Around Baseball

[thethe]

I wonder how much money it would have been to keep Huddy. Guy has been amazing so far this year.

[NinersSBChamps]

I wonder how much money it would have been to keep Huddy. Guy has been amazing so far this year.

From that interview they did with him during a game, it sounded like the team didn't want him any longer.

[cajunrevenge]

And that's probably how he feels. Even more after seeing Ervin Santana get 14 million. I think they offered Hudson 1 year 5 mill with some incentives. The real mistake was not getting a draft pick from it.

[thethe]

Great article about how the Nats all of a sudden don't look to have that promising of a future. I think it does a great job showing that just maybe the Braves/Marlins are better teams:

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/po...valry-heats-up

[UNCBlue012]

I wonder how much money it would have been to keep Huddy. Guy has been amazing so far this year.

I've said several times that I would of spent more money on him to keep him for his veteran presence and leadership with this team alone. I had NO idea he'd be this good, but he's the kind of guy that we needed to hold onto in my opinion. Either way, good for him this year. He's having maybe the best year of his career SO FAR.

[Tapate50]

Great article about how the Nats all of a sudden don't look to have that promising of a future. I think it does a great job showing that just maybe the Braves/Marlins are better teams:

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/po...valry-heats-up

Good read. Thanks for posting.

[gilesfan]

Great article about how the Nats all of a sudden don't look to have that promising of a future. I think it does a great job showing that just maybe the Braves/Marlins are better teams:

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/po...valry-heats-up

Should be a good race. I thought maybe 3 team race until Jose went down, which is a big blow. Fangraphs shows the following odds: http://www.fangraphs.com/coolstandings.aspx

The Nats needed the starters to really step up with Harper, Ramos, Laroche, Zimmerman injured, but while their peripherals were good (2.45, 3.28, 3.50), it didn't translate to ERA (3.15, 4.07, 4.62) Pythag has Nats 29-26 and Braves 29-27......this could really go down to the last month.

Sounds like Zimmerman is back this week, but Harper is a ways away. Both with hand/thumb injuries so could be a tough rest of the year for them with the bat.

[thethe]

It should be a battle that lasts into September. We can only hope that TLS provides a spark (350/370 OBP/SLG) and that Beej slowly becomes relevant.

As a Brave fan I'm crazy excited that Heyward looks like he is rounding into form. As he goes we go but to lengthen the lineup with a high OBP guy like TLS can really put us over the top as a division winner.

I'm also excited to see what kind of impact Simmons can have. We have seen with relief pitchers in the past that they can dominate quickly (Kimbrel/Venters/Betances/etc...). If Simmons can be a shutdown 8th inning man and lets face it, that is what his minor league career indicates, then we have the makings of another 90+ win team.

But even further, I think it really shows just how promising the future is for the Braves. The core is so young and for the most part under control. Continued production out of Gattis/Lastella can really solidfy the future.

[gilesfan]

Simmons would be a great addition for us if he can do well. (and lessens the need to trade for a set up man) I'm not a big fan of Carpenter.

[jpx7]

and that Beej slowly becomes relevant.

Melvin hit .219/.300/.385 across 111 PA in May; that's honestly not that far from what I think would represent a good year-end line for him, all things considered. If he could bring his slugging up to .425-.450 range and reach base—whether through improved batting-average or more walks—closer to a .325 rate, then the Braves would have the ~.750 OPS CF they thought they were signing.

He's not there yet, and there's obviously no guarantee his production will continue to ascend, but at the very least May already was a month of Bossman Junior "slowly becom[ing] relevant."

[thethe]

Simmons would be a great addition for us if he can do well. (and lessens the need to trade for a set up man) I'm not a big fan of Carpenter.

I think Carpenter is fine. Not the ideal 8th inning man but you slide him over to the 7th inning (and even earlier when Walden is healthy if that ever happens) then it looks great.

[thethe]

Melvin hit .219/.300/.385 across 111 PA in May; that's honestly not that far from what I think would represent a good year-end line for him, all things considered. If he could bring his slugging up to .425-.450 range and reach base—whether thought improved batting-average or more walks—closer to a .325 rate, then the Braves would have the ~.750 OPS CF they thought they were signing.

He's not there yet, and there's obviously no guarantee his production will continue to ascend, but at the very least May already was a month of Bossman Junior "slowly becom[ing] relevant."

I always see things through a biased eye but to me it seems that BJ was crazy unlucky for a 2-3 week stretch as well hitting balls real hard right at guys. I'm encouraged about his future. I feel like his athleticism will last throughout the contract.

[Dalyn]

Not only did we let Hudson go, we didn't adequately replace him until Medlen and Beachy went down. It was a ridiculous situation to be in.

[gilesfan]

I was big proponent of letting Huddy walk.

Def. looking like a dumb view by me. THough pitching in SF does help.

[thethe]

Not only did we let Hudson go, we didn't adequately replace him until Medlen and Beachy went down. It was a ridiculous situation to be in.

This conversation goes nowhere :)

[Dalyn]

This conversation goes nowhere :)

[gilesfan]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/...e-player-draft

Hers the annual "franchise" pick draft.

Trout and Harper go 1 and 2, as you would expect.

3 is Kershaw
4 is Machado (too high to me)

Jim Bowden on clock, so what toolsy outfielders are available?


EDIT: Took Puig

Tanaka
Stanton
Cutch

[NYCBrave]

Great article about how the Nats all of a sudden don't look to have that promising of a future. I think it does a great job showing that just maybe the Braves/Marlins are better teams:

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/po...valry-heats-up

Thanks for sharing. I don't want to hear any crying about injuries, because it seems like over the years we've suffered just about as many crippling injuries as any team.

[thethe]

Chris Sale might be the best pitcher in baseball. Its a shame he is destined for Tommy John.

[cajunrevenge]

Not only did we let Hudson go, we didn't adequately replace him until Medlen and Beachy went down. It was a ridiculous situation to be in.

Who did we get to replace Hudson? Santana was to replace Medlen. When Medlen and Beachy went down they didn't say " oh **** we need to replace Hudson".