Perfect Cell
Lynchburg Prospect
interesting additions. if we do bad we can always deal em away in the deadline
Braves sign Colon
- Thread starter Oklahomabrave
- Start date
ixiXSolidXixi
Called Up to the Major Leagues
The best can happen is that he have a great season and we trade him at the deadline for 1 or 2 prospects.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
No, the best that can happen is Big Sexy and Big Dickey lead us to the promised land, baby!
If Folty can make the step that I believe he can Colon/Dickey could be huge. The most underrated element of our starting pitching in the 90's was the sheer amount of innings they would log. Easy to manage a bullpen when everyone is rested and available every day. I'm not sure why we can't think this team is a playoff team right now.
Orphan Black
Approaching Buddy Hernandez Territory
I hate posts like this...you act like you know the inner workings of the Braves FO when you don't.
I wouldn't say it's a playoff team right now. I would say it's a team that in the most optimistic scenario could challenge for a playoff spot.
Let's give an optimistic view of WAR for the rotation, assuming health:
Teheran - 4
Folty - 2.5-3
Dickey - 2.5-3 (giving him a little bump due to the knuckle-ball effect)
Colon - 3
Wisler/Blair/5th SP - 1-1.5
Bullpen:
Vizcaino - 1.5
Johnson - 1
Paco - 1
Rest - 1.5
Lineup:
1B Freeman - 6
2B Jace/Albies - 1.5-2
SS Swanson - 3.5-4
3B Garcia/Ruiz - 1.5
RF Markakis - 1.5-2
CF Inciarte - 3.5-4
LF Kemp - 2-2.5
C Flowers - 1.5
Bench:
Mallex - 1.5
Recker/Backup C - 0.5
Rest - 1
That's a pretty optimistic outlook, and it puts you in a range of 42-46 WAR. We would obviously take that, and it should put us right in the thick of the race, but again, this is not quite a 'best-case,' but it's sure close. It assumes strong growth from Folty, continued growth from Wisler or someone else, two 42+-yo pitchers to stay healthy and good, Freeman to be one of the best players in baseball again, Swanson to keep playing like he did out of the gate, Albies to step in right away and be good, Flowers to be as good as he can be, Kemp to continue to hit like he did after the trade, Markakis to continue to keep up what he did last year, etc. Possible, just not likely.
I think this team could make a deal for an ace or make a couple FA signings that would put us right in the thick of things, but I don't think that would be wise.
Horsehide Harry
<B>Mr. Free Trade</B>
And you do?
I'm basing my thoughts on what they've said and what they've done. If they have some super secret strategy that they are about to spring on the world then I will be pleasantly surprised.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I think I agree with you. I think the tear-down was in order, but now they are sending signals that indicate they believe they can contend almost immediately, which would seem to deviate from the original plan.
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
I don't think they are sending signals that indicate they believe they can contend, but that they have pieces that will be a part of the next contending team and are still looking from within or outside the org to fill in gaps as they come available. They could trade the assets they do have or keep them and just build around them. They choose the latter, but I don't think that is sending signals that should be misconstrued.
Orphan Black
Approaching Buddy Hernandez Territory
I don't, but I also don't pretend to.
They did say that it was their plan all along to contend in 2017. They have to put fannies in the seats to show off the new digs.
Let's just assume for a moment that this is absolutely their approach. If so, it's reasonable to wonder about the durability of Dickey and Colon to handle the rigors into October. Dickey might have off season conditioning program, while Colon wolfs down Big Macs. In the new AAA thread, somebody mentioned the idea of Wisler and Blair with Gwinnett. Excellent idea. Although either of them could likely 150 innings in the #5 spot with the big club and not have to excel, sharpening skills in the IL could be the better course of action. In that case, there's a definite need for another starter...somebody who's a bona fide #1 staff ace. That takes stress off Teheran and better positions Dickey and Colon, particularly if either/both spend time on the DL.
Don't worry. Plenty of other posters here do!
Horsehide Harry
<B>Mr. Free Trade</B>
I don't pretend to either. I gave an opinion. If my opinion offends you, please feel free to go to your safe place.
Julio3000
<B>A Chip Off the Old Rock</B>
This is spot on, I think.
I think Dickey and Bart are good signings. I'd much rather have those guys on one-year deals than give up assets (talent OR cash) for longer commitments to meh pitchers. We're betting that our young arms are going to be good.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Who do you like more? Big Sexy or Big Dickey?
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I will just be fun to watch the opposing scouts timing their fastballs with a sundial.
Julio3000
<B>A Chip Off the Old Rock</B>
I'm concerned at the prospect of 'Tolo getting unfettered access to chicken and waffles.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
He was brought in partly to help Kemp with his diet.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Would acquiring an ace count?
I know it's a long way from "strong interest" to acquisition. But I've thought, contrary to the more temperate members of the board, that something like Sale was possible. If you strip out three major prospects, you've still got a lot of farm left - and you've bought yourself three years to let some of the lower level guys, whom I think are the better ones, develop.