Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Notes From the League

It didn’t take very long for drama to start unfolding in Florida and Arizona.  With most teams now with pitchers and catchers in camp, here’s some headlines of note.

CARDINALS – The St. Louis Cardinals were sufficiently confident of their pitching depth during the off-season that they opted to trade Jaime Garcia to the Atlanta Braves.

Oops.  Top prospect (and 7th-ranked overall) Alex Reyes didn’t even get past the physical today before his season was declared done… subject to a confirming second opinion.

Uh oh… that 2nd opinion is now in: and confirmed.  Reyes is done for the year.

Now that depth will be tested.  Their new #5 is Michael Wacha… if his shoulder is good to go (which may not be fully known for some time).  There have been thoughts of pulling Trevor Rosenthal out of the bullpen to join the rotation.

Beyond that?  Suddenly Chris Ellis and John Gant might have shots at jumping into the mix as well.  Good for them.

But as for chances of John Mozeliak calling up to try to retrieve Garcia?  No – not gonna happen.

ORIOLES –  Huh.

I have no idea what Dan Duquette is doing in Baltimore… though as long as Peter Angelos is his owner, I guess I have to give some deference.

WHITE SOX – So how would you feel as a player?  You walk into camp:  Chris Sale is gone.  Adam Eaton is gone.  Then you hear quotes like this from your General Manager:

There was another quote from Hahn (can’t locate the source now) about a hope for “3 or 4” more trades… which would undoubtedly cut the core from this club:  Jose Quintana, Jose Abreu, Todd Frazier, David Robertson – and perhaps even more.

Obviously, if you’re in that clubhouse, you know it’s going to be a rough year.  Heck, even the Braves had some glimmers of hope here and there in 2015.

The Sox have already cashed in two big trade chips.  Now they’re just getting greedy for more.  There’s no sense that the price for Quintana has dropped at all (the ChiSox are seeking something close to the Chris Sale haul).  Only about 2 teams could supply this volume of talent (the Braves and Yankees) and neither are offering at Hahn’s bait.

Yet.

ATLANTA BRAVES – There seems to have been multiple pieces of good news, plus some rumors and rumblings.

• Matt Kemp.  Said to look a bit leaner and a bit more spry as he ran through some drills yesterday. Here’s a second opinion on that:

• Jaime Garcia.  He’s torn on whether to pitch for Mexico in the WBC.
• It will be interesting to watch and track pitcher innings during Spring games since the WBC is adding a week and roughly 6-7 games to the Grapefruit League schedule this year.
• There’s a lot of reading between the lines as reporters examined the various neighbors for lockers in the clubhouse (Swanson and Albies on either side of Phillips; Sean Newcomb in between Dickey and Colon, etc.).  Heck, that positioning could ruin Newcomb for life.
• John Coppolella, being lauded for his trade prowess on Bill Shanks radio show the other day said (paraphrased) “Well I’ve been beating the bushes to try and land additional draft picks, but can’t get any of them from any team.”  Teams are obviously valuing those picks higher as time marches on.
• Would anybody be surprised if there was suddenly a report that Catcher Matt Wieters had signed with the Braves for $6 million plus incentives?  The vibe is still there that perhaps Atlanta would do that at some point.
• Would anybody be surprised if there was suddenly a report that Braves had made a trade with the White Sox for Jose Quintana?  Or the Rays for Chris Archer?

BRAVES LINKED TO CUBAN PITCHER

We don’t know a lot about Hernandez.  The most interesting bit I found was a Spanish-language article lamenting the talent leaving Cuba.  Hernandez was named as someone who could be part of the next wave.

What we do know is that he is available to the teams that are about to enter the International Market Penalty box, and that’s what makes him instantly attractive to the above named teams… other than Boston, who cannot sign him until after July 1st.

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• Alex Anthopoulos discusses the Atlanta Braves payroll, rotation, Grissom, Swanson, Acuña, and more
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• Atlanta Braves: Current Left Field Mix

But a young, fairly raw left-hander that can hit the low 90’s?  Yes, please.

The Braves will have to spend ‘double’ to ink the teenager; that the result of being over their International spending allotment this season.  But when it comes to players who are the equivalent of high draft picks… Coppy has already shown the willingness to open up the vault.

A CORRECTION – Thanks to a tip from @BravesOptions, it appears that Brandon Phillips‘ deal includes a $500K assignment bonus if he is traded again, but leaves in place a 12-team list of forbidden clubs that already existed in his contract.

So there is a set of restrictions that the Braves might have to deal with should a trade opportunity present itself, but in the meantime… he’s a member of this club.

Next: Almost Ready

And finally…

MARLINS – Facial hair is back. Can’t say that’ll make them play any better, but at least they’ll be more relaxed. Less worry about grooming and more about baseball.