Twitter Revelations From Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella

Trades May Be Coming

While Coppolella did not mention any specific names, it is well understood that the Atlanta Braves have too many bodies vying for the available roster spots. The outfield, in particular, features a number of players trying to make the team. Michael Bourn is likely a lock, as he is the only player besides Ender Inciarte who can play center field. Nick Swisher, Jeff Francoeur, Hector Olivera, and Nick Markakis are battling out the other two starting spots. In addition, Kelly Johnson and Emilio Bonifacio are hoping their ability to play some LF will help their chances of making the team.

As recently as this past Friday, I thought the chances of Nick Swisher making the team were slim. But recent discussions about the health of Freddie Freeman‘s wrist have seemed to improve the odds of Swisher making the team. Still, Swisher is likely the player the Braves would most like to move. He has a major league deal, so he is taking a roster spot as well as making $15 Million.

If the Braves wish to move Swisher before the season, they will have to pay a significant sum of his remaining deal. However, the Braves received $5 Million from the Cleveland Indians to be applied towards Swisher’s 2015 salary, so they would not necessarily be out of pocket as much as it would seem.

Other candidates for trade could include Michael Bourn, Bud Norris, Jeff Francoeur, Erick Aybar, or, if the right offer came along, young prospects like Tyrell Jenkins or Aaron Blair.

Next: What Kind Of Field Is Suntrust Park Gong To Be?

SunTrust Park Expected To Be Slight Hitter’s Park

Turner Field has always played as a nearly neutral park, with a very slight advantage to the pitchers. SunTrust Park s still somewhat of a question mark, as the actual dimensions have not been finalized yet. Also, SunTrust Park will be the only park in the majors that will be situated facing southwest. This will have the batter looking into the setting sun in the afternoon. The Atlanta Braves conducted sun studies and decided that there were not any significant concerns related to the sun.

With both wind and sun studies completed, the Braves feel that SunTrust Park will be slightly more hitter friendly than Turner Field has been. This should be good news to Braves fans who have seen an admittedly sputtering offense for the last two seasons.

Next: Where Are All The Catchers?

Catcher Is An Area of Concern In The Organization

A.J. Pierzynski is likely to start the season as the Opening Day catcher, but I would expect Tyler Flowers to get a good portion of the playing time, as well. Flowers is a better pitch framer than is Pierzysnki, and that’s something that could help the young pitchers gain confidence during their development.

Beyond Pierzynski and Flowers, however, there isn’t much help coming through the system. Ryan Lavarnway will be the shuttle between Gwinnett and the Atlanta Braves in the event of injury. Chris O’Dowd will likely start the season at AA Mississippi, but he’s returning from a PED suspension and has been inconsistent. Lucas Herbert and Ricardo Rodriguez are the only true young prospects in the system, and both of them are still likely to be at Rookie ball. Tanner Murphy is only 21 years old and was a 4th-round pick in 2013, but he has struggled.

It’s quite possible that Coppolella views his catcher of the future as not yet in the Braves’ organization.

Next: Who Does Coppolella Want In The Draft?

A College Bat May Be The First Pick Taken

During the first stage of the rebuild, the Atlanta Braves have focused on acquiring young pitching. As they move into the intermediate stage, Coppolella appears poised to address the offense in this June’s draft by targeting a college bat. Given that preference, I would look for the Braves to target outfielders Buddy Reed, Corey Ray, or possibly Kyle Lewis. Each is considered among the top outfield prospects available in the draft. A sleeper pick could be catcher Zack Collins from the University of Miami. In addition to being one of the top power hitters in the country, he’s also a catcher. Two birds, one stone.

Next: Swanson or Albies?

Both Young Shortstop Prospects Will Play Every Day

While speculation has been rampant about which shortstop prospect will have to move to make way for the other, Coppolella indicated that both Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson will be playing shortstop every day this season. Where that will be has yet to be determined, but the team seems reluctant to rush either of them. Erick Aybar is under contract for 2016, and even if he were to be traded, Gordon Beckham could handle the shortstop position while Albies and/or Swanson continue to develop.

I don’t expect either Albies or Swanson to make the big league club this year, except as perhaps a September call-up. There simply isn’t any reason to start the service time clock r the options clock on either of them. Still, the Braves are very fortunate to have a very good tandem of prospects that could be a part of their next playoff team.

Next: What About The Bullpen?

The Bullpen Is Expected To Be Improved

The bullpen last year was awful. Several players were put in positions for which they were not ready, and others just performed poorly. Several players this year, however, are returning from injury Jason Grilli, Chris Withrow, Shae Simmons, and Daniel Winkler are all injured players trying to work their way back. In addition, the off-season pickups of Alexi Ogando, Jose Ramirez, Alex Torres, and Carlos Torres are expected to bolster the bullpen.

While some projection systems are down on the Braves this year, I actually expect them to improve by a couple of games over their performance last season. One of the primary reasons for that is that  expect the bullpen to be better than it was last season. The 7-8-9 trio of Jim Johnson, Arodys Vizcaino, and Jason Grilli should be solid, leaving the 5th and 6th innings, and LOOGY as the questions. There are several options for each of those spots this year that are better than the options in those spots last year.