Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte left yesterday’s game against the Cardinals with hamstring tightness, as Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes. Inciarte, who missed time last year with hamstring trouble, says he’s hopeful he can return to the lineup soon. There are no indications yet that the injury is serious, but if Inciarte needs to head to the DL, the team could promote prospect Mallex Smith, as MLB.com’s Mark Bowman tweets. Smith, one of the players the Braves received when they traded Justin Upton to the Padres, has continued his trend of posting very high on-base percentages and stolen-base totals since establishing himself in the Braves system (although the former dipped somewhat last year once he headed from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett). The 22-year-old has a career .293/.379/.385 minor-league line, with 225 stolen bases in 1,769 plate appearances. Here’s more from the East divisions.
- David Price says he understands the Blue Jays not extending him a contract offer this past winter, but feels they might have if Alex Anthopoulos had still been in charge, Alykhan Ravjiani of MLB.com writes. “I think if Alex would have still been here, then it might have been — not upsetting — but a little bit different,” he says. “But it’s a new front office, [there’s] a lot of new guys, and for them to not make that offer, I got it. I understood it.” Anthopoulos, of course, executed a series of high-profile acquisitions of stars like Price and Troy Tulowitzki, and the organization’s new front office headed by Mark Shapiro is perceived as being far less likely to make those sorts of decisive moves. Ravjiani notes, though, that the team already has fairly heavy payroll commitments, so it’s unclear if they would have made an offer even if Anthopoulos hadn’t left his post.
- Mets starter Jacob deGrom is dealing with a stiff lat muscle, as David Lennon of Newsday writes. The Mets removed him from yesterday’s game after just six innings and 76 pitches, and his velocity was off, at an average of 92.8 MPH after he averaged 94.9 last year. “We’ll be careful with it,” says Mets manager Terry Collins. “If he can’t throw his bullpen in a couple days, we’ll have to find someone to throw in his spot.” John Harper of the Daily News argues that the Mets should be cautious with deGrom, helping him avoid the fate of Steven Matz, who missed significant time last year due to a torn lat.
I don’t feel promoting Mallex would be a wise move just yet. I know Coppy said service time would not be an issue but the reality is we are not going anywhere this year so we should let him develop in the minors. Play Stubbs and when Inciarte is ready play him. After the service time cut off then by all means let Mallex rock.
Agreed, just bring Bourn up.
Your joking I hope… They released Bourn.
Your English is entertaining. I had not seen that Bourn was completely out of the organization, my apologies. I knew he was was off the major league roster, but thought they were still within 10 day window to determine what to do with him.
Steve Adams latest articles says of Michael Bourn “if and when he is released.”
Dear God when will this constant Price talk involving the Jays stop.. He left and isn’t coming back, get over it already!
Do you think a 4 man type of rotational OF with Olivera, Inciarte, Mallex & Markakis could work ? And also does anybody think Adrian Beltre would have any interest in signing for a couple seasons after this year to hold down 3rd kinda like Pendleton did for Chipper ? And with all the young guys coming up I think Peavy could be a nice mentor for the young guys in the rotation. Kinda like Liebrandt was for Smoltz, Glavine & Avery until Maddux signed. I would not be mad if we over paid a little for Beltre maybe 2 yrs with an option or a straight 3 years if that’s what it took.
Peavy can go somewhere else after he burned the braves twice…Free Agency isn’t the greatest the next two years. Keep growing the farm.
Taking a look at the free agent SP out there next year I don’t see one that would fit better than Peavy. Also I would like to sign Cirvelli for a catcher and Beltre for 3B. We will have the money.
LINE UP
1. Mallex CF
2. Swanson SS
3. Freeman 1B
4. Beltre 3B
5. Markakis RF
6. Olivera/Inciarte LF
7. Cervelli C
8. Albies 2B
BENCH
Flowers C
Jace 2B/3B/SS
Garcia 1B/3B
Inciarte/Olivera OF
Frenchy OF
ROTATION
1. Teahran
2. Peavy
3. Wisler
4. Folty
5. Blair
BULLPEN
Vizcaino RHP
Withrow RHP
Winkler RHP
Simmons RHP
Jenkins RHP
ManBan LHP
Paco LHP
That’s what I want the team to look like moving into the new stadium. Newcomb moving into rotation in 2018.
Looks good man, but would rather have Price over Peavy to be honest.
Shields sorry, not Price.
I could live with Shields as long as we don’t gotta give to much up to get him.
In my opinion we have a hole at 3rd, catcher and a veteran SP. I actually like the Sheilds suggestion. But what are some other options for 3rd and catcher that could be realistic ? I think Susac is someone we could target.
Honestly, I think with C we are gonna need to trade an asset for a, I know hate to say and think it, “Can’t miss prospect” like Sanchez of NYY are Contreras of CHI. Which I think will take a trade of Julio or a top prospect. At 3B, I think Ruiz will be ready in short time, possibly Opening Day ’17. We put too much stock in Christian and it did not work out, have to move on and not do patchwork like AJ of Flowers. Have loved AJ, but he is not everyday and obviously not long term.
Really? I feel like AJ is gonna play till he’s 75, lol.
I have made numerous trade scenarios involving Sanchez and Susac as well with Belt signing his extension and all I get is told I am stupid Yankees are not trading Sanchez or we don’t have anything the Giants would want blah blah blah. Which is nonsense cause both are blocked and the Braves farm has assets that could make anything possible.
I just believe with all the money off the books we have it to spend and those particular players could be had and would offer invaluable leadership as well. Especially Beltre, he could hold down the fort til Riley is ready and really lead the young infielders.
I would be able to live with trading Teahran for either of the 2 prospect catchers from the Yanks or Cubs or somebody like Jenkins for Dusac I would think could work and I wouldn’t be opposed to that. Also I know inter division trades don’t happen all that much but I really like Plawecki from the Mets and think maybe if Grilli could have a really good year maybe towards the deadline the Mets could probably use him.
Yeah I think inner division work on swap of bad contracts, but a top prospect, probably not. I think Sanchez or Contreras could be had for Julio or such. I know no Brave ms fan would want to hear this, but I would have no problem a Freddie and Rio for Sanchez, Bird, and Headley deal at the deadline.