You want this mess fixed....

[VirginiaBrave]

Here is how...

1 Lastella
2 Simmons
3 Heyward
4 JUp
5 Freeman
6 Gattis
7 Johnson
8. BUp

When Laird catches move Johnson and BJ up one spot. Next get Alex Wood stretched out and back in the rotation ASAP. Try and move Floyd or Santana at the deadline. Also Gattis should sit only one night a week.

If this doesn't work all hope is lost for the 2014 Braves

[nsacpi]

Gattis playing more would be the most important tweak that is easily done. I agree with resting him one game a week.

Also agree with Wood to the rotation. But I would replace Harang. Although his peripherals are good, I think he is unlikely to sustain the performance he has given us so far. Santana and Floyd have lower xFIP, which to me is the best indicator of what we are likely to get out of those 3 the rest of the way.

Getting a second lefty for the pen is the other thing I would do. Venters' return becomes more questionable with each passing day.

As for the lineup, the main thing is to move La Stella up and BJ upton down.

Something along these lines would work for me:

Heyward
La Stella
Justin
Freeman
Gattis
CJ
BJ
Simmons


I think hitting Simmons second would be a mistake.

[gilesfan]

Re arranging the deck chairs fixes nothing.

[VirginiaBrave]

Simmons low strike out totals would be fine at 2 I would think. Jason needs in run producing spot.

[nsacpi]

Re arranging the deck chairs fixes nothing.

There is no magic wand. And sometimes a bunch of small moves is the best you can do. We've done the most obvious adjustment. Replaced Uggla in the lineup. There is no remaining move of similar consequence that can easily be done.

We can talk about much more dramatic moves, like a major trade. Who knows. Maybe Wren will look for something like that. My own take is that this is a pretty good team and that management agrees with that assessment. So I would expect tinkering rather than major moves. Of course if you see this team as the Titanic you might want a more dramatic shakeup.

[nsacpi]

Simmons low strike out totals would be fine at 2 I would think. Jason needs in run producing spot.

Well, I think what you need at the top of the lineup are your high OBP players. Low strikeouts low OBP does not make for a good #2 hitter.