Spring Training 2015

[Braves1976]

I don't think there's any hypocrisy per se going on. They are just throwing a ton of stuff at the wall to see what sticks. It will be interesting to see if Russell garners any interest.

I find it comical that the person accusing the opposing side to his view hypocrites is a poster that recently got caught and called out for telling a story about Tommy La Stella. He was saying La Stella didn't look very comfortable at third base and cited one game where it turns out La Stella had zero chances and this was the only game he'd seen him play there. Now it is understandable to expect La Stella not to be good defensively at third. But to post saying he didn't look very comfortable there while citing a game that he had zero balls hit to him seems rather dishonest IMO.

That said, La Stella interestingly enough said he felt very comfortable at third. I found it equally funny they used the same words in the opposite direction.

PS: I am not saying I believe La Stella will turn out good at third.

[50PoundHead]

I find it comical that the person accusing the opposing side to his view hypocrites is a poster that recently got caught and called out for telling a story about Tommy La Stella. He was saying La Stella didn't look very comfortable at third base and cited one game where it turns out La Stella had zero chances and this was the only game he'd seen him play there. Now it is understandable to expect La Stella not to be good defensively at third. But to post saying he didn't look very comfortable there while citing a game that he had zero balls hit to him seems rather dishonest IMO.

That said, La Stella interestingly enough said he felt very comfortable at third. I found it equally funny they used the same words in the opposite direction.

PS: I am not saying I believe La Stella will turn out good at third.

? I don't think you are talking about me. I honestly don't know if La Stella can play 3B or not. Only thing I've ever said about the guy is that he wold project to be a good utility guy if he can and that scouting reports about him have always questioned his glove.

[Braves1976]

? I don't think you are talking about me. I honestly don't know if La Stella can play 3B or not. Only thing I've ever said about the guy is that he wold project to be a good utility guy if he can and that scouting reports about him have always questioned his glove.

No 50 I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about the person accusing the opposing side to his view hypocrites. I am surprised you'd even ask since I was responding to your post where you state: "I don't think there's any hypocrisy per se going on." I just responded to your post because I agree with what you said there.

[gilesfan]

The. Who are you talking about? He responded to me and I havent mentioned La Stella in months.

[clvclv]

You have used this argument multiple times during the past few months, and it legitimately hurts me because it lacks logic on such a crucial level.

If this were true then Frank Wren would have a job. So would your man Jim Bowden. And countless scouts, cross-checkers, and number-crunchers.

Baseball officials make mistakes.

Absolutely no question about it.

You can't see the logic? Name one poster on this message board that currently is working or ever has worked in personnel for an MLB organization.

We're all just a bunch of armchair QBs here - some of you just don't want to admit it.

[Braves1976]

The. Who are you talking about? He responded to me and I havent mentioned La Stella in months.

http://www.chopcountry.com/forums/sh...404#post200404

If you're asking me who I was talking about, see this post and the discussion on the topic at the page as it is what I was alluding to.

[Hawk]

You can't see the logic? Name one poster on this message board that currently is working or ever has worked in personnel for an MLB organization.

We're all just a bunch of armchair QBs here - some of you just don't want to admit it.

FFS!

I give up.

[50PoundHead]

No 50 I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about the person accusing the opposing side to his view hypocrites. I am surprised you'd even ask since I was responding to your post where you state: "I don't think there's any hypocrisy per se going on." I just responded to your post because I agree with what you said there.

NP.

[Hawk]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...ZwI/story.html

Nick Cafardo with two interesting bits of information:

- Uggla has an April 1 opt-out of his minor league deal, but his .323 average, two home runs, six RBIs, and 1.042 OPS in 31 at-bats is giving Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo something to think about. Uggla is proving that his stroke is back after offseason treatment to restore his balance after suffering previously undetected concussions. The problem now, is roster space. The Nationals have Yunel Escobar, who can fill in at third or play second while Anthony Rendon is out. Or the Nationals could keep Ian Stewart, who can play third base. The Angels, Braves, Orioles, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Padres, and Rays could justify bringing Uggla aboard.

- Those in the organization insist they will not entertain a deal for Kimbrel. But if it’s the trading deadline and you’re in last place or close to it, a few executives predict a change of (John) Hart. The Braves are really of the mind that 2017 is their relaunch, so why the need for a closer?

[dak]

It's gonna be an interesting week on the roster management front.

Once Winkler is inevitably placed on the 60-day DL, we'll have 3 open spots on the 40-man. The way I see it, we have 3 NRI locks to make the 25-man roster, barring trade: Wandy, Stults, and EY Jr. So that takes us with a full roster.

Depending on how the competition shakes out for the two backup OF roles and 3 open bullpen roles, we might need to clear as many as 5 additional roster spots via trade or DFA. It's long past time to start worrying if your Juan Jaime, Ian Thomas, or Elmer Reyes. If we have to clear any more than three spots, we might be delving into guys that have a little trade value.

[Braves1976]

It's gonna be an interesting week on the roster management front.

Once Winkler is inevitably placed on the 60-day DL, we'll have 3 open spots on the 40-man. The way I see it, we have 3 NRI locks to make the 25-man roster, barring trade: Wandy, Stults, and EY Jr. So that takes us with a full roster.

Depending on how the competition shakes out for the two backup OF roles and 3 open bullpen roles, we might need to clear as many as 5 additional roster spots via trade or DFA. It's long past time to start worrying if your Juan Jaime, Ian Thomas, or Elmer Reyes. If we have to clear any more than three spots, we might be delving into guys that have a little trade value.

I am not sure why Jaime is still around after all those we've dropped and released already. I agree all three could be DFA'd but I hope Thomas isn't. Further, Thomas is just getting back after missing most of last year due to injury (listen to his interview with Bill Shanks for all the details). But I still expect him to be good again as long as that's behind him this year so I don't want to lose him.

[Carp]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...ZwI/story.html

Nick Cafardo with two interesting bits of information:

- Uggla has an April 1 opt-out of his minor league deal, but his .323 average, two home runs, six RBIs, and 1.042 OPS in 31 at-bats is giving Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo something to think about. Uggla is proving that his stroke is back after offseason treatment to restore his balance after suffering previously undetected concussions. The problem now, is roster space. The Nationals have Yunel Escobar, who can fill in at third or play second while Anthony Rendon is out. Or the Nationals could keep Ian Stewart, who can play third base. The Angels, Braves, Orioles, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Padres, and Rays could justify bringing Uggla aboard.

- Those in the organization insist they will not entertain a deal for Kimbrel. But if it’s the trading deadline and you’re in last place or close to it, a few executives predict a change of (John) Hart. The Braves are really of the mind that 2017 is their relaunch, so why the need for a closer?

Speaking to the Kimbrel part, we will in fact need a good closer in 2017, if that is our timeline for competing. And if we trade Kimbrel and we don't develop a reliable replacement during that time, won't we just have to spend the same amount of money/prospects to acquire a reliable closer? Seems counter productive to me.

We have the money to keep Kimbrel and I don't think he brings back as much in a trade as people would love to think. Might as well keep him.

[dak]

Kohn is gone . . . to minor league camp.

@KevinMcAlpin
#Braves continue to trim roster: RHP Michael Kohn has been reassigned.

[Runnin]

Speaking to the Kimbrel part, we will in fact need a good closer in 2017, if that is our timeline for competing. And if we trade Kimbrel and we don't develop a reliable replacement during that time, won't we just have to spend the same amount of money/prospects to acquire a reliable closer? Seems counter productive to me.

We have the money to keep Kimbrel and I don't think he brings back as much in a trade as people would love to think. Might as well keep him.

But what are the odds that Kimbrel is still a reliable closer in '17? If he remains dominant this year he'll start approaching real greatest and you have to try and keep him.

[sturg33]

Speaking to the Kimbrel part, we will in fact need a good closer in 2017, if that is our timeline for competing. And if we trade Kimbrel and we don't develop a reliable replacement during that time, won't we just have to spend the same amount of money/prospects to acquire a reliable closer? Seems counter productive to me.

We have the money to keep Kimbrel and I don't think he brings back as much in a trade as people would love to think. Might as well keep him.

Relief pitchers are the easiest things to replace

[GovClintonTyree]

I can see why people think Miller is going to turn it around and do well. He has good velocity and a decent curve. But, Roger is gonna have to do some serious fixing if Miller is going to have a good year this year. Despite his velocity, Miller does not miss bats. The positive is hes a flyball pitcher in a park that is difficult to hit homers.

FIP is an extremely good predictive measure. So either miller will have to improve his ratios or pray that he can somehow outpitch them.

I do feel somewhat optimistic if Miller has anything, Roger will find it.

Oh my God. Here's an example of Statheads Gone Wild.

Look, as much as you want to, you cannot always use past results as a predictor of the future. Miller has a great fastball and a spectacular curveball, but didn't have a reliable third pitch first half of last year. As a result, he started getting lit up.

But he's not a finished product. Masterson couldn't get anybody out with the Cards last year, but he did teach Miller his sinker. Second half, Miller was far more efficient and effective.

So I don't give a **** what FIP says, I would bet the farm this guy is going to be money for us.

[yeezus]

Relief pitchers are the easiest things to replace

closers as dominant as kimbrel are far from easy to replace.

[weso1]

I don't think we'd get as much for Kimbrel as some are thinking. The only reason to trade him is if Hart needs more cash to work with. Late relief pitcher has to be the deepest position in baseball right now relative to need.

[MadduxFanII]

Vizcaino down to minor league camp as well.

EDIT: Actually, DOB just says he was "optioned to Triple-A," whatever the meaningful difference is between those two things right now.

[gilesfan]

Oh my God. Here's an example of Statheads Gone Wild.

Look, as much as you want to, you cannot always use past results as a predictor of the future. Miller has a great fastball and a spectacular curveball, but didn't have a reliable third pitch first half of last year. As a result, he started getting lit up.

But he's not a finished product. Masterson couldn't get anybody out with the Cards last year, but he did teach Miller his sinker. Second half, Miller was far more efficient and effective.

So I don't give a **** what FIP says, I would bet the farm this guy is going to be money for us.

There are certainly some encouraging signs from his second half but partially due to luck.

2nd half he increased his K rate and lowered his walk rate. Unfortunately homers went up despite his new and improved sinker.

FIP first half 4.77; 2nd half 4.20
xFIP first half 4.81; 2nd half 3.98

For some reason Shelby Miller has become a very polarizing pitcher. Ask Cardinal fans about him; there are still some that hold out hope for him bc of prospect ratings and a high velocity fastball.