Way Too Early Impressions

[Enscheff]

I think the promise was to be competitive for a playoff spot. What we have seen in 2016 gives most fans reason to believe that we will need major upgrades at 2B, C, SS, LF, 3B, Bullpen, Rotation, etc. to at least be there. We don't see how we can improve all of those positions over the winder.

I could see a few mid range FAs signed that could easily improve the team to 80+ wins next year. I think the Braves would be a .500 team if the lineup by the middle of next year is something along the lines of:

C - Cervelli
1B - Freeman
2B - Albies
3B - Beltre
SS - Swanson
LF - Markakis
CF - Smith
RF - Inciarte

One more RHed power bat to upgrade the OF in addition to what I listed above, and it could be an 80-85 win team next year. As the pitching matures and improves the team inches closer to being a 90 win playoff team in 2018 and beyond.

 

[sturg33]

I wanna read these quotes on 2017. I'm sure the FO had it as a sort of target for fielding an actually decent team, but the board whiners make it seem like the fans were promised a World Series in 2017.

Sorry that we all don't love fielding uncompetitive teams

 

[smootness]

Regardless of what the FO said, I think most fans realized about a year ago that 2017 was not going to be a competitive team in the sense of competing for anything meaningful. But I absolutely still think it can be a team that is around .500.

 

[dak]

My outlook for 2017 is unchanged after watching this first week. Unless the John's transform into Bill Bavasi, it shouldn't be too tough for them to field a roster that can compete for the playoffs. Garcia doing a bit better than expected, Hector a bit worse. Would help matters greatly if one of the two of them can be an average regular, and I don't see that as a longshot. If Winkler does in fact travel the Gavin Floyd path, he'll be pitching in games this September.

 

[mfree80]

I think the promise was to be competitive for a playoff spot. What we have seen in 2016 gives most fans reason to believe that we will need major upgrades at 2B, C, SS, LF, 3B, Bullpen, Rotation, etc. to at least be there. We don't see how we can improve all of those positions over the winder.

To be fair.... we are all expecting several of those upgrades to come from the farm. Swanson, Albies, Mallex, Blair, Newcomb, and a few others will make this a better team. Now, I know they are not all likely to be stars as rookies, but I expect those guys to make us "competitive." I am not going to argue the definition of the word competitive, but I see the future as brighter, and hopefully sooner than some of you are suggesting.

 

[yeezus]

Sorry that we all don't love fielding uncompetitive teams

hey, if we had any semblance of a farm before a year and a half ago this wouldn't be such an issue.

unfortunately, since we didn't, seasons like last year and this year will be necessary to have real and sustained success. it sucks, but it was the better option.

 

[yeezus]

Regardless of what the FO said, I think most fans realized about a year ago that 2017 was not going to be a competitive team in the sense of competing for anything meaningful. But I absolutely still think it can be a team that is around .500.

I don't know what they said or particularly care, but it's funny (sad?) to see it brought up all the time.

the team will be a good bit different next year, with most improvements coming from within the system. we'll be watching quite a few young players and it should be more exciting and better baseball than last year and this year.

 

[bravesfanforlife88]

To be fair.... we are all expecting several of those upgrades to come from the farm. Swanson, Albies, Mallex, Blair, Newcomb, and a few others will make this a better team. Now, I know they are not all likely to be stars as rookies, but I expect those guys to make us "competitive." I am not going to argue the definition of the word competitive, but I see the future as brighter, and hopefully sooner than some of you are suggesting.

Of course, I listed the positions that are a weakness now. Obviously what we have in the system has a chance to help, but not all of those positions would be covered. Maybe sometime late next year, you will see Albies, Swanson, and Mallex up the middle, Inciarte in RF, Neck gone, and maybe some power in LF.

 

[clvclv]

I could see a few mid range FAs signed that could easily improve the team to 80+ wins next year. I think the Braves would be a .500 team if the lineup by the middle of next year is something along the lines of:

C - Cervelli
1B - Freeman
2B - Albies
3B - Beltre
SS - Swanson
LF - Markakis
CF - Smith
RF - Inciarte

One more RHed power bat to upgrade the OF in addition to what I listed above, and it could be an 80-85 win team next year. As the pitching matures and improves the team inches closer to being a 90 win playoff team in 2018 and beyond.

Pretty sure I was one of the first (if not the first) on the sign Beltre bandwagon, and I'd absolutely love to have him.

That said, I find it quite ironic that you'd question my intelligence and then turn right around and suggest that you think they'll give up a Top 40 (or higher) pick to do so.

Just sayin'.

 

[skillet]

My early impression is that we suck hind tit and will lose 100. We are right at the cellar in every major statistical category. We are just terrible.

 

[rico43]

My early impression is that we suck hind tit and will lose 100. We are right at the cellar in every major statistical category. We are just terrible.

My early impression is that you are overreacting to a small sample size. But I don't judge.

That said, AJ must go. If it takes Ninjas in the dark of night, it must be done.

 

[thewupk]

My early impression is that you are overreacting to a small sample size. But I don't judge.

That said, AJ must go. If it takes Ninjas in the dark of night, it must be done.

This team has played like trash dating back to last summer. So I don't see this start as some SS but rather an extension of last year.