Updated Roster news/thoughts

Any guesses on Woods innings limit this year? 170? 180?

That sounds about right. Last year he threw 140 innings, 78 in the majors and 62 in the minors.

Teheran threw 185 last year during the regular, but had a higher base during the prior two years (164 and 137). He had also pitched winter league.
 
Looking at the performances thus far (yes, it's only spring training), I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of guys who aren't Braves right now to be either on the opening day roster or obtained shortly thereafter. Things have to shake out in the bullpen and I still think they need to find a better 25th guy.
 
Looking at the performances thus far (yes, it's only spring training), I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of guys who aren't Braves right now to be either on the opening day roster or obtained shortly thereafter. Things have to shake out in the bullpen and I still think they need to find a better 25th guy.

I agree, with no one really stepping up for that 25th man spot. I expect either a late spring training trade or waiver claim for that final spot. I believe the bullpen will be filled from within.
 
There are always those lsat minute changes so I wouldn't be surprised.

I have a feeling though that Ian Thomas might fill the LHP void in the pen after Avilan. I think the pen is shaking out well. Not really sure what to think about the bench right now outside of Doumit/Pena.
 
Looking at the performances thus far (yes, it's only spring training), I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of guys who aren't Braves right now to be either on the opening day roster or obtained shortly thereafter. Things have to shake out in the bullpen and I still think they need to find a better 25th guy.

How bout Lipka? He's making a case for 25th man, although I'd also want him to spend some time in AA getting regular AB's.
 
There are always those lsat minute changes so I wouldn't be surprised.

I have a feeling though that Ian Thomas might fill the LHP void in the pen after Avilan. I think the pen is shaking out well. Not really sure what to think about the bench right now outside of Doumit/Pena.

"pen is shaking out well" yeah, there certainly are some guys who have made it pretty easy to get sent down.
 
Lipka has had a nice spring. But he has yet to play above A ball. He is not on the 40 man roster. He did not have a very good season in A ball last year. I think all those things will override his spring performance. Impressive as that is, there are the usual issues with giving too much weight to spring statistics, not least of which is sample size. All of 22 spring training AB's for Lipka so far.

Spring training performance does come into play when there isn't much to choose from among players. Here I'm thinking of the foursome of Terdoslavich, Cunningham, Pastornicky and Constanza who are competing for the last bench spot. Even within this group, everything is not quite equal. But close enough so that spring performance could tilt things one way or another. Constanza is having the best spring of this group.

I don't put La Stella in this group because to me he is a contender for a starting job. To me you either want him starting or playing in AAA, unless you are going to play him a fair number of games even with Uggla starting. Also he isn't on the 40-man roster. And I think service time considerations are a factor with him, though not a major one.
 
Lipka has had a nice spring. But he has yet to play above A ball. He is not on the 40 man roster. He did not have a very good season in A ball last year. I think all those things will override his spring performance. Impressive as that is, there are the usual issues with giving too much weight to spring statistics, not least of which is sample size. All of 22 spring training AB's for Lipka so far.

Spring training performance does come into play when there isn't much to choose from among players. Here I'm thinking of the foursome of Terdoslavich, Cunningham, Pastornicky and Constanza who are competing for the last bench spot. Even within this group, everything is not quite equal. But close enough so that spring performance could tilt things one way or another. Constanza is having the best spring of this group.

I don't put La Stella in this group because to me he is a contender for a starting job. To me you either want him starting or playing in AAA, unless you are going to play him a fair number of games even with Uggla starting. Also he isn't on the 40-man roster. And I think service time considerations are a factor with him, though not a major one.

My early impressions are that La Stella won't be with the big club when we break camp. I don't think he has enough believers in Atlanta FO yet, and will need to be in AAA a short phone call away.
 
My early impressions are that La Stella won't be with the big club when we break camp. I don't think he has enough believers in Atlanta FO yet, and will need to be in AAA a short phone call away.

La Stella has been very good at the plate and shaky in the field. Even when he makes the play it is often a bit of an adventure. But I think he's going to be our starting second baseman either later this year or next.
 
Thought of an Uggla trade that might work -

Uggla and Gearrin/Varvaro to the Marlins for Furcal. I would even include Gearrin AND Varvaro if that is what it took.

We pay for Uggla this year. Marlins pay for Furcal and Gearrin/Varvaro/Both. Next year the Marlins cover some of Uggla's contract.

Furcal and Pena can share time at second (the other serving as utility infielder when one is starting) until Stella is ready (or they can keep at it if it works nicely). This will serve many purposes, one of which will be having two bench players who get enough playing time (and rest) to be ready every at-bat. Will also save a little money next year (or we can switch the savings to this year if we need it for Santana).
 
Buchter, Thomas, Severino and Rodriguez have all pitched well in recent outings. Lessens the need to go outside the organization for a second lefty in the pen. My guess is Buchter has a slight edge at the moment, in part because he is already on the 40 man roster.

With Garcia now likely to start the season in the rotation, there are two additional spots in the pen left. My guess is that Gearrin and Varvaro have the inside track, in part because they are both out of options. The other contenders are Vasquez, Jaime and Schlosser.

At this point I think the opening day pitching staff will look like this:

Starters: Teheran, Wood, Garcia, Hale (Minor, Santana and Beachy probably won't be ready until a couple weeks into the season). We won't need a fifth starter until April 12th.

Pen: Kimbrel, Walden, Carpenter, Avilan, Buchter, Gearrin, Varvaro
 
Thought of an Uggla trade that might work -

Uggla and Gearrin/Varvaro to the Marlins for Furcal. I would even include Gearrin AND Varvaro if that is what it took.

We pay for Uggla this year. Marlins pay for Furcal and Gearrin/Varvaro/Both. Next year the Marlins cover some of Uggla's contract.

Furcal and Pena can share time at second (the other serving as utility infielder when one is starting) until Stella is ready (or they can keep at it if it works nicely). This will serve many purposes, one of which will be having two bench players who get enough playing time (and rest) to be ready every at-bat. Will also save a little money next year (or we can switch the savings to this year if we need it for Santana).

Hmm, I can't imagine Wren would even consider bringing Furcal into the organization after the furor of Furcal backing out of signing with us 5 or so years ago. That was an ugly mess that I'm sure Wren still harbors ill-will toward Furcal about.
 
Hmm, I can't imagine Wren would even consider bringing Furcal into the organization after the furor of Furcal backing out of signing with us 5 or so years ago. That was an ugly mess that I'm sure Wren still harbors ill-will toward Furcal about.
I always thought it was his agent that screwed that mess up.
 
Our rotation to start the year:

Teheran
Wood
Garcia
Hale

Assuming Beachy will be fine, our rotation by mid April should be:

Minor
Teheran
Santana
Beachy
Wood
 
I personally feel some are underestimating what Floyd can do when he comes back. If he can pitch anything like he did from 2008-2012, he would be a great #5.
 
I personally feel some are underestimating what Floyd can do when he comes back. If he can pitch anything like he did from 2008-2012, he would be a great #5.

People are just aware of what some (Beachy) have to go through to really get back.
 
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