I like the Gio comp. Both are lefties with top of the rotation stuff (at least Gio used to have that) but control issues preventing them from making full use. Still, their pure stuff is almost unhittable and what they give up in BBs they make up for with a low HR rate. I see no reason why Newcomb can't become another Gio even without a big improvement in control.
Lester is the comp you hear a lot but he's got to improve his control a good bit to do it. Still very possible but Gio is probably a better comp at this point. And honestly, I wouldn't complain if he became a Gio Gonzalez. Having a cheap, controllable middle of the rotation starter that can pitch like an ace when he brings his A game is a valuable commodity.
My "something against Folty" is simply that he's AT BEST a league-average starter in his BEST season thus far. The same thing you guys have pointed out several times - he simply hasn't shown himself to be better than that unless you're using the "eye test" (which you don't believe in).
Sure seems that several people seem to be much more concerned that I'm not blowing sunshine up a Braves' players *ss than whether or not that player has accomplished much.
Has there EVER been a statement and question a certain someone should absolutely never have made and asked publicly more than...
Kinda pathetic to see yourself as a message board knight in shining armor. How impotent does someone have to be in real life to resort to playing hero on a message board?
As long as Colon is healthy and pitching similar to what he's done the last couple years I don't see any reason the Braves would struggle to flip him for something valuable. Either a B level prospect or a upside guy several years away.
Colon churns through innings, helps the bullpen, generally keeps his teams in games and is a solid clubhouse guy -- contenders are always looking for that at the deadline - just a dependable arm they can slot in every 5th day.
Look at what we turned Harrell, Cervanka and Alvarez into last year.... if Colon is pitching like he did last year - I'd think he would have be at least as valuable as Harrell+Alvarez which got us TD.
I doubt Dickey has the same value, he's struggled more recently and you need a catcher comfortable with him.
Garcia is going to get flipped if he stays healthy.
Well, Blaine Boyer had a nice career.
buck75 (03-10-2017)
buck75 (03-10-2017)
I promise you, the first time I saw a pitcher throwing 95 plus, I thought he'd be better off bunting....but then I saw him routinely hit rockets and thought, this little dude is good. I know we have our SS But I saw him get to a ball behind second and he was playing in the hole. Braxton's dad was even saying "wow,". He's just good.
Agreed Julio. Watching him is going to be fun with Dansby.
Braves1976 (03-09-2017), JohnAdcox (03-09-2017), Managuarantano's Volunteers (03-10-2017)
Dickey is the least likely to be traded of the three as he has an option and if he pitches well that would be a bargain. If he pitches poorly then he won't be worth much at the deadline as you say. Garcia is a real gamble because he's oft-injured and last year wasn't the Garcia he use to be, folks assert well that was just second half but his first half numbers weren't good either. They just weren't bad like his second half. If he stays healthy I wouldn't expect more than a 3.50 ERA and if traded at the deadline I doubt he brings back any more than we gave up for him. Colon is someone you can trade and probably get the best return at the deadline if he keeps pitching well.
I disagree, Braves wouldn't need to eat salary for Dickey at all as he's not making a lot. They would just need him to pick well, plus he has a team option which has value to the Braves and any team he could be traded to assuming he is pitching well (and I am assuming such simply because as you say he would need to be to have said value in a trade). While Colon even with the overpay will be easy to trade just so long as he pitches well. Colon has a track record and teams will consider that and he also a very good team player and someone who helps young pitchers, same is true for Dickey too. So both will have teams that like that about them just so long as pitching well. And given both are on deals that only run through this year minus Dickey's team option there is no risk past this season for anyone trading with us. Garcia may be tougher because of his oft-injured history and he isn't cheap either, when I say tougher I mean due to what we gave up for him. I doubt we can get more in return even if he stays healthy.
You could tell Albies was special after 2 ABs in A-ball. He's just different.
buck75 (03-10-2017)
Ventura's Stolen Bases
Dickey is a knuckleball pitcher and if effective again in the NL he could end up a bargain for this year and next IMO. I would rather hope he has a strong year and keep him. His age isn't an issue on his deal since he's a knuckleball pitcher. Now Colon is getting up there and entering his age 44 season (Dickey only his age 42 season while also being a knuckleball pitcher), so I agree he could fall off at any time. But hopefully he maintains enough velocity and has another good year left in him.
Last edited by Braves1976; 03-09-2017 at 10:08 PM.
True, not only that Rangers already having issues with starters this early on and they had interest in Dickey too but he signed with Atlanta due to location and better contract offer. So we know they like Dickey and could go for Colon and Garcia too if in the same situation again. It seems the Rangers were so set on getting a knuckleball pitcher they got Eddie Gamboa from Tampa Bay after losing out on Dickey. Now due to injury Eddie Gamboa could end up in their starting rotation, he's among the handful of names they're considering according to MLBTR.
Last edited by Braves1976; 03-09-2017 at 10:18 PM.
Pagan starting off strong for PR, two more hits today against Colorado. I'd give him an MLB deal and let him be our main 4th outfielder while keeping Boni to back-up CF and rest Inciarte vs a tough lefty on occasion.
If we don't I suspect Washington or someone else will.
BTW, it is surprising to see someone like Pagan only getting minor league offers whereas last year we were willing to give Boni an MLB deal early on before we ended up releasing him and then later bringing him back on a minor league deal.
Last edited by Braves1976; 03-09-2017 at 10:35 PM.
Ozzie and Swanson should be fun to watch... our up the middle setup is pretty amazing if they all pan out.
JohnAdcox (03-10-2017)