Alex may have to make some interesting choices this winter - there are some obvious candidates to be removed from the 40-Man Roster, but there are at least a couple of potential "must-adds". Likely to be cut loose guys include...
1.) Robbie Grossman
2.) Ehire Adrianza
3.) Alan Rangel
4.) Brooks Wilson
5.) Jay Jackson
It's probably fair to assume that the "holes" left by Grossman and Adrianza can be filled by one guy - Grissom - so that opens one spot. Mezquita has to be added this winter, so he's probably pretty close to a slam-dunk to take one of the extra spots. If they aren't able to find a taker for Pina, Tromp would seem like a pretty logical choice to fill the other so there's Catcher depth in Gwinnett.
The Pitchers that have to be added or left unprotected include Vodnik, Vines, Tanner Gordon, Roddery Munoz, J. J. Niekro, Jordano Perez, and Luis Vargas. Vodnik and Vines would seem like logical choices to take Jackson and Wilson's spots - Vodnik has been more impressive at Gwinnett than Jackson has, and he's 12 years younger (and will have all 3 option years remaining). Wilson is further up FanGraphs' Braves list than Vines, but he turns 27 next season and since Wilson's been hurt most of the season there's probably a decent chance they could re-sign him if they want him back. Vines is 2 full years younger as well.
That leaves you with a choice between Rangel, Gordon, Munoz, Niekro, Perez, and Vargas in Rangel's current spot. Rangel still strikes out tons of hitters (111 in 88.2 IP so far this season), but Munoz has outpitched BOTH him and Gordon at Mississippi. Munoz is also 2 years younger than both of them. Niekro is the same age as Rangel and Gordon, but he's been the best Pitcher out of this entire last group. Vargas is the one that throws a monkey wrench into this whole situation - while Niekro has been better, Vargas is still striking out 10.4/9, and he's just 20 - are they willing to gamble that he won't immediately be gobbled up by someone?
If Ynoa continues to struggle it's probably fair to wonder if his roster spot might be in jeopardy so they can protect one of those younger guys.
1.) Robbie Grossman
2.) Ehire Adrianza
3.) Alan Rangel
4.) Brooks Wilson
5.) Jay Jackson
It's probably fair to assume that the "holes" left by Grossman and Adrianza can be filled by one guy - Grissom - so that opens one spot. Mezquita has to be added this winter, so he's probably pretty close to a slam-dunk to take one of the extra spots. If they aren't able to find a taker for Pina, Tromp would seem like a pretty logical choice to fill the other so there's Catcher depth in Gwinnett.
The Pitchers that have to be added or left unprotected include Vodnik, Vines, Tanner Gordon, Roddery Munoz, J. J. Niekro, Jordano Perez, and Luis Vargas. Vodnik and Vines would seem like logical choices to take Jackson and Wilson's spots - Vodnik has been more impressive at Gwinnett than Jackson has, and he's 12 years younger (and will have all 3 option years remaining). Wilson is further up FanGraphs' Braves list than Vines, but he turns 27 next season and since Wilson's been hurt most of the season there's probably a decent chance they could re-sign him if they want him back. Vines is 2 full years younger as well.
That leaves you with a choice between Rangel, Gordon, Munoz, Niekro, Perez, and Vargas in Rangel's current spot. Rangel still strikes out tons of hitters (111 in 88.2 IP so far this season), but Munoz has outpitched BOTH him and Gordon at Mississippi. Munoz is also 2 years younger than both of them. Niekro is the same age as Rangel and Gordon, but he's been the best Pitcher out of this entire last group. Vargas is the one that throws a monkey wrench into this whole situation - while Niekro has been better, Vargas is still striking out 10.4/9, and he's just 20 - are they willing to gamble that he won't immediately be gobbled up by someone?
If Ynoa continues to struggle it's probably fair to wonder if his roster spot might be in jeopardy so they can protect one of those younger guys.
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