Placeholders at Second and Short

[nsacpi]

Why not? Remember, the Braves HAVE to spend to meet their agreed-upon minimum, and that kind of signing would certainly bring some people out to the southern Chattanooga suburbs to see the new stadium. I don't honestly any other spends that are going to make a brand splash.

The other way to spend is to take on contracts of guys like Kemp and McCann.

 

[Chico]

I agree, assuming the new CBA allows players to be left in the minors for a few weeks to gain the extra control.

If the new CBA requires them to be left down for 3+ months, then suddenly the calculus changes quite a bit.

It's going to come down to this, I think the plan is to go with the kids up the middle in Mallex, Swanson, and Albies and fill in with veteran placeholders at the other positions. As long as they play good defense and run the bases well they can have value while their offense develops.

 

[clvclv]

Why not? Remember, the Braves HAVE to spend to meet their agreed-upon minimum, and that kind of signing would certainly bring some people out to the southern Chattanooga suburbs to see the new stadium. I don't honestly any other spends that are going to make a brand splash.

I'm on (and probably started, to be honest) the Desmond bandwagon personally. I think he's the perfect fit for several reasons - versatility, pop, speed, and makeup from what I've read about him in Texas - and think he would be someone we could spend some of those bags of cash we need to spend on someone this winter WITHOUT getting a "one-trick pony" IMO. He could be helpful in lots of places without having to be locked-in to one position, and keeping he and Jace around would give us a really strong bench from Day 1 next spring even if Albies and Swanson don't come up before June. LOTS of pieces to mix-and-match and give everyone plenty of time off to stay healthy and possibly avoid extended slumps...

C- Flowers/Recker or Castro
1B- Freeman/Garcia/Ruiz
2B- Peterson/Desmond/d'Arnaud
SS- Desmond/d'Arnaud
3B- Garcia/Ruiz/Desmond/d'Arnaud
LF- Kemp/Mallex/Desmond/Peterson/Garcia
CF- Inciarte/Mallex/Desmond
RF- Markakis/Desmond/Inciarte

CF- Inciarte, 2B- Peterson, 1B- Freeman, LF- Kemp, RF- Makakis, SS- Desmond, 3B- Garcia/Ruiz, C- Flowers

Bemch: Recker or Castro, d'Arnaud, Garcia/Ruiz, Mallex

Maybe not tons of pop on that bench, but if Cashman comes to his senses at some point over the winter that could change in a pretty big hurry. If and when the brass decides Albies and Swanson are ready to be thrown into the fire, you could release d'Arnaud and entertain offers for Peterson and Desmond.

 

[blueagleace1]

I'm on (and probably started, to be honest) the Desmond bandwagon personally. I think he's the perfect fit for several reasons - versatility, pop, speed, and makeup from what I've read about him in Texas - and think he would be someone we could spend some of those bags of cash we need to spend on someone this winter WITHOUT getting a "one-trick pony" IMO. He could be helpful in lots of places without having to be locked-in to one position, and keeping he and Jace around would give us a really strong bench from Day 1 next spring even if Albies and Swanson don't come up before June. LOTS of pieces to mix-and-match and give everyone plenty of time off to stay healthy and possibly avoid extended slumps...

C- Flowers/Recker or Castro

1B- Freeman/Garcia/Ruiz

2B- Peterson/Desmond/d'Arnaud

SS- Desmond/d'Arnaud

3B- Garcia/Ruiz/Desmond/d'Arnaud

LF- Kemp/Mallex/Desmond/Peterson/Garcia

CF- Inciarte/Mallex/Desmond

RF- Markakis/Desmond/Inciarte

CF- Inciarte, 2B- Peterson, 1B- Freeman, LF- Kemp, RF- Makakis, SS- Desmond, 3B- Garcia/Ruiz, C- Flowers

Bemch: Recker or Castro, d'Arnaud, Garcia/Ruiz, Mallex

Maybe not tons of pop on that bench, but if Cashman comes to his senses at some point over the winter that could change in a pretty big hurry. If and when the brass decides Albies and Swanson are ready to be thrown into the fire, you could release d'Arnaud and entertain offers for Peterson and Desmond.

I've been on the Desmond bandwagon since this past offseason as well. I think when Swanson/Albies are ready you slide Desmond to third and use Jace as your super-utility guy (a la Prado). Just my opinion, but I think Jace will be/can be productive enough to be an everyday player -especially at second base- and still provides TONS of value as someone who could realistically play every position sans catcher and first base.