No, there is not, not that's deemed major-league ready
Had ample opportunity this season. They wanted him to go back to Triple-A and think about this stuff, really think about it and the importance of applying himself, focusing on improving, on showing up every day ready to prepare, then concentrating every pitch throughout a game, etc. They're not ready to give up on him, but they also know the lesson more likely to take if he's there at Triple-A longer to think about it.
Mixed results initially. Haven't asked in past week or so, but there were still some sloppy sort of defensive miscues in his first month or so down at Triple-A.
He's a great arm and someone they're counting on in bullpen. He might also be a potential closer-type guy, depending how he comes back from surgery.
Not at all. He's 22, in his first stint in Triple-A. And by the way, he's had 8 hits and 3 stolen bases in his past 5 games, including 3 consecutive 2-hit games.
Yes, some of it depending on what they do with the ones they have (A.J., Gomes). But yes, I'm sure they'll try to make sure there are several veterans on the team. Front office, unlike many outside observers, places much emphasis on the positive effects that the right veterans can have on young teams.
Eventually, whether this winter or later, I see him trading arms for a big bat. A major league bat.
If you're now asking about next year's draft, sorry. Haven't given it 10 seconds of thought.
They traded for him with that in mind, yes. Just have to wait and see. Until last week, injuries had not been an issue for him at all this season, and he had made a lot of progress, shown a lot of promise.
Trade for Cahill, and trading KJ/Uribe for good but not great prospects. Also, thought they should have gotten more for Kyle Wren. And while it's too early to judge Olivera trade, they paid a pretty steep price for an unproven 30-year-old with a history of nagging injuries. But again, gotta see what he does. And what Woody does in next few years. And obviously what Peraza does.
Maybe mid/late August. Maybe.
Don't know. Needs to hone some things. Gonna be a lot of competition for rotation spots.
I don't see that happening.
Braves are going to have decision to make this winter about Bethancourt. I've been told by multiple Braves officials that they aren't ready to give up on him yet. Could than change between now and the end of season? Don't know. Have to wait and see. But they'll have to make that decision relatively soon after season ends, because if not they'll need to get another major league catcher or major-league ready young catcher this winter. Sanchez has appeal, for sure.
He weighed in a lot more recently than a few months ago. He's consistently supported moves that Hart has made, and indicated as much again last week on his twitter account.
Let's not get carried away. Garcia is 30 years old. And more power than Prado? Garcia never had more than nine homers in a minor league season, and had three homers in 350 plate appearances this season at Gwinnett before getting called up. Which is hard to believe, I realize, after watching the opposite-field homers he's hit since he came up.
I'm sure they will. But it's not something that's generally leaked in early August. And they're still evaluating what they have.
But that's a steep price to pay for the 75th pick. Look, not every trade is expected to work out. It's OK to criticize one or two trades, isn't it? I was asked what I thought. As many trades as the Braves have made since October, to have only a couple of them be questionable is impressive. On balance, Hart and Coppy have done a pretty remarkable job overhauling the organization and getting things on the right track.
They gave all the coaches extensions through 2016. So unless one is offered a managerial job, I would expect them to return.
That's all for today, folks. We've run over by a few minutes. As always, thanks for the questions and the passion. -- DOB
Mark Bradley here. I'll be taking Braves-related questions for the next 40 minutes or so.
They were considered the Uggla and B.J. Upton of Cleveland. (Not quite as bad, granted.) They weren't contributing anymore, and they were getting paid a ton. I don't know how much either has left, but the Braves weren't hugely concerned with that. They wanted to get rid of Chris Johnson and his contract and clear money for 2017.
