Some items from around the NL East…
- The Nationals optioned outfielder Victor Robles to Triple-A today, a move that came as little surprise given that the club didn’t want to keep Robles on the big league bench rather than gaining valuable everyday experience in the minors. Robles, a consensus top-six prospect in baseball, bypassed Triple-A entirely last season when he was called up by the Nats for 13 September games (plus a spot on the NLDS roster). Washington is already set in the outfield with Bryce Harper, Michael Taylor, and Adam Eaton, leaving Robles without a clear path to playing time. He’ll begin 2018 getting his first taste of Triple-A ball and one would expect he’ll again return to the Nats roster this season, though the exact timing could be in question depending on if the Nationals want to manage Robles’ service time.
- Neil Walker kept the idea of a return to the Mets open until the team signed Todd Frazier, Walker tells Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media. The infielder and the Mets “just kept in touch about interest levels, so on and so forth,” Walker said. “They were just checking in to see if I was willing to come back and things like that. I certainly was. But, really, when Frazier came in, we kind of felt like it wasn’t a possibility.” The Mets were known to be exploring a wide range of options at second and third base, ranging from everyday players to utility options, and they eventually struck on both fronts by re-signing Jose Reyes for a backup role and signing Frazier for more or less everyday duties at the hot corner. Walker ended up signing with New York’s other team, inking a one-year $4MM deal with the Yankees
- Dansby Swanson’s first full MLB season didn’t go as planned, as the Braves shortstop and former first overall pick struggled to a .232/.312/.324 slash line over 551 and was even briefly demoted back to Triple-A. Despite the lack of results, Swanson told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that he is looking at his 2017 as a learning opportunity. “Just because last year didn’t go as planned, it doesn’t mean that this year won’t,” Swanson said. “We all struggle at points in our lives. I’m grateful it happened early, because you can build off that and learn your lessons and move forward. I don’t even look at it as failure. I look at it as growth.” Still just 24 years old, Swanson has been working on his fielding and has adopted a new positioning of his hands on the bat as he looks to break out as Atlanta’s everyday shortstop.
Before the season officially begins you should do a 1 glaring need for expected contenders after spring training series.
The nats are only contenders bc the braves blew up their roster
“The nats are only contenders bc the Braves blew up their roster.”
Silliness. The Nats are contenders because they have at least as much talent as any team in their division. There was nothing the Braves could have done this offseason which would have made them as likely as the Nats to win the division. Can’t tell whether you are trolling or clueless.
Great for Swanson, really would like the Braves to finally pull the trigger and sign Holland. What’s the worst that happens? Our bullpen lackluster and we need more talent in that!
I’m intrigued to see the difference in where Swanson holds the bat now. I don’t think that was the problem. His problem last year was his pitch selection. He swung at junk last year repeatedly. Talent is there.
I’m confident Swanson will make the necessary adjustments at the plate and become an offensive team leader. His defense is what concerns me the most. Not saying he can’t overcome the lapses, but it isn’t easy stepping up both sides of your game simultaneously.
As odd as everything was about 2017, you look at his situational splits and there’s hope. He was his best wRISP (.291) with great AVG with guys on 3rd with 2 outs. He is good under pressure, but he seems like he struggled without both offensively and defensively, especially making some rather routine plays. His averages hitting in the lower-third of the order were a lot better than when weighted down by the abysmal 80 AB hitting .130 hitting 2nd. I hope an off-season not being the focus, while having endured a full seasons grind and learning the routine in only his 2nd pro year. There’s a lot to work with, but he won’t catch on nearly as fast as other SS drafted behind him like Bregman.
So many Johnny Superscouts on this thread.
You’d be very surprised who is here.
Dude. Get a new line! That one is getting really old.
I don’t understand why everyone has already given up on Swanson. He is 24 years old, was a top prospect a year ago, and has some great coaches to help him. Yet here we have people on braves blogs talking about the fact he is a bust.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s ridiculous
Prospects bust more often than not. I love Swanson and his maturity is beyond his years, but his ceiling does seem to be lower than expected at first. I think he can be a solid player on a playoff team still but an offensive force doesn’t seem like realistic expectation, as of now.
I would say 2017 proved his floor is lower, not his ceiling. I don’t think we have seen him come close to hitting his ceiling, which is reason enough to keep pushing.
If Jeter struggled in year one, would you say that?
Because his ceiling is still Jeter-like play, minus the heroics that you can’t see until they present in the opportunity.
I would rather have Walker instead of Reyes on the bench. Heck..I’d rather have a bag of balls instead of A-Gone…so it isn’t a high bar. Once the Mets picked up Cabrera’s option, Walker was as good as gone from the Mets’ radar. Yes Walker could play 3B, but Frazier took care of that spot.
Justin Turner will be out for extended period to start the season at Los Angeles. Braves should work a deal with the Dodgers to obtain Trayce Thompson and Donovan Solano and send back Dodgers playoff wonderkind Charlie Culberson. Culberson is a better 3B option for LA and as good an infield backup than Solano. The Braves could use a right handed outfielder to replace Lane Adams who has had a rough spring and needs time in AAA. Thompson may break out with regular playing time and there is no room for him on the Dodgers roster.