Originally Posted by
depley
Let us break it down.
Starting pitching:
At least Teheran has shown some of what made us like him as the season comes to a close, middle of the season he was not good, but injury might have been there
Shelby Miller, what can you say he did not pitch as bad as his record appears, although he is ending the season on a not as good level
the rookies, Perez, Wisler, Folty, Banuelos, Ryan Weber. As a whole most not impressive, but they did gain valuable experience. Weber looks legit to me, similar in some ways to a Greg Maddux. Wisler is up and down, but servicable in the bottom of the rotation , Perez, his numbers look deceiving in the first half before injury, not sold on him. Folty has the stuff, but needs to learn movement not velocity gets out hitters. Banuelos, not overwhelming but has potential. what happens with Mike Minor?
The pen:
Viscaino looks to be about the only legitimate reliever out there, the rest eh. At some point I expect Grilli back, would be ok. Any of the rest are replaceable although Winkler probably has a spot next year. Hope Shae Simmons can come back strong.
Catcher:
Ok Perzynski did ok, but I still do not like his game calling skills, nor much of his defense or pitch framing. I am afraid they will sign him anyway, and I hate that we go with an old catcher, did I say old? I mean ancient. Bethancourt, wow what happened to the defense? I actually would be ok with Lavarnway as a backup
1B: Freddie played much of second half hurt, he is still the heart and soul of this team and a valuable member
2B: Peterson started fine, but boy did he go down hill, not sure if he is a future starter.
SS: Come on, Simmons is still the best defensive SS in the game, if he hits .260 so what?
3B: Olivera, I guess we will find out, he has some pop, but he sure does not seem to have insticts in the field for 3B
Outfield: We are stuck with Swisher, Markakis an Bourne...... old guys that are not that good, Dian Toscano signed a 4-year, $7.5 million? why and where is he?
Maybin much like Peterson sort of fell off the table in the 2nd half. Outfield look is bleak to say the least.
Bench: Castro, Garcia and Ciriaco, sort of 3 of the same sort of players, need more on the bench than this.
So, for me, 2016 does not look to me to be a whole lot better than 2015 unfortunately, and I do not see the Braves signing any big name free agent pitcher of otherwise. Will they trade for one? we will see, but not holding my breath.