Opening day! April 4, 2016: Nationals (Scherzer) @ Braves (Teheran)

Julio3000 said:
Really, the 'pen was fine, except Grilli. I'm looking forward to watching Viz for a whole year. Dude looked unhittable tonight. 96-99, with sick secondary stuff.
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The pen isn't far away from being great if Simmons and Withrow can come back from their injuries and produce like they had been. Just need to figure out the loogy thing and you're looking at a potential Royals like pen if we can get all four of Viz, Winkler, Simmons and Withrow in the bullpen at the same time.
 
Julio3000 said:
I hate it, but he is a hell of a player. I caught a Nats/Braves ST game and he was worth the price of admission by himself.

Also, he gave my son a ball, so now all he can talk about is how awesome Bryce Harper is (he's seven, ok?). Funny story on that note. We were at Braves ST @ Disney and my little guy was getting tons of autographs. The Braves minor-leaguers were very gracious and generous with their time. A lot of them took extra time to chat—really made the kids' day. Anyway, Matt Marksberry asked my son who his favorite player was. It's been Jason Heyward since forever, but I was at least hoping that he'd come up with Freddie Freeman. Nope. He smiles and says "Bryce. He's number 34."
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Marksberry then beaned your son in retaliation.
 
Can someone summarize how we lost? I left the house and was driving when Grilli started the 9th (on the radio). WHAT THE HOW
 
weso1 said:
The pen isn't far away from being great if Simmons and Withrow can come back from their injuries and produce like they had been. Just need to figure out the loogy thing and you're looking at a potential Royals like pen if we can get all four of Viz, Winkler, Simmons and Withrow in the bullpen at the same time.
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Optimistic of you but you aren't accounting for the inevitable 1 or 2 Tommy John candidates which will leave our bullpen shorthanded.
 
msstate7 said:
Inciarte tried his absolute best to win the game, but in the end, Grilli and Aj were just too much
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Inciarte showed why the KC model works, AJ showed why ignoring defense doesn't work. What concerns me is Coppy and co. seem not to value players like Inciarte like they should (see Shanks rumors on almost dealing him to Houston for Tucker). So I am afraid that if I get attached to him he'll be traded. Plus BS does have some sources too as he proved with knowing early on about Simmons to NYY talk last year (and these rumors including Simmons to NYY were confirmed this past off-season).
 
The Don said:
Hoping when Shae Simmons returns he's given the closer role. He and Viz will be nasssty.
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I am hoping Grilli does enough early to trade him, then let Viz close as he has earned it. Simmons would be a good set-up man to him if he comes back strong.
 
Braves1976 said:
Inciarte showed why the KC model works, AJ showed why ignoring defense doesn't work. What concerns me is Coppy and co. seem not to value players like Inciarte like they should (see Shanks rumors on almost dealing him to Houston for Tucker). So I am afraid that if I get attached to him he'll be traded. Plus BS does have some sources too as he proved with knowing early on about Simmons to NYY talk last year (and these rumors including Simmons to NYY were confirmed this past off-season).
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Unfortunately the Braves traded away the best defensive right fielder in baseball... then traded away the best defensive shortstop in all of baseball...

But they did manage to get our third basemen of the future in Olivera. I'll bet he doesn't make a single error at third this year
 
sturg33 said:
Unfortunately the Braves traded away the best defensive right fielder in baseball... then traded away the best defensive shortstop in all of baseball...

But they did manage to get our third basemen of the future in Olivera. I'll bet he doesn't make a single error at third this year
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As much as I hated not signing Heyward long-term and seeing him traded, thankfully the Heyward trade has turned out very good for us so far. The main reason being the return we got from Arizona for Miller who was the main piece of the Heyward trade. Plus I would argue that Inciarte and Heyward are close as far as defense in RF while overall Inciarte may be better defensively just due to being so strong defensively at any OF position. Inciarte is a plus defender in RF, CF and LF in other words. So having him now along with getting Swanson and Blair back for Miller takes the sting away of losing Heyward. However, that won't mean much if we trade Inciarte before we are ready to win for someone like Tucker in Houston.

That said, I agree with your overall point and I hated trading Simmons and hated the trade for Olivera too.
 
It was 2-2 when I head into a long boring meeting. I looked at the box when I came out of the meeting and wasn't surprised at the outcome. And then I read the play-by-play. You'd figure the baseball gods would have been on our side when Francoeur gets on base with a walk and then comes around to score the go-ahead run, but alas, not the case.

PS--How does one pronounce Inciarte's name?
 
I totally expect us to suck this year. I'm fine with that and will still watch. I'm interested in individual development. I would prefer we get another top 3 pick then to hurry up and become mediocre. If we do too well, trade Aybar, Markakis, and Grilli faster.
 
Oklahomabrave said:
I totally expect us to suck this year. I'm fine with that and will still watch. I'm interested in individual development. I would prefer we get another top 3 pick then to hurry up and become mediocre. If we do too well, trade Aybar, Markakis, and Grilli faster.
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Wish we would've already traded Markakis.
 
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