Let’s check in on a few NL East clubs…
- In his two years in the majors, Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. has divided his time between the corner outfield and center. He’s slated to open 2020 in right field – the OF position he has played the least during his career. But the Braves are bullish on Acuna in right – particularly because of his arm – and he’s more than happy to play there, Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. The 22-year-old told Burns that right’s “a position I feel more comfortable at.” That’s good news for Atlanta, which expects Acuna to line up there not just this year, but for the majority of his career, per Burns.
- As was reported in December, Nationals right-hander Erick Fedde has a fourth minor league option. Fedde found out that’s the case from his father, Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com writes. “Hey, I was reading an article online saying you have a fourth option,” Fedde’s father said in a text message. “Dad, don’t be dumb. Fourth options are not a thing,” Fedde replied. But they can be “a thing” if you’ve used your three options and totaled fewer than five professional seasons as a major or league leaguer. That applies to Fedde, a 2014 first-round pick who didn’t make his pro debut until June 2015 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Fedde called it “maybe an unfortunate bounce” that he’ll be optionable for another year, but he told Zuckerman he’s pleased he’ll at least get to stay in the Washington organization. While Fedde could still end up as part of the Nationals’ rotation sometime this season, he has struggled as a major leaguer so far. Despite a 51 percent groundball rate, the 26-year-old has put up a 5.39 ERA/5.32 FIP with 6.39 K/9 and 3.95 BB/99 in 143 2/3 innings.
- Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jordan Humphreys underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2017 and has since thrown just two innings, both at the rookie level last year. Still recovering from the procedure last summer, Humphreys considered calling it a career, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com relays. However, as DiComo details, Mets rehab pitching coordinator Jon Debus encouraged Humphreys to keep going. He listened, and after an encouraging showing in the Arizona Fall League, he’s now on the Mets’ 40-man roster and in big league camp. “I’m glad to be here. I’m finally healthy,” Humphreys, MLB.com’s 22nd-ranked Mets prospect, told DiComo.
Just 1 season Acuña isn’t shuffled around in the order and the field. Just 1.
Does Snitker for the 3rd year in a row start Acuna off in the middle of the order only to move him to the lead off spot after Acuna doesn’t put up big numbers in the 4 spot?
Not worried about the order. He will lead off. Bringing in Ozuna means less by slotting him further down than clean-up, unless he slumps or someone catches fire. 1-3 should be set – don’t mess with it. Let them carry the momentum on down. The talent is there, they just need to produce and stay healthy.
He’ll lead off…until Pache/Waters take the lead off spot from him.
I watched Waters play in the sally league. Kid is gooooood
He’ll go back to left next season probably.
Ok Negative Nancy.
Find one in every car.
Because it’s easier to find a long term CF than a corner OF. Maybe they swing a trade for JBJ if Inciarte is meh again.
Nah. Doesn’t make sense for the braves.
JBJ is pretty meh himself. I don’t see why the Braves would trade to get him and not just run with Inciarte.
So is Inciarte still the CF? And am I assuming right that Ozuna is playing LF?
You are correct
Pache coming quick. No need to spend resources on another CF until they see what he can do
Yeah, trade for JBJ when they have 3 better CFs at some point this season ready (Acuña, Waters, Pache) if Inciarte slumps. JBJ is unnecessary.
Not to mention Acuña Jr. In center and Nick in right. Sounds bad but it’s probably what they would do
May not take much of anything. Sox are still looking at dealing for Myers, which may mean they dump JBJ salary.
Ronald Acuña tips waitress large amount as nice gesture.
Yasier Molina says he’s being a hot head and flashy
Jon Debus. Now that is a name I haven’t heard in a long time.
Acuna will be traded in 3-5 years.
Not likely. He’s on an extremely team-friendly deal until 2028.
No use for a team rebuilding in 2 years.
Why on earth would they be rebuilding in two years? Dude, go be a cubs fan or something.
I doubt they’ll be rebuilding in two years, and understand that NoBum lost hope after Bumgarner signed in Arizona…BUT I this is the same organization that began rebuilding a year after awarding extensions to Simmons, Freeman, Kimbrel, and Teherán.
Being a Braves fan means to enjoy the good times while in them because they’ll be some torment and turmoil right behind them.
Wait- what? Over the past 30 years in Atlanta, there have been exactly 3 seasons that the team didn’t expect to win. Exactly how is that true?
No,no,no,no,no.
It’s best to take your medication at the right intervals. to ensure those delusions don’t take hold.
But all delusions aside, can you imagine the return on a star five-tool beast on a long-term, extremely team-friendly contract?
Sometimes it’s better to have the one really good player.
Did someone just tell you Santa isn’t real? Buck up, Bum. Sorry MadBum is so far away.
Def trolling as usual. You meant to say he will a top 5 player in league in 3-5 years. Even you can’t be dumb enough to believe everything you type. Or can you?
I just can’t understand how your Braves fandom got to where it is. You remind me of that character from the movie Major Leagues who would only expect and describe the worst outcomes for the Indians.
I remember discussing Bumgarner with you myself. I brought up his xFIP and splits which demonstrates how he is worse than he looks. You waved that away and insisted it was Bumgarners intangibles that the Braves need but it looks like they got that with Hamels. So what exactly is it you think Bumgarner was going tp give that someone else couldn’t? To the rest of us, your preference for MadBum is approaching cult worship like status.
Why does anyone humor this guy?? He’s just a troll, don’t waste your time
NL East, the only NL division with four teams that played .500 or better in 2019, is gonna be a dog fight again this summer.
Both the Nats (Rendon) and Braves (Donaldson) lost a middle-of-the-order power bat to FA and, to date, haven’t replaced that pop. Phillies improved by adding Wheeler and Didi, but their rotation beyond Nola and Wheeler is one huge question mark.
The Mets? If they stay healthy (Don’t pundits say that about this team every year?), they have the best all around team in the division.
My prediction for the NL East:
1. Mets
2. Nats
3. Braves
4. Phillies
5. Marlins (Went out on a limb here!!)
Don’t anyone get annoyed with the rankings. I can envision a scenario where any of my top three selections could jump over or fall behind another. Gonna be that close, boys and girls.
That’s because to date the season hasn’t begun yet. Ozuna is a fine replacement even if he doesn’t match Donaldson’s numbers exactly.
Does anyone know how much minor leaguers make? is it worth being in the minors with no shot of making the majors than working a 50k job a year?
It varies widely. Top prospects can get 6 and sometimes 7 figure sign-on bonuses, while college seniors who get drafted late will get next to nothing to sign. Salaries are a fraction of what they are in the majors, often barely enough to survive on, so guys pool their per diem meal money in the lowest levels of the minors. It’s pretty crazy how the pay scales are so different.
If Inciarte falters in the short term Acuna would slide back to CF with Markakis/Duvall platooning in RF. If the Braves could find a taker for Inciarte’s contract (Rangers?) that could happen sooner rather than later. No hurry to rush Pache to the majors.