GDT: March 4, Braves vs. Phillies

[zbhargrove]

And that reason is why I think the Braves are going to have a very bad rotation this season. You can't enter a season with 4 holes to fill in a 5 man rotation.

I don't think Norris and Wisler will be holes... Norris is very solid when he's healthy and Wisler looked great at the end of the year... but we're setup beautifully for the future so its going to be fun to watch the rotation this year IMO

[GovClintonTyree]

And that reason is why I think the Braves are going to have a very bad rotation this season. You can't enter a season with 4 holes to fill in a 5 man rotation.

That doesn't matter. This is the year to find a few more Wislers.

[clvclv]

8-11 from the table-setters in CF and SS. Definitely something to build on.

Yes, it's early. Yes, it needs to be taken with the appropriate number of grains of salt. That said, it's REALLY nice to see that Mallex and Albies don't seem to be at all overwhelmed with being in the major league camp though. I've only seen a couple of Dansby's ABs, but Swanson seems to be pressing a little.

The best thing about the first few games is that the brass can probably breathe a sigh of relief and feel like they can probably go ahead and move any OF in the right deal and feel comfortable enough that Mallex' development won't be impaired if they need to use him at any time to ensure that Bourn's option doesn't vest. They can also probably feel confident enough that they don't need to hold off on moving Aybar at any point if something good comes along - while he needs to keep getting regular ABs, Albies can probably step in without blowing his confidence for a bit in case of emergency if the need arises.

[Hudson2]

I don't see any scenerio where Albies plays in the majors before 2017.

[clvclv]

I don't see any scenerio where Albies plays in the majors before 2017.

Where did I say I expect to? The scenArio I described was that they could probably feel comfortable using him as a stopgap in an emergency IF Aybar's dealt and they needed to. Obviously you'd try using the players in front of him first.

[Hudson2]

He'd be like a 3rd or 4th option spelling champ..

[rico43]

I don't see any scenerio where Albies plays in the majors before 2017.

1) He is so dazzling this spring, Aybar is traded before Opening Day

2) Like Andruw, he comes up in August and is a fixture in the September lineup with, again, Aybar traded

3) Peterson shows no progress, and he's the best bet to take over second base

All of these, to me, are more likely than him staying in the minors all season

[striker42]

1) He is so dazzling this spring, Aybar is traded before Opening Day

2) Like Andruw, he comes up in August and is a fixture in the September lineup with, again, Aybar traded

3) Peterson shows no progress, and he's the best bet to take over second base

All of these, to me, are more likely than him staying in the minors all season

I'd bet Dansby makes the team over Albies if need arises. Albies is exciting, no doubt. And he could rapidly climb the ranks. But I'd be surprised to see him in Atalnta this year and shocked to see him in Atlanta before Swanson.

[Hudson2]

Agreed striker. They'll run with Castro over Albies first. Why start the clock early this year when we have nothing to play for? Don't make sense. And Andruw came up when we were in the thick of a playoff race. Albies coming up this year is pretty much non existent.

[The Chosen One]

We'll be fighting for a Wild Card spot, probably division in August, so Albies could absolutely be a September call up.

[rico43]

We'll be fighting for a Wild Card spot, probably division in August, so Albies could absolutely be a September call up.

[smootness]

I'd bet Dansby makes the team over Albies if need arises. Albies is exciting, no doubt. And he could rapidly climb the ranks. But I'd be surprised to see him in Atalnta this year and shocked to see him in Atlanta before Swanson.

This. Albies won't be used as a stopgap. The only way he's coming up is if he's proven he's ready. And considering he'll start the year in A+ as a 19-year-old, I'd be very surprised if he proved that this year.

[bravesfanMatt]

This. Albies won't be used as a stopgap. The only way he's coming up is if he's proven he's ready. And considering he'll start the year in A+ as a 19-year-old, I'd be very surprised if he proved that this year.

and even if he hits .700 in Spring and 'Proves' ready, he still won't start. The Braves are not starting his arb clock for 2106.. Castro/Aybar/Boni/Beckham/Peterson/and whoever else we want to play at 2 or SS would get a shot prior to Swanson or Ozzie.. We have to be patient one more year guys..

[Bravesfannchar]

Hursh was a waste of a pick

Yankees to Aaron Judge and Clarkin right after we took Hursh too....

[smootness]

Yankees to Aaron Judge and Clarkin right after we took Hursh too....

Thanks, Wren!

[striker42]

Thanks, Wren!

After Clark left and Wren put his cronies in charge, the Braves top picks were Lipka, Gilmartin, Sims, Hursh, and Davidson. Of that group, only Sims and Davidson are still Braves and considered prospects. Gilmartin was given up on but has become a good lefty reliever (you do hope for more than a lefty setup man from a first rounder). Hursh and Lipka aren't even prospects at this point.

[Hudson2]

We'll be fighting for a Wild Card spot, probably division in August, so Albies could absolutely be a September call up.

This has to be sarcasm lol

[The Chosen One]

This has to be sarcasm lol

Our division isn't that strong. Who knows of Mets can repeat last year. I think the guys out of the gate will be pumped to get things moving. It wasn't like last year where the death knell of Kimbrel getting traded right before opening day happened. The team knows it's a reclamation project and they have nothing to lose. Plus I fully expect Nick to bounce back and double possibly triple his home run output.

[rico43]

After Clark left and Wren put his cronies in charge, the Braves top picks were Lipka, Gilmartin, Sims, Hursh, and Davidson. Of that group, only Sims and Davidson are still Braves and considered prospects. Gilmartin was given up on but has become a good lefty reliever (you do hope for more than a lefty setup man from a first rounder). Hursh and Lipka aren't even prospects at this point.

Gilmartin starting against the Braves upcoming.

[Hudson2]

Our division isn't that strong. Who knows of Mets can repeat last year. I think the guys out of the gate will be pumped to get things moving. It wasn't like last year where the death knell of Kimbrel getting traded right before opening day happened. The team knows it's a reclamation project and they have nothing to lose. Plus I fully expect Nick to bounce back and double possibly triple his home run output.

The Mets are way better than us. The Cubs, Cardinals, Pirates, Dbacks, Dodgers, and Giants are all in another world than us. So if we don't win the division then we don't have a prayer, and I'd bet we're 4th at best in this division.