Building a Bench for 2014

[nsacpi]

As things currently stand, the bench looks like this: Laird, Pena, Schafer, Pastornicky, Terdoslavich

I'm assuming Uggla or La Stella starts at second.

This is not a bad bench imo. But it looks like the Braves are pushing for a lefty hitting corner infielder. Either Chavez or Dobbs.

This would effectively mean that Pastornicky and Terdoslavich will battle it out for the last spot. Whichever one wins will be the primary pinch hitter from the right side.

The loser goes to Gwinnett to be part of our AAA depth. We will have a fairly solid group there. The loser of the Pastornicky/Terdoslavich spring training competition, Cunningham, Constanza, Bethancourt, Mejia. I wonder if Wren will sign a veteran AAAA type player to play short in Gwinnett. Maybe Janish again.

[emk418]

Ideal bench:

C - Laird
1B/3B - Chavez
2b/SS/3B - Pena
1B/OF - Terdo(if not traded)
OF - Schafer

[Enscheff]

In what world is having Schafer on the bench, and no RHed option to speak of an ideal bench?

Wren needs to find 2 bench hitters. One needs to be LHed, one needs to be LHed, and one of them needs to be able to cover CF.

The bench should be:

Laird
Pena
LHed guy
RHed guy
Pastor or Terdo

[skillet]

At this point, I guess our bench looks like this:

1. Laird - catcher - right handed
2. Pena - infield - switch hitter
3. Schafer - outfield - left handed

4, 5. Terdoslavich (switch hitter), Pastornicky (right handed) and Gamel (left handed) vie for the last two spots.

I'm assuming Uggla will start at 2nd if he isn't traded, with La Stella at AAA.

[zitothebrave]

I generally agree with your assessment above skillet. My guess is assuming uggla starts at 2b

Laird
Pena
Pastor
Schafer
Terdo/Gamel

I don't think both terdo and gamel make the bench since they're the same player.

Let's say uggla sucks then I think our bench goes

Laird
Pena
Schafer
Uggla
Gamel/Terdo

[skillet]

With the acquisition of Doumit, my updated guess for our bench:

1. Laird - catcher - right handed
2. Pena - 2nd, ss, 3rd - switch hitter
3. Doumit - catcher, 1st base, corner outfield - switch hitter
4,5. Terdoslavich, Schafer, Pastornicky, Gamel

[GovClintonTyree]

With the acquisition of Doumit, my updated guess for our bench:

1. Laird - catcher - right handed
2. Pena - 2nd, ss, 3rd - switch hitter
3. Doumit - catcher, 1st base, corner outfield - switch hitter
4,5. Terdoslavich, Schafer, Pastornicky, Gamel

I think Schafer is a must so we have a centerfielder- although Heyward gives us an option. That leaves the other three for the fifth slot, assuming no more deals. And we're about out of money.

[nsacpi]

Yeah, four spots are spoken for: Laird, Pena, Doumit, Schafer.

As things currently stand the last spot will be a battle between Joey T, Gamel, Pastornicky and Constanza.

We have the makings of a good bench now. And excellent depth in AAA.

[Enscheff]

I have to imagine Terdo will be getting every day ABs in AAA rather than wasting time on the MLB bench. If he can indeed become a starting corner OFer, then he needs to get in the reps rather than wasting away on the bench as the 2nd/3rd PH option.

Unfortunately, Schafer is a lock for the team because he can be an effective pinch runner and can cover CF as needed. I would almost rather have Heyward back up CF and keep Terdo on the the roster over Schafer though.

Constanza is not making the team. He is completely redundant if Schafer is already on the bench.

That leaves the 25th man as a battle between Pastor and Gamel. Whoever hits the best in ST will likely break camp with the MLB club.

[skillet]

I have to imagine Terdo will be getting every day ABs in AAA rather than wasting time on the MLB bench. If he can indeed become a starting corner OFer, then he needs to get in the reps rather than wasting away on the bench as the 2nd/3rd PH option.

Unfortunately, Schafer is a lock for the team because he can be an effective pinch runner and can cover CF as needed. I would almost rather have Heyward back up CF and keep Terdo on the the roster over Schafer though.

Constanza is not making the team. He is completely redundant if Schafer is already on the bench.

That leaves the 25th man as a battle between Pastor and Gamel. Whoever hits the best in ST will likely break camp with the MLB club.

I agree that Constanza will be in AAA. Rev needs to be there as well for depth. I also agree that I'd rather have Terd on the bench over Schafer since Heyward can play center with no problem when needed.

Laird, Pena and Doumit are locks. The last two spots should be between Terd, Schafer and Gamel. Our bench is shaping up to be really good.

[nsacpi]

Schafer is out of options. That will help him make the team over the guys who can be sent to the minors without losing them. I think he made some adjustments last year, mainly going to left more often. I think he can sustain what he gave us last year.

[skillet]

Schafer is out of options. That will help him make the team over the guys who can be sent to the minors without losing them. I think he made some adjustments last year, mainly going to left more often. I think he can sustain what he gave us last year.

Does Joey still have an option left?

[Braves1976]

Does Joey still have an option left?

Yes, he has options left.

[stpeteirish]

Does Joey still have an option left?

probably has two option years left, 2013 was his first time up. Schafer's out of options and it wouldn't bother me one bit if he got claimed and we used Cunningham as the fifth OF.