Spring Training 2015

Puello is an interesting player. He's got nice minor league numbers against LHP like Eury. Probably not a great defender in CF, but it might be worth a shot considering the 4A guys we have on our 40-man. He was caught up in the Biogenesis scandal, so I'm not sure that the powers-that-be will deem him a "championship-caliber player".

Nothing would surprise me but IMO it would be a mistake to pass on him if he makes it to us, esp. since we're so desperate that we're considering options like Joe Benson (and that doesn't even factor in that our starting CF isn't a true CF).

Anyway, it seems from what I've read he's pretty good in CF thanks to his speed and strong arm. Further, you are correct about his splits but this ST he's hit RHP better so maybe he's making some progress there. Whatever the case I think it would be foolish to pass on someone like him because of his potential (including his power potential) and our needs both now and in the future. He could be a nice platoon player for the outfield even if he only hits lefties. Plus he brings value defensively being able to play all three OF positions, his strong arm and ability to steal bases, etc.
 
http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/493144/watch-bo-jackson-explain-adam-laroches-son

(video after the link)

Adam LaRoche’s 12-year-old son Drake has been hanging with the team at Camelback Ranch this spring, and he recently got the rare opportunity to chat with Bo Jackson.

Jackson schooled the youngster on his standout career in baseball and football.

“You ever heard of the Heisman Trophy?” Jackson asked Drake. “That’s the best college football player in the country. I won that.”

“So you played baseball and football?” Drake inquired.
 
More on Outman's injury and how it impacted him this Spring . . .

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Braves left-hander Josh Outman still doesn’t know what’s causing the pain near his pitching shoulder, but he has a better idea what it could be and will see a specialist soon in St. Louis.
The reliever has struggled all spring and returned to Atlanta for a battery of tests Monday and Tuesday. MRIs and X-rays showed the shoulder was structurally sound, but Outman complained of discomfort near the clavicle and will be sent to another specialist at his request, a doctor he described as a vascular specialist.
. . .
“Everything with my shoulder and arm are fine, it’s more up in my clavicle region. They checked my shoulder and that’s all good, structurally good, muscles are good. But I’m just not able to command a baseball the way I know I can and the velocity’s not there obviously. I’m giving everything I have and throwing 85 miles an hour, so I’d like to figure it out.”


http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/base...kkyN/?ecmp=ajc_social_twitter_2014_braves_sfp
 
MLB Trade Rumors saying that we are discussing possible trade options for Trevor Cahill from the Diamondbacks... that would be interesting... super talented guy who has a tough time stayting healthy.
 
Great... now Arodys Viz has been suspended for 80 games due to a positive PED test... liked the trade back for him... but not like this.

EDIT: sorry didn't realize there were separate threads for the two above topics.
 
Where in the freaking heck is Dian Toscano?? Was hoping to really see if he could put some energy in our outfield... seems like its taking a lot of extra time for a VISA issue.
 
First two batters were LHH. Nice debut.

@DOBrienAJC
#Braves newbie McKirahan pitched a perfect 9th with 2 K's, including Yaz's grandson. Fastball consistently 93-94 mph
 
Got to admire Benson for realizing that this is his big shot.

He's probably not the answer to any question worth asking, but Benson was a big-time tools guy coming out of high school.

Not that it means anything, but JR Graham got lit up like a firecracker tonight.
 
http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/493144/watch-bo-jackson-explain-adam-laroches-son

(video after the link)

Adam LaRoche’s 12-year-old son Drake has been hanging with the team at Camelback Ranch this spring, and he recently got the rare opportunity to chat with Bo Jackson.

Jackson schooled the youngster on his standout career in baseball and football.

“You ever heard of the Heisman Trophy?” Jackson asked Drake. “That’s the best college football player in the country. I won that.”

“So you played baseball and football?” Drake inquired.

In fairness, Adam probably didn't know either.
 
Team 2015 Payroll
1. Los Angeles Dodgers $272,789,040
2. New York Yankees $219,282,196
3. Boston Red Sox $187,407,202
4. Detroit Tigers $173,813,750
5. San Francisco Giants $172,672,111
6. Washington Nationals $164,920,505
7. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim $150,933,083
8. Texas Rangers $142,140,873
9. Philadelphia Phillies $135,827,500
10. Toronto Blue Jays $122,506,600
11. St. Louis Cardinals $120,869,458
12. Seattle Mariners $119,798,060
13. Chicago Cubs $119,006,885
14. Cincinnati Reds $117,197,072
15. Chicago White Sox $115,238,678
16. Kansas City Royals $113,618,650
17. Baltimore Orioles $110,146,097
18. Minnesota Twins $108,945,000
19. Milwaukee Brewers $105,002,536
20. Colorado Rockies $102,006,130
21. New York Mets $101,409,244
22. San Diego Padres $100,675,896
23. Atlanta Braves $97,578,565
24. Arizona Diamondbacks $91,518,833
25. Pittsburgh Pirates $88,278,500
26. Cleveland Indians $86,091,175
27. Oakland A's $86,086,667
28. Tampa Bay Rays $76,061,707
29. Houston Astros $70,910,100
30. Miami Marlins $68,479,000
 
I have our projected 2015 payroll at just under $111 million currently. Assumes Wandy and Stults stay and assumes that players w/ incentives will hit about half of them.

Position Name Proj. Salary
SP1 Julio Teheran $1,166,667
SP2 Alex Wood $550,000
SP3 Shelby Miller $550,000
SP4 Trevor Cahill $5,800,000
SP5 Wandy Rodriguez $2,000,000
RP1 Eric Stults $2,000,000
RP2 Andrew McKirahan $507,500
RP3 Juan Jaime $507,500
RP4 Luis Avilan $550,000
RP5 Jim Johnson $2,000,000
RP6 Jason Grilli $4,250,000
RP7 Craig Kimbrel $9,250,000
C1 Christian Bethancourt $507,500
C2 A. J. Pierzynski $2,250,000
3B Chris Johnson $6,000,000
SS Andrelton Simmons $3,142,857
2B Jace Peterson $507,500
1B Freddie Freeman $8,859,375
UIF1 Phil Gosselin $550,000
UIF2 Alberto Callaspo $3,500,000
LF Jonny Gomes $4,000,000
CF Eric Young Jr $1,375,000
RF Nick Markakis $11,000,000
UOF1 Kelly Johnson $1,600,000
UOF2 Todd Cunningham $507,500

MLB DL Melvin Upton Jr. $15,000,000
MLB DL Mike Minor $5,600,000
MLB DL Shae Simmons $550,000
MLB DL Josh Outman $1,250,000

40-man Dian Toscano $1,500,000

Released James Russell $606,250
Released Dan Uggla $13,250,000
$110,687,649
 
110 million with a bad TV deal (and during a rebuild season) is pretty generous.

Eh, its just frustrating becuase they have the money and could have brought an impact bat on the international market. I'm just disappointed that avenue wasn't capitalized on. The organization just seems real gun shy now after Upton/Uggla. Can't play scared.
 
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