DOB: Braves offseason about to get a lot busier. - Gamel released.

[nsacpi]

I don't really understand what Wren is doing so far, but it appears the Nats are hot after Eric O'Flaherty and two other teams are showing interest but the Braves aren't rumored to be one of them. Why in the hell would Wren not want to bring EOF back and then to let him go to the Nats.

I think it makes sense to bring back one of EOF/Venters, but not both. Wren chose Venters, which made sense given he is still in his arb years. We need a second lefty who will be ready to play from the start (call it the Avilan left arm protection plan).

 

[skidlee]

I think it makes sense to bring back one of EOF/Venters, but not both. Wren chose Venters, which made sense given he is still in his arb years. We need a second lefty who will be ready to play from the start (call it the Avilan left arm protection plan).

This is true.

 

[Braves1976]

Someone like Eric Chavez if the price is right.

If we'd kept Huddy we'd likely have a better shot at Chavez. Eric is one of his best friends. Speaking of Eric's, Hinske apparently recruited Mac to the Yankees (during his short time working as a Yankee scout).

 

[Braves1976]

Yeah. I think you and I are about the only ones around here that fully appreciate George. I think he has one more option left, so hopefully we hold on to him whether he makes the team out of spring training or not.

Yea, as I recall we both were wanting him on the playoff roster before he was named. He actually won me over with his history of clutch playoff play in the minors and then his clutch triple in our one game "playoff" loss (aka Wild Card playoff) vs. St. Louis. It's too bad his clutch playoff hits for us haven't meant more though. Both being just footnotes since we lost.

 

[Braves1976]

I think it makes sense to bring back one of EOF/Venters, but not both.

I disagree here, EOF is just too great of a lefty for us to not try to keep him. It's not a given Venters makes it back either. I'd hate to see EOF end up in Washington, DC. If we lose him I hope it's to an AL team.

 

[nsacpi]

I disagree here, EOF is just too great of a lefty for us to not try to keep him. It's not a given Venters makes it back either. I'd hate to see EOF end up in Washington, DC. If we lose him I hope it's to an AL team.

Either way we would need to bring in a second lefty for those first two months. I would hate to go with Avilan as the only lefty in the pen during those months. He's already a high injury risk given the way Fredi used him last year.

 

[skillet]

I hope we resign EOF and bring in another lefty reliever as well. We have the money, we don't want him going to the Nats, and can you imagine having Avilan, Venters and EOF in the pen for the second half? Wow.

 

[Braves1976]

Either way we would need to bring in a second lefty for those first two months. I would hate to go with Avilan as the only lefty in the pen during those months. He's already a high injury risk given the way Fredi used him last year.

We can do both, but instead of signing someone else we might use someone like Buchter. And I do agree about Fredi's use of Avilan and injury risk concerns because of it.

 

[nsacpi]

Buchter is an interesting option. Still needs to bring down the walks.

 

[Jay212033]

Buchter is an interesting option. Still needs to bring down the walks.

Kimbrel and Venters both had huge walk issues before they made it to the majors.

 

[GovClintonTyree]

So, you already know that he's nothing more than a future major league backup.

Of course I don't. But he's really only had one good half year with the bat and shows zero plate discipline, which will eat him up at the ML level. See Francoeur, Jeffrey.

 

[Knucksie]

Of course I don't. But he's really only had one good half year with the bat and shows zero plate discipline, which will eat him up at the ML level. See Francoeur, Jeffrey.

Even if he tops out as an average major league hitter, an excellent defensive catcher is still an asset that the team could use. Give him more time to work with the minor league hitting coaches. Not sure what Francoeur has to do with Bethancourt at all, but the jury's still out on his development.

If anybody here has actually seen him play, it'd be interesting to hear some first-hand impressions.

 

[diamondsyd]

Just got an update on my phone from ESPN that the Braves and Yankees interested in trading for Jeff Samardzija

 

[clvclv]

Have to figure Wren's trying to work outside the box, and is at the front of the line of folks trying to get the White Sox to reconsider moving Chris Sale.

 

[weso1]

Sale is Heyward/Freeman/Simmons territory type of an offer. I can't fathom why the Sox would move him unless they just got a ton in return.

 

[PawPawMaxwell]

WSOX GM already said he would have to be overwhelmed to move Sale. Dont think we can afford overwhelm.

 

[emk418]

Just got an update on my phone from ESPN that the Braves and Yankees interested in trading for Jeff Samardzija

Samardzija is close to becoming a legitimate top of the rotation starter. I'd go all in to get him.

 

[Bye Week]

Just got an update on my phone from ESPN that the Braves and Yankees interested in trading for Jeff Samardzija

ESPN must be reading my info. If they can get the players worked out Samardzija will be a Brave.

 

[Heyward]

Of course I don't. But he's really only had one good half year with the bat and shows zero plate discipline, which will eat him up at the ML level. See Francoeur, Jeffrey.

He's Yadi Molina if he can hit, trade him though

 

[weso1]

After giving it some thought I actually think I would trade Heyward for Sale since Heyward might be the least likely to sign a long term deal. Then sign Freeman and Simmons to long term deals and you've got at least 3 top 50 players in their prime for the next 5 years.