Spring Training 2015

UNCBlue012 said:
Hated getting rid of Tommy. I didn't understand it and I still don't. The guy is a perfect type of player we wanted to build the team with this year, yet we got rid of him? Stupid.
Click to expand...

Could be just me, but I'd trade La Stella for Vizcaino and Peterson every day of the week and twice tomorrow.
 
50PoundHead said:
I think he's a future utility guy. He won't be a 3B for the Cubs long term with Bryant in the wings. La Stella probably will do alright in that role, but I will say that I've never quite understood how the Braves' minor league system develops some guys. La Stella's glove has always been the question mark for him in the scouting reports I've read over the years. I don't know if his bat will carry, but having him play multiple positions when he was coming through the system could have given the front office a better idea of what role he could play. LH multi-position IFs tend to stick around for awhile, even if they can't play SS.
Click to expand...

And that's the perfect reasoning behind the move - he can't play SS, and has never looked very comfortable at 3B. Both Peterson and Gosselin profile much better as utility guys because they can handle all three positions defensively.
 
clvclv said:
Could be just me, but I'd trade La Stella for Vizcaino and Peterson every day of the week and twice tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone here would disagree on that, at least I hope not. But to be fair we traded Justin Upton for the package that brought us Peterson rather than La Stella for both Viz and Peterson.

BTW, I wouldn't trade Peterson straight up for La Stella though I do like both players. Further, I like Peterson better overall because he brings the ability to steal bases and can probably play pretty much anywhere if given a chance. He is also good and potentially above average defensively at multiple positions. However, I do like La Stella's contact skills better at this point but I don't like what he brings on defense at second. It is also fair to say La Stella is mostly a singles hitter. And I expect he'll be below average defensively at either second or third unlike Peterson.
 
clvclv said:
And that's the perfect reasoning behind the move - he can't play SS, and has never looked very comfortable at 3B. Both Peterson and Gosselin profile much better as utility guys because they can handle all three positions defensively.
Click to expand...

When did you see him play third base? La Stella never played that position with the Braves. I am not expecting him to be good there either btw. FWIW La Stella states: "[After the trade] I started taking reps [at third] for the last few months," he said. The two positions are very different, but La Stella said he feels "very comfortable" at third."
 
Rangers reportedly talking with Marlins now about pitching help, including a starter such as maybe Brad Hand and lefty relief help. Maybe the Braves should talk with them about Avilan, etc.
 
Braves1976 said:
When did you see him play third base? La Stella never played that position with the Braves. I am not expecting him to be good there either btw. FWIW La Stella states: "[After the trade] I started taking reps [at third] for the last few months," he said. The two positions are very different, but La Stella said he feels "very comfortable" at third."
Click to expand...

Yesterday.
 
Braves1976 said:
I don't think anyone here would disagree on that, at least I hope not. But to be fair we traded Justin Upton for the package that brought us Peterson rather than La Stella for both Viz and Peterson.

BTW, I wouldn't trade Peterson straight up for La Stella though I do like both players. Further, I like Peterson better overall because he brings the ability to steal bases and can probably play pretty much anywhere if given a chance. He is also good and potentially above average defensively at multiple positions. However, I do like La Stella's contact skills better at this point but I don't like what he brings on defense at second. It is also fair to say La Stella is mostly a singles hitter. And I expect he'll be below average defensively at either second or third unlike Peterson.
Click to expand...

That makes one of you. The fact that Peterson can handle all three positions makes all the difference in the world. Makes roster construction SO much easier when your backup SS can play all over - that way you don't need to carry a glove-only guy to play on the dirt.
 
clvclv said:
Yesterday.
Click to expand...

Okay, I watched the replay of that Cubs-White Sox game this morning but I didn't see La Stella get any chances at third. I suppose I could've missed a chance as I was forwarding through the game at points. Regardless, I asked because your comments made it sound like you'd seen him more at third.
 
clvclv said:
Yesterday.
Click to expand...

So "he never looked comfortable at 3B" was a reason behind the move even though he never played a game there in the Braves system? So you're just saying this after the fact with the Cubs. I agree with your view but think you messed that one up there a bit.
 
clvclv said:
That makes one of you. The fact that Peterson can handle all three positions makes all the difference in the world. Makes roster construction SO much easier when your backup SS can play all over - that way you don't need to carry a glove-only guy to play on the dirt.
Click to expand...

This, plus I am also a fan of the speed. I truly enjoyed watching and pulling for Streetcar, but I enjoy Peterson just as much.
 
clvclv said:
That makes one of you. The fact that Peterson can handle all three positions makes all the difference in the world. Makes roster construction SO much easier when your backup SS can play all over - that way you don't need to carry a glove-only guy to play on the dirt.
Click to expand...

JohnAdcox said:
This, plus I am also a fan of the speed. I truly enjoyed watching and pulling for Streetcar, but I enjoy Peterson just as much.
Click to expand...

I have always said it is good to have at least one or two (I prefer two) Prado and Infante types on the team. In other words, players that can hit and play average to better defense at multiple positions. Hopefully Peterson will hit enough because we know the kid can play defense.
 
Braves played some great defense today vs the Cardinals:

[video]http://m.braves.mlb.com/atl/video/v50996283/atlstl-peterson-makes-fantastic-diving-stop-in-1st/?affiliateId=clubMEGAMENU[/video]

[video]http://m.braves.mlb.com/atl/video/v51163583/atlstl-terdoslavich-tags-molina-anna-for-two/?affiliateId=clubMEGAMENU[/video]

[video]http://m.braves.mlb.com/atl/video/v51133983/atlstl-benson-nails-ortega-at-home-to-end-inning/?affiliateId=clubMEGAMENU[/video]
 
Bowman chimes in on the SP competition. Sounds like the front office is walking back Fredi's comment yesterday that Wandy has won a spot. Also, first comfirmation I've seen that Wandy has an opt-out.

"Though Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez indicated on Friday that Rodriguez has positioned himself for one of the two vacancies in the Atlanta rotation, other members of the organization are keeping an open mind as they enter the final two weeks of Spring Training."

. . .

"While the Braves have the option of sending Foltynewicz to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the season, they will soon have to make a decision regarding the other two candidates, both in camp with Minor League deals. Rodriguez can opt out of his deal if he is not guaranteed an Opening Day roster spot by April 1. Stults' opt-out date is April 3."

http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/articl...tlanta-braves-rotation-mix-with-strong-outing
 
buck75 said:
Joey T. hustled for unassisted DP. See Braves.com
Click to expand...

He's my sentimental favorite for a spot on the roster. He'd have to find a comfort zone as a PH, though. Hopefully Fredi will give FF an occasional rest against LHP if he's struggling this year.
 
zbhargrove said:
So "he never looked comfortable at 3B" was a reason behind the move even though he never played a game there in the Braves system? So you're just saying this after the fact with the Cubs. I agree with your view but think you messed that one up there a bit.
Click to expand...

I haven't "messed that one up a bit".

Jace Peterson can play SS. Tommy La Stella can't. Please read.
 
Julio3000 said:
He's my sentimental favorite for a spot on the roster. He'd have to find a comfort zone as a PH, though. Hopefully Fredi will give FF an occasional rest against LHP if he's struggling this year.
Click to expand...

I think it will boil down to Terdoslavich or Kelly Johnson. Curious to see what Fredi and company decides.
 
dak said:
Bowman chimes in on the SP competition. Sounds like the front office is walking back Fredi's comment yesterday that Wandy has won a spot. Also, first comfirmation I've seen that Wandy has an opt-out.

"Though Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez indicated on Friday that Rodriguez has positioned himself for one of the two vacancies in the Atlanta rotation, other members of the organization are keeping an open mind as they enter the final two weeks of Spring Training."

. . .

"While the Braves have the option of sending Foltynewicz to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the season, they will soon have to make a decision regarding the other two candidates, both in camp with Minor League deals. Rodriguez can opt out of his deal if he is not guaranteed an Opening Day roster spot by April 1. Stults' opt-out date is April 3."

http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/articl...tlanta-braves-rotation-mix-with-strong-outing
Click to expand...

Semantics. Neither Folty nor Banuelos has done anything to show that they're "ready". Furthermore, it would be BEYOND stupid to let Wandy walk when they haven't AND you can save time on their clocks.

Eating the $3 million owed to Callaspo makes some sense when you've seen what you have in Peterson and both Gosselin and KJ offer you more flexibility. There's been absolutely nothing that's happened thus far to make the $2 million investment in Wandy look like a bad one. Just like Harang last year, you ride him as long as you can and hope one of them takes that step before he gets hurt or runs out of gas.

Martin/Stults/Wang on the other hand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top