Bruce Sutter retired in 1987geez, didn't he retire like in 80's or nineties? that sounds almost as bad as the hewitt contract
Projected Braves depth chart by MLB.com11/4 - Atlanta reinstated LHP A.J. Minter, RHP Jacob Webb, OF Charlie Culberson and C Alex Jackson from the 60-day injured list
i'm only a little more optimistic than you but agree this roster isn't likely to win division.Projected Braves depth chart by MLB.com
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/?c_id=atl
With this depth chart i think the Braves would finish 2020 with 81-84 wins
i'm only a little more optimistic than you but agree this roster isn't likely to win division.
I'd put a top notch starter as top priority, then a catcher.
signing a 3B third as i think Riley has 50% chance to bat .250 w 35 HR
What ya'll think top priorities should be?
Without a top shelf 3rd baseman i think the Braves win 81-84 games in 2020 because their hitting will tail off in my opinion.As Alan speculates in his recent article, the Braves still could have anywhere from $28-$48 million to spend this offseason.
That should be enough for Atlanta to make two big moves– most likely for a third baseman and starting pitcher.
Phillies are striking up talks with Mike Moose Moustakas.
I may be higher on Riley as the long term solution than you are, but I'd still agree that 3B is the logical spot to land a cleanup hitter as Riley's curveball hitting may or may not be resolved this year . That 4th slot won't be a catcher or Acuna so if we can't land (Donaldson,Rendon,or a Moose taco) , the next most logical way to find a cleanup hitter is moving Acuna to CF to get a RF/LF while Riley is struggling at third. I'm not optimistic but still hopingWithout a top shelf 3rd baseman i think the Braves win 81-84 games in 2020 because their hitting will tail off in my opinion.
I would like the Braves to resign Josh Donaldson or sign another top shelf 3rd baseman to a 2 year deal and give the 3rd base job to Austin Riley in 2022. I think Austin Riley may have his hitting problems hopefully figured out by then.I may be higher on Riley as the long term solution than you are, but I'd still agree that 3B is the logical spot to land a cleanup hitter as Riley's curveball hitting may or may not be resolved this year . That 4th slot won't be a catcher or Acuna so if we can't land (Donaldson,Rendon,or a Moose taco) , the next most logical way to find a cleanup hitter is moving Acuna to CF to get a RF/LF while Riley is struggling at third. I'm not optimistic but still hoping
Donaldson settles for a short term deal. will settle for moose taco.
Top Priorities
1)3rd Base
2)Starting Pitcher
3) Top Shelf Catcher
I would be nervous that Tyler Flowers would be starting with a possible below .210 batting averageWe could almost labels this 1A-1B-1C because they are all Top Priorities ... but if I had to pick a #1, I think I'd pick Top Shelf Catcher, I'm scared to death of seeing too much of Tyler Flowers next year.
Finally ... I really (x100) hope we resign Donaldson !!!
The Braves “have some interest” in free agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna, hears Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Atlanta joins the previously-known Cardinals, Reds, White Sox, Rangers, and Marlins in the early sweepstakes for the corner outfielder. . Signing the 29-year-old Ozuna, a qualifying offer recipient, would cost the Braves their second-highest draft choice and $500K of international bonus pool space.
I get the bad feeling that the only major acquisition the Braves will have made in the offseason is Will Smith If that's the case the Braves will barely have a winning record and they will not make the PlayoffsThe Cardinals might be the front runner for Ozuna. Not that I profess to know where any of these guys are going.
Nobody knew Will Smith from Newnan would be a Brave, not even my sources that work for Atlanta.
I’m hearing we have a shot at Grandal. I’ll believe that when I see it. Same with Josh Rain, although again, hearing he signed is the gospel in writing(might have a better shot at him than Yasmani and Marcell).