Around Baseball 2015 Edition

[chop2chip]

Hard to miss Heyward when you watch a bona fide ace like Miller pitch and realize you get to watch it at least for the next three years at least. Miller is the first true ace we have had since Huddy in his prime.

We have certainly had pitchers who pitched like aces in their time with the Braves with Javier Vazquez coming to mind. Kris Medlen had fantastic stretches as well and Julio has been borderline the last two seasons.

With that said, it's hard not to be pleased with Wood and Shelby. Both have looked quite fantastic this year, and I am cautiously optimistic about Julio. Despite the terrible numbers thus far, he has had a number of stretches the past two months where he's looked fantastic.

We have a solid core of pitching that is already performing. The next step is developing a couple of more guys so that we don't have to spend big in FA on another pitcher.

[Russ2dollas]

I know we have to keep going back to Heyward.

But I'm excited with what we've had in our 1 year of Miller vs 1 year of Heyward. And we get to have Miller for years to come at a low cost.

That said, we'll have to see if Miller is one of the rare braves that can put together multiple good seasons, especially if we sign him to an extension. And we'll have to see if Hart can upgrade the line up with the saved money and/or the prospects he got.

Still an incomplete in my book.

[Heyward]

Without reading all the Heyward ball nobbling,it looks like he's standing closer to the plate, but it was still the right move to make since he wouldnt re-sign before FA.

Still sucks seeing him with Stl tho

[Heyward]

We did good getting Miller no doubt. I miss Heyward and all, did not want him to leave (edit: forced or otherwise). But I don't think I'd have been happy watching him fail to reach his ceiling while making superstar money either.

Hate the DH, just hate it.

I was hoping he'd be a Brave for life but if they couldnt re-sign him, they had to make that move.

[VirginiaBrave]

No worse than Kimbrel the Padre, Glavine the Met or Murph the Phillie. The only reason Murph goes third is that the trade was his idea. Bet he would like a do-over there after what happened in 1991. 4th Ofer RH bat off the bench on a WS team vs. starting for the Phils. hmmm....

[cajunrevenge]

Without reading all the Heyward ball nobbling,it looks like he's standing closer to the plate, but it was still the right move to make since he wouldnt re-sign before FA.

Still sucks seeing him with Stl tho

Well atleast you will get to see him play deep into the playoffs.


Kimbrel is the on that hurts the most for me. After all those bullpen playoff meltdowns we finally have what I think k will go don as the second best closer of all time who wanted to stay here. I know closers tend to flame out but Kimbrel ' s velocity has actually increased every year in the majors. Most closers flaming out follows a gradual decrease in velocity.

[The Chosen One]

Papelbon was one of those that threw high 90's then now he stays around low 90's high 80's. Amazing how much dropped in velocity.

[NinersSBChamps]

Nolan Arenado>Any 3B in the United States

[The Chosen One]

So many saber guys here love Scioscia like Zeets...

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/s...oto-again-odds

At the heart of the matter, according to the report, is the managerial staff's reluctance to share with players scouting reports provided to the coaches by the front office in regards to defensive shifts and opposing batters' tendencies at the plate.Over the weekend, Dipoto, unhappy with the coaching staff's decision to rely more on "feel" than data, according to the report, expressed his frustration during a series of meetings. Dipoto's message was met with a heated rebuttal from at least one coach as well as slugger Albert Pujols, the report stated.

[zitothebrave]

I like Scioscia because he reminds me of Bobby but a bit better tactically.

[gilesfan]

Nolan Arenado>Any 3B in the United States

Agree if Donaldson, Machado, Bryant, and Frazier are deported

[CyYoung31]

Agree if Donaldson, Machado, Bryant, and Frazier are deported

Well, Donaldson isn't in the United States, so...

[dak]

So many saber guys here love Scioscia like Zeets...

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/s...oto-again-odds

Speaking of defensive shifts, the Braves (unsurprisingly) do not fare well on metrics from this year on DRS related to shifts. Courtesy of @msimonespn:

[BRule]

Porcello with another stellar start

[Hawk]

The situation unfolding in Anaheim has been interesting to follow. Looks like DiPoto resigned last night (last straw with Scioscia) but Moreno has been begging for him to come back today.

[chop2chip]

The situation unfolding in Anaheim has been interesting to follow. Looks like DiPoto resigned last night (last straw with Scioscia) but Moreno has been begging for him to come back today.

I'd fire both, an embarrassing situation for the organization.

Arte owe's Scioscia $50 million. DiPoto fought a battle he had no chance in winning.

[gilesfan]

Heyward was 1-4 last night, by the way.

[Hawk]

Arte owe's Scioscia $50 million. DiPoto fought a battle he had no chance in winning.

Yeah, I edited my post right before you responded after reading that in an article -- 10 years? I think Moreno has handed out more bone-headed contracts than any owner in the history of baseball.

[Hawk]

Porcello with another stellar start

Jeff Passan
@JeffPassan
Rick Porcello's 6.08 ERA is nearly half a run higher than any other AL starter. His four-year, $82.5M extension does not begin until 2016.

[gilesfan]

Well, Donaldson isn't in the United States, so...

decent point.