Lohse was mentioned by me, a while back, and nobody said anything. That was when the winds were blowing "re-sign Hudson." Now that the winds are blowing another way, he's an interesting choice. Wren tried to get Lohse at the deadline. So, it's not as if DOB has some great Twitter scoop here about the potential to try again.
DOB: Braves offseason about to get a lot busier. - Gamel released.
- Thread starter Heyward
- Start date
Well Medlen once again got shotty defense. I don't know why this team plays so poorly defensively in the playoffs, but defense has cost them at least one game each of our last 3 playoff appearances. Sure Medlen didn't help himself either. But I'm sure it's frustrating knowing the same exact thing happened last yr in his lone playoff start. But the fact remains we scored only 1 run against the Cy Young winner on a night that he was all over the place. Mac also got robbed of a two run shot in that game (or at the very least a run scoring double). So luck was definitely not in our favor in game 1
Yes JT and Carpenter pitched like crap. But Carpenter was a middle reliever forced into the set up role due to injuries. I don't see how your argument really applies towards him though. Carpenter would have still pitched poorly regardless if we had "that one pitcher/hitter who dominates a series."
JT was a rookie, and starting him on the rd in his first playoff appearance was the 2nd dumbest move Freddie made this postseason. I don't know that results may have been drastically different at home, but at least give him the best chance to get a win and build his confidence for a possible rd start deeper in the playoffs.
Yes JT and Carpenter pitched like crap. But Carpenter was a middle reliever forced into the set up role due to injuries. I don't see how your argument really applies towards him though. Carpenter would have still pitched poorly regardless if we had "that one pitcher/hitter who dominates a series."
JT was a rookie, and starting him on the rd in his first playoff appearance was the 2nd dumbest move Freddie made this postseason. I don't know that results may have been drastically different at home, but at least give him the best chance to get a win and build his confidence for a possible rd start deeper in the playoffs.
Johnson is simply a risk we can't afford to take, imo. He need a reliable quality starter that give us innings in case we have 1 or more injuries. And one could argue that we already are depending on Beachy as our high risk/reward pitcher.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
We have 2 guys who seem to fit that mold already in Minor and Medlen.
If we sign Josh Johnson our pitching depth will look something like
Minor
Medlen
Julio
JJ
Beachy
Wood
Hale
Martin
Gilmartin
Northcraft
Schlosser
And probably a few more I'm forgetting. Heck we can probably bring Loe or Garcia back on a minor league deal as well for more depth. If we lose one ofour big 3 we'll be up **** creek. Lohse wouldn't make a difference in that regard but Johnson could.
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
All that depth you talk about would seem to have more value to us than any other team. With the absolute dearth of starting pitching available thru FA there wont be many teams wanting to trade one of their assets. Until it is determined that those pitchers we have in the minors are ready to move up, I just dont see a trade with Brewers for Lohse. In fact, for a TOR guy (not saying that Lohse is) that Wren mentioned, the only trade chips that we could possibly part with are JUp and Kimbrel. I guess realistically I would include Avilan but very very reluctantly.
Teheran is going to be a big time innings eater next year as well. The pitching depth is becoming a real big time strength again.
All Johnson costs is short term money. Thats actually something the Braves have right now and should utilize it appropriately.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
I would prefer we get a starting pitcher through free agency than give up the assets we would need to give up for Lohse. There are some good free agent options. My ranking in order of preference: Josh Johnson, Hudson, Haren, Capuano, Feldman, Hughes, Arroyo. We may have to go to a two-year deal to land one of those, though Josh Johnson and Phil Hughes apparently are interested in a one-year deal to rebuild their value.
But what exactly is on a downward trend? Batting average? That's just a few extra hits a year. Last 5 years he has hit 281, 269, 270, 230, and 256. He has had low marks in BABIP the last two years. Again, his walk rate, power, and k rate have all remained consistent. That is what you are looking for. That's what GM's look at. Not batting average which is a result of bad luck at times. Him playing a full season can be an issue. He had eye issues, then shoulder problems which he had corrected. He only didn't play a full season this year due to recovering from surgery. And playing in the AL where he can DH will certainly help him going forward.
He's still one of the best catchers in baseball. We will miss him a lot.
bravesnumberone
Well-known member
Yeah, I'll be looking forward to the three games Johnson pitches before he gets hurt.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
Pitchers get hurt and miss time. See Hudson, Beachy, Medlen.
Next year the guy who breaks down might be the one who hasn't had a problem in recent years.
The solution is depth, which we happen to have an abundance of in AAA. Our AAA rotation there will probably consist of Hale, Martin, Gilmartin, Thomas, Northcraft. I'm assuming Wood is in the major league pen and could also be stretched out to start. That kind of depth allows us to take a chance on someone like Josh Johnson, who has a ton of upside.
Tapate50
Well-known member
Good post.
You would prefer to see him in the rotation?
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
Wood is already in Keith's daily rotation.
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
When you are my age you dont need Wood for relief but you sure can bring the gas.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
There are quite a few low-to-medium cost guys in the free agent market and it will be interesting to see if the Braves pursue any of them. Curious to see what Scott Kazmir would cost. Edinson Volquez is another. Question marks on a lot of these guys, but could be some value.
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
Volquez is not even worth looking in to, IMO.
Kazmir for a decent deal is interesting, but what's his upside anymore? I'm not sure I see the point in someone like him.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Originally Posted by nsacpi
I'm assuming Wood is in the major league pen and could also be stretched out to start.
Just so long as Wood doesn't have to hang out there, underutilized, unused for weeks at a time.
I'm assuming Wood is in the major league pen and could also be stretched out to start.
Just so long as Wood doesn't have to hang out there, underutilized, unused for weeks at a time.