Fredi On "The Leadoff Spot"

[clvclv]

On XM with Steve Phillips and Todd Hollandsworth this morning...

1.) Julio likely Opening Day starter - surprise, surprise!!!
2.) EVERYBODY with an arm in camp has a shot at the rotation - four spots open.
3.) Olivera is much better than what we've seen - already in camp.
4.) The "Hi. My name is..." t-shirts are back.
5.) Going to take things easy with Grilli.
6.) No defined Closer - everybody (Grilli, Vizcaino, Johnson) will likely have shots at different times.
7.) Swanson's Dad coached Fredi's son when the two played on the same East Cobb team. No set timetable on Fredi's end - he plays as soon as he's ready.
8.) Flowers will be the main Catcher. A. J. will fill-in whenever Fredi's "tired of him being in the dugout" (big laughter).

[striker42]

Thanks for posting.

I think it's manager speak when he says everyone in camp has a shot at the rotation and that there are 4 spots open. As long as Bud Norris is healthy and doesn't repeatedly wet the bed in ST, he'll get a spot. One or both of Kendrick and Chacin are a good bet to get a spot. Wisler definitely has an inside track as well. So really there's open competition for one or two spots in the rotation.

I really hope Olivera is better than we've seen. I really do. What we've seen isn't good.

Probably best to take things easy with Grilli. No reason to rush him or have him overdo it and end up reinjuring the ankle or injure something else compensating. Get him healthy, hopefully have him close for a couple months before the trade deadline, then deal him for a prospect.

[Millwood1Hitter]

He never answer the question about the leadoff spot?

Is he scared as hell about running that pitcher out there on Opening Day?

Is he referring to Olivera's spanish speaking abilities?

When Grilli is ready, I expect him to pitch 5 days a week and get warmed up every game to finally push him to retirement? Is that what that means?

We're the shirts brought back to help Fredi distinquish himself from Freddy?

Did Swanson's dad teach Fredi how to ride motorcycle? Or was he at an advantage and got big league coaching right off the bat from TP?

Basically what Fredi's saying regarding the catching position is AJ starts 6 games a week and Flowers starts on days off?

[UNCBlue012]

I'm expecting:
Inciarte CF
Aybar SS
Freeman 1B
Garcia 3B
Markakis RF
Olivera LF
AJ/Flowers C
Peterson SS

I'll be surprised if it isn't that or something close.

If Jace kills it, then I'm sure he's in the two spot very quickly.

[clvclv]

Thanks for posting.

I think it's manager speak when he says everyone in camp has a shot at the rotation and that there are 4 spots open. As long as Bud Norris is healthy and doesn't repeatedly wet the bed in ST, he'll get a spot. One or both of Kendrick and Chacin are a good bet to get a spot. Wisler definitely has an inside track as well. So really there's open competition for one or two spots in the rotation.

I really hope Olivera is better than we've seen. I really do. What we've seen isn't good.

Probably best to take things easy with Grilli. No reason to rush him or have him overdo it and end up reinjuring the ankle or injure something else compensating. Get him healthy, hopefully have him close for a couple months before the trade deadline, then deal him for a prospect.

You'd think that (and it would be understandable), but he went out of his way to make it clear that EVERYBODY'S got a shot. He mentioned Blair and Newcomb in that light.

[The Chosen One]

Would not surprise me if Fredi put Hector in the leadoff spot. Lol

[nsacpi]

Would not surprise me if Fredi put Hector in the leadoff spot. Lol

Both are very talented.

[Enscheff]

I'm expecting:
Inciarte CF
Aybar SS
Freeman 1B
Garcia 3B
Markakis RF
Olivera LF
AJ/Flowers C
Peterson SS

I'll be surprised if it isn't that or something close.

If Jace kills it, then I'm sure he's in the two spot very quickly.

I think you're probably right, since it is a Fredi move to stick the best OBP in the 5th slot. At the end of the day the offensive options are so poor it doesn't really matter, but the guys with the highest OBPs should be in the top 3, don't you think? In order of OBP, those guys are probably Freeman, Markakis, Inciarte (vs RHers), Olivera...then everyone else.

Like I said though, it really doesn't matter what order Fredi pencils these guys in, but sticking Markakis and his .350+ OBP outside of the top 3 is really inexcusable.

[UNCBlue012]

I think you're probably right, since it is a Fredi move to stick the best OBP in the 5th slot. At the end of the day the offensive options are so poor it doesn't really matter, but the guys with the highest OBPs should be in the top 3, don't you think? In order of OBP, those guys are probably Freeman, Markakis, Inciarte (vs RHers), Olivera...then everyone else.

Like I said though, it really doesn't matter what order Fredi pencils these guys in, but sticking Markakis and his .350+ OBP outside of the top 3 is really inexcusable.

I'd go with Inciarte CF, Olivera LF, Markakis RF, Freeman 1B, Garcia 3B, Aybar SS, Peterson 2B, Flowers/AJ C. But that's me.

[Russ2dollas]

I'd go with Inciarte CF, Olivera LF, Markakis RF, Freeman 1B, Garcia 3B, Aybar SS, Peterson 2B, Flowers/AJ C. But that's me.

I like that better. I do think Freddie will put Aybar at 2.

Why do the braves seem to think Aybar is good?

I think they might put Olivera farther up b/c of what they have invested in him.

My guess.
Inciarte
Aybar
FF
Olivera
Marakakis
Garcia
Catcher
jace on base.

I like Jace at 8th b/c he's patient and it will inflate his walk totals. Maybe that will up his value when he has a really high OBP and we're making room for better middle infielders.

[striker42]

You'd think that (and it would be understandable), but he went out of his way to make it clear that EVERYBODY'S got a shot. He mentioned Blair and Newcomb in that light.

I don't doubt that everyone has a chance, I just don't think everyone has an equal chance. It would shock me if Norris didn't get a spot. I'd be pretty surprised if Wisler wasn't in the rotation too. I think those two would have to pitch themselves out of jobs in the spring.

[gilesfan]

Thanks for posting.

I think it's manager speak when he says everyone in camp has a shot at the rotation and that there are 4 spots open. As long as Bud Norris is healthy and doesn't repeatedly wet the bed in ST, he'll get a spot. One or both of Kendrick and Chacin are a good bet to get a spot. Wisler definitely has an inside track as well. So really there's open competition for one or two spots in the rotation.

I really hope Olivera is better than we've seen. I really do. What we've seen isn't good.

Probably best to take things easy with Grilli. No reason to rush him or have him overdo it and end up reinjuring the ankle or injure something else compensating. Get him healthy, hopefully have him close for a couple months before the trade deadline, then deal him for a prospect.

I think everyone in camp has a shot at the rotation. I mean, the talent pool to choose from isn't very great. There are some young arms that could show promise and the rest (besides Julio) are just crappy vets.

[nsacpi]

I think the rotation coming out of spring training will be:

1. Teheran
2. Wisler
3. Norris
4. Banuelos
5. One of Chacin/Kendrick

It makes very little sense to start the service clocks of Blair and Newcomb right at the start of the season.

[NinersSBChamps]

I'm expecting:
Inciarte CF
Aybar SS
Freeman 1B
Garcia 3B
Markakis RF
Olivera LF
AJ/Flowers C
Peterson SS

I'll be surprised if it isn't that or something close.

If Jace kills it, then I'm sure he's in the two spot very quickly.

Since Simmons is gone we have a void at SS now. Do two players playing there defensively make up for it?

[clvclv]

I don't doubt that everyone has a chance, I just don't think everyone has an equal chance. It would shock me if Norris didn't get a spot. I'd be pretty surprised if Wisler wasn't in the rotation too. I think those two would have to pitch themselves out of jobs in the spring.

Agreed. I took that statement to kinda mean "don't feel too comfy there Bud and Matt - these guys are breathing down your necks".

[striker42]

Agreed. I took that statement to kinda mean "don't feel too comfy there Bud and Matt - these guys are breathing down your necks".

Not a bad stance to take. Competition is always good to keep people on their toes.

[UNCBlue012]

I think the rotation coming out of spring training will be:

1. Teheran
2. Wisler
3. Norris
4. Banuelos
5. One of Chacin/Kendrick

It makes very little sense to start the service clocks of Blair and Newcomb right at the start of the season.

This is my thoughts as well. It may change depending on the battles. I could see Teheran, Wisler, Norris, Banuelos, Sims just as easily.

[jimsnores]

Since Simmons is gone we have a void at SS now. Do two players playing there defensively make up for it?

Freddi's newest innovation.

[smootness]

If Adonis Garcia is hitting cleanup for us, we have massive problems.

[Dalyn]

If Adonis Garcia is hitting cleanup for us, we have massive problems.

We do. But hopefully the farm can provide some relief in the next few years.