Bullpen

[smootness]

They lavished big contracts on 30something players like Lee, Thomas, Papelbon, Rollins, Utley and Halladay. Those guys were significantly older than the ones we moved this off-season. Significant difference imo. We had the chance to keep one more relatively young hitter as part of our core. We're going to have to spend at some point for a power bat at third or corner outfield.

One, you don't know how good a chance we really had. Two, the FO obviously had a much better handle on this. The moves we made may signify what our chances were. Three, while I was all aboard the Heyward train and was ticked when we traded him, the longer he goes, the more he simply proves he's not worth a huge contract.

And four, arguing whether we could have re-signed Upton or Heyward and taken a slightly different approach is a reasonable argument. I would argue that if you're going to go one route, then go all-out, which is mostly what we did. But at least there is an argument there.

I do not think arguing that we should have avoided replenishing the farm system is a reasonable argument. Niners is arguing for the Phillies model. That's my issue with his argument.

[Braves1976]

MLBTR: "Right-hander David Aardsma has opted out of his minor league contract with the Dodgers and is now a free agent, MLBTR has learned (Twitter link). The veteran righty had a June 1 opt-out clause that triggered a 72-hour window for the Dodgers to place him on the 25-man roster, which expired today.

The 33-year-old Aardsma has pitched quite well for L.A.’s Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, working to an excellent 2.41 ERA with 11.1 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 and 15 saves in 18 2/3 innings. Aardsma recently explained to The Oklahoman’s Jacob Unruh that his offseason work in a strengthening program called Top Velocity helped him add a couple of ticks back to his fastball, which is now regularly sitting in the 91-93 mph range."

Braves should pick up Aardsma and Dana Eveland to improve the bullpen IMO.

PS: I'd also claim Justin Ruggiano who Seattle just DFA'd today if he hits waivers and falls to us. He is good vs lefties and could give us a replacement for Gomes down the road (esp. if we trade Gomes at the deadline).

[Carp]

They lavished big contracts on 30something players like Lee, Thomas, Papelbon, Rollins, Utley and Halladay. Those guys were significantly older than the ones we moved this off-season. Significant difference imo. We had the chance to keep one more relatively young hitter as part of our core. We're going to have to spend at some point for a power bat at third or corner outfield.

I question just how good of chance we had at keeping one of those hitters (aside from Gattis, who is limited both offensively and defensively). Heyward clearly had a price in mind and was fairly likely headed to FA. There was no inclination that Upton would have re-signed either. I dp agree that we will have to spend at some point however.

[Carp]

Also, bringing in Aardsma should be a no-brainer.

[Russ2dollas]

It's not punting for the sake of punting. It's 'punting' (in reality, it's not that, we're trying to find ways to do it) for the sake of of not reducing your future chances, where the team has more potential, for a year in which we are definitely better than expected but still unlikely to truly contend.

The A's last year were amazing for most of the season and looked like arguably the best team in baseball. And they went for it, and it backfired in a major way. And that was in a year in which they actually had a shot to win it all.

We are still a longshot to make the playoffs, much less win it all. There's too much chance involved in baseball. If we made some moves for RP, there's a decent chance Folty would fall off, or Maybin and Peterson would stop hitting, etc., and we could certainly win even less after the moves. So it's not smart.

agree.

not punting to punt.

improve the bp with waiver claims etc. Don't trade anything of value. They are relief pitchers, no way to predict performance unless you are getting a truly elite guy

[thethe]

I would hope nobody is advocating trading a significant piece for a reliever.

However, there are lower level prospects that are always intended to be currency in trades. Those are fungible prospects that will be replenished by the draft and international FA's.

[Chipper]

This bullpen has got to be approaching some sort of all time suckage right?

[cajunrevenge]

I think they should call up Wisler and Banuelos and piggyback starters. That will give the pen 2 games off out of every 5 games so the 3 we have that are decent can pitch in all the other games. Having to only pitch 3-4 innings would be a nice way to break them into the majors imo.

[Chipper]

Let's bring up anyone from AAA to replace these turds, they can't possibly be any worse.

[Heyward]

I wouldnt trade for one.

Just call this year a throwaway year and reload the pen next year with a few FA signings and some of the arms they've added through trades, etc.

Sucks though because they're easily in 1st with a decent pen.

[lwj10jr]

MLBTR: "Right-hander David Aardsma has opted out of his minor league contract with the Dodgers and is now a free agent, MLBTR has learned (Twitter link). The veteran righty had a June 1 opt-out clause that triggered a 72-hour window for the Dodgers to place him on the 25-man roster, which expired today.

The 33-year-old Aardsma has pitched quite well for L.A.’s Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, working to an excellent 2.41 ERA with 11.1 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 and 15 saves in 18 2/3 innings. Aardsma recently explained to The Oklahoman’s Jacob Unruh that his offseason work in a strengthening program called Top Velocity helped him add a couple of ticks back to his fastball, which is now regularly sitting in the 91-93 mph range."

Braves should pick up Aardsma and Dana Eveland to improve the bullpen IMO.

PS: I'd also claim Justin Ruggiano who Seattle just DFA'd today if he hits waivers and falls to us. He is good vs lefties and could give us a replacement for Gomes down the road (esp. if we trade Gomes at the deadline).

good calls

[NinersSBChamps]

Bullpen was scoreless today?