From what I read, there seem to be two opinions as to how the Braves should be operating.
1. Blow up the roster, stink for two years, and save enough money to buy a strong World Series-caliber team for 2017.
2. Do what we can to field a playoff-caliber team in 2015.
These two are not mutually exclusive. With the addition of the second wild card team, it is easier than ever to excite a fan base with a postseason run. I'm not suggesting that we jeopardize our future by trading current prospects but I do think we can field a competitive team with postseason hopes in 2015 and 2016. Look no further than the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals to find a team which wasn't great in the regular season, got hot at the right time, and won a World Series.
We have a tremendous amount of young talent on this team, and a core of extended players that teams would love to have. Our first baseman is a perennial All-Star, our shortstop is the best in the game, and we have some dominant young pitching (including the game's best closer) that will only get better with time.
So what do we do?
First, Kevin Seitzer needs to encourage BJ Upton to change his game. Instead of swinging and missing, teach him to be the right-handed version of Ichiro. Teach him to bunt for hits, encourage his baserunning, and get him to be more selective in his strike zone. Remind him that his salary is secure, so there's no reason to be pressured into trying to be the same type of hitter his brother is.
Second, remind Chris Johson what led him to a runner-up finish in the batting race in 2013. Encourage him to look to the opposite field, and encourage him to relax. The pressure to earn salary affects some people dramatically, and I think Johnson may be one of those people who puts excessively high standards on himself.
Third, we need to keep Bethancourt at catcher and trade Evan Gattis to an AL club with young pitching or a solid-hitting outfield prospect. I love Gattis' game, but he is best suited for the American League.
Fourth, we can re-sign Emilio Bonifacio to play left field. Put BJ in center and Justin in right.
Fifth, sign Jed Lowrie to a one year deal to play second base while Peraza gets ready. Our hitting won't be first-rate, but if we can hit for singles, bunt runners over, steal bases, etc., we might hit a hot streak like Kansas city did last year.
In the end, we know that the Braves are building for 2017. But in order to keep the fan base engaged, they cannot blow the team entirely apart and be terrible for two years. The advent of the second wild card gives a team the chance to build slowly while maintaining relevancy in the playoff discussion each year. I can handle a couple of down years while we build a new generation of Braves playoff heroes. But I cannot stand the thought of re-living 1989-1990 to get there.
1. Blow up the roster, stink for two years, and save enough money to buy a strong World Series-caliber team for 2017.
2. Do what we can to field a playoff-caliber team in 2015.
These two are not mutually exclusive. With the addition of the second wild card team, it is easier than ever to excite a fan base with a postseason run. I'm not suggesting that we jeopardize our future by trading current prospects but I do think we can field a competitive team with postseason hopes in 2015 and 2016. Look no further than the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals to find a team which wasn't great in the regular season, got hot at the right time, and won a World Series.
We have a tremendous amount of young talent on this team, and a core of extended players that teams would love to have. Our first baseman is a perennial All-Star, our shortstop is the best in the game, and we have some dominant young pitching (including the game's best closer) that will only get better with time.
So what do we do?
First, Kevin Seitzer needs to encourage BJ Upton to change his game. Instead of swinging and missing, teach him to be the right-handed version of Ichiro. Teach him to bunt for hits, encourage his baserunning, and get him to be more selective in his strike zone. Remind him that his salary is secure, so there's no reason to be pressured into trying to be the same type of hitter his brother is.
Second, remind Chris Johson what led him to a runner-up finish in the batting race in 2013. Encourage him to look to the opposite field, and encourage him to relax. The pressure to earn salary affects some people dramatically, and I think Johnson may be one of those people who puts excessively high standards on himself.
Third, we need to keep Bethancourt at catcher and trade Evan Gattis to an AL club with young pitching or a solid-hitting outfield prospect. I love Gattis' game, but he is best suited for the American League.
Fourth, we can re-sign Emilio Bonifacio to play left field. Put BJ in center and Justin in right.
Fifth, sign Jed Lowrie to a one year deal to play second base while Peraza gets ready. Our hitting won't be first-rate, but if we can hit for singles, bunt runners over, steal bases, etc., we might hit a hot streak like Kansas city did last year.
In the end, we know that the Braves are building for 2017. But in order to keep the fan base engaged, they cannot blow the team entirely apart and be terrible for two years. The advent of the second wild card gives a team the chance to build slowly while maintaining relevancy in the playoff discussion each year. I can handle a couple of down years while we build a new generation of Braves playoff heroes. But I cannot stand the thought of re-living 1989-1990 to get there.
