Earlier today it was reported that the Braves are expected to make a push for much-ballyhooed Cuban prospect Lazaro Armenteros (aka “Lazarito“), though it’s worth noting that they’d need to convince Armenteros to wait to sign until after July 2 (otherwise, their previously reported plan of shattering their international signing pool in the 2016-17 period would go out the window due to penalties from Armenteros’ bonus). As Braves fans ponder the chances of seeing their favorite club land Lazarito, here are few more items pertaining to Atlanta…
- The Braves “worked hard” to try to find a way to acquire infield prospect Isan Diaz from the Diamondbacks prior to his inclusion in the trade that allowed the D-backs to shed much of Aaron Hill’s salary, tweets MLB Network’s Peter Gammons. Per Gammons, the Braves appeared to have a similar idea to the Brewers (who acquired Diaz, Chase Anderson and much of Aaron Hill’s contract in exchange for Jean Segura and Tyler Wagner). Gammons notes that the Braves were trying to “alleviate [the] D-backs’ cash issues,” but a deal was never reached.
- Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke to GM John Coppolella about the team’s rebuild and the differences between the trades he and president of baseball ops John Hart have made this winter and the ones the pair made last offseason. “In a lot of the trades we made in the 2014-2015 offseason, the players were a lot further away,” said Coppolella in reference to trades that netted the likes of Mallex Smith, Max Fried, Tyrell Jenkins, Rio Ruiz and others (although names like Shelby Miller and Mike Foltynewicz did represent MLB-ready options acquired last winter). “With [with the Miller and Andrelton Simmons trades], you really got six players you could see (in Atlanta) in 2016. A lot of the deals we made last year … were more to restart the system than have major-league impact in the short term.” Atlanta landed Major Leaguers Ender Inciarte and Erick Aybar in those trades as well as near-ready prospects Sean Newcomb, Chris Ellis, Aaron Blair and Dansby Swanson.
- Coppolella and scouting director Brian Bridges met with draft hopefuls A.J. Puk (LHP) and Buddy Reed (OF) recently, reports Scout.com’s Bill Shanks. Either Florida Gators star could be a candidate for the Braves’ top pick, per Shanks, though as he notes, Coppolella recently stated that the team’s preference would be to draft a hitter.
- In his latest Braves Inbox column, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman notes that while the jury is out on the Hector Olivera trade, it’s fair to wonder whether Olivera’s stock can recover from the hit it took with shaky performances in the Majors and in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Bowman also fields a question on left-hander Mike Minor, replying by saying that Minor’s “days of pitching for Atlanta appear to be over, at least for now.” Minor is still recovering from his shoulder surgery, Bowman writes, adding that it sounds like Minor could sign with a new club within the next month.
I understand the braves need hitters in their minor league system. However they have the third pick and their is 4 starting pitchers that are currently head and shoulders abover all other prospects, one left handed and three right handers that all throw above 95 and some of them have been reported to break 100. Three of the four have decent breaking pitches average or better. Get the most talented player. Trying to draft for need is what has hurt the recent braves system, do not repeat that mistake.
Yep. Oodles of talent as far as pitching goes and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see the Braves nab one. Groome would be my preference, but he’ll be gone by #3.
Head and shoulders? Who are you talking about? AJ Puk/Pint have control issues, while Groome looks like he could be gone by #3. I’m not as big on Alec Hansen as a lot of others, and I would personally prefer OF Blake Rutherford – or even, with a good season, OF Kyle Lewis from Mercer, who appears to be a RH Jason Heyward.. Agreed though, go for the most talented player. I wouldn’t doubt seeing them nab SS Delvin Perez, knowing how much cache a MI has.
I’ve heard Chris Okey the C could be a high pick with another strong year, a young catcher who could get to double A in a hurry he may still have time to get familiar with the young pitchers in the system still, of course it could take a while, he also had experience calling his own games something that doesn’t happen as often in college.
Must be a true fan. Most “fans” have whined and complained we have too much pitching, which drives me crazy. I agree if we can get a near “can’t miss” pitcher, we need to grab them.
There’s no can’t-miss prospects and you can never have too much pitching. That can’t be stated enough. I’m just hoping one-third of our prospects pan out.
I agree, meant to put in there “as close as that can be” when referencing can’t miss.
Dansby Swanson was just drafted near ready prospect is sort of a stretch
Why is that a stretch? He’ll be 22 next week and completely dominated college pitching, including the World Series, and the best baseball conference (SEC). There’s a reason many prefer to find an advanced college hitter in the draft, because they need a few tweaks and they’ll be ready.
While I definetly agree that an advanced college hitter should need a few tweaks and be relatively ready, there is a huge difference between college and major league pitching. To expect him to come right out that gates and be mashing the ball would be insane.
Um thats what prospects do now. i mean how many of the top hitters in the game are 25 and under.
I don’t expect that and it was never implied but there’s a big difference between a typical prospect in the minors (4-5 years) and a near-ready prospect (1-2 years). Many have stated that once someone performs well at AA, they start to consider them MLB-ready, they don’t have to perform at AAA. I think Swanson will most likely spend all of the season in the minors, possibly with a Sept call-up, then giving him a chance to earn it in spring training 2017 (with the thought that it’s his to lose).
OMG isan Diaz is gonna be the next jeter, or if he moves to 3rd, chipper jones or if he moves to pitcher, brien Taylor or Todd Vann poppal! The dbacks are so stupid
activate your sarcasm font.
Wondering how Hector Oliveira is doing now that he a Brave.
Can anyone share updates on him?
Curious as to how Olivera is doing now as a Brave.
Can anyone comment on him?
I believe the current plan is to give olivera a spot in the outfield mix between him bourne and swisher. Mallex smith could make his appearance after the all star break if there are no major injuries. The braves are looking to move one of bourne or swisher or even both so i expect olivera has a job to lose coming into spring training. Olivera’s at bats were limited last year in part because they did not like his defense on the infleid which i believe was all at third. Olivera also raised a few flags because he did not immediately hit for power as was hoped. He needs some regular at bats though to see if he is major league ready. Fortunately the braves are in a position where they can afford to give him those at bats.
Olivera freaking blows for 50 mill or whatever the Dodgers thought he was worth.
Based on what? A month?
Maybe so, but for $32M over next five years, average is not bad. Hopefully can shake it off this year and be worth the trade.
The Diamondbacks have basically set the standard “how-to guide” on revamping a farm system in only three simple moves. Unfortunately for them, it was the Braves system that they did the work on.
The Braves have robbed them blind the last 12 months. I’ll overlook them acquiring Dansby Swanson and point out they got Touki Toussaint for eating some of Bronson Arroyo’s contract.
Touki has a 5.74 ERA in his first two seasons and walks about as many as he strikes out. His bust potential is pretty high.
You aren’t looking at two different seasons. It’s two different places.
Prospects are measured in potential which is why the entire baseball professional world is high on this kid. He’s 19 and expected to have maturity needs
In my opinion, the touki deal was the worst. But I will say, prospect are called prospects for a reason.
How is the Touki trade the worst? The Braves ate SOME of Arroyo’s salary before they flipped him along with the few others to get Olivera.
Touki deal was not the worst. We bought at #16 overall pick (I believe) for $9M. ARZ signed him out of the draft for $2.7M – so it means we only paid $6.3M to get a first-rounder that would have been pitching at Vandy (same school that produced Sonny Gray, Price, Mike Minor, etc.). Think about the 6 controllable years we could have of him, and it’s more than worth it.
I have so many prospect rookie cards that were in plastic sleeves and glass cases. I’ll bust them all out and what do you think the % is that they become even a WAR 2 type player? I’ll trade you my Diaz bowman chrome auto and not look back.
Ya I mean what team builds a winner from the prospects it raises and graduates? I mean, I guess besides the Cubs, Astrose and Royals.
Um, the giants
Oh no! Someone didn’t mention YOUR favorite team!
I’ll take the diaz card off your hands because he is a true stud. Watching his swing in person is a gift.
I love what the Astros did, big springer fan. Imagine if they kept that outfielder they drafted in the 20th round.
Were you going to games when they were the “Lastro’s”? Yeah, what a great rebuilding plan. I much prefer the Detroit rebuild while contending plan. Both are flawed, but one gives you a reason to go to games.
There goes Coppolella lying to fans by saying some of those prospects acquired could be playing in 2016. The front office delay their arbitration clocks. They won’t play until 2017 at the earliest. See you in 2018, Braves! Maybe!
Yes, because we’ve been doing that with Wisler, Folty in 2015…if they’re ready this FO wants to get them MLB experience now than later. They have not shied away from saying that we will have plenty of money come 1/1/2017, and I think they’re wise enough to delay the development of a few players so they don’t have to pay them if/when they break out, for one additional season of control. A top-10 budgeted team (which is what we’re said to have) does not operate like a bottom-10 budgeted team.
I’m still finding it hard to believe you’re a Braves fans when you spew nothing but negativity and pessimism
2016 Braves: 90-100 losses
2017 Braves: 85-95 losses
2018: Braves 75-80 losses
2019: Blow up the team circa 2015 and 2016 offseasons
2023: Lazarito arrives
2017 this team is going to be aggressive to but a competitive team on the field. They want to bring crowds to the new stadium more than anything else. I have a hard time seeing a team under 90 wins if the Braves are willing to trial and error their way to the best rotation they can over the next year.
I have an easy time seeing a team win less than 90 games as they trial and error through an unproven rotation of prospects since the Braves’ NL East opponents has a lot of the MLB’s best and most established pitchers. And way better offenses.
Even the Phillies’ rebuilding project is ahead of the Braves’.
I get the impression that with a screenname like, “RestInPeaceBraves”, you probably would be complaining if your team had won 90 games this year, since it wouldn’t have been enough to make it in the playoffs.(assuming the season series against the Mets remained 8-11).
Then you’re not good with impressions. I say “RestInPeace” because the team was dismantled. Plus, no way in hell the Braves win 90 games this year, so that’s not even a hypothetical.
So you are hired as GM after Wren.. Go Take us to the championship in 2015 or 2016..
Show us your knowledge PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Coopy and Fredi said Dansby would be ready just to get the fans excited. Dansby needs some more time in the minors and there is no need to waste his service time whenever we’re gonna finish 4th or 5th in the east.
Any chance Coppy is listening to CWS interest in a left handed OF bat? Markakis to Sox with a pitching prospect for Michalczewshi or Adolfo and Alfaro.
“The Braves are essentially where the Houston Astros were in 2013-2014.” David Rawnsley of Sporting News 2016 Baseball Yearbook. Not a bad spot to be in.