Runnin (08-14-2015)
Swisher is a good guy to keep on the bench during a rebuild season. I wouldn't worry about him until the 2016 deadline at the earliest.
A little late tonight because I was at the local minor league game, which the M-Braves were playing.
Chopping With The Braves And Rolling With The Tide
The back end of the bullpen could be very interesting next year. Viz will be back, but there is a possibility that Folty will eventually find his way to the pen. I also think Tyrell Jenkins's future may be as a 8th inning guy at the back end of the bullpen. Chris Withrow and Paco Rodriguez are other back end options. Matt Marksberry could end up being a LOOGY. Shae Simmons will be back as well. The pen could very well go from a tremendous weakness to a potential strength in 2016.
Vizcaino and Simmons are gonna be solid back end guys. Withrow has a career (2 years) era of 2.73. Rodriguez has a career (4 years) era of 2.53. That's 4 solid guys. Marksberry, maybe detwiler, mckirahan, and perhaps folty or banuelos can round out what could be a solid bullpen.
Starting staff...
Like miller and Teheran at the top. After that we've got a lot of question marks IMO. I do think Perez, wisler, banuelos, folty, and Jenkins have potential, but hardly locks right now
Every starter in the minors is a potential candidate for the major league pen. As a matter of fact, most major league relievers were starters in the minors.
It shouldn't be a surprise at this point since our bullpen is projected to be much better next year and our rotation weaker after trading Wood. Plus as nsacpi notes a lot of the starters in the minors are bullpen options too (and we do have some good ones to choose from). Further, I would actually have concerns about our rotation next year unless we at least add someone like a Kazmir to it.
thethe (08-15-2015)
Looking at what we currently have at the major league level and upper minors, I'm comfortable with Miller, Teheran and Wisler in the rotation. I think we will have to go out and get two starters from outside the system. Maybe there will be a pleasant surprise or two from the guys who have pitched in the majors, AAA and AA this year. But for them to become a reliable major league starting pitcher by 2017 would take a positive surprise (their developing into something better than their current most likely projection). And we have to cross our fingers regarding injury/regression from Miller, Teheran and Wisler.
The good news though is there is a glut of starting pitching on this year's FA market. With some patience we can get one or two bargains.
He would make something close to the 5.6M he is making this year if offered arbitration. I would offer it to him. It is like a one year deal with an option. The price is not bad in today's market. Of course, the team has a lot more information about the prognosis for his surgically-repaired shoulder. But if it is favorable, it makes sense to keep him.
Braves1976 (08-15-2015)