The Countdown...
- Thread starter clvclv
- Start date
Tapate50
Well-known member
And we still have Uggla!
Im joking. Just read over the numbers on BJ and Uggla in AJC DOB blog. They were HISTORICALLY bad last year. 2 of the 8 worst offensive performances in history last year... Whoa.
Im optimistic (as usual) but seeing Mac in another uniform is going to be difficult.
gtcway
Spring Training Invitee
They can't possibly be that bad again this season, right?!!!!
Tapate50
Well-known member
Apparently no one would send us a box of curve balls for him.
Dalyn
Fredi Gonzalez Supporter
Can we just give him to someone and collect the ones he flails hopelessly at all year and call it even?
AUTiger7222
Called Up to the Major Leagues
Talk about some negative nancy's in this thread. The Braves played plenty without McCann and Huddy last season and still won 96 games. What did McCann do in the playoffs? 0-for-13. Losing McCann and Huddy will have no negative effect on the Braves. In fact I have great reason to believe the Braves will be even better in 2014. They may not win 96 games again but I believe they will be a better team.
Gary82
Called Up to the Major Leagues
I don't expect Uggla on the roster the whole season, so that's an improvement.
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
Losing McCann will definitely negatively impact the team. Hudson not so much.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
If there is one thing I have come to learn over the past few years its every year is heartbreaking unless you win it all or are so bad that you were never really in contention so it doesnt hurt to lose. The heart breaking losses to end the year might suck but its still far better than having them out of contention by the all star break.
Gary82
Called Up to the Major Leagues
You're right, but I'm so sick of the first round exits that I'm just not too excited for the upcoming season. That'll probably change when April gets a bit closer, though.
Gary82
Called Up to the Major Leagues
I'm still not sold on Gattis as starting catcher for the whole season.
AUTiger7222
Called Up to the Major Leagues
I disagree. McCann missed all of April, did absolutely nothing in the 2nd half of the season and didn't get a single hit in the playoffs. I don't expect a drop off on the pitching side because Evan Gattis received rave reviews from the coaches and pitchers for his game calling abilities and his defense behind the plate was better than expected.
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
It's better to have McCann than not (ignoring contract quandaries). I'm not saying we'll win less games, but McCann is one of the greats at the position and a leader.
AUTiger7222
Called Up to the Major Leagues
I don't disagree with McCann being of of the greats of all-time at his position.. But McCann wasn't that guy in 2013. Heck he wasn't even that guy in 2012. The last time McCann was really that guy was in 2011. Over the last 2 seasons combined McCann has hit just .242/.316/.426 (.743). Even last year after missing April he came back strong but then from July 8th until the end of the regular season he hit just .215/.294/.395 (.688) and I have already mentioned the 0-for-13 in the playoffs.
McCann has really had a 2 part career. The part from his first year through 2009 when he put up a great average to go along with the great power numbers. Then there's the McCann from 2010 onward that still hits for great power but struggles to put up the average he once did.
2005-2009 - .293/.356/.497/ (.853)
2010-2013 - .257/.342/.444 (.786)
Yes McCann is a leader but that's one of those unmeasurable qualities that we're not sure how it will effect the team. But Chipper, Ross and Prado were all leaders that the Braves lost after 2012 and they didn't skip a beat. Hudson and McCann are leaders that they have lost after 2013. But the reason I don't think they'll skip a beat again is because they have the experience of playing without those guys and they have the confidence of knowing that they can already win without those guys.
