GDT #16, 4/18/14: Braves (Harang) @ Mets (Niese) 7:10 PM;Heyward out, Simmons LEADOFF

Thing is who do you pull? Julio? Wood? Santana? Personally I'd keep Floyd down a little longer and make sure he's 100% warmed up and good to go. Harang being on fire lets us take Floyd slowly. Maybe some team though will be super desperate for a pitcher and will swap us a BP arm for Harang.

Pretty much my take on it. Minor will replace Hale as soon as he's ready. I would ride the Harang until he's proven he's not up for the challenge anymore. Then I would let Floyd slide in.
 
Gattis should be getting a little credit for calling some very good games for Harang and others.

Teheran's last start in particular saw some brilliant pitch calls, lots of pitching backward to keep the Phillies off balance all night.

I'll give credit for Gattis receiving the ball behind the plate. He's doing a great job of setting a good target for pitchers, but not sure he's calling the pitches. I think at some point we need to recognize that McDowell may be one of the best pitching coaches in baseball.
 
I, too, hated the Harang signing. But I have learned to shut up and not compound my lack of understanding by trying to defend it. Frank Wren knows more than me; I kneel and bow to his decision making.

I admit, I was kind of upset about the Garcia release because I felt he put in enough work for us that he at least earned a chance to start a few times.

Harang I always knew threw strikes and stayed around the zone, but whenever we played him with Cinncy we usually hit him hard.

I don't think anybody expected this guy to be this great so far, carrying a no hitter into the 7th twice this season. I don't know how long the magic dust will stay there, and it certainly makes the decision with Floyd and Hale more difficult. Floyd has said he's ready to go, but he understands a team like the Braves aren't going to rush him back from TJ (irony with Beachy isn't it?). I realistically would see if I could trade Harang for a bullpen arm right now. I'm about 99% sure he won't keep this up into the summer, and since bullpen for the first time in a while is one of our sore spots, we need another arm for reassurance.
 
I think at some point we need to recognize that McDowell may be one of the best pitching coaches in baseball.

Isnt this already recognized?

Some on here would like McDowell to manager and frankly, i'd agree.
 
I'm encouraged by BJ.

I no longer look at the lineup and go "Ugh, gonna be a long night at the 2 spot". His confidence is boosted so high now, when was the last time he was over .200?

If he gets it going... man with Freddie and Justin hitting good.
 
I've been gone all night, but I kept up with the game as much as I can and all I have to say is... wow. Aaron Harang has been everything I could of ever dreamed we could get from him and then some. I don't know how long he will keep it up, but he keeps giving us great outings consistently.

As much as Harang has impressed me, BJ has been a close second as of lately. Not only is the guy not striking out, but he's getting hits, taking walks and stealing bases. If he can keep up even remotely close at the pace that he is right now, then we have the perfect two-hole hitter.

Follow Freeman, JUP and Gattis and you have a very good 2-3-4-5 there.

I'm just happy to see the team do so well right now.

Walden's ERA is back at 3.00, which is great. He's been good since his rough start to the season.
 
My thoughts on the Harang-Floyd thing is they are both going to be starting and they'll move Wood to the bullpen. As much as Wood has impressed as a starter I could see the Braves being careful with his arm. Wood was due to be the odd man out anyways, before we lost Medlen.
 
Pretty much my take on it. Minor will replace Hale as soon as he's ready. I would ride the Harang until he's proven he's not up for the challenge anymore. Then I would let Floyd slide in.

Some teams are desperate for starting pitching... trade Harang in the next few weeks for a bullpen arm.
 
This is a tricky situation. You almost want to keep throwing Harang out there because every good start skyrockets his value. I understand limiting Wood but I don't think I want to waste his innings in the pen. I'd be all for sending him down for two week stints or DL him during the year to limit his innings. I think Floyd will be pitching in the rotation when he is ready. This guy has a great track record in the AL in a hitters ballpark. I think we are all going to be real happy when he is pitching for us.
 
I'm with thethe on Floyd I think he'll surprise many. I think it may be wise if the innings limit on Wood is serious to just move to a 6 man where Julio, Santana, and Minor make regular starts, but you select one of Harang, Floyd, or Wood to miss a start and give the other an extra day rest so say something like

Julio
Santana
Minor
Harang
Floyd
Julio
Santana
Minor
WOod
Harang
Julio
Santana
Minor
Floyd
Wood

Basically you're giving an extra day rest and some time off. Can run that a few times to limit Wood's innings, and break floyd back in.
 
Problem with that is that you could find yourself witha short bullpen. I think just giving a guy a 2 week break is the best bet.
 
I was just getting ready to suggest a 6 man rotation for the time being. Harang is building value so rapidly that I would try and wait til closer to the deadline and get some holes filled. Our bullpen could use a little help but Im sure someone at Gwinnett or the wire will step up soon. A bench bat is the biggest need IMO.

On a side note: Where is AUTiger. He has faded faster than the Scout board.
 
The resting starter could be used for an inning or 2 on his off week.

I suppose. Just not sure I want to use these guys in a relief role at all but something creative will have to be done. Harang will not have much value right now until he does this for another two months or so.
 
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