth already.

Gotcha. Didn't realize he was in.

[The Chosen One]

107

So he's almost to 120... which would be excellent.

[bravesnumberone]

Hopefully this alien stays in Schafer's body. ****ing get the bunt down Pena.

[nsacpi]

Pena does his job.

[thewupk]

No one will say he is a #1 because he doesn't strike out 10 a game but have a substantial ERA below those guys who do.

No one is saying it because it's hard to maintain a .215 BABIP against all year.

[The Chosen One]

Dare I say... Heyward cares about baseball?

[UNCBlue012]

3 hit, 3 RBI game for Jason. Jeez...

[nsacpi]

Hey!

[thewupk]

Heybeast

[bravesnumberone]

If Heyward just keeps doing that he will be somebody.

[AerchAngel]

HEYBEAST

[jsebe10]

By far his best game of the year. Proud of him.

[AerchAngel]

Heybeast

pathetic man, you need to up it with CAPS. HEYBEAST!

[mossy]

Dare I say... Heyward cares about baseball?

You dirty, America hating, liberal!

That would be blasphemy.

[thewupk]

Dare I say... Heyward cares about baseball?

Almost. He almost cares.

[The Chosen One]

Tron just needs to bloop it into center and Heyward will score from 1st.

[UNCBlue012]

As I've said a million times, I like Schafer. Is he the ideal bench player? No. But, I love it when he starts.

[50PoundHead]

Following on Gameday, but it's nice to see Heyward hitting the ball the opposite way with authority.

[jason27nc]

So we are as close to having our best lineup in with Simmons batting 2nd and not Bj.

[AerchAngel]

No one is saying it because it's hard to maintain a .215 BABIP against all year.

so you are saying he is not a #1 and he is just a #2 that is lucky?

[thewupk]

pathetic man, you need to up it with CAPS. HEYBEAST!

Thanks I'll remember next time.

[Julio3000]

Gritty performance. Really grinding it out tonight.

[UNCBlue012]

What a catch for Parra! Dang. This is from a guy who has been way off defensively this year, surprisingly.

[The Chosen One]

So we are as close to having our best lineup in with Simmons batting 2nd and not Bj.

Simmons should not be hitting 2nd... too much GIDP potential. LaStella or Justin should be hitting 2nd... or even Heyward himself with TLS leading off.

[thewupk]

so you are saying he is not a #1 and he is just a #2 that is lucky?

To this point I would describe him as that.

[AerchAngel]

Parra is good.

But damn, Cahill has a stomach, almost like a lot of former closers we had over 20 years that had a marsupial pouches.

[The Chosen One]

Very disappointed Heyward didn't score from first there on that single.

[Julio3000]

To this point I would describe him as that.

He's not going to maintain his BABIP or his strand rate, or his sub-2.00 ERA. But he is damned good.

[AerchAngel]

To this point I would describe him as that.

Ah, consistency. I do agree there. He has that bulldog mentality potential though.

[atl717]

Julio has been a bit lucky, but he's getting more strikeouts now that offsets his luck on balls put in play. I definitely feel he's an ace.

[Julio3000]

Very disappointed Heyward didn't score from first there on that single.

If he loved baseball a little more . . .

[TURBO]

If somehow this inning gets to Kimbrel, he better be ordered to stand at very edge of box and not to swing at anything.

[The Chosen One]

LMAO... Parra already used his dive attempt for the inning.

[UNCBlue012]

5-2 :)

[CrimsonCowboy]

Couldn't have thrown that out there any better

[thewupk]

He's not going to maintain his BABIP or his strand rate, or his sub-2.00 ERA. But he is damned good.

I agree. And in my view #2 pitchers are damned good.

[mossy]

That play was sub-Parra.

[thewupk]

Ah, consistency. I do agree there. He has that bulldog mentality potential though.

I agree. And he's only 23.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Lets make history, Craig

[Runnin]

Now everybody has a hit.

[GovClintonTyree]

Dare I say... Heyward cares about baseball?

Nah. He doesn't give a ****. He'd rather be out hanging on the street with the boyz.

[thewupk]

Heyward is going to end the night with a WRC+ of 108 and likely adding points to his BSR total.

[atl717]

It's going to kill me when Heyward is playing for another team.

[thewupk]

Damn I miss Smoltzie.

[Julio3000]

I agree. And he's only 23.

Yep. I like everything about his game. His mentality on the mound, his head for the game, his apparent maturity, his athleticism. Amazing that he's only 23. And he's doing it without Gerald Laird's veteran leadership.

[thewupk]

It's going to kill me when Heyward is playing for another team.

I still think we retain him long term.

[UNCBlue012]

I want this:
1. Heyward RF
2. TLS 2B
3. Freeman 1B
4. JUP LF
5. Gattis C
6. BJ CF
7. CJoh 3B
8. Simba SS

[thewupk]

Yep. I like everything about his game. His mentality on the mound, his head for the game, his apparent maturity, his athleticism. Amazing that he's only 23. And he's doing it without Gerald Laird's veteran leadership.

It's hard to believe he's only 23 too since we've been hearing about him since he was 16.

[jsebe10]

And if course the Mariners are back to losing

[thewupk]

I want this:
1. Heyward RF
2. TLS 2B
3. Freeman 1B
4. JUP LF
5. Gattis C
6. BJ CF
7. CJoh 3B
8. Simba SS


I think you will see that sometime after the ASB. La Stella will need some time in the majors and having success before they move him to the #2 spot.

[UNCBlue012]

It's going to kill me when Heyward is playing for another team.

There's NO guarantee in that. We have a good chance to keep the guy... just give him a decent amount on a solid price. He's streaky and it kills me, but he's worth it.

[jsebe10]

I want this:
1. Heyward RF
2. TLS 2B
3. Freeman 1B
4. JUP LF
5. Gattis C
6. BJ CF
7. CJoh 3B
8. Simba SS


I guess I'm the only one who thinks Jason should be in a position to drive in runs.

[TURBO]

http://li.c-b.co/is/image/LandOfNod/Letter_Giant_Enough_W_234214_LL/$web_zoom$&wid=550&hei=550&/1308310656/not-giant-enough-letter-w.jpg

[CrimsonCowboy]

Craig Kimbrel: Atlanta Braves All Time Saves Leader
http://i.imgur.com/P6x0U.gif

[Julio3000]

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff511/poinsett/84235576-69a8-489e-8ff4-315329bf1804_zps7d5d95d7.jpg

[jsebe10]

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff511/poinsett/84235576-69a8-489e-8ff4-315329bf1804_zps7d5d95d7.jpg

Lol.

God I hate Chip.

[thewupk]

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Jason should be in a position to drive in runs.

I'd rather our best hitters get the most abs. No reason having a lesser hitter at #1 just to give Jason a chance to drive in runs.

[The Chosen One]

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Jason should be in a position to drive in runs.

If it were up to me...

TLS
Justin
Heyward
Freeman
Gattis
Simmons
BJ
CJ
Pitcher

[Julio3000]

Lol.

God I hate Chip.

His call on Jason's HR was epic. Sounded like he was gargling glass.

[bravesnumberone]

Remarkable how quickly Craig achieved the record.

[UNCBlue012]

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Jason should be in a position to drive in runs.

No, I do. BUT, he's hitting better in the leadoff spot than I've ever really seen him hit. I think he's hitting around .285 there since he was inserted last year... I don't want to see him go somewhere and slump. He's prone too it, so it's not unlikely.

[GovClintonTyree]

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Jason should be in a position to drive in runs.

No you're not.

LaStella
JUpton
Freeman
Gattis
Heyward
BUpton
Simmons
Johnson
P

[The Chosen One]

No you're not.

LaStella
JUpton
Freeman
Gattis
Heyward
BUpton
Simmons
Johnson
P

Considering Gattis is all or nothing, there wouldn't be any runs for Heyward to drive in hitting after Gattis.

[Runnin]

It's hard to believe he could break that record so quickly. Congrats to Craig Kimbrel, the best closer in Braves history.

[thewupk]

Heyward should not be hitting 5th. That's way too low for him.

Heyward
La Stella
Justin
Freeman
Gattis

That should be our top 5 if La Stella continues to be a plus hitter with BJ/Johnson/Simmons to round it out and slot them in depending on who's hitting the best at the moment.

[Garmel]

Lol.

God I hate Chip.

Doesn't everybody?

[UNCBlue012]

Considering Gattis is all or nothing, there wouldn't be any runs for Heyward to drive in hitting after Gattis.

If I were to move Jason and be CONFIDENT he wouldn't slump most of the time, i'd go:
LaStella
JUP
Freeman
Heyward
Gattis
CJoh
BJ
Simba

[GovClintonTyree]

His call on Jason's HR was epic. Sounded like he was gargling glass.

The late Skip Caray, quoting the late Buford T. Justice: Son, when we get home Ah'm gonna punch yo' mama straight in the mouth. Ain't NO WAY you are the fruit of my loins.

[GovClintonTyree]

Heyward should not be hitting 5th. That's way too low for him.

Heyward
La Stella
Justin
Freeman
Gattis

That should be our top 5 if La Stella continues to be a plus hitter with BJ/Johnson/Simmons to round it out and slot them in depending on who's hitting the best at the moment.

Well, I get what you're saying. But if I want to split lefties, and you know Fredi does, then 1-3-5 is the only way to do it. I think Freeman is a better hitter than Heyward, so he gets three. Though you could go the other way.

[AerchAngel]

His call on Jason's HR was epic. Sounded like he was gargling glass.

Uecker or Quaid from Major League?

[jsebe10]

How is Brian Jordan employed.

[thewupk]

Well, I get what you're saying. But if I want to split lefties, and you know Fredi does, then 1-3-5 is the only way to do it. I think Freeman is a better hitter than Heyward, so he gets three. Though you could go the other way.

I know Fredi loves switching the lefties but having them 1-2 isn't that big of a deal if he puts Freeman 4th. If late in the game a team puts in a tough lefty for Heyward and La Stella he would be removed for Justin. So if they wanted to go lefty again for Freeman he would not be seeing their best guy. As it stands now with him hitting 3rd that lefty likely stays in because BJ, Simmons, or whoever is 2nd isn't good enough, in most cases, for the lefty to be removed. Sure you could put Justin 2nd and I wouldn't be opposed to that but you would lose the effectiveness of La Stella's OBP higher in the lineup. And I wouldn't want La Stella #1 since that would likely regulate Heyward to 5th and I don't like him that low.

[GovClintonTyree]

How is Brian Jordan employed.

He's a nice enough guy, but you'd think they'd have quietly showed him the door after the first season. What is this, four years? And he still hasn't spoken a coherent sentence or uttered an original thought.

[GovClintonTyree]

I know Fredi loves switching the lefties but having them 1-2 isn't that big of a deal if he puts Freeman 4th. If late in the game a team puts in a tough lefty for Heyward and La Stella he would be removed for Justin. So if they wanted to go lefty again for Freeman he would not be seeing their best guy. As it stands now with him hitting 3rd that lefty likely stays in because BJ, Simmons, or whoever is 2nd isn't good enough, in most cases, for the lefty to be removed. Sure you could put Justin 2nd and I wouldn't be opposed to that but you would lose the effectiveness of La Stella's OBP higher in the lineup. And I wouldn't want La Stella #1 since that would likely regulate Heyward to 5th and I don't like him that low.

Ok. I'll go along with that. Whatever bunches our high OBP, which yours does better.

[CrimsonCowboy]

To those who don't like Chip Caray, remember, it could be worse: The Braves play-by-play guy could be Ken Harrelson or Michael Kay.

[Runnin]

By the way, Teheran is as close to being an ace as we're gonna get. We might as well enjoy him like one.

[zitothebrave]

No you're not.

LaStella
JUpton
Freeman
Gattis
Heyward
BUpton
Simmons
Johnson
P

You put our best baserunner in a position to be driven in by ghosts? If you move Jason off leadoff it's to 2 or 3 maybe 4. Not 5.

[NinersSBChamps]

Why are people still wanting to move Jason from the top of the order?

Jason
Tommy Gun
Freddie
Justin
Gattis
CJ
Simmons
Money Bags

[AerchAngel]

Why are people still wanting to move Jason from the top of the order?

Jason
Tommy Gun
Freddie
Justin
Gattis
CJ
Simmons
Money Bags

3 lefties in a row and 2 that have issues with them? You need a righty. Switch Freddie and JUp and move CJ to the 8th spot.

[thewupk]

Since May 11th Heyward has hit 348/423/511 for a WRC+ of 164.

In those 23 games he has reached base in 22 of them and has had an 11 game hitting streak and his current 10 game hitting streak. Only struck out 14.4% of the time.

[thethe]

I really hope we have money left in the checkbook to keep both Heyward/Upton.

[nsacpi]

I really hope we have money left in the checkbook to keep both Heyward/Upton.

That will be the real test of how much payroll is going up. To keep both we will need a payroll north of $140M, maybe 150M by 2017.

[thewupk]

I really hope we have money left in the checkbook to keep both Heyward/Upton.

One can only hope.

[thethe]

That will be the real test of how much payroll is going up. To keep both we will need a payroll north of $140M, maybe 150M by 2017.

And then there is Minor as well who seems to be as sure of a bet to stay healthy as it gets. Some really tough choices to make moving forward. If Liberty wants this team to go into Cobb County with the right vibe to generate monster revenues then they really need to open up the vault.

[thethe]

Heyward really seems to be going to the opposite field lately more often. Is that just observational bias? I am looking at some spray charts and don't really see a difference from last year.

[nsacpi]

Heyward really seems to be going to the opposite field lately more often. Is that just observational bias? I am looking at some spray charts and don't really see a difference from last year.

I think the sequence is teams were busting him inside earlier in the season, and he made an adjustment to handle those pitches. So the pitchers made an adjustment and starting pitching him outside more and he is handling that as well. But mainly the opposite field hits represent the fact they are pitching him that way lately.

[thethe]

So lets say you get the following contracts:

Upton 6 years 120 (only a 5M per year increase)
Heyward 8 years 180
Minor 6 years 96

Do those players sign those deals and can the Braves stay at 140M with those contracts?

[nsacpi]

So lets say you get the following contracts:

Upton 6 years 120 (only a 5M per year increase)
Heyward 8 years 180
Minor 6 years 96

Do those players sign those deals and can the Braves stay at 140M with those contracts?

Lets do the math. Per annum that works out to

Heyward 23M
Upton 20M
Minor 16M

Total of 59M

Let's look at the other obligations. Current contracts call for the following salaries in 2017

Freeman 21M
BJ 17M
CJ 9M
Kimbrel 13M
Teheran 6M
Simba 8M

Total from this group $74m

Total for the 9 players listed above: 133M

The remaining 16 will have some guys in their arb years like Gattis and Wood. Those guys will be making some money as well by then. So yeah a payroll over 150M will be needed to keep everyone together.

I think we can keep both Heyward and Justin with an overall payroll of less than 150M. But it would have to involve moving a couple of the players listed above.

[thethe]

Man, that CJ contract didn't make much sense...especially with Kubitza showing some life in AA.

I suppose you don't really want to tap out all of your reserves so you don't have any flexibility. I'd love to keep Minor but if we don't we just have to have faith in the farm system. I guess thats the best thing to do for the Braves is to lock up the hitters and trust the great develolpmental staff to churn out starting pitchers. It would really help if we could get a first round pick out of Santana next year.

[Heyward]

Lets do the math. Per annum that works out to

Heyward 23M
Upton 20M
Minor 16M

Total of 59M

Let's look at the other obligations. Current contracts call for the following salaries in 2017

Freeman 21M
BJ 17M
CJ 9M
Kimbrel 13M
Teheran 6M
Simba 8M

Total from this group $74m

Total for the 9 players listed above: 133M

The remaining 16 will have some guys in their arb years like Gattis and Wood. Those guys will be making some money as well by then. So yeah a payroll over 150M will be needed to keep everyone together.

I think we can keep both Heyward and Justin with an overall payroll of less than 150M. But it would have to involve moving a couple of the players listed above.

They might have to move CJ but having Heyward/JUp/FF/Simba/Kimbrel/Minor/Julio locked up would be incredible.

Not sure they can keep both JUp/Heyward and Minor though but no one really knows what the payroll will be going forward.

Although it takes two to tango.

[50PoundHead]

Man, that CJ contract didn't make much sense...especially with Kubitza showing some life in AA.

I suppose you don't really want to tap out all of your reserves so you don't have any flexibility. I'd love to keep Minor but if we don't we just have to have faith in the farm system. I guess thats the best thing to do for the Braves is to lock up the hitters and trust the great develolpmental staff to churn out starting pitchers. It would really help if we could get a first round pick out of Santana next year.

Kubitza may or not turn out to be a regular at the big league level, but that doesn't make the Johnson contract a good decision. Guys like Johnson are replaceable parts and he's got a better-than-market contract (at least in my view). One of the odd things about Fredi in Atlanta is that I seem to remember when he managed the Marlins, he moved guys around. It seems the approach here (except for the shuffling to replace Uggla) has been to trot the same guys out there every day. There's no reason that a solid third place platoon could be constructed that would be both more productive and less expensive than Johnson is going to be.

[yeezus]

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler 12h
I love Tommy La Stella's swing. So underrated.

[holden]

Heyward hates baseball.

[thethe]

I love that people continue to underrate the Braves recent prospects. So many people look so stupid on guys like Gattis/Simmons/Wood and soon to be TLs.

[nsacpi]

I love that people continue to underrate the Braves recent prospects. So many people look so stupid on guys like Gattis/Simmons/Wood and soon to be TLs.

Teheran too. There were a lot of doubters two years ago.

[thethe]

I'll never understand why people were down on Teheran. Guy destroyed AAA as a 20 year old. THat doesn't happen all that often.

[rico43]

I assume everyone heard Chip give the wrong score when they signed off last night (4-2!). That ought to lead to a benching or something.

[thewupk]

Heyward hates baseball.

Yeah. Imagine how good he would be if he cared even a little.

[yeezus]

I'll never understand why people were down on Teheran. Guy destroyed AAA as a 20 year old. THat doesn't happen all that often.

I think it was mostly a few things:
1) His K rate when he destroyed AAA wasn't that good.
2) The following year he really struggled between the majors and minors (albeit because he was working on new things, but still, it gave me pause).

You never know with pitching prospects, either. I was iffy on him a few years ago. After last he got on a roll last year though, he was nasty. And he's even better this year. Guy has absolutely everything to be a STUD. Told my buddy in work before the season started he'd finish top 5 in Cy Young this year, and that looks to be about correct.

[AerchAngel]

I assume everyone heard Chip give the wrong score when they signed off last night (4-2!). That ought to lead to a benching or something.

His late grandpa is rubbing off on him. May Harry Caray rest in peace, the one I enjoyed listening to when growing up via WGN.

[cajunrevenge]

Teheran too. There were a lot of doubters two years ago.

When you put up a 5 era your second time around AAA your going to see your stock plummet. Teheran was aggresively ranked every year before that. Every fan base thinks their prospects are underrated by the "experts". The only way to look smart as prospector is to not make projections and just talk in hindsight. Personally my favorite is Sickels at minorleagueball.com. he has done a good job of predicting the success of Beachy/Gattis/La Stella.

[Gary82]

I assume everyone heard Chip give the wrong score when they signed off last night (4-2!). That ought to lead to a benching or something.

Yeah, Brian Jordan can fill in for him.

[Gary82]

I'll never understand why people were down on Teheran. Guy destroyed AAA as a 20 year old. THat doesn't happen all that often.

You must have been in a coma the year he stunk up AAA. I wasn't ready to give up on him, but I was concerned about his potential.

[gilesfan]

The Braves tinkered with Teherans delivery and it destroyed his change up, rendering him completely incompetent vs lefties and also hurt his velocity. The concern was that if something didn't get done, he would never amount to much as a starter. Either Teheran gave up on the changes (which is what I think happened) or he figured out how to make the new delivery work with his change up.

[gilesfan]

I love that people continue to underrate the Braves recent prospects. So many people look so stupid on guys like Gattis/Simmons/Wood and soon to be TLs.


What did anybody say about Simmons? Was there a person alive that said he wasn't a great defender?

[gilesfan]

La Stella is doing what everyone would expect (except crazy high BaABIP at the moment). Singles hitter that doesn't strike out, no speed, no power, below average defense. This from fangraphs sums him up:

We know that Tommy La Stella has two thirds of what he needs in order to show a good batting average. But if you want to know his downside, look at Marco Scutaro. Scutaro is elite when it comes to contact, has good plate discipline, but his lack of power has kept his career batting average under .280.

For the Braves, a .280-hitting second baseman with patience would be an upgrade, no matter how much power or speed he has.

[thewupk]

La Stella is doing what everyone would expect (except crazy high BaABIP at the moment). Singles hitter that doesn't strike out, no speed, no power, below average defense. This from fangraphs sums him up:

We know that Tommy La Stella has two thirds of what he needs in order to show a good batting average. But if you want to know his downside, look at Marco Scutaro. Scutaro is elite when it comes to contact, has good plate discipline, but his lack of power has kept his career batting average under .280.

For the Braves, a .280-hitting second baseman with patience would be an upgrade, no matter how much power or speed he has.

It's going to depend on where La Stella levels out at in regards to his K rate. Scutaro isn't a bad comparison but for his career he has never had his K rate below 10% until the last 3 years. And during that time frame his average is 301. I think La Stella will walk more than Scutaro but the other comparisons are valid. He looks like he makes solid contact rate and if his K rate stays under 10 I think he will be close to a 300 hitter in the majors. If it creeps into the low teens he won't have the power to make up for it and his avg will slide into the 260-280 range.