I don't know. Not so long ago, Shae Simmons was being regarded as a real find. Nobody gets everybody out. Not even Kimbrel.
Nobody asked (at least not yet), but I'd say the next nine days will mostly see the Atlanta Braves linked with relievers. There are always relievers (if not closers, which the Braves don't need) available. Even bad teams have good relievers.
I believe Mr. DOB wrote about Andrew Miller a while back.
The Braves would love for someone to be interested in trading for B.J. Upton. I cannot imagine what team would be. He's a bad player -- although he has been better as a leadoff hitter than I thought he would, which isn't saying a lot -- with a terrible contract. He's not going anywhere.
I see him being kept around for financial reasons that the powers that be are working under. I think right now he's not taking the spot on the roster of somebody who could be helping the club. You would think there's a good chance that changes going forward when the Braves make changes in their roster to prepare for the stretch run. That's when it gets interesting. And Uggla's tardiness and his one-game suspension suggests to me that both sides are getting a little wary of the situation as it stands.
Thanks TN Brave, I appreciate that. As for the rotation, just know that the plan is to pitch Santana on Friday against the Phillies and Teheran either Saturday or Sunday. I know they want to split up the lefties Minor and Wood, and then work Harang in there.
Given the price in terms of return that some of the big names out there are going to draw, I think the Braves would have a hard time pulling off a trade for a top-of-the-rotation starter. And that's what you'd need to improve on what they already have going.
i guess if you're looking at the stat line, that's what you see. I'm watching him throw. I'm watching him frame pitches. And how he handles himself with confidence, calling games, etc.
Hey Buddy, it's a really, really beautiful park if you ask me. I was looking around last night and just love the way you look up and see layer upon layer of seats, five decks down the lines, and yet the way they're build, at a pretty steep angle, it still feels intimate. And it plays like everybody can see everything well, and just feels like a good baseball park. I know I'll never forget watching that ball jump off Stanton's bat to about six rows from the top of the third deck.....The atmosphere downtown and just walking a few blocks to the ballpark has been cool. People have been friendly and patient. Good baseball people.
Not good. I think you'll see him back in uniform after the break. And they would swap and arm for an arm, not an arm for a position player.
That's a good question and if you're the Braves a good "problem" to have. Bethancourt has shown that standout defensive ability that we've been hearing about for years during this stint with the big league club. Yet from everything Fredi has said is that Gattis is their guy behind the plate, and when he's healthy Bethancourt returns to Triple-A. But there are questions now with Gattis' back injury and they won't be answered until he shows he's ready. On down the line things could change. Maybe Gattis moves back out to left field, but at least in the short term, it's behind the plate.
Yes. and from what my esteemed colleague David O'Brien is reporting their top priority is left-handed relief help, and they're taking a hard look at Red Sox lefty Andrew Miller as well as James Russell and Wesley Wright of the Cubs
yes that's the impression I get. They're really excited about his abilities as a pure leadoff hitter and his speed, and the way he's developed. He put up big numbers in Lynchburg and continued to respond to the challenge in Double-A. So yes, I think he'll be pushing La Stella before long
Bethancourt needs to play, and there won't be enough playing time for both him and Laird. Doumit is a third catcher but mainly a pinch-hitter and backup left fielder. Bethancourt is a catcher, period. Can't see him being kept on bench to play once or twice a week, and don't have room for that on 25-man roster anyway with Laird here.
That mainly depends on need. They called up Bethancourt because they had a need. They needed a fill-in for Gattis, and Bethancourt was ready.
Thanks for the questions, folks. Wrapping this up to do my video bit. We'll do it again soon, I feel sure.
Let's be happy he's hitting at all.
None yet, at least none that I've heard. But there are always arms available. Even bad teams have good middle relievers.
At all, yes. But not so enthusiastically that they consummate a trade.
I'd be surprised if this roster move involves Uggla. Beyond that, I don't know what it will be.
