Atlanta Braves GM Says Pitching to Get Younger
By Fred Owens
Other Older Players
If we’re dumping older under performing players we should certainly do the same with everyday players; it’s only common sense right? Well no, not really.
The Braves system is extremely thin when it comes to everyday players and while there will be changes when Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson get added later in the year there aren’t many that can be made right now.
Jeff Francoeur is having a resurgence platooning – much to some fans chagrin – in left posting a .345/.393/.473/.866 against LHP and in the last month against all comers a .328/.344/.544/.862 line including two homers.
Kelly Johnson’s bat isn’t nearly that good but it is better than the alternatives available to Snitker now that Erick Aybar is on the DL. I suspect he’ll stay until the dynamic duo make an appearance later in the year. Then there’s A.J Pierzynski.
The Braves love AJ in the clubhouse but behind the plate he’s a liability and Tyler Flowers is seeing more start in recent weeks. The .202/.243/.252/.496 line is pretty easily replaceable by Anthony Recker who is seven years younger and a better defender. While there’s ample justification to make the move it’s unlikely the Braves will.
In today’s column John Heyman suggests that “. . .everyone can be had, with the possible exception of Freeman” and provides a quick summary of the state of play as he finds it.
"A few teams have checked in on Nick Markakis but recent struggles don’t help trade chances …Kelly Johnson could be available, too, though he provides leadership. . .Julio Teheran is drawing a lot of interest. But Coppolella insists, “I expect Julio Teheran to be on the team a long time.” … Alexi Ogando’s name is coming up a lot in trades, and he could be the next to go."
Ogando next makes sense, he’s the reliever with the best arm for leverage situations other than Vizcaino who will likely go at the deadline if a reasonable offer is made.
That’s A Wrap
The next young reliever up is likely Shae Simmons once he finished his rehab assignment at Gwinnett. So far he’s appeared in two games and thrown two innings without allowing a run. He’ll no doubt come up as soon as he’s ready but the next arriving arm is Johnson who is due back Friday when we meet up with the Dodgers. If that doesn’t sound like we’re getting a lot younger you’re right; that was PR spin.
If Johnson comes back and pitches well they will look to trade him again this year; if he doesn’t they will try to find someone they can pay to take him and that would make room for Simmons. Likewise EOF needs to perform or we could see Manny Banuelos take his spot.
Rob Wooten looks pretty good so far but at 30 he’s not the forerunner of a youth movement. After that it’s anyone’s guess as none of the other names look that special and we’ve seen many of them already. Whatever happens we’ll keep you current her at the Take.