Here’s the latest from Braves GM John Coppolella, via the first part of a Q+A with Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Brian Snitker is a serious candidate to shed his interim manager tag and take the job on a more permanent basis, but Coppolella indicates the team will look to outside candidates as well.
- Coppolella says flatly that the Braves aren’t trading Julio Teheran, who, of course, has been the subject of months of rumors and discussion. As we’ve noted elsewhere in these pages, Teheran is controllable through 2020, so the Braves could conceivably hang onto him as a veteran anchor for their rotation, even though his fine season and the relatively limited number of good starting pitchers available would also make him a strong trade chip this summer.
- The recent spate of injuries to pitchers — both within the Braves organization and elsewhere — itself demonstrates why the Braves emphasized pitching so much in their current rebuild, Coppolella says. He notes, though, that part of the Braves’ strategy was a function of opportunity. The organization’s core of young pitching now includes Ian Anderson, who the team selected with the third overall draft pick last month even though they already had lots of young pitching. “There’s so much attrition associated with pitching that you truly can never have enough talent or depth when it comes to arms,” Coppolella says. “It’s great the Cubs built around bats, but that’s what was available to them in the draft. There was no Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber in the draft this year.”
- The Braves’ trade of Bud Norris late last month was motivated in part by a desire to beat the trade-deadline rush and get as much as possible for a player who would be a rental for his new team, Coppolella confirms. “It was difficult to trade Bud, but knowing he was a free agent after the season was the overriding factor,” says Coppolella. “Bud was pitching terrific and the Dodgers made us an offer that we felt compelled us to make that move at that time.”
Yeah, It really sucks that there was no Kris Bryant types this year. The Braves would have been in a really good position
I hope this deads all the Tehran to Red Sox nonsense.
I’m pretty sure it won’t.
Braves shouldn’t trade Teheran. He is already what you HOPE to get in a trade return. Doesn’t happen often though
Agreed, price is so high and we already know what we have with him.
As a Sox fan I also don’t want the Sox to trade for Teheran. I’m afraid that the Sox would give up too big of a package for someone of Teheran’s abilities. He’s a good pitcher, but the market price is too high right now and I don’t want the Sox to pull the trigger if it involves Moncada or Benintendi (which I hear is that they more than likely will not do that). If the Braves are willing to talk around Swihart that’d be great but he’s hurt and hasn’t performed too great in the majors. I think if a deal gets done it would be around Devers… Fantastic upside and is probably blocked if Moncada moves to 3B. People think Moncada moves to the OF, but we already have JBJ and Betts in CF and RF, and Benintendi is getting close too.
Idk how y’all Braves fans feel about Devers but I’d say that’s as high as Dombro goes and tbh I’d rather Gray over Teheran at that price (obviously more included, maybe Trey Ball or another intriguing prospect) but that’s just typical Sox fan in me. But a Devers and Ball package is a significant package, especially considering it looks like Ball is starting to figure things out (keep in mind he was the 7th overall pick 3 years ago out of high school and is at high A). We take a gamble on Teheran coming down to Earth like his peripherals say and you take a gamble on two low level, high upside prospects with Devers obviously being the more hyped prospect being 19 years old. With Ziggy I don’t see the sox wanting Viz so if a Teheran trade were to get done realistically I’d say this would be it.
Devers to the Braves is pointless. They already have that skill set player in the minors in Austin Riley. By skill set I mean an under performing hit tool with good enough defense. Devers just happens to be super over hyped compared to Riley. Which is why so many fans scream Moncada, He is at least an upgrade in the system at 3b. So I’m sure they’d pass on any deal with Devers.
Can’t really comment on Austin Riley but can say that Devers isn’t super over hyped he is in high A ball as a 19 year old has ops over a 1000 in last month and after a dismal start is back to hitting .260. He will most likely be in AA as a 19 year old with elite power upside and solid hit tool doesn’t sound overhyped to me. It’s a moot point because starting pitching is so overpriced this year doubt many deals get done till right at the deadline if even then.
Devers definitely has higher upside than Riley (who has had high K rates this season).
I’m sure Riley is fine prospect just don’t know that much about him. The things im saying about Devers are not my opinions they are the Opinions of numerous talent evaluators that aren’t on the Sox payroll. I just think it’s funny when someone says Devers is way over rated because he had a slow start at High A ball as a teenager.
I specifically said compared to Riley. As in, breaking down each player. Riley’s hit tool takes a serious knock for K’s but beyond that, Devers is no better and lesser in some areas. Devers gets the nod over Riley but only very slightly and not near the hype he gets… thus the overrated comment. Riley is also a 19, just throwing that out there.
Ok man what does Riley do better on the scouting scale then Devers?
I think if things with the Braves arms in the upper minors had gone as planned (i.e. Sims, Blair and Newcomb had shown more promise to being ready by next Spring), trading Teheran for a package around BoSox players not named Moncada and Benintendi would’ve been a real possibility. The high price tag on Teheran right now speaks much more of how important he is to Atlanta than it does the pitching market in general. I think Coppollela has priced Teheran right out of availability as a result.
I think you are jumping too soon with Blair, Sims, and Newcomb. Yes a Strasburg jettison to the bigs would be nice, but as this season shows, the innings are getting to him already. The young pitchers will be ready when the team needs them. Wisler looks good, Folty is getting there. Not trying to sound like a true homer, but they will be ok.
Sorry, didn’t mean to imply that those guys are busts or anything. I’m just pointing out that they are clearly not ready and cannot be relied on as replacements yet. Blair might be ok for the rotation next year, but Sims has struggled and Newcomb is repeating the same level with worse numbers. I’m sure the Braves pitching will be ok in the long run, probably a hell of a lot better than ok, but just thinking in the short term they need Julio Teheran.
I understand, I just meant would rather they develop than be rushed. Sims has struggled for sure.
In a perfect world I think what you are saying makes 110 percent sense. The thing is that Atlanta has no reason to trade Teheran unless they are blown out of the water. They are either going to get a huge lopsided trade, or keep him. So, that results in either an overpayment or no trade at all. ATL is in the drivers seat. A “fair” trade will never happen in a situation like the Teheran one.
Probably a moot point now but the Braves always ever wanted talent that was close to the bigs for Teheran. Devers at 19 would never have been the focus just because he id 3-4 years away.
Very good point
I agree, if I was a sox fan I wouldn’t want to give up the guys you have in the farm. Devers/Benintendi/Moncada are all great prospects that each have the potential to make the swap look lopsided.
As a Braves fan, I don’t think we have any reason to force a trade. He has one of the best contracts in baseball. We can use the savings in free agency to acquire some bats.
Well the Braves are going back to 1985……
Braves have mentioned trading young pitching for young bats quite a few times in the past. Just because Teheran isnt available doesnt mean they couldn’t flip prospects (Sims, Touki, etc.) for position player prospects. It doesnt seem to happen often but the trends have been changing in the trade market the last few seasons
The only guy the Braves trade Teheran for is a package involving Gary Sanchez. Other than that we keep him. Middle of the order hitting C with rifle arms don’t grow on trees.
If the Yankees don’t bite than we sign Wieters or Castro to platoon with Flowers. Trade for Liariano from the Pirates. Trade for a Plouffe or Headley to hold down 3rd until Ruiz is ready. I think if Folty has turned the corner and Dansby and Albies come up we can be a competitive team. Not sayin we win the division but in the wildcard hunt. Then by the trading deadline next year see what our youngsters can bring us as far as trades go.
1. Since when is Gary Sanchez a middle of the order bat?
2. What exactly are the Braves giving up to trade for Liriano, Plouffe, or Headley?
Well, that is a beyond optimistic view of the Braves 2017 season.
That a lot of ifs
I say we go after Ramos over Wieters, keep Beckham to platoon with Garcia over trading anything for Plouffe, good player, but no need to trade for him. Have no issues with Headley other than his contract, but a good player.
I think next year we could compete, but fall 3-4 spots shy of the WC playoff.
My order would actually be 1. Castro 2. Wieters 3. Ramos. I just believe with the money off the books and the year Wietrs is having and being a local guy all signs point to the Braves making a push for him.
I say Headley because I believe the Yanks would actually eat some salary in order to trade him. And being signed for 2 yrs and being a switch hitter I think you play him for next year and then bring Ruiz up the following year to platoon. Then the job is his after that. I believe Headley is a change of scenery type of guy. National league success.
Wouldn’t take much to get Liriano’s salary out of Pitt as well.
Anyone else think we’ll trade Markakis and then sign Josh Reddick in the offseason? I just have a feeling Braves will try to pass Reddick off as their new power OF bat.
I also think we land Wieters for catcher. Seems like a guy they’d sign.
Not sure what their plans are for 3rd next season. It’s possible they try to make a trade to fill that hole
An intriguing play could be Eduardo Nunez to fill 3B, he’s shown some surprising pop in his first crack at every day playing time. Granted to pull this off they’d likely need to move on him before July and truthfully I don’t see that happening.
More importantly though I think their bullpen is the biggest concern. Mauricio Cabrera’s velocity is exciting but he’s too wild still. I would personally like to see Jenkins given a chance to start. Arodys isn’t a closer, too many baserunners, and I felt this way abot him long before those runners started scoring on him recently so not a knee jerk reaction to his tough stretch. I have no idea what we will get from Shae Simmons at this point. He had promise before the injuries but now I just don’t know.
So to me bullpen is the biggest issue
I say this expecting Swanson and Albies will be up next year though. Albies in particular has been phenomenal. Even after his mini slump when initially introduced to AAA you can tell over the past 5 or 6 weeks there he settled in (prior to having him join Swanson that is, which in no way was a demotion).
Swanson hasn’t been quite as impressive. Not that he’s been bad or anything but you can tell he’s still getting accustomed to minor league ball a bit. Even with Albies being 19 I’m far more confident in him being able to start opening day in the MLB next year. I think they both need to be there though. I’m willing to go through the growing pains on the promotion being a minor rush by a few months if that’s what it is for swanson
I’m not sold on Sanchez as a primary catcher. I know he has decent power, but the kid hardly ever walks and that concerns me (but at least he doesn’t strike out much). His fielding is okay, but not great. He does have the ceiling of a middle of order bat (albeit one with a low obp) but his defense is a concern over the long term. Seems like a better fit for an AL team.
If the braves were looking to obtain a young catcher in a trade then I’d prefer Reese McGuire (although he isn’t going to hit for high average). The fact is neither will likely end up in a Braves uniform.
Don’t forget the Braves just recently got rid of a rifled arm catcher who struggled with other facets of the defensive game (in Bethancourt).
McGuire is an interesting option maybe a Liariano & McGuire for Vizzy deal could work. But again I just have a feeling Wieters is a lock.
the braves don’t deal for a young catcher then I think it too is likely they will pursue one in free agency (not much other choice).
Castro would probably be the cheapest option without a doubt. Wieters and Ramos will likely get expensive. I look for Ramos to age better as well. Wieters profiles better as an AL player to me.
Vizcaino has been bad lately and has a history that is less than spectacular. Dream big though, i guess?
Read any publication and Sanchez potential is a middle of the order bat and if anybody thinks any of those names are unattainable they are crazy.
Liariano would give a veteran arm in the rotation
Headley playing 3rd or Plouffe playing 3rd eould be extremely better than anything we have put there this year. Albies and Swanson are top prospects and are near ready. Swandon I believe opening day and Albies after super 2. Folty has been impressive and Wisler has had his moments and is expected to improve. A lot of what ifs but none to unrealistic.
When the Braves make that move to finally contending there will be closers available although I do believe that Vizzy can develop into a serviceable closer on a winning team. I believe Minter will have that role though when it is all said and done and making our move into contention.
Why is no one mentioning a third party to help get what the braves want? ATL has to give up just Tehran, vizcaino, a pitching prospect just get one or two major prospects from BOS and another one or two from the third party. I
This whole thing is silly because the Braves won’t take what others are willing to give for Teheran. It’s very apparent at this time he really isn’t available except for a gross overpay and I doubt anyone GM’s out there are going to do that. The exception might be if at the deadline some GM thinks he is the final piece to getting and or winning in the playoffs they might pony up otherwise he won’t be traded.