GDT 5/3 - Weird Lineup Today

The real question is not where to upgrade, but who on the market actually represents an upgrade. After Not Trout, with Blackmon extented, it’s Pollock, Marwin Gonzalez, McCutchen, Pence, Adam Jones, Michael Brantley (who’d be semi-interesting, even at his age, but for health), and worse, as far as OF FAs. If we assume Not Trout ain’t happening, then it seems Pollock is the only worthwhile target—though Gonzalez could be interesting in a utility role, if not too pricey. Pollock’s by no means perfect, but he might be who the Braves are left to dance with, unless they get otherwise creative (trade; targeting/converting an INF à la Seattle/Gordon).

(Side note: I totally could’ve imagined John Hart targeting McCutchen or Jones as an “upgrade” to Markakis.)

I’m actually hoping some team looks to unload a 3+ win OFer under control for 2-3 years, similar to Ozuna last year.

Hard to identify targets now though.

The Braves can afford a $100M-$150M contract, and there isn’t really a FA OFer worth that much.
 
I’m actually hoping some team looks to unload a 3+ win OFer under control for 2-3 years, similar to Ozuna last year.

Hard to identify targets now though.

The Braves can afford a $100M-$150M contract, and there isn’t really a FA OFer worth that much.

I think that’s probably the smartest way to go, but I’m curious how you’d peg Pollock’s worth, all things considered.
 
I’m guessing some team without Inciarte in CF will be willing to pay him more than the Braves.

I also imagine Pollock and (if he can stay healthy for the remainder of the season) Donaldson are going to benefit from all the teams who inevitably miss out on Not Trout and Machado and are left holding a bag of cash.
 
I’m actually hoping some team looks to unload a 3+ win OFer under control for 2-3 years, similar to Ozuna last year.

Hard to identify targets now though.

The Braves can afford a $100M-$150M contract, and there isn’t really a FA OFer worth that much.

Max Kepler is one player I've been keeping an eye on. Doesn't have the track record of an Ozuna yet, but he's off to a nice start this season.
 
Luckily, we have launch angle data for every year Markakis has been with the Braves:

2015 - 6.9*
2016 - 10.8*
2017 - 8.6*
2018 - 13.3*

A launch angle change typically manifests itself in an increased FB rate.

His FB% this year is 33.3%...his career number is 33.4%.

His LD% this year is 28.7%, easily the highest in his career, and 8% higher than his career mark (20.8%).

His GB rate this year 38.0%, easily the lowest mark of his career, and almost 8% lower than his career mark (45.8%).

His exit velocity on LDs the last 4 years have been: 91.4 (immediately after neck surgery), 92.7, 93.1, and 92.4.

Markakis is exactly the same hitter he's always been, he's just hitting more LDs and less GBs. He isn't hitting any more FBs than he normally does, so I don't think it's a launch angle adjustment.

My guess: he is simply hitting well right now, and the increased launch angle is due to hitting LDs rather than GBs, not from a change in launch angle.

One of the new writers decided to pick this topic to write about, and somehow managed to craft a full article from the same stuff I found in 2 minutes of research.

She then went on to posit that it was due to....a slightly more crouched stance, then backed it up with nothing. Article over.

This new batch of writers at FG is terrible. It's a shame.

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/nick-markakis-is-somehow-the-best-hes-ever-been/
 
One of the new writers decided to pick this topic to write about, and somehow managed to craft a full article from the same stuff I found in 2 minutes of research.

She then went on to posit that it was due to....a slightly more crouched stance, then backed it up with nothing. Article over.

This new batch of writers at FG is terrible. It's a shame.

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/nick-markakis-is-somehow-the-best-hes-ever-been/
I thought it was a good article until she crash and burned with the screen caps at the end. It was definitely some off brand Jeff Sullivan ****.
 
I thought it was a good article until she crash and burned with the screen caps at the end. It was definitely some off brand Jeff Sullivan ****.

I usually don't even bother clicking any article from the new writers, but this one was about Markakis so it got my click.

I regret it.
 
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