*OPENING DAY* 4/6/'15: Atlanta Braves (Teheran) @ Miami Marlins

[sturg33]

I'm not sure there is a dumber manager in baseball. Definitely not one with over 1k games.

I'm quite sure.

There isn't

[Dalyn]

I'm quite sure.

There isn't

Wren wanted to fire him, so the Braves think he's worth keeping.

[Braves1976]

I'm more upset Simmons is batting 8th. That's setting him up to fail, he's one of the hitters we really need to develop. Don't put him down there, that's where Callaspo should be.

I am not happy about that either, I thought after his great ST he'd at least hit 7th. Oh well.

[jpx7]

Wren wanted to fire him, so the Braves think he's worth keeping.

[gilesfan]

I'm more upset Simmons is batting 8th. That's setting him up to fail, he's one of the hitters we really need to develop. Don't put him down there, that's where Callaspo should be.

Simmons just isn't a good hitter. Pencil him 7th and let him play defense.

[Hawk]

Hawk:

It is official, Maybin will not be starting for us:

@mlbbowman · 8m 8 minutes ago
Fredi says Maybin will see some time vs. left-handed starters and be used as a late-inning def. replacement, which would shift EY to left

Maybin is indisputably the superior talent. He could actually be extremely productive for the Braves at a reasonable cost given the opportunity. Eric Young is a nice little bench piece, but he's not starting material -- especially not in CF.

Maybe the Braves believe this type of role will motivate Maybin. He came into San Diego camp and proclaimed himself the most athletic outfielder on the team (legitimately believing that he had a chance to beat out somebody [Kemp/Myers/JUpton] for a starting role), and backed it up with a pretty solid showing ... seems like a pretty driven guy from what little I've read in the past 24 hours.

Some of the nags relate to his drug related suspensions (adderall?) and perceived laziness.

[bravesnumberone]

It's not too late to scrap Fredi.

[thethe]

Simmons just isn't a good hitter. Pencil him 7th and let him play defense.

Doesn't matter if he isn't a good hitter. He is one of the core players. Best to get him as many AB's as possible. Especially over guys that won't be here in a year from now. Just stupid.

[bravesnumberone]

Maybin is indisputably the superior talent. He could actually be extremely productive for the Braves at a reasonable cost given the opportunity. Eric Young is a nice little bench piece, but he's not starting material -- especially not in CF.

Maybe the Braves believe this type of role will motivate Maybin. He came into San Diego camp and proclaimed himself the most athletic outfielder on the team (legitimately believing that he had a chance to beat out somebody [Kemp/Myers/JUpton] for a starting role), and backed it up with a pretty solid showing ... seems like a pretty driven guy from what little I've read in the past 24 hours.

Some of the nags relate to his drug related suspensions (adderall?) and perceived laziness.

I have reason to believe Bill Shanks wonders if he even loves baseball.

[MadduxFanII]

We really are benching Maybin for Eric Young, Jr. Jesus Christ, this is incredible. It's like the organization (or just Fredi) made a conscious decision to wipe out 1600 career Major League plate appearances because Young had a nice spring.

This isn't something a bad organization does- it's something a parody of a bad organization does.

[bravesnumberone]

We really are benching Maybin for Eric Young, Jr. Jesus Christ, this is incredible. It's like the organization (or just Fredi) made a conscious decision to wipe out 1600 career Major League plate appearances because Young had a nice spring.

This isn't something a bad organization does- it's something a parody of a bad organization does.

I thought we were trying to be as bad as possible. The dumbest move here is the best hitter by a mile not getting a guaranteed plate appearance in the first inning.

[Braves1976]

It's like the organization (or just Fredi) made a conscious decision to wipe out 1600 career Major League plate appearances because Young had a nice spring.

This isn't something a bad organization does- it's something a parody of a bad organization does.

Yep.

[Dalyn]

Kimbrel equaled Grilli's career saves total in just 2013.

[Braves1976]

I thought we were trying to be as bad as possible. The dumbest move here is the best hitter by a mile not getting a guaranteed plate appearance in the first inning.

Fredi could make all the right moves and this team would be plenty bad. Probably not Philly bad either way, but still protected draft pick bad.

I cannot get over how bad our bullpen is now after being such a strength. Thankfully we shouldn't have too many leads for it the blow.

[MadduxFanII]

And it's not as though Maybin is a superstar or anything, but:

1. He's younger than Young,
2. He's a legit center fielder, and Young is not,
3. He has more talent than Young
4. He's making real money, and Young is not.
5. He's almost certainly better than Young.

There's a chance, however small, that Maybin can be a contributor in 2017 when we open the park. There's no chance whatsoever that Young will be on that team.

[MadduxFanII]

1. He's younger than Young,

Though I suppose I can see how this might confuse Fredi.

[Hawk]

So Maybin is going to be my soapbox bitch from now until he receives legitimate playing time.

[Braves1976]

And it's not as though Maybin is a superstar or anything, but:

1. He's younger than Young,
2. He's a legit center fielder, and Young is not,
3. He has more talent than Young
4. He's making real money, and Young is not.
5. He's almost certainly better than Young.

There's a chance, however small, that Maybin can be a contributor in 2017 when we open the park. There's no chance whatsoever that Young will be on that team.

Exactly. Maybin has speed to steal bases too. He's also a very good centerfielder, not just average but very good. Defense matters more up the middle (SS & CF especially).

[Dalyn]

So Maybin is going to be my soapbox bitch from now until he receives legitimate playing time.

Gosselin is still the CF backup.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Always an appropriate day to play this: