WHERE ARE THE HITTERS???

[Horsehide Harry]

I don't want to come across as an a$$hole but it's pretty obvious by now that YOU want to trade all our current MLB assets to acquire prospects. We get it, you want to take the full tear-down. rebuild from scratch method and frankly I don't understand (and trust me I've read your argument several times) why. We've got a nice little core of: Freeman, Teheran, Inciarte, Wisler, and Smith TO BUILD ON with reinforcements (Swanson, Albies, Newcombe, Blair, Allard, Freid, etc) close to being ready to help and not to mention what will be added next week and in the international market. The big thing for me is that the core I mentioned above (minus Mallex) are established big leaguers and not prospects who could become perennial All-Stars, bust, or anything in between. It would be different if that core above we're soon to be free agents (remember the Hayward/Upton dilemma) and we weren't going to be able to retain them, but that's not the case as we have them all locked up long-term and some at very team friendly deals. Like I said, if those guys were nearing the end of their contracts I'd be all for trading them to acquire more assets but that's just not the case. Coppy has made it pretty clear that Freeman nor Teheran will be going anywhere unless we receive an overpay (ala Shelby Miller) and in that case -just as I was in the Miller deal- I'm more understanding and receptive.

Again I'm not trying to be a douche but I just can't understand your continuous desire to trade Freeman, Teheran, and Inciarte when they are entering their prime and under team control for many years.

I truly believe this team can be extremely competitive with a few tweaks such as:

1.) Trading Markakis and acquiring a LF/RF bat with decent pop (doesn't have to be a bopper)
2.) Siging Ian Desmond to play 3B or that outfield spot
3.) Getting an everyday catcher
4.) Signing Greg Holland
5.) Possibly going after a veteran starter as a #4/#5

Above is my opinion and that only.

And, I have said this before, I think your way is better for 2017. But, I think the team quickly slides back from whatever high water mark 2017 allows. Freeman (assuming he stays healthy) is passing his prime right now but is becoming more expensive yearly. The cost/production curve is wrong with him. I strongly believe that you really can't play BOTH Mallex AND Inciarte in the same outfield (and am convinced that to play one, you can't have a hole in a traditional power position such as 3B). Given that, I would like to maximize Inciarte's value. Teheran is someone I could see keeping EXCEPT I think he is clearly the best trade option for the market since Stras re-signed throughout the rest of 2016.

I don't want to give any of the veterans AWAY. I want to maximize their value to the rebuild. Is Freeman more valuable as a declining $20M 1B in 2018 or as a trade piece who brings back 2-3 hole filling young pieces and also frees up his committed salary for use in other areas? Is Inciarte (or Mallex) more valuable as a 4th outfielder in 2018? What about Teheran? Is he more valuable in 2018 as a solid #2 than bringing back the value that you can get for him today?

The Braves have a chance to load the system with young talent. They've done a decent job acquiring pitching (and if they've done a good enough job then Teheran is not needed long term) but still haven't addressed the absolute dearth of power in the minor league system (or at the ML).

None of the vet players that I want to see moved are generational type talents. They aren't the face of the franchise that selling $10M #10 jerseys each year. They are good players signed to reasonable contracts who should have good to very good trade value which will hurt short term but help more than the hurt long term.

I don't like watching bad baseball. But I don't want to see extended mediocre baseball with no true chance at greatness either. Extended mediocre baseball is what I think plans like yours are settling for with an eventual fall back to rebuild within 5 years. I don't want that.

I realize that my way has more risk. But, I risk for greatness.