Discussion of Braves 2018 Offseason plans

[50PoundHead]

Can't be much worse then what we were already getting.

Offensively, I think it will be a marked downgrade. A healthy Kemp (and there will always be questions about his health) could at least hit some. Defensively, it will be an upgrade.

[thewupk]

Offensively, I think it will be a marked downgrade. A healthy Kemp (and there will always be questions about his health) could at least hit some. Defensively, it will be an upgrade.

Certainly. Overall it is likely to be a wash or slight downgrade if they play the matchup game right.

[Super]

that is true, watching kemp play LF was brutal as well.

[50PoundHead]

that is true, watching kemp play LF was brutal as well.

No question that Braves' fans will have less headaches from slapping their foreheads.

[Super]

No question that Braves' fans will have less headaches from slapping their foreheads.

in the field, not at the plate.

[Enscheff]

it's also just too early to worry about him being blocked. if you can get a 3B you know is decent-to-good on a solid deal, you do it and give riley all the time he needs. unless he's absolutely raking, give him 2 more full years in the minors if you're able to.

I never understood the recent penchant the Braves have had for rushing position prospects to the MLB level to contribute to bad teams for no apparent reason.

Swanson promoted late in 2016 while he was producing mediocre numbers at AA. He should have been called up a few weeks into 2017.

Albies promoted late in 2017 when the Braves still had Phillips filling in at 2B. He should have been called up a few weeks into 2018.

Acuna all but ensured to come up at age 20 a few weeks into 2018. There is no reason he can't spend a few months or a full year in AAA.

Riley must have 3B open for him in 2019 because of 200 hot PAs in AA. He will almost certainly need 2-3 more full seasons in AA/AAA.

The issue is not that any one of those moves is awful all by itself. The issue is that one of the main advantages a rebuilding team has is the time to let these guys percolate so the organization can maximize their control years and value. The Braves have systematically failed to do that every chance they've had.

[nsacpi]

I never understood the recent penchant the Braves have had for rushing position prospects to the MLB level to contribute to bad teams for no apparent reason.

Swanson promoted late in 2016 while he was producing mediocre numbers at AA. He should have been called up a few weeks into 2017.

Albies promoted late in 2017 when the Braves still had Phillips filling in at 2B. He should have been called up a few weeks into 2018.

Acuna all but ensured to come up at age 20 a few weeks into 2018. There is no reason he can't spend a few months or a full year in AAA.

Riley must have 3B open for him in 2019 because of 200 hot PAs in AA. He will almost certainly need 2-3 more full seasons in AA/AAA.

The issue is not that any one of those moves is awful all by itself. The issue is that one of the main advantages a rebuilding team has is the time to let these guys percolate so the organization can maximize their control years and value. The Braves have systematically failed to do that every chance they've had.

the previous front office were great believers in buzz

[Enscheff]

the previous front office were great believers in buzz

I suppose I shouldn't have said, "I never understood". I understand completely that they were desperate to drive attendance (though we won't get into that discussion again).

What I should have said was, "I can't believe they were so stupid". Early on it looks like AA is doing a little of the same, though it is refreshing to know Acuna at least won't be on the opening day roster.

[Southcack77]

I suppose I shouldn't have said, "I never understood". I understand completely that they were desperate to drive attendance (though we won't get into that discussion again).

What I should have said was, "I can't believe they were so stupid". Early on it looks like AA is doing a little of the same, though it is refreshing to know Acuna at least won't be on the opening day roster.

Albies seemed to force the issue and I think Acuna may do that as well. I don't know that AA would promote him if he was scuffling at AAA when after two weeks. He might, but there is not much pressure on AA to move things forward. Coppy's embarrassing fall gives him plenty of daylight to get acclimated. So that's good. he has something of a clean slate, though he will probably need to make moves in 2019 given he has cleared the salary room.

[smootness]

There's no organization in baseball that would leave Acuna down all year, so that's a non-starter. You could leave him down 2-3 months, but the extra year of control is far more valuable than the Super 2 savings. So I don't see that as an issue. He's ready now, so leave him down long enough to gain the extra year, then call him up.

[Super]

Albies would have very likely been on the OD roster this year, anyway. And he deserves to be.
Yeah, ain't no way any org is keeping Acuna down all year.
At this point it's plainly obvious Swanson should not have been called up.

[Super]

Vincent Vega
12:17 What rookie from last year do you think improves the most in their sophomore campaign?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:17 Swanson

[Southcack77]

There's no organization in baseball that would leave Acuna down all year, so that's a non-starter. You could leave him down 2-3 months, but the extra year of control is far more valuable than the Super 2 savings. So I don't see that as an issue. He's ready now, so leave him down long enough to gain the extra year, then call him up.

Depends heavily on whether he continues to play well doesn't it?

[msstate7]

Vincent Vega
12:17 What rookie from last year do you think improves the most in their sophomore campaign?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:17 Swanson

.750+ ops

[Super]

Depends heavily on whether he continues to play well doesn't it?

true. it's not a gurantee acuna comes out slugging. if he struggles he will stay down. and it's very possible he does.

[Super]

.750+ ops

if he puts up a .750 i think he'd be right around 3 WAR.

[msstate7]

if he puts up a .750 i think he'd be right around 3 WAR.

He has to... can’t lose another bet with nsacpi lol

[nsacpi]

.750+ ops

i would be happy to lose the bet

[Enscheff]

Vincent Vega
12:17 What rookie from last year do you think improves the most in their sophomore campaign?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:17 Swanson

EL hitched his wagon to Swanson long ago, and consistently says he will be fine. I hope he's right.

[thewupk]

Vincent Vega
12:17 What rookie from last year do you think improves the most in their sophomore campaign?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:17 Swanson

Swanson is starting from such a low point he does have an advantage over others in the most improved category.