Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
KJ's improved play should have him in line to make the team if he keeps it up. The Braves are collecting Johnson's so that helps his cause. 
Spring Training 2015
- Thread starter Hawk
- Start date
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
CJ the double play machine lives!
CrimsonCowboy
Moderator
Really like what I've seen out of Bethancourt this Spring.
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
^ Completely. I feel way better with him right now than I did going into the season.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
BTW, if y'all got the Folty making the team information from these Detroit announcers you might want a better source. It seems they don't know what they're talking about concerning the Braves.
MadduxFanII
Swallowed by Mark Bowman
There are basically two questions about Bethancourt:
1. Can he hit at all? Like, even a little? If he can be, say, a .620 OPS hitter, that's basically fine from a solid defensive catcher, even if it's not going to make us forget about McCann.
2. If he can't, will he be the defensive wizard he was portrayed as throughout his minor league career? Because there was a very clear narrative about Bethancourt coming up through the ranks: he was an extraordinary catch-and-throw guy, one of the best any of our people had ever seen. He didn't need to hit. He was going to be Yadier Molina come again with the glove, effortlessly handling the pitching staff, shutting down the running game and blocking all potential wild pitches and passed balls. He was a rare, transformative defensive talent.
We didn't see so much of that guy during his brief time with us last year, so it's kind of important that he hit a little.
1. Can he hit at all? Like, even a little? If he can be, say, a .620 OPS hitter, that's basically fine from a solid defensive catcher, even if it's not going to make us forget about McCann.
2. If he can't, will he be the defensive wizard he was portrayed as throughout his minor league career? Because there was a very clear narrative about Bethancourt coming up through the ranks: he was an extraordinary catch-and-throw guy, one of the best any of our people had ever seen. He didn't need to hit. He was going to be Yadier Molina come again with the glove, effortlessly handling the pitching staff, shutting down the running game and blocking all potential wild pitches and passed balls. He was a rare, transformative defensive talent.
We didn't see so much of that guy during his brief time with us last year, so it's kind of important that he hit a little.
Julio3000
<B>A Chip Off the Old Rock</B>
He has given us bowman to believe that he might hit a bit.
No, but assuming Kimbrel IS traded, having Grilli around for the next three years should certainly make it easier to groom one (given the inventory of arms we have in Folty, Vizcaino, and Cabrera).
Gotta think if the decision is made to move him that they'd potentially be better off targeting ONE elite prospect bat instead of trying to get multiple pieces IMO. Texas certainly isn't likely to deal for him now, but would anyone really be THAT opposed to trading him if you could get someone like Nomar Mazara or Albert Almora back? Once you get to that point where you're competitive again, $12-$15 million per is easier to spend to replace Kimbrel than $25 million per would be for J-Up/J-Hey/whomever.
While you may not get Kimbrel/Holland/Chapman elite-level performance, you can definitely get capable enough performance for much less than an elite-level OF will cost, and you actually have to go pretty far back to find a team that won it all with an elite Closer - Rivera in 2009 - if you don't count Lidge or Brian Wilson (both maybe borderline "elite" for a short period) in that group when the Giants won in 2010 or when the Phillies won in 2008, Mo's the only one in some time.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
The key for Bethancourt will be to spit on the pitches in the dirt and off the plate (stop chasing the bad ones, esp. those with a wrinkle). He has too often in the past reminded me of Alex Gonzalez in that regard. But if he can start spitting on those pitches and get into counts where he gets more fastballs (which he usually handles well enough), then he could improve at the plate this year.
I would say on any given year, that is correct. But elite closers are elite also because they do it on a year to year basis. And even the pretty good closers still cost money/prospects to acquire if you can't develop one yourself.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
If someone like say Viz turns into a good enough closer to fill the role, then I'd still only consider trading Kimbrel if we got a great offer hard to refuse.
I'm of the same mind ... the question is, though -- what is a great offer? Two top ten prospects? One major league ready guy?
Many of us thought Taijuan Walker was a fair return for Justin Upton, so my expectations for Craig are muted.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
BTW, I don't see the need to carry Gosselin along with Peterson, KJ and Callaspo. Chris Johnson can pitch hit vs lefties if he sits vs most righties as I'm hoping. That will give both KJ and Callaspo AB's at third too.
CrimsonCowboy
Moderator
Three hits today and hitting .358 for the Spring.
Julio3000
<B>A Chip Off the Old Rock</B>
I recommend a penicillin shot and adequate protecetion, particularly if you're gonna pay for it.
Julio3000
<B>A Chip Off the Old Rock</B>
Definitely the story of the spring.
Cunningham has put together a nice game today, also.