In each of the last two years, the Braves completed a major trade (dealing Jason Heyward in 2014 and Andrelton Simmons in 2015) soon after the completion of the GM Meetings. General manager John Coppolella tells David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the club is prepared to again move quickly if another interesting offer comes along, saying that “we’re not going to wait around for any type of artificial date. I couldn’t care less about (waiting for) the Winter Meetings or whenever. The best time to make a trade is when a good trade is offered to you. We’re always trying to find ways to get better.” Here’s more from Coppolella…
- Starting pitching is clearly the Braves’ biggest winter need, though Atlanta is only looking for starters on short-term deals so none of the team’s young starters are blocked. Not that this winter’s free agent market has a true proven ace anyway, but even if it did, Coppolella noted that this type of pitcher wouldn’t be a target. “You don’t buy No. 1 starters, you grow them. You draft them, you develop them,” the GM said. “For us, it’s not efficient for us to go out and buy a No. 1 starter. Unless something drastically changes, you won’t see us going after a No. 1 starter.”
- Barring an offer of “something crazy” from another team, Coppolella isn’t looking to deal outfielders Ender Inciarte, Matt Kemp or Nick Markakis. Not only are the Braves “not out there shopping” these players, “in fact we’re not really even listening on guys. Because these are players that we really like and we feel like they fit us well on the field as well as off the field.”
- While Atlanta could pursue a catching upgrade in free agency, Coppolella reiterated that the team would be satisfied with its current Tyler Flowers/Anthony Recker tandem for 2017. The Braves could also look to trade for a catcher, though a deal to bring Brian McCann back to Atlanta seems unlikely. Earlier reports claimed the Yankees asked for either Inciarte or Mike Foltynewicz as part of a trade for McCann, and O’Brien reports that, in fact, New York wanted both Inciarte and Foltynewicz. Needless to say, talks didn’t get very far.
Cashman blew it, McCann’s trade value isn’t that high.
But not really as it’s not like there is some desperation to jettison him.
Even still, asking for one is understandable. Asking for both is insane.
Kind of like saying you won’t “really even listen” on Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis?
It’s a strong move to do that then he sets the asking price bar high. Why wouldn’t you take that stance let some over dramatic team highly over pt for someone (cough cough Dbacks).
* over pay
It worked for him in the chapman and miller trades
Cashman was able to ask for the moon for Chapman and Miller because they were wanted by probably all other 29 teams out there. Which team really wants over-30, highly paid, and offensively/defensively declining catcher who can only play DH otherwise? 2 or 3? 5 tops. Asking Braves’ starting CF AND their #2 SP this season for BMac is laughable and Coppy probably hung up the phone in 5 seconds if that really happened.
That “skanks” comment hardly makes you seem neutral, FYI.
Jackie Bradley junior, Travis Shaw, Henry Owens for Teheran and ender inciarte. Who says no
red soxs, they wouldn’t trade jbj for Chris sale I don’t think they will for Tehran
I said Bradley -Devers -Marrero -Korpect for Sale! Send Pomeranz and Owen for Ozuna! Sign Carlos Beltran or Kendrys Morales!! Add Holland for setup men
The Red Sox shopped at Wal-Mart at the trade deadline (acquiring Pomeranz from The Padres)…and got bounced by Cleveland (who shopped at Macy’s (acquiring Miller from The Yankees) in The Playoffs.
Price, Porcello and Teheran would be a formidable rotation for years to come (with Teheran only owed $6.3 mil in 2017 and a total of $38 mil over the next 4 years…Boston would be able to allocate precious payroll dollars in other areas..without risking pushing up against the luxury tax).
However, they didn’t want to risk giving up their prospects that The Braves wanted. Cleveland gave up prospects for a chance to win it all (even though they didn’t win it..their fans do not regret The Miller Trade).
Boston wasted David Ortiz’s last year….to hold onto Moncada and Bentinendi. Sure, there’s a possibility that either/both could be future All Stars. However, Boston had the team to potentially win a World Series this year…and blew it by not going all out on The Trade Market.
I’m glad that my Braves kept onto Teheran! Screw Boston! You don’t get to have your cake and eat it (meaning, you don’t get to win another World Series AND keep your best prospects). You can do one…but not both, lol. You kept your prospects….time will tell if it was the right move. However, you lost out on a chance to win a World Series in David Ortiz’s MONSTER last year at the plate! Good luck replacing hit bat, lol!
Atlanta. You can debate Teheran is an ace and settle on he’s a very good pitcher. Bradley and Inciarte are both very talented players which means there’s no need for Inciarte or Bradley to switch teams since both teams are more comfortable with their current, proven option. Then it goes down to Shaw and Owens for Teheran which is a no.
Brandon- most of realize that Julio is not an ACE but a solid #2, but he’s what we currently have for a #1 starter. Coppy’s comments about Ace’s being grown not bought is one way, but Maddux was most definitely bought, same could be said about Huddy in his younger days. So I’m hopeful a deal presents itself that Coppy can’t turn down on a trade for a #1.
Maddux was bought, but he was also on the upswing. Many of the FA SP signings today, pitchers trend down, not to mention that the price for starting pitching has gotten so inflated that anything less than career years with exceptional postseason pitching will be a disappointment (i.e. David Price).
I like what Coppy is saying about the pitching. When we bought Maddux the Braves had a team which was already a contender and far less frugal than under current ownership.. Huddy was traded for, but the team was also coming off yet another division championship. The 2015 Braves won just 68 games, and 1 player is not going to swing us 20+ games in the right direction. Also, who would they trade for? Do we really want to trade several major prospects for a pitcher who is approaching 30 and expensive? Maybe some younger ace’s could be had, but the further away you get from a guy’s arbitration years the more expensive the bounty to get him. This team’s long term success is going to be dependent on hitting on some of the many prospects.
I wouldn’t trade Teheran for Shaw and Owen. If Boston wants Teheran….they have to give us Moncada, Bentinendi, Devers and Kopesh! If not…good luck finding someone of Teheran’s quality and price (only owed a combined $38 mil over the next 4 years in aged 25-29 years, his pitching prime)!
You wasted Espinoza by acquiring damaged goods in Pomeranz! When you shop at Wal-Mart instead of Macy’s …..you get cheap garbage that is liable to break down, lol!
I can see why Red Sox fans want to STEAL Teheran from The Braves. However our GM is not some FOOL that Dombrowski can rob! Look at Coppy’s track record (Shelby Miller Trade anyone, lol). We are the ones who ROB PEOPLE!
We are in NO HURRY to trade Teheran. We are perfectly ok with building our rotation around him for the next 4 years….especially with his talent and cheap contract. When Price can opt out of his contract in 2018…good luck re-signing him for less than $40 mil a year! Meanwhile, we’ll be paying Teheran less than that COMBINDED over the next 4 years!
I just love making MORONS look simple minded, lol!
Braves would as well because Shaw isn’t really that good, Teheran is the type of pitcher we want right now and Inciarte really isn’t that different from JBJ anyways minus some pop. The trade just doesn’t make sense
Braves are looking for pitching… I’m not sure how trading one of their more reliable pitching options is good start.
That’s so stupid are you serious!
No
Ha!
We don’t need any more outfielders and we are already short on pitchers.
This is exactly why you’re a paralegal and not an MLB general manager
To Ya Betts
For Teheran only and it’s a deal!
I would only be willing to trade Teheran to Boston…if we got back Moncada, Bentinendi, Devers and Kopesh! And we keep Inciarte!
I know that the typical Red Sox fan feels that Teheran isn’t ‘an ace’ like Sale or Kershaw! However, Teheran is 25 years old, has 4 good seasons behind him, is durable, healthy, productive…..but more importantly has a CHEAP contract for the next 4 years ($6.3 mil in 2017, $8 mil in 2018, $11 mil in 2019 and a team option $12 mil in 2020). To put those numbers in perspective….just wait until the 2018 season..when Price, Kershaw and Greinke all can opt out of their contracts! All three will EASILY command $40 mil PLUS a season (meanwhile, Teheran will be making a COMBINED $38 mil in his age 25-29 seasons, his pitching prime).
Teheran is not only a legit #1/2….but he’s also HELLA CHEAP (compared to what he’d be getting if he was a free agent). Starting pitchers like that…ARE NOT cheap to acquire via trade!
This is a Seller’s Market! With Jose Fernandez dying….that is one less STUD available on the trade market! If The White Sox keep Sale and Quintana and decide to compete for a playoff spot in 2017….then The Braves could be in a prime position to dangle Teheran IF a team was willing to offer us a King’s Ransom for Teheran.
I’ve read OVER AND OVER from other fans who harp on ‘a fair trade’. Screw fairness! The Braves DO NOT have to trade Teheran! We are more than content with keeping him and building our rotation around him for the next 4 years! However, if a team like Boston or Houston was willing to open up their farm system to us (both teams match up well for what we need when it comes to position players who are close to being Major League ready)…then of course we listen. However if we aren’t OVERWHELMED…we say ‘TAKE A HIKE”!
It’s called LEVERAGE! With the garbage that is on this year’s free agent market…Teheran is LIGHT YEARS better than anyone on the free agent market/and way more affordable (only owed $6.3 mil in 2017, lol. GOOD LUCK signing any of the BUMS for $6.3 mil, lol).
Dombrowski’s response would be a dial tone.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Dombrowski was still using a landline.
Why would the Braves not even listen on Markaikas or Kemp– makes no sense to me.
I honestly think it is a bluff. He makes it seem like they are a vital part of the team, giving him some leverage in possible trades when he says “they’re important to me, cough up some more”.
I think Coppy is serious about not trading Kemp or Markakis. I know some may argue about why hold them but think about it for a second in the Braves shoes. Their outfield meshes well. They have 0 pop other than Freeman so Kemp will stay. Kemps offense plays well in left, enough to hide his defensive flaws. Markakis has a great glove. His power is improving. He makes a ton of contact. His salary is acceptable for his output. The Braves trading an outfielder makes no sense unless they trade Smith which is doubtful. So with all said, I agree Coppy can set the bar high and if someone bites then its a win for the Braves.
And we all know Enciarte isn’t going anywhere
That’s for sure. Mainstay in OF as well as lead off spot
If we were to trade Kemp and/or Markakis…how do we replace their production in the lineup? I know that neither is an All Star…however both are productive hitters who knock in runs (Kemp also provides right handed power behind Freddie Freeman).
We are not trading either player anytime soon! I could care less what stats like WAR says. WAR devalues a hitter like Kemp because he’s not the greatest defender. However his presence in our line-up DRASTICALLY changed our results on the field when it came to our record AND how it lengthened our lineup (Markakis is much more suited to #5 instead of hitting cleanup). Kemp’s power threat from the right side of the plate puts stress in the minds of the opposing pitcher!
What will likely happen…is that we’ll be big players after the 2018 season…when what looks like to be a bumper crop of position player free agents hits the market. By then, we’ll have a good idea which of our highly touted starting pitching prospects has shown they are Major League caliber! We’ll have a cheap pitching staff…with Markakis coming off the books and Kemp only having one year left (if he’s still productive, he can easily be traded to an AL team if Atlanta needs to free up payroll to sign an impact bat or two during the 2018 free agent offseason).
Until then, we’ll probably keep both Kemp and Markakis for the next two seasons!
Do Braves fans always believe everything they read in the AJC? Because there is NO evidence that the Yankees asked for both players for McCann other than some reporter saying so. And anyone familiar with Cashman and how he does trades knows and should realizes he never lets the “cat out of the bag” before the deal is done.
Like I’ve said before there is no urgency for the Yankees to move McCann this winter. The Yankees are a much better team with him as their DH and BUC then they are using Austin Romine as the BUC. Remember payroll isn’t the issue here, getting younger is but NOT at the expense of giving up a very decent player.
Most of us don’t even read the AJC or the blogs anymore because of the general crap posted there. However those of us who do follow the team realize that there ARE cheaper options than Bmac and that we don’t need him. Over the last three yrs he’s averaged 7 HR a yr away from Yankee stadium and is not hitting for average. The fans that read the AJC don’t represent the rest of us by a long shot.
Yankees must think we are stupid. I like McCann, he was a good player, but he’s on the wrong side of 30 and he’s a catcher, his best days are behind him, and he’s making a good sum of money. I take back my first line, Yankees are stupid, the only way I take him I’d if they pay half of his salary and we offer a player that we know that we will not hear of again
Or they don’t want to deal one of their best bats for no reason other than to trade him?
Olereb, seriously do you even have a clue.
Coppy is a terrific GM! I think we should look at RA Dickey, and maybe Kris Medlen? Probably not Medlen, sorry, I always had hoped he’d be a good pitcher. In terms of catching, I think Flowers should and could be the starter. If we get an amazing offer for a stable catcher, of course we’ll take it, but I don’t want to give anything. “Take what you can, give nothing back!”
Liriano fits the bill of a Sp with a short contract, Bartolo may be had on a 2/14-15 mil deal. Same with Brandon Moss who could fill in the primary LH Bench bat, 1B/OF.
I’m more than okay with not acquiring Bmac, unless their demand is more realistic or they pay down his salary I don’t see why we should make that move.
I guess Coppy figures what he saw the last weeks is the real deal and doesn’t plan on making big moves.
Francisco Liriano is under contract until 2017. And I don’t see the Jays looking to trade him as Dickey is FA and the Jays are not interested in resigning him.
Liriano is a trade candidate who only has one yr remaining and is pretty expensive. They are looking to add a younger SP or two as well and may consider it. Nick gives them a RF on the cheap, by comparison who makes good contact. I just think it’s worth considering.
Mallex Smith, Mike Soroka, and Travis Demeritte for Verlander and cash. Braves get their veteran ace, Tigers get a cf to replace Maybin, a 2b to replace Kinsler (who they can trade), and a workhorse so with upside.
Value-for-value, that’s not a bad trade, but it does illuminate the price of front line pitching and how the Braves are better off simply waiting for most of these players to develop. Mallex is a starting CF as early as 2017, Soroka has a high ceiling and a “ML starter” floor, and Demeritte is a huge wild card. Based on where we are, I’d say hold onto those guys.
Mallex currently is a 4th OF not a starter with the OF as it stands. I do like the trade proposal but Coppy has not shown in his comments that’s he’s willing to make that kind of move. I would love it if he did as JV and then JT make a nice one/two punch.
I don’t see why the Tigers would need to send cash in the trade, maybe tool around a bit and not give so much. Also I think he meant Mallex could be a starter sometime in 2017, likely near the end of the year
Mallex would probably be a starter on most other teams in need of a CF. The Braves wouldn’t send a top flight package for JV if no cash wasn’t coming back. The only way the Tigers get the better players is to include cash.
I know, I was just saying we could send a lesser package and eat the cash. We will have money to do that now that we aren’t signing big players
I think that would be a good trade for both teams. Verlander would not only be a nice frontline starter but won’t be a good veteran to help the young guys coming up. Folty has similar stuff as him as well..I think Mallex is expendable because of Petersen’s versatility. I would also like to see the Braves go after Longoria as well, though that with be a steep price to pay.. it would prob. start with Albies and Ian Anderson.
*Would be a good veteran
Mallex smith is not an everyday CFer. He just got released from the Winter Mexican league for batting ..180
Ouch!
The trade might be equal in value, but I don’t think it fits the Brave’s best interest. Trading prospects for a 33 year old pitcher is not a recipe for success on a team that hasn’t eclipsed 70 wins in 2 seasons.
I don’t really buy Coppy’s comments. I could see a deal coming together for Verlander.
Verlander also grew up a Braves fan in Richmond, according to his IG account. He was elated to be a part of Turner Field’s last game (DET vs. ATL).
Nothing wrong with asking. Cashman asked what he felt was right…
I do not think the Yankees will deal McCann to the Braves because they do not want to eat part of his contract and there demands for a return is a bit crazy. I would prefer the Braves work with the Rockies on getting catcher Tom Murphy because he is stuck behind a veteran and he would be a good addition at least for now maybe long term. I can see Coppy maybe looking to add something extra in the OF. Right now, if the Braves were going to trade Nick Markakis this would be the time because he is coming off a good year. I really do not see the Braves trading for Verlander unless the Tiger ate at least half of his contract and took mid-level prospects with potential. Trading for him would not make sense given his contract and what the Tigers would want. I saw on another site that someone suggested trading Teheran, Allard, and Touki to get Verlander and that is crazy and not a win for the Braves. I can see the Braves looking at Doug Fister and Ivan Nova to add to the rotation, but nothing outside of that unless Coppy gets a crazy trade offer where it is a win for all parties (the Braves).
I’d love to slap the DOG SNOT out of the MORON who suggested we trade Teheran, Allard and Touki for Verlander. I wouldn’t even trade Teheran STRAIGHT UP for Verlander! Allard is going to be a left handed ACE STUD when he makes The Majors…and Touki has an electric curve/has a chance to develop into a top of the rotation pitcher if he can harness the control (which he showed signs of doing at the end of the season in Class A).
We are simply loaded with STUD Starting Pitching…especially in Double A and below. One more draft in 2017 that we had the past two years (targeting young starting pitching with our early picks/as well as acquiring additional picks in trades so we can have more signing bonus money to draft/sign top notch pitchers who fall in the 1st/2nd rounds)…then we’ll be set FOR YEARS TO COME when it comes to having a system stocked with stud starting pitching.
I say that we keep all our starting pitching prospects…and trust that our scouts/Minor League Instructors did their jobs properly. By 2019….we’ll have a pitching staff that is young, hard throwing/tough to hit AND cheap….in addition to a surplus waiting in The Minors should anyone get hurt….OR…..available to trade if we need to improve the offense (better yet, we can trade an established pitcher for offense…and replace the pitcher we traded with someone who is ready to fill his shoes).
When you trade prospects..you have to trade more of them (because prospects don’t always pan out). However you get more value when you trade an established pitcher (like what I’ve proposed with any potential Teheran trade)…..because there’s always been a premium on established starting pitching. However, if you trust your scouts/instructors…you should have an ample supply of re-enforcements ready to come up (in the event of a trade or injury). That’s why Coppy has been astute to take the position that drafting/trading for as much talented, young pitching prospects is the way to go! You can NEVER have enough of them! They are the true currency in MLB!
We’ve had two tough seasons…..however I’m willing to endure 2 more tough Major League Seasons…IF it means that by 2019 our Minor League System becomes THE BEST EVER…in addition to having a wave begin of quality pitching prospects making their way onto The Major League Roster. By then we’ll be primed to enjoy a similar run that we enjoyed from 1991-2005!
Pinball, yes I do, McCann was a good catcher, average 20-30 homers a year, average between 250-280, average defensive catcher, great clubhouse guy. But he is 33 years old and how many catchers play into their late 30s. The braves are a young team and what I would do is get a young catcher that can excell on the defensive side and if he gets close to McCann offensive production then I have a keeper. If my memory serves me correctly, Brian is not very good at blocking the ball or throwing out runners, but overall is a good catcher. Now here’s my point why is he not catching for the Yankees, second point the braves do not have the money to pay someone 17 mil a year to play 90-100 games, play average defense, etc. point 3 you really don’t believe the Yankees want to keep him and do you really think Brian going to be happy with reduced pt
Trade Wiegel, Newcombe & Mallex to Detroit for Verlander. Sign Castro & Medlen. Bring back Kelly Johnson & Frenchy.
No way should they trade Newcombe.
Fangraphs scouting report on Newcombe is that he has trouble throwing strikes, and he has good mechanics. If so, the they want to move him.
Why not? If he’s landing a TOTR arm like Verlander? Sure, we’d be taking on some (if not all) of Verlander’s contract which shouldn’t be look past, but having a rotation of Verlander, Teheran, Folty while keeping our OF (Inciarte, Markakis, Kemp) with a 4th OF (or future replacement) being one of Jace Peterson (once Albies takes over 2B duties full-time), Dustin Peterson, Austin Riley, Ronald Acuna, etc. Those 2 remaining spots could easily be filled by any of the breakout pitchers, leaving room for Allard, Fried, etc.
Frankly, Newcombe hasn’t done anything making him unattainable if he could headline a package deal. He still struggles with control and has shown growth but a lot of inconsistency. I’d rather give him up than any of Soroka, Wentz, Muller, Weigel.
Because this team won just 68 games in 2016 and adding a single pitcher (anyone) isn’t going to make the team a world series contender in 2017. The fact that Verlander will be 33 to start the 2018 season though means that we are more likely to lose the return on our investment by the time his contract is up in 2019 than not.
Newcombe has struggled, but he’s still young. He also improved down the stretch. Too early to give up on him. Especially in a trade that only brings short term returns when this team is realistically looking at 2018 as the earliest possible real contending season.
Looking for a veteran starter that would be more of a clubhouse leader? Maybe they talk to the White Sox about James Shields if there can be some arrangement around splitting his remaining salary for the next two seasons.
The White Sox get out from under a contract that does them no good while they are rebuilding. The Braves get a veteran leader, a proven innings eater, and someone who could help them as they look to contend next season.
Thoughts on if this would even make sense?
Not opposed to Sheilds but want Verlander too
““You don’t buy No. 1 starters, you grow them. You draft them, you develop them,” LOL, yeah because Maddux didn’t come over as a FA and Smoltz wasn’t acquired via trade. This is why the Braves will be bad they can’t scout for anything and they can’t get out of their own way.
Yes, Smoltz was acquired via trade, but he was a young undeveloped prospect that ATL developed within its system, not unlike Newcombe, Fried, Wisler, ,Blair, etc. Coppy is speaking about the trend of not signing SPs because most are on the downward trajectory of their careers – with Maddux being an obvious exception, winning another 3 Cy Youngs with ATL after winning 1 with CHC. If they could sign a Cy Young pitcher for market rate, they would, but there’s no one like that available, and even if they were, there’s so few available top-of-the-rotation arms available that they would go for well above market rate. They can’t scout? That’s why we’re already seeing dividends from Travis Demeritte (Lucas Harrell, Dario Alvarez), Akeel Morris (Kelly Johnson), Rob Whalen (Kelly Johnson, Uribe) and so many more. Did you not see that many of the lower farm teams went to the playoffs or won their leagues (except AAA, which many of the heralded prospects were not on).
Maddux was over 20 years ago and at a time when the team was fresh off a division title and ownership was not cheap. Any one of these factors makes any comparison to the current iteration of the team irrelevant.
Smoltz was acquired when he was still a prospect, quite different from what Coppy said about buying #1 starters. I would add in that Tom Glavine was a Braves draftee if we do want to look back that far though..
The scouting department took a hit under the previous GM, but things have been improving since he was let go..
I’d trade Wisler and Blair and Gant before I traded Newcombe.
I would trade Wisler, Blair & Gant as well but who wants them ???? You gotta give something up to get something
What’s the deal with Inciarte ?
What kind of numbers did he put up this year to make him ‘untouchable’ ?
The 26 year old Inciarte isn’t truly “untouchable” but it would take a ton of value to get him. You have to realize what value he has (3.8 bwar in 2016, 5.3 in 2015, and 3.7 in 2014 so he is consistent). He fit well as a leadoff hitter last season (.351 obp overall last season, .372 obp hitting leadoff, and .396 obp after the all-star break).. Admittedly he hit horrible to start with (.227/.294/.306 slash line before the break) but many feel this was due to his injuries earlier in the season. Overall he had a 98 WRC+, so just under average (which is 100). He is currently a very deserving gold glove finalist candidate as well. Defense is his bread and butter (along with great baseball iq that were exhibited in several notable dekes during the season and some baserunning heroics that led to wins). He definitely also has the arm to play any of the outfield positions as well (so he has positional versatility outfield wise).
But even with all of that, it is his contract that makes him such a highly desirable player. Inciarte just qualified for Super Two status (if I’m not mistaken) but will still be controllable through (and including) the 2020 season. So the combination of his skills, his age, and his contract make him more valuable a commodity than many people would realize at first glance.
No, he’s not untouchable, but why would they trade him without having a sure-thing leadoff hitter? Mallex Smith still hasn’t proven that he’s truly ready, if ever. I would trade him after boosting some of this value, by the deadline. Inciarte is the energy and heart of the order. Can’t wait to see him leading off with Swanson, then Freddie behind him. That could be a special 1-2-3 in the order. Crazy to think that we have someone with 70 SB-potential in Mallex Smith as a 4th OF.
Not only is Inciarte, Swanson and Freeman scary…but having Kemp for a full year hitting CLEANUP…..he’ll have PLENTY of opportunities to CLEANUP the runners that will be on base while he’s hitting!
I could care less how bad Kemp’s defense is. The name of the game is OUTSCORING your opponents! Kemp knocks in runs/hits for power/puts fear into the opposing pitcher’s mind (even when he’s 3 or 4 hitters away from hitting).
Markakis hitting #5 behind Kemp will also give him plenty of opportunities to knock in runs. Markakis doesn’t have to hit for power to be effective (he’s good at hitting doubles…which will work just fine in this lineup).
Garcia should do well hitting #6….he’ll be a righty behind lefty Markakis….and he has power to hit #6.
If Albies isn’t ready to start the season with Atlanta…then I’d like to see Peterson hit #7 and Flowers/Recker hit #8…which would give us a lefty-righty balance THROUGHOUT the batting order! Bringing in a reliever to pitch to more than one hitter would be problematic to the other team…because they cant face more than one hitter in a row who hits from the side they are pitching from! Advantage Braves.
However, unless Coppy can pull a few rabbits of the hat when it comes to acquiring a couple of decent starting pitchers (without giving up much to get them)….we will probably, at best, be a .500 team in 2017…which is ok…AS LONG as our STUD pitching prospects continue to develop/as long as we NAIL another Draft in June of 2017.