Official Offseason Thread

What a circlejerk sports are. I just watched a team I have invested hundreds of hours into get historically embarrassed, now I find myself two hours later estimating arbitration raises.

Wish I could quit.

Im tempted to not pay this month's rent to godaddy.
 
Here are my very early thoughts:

Starting Pitching:
We certainly have something with Soroka and Fried. I don't see Keuchel and Teheran returning. Folty is not 100% certain to return, but I'm leaning to him coming back. One of the kids, possibly Anderson, will likely make the rotation and I think a vet will be signed. Early favorite of mine, depending on cost of course, is Bumgarner.

Bullpen:
We know Melancon will be back. Greene should be and I'd give Martin a one year deal to return. Newcombe has found his niche there. Obviously need another arm or two. Hopefully AA doesn't wait long to fix it.

Catchers:
Now we know McCann is retiring. With that now official, I look for Flowers to return on a one year deal. Unless Grandal's option is not picked up, FA market looks kind of weak. Braves may have to trade for one.

Infield:
1st, 2nd, and shortstop are set. The millions dollar question is whether Donaldson is brought back. If not, is Riley ready to take that place full time? Or FA, very unlikely a Rendon. Early gut feeling is Donaldson returns. Have to bring back Culberson and Camargo.

Outfield:
Only thing certain here is Acuña will be a part of it. The rest is up in the air. I do not think Markakis' option will be picked up. I think Pache and Waters are close enough to be ready, likely pushing Markakis out. Inciarte is not a sure thing to return as he could be in a trade. But at this time, I think he stays. I would like Duvall brought back.

So as I see it, if the below items happen, this could be the 2020 Braves:

Rotation:
Madison Bumgarner (personal preference)
Mike Soroka
Max Fried
Mike Foltynewicz
Ian Anderson

Bullpen:
Mark Melancon
Shane Greene
Chris Martin
Sean Newcombe
one of two FA
One of two minor leaguers

Possible Lineup
Ronald Acuña Jr (LF)
Ozzie Albies (2B)
Freddie Freeman (1B)
Josh Donaldson (3B)
Dansby Swanson (SS)
Ender Inciarte (RF)
Tyler Flowers (C)
Christian Pache (CF)
 
I know it doesn't work this way, but if anyone wants a raise off the back of that bull****, there's the ****ing door.
 
If the Braves want to get rid of Snitker do they just offer him a FO position to get him out of the dugout and to save face with the players and fans?
 
If the Nationals can win a playoff series with Dave Martinez, the Braves can win one with Snitker.

He’s still an idiot though, and not ideal.
 
AA is so analytical and Snit is so old school I wonder how it’ll work out long term. Snit just can’t grasp how to use his weapons.
 
AA is so analytical and Snit is so old school I wonder how it’ll work out long term. Snit just can’t grasp how to use his weapons.

Again, AA didn't hire Snit. He couldn't just replace him though. Didn't wanna cause a rift with players early after previous admin fumbled everything.

I think AA would have the clearance and cover from McGuirk to replace him now more than ever. Snit's biggest advocates no longer.have any sway. Them being Neck, who prob won't be back, and Freddie who's performance this series pretty much took the microphone away from him. Mac would.have been another but he's retired as well.

McGuirk cleaned house of Braves Way guys when he brought in AA. I would think he gives AA the a-ok should AA move that way.
 
Again, AA didn't hire Snit. He couldn't just replace him though. Didn't wanna cause a rift with players early after previous admin fumbled everything.

I think AA would have the clearance and cover from McGuirk to replace him now more than ever. Snit's biggest advocates no longer.have any sway. Them being Neck, who prob won't be back, and Freddie who's performance this series pretty much took the microphone away from him.

If they were gonna do it it would be after the loss we just took no doubt.
 
If the Nationals can win a playoff series with Dave Martinez, the Braves can win one with Snitker.

He’s still an idiot though, and not ideal.

I agree.
Today’s games just showed how important starting pitching is.
The aces pitched like it and Folty pitched like the number 3/4 he is.
We definitely need to lengthen the lineup next season but until we fix the fact we have a rotation full of mid rotation guys ,sans Soroka, then we will never go very far in the postseason.Unless you build a Yankees type offense, elite pitching is still king in the postseason.
 
I agree.
Today’s games just showed how important starting pitching is.
The aces pitched like it and Folty pitched like the number 3/4 he is.
We definitely need to lengthen the lineup next season but until we fix the fact we have a rotation full of mid rotation guys ,sans Soroka, then we will never go very far in the postseason.Unless you build a Yankees type offense, elite pitching is still king in the postseason.

Technically our two best starting pitchers combined for 1 start and a bunch of bullpen outings this series
 
Technically our two best starting pitchers combined for 1 start and a bunch of bullpen outings this series

Ya sadly home/road splits may have been the death of our playoff chances before the series started.
Really big mistake by whomever made that choice.
 
I feel like we need to consider moving on from Freeman. I’m sure we could get good value for him in a trade and we’d be able to use the extra money to make sure we resign Donaldson. It’s not that I think that Freeman is no longer a good player but I think it’s time for a new clubhouse culture. One built around Ozzie and Acuña’s spirit. As long as Freddie is here we won’t be able to move on.
 
With AA firmly entrenched I wonder if it is not time and we soon see Scheuholz moved into retirement and Snitker shown the door. There has to be a reason/responsibility for only 1 WS title coming from all the winning teams. Not simply money/payroll
 
Technically our two best starting pitchers combined for 1 start and a bunch of bullpen outings this series

Yeah. Write it off as a transition year. Soroka and Fried showed signs of wearing down in September and were babied in October. The kid gloves come off next season.

Important to do item: Raise the mound in Atlanta a couple inches to where it is supposed to be so that Soroka's sinker works as well in Atlanta as on the road.
 
Here are my very early thoughts:

Starting Pitching:
We certainly have something with Soroka and Fried. I don't see Keuchel and Teheran returning. Folty is not 100% certain to return, but I'm leaning to him coming back. One of the kids, possibly Anderson, will likely make the rotation and I think a vet will be signed. Early favorite of mine, depending on cost of course, is Bumgarner.

Bullpen:
We know Melancon will be back. Greene should be and I'd give Martin a one year deal to return. Newcombe has found his niche there. Obviously need another arm or two. Hopefully AA doesn't wait long to fix it.

Catchers:
Now we know McCann is retiring. With that now official, I look for Flowers to return on a one year deal. Unless Grandal's option is not picked up, FA market looks kind of weak. Braves may have to trade for one.

Infield:
1st, 2nd, and shortstop are set. The millions dollar question is whether Donaldson is brought back. If not, is Riley ready to take that place full time? Or FA, very unlikely a Rendon. Early gut feeling is Donaldson returns. Have to bring back Culberson and Camargo.

Outfield:
Only thing certain here is Acuña will be a part of it. The rest is up in the air. I do not think Markakis' option will be picked up. I think Pache and Waters are close enough to be ready, likely pushing Markakis out. Inciarte is not a sure thing to return as he could be in a trade. But at this time, I think he stays. I would like Duvall brought back.

So as I see it, if the below items happen, this could be the 2020 Braves:

Rotation:
Madison Bumgarner (personal preference)
Mike Soroka
Max Fried
Mike Foltynewicz
Ian Anderson

Bullpen:
Mark Melancon
Shane Greene
Chris Martin
Sean Newcombe
one of two FA
One of two minor leaguers

Possible Lineup
Ronald Acuña Jr (LF)
Ozzie Albies (2B)
Freddie Freeman (1B)
Josh Donaldson (3B)
Dansby Swanson (SS)
Ender Inciarte (RF)
Tyler Flowers (C)
Christian Pache (CF)

I wouldn’t mind looking at Cole Hamels. Very similar pitcher to max
 
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