Braves Making the Team Meter: Week 6

by gondeee on Mar 30, 2009 9:42 AM EDT Comment 21 comments

The Atlanta Braves have two really good battles going on right now for the last few remaining roster spots. First of all, here's what we know (bold indicates an open spot):

Catcher (2) - Brian McCann, David Ross
Starting Infield (4) - Casey Kotchman, Kelly Johnson, Yunel Escobar, Chipper Jones
Backup / Bench (5) - Greg Norton, Matt Diaz, Omar Infante, Martin Prado, Backup Outfielder
Right Field (1) - Jeff Francoeur
Center Field (1)
Left Field (1) - Garret Anderson

Rotation (Note: to start the season we will only need 4 starters for the first two times through the rotation.) - Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, Kenshin Kawakami
Bullpen (7) - Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano, Peter Moylan, Blaine Boyer, Reliever, Reliever, Reliever

Keep in mind that the team could opt to carry an extra pitcher rather than another backup outfielder. The team also released Jeff Ridgway this week, opening up a second spot on the 40-man roster. Are these spots placeholders for Jordan Schafer and Kris Medlen? For Tommy Hanson?

Player, Position	Chance	Notes
Josh Anderson, OF		He's been hitting better of late, but I still get the impression that the team sees him as a second choice.
Gregor Blanco, OF		At this point it looks like he will find himself back in the minors. His bat has not gotten hot and they don't seem to be playing him like they want him to start. His time in the WBC may have hurt him.
Brandon Jones, LF		It looks as though Garret Anderson will be able to start the year in left when the bell rings; that leaves Brandon out of the major league picture. He's been unfortunately slowed by an illness this past week.
Jordan Schafer, OF		I'm giving him the green up arrow. He's done just about everything he can to prove that he's ready. The reports we hear say that he is a hard worker and that will allow him to work through any problems he might encounter throughout the season. He's the future center fielder, why not make the future happen now.

Player, Position	Chance	Notes
Manny Acosta, RHP		He had another rough outing the other day. The two longballs he's surrendered concern me.
Jeff Bennett, RHP		He's actually come around the last couple of times out, and could be making a late push to make the team think his early spring problems are behind him. Remember, it's all about how you finish.
Jorge Campillo, RHP		I think he winds up in Gwinnett as insurance.
Buddy Carlyle, RHP		He's been a bit more lucky than Bennett and been able to scatter his hits better. He should make the team.
Boone Logan, LHP		The LOOGY's had a rough week and Logan was not immune. Big guy, throws hard from the left side, struggles with control -- there are a lot of stories like that in and around the minor leagues.
Kris Medlen, RHP		An outside, outside chance at making the team, but, the Braves did open up a second spot on the 40-man roster this week. Could those two spots be for Medlen and Schafer?
Eric O'Flaherty, LHP		Official new nickname is Eric O'Flame-out. He's had some rough outings this spring, and I don't see much success if he makes the club, but the Braves still like him for some reason.

Arrow Key:
= Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.

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Comments

I could see both Blanco and Campillo getting traded. Blanco got plenty of praise for his good play in the WBC so his value is likely as high as it will be. And as the obvious man out in the competition for CF he is highly expendable.

I don’t want Campillo to be traded but I feel he could be traded simply because we can use Buddy Carlyle in long relief/spot starts and Campy has a higher value.

Bennett is another guy that has been mentioned as trade bait. But he would probably net his worth, which unfortunately isn’t very much.

by Fischerking on Mar 30, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The only problem with getting rid of Blanco is that after you lose Anderson to waivers, you have no backup plan if Schafer gets hurt/seems overmatched. That wouldn’t be good.

"Ohhhh shit"-Bobby Cox

by 10-4 on Mar 30, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you keep anderson on your roster

he can be the pinch runner/5th OF option.

Although, I would like to see Blanco in that role instead.

Penis

by justincredubil02 on Mar 30, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you're carrying 5 OFers, as is suggested here ...

That’s not really a problem, as Anderson would be the obvious choice for that extra spot.

Unfortunately, I get the feeling that Bobby will opt for a 12th pitcher instead, which IMO would be a bad move.

by Lennox on Mar 30, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well....

the best loogy option in camp has been franciscly bueno. he could be making a case for himself but probably will be stashed at AAA to start the season. if one of the loogy’s cant find lightning in a bottle, then he could be a quick callup. he looked great live on saturday.

by ryan c on Mar 30, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I think the best LOOGY has been Mariano Gomez.

by gondeee on Mar 30, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, why not give him a chance, his numbers last season at AAA were good and his springs numbers are excellent.

by MatM on Mar 30, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, right now

It’s looking like Schafer will be the team’s starting center fielder, Anderson will likely be placed on waivers and depending upon how many relievers Bobby wants to start the season, Blanco could be on his way to Triple-A.

by ChipperTeixeira89 on Mar 30, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

quick unrelated Hudson question

Yo – we’ve talked about this before, ye Olde Hometown discount, but I was wondering what people thought about Hudson taking one…

The general consensus is that ATL wont exercise the option for Huddy b/c its too much money for a post-TJ year when we have good prospects. Then again, many people LOVE the dude and think that might be enough to get him back.

My question is, if this year proves our rotation really is enviable and effective in seeking championship, will Huddy take a hometown discount (in a signifcant fashion) to try to grasp a ring?

by traphicg on Mar 30, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably depends on Hanson, Reyes, Medlen, shoot...even Morton...

...catsports...

by bwellnjonesco on Mar 30, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FW released a statement a few months back saying they have every intention of picking up the option. This was around the time when questions about the type of option is was arose. Pretty sure it was on DOB’s blog but I’m not sure it was a while ago.

by someguy917 on Mar 30, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

have you guys heard about this?

in regards to the px2 pitching simulator:

“Some players, like Atlanta outfield prospect Jordan Schafer, who used approximately one-third of his $320,000 Major League signing bonus to purchase his own personal machine, swear by its usefulness.”

so, basically you can input johan santana into this pitching simulator and it mixes up johan santana’s pitch selection and shoots them at you at different locations on or off the plate. matt diaz also hangs out with schafer to hit off of this beast. sounds really cool. anyone ever seen one of these bad boys in person?

here’s the link:
http://www.westkootenayunplugged.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=860&Itemid=12463

by ryan c on Mar 30, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs