GDT 8/14/2013: Phillies @ Braves

[yeezus]

Its absolutely ridiculous how good Wren is at building a bullpen.

Very true, it seems easy by what people say about relievers, but it's not. Look at Amaro. Not to harp on him, but they haven't had a good bullpen for years. They gave Paps 11 mil/year and their bullpen has still been bad.

 

[50PoundHead]

Roger McDowell deserves a lot of credit too. Braves have the 2nd lowest team ERA in baseball since 2006. 1st is the Dodgers and they play there homeruns in a great pitcher's park. Turner Field according to park factors has actually favored hitters the last few years.

Agreed. McDowell seems to have done a pretty good job. He was a very good reliever so he probably has a pretty good idea of what it takes to succeed out there.

 

[Heyward]

Janish doesn't hit (outside of the base hit tonight on a bad pitch), but he sure shows that shortstop range and arm at second. Impressive defensively, esp. after watching Uggla out there so long.

He's really good defensively, not Simmons good obviously but one of the better ones in baseball.

 

[AUTiger7222]

Just think about it. Braves could conceivably be replacing Vavaro/Downs with EOF/Venters next year. WOW!

I wouldn't be surprised to see Downs back next year. I think the Braves non-tender EOF in hopes that they can bring him back on a cheaper deal than he would get in arbitration.

 

[yeezus]

The other reason I would pitch Beachy over Medlen is because Beachy has better stuff so he can get away with have a little worse control. Medlen has that killer changeup but Beachy's isn't bad and Beachy's curveball is much better on a consistent basis than Medlen's when he's right. They're both equals when it comes to their fastball.

Yeah, I definitely like Beaches over Meds for the post-season as well.

 

[zitothebrave]

Would be insane.

If we can't keep EOF, i would be ok with bringing back Downs for a couple more years.

Would definitely tender Venters though, worth the risk.

Downs is like 37. I don't know if he has a couple more years in him

That said I think EOF is gone. Though who knows if Mac leaves we can splurge on the pen and rotation a bit. Keep Meds and EOF around.

 

[zitothebrave]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Downs back next year. I think the Braves non-tender EOF in hopes that they can bring him back on a cheaper deal than he would get in arbitration.

He's a straight FA. Someone will pay him I presume even with the injury he was too dominating to sign here for cheap.

 

[Braves1976]

He's really good defensively, not Simmons good obviously but one of the better ones in baseball.

True.

 

[Heyward]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Downs back next year. I think the Braves non-tender EOF in hopes that they can bring him back on a cheaper deal than he would get in arbitration.

This year is his last year of arbitration.

On OFlahrety.

So we can bring him back next year on a Cheap deal.

 

[tvsportscaster]

Anyone know who has cleared waivers?

I mentioned earlier, Ken Rosenthal reported tonight that Brendan Ryan has cleared waivers, he would be another Janish though, great defense no bat.

 

[AUTiger7222]

He's really good defensively, not Simmons good obviously but one of the better ones in baseball.

He's pretty good. But if the Braves got someone like Brendan Ryan he would be even better than Janish and Ryan has actually hit some in the majors. Ryan had the most defensive runs saved among SS's until Simmons came along. That's really saying something. When he was with the Cardinals the Braves couldn't buy a hit to the left side of the infield.

 

[bravesnumberone]

Speaking of Downs, would like to see a little more of him.

 

[Heyward]

Why Avilan, ugh.

 

[AUTiger7222]

He's a straight FA. Someone will pay him I presume even with the injury he was too dominating to sign here for cheap.

Oh ok. Yeah someone will pay him most likely.

 

[Heyward]

Downs is like 37. I don't know if he has a couple more years in him

That said I think EOF is gone. Though who knows if Mac leaves we can splurge on the pen and rotation a bit. Keep Meds and EOF around.

He has another year, still pitching well.

On Downs.

 

[AUTiger7222]

Why Avilan, ugh.

What?

 

[thethe]

We are going to see someone from AAA/AA start in our pen next year IMO. I would say the pen will look like this:

Kimbrel
Walden
Avilan
Venters
Carpenter
Vavaro
AA/AAA guy

 

[Heyward]

Speaking of Downs, would like to see a little more of him.

Would be nice, Fredi overworked Avilan.

 

[Heyward]

We are going to see someone from AAA/AA start in our pen next year IMO. I would say the pen will look like this:

Kimbrel
Walden
Avilan
Venters
Carpenter
Vavaro
AA/AAA guy

Ayala/Gearrin/Hale?

 

[thethe]

Speaking of Downs, would like to see a little more of him.

He will be a weapon that will be abused in the postseason. Everyone knows he can get lefties out. No need to work him too hard in meangingless games.