Changes Are A Coming...

[clvclv]

And sooner than many might think if the brass is serious about being competitive in 2017 (by any measure) IMO.

June:
Blair in the rotation
Simmons in the pen
Folty in the pen
Ruiz at 3B
Garcia in LF
Flowers regularly behind the plate

Trading Deadline:
One of Albies/Swanson called up
Norris gone one way or another, Jenkins in the rotation
Jim Johnson gone one way or another
Stubbs released, Mallex up for good even if he's only the 4th OF until someone's traded
Pierzynski traded if at all possible, Lalli or Lavarnway up as a true backup

[The Chosen One]

If Folty comes up I think it'd be as a starter not reliever.

[auyushu]

If Folty comes up I think it'd be as a starter not reliever.

Yeah, can't see them bringing him up as a reliever without him doing so in the minors for a bit. Or at least I hope they don't. Certainly hope we don't see Albies/Swanson up this year either, that would be rushing the hell out of them, and there is just zero reason to do that.

[zbhargrove]

And sooner than many might think if the brass is serious about being competitive in 2017 (by any measure) IMO.

June:
Blair in the rotation
Simmons in the pen
Folty in the pen
Ruiz at 3B
Garcia in LF
Flowers regularly behind the plate

Trading Deadline:
One of Albies/Swanson called up
Norris gone one way or another, Jenkins in the rotation
Jim Johnson gone one way or another
Stubbs released, Mallex up for good even if he's only the 4th OF until someone's traded
Pierzynski traded if at all possible, Lalli or Lavarnway up as a true backup

Good luck with all that happening. Doubt Jenkins will be in the rotation... He hasn't made the strides yet. His peripherals are terrible even if he has the potential.

[smootness]

There is a legitimate chance that the opening day major league roster includes Mallex, Swanson, Albies, Ruiz, Blair, Newcomb, and Sims next year.

[nsacpi]

There is a legitimate chance that the opening day major league roster includes Mallex, Swanson, Albies, Ruiz, Blair, Newcomb, and Sims next year.

I'd set the over/under at 3.

[The Chosen One]

I think it's better to call up pitchers a year earlier (after June) than position.

It's all moot were talking about adding an extra year if we can't afford them. If they're as great as projected then Dansby and Oz will get a lot of money in free agency and who knows how inflated MLB salaries will be by then.

[JohnAdcox]

I'd set the over/under at 3.

Over.

[Preacher]

I don't want Folty anywhere near the bullpen this year; his stuff is so good - we need to give him all the time in the world to see if he can translate to the majors. Its not like we're going to be in a pennant hunt this season and need to fortify the pen.

[Russ2dollas]

And sooner than many might think if the brass is serious about being competitive in 2017 (by any measure) IMO.

June:
Blair in the rotation
Simmons in the pen
Folty in the pen
Ruiz at 3B
Garcia in LF
Flowers regularly behind the plate

Trading Deadline:
One of Albies/Swanson called up
Norris gone one way or another, Jenkins in the rotation
Jim Johnson gone one way or another
Stubbs released, Mallex up for good even if he's only the 4th OF until someone's traded
Pierzynski traded if at all possible, Lalli or Lavarnway up as a true backup

Is simmons on track? I've heard nothing on him.

I think (and most think) that we could upgrade the team with Albies and Swanson. I'll let the team decide on service time. IMO they need to play this year if you plan on them being the major piece next year. If they are good, look to extend them before FA. IF they are good and do not want an extension then you trade them and we will cry about it on the board. Maybe Maiten is ready in 4-5 years and you get a big haul for albies or Swanson if they won't sign an extension.

Mallex and Inciarte on the same team makes no sense to me.

Folty is a starter unless by some miracle we are making a run and they need him there. This is Folty's year to either declare himself a starter or a reliever. I'm hoping starter and then trade to the Rockies.

I'm hopeful we can get some good assets in the trade market for some Aybar, Johnson, Norris, Chacin, Stubbs, Pierzynski, KJ, and Markakis. We have the money to pay their way this year, so that could maximize their value. I know some will laugh at those names (Aybar for ex) but this staff turned Alberto Cayaspo (spelling?) into useful pieces.

[clvclv]

Is simmons on track? I've heard nothing on him.

I think (and most think) that we could upgrade the team with Albies and Swanson. I'll let the team decide on service time. IMO they need to play this year if you plan on them being the major piece next year. If they are good, look to extend them before FA. IF they are good and do not want an extension then you trade them and we will cry about it on the board. Maybe Maiten is ready in 4-5 years and you get a big haul for albies or Swanson if they won't sign an extension.

Mallex and Inciarte on the same team makes no sense to me.

Folty is a starter unless by some miracle we are making a run and they need him there. This is Folty's year to either declare himself a starter or a reliever. I'm hoping starter and then trade to the Rockies.

I'm hopeful we can get some good assets in the trade market for some Aybar, Johnson, Norris, Chacin, Stubbs, Pierzynski, KJ, and Markakis. We have the money to pay their way this year, so that could maximize their value. I know some will laugh at those names (Aybar for ex) but this staff turned Alberto Cayaspo (spelling?) into useful pieces.

Purely a guess, but I'm assuming no news is good news - maybe rico might be able to investigate. His initial timeline was May, so June would allow plenty of time to take it slow with him if need be.

[rico43]

Purely a guess, but I'm assuming no news is good news - maybe rico might be able to investigate. His initial timeline was May, so June would allow plenty of time to take it slow with him if need be.

Generally, news does not flow from extended spring training, which is where Simmons is. The first annoncement we'll hear is when he is assigned a rehab start/appearance.

[dak]

Is simmons on track? I've heard nothing on him.

Mid-May is what they were saying in ST. No news since then. I could see them putting him on the 60-day DL at some point if they need to open a 40-man spot. That would mean he can't join the big club until first week of June.

[Julio3000]

Right now the thing I'm most excited about is that Ruiz is making such a good showing at Gwinnett.

For all of our massive prospect haul in the last 18 months, I was starting to feel pretty discouraged about the lack of position players who were close to the bigs. His margins would go along way towards turning that frown upside down.

[UNCBlue012]

Right now the thing I'm most excited about is that Ruiz is making such a good showing at Gwinnett.

For all of our massive prospect haul in the last 18 months, I was starting to feel pretty discouraged about the lack of position players who were close to the bigs. His margins would go along way towards turning that frown upside down.

Yeah, I was getting really bogged down in the Gattis trade. I loved our return, but I was afraid none of them would pan out. They still may not, BUT Ruiz looks much better. He's taking walks, getting big hits and finding ways to get on base. His defense looks much improved as well. He's a big guy in this lineup moving forward - him and Riley both... (or one for a trade if the other pans out)

[nsacpi]

Some data to ponder regarding Rio Ruiz:

Walk rate: 12.9% in 2015 and 8.0% in 2016

Strikeout rate: 19.2% in 2015 and 24.0% in 2016

BABIP: .288 in 2015 and .455 in 2016

[bravesfanMatt]

Some data to ponder regarding Rio Ruiz:

Walk rate: 12.9% in 2015 and 8.0% in 2016

Strikeout rate: 19.2% in 2015 and 24.0% in 2016

BABIP: .288 in 2015 and .455 in 2016

I see the point you are making.. just wouldn't get too caught up in comparing a full season to a small sample size. The numbers will normalize and we will see what we have... just nice he is hitting right now.

[nsacpi]

I see the point you are making.. just wouldn't get too caught up in comparing a full season to a small sample size. The numbers will normalize and we will see what we have... just nice he is hitting right now.

The thing is, it is this year's numbers that are more likely to be small sample flukes, especially the BABIP.

[jimsnores]

Some data to ponder regarding Rio Ruiz:

Walk rate: 12.9% in 2015 and 8.0% in 2016

Strikeout rate: 19.2% in 2015 and 24.0% in 2016

BABIP: .288 in 2015 and .455 in 2016

Uh oh.......

[UNCBlue012]

Some data to ponder regarding Rio Ruiz:

Walk rate: 12.9% in 2015 and 8.0% in 2016

Strikeout rate: 19.2% in 2015 and 24.0% in 2016

BABIP: .288 in 2015 and .455 in 2016

I'd be more interested if we have the second half numbers here. He may of been that meh in the second half last year, but I thought I remember him being pretty dang solid.

It's a sample size this year, so I do agree there, but his swing looks much better.