Christian Bethancourt optioned to Gwinnett

[Hawk]

The organizational weakness at catcher is a pretty important consideration. As I've said before to me he looks like a backup catcher in the majors. That has value. And players surprise to upside and downside all the time. So I would keep him but as the #2 catcher. If he beats out the #1 that's great. But we need to pick a solid #1. Doesn't have to be an All-Star who commands big bucks. I'm perfectly fine with someone who is solid defensively and will not hurt the team batting 7th or 8th.

Yeah. Over the past couple of years, given the general lack of real progress he's demonstrated in the Minor Leagues, I've come to the belief that Bethancourt's ceiling is more that of a defensive whiz than a serviceable all-around talent (a la Henry Blanco as opposed to any of the lesser members of the Molina clan). If the offense comes, consider it a bonus, otherwise just be content with the glove. A perfectly adequate #2 option, as you say.

McCann is an intriguing name to consider as an option for the #1 role. If the Yankees do indeed pursue Wieters (as it has been suggested for several years) then the Braves are in a unique position, both in terms of financial flexibility and available prospect talent, to pursue a trade for McCann and give him a few years at the position while they grow out their catching depth. Under such a scenario, Bethancourt would represent an almost idyllic back-up option -- ostensibly better defensively, cost-controlled.

Aside from Atlanta going after Wieters themselves, I'm not sure what other options are available to give the Braves a legitimate #1 option in the short-term.

 

[Hawk]

Just because he was a top 100 rated prospect doesn't mean anything. There are a lot more guys on that list that never make it or fail.

Agreed wholeheartedly, but it's worth considering in this instance because it does showcase that Bethancourt has, at least in the past, demonstrated a top-tier skillset.

 

[nsacpi]

Yeah. Over the past couple of years, given the general lack of real progress he's demonstrated in the Minor Leagues, I've come to the belief that Bethancourt's ceiling is more that of a defensive whiz than a serviceable all-around talent (a la Henry Blanco as opposed to any of the lesser members of the Molina clan). If the offense comes, consider it a bonus, otherwise just be content with the glove. A perfectly adequate #2 option, as you say.

McCann is an intriguing name to consider as an option for the #1 role. If the Yankees do indeed pursue Wieters (as it has been suggested for several years) then the Braves are in a unique position, both in terms of financial flexibility and available prospect talent, to pursue a trade for McCann and give him a few years at the position while they grow out their catching depth. Under such a scenario, Bethancourt would represent an almost idyllic back-up option -- ostensibly better defensively, cost-controlled.

Aside from Atlanta going after Wieters themselves, I'm not sure what other options are available to give the Braves a legitimate #1 option in the short-term.

There isn't a strong crop of free agent catchers after Wieters. Navarro, Ianneta and Avila are all struggling this year. But they all have a decent track record. I'd be ok picking one of them up and having them hit 7th or 8th. Going cheap at catcher would allow us to spend more to upgrade third, left and get some relievers.

 

[Enscheff]

Avila would be a pretty good option. He has a huge platoon advantage vs RHed pitchers, and would make a good compliment to CB's platoon advantage vs LHed pitchers.

 

[Braves1976]

Avila would be a pretty good option. He has a huge platoon advantage vs RHed pitchers, and would make a good compliment to CB's platoon advantage vs LHed pitchers.

Yea, that's why I listed him as my second choice behind Wieters among free agent options.

 

[Heyward]

CB is still young but if he cant hit, im not sure what type of value he has.

His defense is better than its been lately but still they need to upgrade catcher.

Other than Lucroy, and Wieters/Mac, there isnt much at catcher this winter.

 

[Enscheff]

If you can't afford Wieters, and Lucroy isn't really available, then you have to piece something together at C as best you can. An Avila/CB platoon wouldn't be a terrible plan.

 

[NinersSBChamps]

If you can't afford Wieters, and Lucroy isn't really available, then you have to piece something together at C as best you can. An Avila/CB platoon wouldn't be a terrible plan.

Unless CB proves otherwise he and anyone else in a platoon option is a bad plan.

 

[Deester11]

Unless CB proves otherwise he and anyone else in a platoon option is a bad plan.

Simple, but yes.

 

[Heyward]

If you can't afford Wieters, and Lucroy isn't really available, then you have to piece something together at C as best you can. An Avila/CB platoon wouldn't be a terrible plan.

That wouldnt be good at all, just trade for Lucroy, we got the assets.

 

[NinersSBChamps]

That wouldnt be good at all, just trade for Lucroy, we got the assets.

I see Lucroy going before the trade deadline. Braves don't believe in trying to improve this season, so making a trade that does just that won't happen.

 

[Julio3000]

I'd be content to go with a patchwork solution at C, as long as we could bring in a part-timer who could field the position and run into one occasionally.

If we could get Lucroy, I wouldn't be totally opposed. I don't think there's a guy in our system I wouldn't be prepared to deal, except maybe Davidson, his being the Lone Ranger and all.

Weiters, no thanks.

 

[GovClintonTyree]

Yeah. Over the past couple of years, given the general lack of real progress he's demonstrated in the Minor Leagues, I've come to the belief that Bethancourt's ceiling is more that of a defensive whiz than a serviceable all-around talent (a la Henry Blanco as opposed to any of the lesser members of the Molina clan). If the offense comes, consider it a bonus, otherwise just be content with the glove. A perfectly adequate #2 option, as you say.

McCann is an intriguing name to consider as an option for the #1 role. If the Yankees do indeed pursue Wieters (as it has been suggested for several years) then the Braves are in a unique position, both in terms of financial flexibility and available prospect talent, to pursue a trade for McCann and give him a few years at the position while they grow out their catching depth. Under such a scenario, Bethancourt would represent an almost idyllic back-up option -- ostensibly better defensively, cost-controlled.

Aside from Atlanta going after Wieters themselves, I'm not sure what other options are available to give the Braves a legitimate #1 option in the short-term.

I like this take. Guess it depends on how in love with Wieters the Yanks really are. They're most assuredly disappointed with Mac.

I'd take the late career Mac, especially if the Yanks pay a piece, which should be easy.

 

[Julio3000]

I like this take. Guess it depends on how in love with Wieters the Yanks really are. They're most assuredly disappointed with Mac.

I'd take the late career Mac, especially if the Yanks pay a piece, which should be easy.

I take Mac back if it were mostly on the Yanks' dime. We could, and probably will, do worse.

 

[gilesfan]

Unfortunately, McCann (at his age) has turned into a homer or nothing type hitter benefiting from playing at Yankee stadium. His OPS away was .591 last year and is .591 this year. I wouldn't expect him to be that bad (and you could probably get a worse short term option; cough AJ), but he would be smart to try to stay in NY.

 

[Hawk]

Just took a look at Mac's contract. Didn't realize it was so nasty:

2016: $17MM
2017: $17MM
2018: $17MM
2019: $15MM (Team option that would vest if he totals 1,000 PAs from 2017-18, catches 90 games in 2018 and is not on the disabled list at the end of the 2018 season)

Figuring that option is likely to vest, he's still owed $66MM over the remainder of his contract after this season (to age 35).

The Yankees would have to eat ~50%+ of that to make me bite ... and the prospect haul would have to be a inconsequential one.

 

[zbhargrove]

I will always love McCann... But he would be a disaster back here.... People don't realize how much Yankee Stadium inflates power numbers

 

[zitothebrave]

Just took a look at Mac's contract. Didn't realize it was so nasty:

2016: $17MM
2017: $17MM
2018: $17MM
2019: $15MM (Team option that would vest if he totals 1,000 PAs from 2017-18, catches 90 games in 2018 and is not on the disabled list at the end of the 2018 season)

Figuring that option is likely to vest, he's still owed $66MM over the remainder of his contract after this season (to age 35).

The Yankees would have to eat ~50%+ of that to make me bite ... and the prospect haul would have to be a inconsequential one.

If they go all in on Wieters. McCann should be available for pennies on the Dollar. I could imagine McCann woulnd't be bought by anyone for no prospect so cash is assumed to be included.

I'm with you on the half. But I'd want potentially half that vesting option. Yankees don't have to send it to us if it doesn't vest but do if it does. So Mac plus 25.5M and potentially another 7.5, what are you willing to give up? For starters I'd look at the Yankees farm. According to sickels they have 10 solid B prospects. Majority of them being B- prospects (as it should be) Of their top 10 prospects according to him, only 3 of them are pitchers, one of them being a potential closer (aka not a starter) They have a 1B, 2B, 2 Cs, 3B, SS, and their top prospect from the position side is Aaron Judge a RF.

So looking at their farm, they're lacking in pitching, projectable or otherwise. Luckily for us, we're flush. we can give up a highly projectable arm, and still have a stable full of them. Someone like WEs Parsons immediately comes to mind. Very interesting pithcing prospect, but he's just lost in the shuffle. Carlos Salazar is another. We have a few guys we could pony up who probably won't touch the majors but would help the Yankees out by improving their minors with some chance to get to the bigs, though those odds are pretty slim.

 

[zitothebrave]

I will always love McCann... But he would be a disaster back here.... People don't realize how much Yankee Stadium inflates power numbers

I disagree.

Here are Mac's homers this year from hittrackeronline overlayed onto turner

Now your first reaction is and should be, he clearly would lose 4 homers and it's a valid concern, but there's 2 things Atlanta has going for it that Yankee stadium doesn't. First it's elevation. Yankee stadium is a mere 29 feet above sea level, while Turner field is 977. Atlanta also has an advantage in average relative humidity of 68% vs 65%. What does that mean? Well it means that the ball flies further in turner than Yankee stadium because there are 2 factors that help the ball fly further. So while those 4 homers look like they would be warning track shots in turner, they could very well be balls that just land over the fence. McCann could still quite easily be a servicable player here. He still has it defensively of course. And his leadership qualities are through the roof.

 

[gilesfan]

3% difference in humidity? I really doubt that makes a difference.

The following his HR rate over the past 3 years. (typical delta between NL and AL around .2ish)

2015:Yankee Stadium 2.67 homers per game. 1.45 per game at Turner. (ok Braves are SPEED team!)
2014: 2.06 to 1.83
2012: 2.28 to 1.59

Ok, not convinced?

From 2009-2013, Yankee Stadium produced homers 28x that of average parks while Turner was below average at a HR rate of 95:100.

Ok, still not convinced?

Here is a description of Yankee Stadium:

The 'New' Yankee Stadium (2009) is the current home of the New York Yankees. In large part a recreation of the older Yankee Stadium, the new park (designed by, who else, HOK Sport) added a plethora of luxury boxes and other amenities, but plays in more or less the same ways: a slight pitcher's park with a short right field porch that favors left handed pull hitters.

Or another:

7. Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees): Everyone thinks of it as a homer haven, but the truth is that the only extreme park factor at Yankee Stadium is left-handed power, particularly those with extreme pull tendencies. From 2012 to '14, left-handed batters, when putting the ball into play to right field there, combined for .371 isolated power with 40 percent of their fly balls clearing the fence; those were by far major league bests. This is the kind of park in which, on an individual matchups basis, it's wise to load up on left-handed power bats while avoiding fly ball pitchers, especially right-handers.

Ok, still not?

RF at Turner has had an average isoSLG of .251 (compared to league leading .371 at Yankee Stadium)
27% off flyballs to right field leave the yard at Turner Field (compared to league leading 40.1% at Yankee Stadium)

Not only are those league leaders for Yankee Stadium; they are by far major league best.

Nice try, Zito. lol.