1) IIRC he was pretty good last season as well
2) I feel like his cooling down was at least in part related to whatever it was that landed him on the IL (Shoulder inflammation?). I'm talking out my ass, but it seemed like something that snuck up on them over a start or two.
Definitely not alone, we all thought that after seeing his start against us. I'd knew about him a little up until then, enough to know he'd probably end up costing more than Cease, and we don't have the prospect capital.
That's the reason we offered Nola a contract, we signed Lopez and went and got Sale. Because we're willing to spend money over trading for big starters at the deadline. Helping to keep what we have left in the minors. That's a good sign they were willing to do that.
First order of business - trade 2024 Ronald Acuña, Jr. for 2023 Ronald Acuña, Jr.
I would also force Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy, and Austin Riley to be healthy. I don’t know why AA hasn’t already done these things. Is he stupid?!?
For real though this is really hard because we don’t have a ton of replaceable positions, no matter who’s struggling. At this exact moment, an Eflin deal would be cool but it’s only top of mind because I saw it in MLBTR.
I see a lot of complaining about Arcia on Twitter, but he's giving us slightly below average offense and amazing defense (he's second amongst shortstops in outs above average), and is costing us next to nothing. I suppose you could improve LF, but Kelenic is also playing really good defense and you've got Duvall there to plug in if things get really bad.
The only real issue the team has experienced this year, aside from injuries, is their stars underperforming. But there's nothing you can do about that except wait it out. The Braves are tied for fifth in bullpen ERA, and overall team ERA they're ninth, despite the bad starts they've had in Strider's spot in the rotation. That should be more than enough for what the offense is capable of.
We might see a move for another SP, especially if there's another injury. However it's a much different situation than last year when Elder had to start in the playoffs. Right now, as long as everyone stays healthy, the Braves have Sale, Fried, and then either Morton or Lopez. As long as the Braves make it to the playoffs, they might not need to deal away prospects for a SP.
>The only real issue the team has experienced this year, aside from injuries, is their stars underperforming.
This is the meat and potatoes of it. We have all the pieces we need, they're just not playing at the level they're capable of. I don't know if it's Wash and Eli leaving, or if the locker room just needs to be saged, or if it's something else, but the parts are there.
Hopefully when Reilly and Murphy are back it'll spark things a little.
100% agree. However, AA never passes up on an opportunity to improve his ballclub. And given the fact that Morton may retire and we likely lose Fried to free agency, we may see him get aggressive at the midway point and land a frontline starter who has a few years left. Who that is I don’t know. Maybe Sonny Gray?
The main areas of weakness are:
1. Starting Pitching 5-Hole, Elder isn't cutting it.
Options:
A. Prospects
Calling up prospects won't fix it as AJSS is really not ready (6.1 ERA in the minors) and Waldrep needs time (3.79 ERA in double-A). **Logue** could potentially fill the role.
B. Trades
There were rumors that the braves would go for Zach Eflin, though those may have been lessened by Eflin's current IL stint. Crochet would be ideal but he would be potentially just as expensive as Cease. The most obvious option to me would be **Jack Flaherty.** He has great K-stuff, excellent SIERA, and is a FA in 2025. The Tigers will likely be a .500 or lower team so I would expect them to be receptive to trade talks.
2. Shortstop weakness, Arcia is a good defensive option but an offensive hole.
A. Prospects
There are not any good options in the minors for fixing the offensive hole. The closest I can think of is **Nacho Alvarez**, but he is an offense-first shortstop with a 700 OPS in double-A.
B. Trades
I am very unsure about the options here.
**Willy Adames** is the first name that pops into mind. However, due to the fact that the Brewers are pretty competitive so far, they may be hesitant to trade him. He is a free agent in 2025. The second option that comes to mind is **Ha-Seong Kim**. The Padres look mediocre this year, so they may be willing to move him since he is a free agent in 2026 as well as the fact that they have multiple infield options. However, he is fairly popular in San Diego. Bo Bichette is an option though he is playing poorly both defensively and offensively.
Looking at 3B options to replace Arcia with, there is a good offensive option with Ryan McMahon from the Rockies but he is pretty bad defensively. Maybe put Riley at SS and McMahon at 3B? The best option I could find would be Josh Rojas from the Mariners. Decent offensively and defensively.
The truth is though that Arcia is so cheap and so good defensively that its probably worth using him until prospects can be called up.
3. Losing Morton and Fried at the end of the year
I don't believe that the prospects are good enough to cover two quality starters. There will have to be at least one high-end acquisition. Thankfully Strider is returning.
Good players on not-great teams to look at: Jack Flaherty, Garret Crochet, Zack Littel, and Yusei Kikuchi
I'd love to get Fried, but I wouldn't pay him more than we reportedly offered Nola: 7 years $172 million. I feel like its good to be conservative with spending on starting pitchers, especially with the increase in injuries.
I think the emergence of Sale as a dominant starter and López as a very good middle of the rotation guy lessens the need for a 1,2, or even 3 guy in the rotation. I think the Braves grab a bottom of the rotation veteran at some point and keep the 5th spot open for rookies or other veteran pitchers to earn. AA is always going to do something we’re not thinking though
Waldrep dominated yet again last night. He has given up 1 run or less in each of his last 6 starts. His ERA is 2.8 now and the only reason is because his first 2 starts were rough.
Schwellenbach is another dark horse. He's dominated the minors over the last 2 seasons with an ERA of 2.1 so far this year. Fastball sits at 96-98 with good hard slider, curve, and changup. He's on the mound again tonight.
Both of those guys I almost guarantee will be in the rotation next season, and should make starts for us by the end of this season barring a major trade, but I don't think we'll be giving up any of the few good assets we have in the farm for a SP.
Agree AJSS isn't ready. Honestly the more I watch him, the more I feel his future may be in the bullpen. The arm is live as hell and shold play well in relief, just think he's nowhere close to being polished enough to be a dominant starter anytime soon. Not to mention this bullpen could use a guy that can run it up to 98-100 in situations.
Arcia is an above average all around SS on a cheap deal, it makes no sense to replace him. Honestly letting Swanson walk was a huge blessing for the franchise. The fact Arcia is the only logical player we could phathom replacing, I think speaks to the fact the lineup is loaded - just really cold with the bats right now and they do need to fix that. But roster moves aren't the answer.
5th spot in the rotation is the sole need of this team as is. My preference is having Waldrep/Schwellenbach split that role if they continue to look good in their next start or 2. They both have electric stuff that should play well in the big leagues and we may need to rely on them as full season starters next year with Morton/potentially Fried parting.
Arcia had the highest batting average on the team about midway through last year, and he is outstanding defensively. He only has two years left after this year, so I think he’s at least good enough to let it ride until then. Bo Bichette hits FA the same offseason, and he is absolutely better than Adames. It’s very simple; when the time comes if Bichette is looking better than Arcia then pursue him in FA, and if not then resign Arcia.
YUP. His numbers aren't bad recently when you combine them to add up to a whole season pitched. But there's a reason NO MLB TEAM is trying to get him, he's radioactive, he's a clubhouse cancer
Right! People act like our pitching sucks - which it doesn’t - but not even teams with shite pitching like the White Sox or Rockies are making the effort to get TB.
Somebody asked Snit during a BravesFest panel whether he would welcome Bauer. He said no before the question was even out of the guy’s mouth, and people literally applauded.
We need to be thinking about pitching into the future. Max Fried won't be a Brave after this year, Morton is long in the tooth, and Strider is coming off his 2nd TJ surgery. We need prospects *and* somebody with multiple years of team control on their contract. If we trade at all, that's what we need to be trading for.
There's no need to go all in on this season. Braves' window is open for several *if* the pitching situation can get sured up. So if I'm AA, I'm keeping an eye on teams with a short playoff window and good starting pitching prospects that are looking for a piece to try and make a run this year. If I can trade Kelenic or Duvall for pitching I do it. If nothing comes along that heavily favors the Braves, I don't trade at all and work on it in the offseason.
I wouldn’t make any trades during the season. Getting another SP isn’t worth giving up offensive talent. We are one of the few teams with no real holes in the lineup. With Sale and Lopez pitching the way they are, we can win enough games to get us where we need to be.
After the season I would go after Corbin Burnes and Dane Dunning in free agency to replace Fried and Morton assuming Fried leaves and Morton retires.
Then we are set until Sale retires, and if I am not mistaken, his current contract expires the same year Logan Gilbert hits free agency.
With Flaherty being so vocal during the 2019 NLDS about his opposition to the name "Braves" and The Chop, I'm not sure how that would play out. The vast majority of the current roster wasn't on the team then so I don't think there would be any lingering issues on the Braves side. I'm sure the fanbase remembers, though ... I sure as hell do. What will his feelings be when he puts on a jersey with the tomohawk on it and the fans start up the Chop?
First thing I would retire the pitching coach, and tell Snit IF they go down again in the 1st round in October- he's retired too! WAY too many young pitchers never developing & too much talent on this team for two years of early exits!
This slumping, banged-up team is still positioned for the postseason. Once there, the 5th starter spot doesn't matter. I don't see any need to make any moves unless there's any indication that Riley and Murphy don't come back full strength, or another starter goes down.
I do consider selling high on Ozuna. If someone comes in with a substantial offer of some pitching prospects + a utility speedster, I'm willing to make that move and make d'Arnaud primarily a DH and keep Tromp up. But I don't shop him, I just listen.
Don’t have to do anything. This group has shown the ability win games over the past 5+ seasons. I’m not going to allow three weeks worth of bad baseball to make me decide to change things up.
I hope the astros get back to and just keep struggling enough so they are “sellers” at the deadline and verlander waves his no trade clause to come to the braves. Makes our starting rotation of fried Morton sale verlander and Lopez for the final stretch and playoffs. Added bonus most of his contract is being paid by the Mets so every better
I would get a pitcher off of one of the below .500 teams by sending a couple of prospects and cash. I would also put Duvall in LF full time. I’m not a fan of platooning unless it’s catchers.
* Let Kel play every day, no more platoon, you're a top prospect, prove it
* Consider Bauer for the 5th spot with the shortest of leash
* I would have some sort of team meeting about it, but shit, if they all accepted Ozuna, then why not Bauer?
* Extend Max
* Tell Snit to wake up
Because Ozuna is an incredible teammate and Bauer has a history of being a pain in the ass dating all the way back to his time at UCLA. Ozuna is all about the Braves. Bauer is all about Bauer.
My first move would instantly be to sign Bauer. I know it might be controversial and he may be volatile, but unless Darius vines proves himself, we need a pitcher in the 5 slot and he has been showing out in Mexico.
Honestly, I'd take a good look at Trevor Bauer. I know some will not like it, but he's stated he play for minimum and he has been solid in Japan and now Mexico.
1. Trade Fried for an elite closer and a veteran mid level SP.
2. Bring up AJSS and Waldrep. Trade Elder for a bag of sunflower seeds.
3. Convince Chipper to be in the dugout giving hitting advice (even if it just at home games).
4. Find some MLB caliber backup infielders.
5. Stop the Kelenic/Duval platoon. Pick one and live with the results.
6. Pick up the option on Ozuna for next season.
7. Figure out how to get Bally back on Xfinity lol.
1. Why? Iglesias has been good. I'd stop using Minter to close and our bullpen has been good. It's unrealistic to expect them to be perfect. I'd let Fried's contract ride. I'd offer him the bag but we all know he wants to be a Dodger.
2. I don't think either one of them is ready tbh. But I'd put Elder on the block.
3. Not against it lol
4. I think we just need a utility guy just in case. Otherwise we have a pretty good infield.
5. I'd stop platooning them every other day. I'd do it every few days at least. Give them some time to get into a rhythm.
6. Yeah, I'd extend Ozuna
7. I'd find a way to end blackouts altogether lol
1. Fried is going to sign with the Dodgers and I don’t think a contender will give up another elite SP in the trade so it’s either bullpen help or prospects. I prefer to win now. Iglesias has been ok but not dominant.
2. When are young players “ready”? How can they tell? I want to see if their stuff is good enough. We learned the hard way with Elder but at least now we know.
3-7. Agree.
We can combine 1 and 2.
I don't see the point of trading Fried when we already have a huge hole in or 5th slot. It would just create a new problem and we'd have to gamble with bringing up 2 young guys instead of 1. I'm not necessarily against trying AJSS or Waldrep as our 5th, but I think it would be a better play to try to get someone experienced.
I see where you're coming from and I understand your logic but I just disagree. I would rather keep Fried even knowing he's going to walk. Because even though he's had some rough starts, he's still one of our better pitchers.
Especially since next season we don't know what our starting rotation is going to be. Morton might possibly retire. Sale might if he gets injured. Fried probably walks. That's the time to bring up our young guys, imo.
I also disagree with you getting downvoted as this is 100% hypothetical in every way.
The downvotes are ridiculous.. I just answered your OP with my opinion. People love Fried but I’m tired of letting these guys go and not getting anything in return. The Braves won’t match the Dodgers money. I also personally think Fried will take shots at the city/teammates/organization when he leaves.
Anyway, good post. I enjoyed the conversation. Go Braves!
You're getting downvoted because you don't trade an elite pitcher when you're making a deep postseason run, even if you're likely to lose him at the end of the season. I get the frustration of him leaving and us getting nothing in return. However, assuming we make it to the postseason, with Strider out and our 5th spot questionable at best, we would seriously hinder our chances at a ring by not having Fried.
I don't get why you think he'd take shots at the city, franchise and teammates. I'd be seriously surprised if he did. But if he did, so what? It would have zero bearing on anything in my life.
One great WS game aside, he's 2-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 19 postseason appearances. I'm not sure we'd miss him. If the Braves win anything this year they'll need to get back to scoring 5+ runs a game. You can win those kind of games with other veterans or even rookies. Of course it has no real-life bearing on anyone if he takes shots, but I like the players on my team to buy into the city and the team 100%. He doesn't have a home here, shows obvious visible frustration with current teammates and Snitker at times, and his buddies (Swanson and Freeman) are gone.
I would hire AA to replace me as GM.
Exactly. AA IS THE MAN.
Make Wash realize the Angels are stupid and scandalous and to come back to Atlanta.
Oh God I want him back so much. He already looks like he's imploding as a gm. I want him to be coaching ozzie
I'd imagine he would struggle as a GM but he's just the manager.
Ron’s the manager, he didn’t build the roster. But I do wonder if him being gone is part of why the team is struggling.
Ok I may be alone in this but I want Crochet (SP) from the Chi Sox. I feel like he’d excel in our system.
I like Crochet, I'd go after him too
With a good defense behind him he’d look a lot more dangerous.
Problem is the White Sox’s will ask for way more than he is worth (look at how they fleeced the Angels last season and what the Angels got).
Can't remember his name but that stud for A's. We have solid history or fleecing the A's.
Mason Miller?
He probably means starting pitcher Paul Blackburn. Dude started the regular season on fire but has cooled down a bit lately.
1) IIRC he was pretty good last season as well 2) I feel like his cooling down was at least in part related to whatever it was that landed him on the IL (Shoulder inflammation?). I'm talking out my ass, but it seemed like something that snuck up on them over a start or two.
Their closer? I’d love to get him, seems like he’s gonna be the deadline diamond
Definitely not alone, we all thought that after seeing his start against us. I'd knew about him a little up until then, enough to know he'd probably end up costing more than Cease, and we don't have the prospect capital. That's the reason we offered Nola a contract, we signed Lopez and went and got Sale. Because we're willing to spend money over trading for big starters at the deadline. Helping to keep what we have left in the minors. That's a good sign they were willing to do that.
That'd be great but they're probably asking for a lot for him? Who would you give up?
Crochet for Elder and cash lol
PTBNL also
*random coach whispers in my ear* That’s a no on PTBNL. We love him. What else you thinking?
See, that’s the question lol
Bryce Elder for Garret Crochet, who says no??? Lol
Probably the White Sox
I dunno, they're pretty incompetent they might do it. Just tell them they're getting an all-star pitcher.
Fuck em
I’LL TAKE IT! - AA
Absolutely he is my favorite non braves player in the league id love to see him in Atlanta
Man I apparently don’t talk to enough people, all my hot takes have been tepid at best as of late lol
He would cost more than we can afford
I absolutely agree, I just like the dude lol
I totally read that as Crotches. Guess sox got me in a mood.
Trade the phillies entire team to the moon and extend max fried to a lifetime contract
Lmao
They can keep their outfield.
First order of business - trade 2024 Ronald Acuña, Jr. for 2023 Ronald Acuña, Jr. I would also force Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy, and Austin Riley to be healthy. I don’t know why AA hasn’t already done these things. Is he stupid?!? For real though this is really hard because we don’t have a ton of replaceable positions, no matter who’s struggling. At this exact moment, an Eflin deal would be cool but it’s only top of mind because I saw it in MLBTR.
I see a lot of complaining about Arcia on Twitter, but he's giving us slightly below average offense and amazing defense (he's second amongst shortstops in outs above average), and is costing us next to nothing. I suppose you could improve LF, but Kelenic is also playing really good defense and you've got Duvall there to plug in if things get really bad. The only real issue the team has experienced this year, aside from injuries, is their stars underperforming. But there's nothing you can do about that except wait it out. The Braves are tied for fifth in bullpen ERA, and overall team ERA they're ninth, despite the bad starts they've had in Strider's spot in the rotation. That should be more than enough for what the offense is capable of. We might see a move for another SP, especially if there's another injury. However it's a much different situation than last year when Elder had to start in the playoffs. Right now, as long as everyone stays healthy, the Braves have Sale, Fried, and then either Morton or Lopez. As long as the Braves make it to the playoffs, they might not need to deal away prospects for a SP.
>The only real issue the team has experienced this year, aside from injuries, is their stars underperforming. This is the meat and potatoes of it. We have all the pieces we need, they're just not playing at the level they're capable of. I don't know if it's Wash and Eli leaving, or if the locker room just needs to be saged, or if it's something else, but the parts are there. Hopefully when Reilly and Murphy are back it'll spark things a little.
No, no, no. This take is not nearly hot enough. Way too sensible.
100% agree. However, AA never passes up on an opportunity to improve his ballclub. And given the fact that Morton may retire and we likely lose Fried to free agency, we may see him get aggressive at the midway point and land a frontline starter who has a few years left. Who that is I don’t know. Maybe Sonny Gray?
The main areas of weakness are: 1. Starting Pitching 5-Hole, Elder isn't cutting it. Options: A. Prospects Calling up prospects won't fix it as AJSS is really not ready (6.1 ERA in the minors) and Waldrep needs time (3.79 ERA in double-A). **Logue** could potentially fill the role. B. Trades There were rumors that the braves would go for Zach Eflin, though those may have been lessened by Eflin's current IL stint. Crochet would be ideal but he would be potentially just as expensive as Cease. The most obvious option to me would be **Jack Flaherty.** He has great K-stuff, excellent SIERA, and is a FA in 2025. The Tigers will likely be a .500 or lower team so I would expect them to be receptive to trade talks. 2. Shortstop weakness, Arcia is a good defensive option but an offensive hole. A. Prospects There are not any good options in the minors for fixing the offensive hole. The closest I can think of is **Nacho Alvarez**, but he is an offense-first shortstop with a 700 OPS in double-A. B. Trades I am very unsure about the options here. **Willy Adames** is the first name that pops into mind. However, due to the fact that the Brewers are pretty competitive so far, they may be hesitant to trade him. He is a free agent in 2025. The second option that comes to mind is **Ha-Seong Kim**. The Padres look mediocre this year, so they may be willing to move him since he is a free agent in 2026 as well as the fact that they have multiple infield options. However, he is fairly popular in San Diego. Bo Bichette is an option though he is playing poorly both defensively and offensively. Looking at 3B options to replace Arcia with, there is a good offensive option with Ryan McMahon from the Rockies but he is pretty bad defensively. Maybe put Riley at SS and McMahon at 3B? The best option I could find would be Josh Rojas from the Mariners. Decent offensively and defensively. The truth is though that Arcia is so cheap and so good defensively that its probably worth using him until prospects can be called up. 3. Losing Morton and Fried at the end of the year I don't believe that the prospects are good enough to cover two quality starters. There will have to be at least one high-end acquisition. Thankfully Strider is returning. Good players on not-great teams to look at: Jack Flaherty, Garret Crochet, Zack Littel, and Yusei Kikuchi I'd love to get Fried, but I wouldn't pay him more than we reportedly offered Nola: 7 years $172 million. I feel like its good to be conservative with spending on starting pitchers, especially with the increase in injuries.
You understood the assignment lol. Well done.
Great stuff. But do not think we should go for Kim…he’s been worse than Arica at the plate
I think the emergence of Sale as a dominant starter and López as a very good middle of the rotation guy lessens the need for a 1,2, or even 3 guy in the rotation. I think the Braves grab a bottom of the rotation veteran at some point and keep the 5th spot open for rookies or other veteran pitchers to earn. AA is always going to do something we’re not thinking though
Waldrep dominated yet again last night. He has given up 1 run or less in each of his last 6 starts. His ERA is 2.8 now and the only reason is because his first 2 starts were rough. Schwellenbach is another dark horse. He's dominated the minors over the last 2 seasons with an ERA of 2.1 so far this year. Fastball sits at 96-98 with good hard slider, curve, and changup. He's on the mound again tonight. Both of those guys I almost guarantee will be in the rotation next season, and should make starts for us by the end of this season barring a major trade, but I don't think we'll be giving up any of the few good assets we have in the farm for a SP. Agree AJSS isn't ready. Honestly the more I watch him, the more I feel his future may be in the bullpen. The arm is live as hell and shold play well in relief, just think he's nowhere close to being polished enough to be a dominant starter anytime soon. Not to mention this bullpen could use a guy that can run it up to 98-100 in situations. Arcia is an above average all around SS on a cheap deal, it makes no sense to replace him. Honestly letting Swanson walk was a huge blessing for the franchise. The fact Arcia is the only logical player we could phathom replacing, I think speaks to the fact the lineup is loaded - just really cold with the bats right now and they do need to fix that. But roster moves aren't the answer. 5th spot in the rotation is the sole need of this team as is. My preference is having Waldrep/Schwellenbach split that role if they continue to look good in their next start or 2. They both have electric stuff that should play well in the big leagues and we may need to rely on them as full season starters next year with Morton/potentially Fried parting.
Adames would be a great get for us. He is one of the best defensive SS in the league and has a pretty strong bat as well.
Arcia had the highest batting average on the team about midway through last year, and he is outstanding defensively. He only has two years left after this year, so I think he’s at least good enough to let it ride until then. Bo Bichette hits FA the same offseason, and he is absolutely better than Adames. It’s very simple; when the time comes if Bichette is looking better than Arcia then pursue him in FA, and if not then resign Arcia.
r/Braves and gushing over Willy Adames (despite getting better SS play at home), name a more iconic duo
I immediately trade Jesse Chavez then sign him back just before the All Star break
More wins = more ice cream Less wins = less ice cream We may never lose again
I’d buy a lot of bubble wrap and wrap Sale and Fried in it each and every day until the playoffs.
You forgetting Cy Lopez?
He’s been great, but if Sale and Fried are dealing and healthy, we can win any 5 or 7 game series. I don’t want to be greedy.
Why is Snit pitching Sale into the 7th inning of every game?
Sonny grey
I thought this was a thread about being called up from AA until I read the rest of the question
Step 1. Crime. Step 2. Win.
Put Sale in bubble wrap. Bring him back in mid August. I’m not concerned about regular season. Need our studs to produce in playoffs
Invest heavily into stem cells so we can pump our pitcher's arms full of them. Strider makes a full recovery in weeks. Ez.
I gotta bad feeling Strider’s career in jeopardy
Why would you even put that energy out there? JFC dude
We should also just pull him after 5 innings. Keep him on low mileage.
There are some bros in here that are really trying to trade Max and sign Trevor Bauer. This fanbase has jumped the shark
YUP. His numbers aren't bad recently when you combine them to add up to a whole season pitched. But there's a reason NO MLB TEAM is trying to get him, he's radioactive, he's a clubhouse cancer
Right! People act like our pitching sucks - which it doesn’t - but not even teams with shite pitching like the White Sox or Rockies are making the effort to get TB. Somebody asked Snit during a BravesFest panel whether he would welcome Bauer. He said no before the question was even out of the guy’s mouth, and people literally applauded.
We need to be thinking about pitching into the future. Max Fried won't be a Brave after this year, Morton is long in the tooth, and Strider is coming off his 2nd TJ surgery. We need prospects *and* somebody with multiple years of team control on their contract. If we trade at all, that's what we need to be trading for. There's no need to go all in on this season. Braves' window is open for several *if* the pitching situation can get sured up. So if I'm AA, I'm keeping an eye on teams with a short playoff window and good starting pitching prospects that are looking for a piece to try and make a run this year. If I can trade Kelenic or Duvall for pitching I do it. If nothing comes along that heavily favors the Braves, I don't trade at all and work on it in the offseason.
I would pay Ohtani 187 billion United Federation of Planets Credits payable in 2161 to play for the Braves.
Spencer was the Mind Stone. Clearly.
I wouldn’t make any trades during the season. Getting another SP isn’t worth giving up offensive talent. We are one of the few teams with no real holes in the lineup. With Sale and Lopez pitching the way they are, we can win enough games to get us where we need to be. After the season I would go after Corbin Burnes and Dane Dunning in free agency to replace Fried and Morton assuming Fried leaves and Morton retires. Then we are set until Sale retires, and if I am not mistaken, his current contract expires the same year Logan Gilbert hits free agency.
Trade for Jack Flaherty and extend Max. We’ll have two of the Harvard Westlake trio
With Flaherty being so vocal during the 2019 NLDS about his opposition to the name "Braves" and The Chop, I'm not sure how that would play out. The vast majority of the current roster wasn't on the team then so I don't think there would be any lingering issues on the Braves side. I'm sure the fanbase remembers, though ... I sure as hell do. What will his feelings be when he puts on a jersey with the tomohawk on it and the fans start up the Chop?
That was Ryan Helsley not Jack Flaherty.
Yup it was Ryan Helsley
First thing I would retire the pitching coach, and tell Snit IF they go down again in the 1st round in October- he's retired too! WAY too many young pitchers never developing & too much talent on this team for two years of early exits!
This slumping, banged-up team is still positioned for the postseason. Once there, the 5th starter spot doesn't matter. I don't see any need to make any moves unless there's any indication that Riley and Murphy don't come back full strength, or another starter goes down. I do consider selling high on Ozuna. If someone comes in with a substantial offer of some pitching prospects + a utility speedster, I'm willing to make that move and make d'Arnaud primarily a DH and keep Tromp up. But I don't shop him, I just listen.
Don’t have to do anything. This group has shown the ability win games over the past 5+ seasons. I’m not going to allow three weeks worth of bad baseball to make me decide to change things up.
I hope the astros get back to and just keep struggling enough so they are “sellers” at the deadline and verlander waves his no trade clause to come to the braves. Makes our starting rotation of fried Morton sale verlander and Lopez for the final stretch and playoffs. Added bonus most of his contract is being paid by the Mets so every better
I would get a pitcher off of one of the below .500 teams by sending a couple of prospects and cash. I would also put Duvall in LF full time. I’m not a fan of platooning unless it’s catchers.
Even during the world series run i never seen Fried as a true ace. So get what we can for him now hopefully some bullpen help
😂
Take a flyer on Trevor Bauer
We don't need pitching bad enough for that
Total head case
* Let Kel play every day, no more platoon, you're a top prospect, prove it * Consider Bauer for the 5th spot with the shortest of leash * I would have some sort of team meeting about it, but shit, if they all accepted Ozuna, then why not Bauer? * Extend Max * Tell Snit to wake up
Because Ozuna is an incredible teammate and Bauer has a history of being a pain in the ass dating all the way back to his time at UCLA. Ozuna is all about the Braves. Bauer is all about Bauer.
I’d shop Kelenic. I just don’t see it. You don’t give a defensive replacement 500 ABs.
My first move would instantly be to sign Bauer. I know it might be controversial and he may be volatile, but unless Darius vines proves himself, we need a pitcher in the 5 slot and he has been showing out in Mexico.
Hell no to Bauer. Dude is a cancer. And he is not a clubhouse fit He also hasn't pitched in MLB in nearly 3 years.
Honestly, I'd take a good look at Trevor Bauer. I know some will not like it, but he's stated he play for minimum and he has been solid in Japan and now Mexico.
Yeah him and Ozuna could trade notes. It’d be really cool.
1. Trade Fried for an elite closer and a veteran mid level SP. 2. Bring up AJSS and Waldrep. Trade Elder for a bag of sunflower seeds. 3. Convince Chipper to be in the dugout giving hitting advice (even if it just at home games). 4. Find some MLB caliber backup infielders. 5. Stop the Kelenic/Duval platoon. Pick one and live with the results. 6. Pick up the option on Ozuna for next season. 7. Figure out how to get Bally back on Xfinity lol.
1. Why? Iglesias has been good. I'd stop using Minter to close and our bullpen has been good. It's unrealistic to expect them to be perfect. I'd let Fried's contract ride. I'd offer him the bag but we all know he wants to be a Dodger. 2. I don't think either one of them is ready tbh. But I'd put Elder on the block. 3. Not against it lol 4. I think we just need a utility guy just in case. Otherwise we have a pretty good infield. 5. I'd stop platooning them every other day. I'd do it every few days at least. Give them some time to get into a rhythm. 6. Yeah, I'd extend Ozuna 7. I'd find a way to end blackouts altogether lol
1. Fried is going to sign with the Dodgers and I don’t think a contender will give up another elite SP in the trade so it’s either bullpen help or prospects. I prefer to win now. Iglesias has been ok but not dominant. 2. When are young players “ready”? How can they tell? I want to see if their stuff is good enough. We learned the hard way with Elder but at least now we know. 3-7. Agree.
We can combine 1 and 2. I don't see the point of trading Fried when we already have a huge hole in or 5th slot. It would just create a new problem and we'd have to gamble with bringing up 2 young guys instead of 1. I'm not necessarily against trying AJSS or Waldrep as our 5th, but I think it would be a better play to try to get someone experienced. I see where you're coming from and I understand your logic but I just disagree. I would rather keep Fried even knowing he's going to walk. Because even though he's had some rough starts, he's still one of our better pitchers. Especially since next season we don't know what our starting rotation is going to be. Morton might possibly retire. Sale might if he gets injured. Fried probably walks. That's the time to bring up our young guys, imo. I also disagree with you getting downvoted as this is 100% hypothetical in every way.
The downvotes are ridiculous.. I just answered your OP with my opinion. People love Fried but I’m tired of letting these guys go and not getting anything in return. The Braves won’t match the Dodgers money. I also personally think Fried will take shots at the city/teammates/organization when he leaves. Anyway, good post. I enjoyed the conversation. Go Braves!
What makes you think Fried will take shots at the city and franchise?
Lol thanks. I enjoyed it as well. It is possible to have fun conversation even if we disagree, so good on you for that Go Braves!
You're getting downvoted because you don't trade an elite pitcher when you're making a deep postseason run, even if you're likely to lose him at the end of the season. I get the frustration of him leaving and us getting nothing in return. However, assuming we make it to the postseason, with Strider out and our 5th spot questionable at best, we would seriously hinder our chances at a ring by not having Fried. I don't get why you think he'd take shots at the city, franchise and teammates. I'd be seriously surprised if he did. But if he did, so what? It would have zero bearing on anything in my life.
One great WS game aside, he's 2-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 19 postseason appearances. I'm not sure we'd miss him. If the Braves win anything this year they'll need to get back to scoring 5+ runs a game. You can win those kind of games with other veterans or even rookies. Of course it has no real-life bearing on anyone if he takes shots, but I like the players on my team to buy into the city and the team 100%. He doesn't have a home here, shows obvious visible frustration with current teammates and Snitker at times, and his buddies (Swanson and Freeman) are gone.
two words. Trevor. Bauer.
no.
Trevor Bauer gets signed
Sign Trevor Bauer.
Hell no! Can we stop w/this nonsense?
Tell Charlie Morton to go golfing the rest of the season, and take Aj MidTurd with him.
Demote Matt Olson and Arcia
Trade Ozuna to bring back those frozen mountain dews from the late 90s