Sleazy P Paul Mac and Fletcher Proctor, two of the hosts from 790 The Zone's Extra Innings Braves Postgame show recently discussed the recent Braves news that 16 prospects will be given an invite to spring training camp. Here's how the conversation went down...
Paul Mac: I'm sure you saw the new spring training invitees. I'm wondering if they think Heyward might be able to come in at some point this season? Perhaps that's why they as of yet haven't addressed Left Field other than Diaz? Maybe the dbag Tex trade didn't fleece the farm as much as we thought? They might have some very good players come up this year. We kind of knew they were playing for next year already... but maybe with the addition of Lowe there is some reason to believe things are looking up even though this year still is probably a wash with Huddy out. Last year both of us defended Frank Wren on many of his actions though they were unpopular. John Smoltz is still my favorite pitcher ever and I'll miss him here but Frank Wren seems to have addressed many of the issues that dogged his team last year. I can't say I'm too disappointed at this point. Center and Left are still huge question marks... but I think this team is perhaps better prepared than last year at least they are relying less on injury risks to compete. Still too much on Chipper's shoulders to really make a playoff run, but if they get some offense and the starters can finish innings, I think optimistically if they can turn around the 1 run games they can win 80 to 82 and maybe finish 2nd or 3rd in the division.
What say you?
Score Atlanta's Braves beat writer Fletcher Proctor responded...
well I have two things to say to you about the Tex trade: #1 the trade of salty didn't hurt us: clearly they like Clint Sammons better than Tyler Flowers and Salty. #2 the trade of Elvis Andrus will hurt the MOST about the Tex deal. You plug Elvis in there at short, move Escobar to second and you are good to go this season. Plop KJ out into leftfield and pray his arm doesn't fall off.
I have also heard that the team is asking the Orioles about Brian Roberts and he could get moved, but that would sap all of the remaining payroll from the offseason...not that that matters because they will move KJ into Left anyways.
As far as Heyward, he is still AT LEAST a year away. I am thinking he gets a June callup in 2010 and sticks. he might see some time at the end of 2009, but nothing REAL until 2010. Same with Freddie Freeman at first. Look in 2009 for the Braves to try and unload Casey Kotchman and definitely during/after the 2010 season. He has more value this year though in a potential trade with his nice and affordable salary.
The starting rotation will, come 2010 be Lowe, Jurrjens, Hudson (they will pick up his option, methinks), Hanson and Vazquez with Kawakami as an insurance policy. by 2011, Lowe, Hanson, Jurrjens, Hudson (possibly) and some of the younger kids. They have four REALLY good SP in AA-Miss this year (2009); which means AAA in 2010; and MLB in 2011 (or being dealt for other pieces)
I would LOVE to think that this team could make a playoff run, but they are sans cleanup hitter, ZERO power in the outfield. The best hitter (that stays healthy!) is McCann, your catcher and he will cool off by August, because of his knees (all catchers do). Kotchman MUST become a solid #5, McCann needs to go to #6 to help the guy out. Frenchy, you'd have thought would be able to go cleanup, but he can't right now.
Why do I think like this?
Who hits leadoff? Anderson/Blanco? Escobar at 2, Chipper 3, ? 4, Kotchman/McCann 5, McCann/Kotchman 6 Kelly Johnson 7 ? 8. [Frenchy goes to #4 or #8. Is Kelly playing left or second?]
Also Paul, who is driving in runs?
Just because the pitching staff can eat up innings, do they eat them up but still allow 4 in 7 innings? You lose it that's the case.
Unfortunately too many question marks for me to share your enthusiasm
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