Braves Will Make More Roster Cuts Monday
by gondeee on Mar 28, 2010 4:05 PM EDT
Email
PrintThe Atlanta Braves cut Gregor Blanco from their major league roster today, and according to the AJC, Bobby Cox said that more roster cuts would be coming on Monday. I was going to do a Making The Team Meter, but I wanted to talk about these a bit more (but you can consider this a bit of an MTM).
Infield/Outfield: I would imagine the team would officially cut Freddie Freeman, Matt Young, Brandon Hicks and any other extraneous catchers still left on the roster -- pretty much purging their major league roster of everyone but the two battling for the final infield spot, Brooks Conrad and Joe Thurston. I would expect that battle to be fought all the way up to the final roster cuts of the spring just before opening day.
Bullpen: This is where the other battles are, and where we might see some surprising cuts on Monday. Scott Proctor has had some good outings and some bad outings. I've been thinking that he might be able to start the year in the majors, but after seeing him struggle recently I have to think that he would be better served to get in 20 or 30 innings of work in the minors before moving up to Atlanta. If the Braves are thinking long-term with him, then they should wait until mid-season to call him up, and therefore retain his rights for next season.
Another bullpen guy who I think might get cut is Jesse Chavez. He was expected to earn a spot before spring started, then he seemed to pitch his way out of a spot with some bad outings early in the spring, then he seemed to straighten things out, but now he's looking bad again. He might just get cut if the Braves don't think he can be reliable, and right now I certainly don't think he is reliable.
Cutting Proctor AND Chavez is a risky strategy, which would leave the last two bullpen spots to Jo-Jo Reyes, Jonny Venters, and Craig Kimbrel. That's two unproven rookies and the sometimes combustible Reyes. Many people this spring have said that Jo-Jo has grown up a lot and seems much more mature, so perhaps he is ready to take on a bullpen role. Kimbrel would be an interesting add, though he is still somewhat raw. Venters is the dark horse in this race.
Could the Braves also choose to carry one less pitcher and opt to keep both Thurston and Conrad? Or am I just crazy to say something like that? My thinking here is that our starting pitching staff is reliable enough, and all of them can go deep enough into games, that the extra reliever is not necessary. We all know that Bobby Cox is going to use the same four relievers all the time anyway, so what's the point of have three extra bodies down there. That would be a long shot scenario, but I thought I'd bring it up.
Anyway, what do all of you think. We'll find out Monday, but there are some interesting scenarios that could be created here. Suddenly, I'm thinking we could use another veteran bullpen pitcher.
64 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
To start the season, I could see taking the extra pitcher
Considering that the starters may not go out more than 6 in their first couple starts, and Bobby may want to see what he’s got in the middle relief area early.
Craig Kimbrel should NOT be on the Opening Day roster
No way, no how.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when." 3/26/2010 -- The future arrived.
by Scott Coleman on Mar 28, 2010 4:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
This
In mother Russia no one can hear you scream.... or is that space?...now that I think about it, it's definitely space....
by mad_dog_maddux on Mar 28, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Should probably not take one fewer pitchers back to the ATL. Never know how the first month will go.
And yes, whomever gets that last bullpen spot probably won’t see real action anyway. Sometimes I wonder why the Braves even carry more than 8 or 9 pitchers. ;)
tUMD Hockey: In search of a title! But probably not this year.
The whacky schedule during April would be conducive to going without the extra arm in the bullpen. The Braves have off-days on both of the first 2 Tuesdays, April 6 and 13, plus Monday April 19… then a run of 12 games in a row (Apr 20-May 2) before two more 6 game weeks in early May. It might not be a bad idea to extend the bullpen competition through April, then, to give the arms involved some consistent work… and in turn see if they can be… er, consistent.
Kimbrel
Wren’s comments during the game today made it sound like Kimbrel will more than likely be starting in Gwinnett.
Same with Proctor, actually. He specifically mentioned wanting to keep building Proctor up for a couple weeks so that he could start pitching multiple innings.
He almost explicitly said the last three spots are down to Chavez, JoJo, and Venters (though he didn’t fully rule out Kimbrel).
by sunking1056 on Mar 28, 2010 5:02 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thanks for the data
Even though I like Venters the best of the three, I think the Braves would be best-served beginning the season with Reyes and Chavez in those last two spots – at least until they divine whether either can be an effective major-league reliever. I’m much more confident Venters can pitch well in that role, so I’d like to see him gaining more innings in AAA until the quality of Reyes and Chavez can be sorted out.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of giving 1 bullpen spot to Jo-Jo and letting Conrad and Thurston make the squad
I like it too...
Though more in the long run than at the start of the season. I could see starting the year with both Jo-jo and Venters, then sending them both down when the starters are stretched out, and calling up Proctor (assuming he’s ready then) and the Conrad/Thurston loser.
Too many teams neglect their position player versatility to have one more AAAA-type guy in the ’pen. I bet either Conrad or Thurston is more useful than whoever the 7th BP guy would be.
I think Jesse Chavez will be fine eventually (unless he’s hurt). Also, don’t forget Luis Valdez. He could be a useful piece at some point.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 29, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
And Bill Shanks made it sound...
like they weren’t exactly going crazy over that fact either. Considering we cleared up Salcedo already, Luis Valdez is a curious case. I thought the guy had pitched well enough on the farm the last two years to be a serious competitor for a bullpen spot this year. Strange.
by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 29, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I see Chavez making it… I think they’ll rely more on his reaults in Pitt last year than on what he’s done this spring
HansonManCrush
by HansonManCrush on Mar 28, 2010 6:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
the way bobby can abuse relievers at times
we really need all the arms we can get in the pen, so if i had to make the call i would say keep thurston, reyes, and kimbrel (although he is unlikely to make it). i agree here with everyone saying chavez will make it, and here’s to hoping he fairs better than he has in ST/
by lingsched on Mar 28, 2010 6:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think the Braves may take an extra reliever since Kawakami’s first start is going to be skipped. It’s possible they bring Reyes, Chavez and Venters with them to start the season. Have them continue the battle for the last bullpen spot for another week. Besides Wagner, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to have 3 left relievers in the pen since the Phillies lineup generally has more trouble against lefties.
by BravesFan on Mar 28, 2010 6:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well if it gets bad in the bullpen.....
Perhaps this guy can come out of the stands or announcing booth and leave some batters looking at their knees.
Just a thought…..
He can’t play golf everyday……or can he?
Super Saiyan Smoltz
"Dum spiro spero"
by Bravely going forward on Mar 28, 2010 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wasn’t that from the playoff game against the Astros back in 2005?
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when." 3/26/2010 -- The future arrived.
by Scott Coleman on Mar 28, 2010 7:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I only see this happening...
if Wagner goes down. Which I really hope doesn’t happen, much as I love Smoltzie.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 29, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah...
I posted it because it has a feel good story to it.
Look at it this way.
He can retire as a Brave with Chipper, we could get a hometown discount, and it would likely cement us in for playoffs (if he came in post all-star break) assuming we’re above .500.
I get it, he’s old and he doesn’t feel like doing the long grind……
That is good news for us.
It will happen…it must happen!
funny how everyone pretty much hated him last year...
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
def not just speaking for myself
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
on conrad and thurston...
it would be a bit of overkill to keep both of these guys. if the braves were to open the year with a 6 man bullpen, i would hope they’d keep matt young for some much needed speed off the bench.
thus far, i havent been impressed with any of the 6th or 7th bullpen options. looks like it’s going to be a 5 man bullpen this year…atleast until proctor can prove to be consistent.
My opinion cant be wrong. It's my opinion. Those who don't like it can piss up a rope.
If Freddie Freeman gets cut tomorrow...
He will have hit .387 this spring. He played solid defense and showed some power as well (remember, he ran past Thurston on 1B and was only credited with a single instead of a HR). Anyone who thinks this guy doesn’t have a promising future ahead is nuts.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when." 3/26/2010 -- The future arrived.
by Scott Coleman on Mar 28, 2010 8:56 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Buford?
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when." 3/26/2010 -- The future arrived.
by Scott Coleman on Mar 28, 2010 9:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
When I hear that mentioned...
…why do I always think 2801, 2801, 2801 Buford High-way? I can’t even remember what business was located there from the ads, lol.
Theoretically the address for the Gwinnett Braves is in Lawrenceville.
Stadium Address
One Braves Avenue
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
I was very confused when I first saw that.
I live in Lawrenceville, and now way is the G-Braves’ stadium there. That’s like saying that the Angels play in Los Angeles.
Oh, wait…
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 29, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
“But he’s never played without Heyward! Dur duh dur dur dur!”
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Mar 29, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
We have an incredibly deep farm system. Another quality 7th/8th inning, veteran reliever via trade might not be so far-fetched at all.
There's basically no reason ever to trade for a middle reliever.
Those guys grow on trees. Anyone we could get without giving up much would not be any better than Chavez/Acosta/et al.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 29, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Jesse Chavez does not deserve to the make team. That’s all I have to say.
Kawakami - 1, Halladay - 0
Possibilities
Braves don’t NEED a 5th starter until April 27th, the way their schedule breaks down. So here’s a few thoughts:
1) I’m not sure, but I believe JJ still has options. He could start the season on the Gwinnett roster, if necessary, so he could a few more opportunities to stretch his arm out. Or they could DL him to start the year, but they’d make it retroactive to some point in the spring. The advantage of just optioning him would be that they could call him up at any point they deem. So that would be an extra bullpen spot, and they keep Thurston and Conrado for a few more weeks as well.
2) Alternatively, KK could serve an extra reliever during those few three weeks, though they’d probably want him working as a starter as well so his arm is getting stretched out for long run. But that gives you an extra long reliever so you carry one less reliever initially, and Thurston and Conrad get a chance at the big league roster.
3) Of course, you probably just play it straight. It’s not like they’ll need the extra position player in the first few weeks, and there’s always the possibility of some mishap early in the season where you do need the extra pitcher.
There’s still decisions to be made. They’re kind grooming Jo-Jo into a relief role, but if they decide not to keep him, he’ll go back to Gwinnett as a starter, and he’d be their first call-up if they need an innings eater, presumably. Kris Medlen is all but a lock for the bullpen, but I, for one, wouldn’t mind him going back down to Gwinnett to get some more work as a starter.
It's pretty obvious what's going to happen guys.
Just think about the four guys still in contention.
Kimbrel is a really promising rookie that is still pretty raw with LOTS of walks, so there is no way we’d halt his progress of grooming him as a closer and have him growing cobwebs in Atlanta. He’s going to Gwinnett.
Proctor is coming back from an injury and is further behind the other guys in his progress towards being %100 ready for the season. He will be given the chance to continue progressing in AAA or extended spring training and will be the first call-up if someone struggles or gets injured.
Jo Jo Reyes has not struggled near as bad as Proctor or Chavez has, and is no longer considered for a starting role. There’s no point in having him at Gwinnett unless there is just no room for him in Atlanta. They’ll give him a shot as a reliever in the majors and see how it goes. I think he could do well. Plus it will behoove the Braves to have more than one lefty (Wags not included) in the pen.
Venters is a rookie and still has some growing to do. Unlike Reyes, some time in Gwinnett would serve him well.
That leaves Chavez, who gets the nod over Venters because he has experience in the majors, and has performed decently in regular season play in the past, despite his terrible spring. The hope is that once the games matter, Chavez will leave his troubles behind, but if he cannot, then Proctor will probably replace him.
So look for Reyes and Chavez to start the season in Atlanta, as much as it will probably anger some of you Talk Choppers.
I agree...
But it sounds worse than it is. Reyes deserves the shot in the bullpen and we need to see Chavez in games that matter. As someone mentioned above, we probably will not need the final pitcher for a while with the way the schedule shakes out. It would behoove the FO to find out what the two of them can do while we have the extra off days.
What manager John Russell thought when Morton hit J-Hey with a pitch, "Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons!"
by I Saw Buzz Beaned on Mar 29, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Chavez and Reyes
will most likely be getting the nod as the final two in our bullpen. Kimbrel needs work in AAA, Venters isn’t ready for a shot at the big-league club, and keeping Proctor down for a month to “rehab and stretch him out” will actually give us another year of team control.
No mention of Manny Acosta?...
I guess he’s just considered a lock for the 8th inning right? ;)
And Proctor doesn’t need to be down long to have him still be arb eligible for next year. I’ve read that so long as he is not on the roster for 3 weeks, his service time won’t be high enough to give him free agency.
I had heard he was cut the other day, but I could be wrong.
by John Holton on Mar 29, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Indeed.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
I figured the little winky semicolon thing...
and the thought of him being the primary set up man would be enough. Guess not.
Didn't see the little winky semicolon thing...
I’m old…try doing it this way ;-)
I just disagree with Chavez making it over Kimbrel
Chavez
8.0 20H 15R 14ER 1HR 5BB 3K’s
Kimbrel
7.0IP 3H 0R 0ER 0HR 6BB 10K’s
Still, it’s about what’s best long-term. If they think Kimbrel needs a little more time in AAA before he’ll be 100% ready to contribute in the show, then that’s more important than who looks better on the stat sheet.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
