The Reverse Pennant Chase

[CK86]

Not is it only on the extreme side of things, teams competing for playoff positions could argue that the Braves were throwing games and would most certainly bring down the wrath of the commissioner. You would likely have fires, draft picks lost(!) and a probable hearing on whether or not suspensions would be in order.
In other words, you don't know a dam thing about how major league baseball works.

I was unable to find any previous instance of this happening despite two very recent examples of tanking in the Astros and the Cubs. Given their recent successes, I favor that approach.

Couple articles below speak more eloquently to the benefit of why I'm in favor of tanking.

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2016/2/3...ls-mlb-tanking

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tanki...ave-a-problem/

Agree to disagree, it's cool.

[CK86]

And JT could have gotten on a boat and killed himself on his day off. I know that is a horrible thing to say, but to not play a guy because of injury risk is a bad argument. What message do you send to your players/fans/and league by wrapping up any talent in bubble wrap and storing them for the winter in hopes of bettering a draft position. And when do you start this.. July? August? September? I mean we were out of the playoff hunt in June.. should we have just brought up Gwinnett to finish the season?

My message would be that we're serious about competing next season and hope to have everyone healthy when the season starts.

In the event that the team wasn't going to make the playoffs, I would start strategically resting guys in late August and then gradually shut guys down as the season winds down.

[SJ24]

Phillies- 38-64 (.373)
Giants- 40-66 (.377)
White Sox- 40-62 (.392)
Reds- 42-63 (.400)
Athletics- 46-59 (.438)
Padres- 47-58 (.448)
Tigers- 47-56 (.456)
Braves- 48-55 (.466)
Mets- 48-55 (.466)
Blue Jays- 49-56 (.467)
Marlins- 49-54 (.476)

If we are going to make a run at this, this Phillies series seems like the turning point.

3-game set with LA starts Tuesday.

[Carp]

Very doubtful we end up with a top 7 or 8 pick barring injuries or trades of guys like Flowers, Phillips, JT, etc.

[SJ24]

Very doubtful we end up with a top 7 or 8 pick barring injuries or trades of guys like Flowers, Phillips, JT, etc.

Wow. Dashing my dreams.

We are 8th right now, so I'm going to choose to keep the faith that this Phillies series shows we are about to spontaneously combust.

[bravesfanMatt]

Wow. Dashing my dreams.

We are 8th right now, so I'm going to choose to keep the faith that this Phillies series shows we are about to spontaneously combust.

I think this Faillies series is the epitome of unlucky hitting. I am not saying we are great or anything.. but to leave that many guys on base is just untimely and unfortunate. As long as our starters don't crap the bed, we should finish 10th or higher.

[SJ24]

Phillies- 39-65 (.375)
Giants- 41-67 (.380)
White Sox- 41-63 (.394)
Reds- 43-63 (.406)
Athletics- 47-60 (.439)
Padres- 48-58 (.453)
Tigers- 48-57 (.457)
Braves- 48-57 (.457)


Tied for 7th.

[bravesfanMatt]

I think the best we can hope for is the Athletic's spot.

[CK86]

Just tank baby!

[SJ24]

I think the best we can hope for is the Athletic's spot.

5th-7th is about where I'd expect Seth Beer or Joe Gray to go.

Turang and Kumar will go 1-2, IMO. Brady Singer probably top 5.

[sturg33]

If we finish the year at our current win pace (74), how do we realistically add 15 wins to the team to be able to contend? I think 2020 is the most realistic target for being dangerous

[SJ24]

Beer in LF would be very intriguing, and although I love Kumar, the risk is considerably higher.

How does this look?:

C- Flowers
1B- Freddie
2B- Ozzie
SS- Dansby
3B- ? Maitan will be here eventually
LF- Beer
CF- Inciarte
RF- Acuna


That's really, really good, IMO, if Ozzie, Dansby, and Acuna live up to the hype.

[SJ24]

If we finish the year at our current win pace (74), how do we realistically add 15 wins to the team to be able to contend? I think 2020 is the most realistic target for being dangerous

Ronald, Ozzie, and an improved Dansby.

[zbhargrove]

Ronald, Ozzie, and an improved Dansby.

Also, hopefully an upgraded LF/3B and rotation/bullpen

[sturg33]

Ronald, Ozzie, and an improved Dansby.

+5 wins each???

[SJ24]

Seth Beer freshman year: .369 avg, .352 BABIP, 18 HR, 21.8% BB%, 9.5% K%.

Seth Beer sophomore year: .298 avg, .288 BABIP, 16 HR, 21.4% BB%, 11.7% K%.

He's not going to go 1-1, especially with a guy like Turang on the board, because he's strictly a corner guy.

[SJ24]

+5 wins each???

Ronald: 8-10 (high end if he reaches his potential)
Ozzie: 3-4
Dansby: 2

[sturg33]

Ronald: 8-10 (high end if he reaches his potential)
Ozzie: 3-4
Dansby: 2

Can't tell if serious. But you've lost your mind if you are

[Preacher]

If we finish the year at our current win pace (74), how do we realistically add 15 wins to the team to be able to contend? I think 2020 is the most realistic target for being dangerous

Gotta find a solution at 3rd. I don't think there's anything internal there to solve that issue for a few years.

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

+5 wins each???

We add a win by removing Bonifacio. Prolly another one or two by removing Colon.