If we lose this series what then for next year
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PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
Distinct possibility. Cant you just see Uggla and Adam Dunn hitting back to back.
Dunit24
Awaiting a Promotion
After seeing what dominant pitching can do in the postseason, although he struggled against the Bo-Sox, im going after David Price. A rotation of Price, Teheran, Minor, Medlen, Wood/Beachy would be flat out dominant, especially for years to come. Id rather throw my money at Price than re-sign Mac at this point. Now if Price demands and gets 20+ mil a year, let him go elsewhere, but my main priority this offseason would be find an ace. A TRUE ace.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
Greinke got $24.5M per year as a free agent. Felix Hernandez got $25M/year without hitting free agency. Verlander got over $24M/year without hitting free agency.
The reality is Price will get over 20M/year, barring injury or regression.
He is, however, two years from free agency. Do we want him as a two-year rental? Do we want to pay the price that his current club would want in a trade? Do we want to make this sort of trade with another club as smart and savvy (see what they did to Kansas City this past post-season) as the Rays?
The reality is that a club with our payroll has to develop its "dominant" pitching from within. We've seen a move in recent years toward the signing of young power arms. Teheran and Wood are the leading edge of this. Coming up are Graham, Sims, Cabrera, Hursh. Teheran and Wood had a painful learning experience last night, but they will benefit from it in the long run.
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
What do we have that the Rays might want for Price. Being a low budget team like us, and they have a good farm system, I dont see them wanting any of our pitchers in return.
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
The time is coming when the Braves will have to join the market or fold up and go back to the 60s and 70s.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
The Braves are right at the median in payroll. That's not going to change in the foreseeable future. The numbers will go up for all the clubs with the new national TV contract. But our place in the rankings are not going to change dramatically. And my point about the unaffordability of dominant starting pitching except for what we develop internally will remain valid.
Actually, what I say about the unaffordability of dominant pitching is not quite right. What I mean to say is the wisdom of a team that is near the median of payrolls to pay so much for one pitcher is questionable. Seattle, which has a smaller payroll than us, chose to do so. So technically, it is feasible. But I think it is unwise.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
They got Wil Myers for Shields.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
My slightly outside-the-box idea for next year is this. Sign McCann. Entertain offers from American League teams for Gattis. I think we could get a pretty good return for Evan.
Resigning McCann and trading Gattis would leave us in a pretty good position as far as catcher goes. Next year Laird can be the backup while Bethancourt goes to finishing school in AAA. Eventually Bethancourt becomes the backup, with the possibility of increasing playing time as he matures and McCann ages. Finally, there is the possibility that Caratini gets moved back to catcher and develops into one capable of playing at the major league level.
Resigning McCann and trading Gattis would leave us in a pretty good position as far as catcher goes. Next year Laird can be the backup while Bethancourt goes to finishing school in AAA. Eventually Bethancourt becomes the backup, with the possibility of increasing playing time as he matures and McCann ages. Finally, there is the possibility that Caratini gets moved back to catcher and develops into one capable of playing at the major league level.
We'll into next year with a solid core of starting pitching (Minor, Medlen, & JT), an anchor at the back end of the pen with many hopes that Avilan & Carpenter can repeat their seasons, and a solid core of offense (FF, JHey, Justin, and to some degree Simmons with the hopes that CJ hits .300 again). Barring an injury epidemic, that in itself should be enough for us to play .500 ball.
The problem is finding the talent for us to pick up the other 30 wins that we will need. To do that, we are going to have to have to see a resurgence of some players, especially BJ. Uggla has been a Braves killer his whole career, I don't expect that to change. He's hit the Andruw Jones point of no return. Beachy has to come back and win 15 games and that leaves us still needing another starter. Could be Wood, though I feel he was rushed and could have used more time in the minors. As far as the pen goes I'll trust McDowell's history and predict that once again it'll be solid under his teachings.
What wouldn't surprise me? McCann is resigned and Gattis is traded to an AL club desperately needing offense. He'll do just fine as a DH/back up catcher. What would surprise me? 1. Another team actually takes on Uggla. 2. Ownership actually lets Wren sign a notable free agent.
The problem is finding the talent for us to pick up the other 30 wins that we will need. To do that, we are going to have to have to see a resurgence of some players, especially BJ. Uggla has been a Braves killer his whole career, I don't expect that to change. He's hit the Andruw Jones point of no return. Beachy has to come back and win 15 games and that leaves us still needing another starter. Could be Wood, though I feel he was rushed and could have used more time in the minors. As far as the pen goes I'll trust McDowell's history and predict that once again it'll be solid under his teachings.
What wouldn't surprise me? McCann is resigned and Gattis is traded to an AL club desperately needing offense. He'll do just fine as a DH/back up catcher. What would surprise me? 1. Another team actually takes on Uggla. 2. Ownership actually lets Wren sign a notable free agent.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
1. Non tender Elliot Johnson
2. Doesn't matter what else we do our team is much better already.
Still can't believe that turd is our starting 2B in the post season.
2. Doesn't matter what else we do our team is much better already.
Still can't believe that turd is our starting 2B in the post season.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
Relatively healthy Jason, Justin, Freddie, Simmons, Minor, Julio, and JT should be a 90 win team unless the guys around them totally tank. Bossman will be better than this year. We'll have a dropoff at C unless we keep Mac, but a fully healthy Heyward (or at least a Heyward who plays 140 games) should negate that dropoff from Mac to whomever.
bravesnumberone
Well-known member
I assume that we're going to have at least a couple significant injuries like always, so having quality depth across the offense and pitching staff will be critical.
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
Things this team needs next year:
1. Most important Experience
2. A 2nd baseman (Not Uggla Not E Johnson and certainly not any of the other scrubs ran out there this year)
3> IMO, A true leadoff hitter. Heyward is capable, does a great job but it wastes his talents. He is not nor does Fredi play him like a Ricky Henderson.
4. Maybe 2nd most important but we need a stronger bench.
5. A TOR starter would be nice but we have 2 or 3 in the making. Dont give up unless it is a really huge improvement.
1. Most important Experience
2. A 2nd baseman (Not Uggla Not E Johnson and certainly not any of the other scrubs ran out there this year)
3> IMO, A true leadoff hitter. Heyward is capable, does a great job but it wastes his talents. He is not nor does Fredi play him like a Ricky Henderson.
4. Maybe 2nd most important but we need a stronger bench.
5. A TOR starter would be nice but we have 2 or 3 in the making. Dont give up unless it is a really huge improvement.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
The good news is we will have quality depth in AAA. We didn't have quality starting pitching depth there this year and it ended up hurting us a bit once Hudson went down and Beachy's recovery got derailed. Next year it should be a better situation. I am assuming we bring back Hudson, which will have the effect of pushing back one young pitcher into a bullpen/AAA role.
I also think we should bring back at least one of EOF/Venters, hopefully both. This will give us some left-handed depth in the pen for the second half.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
Any specific ideas on items 3 and 5?
Tapate50
Well-known member
Playing in the FA arena is dangerous for a team like the Braves and their payroll. An albatross contract could cripple us if we don't get the infusion from the minors.
We need to be spending on the minor league (draft, IFA mkts) where you get better return on your dollar. We will likely get a pick for Mac, so that should help (we may go cheap though).
We do need a TOR arm though. I think Minor and Teheranosaur could be a great combo with another year. That TOR arm isn't gonna be cheap.
We need to be spending on the minor league (draft, IFA mkts) where you get better return on your dollar. We will likely get a pick for Mac, so that should help (we may go cheap though).
We do need a TOR arm though. I think Minor and Teheranosaur could be a great combo with another year. That TOR arm isn't gonna be cheap.
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
3. BJ Upron returns to form, is allowed to steal when pertinent. Next choice and it is a limited perspective, Scooter Gennett. Saw him live during the Brewers series. Loved his approach and swing. Speed too. Third choice, Profar but lots of other things would have to fall into place being halfway realistic. Beckham from the CWS would be OK with me tho he cant lead off.
5. Minor, Teheran, and possibly Beachy. Too early to judge Wood (tho I doubt he holds up) and Hale. Medlen is not TOR IMO tho mid rotation guy he is great.
PawPawMaxwell
Called Up to the Major Leagues
Saw earlier that Hudson is looking for a FA contract next month. Hope I didnt read too much into that but if he has been told Braves are moving on would there be any way to trade for Lohse and Gennett. Brewers will have harder time unloading Weeks than we will Uggla so would the have interest? IDK.