AJ
- Thread starter msstate7
- Start date
KB21
Where's My Cup of Coffee?
Actually, it doesn't make sense to trade AJ at this point. AJ's biggest value to this team is the mentorship he brings to the young pitchers on this roster. Atlanta will not get value in a trade to equal that value. Plus, by trading him, you put three struggling young pitchers right now (Wisler, Folty, and Perez) with a catcher who is struggling defensively with his ability to frame pitches, his footwork behind the plate, and his ability to call the game. You are also replacing a leader on the team with a player who has shown no desire to be a leader to this point.
The most important aspect of the rest of this season is the development of these young pitchers in this staff, and I think you could really impede their development by moving from AJ to Bethancourt at this point. This team needs Wisler and Folty in particular to work through their struggles and develop the mentality/pitchability they need to be successful.
The most important aspect of the rest of this season is the development of these young pitchers in this staff, and I think you could really impede their development by moving from AJ to Bethancourt at this point. This team needs Wisler and Folty in particular to work through their struggles and develop the mentality/pitchability they need to be successful.
Deester11
Well-known member
I agree to an extent. However, it's just time to find out whether or not CB is our catcher of the future. AJ's work with the young pitchers may be good, but if they're going to get beaten up as they have, I'm sure CB's not going to alter that. But we will see I guess.
KB21
Where's My Cup of Coffee?
Well, you certainly do not help struggling young pitchers by giving them a catcher who stabs at the ball and doesn't set up well behind the plate. I have no issue with bringing Bethancourt up at this point, but I wouldn't let him catch Folty or Wisler the rest of the year.
msstate7
Well-known member
If folty, wisler, and Perez were showing progress with AJ, I might agree. I just don't see any improvement. If Bethancourt comes up and continues to play well, I think that could be just as important as one of the rookie starters improving.
I think starting next season that our rotation will look something like this...
Teheran
Miller
FA
Minor
Perez/folty/banuelos/wisler/Jenkins
So I really one see 1, maybe 2 being starters for any significant time for us next season. Bethancourt being mlb ready would be much bigger for us IMO.
Yes. That's right. Nobody will be traded after the season. The roster will stay exactly the same as it is now.
KB21
Where's My Cup of Coffee?
Showing progress? Both of them are currently in their adjusting stage in their development, and you want to potentially derail that by giving them a developmental catcher?
There is a much greater likelyhood that Matt Wisler and Mike Foltynewicz will be in the starting rotation next year than there is of Christian Bethancourt being the long term starter at catcher.
msstate7
Well-known member
Which starter do you think we trade? If we trade Teheran for a 30 year old LF, I think I might be done
msstate7
Well-known member
So you predict AJ catches every wisler, folty, and Perez start from here out?
I don't think any of these rookie starters are sure fire mlb starters. I think it's just as likely Bethancourt sticks as any of them as starters
I think wisler is the most likely though
You must have AJ confused with another catcher named AJ that's actually good at setting up behind the plate and framing pitches. The one we have is one of the worst catchers in baseball at doing that, on top of being terrible at throwing out runners. If anything AJ would be a reason for our pitchers struggles.
Runnin
Well-known member
Yes, we're thin at catcher, but our young pitchers and Roger need a vet back there. They at least need someone they can count on make and carry out game plans. Maybe Roger's not satisfied with Beth's work ethic and/or performance or maybe since they've decided to use A.J.'s bat they're letting Beth get as many AB's as he can in Gwinnett.
Whatever. Speculation is futile and it'll all come out in the wash. A.J. won't be the catcher in '17 and unless Beth starts walking tall really soon it won't be him either. He doesn't have to be in Atlanta for them to know whether he's ready or not.
Whatever. Speculation is futile and it'll all come out in the wash. A.J. won't be the catcher in '17 and unless Beth starts walking tall really soon it won't be him either. He doesn't have to be in Atlanta for them to know whether he's ready or not.
msstate7
Well-known member
Bethancourt has another thing working against him.... He's left from wren. We have what 1 starter and 2 positional players left from wren? And of that 3, we supposedly listened to an offer on Simmons and tried to get soler with Teheran. We moved peraza without so much as a shot at 2b in favor of a much less heralded prospect in Peterson. Seems hart wants nothing but his guys. Will albies be next? God, I hope not
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
Huh? I'm pretty sure moving Peraza had to do with LA not wanting Peterson.
msstate7
Well-known member
If we really would have rather traded Peterson than peraza, then I hate that trade even more. That would mean we felt peraza was a better player, so we weakened 2 positions (2b and starting pitcher) to upgrade 1 position (3b).
I think we traded peraza bc we like Peterson more. I'm not sure I agree with them on that.
OP noted, quite astutely, that speculation is pointless. Most observers would've expected Alex Wood to part of the team's future plans. Roster turnover is a given. So, at least one of that group will be not be with the team on Opening Day in 2016. Maybe they'll package one or more young pitcher for vet? Who's to say?
msstate7
Well-known member
Message boards get quite boring without any speculation, no?
Isn't predicting that our starting pitcher group will be different speculation as well or do you have inside info that one will be moved?
It's a matter of historical record. Show me any example in Braves history that the rotation was exactly the same from the previous September to the following April. If every single one of those names is on the 25-man roster, come Opening Day 2016, you are invited to re-open this thread and call attention. Most will still be Braves, someone will get hurt, someone will get sent down and someone (maybe more than one) will be traded.