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Title: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: 2Stater on February 23, 2012, 02:43:38 PM http://espn.go.com/mlb/spring2012/story/_/id/7597888/atlanta-braves-avoid-making-changes
Quote What they see instead is a team that had the fourth-best record in the entire sport as late as the first week of September, a team that still believes it employs the best bullpen in baseball, a team with a ridiculous supply of live, big-league-ready arms, a team with untold offensive upside. They see Jason Heyward this spring, in tremendous shape, his swing retooled after weeks of work with new hitting coach Greg Walker. They see Martin Prado this spring, back to good health, no longer slogged down by the aftereffects of last year's staph infection. They see Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson, throwing baseballs like they can again. They look forward to all the basepath havoc Michael Bourn can wreak over a full season. So they have chosen to dream about what this team CAN be, not relive the train wreck that September became. By autumn, we'll know whether their vision is right or wrong. But either way, the Braves are giving us a window into who and what they are. I like the comparison of the collapses between the Braves (That's life, deal with it) and the Red Sox (Complete meltdown). Anyway, it's another year. Let's see what happens. Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: cbbama99 on February 23, 2012, 03:27:04 PM At first I grumbled a little that Wren didn't go out and try to make a move for another bat, but the more I see other teams clambering all over each other to sign free agents that may or may not work out, the more it makes me think he did the right thing. Besides, if it had not been for the incredible number of injuries the Braves had last year, they most likely would have made the playoffs.
Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: Hannibal Lecter, MD on February 23, 2012, 03:55:07 PM Another season and the Dodgers ownership issue is still not settled. :(
Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: 2Stater on February 23, 2012, 04:01:32 PM Another season and the Dodgers ownership issue is still not settled. :( Are Garvey, Bulldog and the others in their group still trying to buy the Dodgers? Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: ricky023 on February 23, 2012, 05:20:13 PM So how do the Braves stop all the injuries or is that just Baseball? RTR!
Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: Jamos on February 23, 2012, 07:00:32 PM It will be interesting to see how much the young pitchers that they had last year have improved.
Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: 2Stater on February 23, 2012, 07:08:52 PM It all depends on how healthy everybody can stay. That's what hurt them last year.
Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: cbbama99 on February 23, 2012, 07:20:34 PM If Hanson and Jurrjens can stay healthy, Pastornicky plays even average, and Heyward, McCann, and Uggla get it going, this team could really make some noise in the NL.
Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: 2Stater on February 23, 2012, 09:31:46 PM If Hanson and Jurrjens can stay healthy, Pastornicky plays even average, and Heyward, McCann, and Uggla get it going, this team could really make some noise in the NL. Hayward is apparently healthy and Uggla needs to get off to a better start than he did last year. He was on fire after the all star break, but cooled off again. Some consistency would go a long way. I'm assuming since Chipper came back that he is relatively healthy. I know MD would like to see him retire, but I think his leadership is important. Prado or McCann needs to be the heir apparent for that job when Chipper retires. McCann also needs to stay healthy and be productive. His talent behind the plate is tremendous. As always, pitching is the key. If the pitchers can stay healthy, the Braves can go a long way with some moderate offense. Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: Hannibal Lecter, MD on February 24, 2012, 09:07:01 AM Another season and the Dodgers ownership issue is still not settled. :( Are Garvey, Bulldog and the others in their group still trying to buy the Dodgers? They're still around. It has been "narrowed down" to 11 possible groups. Almost all of them have notable front men like Garvey/Hershieser, Magic Johnson, Joe Torre, etc, and then backing from some investor group (many Asian). Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: 2Stater on February 24, 2012, 12:35:31 PM Another season and the Dodgers ownership issue is still not settled. :( Are Garvey, Bulldog and the others in their group still trying to buy the Dodgers? They're still around. It has been "narrowed down" to 11 possible groups. Almost all of them have notable front men like Garvey/Hershieser, Magic Johnson, Joe Torre, etc, and then backing from some investor group (many Asian). Yeah, I had forgotten about Magic and Torre. That franchise has too much history to be going through this crap. I hope someone steps up soon. Title: Re: Braves stay mostly intact from year ago Post by: cbbama99 on February 24, 2012, 01:36:14 PM Another season and the Dodgers ownership issue is still not settled. :( Are Garvey, Bulldog and the others in their group still trying to buy the Dodgers? They're still around. It has been "narrowed down" to 11 possible groups. Almost all of them have notable front men like Garvey/Hershieser, Magic Johnson, Joe Torre, etc, and then backing from some investor group (many Asian). Yeah, I had forgotten about Magic and Torre. That franchise has too much history to be going through this crap. I hope someone steps up soon. Branch Rickey is rolling over in his grave. |