GDT #12, 4/13/'14: Braves (Harang) vs Nats (Gio); No Gattis, CJ, or Uggla

[VirginiaBrave]

Huddy with another strong game today, though not as strong as his dominate first two. Still he goes deep in games so much he really saves your bullpen. I cannot help but imagine how strong our staff could be had we kept him. Though I am happy with Hale getting a shot and Harang has been a lot better than I expected so far.

That said, if we had maybe we don't sign Santana and he looked great his first game for us. I would've though after the injuries. I just wouldn't have signed Floyd after keeping Huddy.

Wren's only misstep of the offseason IMO was not keeping Hudson.

[Braves1976]

Wren's only misstep of the offseason IMO was not keeping Hudson.

I agree pretty much, though I was also in favor of trading Medlen this off-season. I know that sounds bad to repeat given his injury but keep in mind that was my position before hand (and two years before free agency is a good time to sell high).

That said, I do wish Medlen the best in his recovery and hope he makes it back. Same goes for Beachy of course.

[thewupk]

Freeman is the new Joey Votto.

I don't think freeman will take as many walks as votto but freeman is taking his ability to the next level

[jason27nc]

I don't think freeman will take as many walks as votto but freeman is taking his ability to the next level

If anyone was worth a huge payday it was Freeman. I am so happy for that guy.

[NYCBrave]

Wren's only misstep of the offseason IMO was not keeping Hudson.

The problem is, the Hudson decision was before Medlen and Beachy went down, plus we didn't know we had a huge budget, so it's hard to call it a mistake that we didn't give Hudson a raise and pay him for 2 years.

[NYCBrave]

The innings limit on Wood definitely has to be taken into consideration, so that's why I feel that when Minor/Floyd come back, we'll have Harang stay in the rotation if he keeps pitching well.

[Julio3000]

Much as I love Huddy, I wouldn't have wanted to give him 2 years and the dollars he got from SF. I can't really bring myself to call that one a mistake.

[50PoundHead]

I don't think freeman will take as many walks as votto but freeman is taking his ability to the next level

I agree. Where Freeman is impressing me is that he's showing he can drive the ball. That's the question I had about him when he came up. I didn't know if he was a jumbo version of Mark Grace or if the would show an ability to turn on the ball or get serious lift to the opposite field. Freeman reminds me some of Kent Hrbek, who I saw a lot of up here in Minnesota.

All that said, I don't think he'll walk as much as Votto does. I'm curious to see how much Freeman Ks as his career develops. A lot will depend on how he approaches risk/reward.

[Braves1976]

The problem is, the Hudson decision was before Medlen and Beachy went down, plus we didn't know we had a huge budget, so it's hard to call it a mistake that we didn't give Hudson a raise and pay him for 2 years.

I disagree. It all depends on how you view Huddy and your plans for the rotation, etc.

[Braves1976]

Much as I love Huddy, I wouldn't have wanted to give him 2 years and the dollars he got from SF. I can't really bring myself to call that one a mistake.

Huddy would've likely taken less to stay had he not been given such a low offer initially, IMO. He had taken a paycut his previous contract, but they started earlier with him (and showed a lot more interest in him that time around).

[Braves1976]

The innings limit on Wood definitely has to be taken into consideration, so that's why I feel that when Minor/Floyd come back, we'll have Harang stay in the rotation if he keeps pitching well.

I don't see how we can take Wood out of the rotation this early on the way he's pitched. But later in the season I could see doing so due to limiting his innings.

[The Chosen One]

We gave him a sweet deal after he had TJ.

[weso1]

Freeman reminds me some of Kent Hrbek.

Ban?

[Heyward]

I'm not sure with Huddy, love him.

But it would of cost at least 2/20 to keep him imo.

At age 38-39.

[Heyward]

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan 4h

Not only is he the best fielder in baseball, Andrelton Simmons has a very impressive streak going to start the year: 40 PA, zero strikeouts.

[The Chosen One]

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan 4h

Not only is he the best fielder in baseball, Andrelton Simmons has a very impressive streak going to start the year: 40 PA, zero strikeouts.

The anti-BJ

[Braves1976]

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan 4h

Not only is he the best fielder in baseball, Andrelton Simmons has a very impressive streak going to start the year: 40 PA, zero strikeouts.

Good point, though I don't care for Passan usually. Thanks for pointing it out, I just RT'd it.

Simmons is also hitting .306 so far this year to go along with his great defense, etc. Of course he hit a long three run homer vs the Nats today.

[Julio3000]

One of the many fun things about watching Freddie right now is that he never seems to muscle up and try to hit one out. The home runs just seem to happen as a consequence of his natural swing.

[Julio3000]

Huddy would've likely taken less to stay had he not been given such a low offer initially, IMO. He had taken a paycut his previous contract, but they started earlier with him (and showed a lot more interest in him that time around).

Well, perhaps, but we have no way of knowing that. And if he wanted two years, the dollars are pretty much irrelevant.

[thethe]

I don't think freeman will take as many walks as votto but freeman is taking his ability to the next level

I think pitchers are going to star tto say eff it and will pitch around him. Freeman has really developed his strike zone judgement to where I think his walk numbers are about to explode.