I covered the Brewers in 2002, when they finished 56-106. I've seen worse everything.
I think they will not and should not, given their plan of building around young (and cheaper) pitching. We'll see how it all pans out.
I would temper expectations. When they first assigned him to the minors they said he would only be down there a few days to get his timing. Then they kept saying he's not completely healthy, rusty, etc. and needs more time. I'm not buying it. I think he looked so bad they couldn't bring him up. Now there's going to be even more scrutiny surrounding him. If he struggles it could get ugly with fans. Or uglier.
That's a fair criticism. This year you can say he's short of quality major leaguers but not in the past.
Thanks everyone for stopping by for the mailbag. DOB will be here next week. Please come back, same time and place.
That's to be determined, but Swisher has surpassed expectations. When the Braves traded for the two of them, a lot of people who follow the team thought Swisher might get DFA'd this winter or even as soon as the trade was done. But now he looks like he might have more left in him than Bourn. Granted, Bourn's hit some balls hard right at people, but he's not been nearly as productive offensively as Swisher, whose knees aren't in nearly as bad a shape as most of us anticipated. With another offseaoson to get stronger, Swisher could end up a important piece next season. But again, this is all to be determined. They'll evaluate this winter. Both make too much to be able to make a quick decision and just eat either of their salaries for next season, so I'd guess both will be in camp and competing for spots. But don't be surprised if the Braves trade one of them, even if they have to eat most of salary.
I think they'll look to add at least one proven starting pitcher and a bat, though I don't expect them to pursue the highest-priced free agents in either category. They'll have more payroll flexibility this winter than they've had in quite a while, but I think the bigger spending will come a year later in the winter before they move into new ballpark.
No, but it doesn't surprise me that that kind of thing would start to be heard. You can't lose at the rate the Brave are losing without some people starting to talk off record about discontent, etc. Just comes with the territory.
I think Pierzynski will be brought back as backup, and if the Braves can get anything for Bethancourt I think they'll look to trade him. Just my opinion, but I think they've gone from their public "we haven't given up on him" to privately having given up on him. They're very frustrated by his lack of development. (If they'd traded him 2 years, could have gotten plenty for him, but I don't see them getting a big return now at all, so much has his stock slipped in the industry.)
TBD. Hate to keep using that, but it's the case. Jury is still out. Before getting three hits last night, he'd batted just .191 over 66 games with a low OBP and puny slugging percentage. But that was after a 50-game stretch in which he killed it, was really productive with a high average, OBP and slugging in that span. And the defense has been solid all season. Do they go with him at 2B next season with a guy like Castro ready to plug in if needed, as they await Albies in 2-3 years? Or go get another 2B for next season? I tend to think they'll give Peterson another year, or at least start the season with him there, to show what he can do. He gets benefit of doubt more than La Stella because he's got better tools and is liked a lot more by decision-makers (and teammates also really like playing with Peterson)
Start with Vizcaino and Shae Simmons, add some likely candidates from guys we've seen including Marksberry, Cunniff and Moylan, add one or two proven guys like last year's signing of Jim Johnson (cold pursue him again?) and definitely figure to have some of the rehabbing guys we haven't seen yet including, Withrow, Winkler, Paco Rodriguez. I'm probably leaving a name out that I forgot, but I'm sure someone will remind me.
No, no indication yet. I could purely speculate and say about $120M, but that'd be purely speculation or educated guessing.
Was to see a doc last night or this morning to see how corneal abrasion is healing. Could be in next day or two. Those things usually take at least a few days, though, and problem is he hasn't played in glasses before. If you've worn contacts and ever had a corneal abrasion, they can be nasty.
All should be ready for spring training. Paco Rodriguez could be ready even this month.
Don't know. I'd think he'd start season in minors coming off TJ surgery, however. After missing whole season and not having any MLB experience, I'd be kind of surprised if in rotation. But hey, crazier things have certainly happened in spring.
And there's the obvious one I left out. But while Grilli has vowed to be ready for spring training, the fact is, that Achilles tendon surgery rehab generally takes a little longer than that, particularly for an older pro athlete. I'd be surprised if he's ready before June. But that's just me. And I know he's driven to prove people wrong and get back.
Olivera only been here a week. Got to wait a lot longer to evaluate that deal. But it was certainly a very risky trade for Braves, dealing away a good, young left-handed starter with a terrific mentality, and a top infield prospect in Peraza, for a 30-year-old with no MLB experience. But we at least saw signs last night of what led to the bidding war for Olivera.
They're not building a ballpark designed for the present roste, they're building it designed for the organizational philosophy, which is that it all starts with pitching. That's how they view it, that's how they'll build their ballpark. They want it to be "fair" like Turner Field, which favors pitchers but not to an extreme.
I'd have preferred roast pork from DiNic's over cheesesteak anytime. But thanks. Now get off my lawn...err, my chat.
Yes, he could move to LF if they thought it'd be easier to add a 3B. But they also have to take into account Swisher/Bourn and what they're going to do with them. One could be a fourth outfielder, the other dumped or traded. So many ways this could go. But yes, they could move Olivera to LF if they want to. Just from very early results, seems like Olivera is OK at 3B, nothing special defensively.
I don't have a list. Too much going on with current team and no need to put together a list when free agency period is still a ways away.
