***The Official 2024 Atlanta Braves Thead***

[Rabs]

Originally Posted by Chuck Bartowski

I think both him and Harris go 25/25 this season.

That would be solid production from the bottom of the order.

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by whitmm

AA gave a nice cryptic comment during an interview the other day. He mentioned that he's not interested in winning with jerks. Then he said they backed out of a trade at the deadline because one of the guys in the clubhouse had played with him and didn't like him.

I can't wait to find out who it was.

I'd like to know more about that too.

[whitmm]

Saw an interview with Strider, talking about his pitches. He said his change up is not an easy pitch mechanically for him and that there's no intention of throwing it a higher rate

[Rabs]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Saw an interview with Strider, talking about his pitches. He said his change up is not an easy pitch mechanically for him and that there's no intention of throwing it a higher rate

That's a bummer.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by Rabs

That's a bummer.

He did talk about some other pitches being easier to throw and possibly adding them in the future. But it really sounded like he had no intentions of adding another pitcher and was more focused on accuracy.

[Rabs]

Originally Posted by whitmm

He did talk about some other pitches being easier to throw and possibly adding them in the future. But it really sounded like he had no intentions of adding another pitcher and was more focused on accuracy.

While he makes it work with 2 top tier pitches, most starters that succeed longterm have at least 3 plus pitches I feel like. I hope he can develop something to take him to the next level especially once his velocity begins to dip.

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Saw an interview with Strider, talking about his pitches. He said his change up is not an easy pitch mechanically for him and that there's no intention of throwing it a higher rate

I'd like to see him throw a 2-seamer or a sinker; something with movement away from lefties and into righties, that starts at the same plane as his fastball.

[Rabs]

Originally Posted by thenightman

I'd like to see him throw a 2-seamer or a sinker; something with movement away from lefties and into righties, that starts at the same plane as his fastball.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. A little less velo with more movement.

Smoltz threw hard with a really good slider and also had a devastating splitter.

[NCWolf]

Is it finally time to get Money Mike out of the 9 hole? Six spot seems to make the most obvious sense - right?

Acuna (R)
Albies (L/R)
Riley (R)
Olson (L)
Ozuna (R)
Harris (L)
Murphy/TD (R)
Arcia (R)
Kelenic (L)

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by NCWolf

Is it finally time to get Money Mike out of the 9 hole? Six spot seems to make the most obvious sense - right?

Acuna (R)
Albies (L/R)
Riley (R)
Olson (L)
Ozuna (R)
Harris (L)
Murphy/TD (R)
Arcia (R)
Kelenic (L)

That looks like a pretty solid line up. Let Kelenic get a chance with some very good protection behind him.

Unfortunately, Snit is still setting line up, so you'll probably see TdA and Ozuna flipped in there and Harris somehow still hitting 9th.

[Rabs]

I'd rather have Olson 2 and Riley 3.

I like them getting more ABs than Ozzie.

Would probably also have Kelenic in front of Arcia.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by Rabs

I'd rather have Olson 2 and Riley 3.

I like them getting more ABs than Ozzie.

Would probably also have Kelenic in front of Arcia.

I would agree with Olson in the 2 spot over Albies, but I also know how well Olson hit in the 4 spot last year. The free swinging approach of Ozzie makes him a terrible 2 spot hitter, especially with Ronnie on the base path. But it works.

[Rabs]

Originally Posted by whitmm

I would agree with Olson in the 2 spot over Albies, but I also know how well Olson hit in the 4 spot last year. The free swinging approach of Ozzie makes him a terrible 2 spot hitter, especially with Ronnie on the base path. But it works.

We've talked about this for years now I feel like and are in agreement. Ozzie has the tools to be a 2 hole hitter but not the discipline.

I love Ozzie but he's better in the 5/6 spot.

Personally I do like Harris in the 9 hole. When he's hitting well that means he's basically a 2nd leadoff hitter with speed in front of Acuna and company.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by Rabs

We've talked about this for years now I feel like and are in agreement. Ozzie has the tools to be a 2 hole hitter but not the discipline.

I love Ozzie but he's better in the 5/6 spot.

Personally I do like Harris in the 9 hole. When he's hitting well that means he's basically a 2nd leadoff hitter with speed in front of Acuna and company.

I agree with all of this. As much as it does kind of suck to see Harris get 60 less ABs than Ozuna in only 6 less games. It's really one of those "don't fix it if it ain't broke" situations.

[NCWolf]

Originally Posted by Rabs

We've talked about this for years now I feel like and are in agreement. Ozzie has the tools to be a 2 hole hitter but not the discipline.

I love Ozzie but he's better in the 5/6 spot.

Personally I do like Harris in the 9 hole. When he's hitting well that means he's basically a 2nd leadoff hitter with speed in front of Acuna and company.

All things equal I'd move Harris up.. But I highly doubt that will ever happen. Harris hasn't taken advantage of the opportunity when he has gotten it. Though I think he would if Snit was patient enough with him there.

Riley/Olson should probably be 2-3 in the order. I agree. But Olson mashed out of the cleanup spot which is the only reason I put him there.

[NCWolf]

Orlando Arcia is technically available for the next three years at a little over 2 million per...

What does everyone think happens with him and his role over that span?

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by NCWolf

Orlando Arcia is technically available for the next three years at a little over 2 million per...

What does everyone think happens with him and his role over that span?

I think the team hopes that Ambioris Tavarez is ready to take over the spot. Or that Jose Perdomo is ready.

[Rabs]

Originally Posted by NCWolf

Orlando Arcia is technically available for the next three years at a little over 2 million per...

What does everyone think happens with him and his role over that span?

Depends on how he performs honestly.

1st half Arcia was a good piece to the team.

2nd half Arcia was not.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by Rabs

Depends on how he performs honestly.

1st half Arcia was a good piece to the team.

2nd half Arcia was not.

What are the other 40 man options? I don't see any other middle infielders on it besides Albies and Arcia.

The real answer is that as long as he doesn't turn into Vaughn Grissom defensively, he will be the everyday SS for, most likely, the next two seasons. And it won't matter what he does at the plate

[Philthy]

Originally Posted by whitmm

What are the other 40 man options? I don't see any other middle infielders on it besides Albies and Arcia.

The real answer is that as long as he doesn't turn into Vaughn Grissom defensively, he will be the everyday SS for, most likely, the next two seasons. And it won't matter what he does at the plate

They're not on the 40-man yet but Fletcher will be at some point. Nacho Alvarez was given a Spring Training invite as well but he's probably a year or two away.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by Philthy

They're not on the 40-man yet but Fletcher will be at some point. Nacho Alvarez was given a Spring Training invite as well but he's probably a year or two away.

I had originally typed Fletcher's name in there, but then checked the list. That said, I think what I said still applies. As long as Arcia's defense doesn't fall off a cliff, he's not being replaced.

Alvarez is in an interesting spot. Seems most scouting reports don't see him as a SS in the future. Plus Tavarez is right there with him, maybe the next Dansby/Ozzie duo? And they just signed Perdomo, and he's probably 3-5 years away.

[whitmm]

Well, he might have said the change up won't increase, but there's video of Strider throwing live BP to Olson with a pitch that has been identified as a curve ball.

[Rabs]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Well, he might have said the change up won't increase, but there's video of Strider throwing live BP to Olson with a pitch that has been identified as a curve ball.

Oh yeah? Less velo and more break (hopefully north/south).

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by Rabs

Oh yeah? Less velo and more break (hopefully north/south).

Of course Bowman says it's just him trying to create different looks with the same breaking ball (slider). Every other reporter called it a curve ball. So take it for what it's worth. The thing had more north/south break than his slider.

And in other news. Tyler Matzek has some sweet jewelry in honor of his nickname.

[bravesballer]

Is it time we took a different strategy into the post season? Our achilles has been dead bats in the post season. One from chasing the Mets in order to win the division and the next chasing records. I know they always say the first goal is to win the division but the only goal should be to win the WS. So far winning the division hasn't worked the best for us against teams that wild card and fight their way in.

I'd like to see a rotation of 3 game rests for most of the players around mid-August on. Unless for some reason we aren't either in first or well ahead in the wild card give players some real rest and recoup not this one day not scheduled to play but still dressed and ready to pinch if needed bs. Time away from the game completely to recharge.