House That Hank Built
Fansided

2016 Atlanta Braves Getting Zero Respect

By Alan Carpenter

Apr 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) looks on prior to the game against the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) looks on prior to the game against the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
October 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) reacts after being called out on strikes in the first inning against the New York Mets in game three of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
October 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) reacts after being called out on strikes in the first inning against the New York Mets in game three of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Would a team of remaining MLB free agents be better than the Atlanta Braves?

TED BERG / USA TODAY / FEB 10, 2016

“In short: Probably, but it’s close. In long:

“With many MLB players already en route to spring training, a handful of good or potentially useful free agents remain unsigned. Former Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler highlights the group on the position player side, with durable right-hander Yovani Gallardo standing as the open market’s top pitcher.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves, in the midst of a rebuilding phase, do not look like they’ll field a particularly competitive team in 2016. Same goes for the Philadelphia Phillies, but I’m using the Braves for the purposes of this exercise.”

Ed. notes:

Marvelous.  Berg had the thought of going with the Phillies and passing them up to beat up on the Braves instead.  In his run-down, Berg…

  • Decided that the free agents would win the rotation battle, a group including Yovani Gallardo, who some are scratching their head over while the Orioles seem bent on sacrificing a high draft pick to ink.  For some reason, he includes pitchers who are hurt or retired in the group (Mark Buehrle, Tim Lincecum, and Cliff Lee).  Refers to Braves’ options as “fringey prospects.”
  • He gives the edge to Atlanta in the bullpen.  Well there’s something.
  • Catching:  Big advantage to A.J. Pierzynski.
  • Infield.  Freeman wins easily at first base; a “push” between Ian Desmond and Erick Aybar; he counts Juan Uribe as a second baseman (he’s not) and winning over Jace Peterson, and … okay, I’ll yield at third base.
  • Outfield.  A “tie” here with Dexter Fowler, Austin Jackson, and some combination of Will Venable and Ryan Raburn making up the free agent representatives.
  • Bench.  Berg cleverly avoided calling a winner here, which is good since his bench featues a PED-suspended player.
  • Overall:  he calls it for the free agents based on these pitchers who may or may not actually pitch this year.

No respect.

Implicit in this story is the notion that the Braves will be the worst team in all of baseball in 2016.  That… leads us to our next Diagnosis of Doom…

Next: When the Chips are Down...

Home/Braves News