GDT 5/1/15 Braves vs Reds

[sturg33]

so far this season I think the Braves would have been better but that's just because the new additions have been the huge positives. I was for the rebuild because I didn't think we were good enough to win a Title and didn't believe that either Heyward or Upton would be here long term. It was a no brained for me.

Fort he first month of the season how can you make a case the Braves would have been better?

I'm pretty certain I just explained why I think looking at a 20 game sample is silly. But I've seen Markakis' lack of range almost certainly cost us dearly in multiple games. Upton has been great. Having Kimbrel / Walden / Carpentar / Shreve / Hale / Varvaro / Graham may have saved us a game or two directly - and then who knows how much in the longer term of saving the bullpen so much needed innings

But I again reiterate that I don't believe you can translate Evan Gattis' stats directly over to the team.

[sturg33]

Lastly - you've made it uber clear that THERE WAS NO WAY IN HELL that we could have EVER signed Heyward or Upton. I guess bc Ramadan was toting the company line and you slurped it up. But my question is, if we can't sign them, who are we going to get to hit for us?

Or are we going to trade all of our underperforming, injured pitching prospects for hitting studs who happen to be cheap?

[jpx7]

Same joke just to joke and some have malicious intent I think you know this as well.

Well I can only speak (and joke) for myself—at least until Mark Bowman eats me, then I'll be speaking and joking for two (or more).

[Dalyn]

Nice win tonight. Saw some things to like about Folty. His command is always going to be an issue, but if he can get that slider working, should work well in the rotation. I'm not sure it's there, though, and he has the feel of a bullpen guy to me.

[zbhargrove]

I'm pretty certain I just explained why I think looking at a 20 game sample is silly. But I've seen Markakis' lack of range almost certainly cost us dearly in multiple games. Upton has been great. Having Kimbrel / Walden / Carpentar / Shreve / Hale / Varvaro / Graham may have saved us a game or two directly - and then who knows how much in the longer term of saving the bullpen so much needed innings

But I again reiterate that I don't believe you can translate Evan Gattis' stats directly over to the team.

Upton has not been "great"... He's been good... .254 average with a .300 ish on base percentage is not "great"

Heyward has been awful... Gattis pretty bad... Kimbrel has even been struggling. I miss Walden the most but like having Shelby and Jenkins much more. Still trying to figure out how all those players would have made the year more fun to watch thus far.

[thethe]

Upton has not been "great"... He's been good... .254 average with a .300 ish on base percentage is not "great"

Heyward has been awful... Gattis pretty bad... Kimbrel has even been struggling. I miss Walden the most but like having Shelby and Jenkins much more. Still trying to figure out how all those players would have made the year more fun to watch thus far.

Thats the funny thing about all the negativity. If no trades are made the Braves are more than likely in the same spot they are in now with a significantly worse farm system and two impending big time FA's that the Braves could not afford to pay what the market demanded.

[keithlaw]

Upton has not been "great"... He's been good... .254 average with a .300 ish on base percentage is not "great"

Heyward has been awful... Gattis pretty bad... Kimbrel has even been struggling. I miss Walden the most but like having Shelby and Jenkins much more. Still trying to figure out how all those players would have made the year more fun to watch thus far.

Huh? Upton is hitting 284/326/553. Those are great numbers for playing in San Diego. And Gattis has been more than "pretty bad".

[thethe]

Huh? Upton is hitting 284/326/553. Those are great numbers for playing in San Diego. And Gattis has been more than "pretty bad".

Yeah, Upton is just a spectacular hitter. I thought it was a no brainer who to sign long term between he and Heyward. Its just too bad how things worked out with Melvin because I don't think there was any chance Justin was staying here.

[zbhargrove]

Huh? Upton is hitting 284/326/553. Those are great numbers for playing in San Diego. And Gattis has been more than "pretty bad".

Those numbers were after he had a huge night last night... His numbers were exactly what I said when the original post occurred

[zbhargrove]

Would have loved to keep Upton. Don't really care at all that Heyward and Gattis are gone. Kimbrel hurt but he's useless for this team and the trade was amazing. Heyward will never be the player some think he is.

[zbhargrove]

Huh? Upton is hitting 284/326/553. Those are great numbers for playing in San Diego. And Gattis has been more than "pretty bad".

And Gattis has been pretty hot lately... Hence the "pretty bad"

[ramadon101]

Lastly - you've made it uber clear that THERE WAS NO WAY IN HELL that we could have EVER signed Heyward or Upton. I guess bc Ramadan was toting the company line and you slurped it up. But my question is, if we can't sign them, who are we going to get to hit for us?

Or are we going to trade all of our underperforming, injured pitching prospects for hitting studs who happen to be cheap?

Hold up. I never said one damn thing about Upton; only that Heyward was asking for the moon and stars. Mind you, I admitted that my source is obviously towing the party line (given his role)- but I am not a blind homer. Like you, there were some trades this year that I liked far better than others. I was a fan of the Heyward trade. I was not a fan of the Upton trade. I have no idea whether Upton was approached for an extension and if he was, what he asked for- and I never said one word about him.