Simmons and Peraza the future SS/2B double play combo for the Braves?
Still can't figure out why people think Pastornicky can ever be a productive starter
How much am I smiling about this one?
Yeah, that's about right.
Love this contract.
Cost certainty.
His D helps us in regards to signing (draft, FA, etc) pitchers and 3rd baseman. With Simmons we can afford to go for a little more bat over D at 3B. Also a little more bat over arm in LF and CF.
I hope that getting paid means that he won't try too hard for the traditional hit stats to make money (HR). We need some high OBP guys. I'd love to see him walk more and hit for avg over power.
This has got to help us in the international market (Tehran too). Shows if you pick the braves and perform that they'll pay you and pay you early.
If he hits he could be a better option at second than La Stella in the future. Pastornicky's defense is only a problem at short (and much of that is due to his arm). He actually has been good defensively at second, he should have a positive DRS there (and does so far at 1 DRS in only 43 Major league innings). He has played a lot more of second in the minors and I liked what I saw. I've never liked him at short though, he is a really bad shortstop. He doesn't really have the arm for short, IMO. Further, La Stella should hit in the Majors but I doubt he's even as good at second defensively as Pastornicky.
That said, I expect Peraza to be better than both once he's ready. Peraza and Simmons should make a great double play combo.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
AUTiger7222 (02-24-2014)
Most of the people unabashedly high on LaStella will reluctantly admit to never having seen him play, which is a thought worth pondering.
I think LaStella's position within the organization is parallel to what Mark DeRosa's was ... he's at the top of the pecking order but is probably only going to get a shot (this season) if there's an injury or demotion. That's not a reflection of his talent, but rather the way the organization has traditionally handled players that are in the same type of flux as TLS.
Knucksie (02-24-2014)
I've seen him play. More than once as well.
The thing with Tommy is that he's not gonna blow anyone away with any particular skillset. I think Chris Johnson is similar, except TLS has a way better eye which is why he walks more and Ks less.
Because he doesn't have anything that pops, like power, speed or glove, the Braves are content to see if they have anything with Uggla. Uggla has insane power if he starts hitting again the Braves have a great 2B. They're gonna rule that out before bringing up TLS. TLS has no rush to get to the majors in all honesty.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
Well, LaStella is not exactly a spring chicken -- especially if he spends another full season at AAA while the Braves give Uggla a few more spins in the wheel. Plus, what more does he really have to prove in the minors, except perhaps becoming a better defender (some say he's adequate enough as it is -- I haven't seen him play regularly in a year).
If the Braves are indeed players for Aledmys Diaz I think we have a strong indication on how the organization intends on utilizing TLS.
The whole situation is unfortunate, because I think he's got more by the way of skills than Pastornicky had when Atlanta handed him a middle-infield position a few years ago.
Last edited by Hawk; 02-24-2014 at 10:35 AM.
AUTiger7222 (02-24-2014)
He's not young, but he has all kinds of service time before being needed on the 40 so being patient with our 2B options can let us sort out who to get rid of.
Uggla hits then we won't need to worry about TLS. If he doesn't we have TLS ready to step in.
Also as far as Diaz, I see him as more of a replacement for Johnson. I think Peraza is our long term 2B. Even if Diaz starts at 2B in 2014 I think he's long termed to 3B. JMO. Though I think if we sign him he'll spend the year in AAA bulking up and learning 3B. Speculation on my behalf of course, but considering the report on him is basically "raw" I doubt he starts the year in the majors or even sees the majors before July.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
Interesting. ZiPS projections for Dan Uggla:
.218/.321/.407/.728, 104 wRC+, 23 HR with 560 plate appearances.