2025 Braves Thread

[KOdawg1]

I don't think you could script a worse start for the Braves.

-0-4 start
-Profar gets busted for PEDs; suspended 80 games
-Lopez going to the IL with shoulder inflammation
-3 game series upcoming with the Dodgers

Looks like the Braves sold their soul for their World Series championship much like Mississippi State did.

[msstate7]

If strider and Acuna return at high level, braves will be fine. If they don't, tough year coming

[parabrave]

If strider and Acuna return at high level, braves will be fine. If they don't, tough year coming

They gonna need more than Strider. Hope he stays at his MLB Form and Acuna comes back at 100%.

[msstate7]

They gonna need more than Strider. Hope he stays at his MLB Form and Acuna comes back at 100%.

Sale, SS, and SS are one of a top 3. I think AJSS can be a really solid back end guy. They'll need another guy, but should be a 4 available at deadline.

The offense is my concern.

And on the staff, Lopez may not be done.

[parabrave]

The team BA is about 150. No One in the starting 9 is batting over 170.

[msstate7]

Might be worth noting that the braves opponents are now 11-0. The Padres are 5-0 vs teams that were in playoffs last season. The dodgers are 4-0 vs teams that were in the playoffs last season. The dodgers and padres are probably the best teams in baseball right now... I expect that to stay that way for the dodgers.

The hitting is certainly a problem, but we're 3rd in mlb in barrels. 29th in babip despite hitting the ball hard. Babip with runners on is .105 (29th). Surely the Babip luck will progress to the mean.

[BravesDoggy]

We stink. I was going to join the FanDuel deal but i'm not sure it's even worth it now. Lopez is probably done for most of the year, Profar out for 80 games and these are the same hitters as last year.

[BoomBoom]

Might be worth noting that the braves opponents are now 11-0. The Padres are 5-0 vs teams that were in playoffs last season. The dodgers are 4-0 vs teams that were in the playoffs last season. The dodgers and padres are probably the best teams in baseball right now... I expect that to stay that way for the dodgers.

The hitting is certainly a problem, but we're 3rd in mlb in barrels. 29th in babip despite hitting the ball hard. Babip with runners on is .105 (29th). Surely the Babip luck will progress to the mean.

Maybe. My concern is this lineup was built to mash the style of pitching from several years ago. The league has adjusted, and the Braves haven't. This seeks most pronounced with Riley and Olsen. Albies is just plain an undisciplined hitter. Harris should be fine. Ozuna is Ozuna, he was unaffected last year and appears so again. Arcia and Kelenic are trash. Baldwin has Willy Mays Hays power. It's just not a good lineup. And the bullpen is trash too. This team will lose a ton of games in the 6th and 7th innings.

If they can hobble into the playoffs, and have Sale and Strider healthy, anything can happen.

[msstate7]

I'm certainly worried, but 1/34 with RISP does seem flukish. Hopefully as that stat progresses to the mean, wins happen

[Commercecomet24]

We're paying a heavy price to the baseball gods for 2021(NC for State, and WS for Braves) and it's tripled for me because Brady won #7 that year as well. 2021 was a great year for me, sportswise.

[EdwardDrayton]

No MLB team has ever started 0-7 and made the postseason.

[msstate7]

No MLB team has ever started 0-7 and made the postseason.

While true, it probably needs an asterisk. There wasn't a WC for forever, and now it's 3 of them.

[EdwardDrayton]

While true, it probably needs an asterisk. There wasn't a WC for forever, and now it's 3 of them.

True. Probably a better chance of that first time happening than Lemo making a regional.

[msstate7]

True. Probably a better chance of that first time happening than Lemo making a regional.

Both are gonna have a good weekend.




I hope

[parabrave]

No MLB team has ever started 0-7 and made the postseason.

I know a team that started 13-0 and didn't make it either/

[EdwardDrayton]

I know a team that started 13-0 and didn't make it either/

LOL!!!

There was a Braves team back in the eighties when I followed them closely that opened the season with a string of wins. Then they got torched in the postseason by the Cardinals.

[Pancho]

they won a game yet?

[msstate7]

they won a game yet?

Nah, they'll get one in a week or 2.

[Tbonewannabe]

We're paying a heavy price to the baseball gods for 2021(NC for State, and WS for Braves) and it's tripled for me because Brady won #7 that year as well. 2021 was a great year for me, sportswise.

2021 is my favorite sports year. State wins the National Championship, I get to go to a Braves World Series win (almost no hitter), Braves win the WS, and football goes back to a bowl game.

Bonus points, my wife and I went with a friend's family to Auburn. At halftime he is talking about how at least we can experience Toomers Corner getting rolled. Fast forward to the greatest half of football in MSU history against Auburn. It was beautiful.

[KOdawg1]

After they get done losing to the Mighty Marlins, the Braves will be 1-8.

This team sucks.

[msstate7]

After they get done losing to the Mighty Marlins, the Braves will be 1-8.

This team sucks.

Looks that way. They're certainly driving me crazy. Should see Murphy, verdugo, and strider this week or next. Verdugo isn't great, but kelenic is horrible. Hopefully Riley remembers how to hit soon. Braves still favorite to win East at golden moon, shockingly.

[EdwardDrayton]

The Braves need that weekend against the Rockies to get here real fast.

[parabrave]

get the bp ready. Ligon at 64 but he falls off quick.

[KOdawg1]

2-9.

The team isn't good.

[msstate7]

Rough start for sure. Maybe SS can get us a series win tomorrow.

[shoeless joe]

this team is built wrong. you absolutely have to have "glue" guys or "locker room" guys to have success in baseball. both regular season and postseason. when you start looking only at production vs $$ then this is what you get. the talent is there so this team will end up winning more than they lose but they will always falter at crunch time and the start to the season just epitomizes that fact.

AA struck lightning with the championship team and his moves...but at the same time that team had the steady core of fried, morton, freeman, darnaud, and swanson. i'm not saying all should still be on the team but you cant let all of them leave either.

riley and olson are basically the same guy from a quiet leadership standpoint. sale is the type of guy you need but he can't be the only one and his stamp really hasn't been put on this team. albies has to quit playing the game selfishly, especially at the plate. ozuna is basically the heart of this team. this team is really the total opposite of all the good teams of the 90s onward. not steady. boom or bust. front running seems to be entrenched from both a game, season, and postseason standpoint. they have a hard time getting up after being knocked down. and thats not a historic trait of a snitker led team.

its not overly fun to watch right now....hopefully the tide will turn after this series victory over philly

[BoomBoom]

I just see this team as the inevitable result of the playoff structure, corporate owners, and a smart GM. Once you make the playoffs, extra money spent on the roster barely moves the needle on your odds of winning. You can spend $150M and have a 5% chance of a championship, or spend $500M and have a 10% chance. They know what they're doing, they want to be just good enough to make the playoffs.

The only question is what this team will do if they look not quite good enough to make the playoffs. Will they swing a big mid-season trade ? Or will they cut bait and re-arm for next season? I doubt they'll do the former, the talent just isn't there to go get and the farm system is weak. Maybe a quality corner OF, that shouldn't be too expensive, unlike a top SP or SS.

However, I'm still of the opinion that with Strider and Acuna back on the team, that this is a playoff team.

[msstate7]

I'm anxious to hear Acuna's report next week and what inning limit will strider have.

[BravesDoggy]

You knew it was gonna happen. Let Fried and Morton walk and bring in nobody to replace them. You have Sale regressing, Lopez probably out for 3/4 of the season and we are now in year 3 of Bryce Elder or insert other AAA trash sucking it up every 5th day for an automatic loss.

[KOdawg1]

Won 7 of their last 8.

3 straight series wins.

The Bravos are hot.

[shoeless joe]

definitely playing better baseball right now. as i said earlier the talent is there and should be getting better over the next month. but whatever the weakness is it shows up ten fold when its crunch time, especially against top tier competition.

hopefully this colorado series will make all feel better and hit their stride. but with this team i'm not counting on anything. momentum is only at strong as your next days starting pitcher...and looks like that'll be elder and smith-shawver

[msstate7]

Won 7 of their last 8.

3 straight series wins.

The Bravos are hot.

Hopefully by mid-May we have strider and Acuna back. Put Ozzie 8th in lineup and we should be ok

[KOdawg1]

Hopefully by mid-May we have strider and Acuna back. Put Ozzie 8th in lineup and we should be ok

Might need a new closer too. Iglesias has been awful.

[msstate7]

Might need a new closer too. Iglesias has been awful.

Yes he has. I'm more than slightly worried about him.

Speaking of worried... our GM is becoming a problem. He signed Eddie Rosario to an mlb deal today, not a milb deal.

[KOdawg1]

Yes he has. I'm more than slightly worried about him.

Speaking of worried... our GM is becoming a problem. He signed Eddie Rosario to an mlb deal today, not a milb deal.

Yeah that doesn't make sense to me.

Don't get signing Anderson back either.

[BravesDoggy]

Yes he has. I'm more than slightly worried about him.

Speaking of worried... our GM is becoming a problem. He signed Eddie Rosario to an mlb deal today, not a milb deal.

Been a problem, but yes he is. I don’t get the constant rotation of cutting/trading and then resigning trash. Anderson, Rosario, Chavez. Shit let’s go get Joc from the Rangers and insert his 0 for 41 ass into the lineup.

What I also don’t get is WHY did you do nothing at SS and then give up completely on Arcia in less than 2 weeks? I mean nobody realistically expected a big money SS but there were some options out there. This Nicky Allen dude hit .175 for the As last year.

[KOdawg1]

For the first time since opening day when they were 0-0, the Braves have a .500 record

[BravesDoggy]

Good to get back to .500 but some troubling signs. Outside of Riley, not one batter in the top 10 in the NL in any offensive category. Braves are currently the 3rd lowest scoring team in the NL. Allen is a Punch and Judy hitter. Albies has been awful. Harris has been a shade better than awful. Still need a bullpen guy and possibly another starter. Could get a starter and put Holmes and Elder back in the pen.

Who knows what happens with the OF once Profar returns and then you lose any production of his for the postseason.

[msstate7]

Good to get back to .500 but some troubling signs. Outside of Riley, not one batter in the top 10 in the NL in any offensive category. Braves are currently the 3rd lowest scoring team in the NL. Allen is a Punch and Judy hitter. Albies has been awful. Harris has been a shade better than awful. Still need a bullpen guy and possibly another starter. Could get a starter and put Holmes and Elder back in the pen.

Who knows what happens with the OF once Profar returns and then you lose any production of his for the postseason.

Acuna will be back in a week. Acuna back at the top and turning Verdugo and white into a platoon of the 2 will help. Harris is starting to get it going. Ozzie with 2 hits tonight, and really good ABs since Sunday... I think he's close. Oh, and strider should be back this weekend. Things are looking up

[KOdawg1]

Acuna will be back in a week. Acuna back at the top and turning Verdugo and white into a platoon of the 2 will help. Harris is starting to get it going. Ozzie with 2 hits tonight, and really good ABs since Sunday... I think he's close. Oh, and strider should be back this weekend. Things are looking up

Profar back in a month and a half

[msstate7]

Profar back in a month and a half

I'm worried last year was from PEDs. Hopefully clean Profar can still hit

[shoeless joe]

albies takes the most selfish at bats over and over and over. i understand loving his effort but the dude could help the team win in so many ways but he refuses to do so. if you can locate off speed away and FB up/in he's a K or a pop out EVERY SINGLE TIME. lay a bunt down once every two weeks and watch how everything would change. but hey he's on a team friendly contract....
should have traded him after that one good season.

the positive on the offense is that some of these guys will get going and then it'll all play itself out. ozuna and harris are the two i expect to get hot. olson is who he is. .220-.240 hitter that hopefully gives you 25-35 homers...if he can square up a FB.

the pen is the absolute biggest concern right now.

even with all the positive potential things coming up the bottom line is this is MAYBE a wild card team that will get bounced early due to lack of pen depth. you absolutely cannot let every free agent lynch pen of the organization walk and expect to continue to get great results. thankfully the one championship came from this group cuz a second does not seem likely.

[trob115]

albies takes the most selfish at bats over and over and over. i understand loving his effort but the dude could help the team win in so many ways but he refuses to do so. if you can locate off speed away and FB up/in he's a K or a pop out EVERY SINGLE TIME. lay a bunt down once every two weeks and watch how everything would change. but hey he's on a team friendly contract....
should have traded him after that one good season.

the positive on the offense is that some of these guys will get going and then it'll all play itself out. ozuna and harris are the two i expect to get hot. olson is who he is. .220-.240 hitter that hopefully gives you 25-35 homers...if he can square up a FB.

the pen is the absolute biggest concern right now.

even with all the positive potential things coming up the bottom line is this is MAYBE a wild card team that will get bounced early due to lack of pen depth. you absolutely cannot let every free agent lynch pen of the organization walk and expect to continue to get great results. thankfully the one championship came from this group cuz a second does not seem likely.



Ehh, I kinda disagree on the pen. As a whole, they've done a great job. Iggy has decent underlying peripheral numbers and he's been a bit unlucky.

The Braves have the 2nd best record in all of the NL after their 0-7 start and are currently on pace to win 95 games.


Bullpen management is a completely different story. Snitker is asleep most games and is stuck in 2005 bullpen roles. I was really excited to see PJ pitch the 9th last night.

Also Snits lineup management is atrocious at times too.


Baldwin is the front runner for ROY right now. Need to stick him in LF when Murphy is catching.

Getting Acuna back next week will be huge. Also, Strider should be back in a few days.


I think the Braves are in a good spot, all things considered with injuries and the putrid 0-7 start.

[BravesDoggy]

Ehh, I kinda disagree on the pen. As a whole, they've done a great job. Iggy has decent underlying peripheral numbers and he's been a bit unlucky.

The Braves have the 2nd best record in all of the NL after their 0-7 start and are currently on pace to win 95 games.


Bullpen management is a completely different story. Snitker is asleep most games and is stuck in 2005 bullpen roles. I was really excited to see PJ pitch the 9th last night.

Also Snits lineup management is atrocious at times too.


Baldwin is the front runner for ROY right now. Need to stick him in LF when Murphy is catching.

Getting Acuna back next week will be huge. Also, Strider should be back in a few days.


I think the Braves are in a good spot, all things considered with injuries and the putrid 0-7 start.

They should do what some of the local talking heads have suggested and trade Murphy and/or Ozuna while you can get a good haul for them, although the shine has come off Ozuna a bit since that was suggested. They can't afford to gamble on another long term contract with Ozuna and SS is a glaring hole that cant be ignored for another offseason. Let Baldwin have the full time catching duties and bring up one of the depth pieces from AAA for 1 start a week.

[shoeless joe]

Ehh, I kinda disagree on the pen. As a whole, they've done a great job. Iggy has decent underlying peripheral numbers and he's been a bit unlucky.

The Braves have the 2nd best record in all of the NL after their 0-7 start and are currently on pace to win 95 games.


Bullpen management is a completely different story. Snitker is asleep most games and is stuck in 2005 bullpen roles. I was really excited to see PJ pitch the 9th last night.

Also Snits lineup management is atrocious at times too.


Baldwin is the front runner for ROY right now. Need to stick him in LF when Murphy is catching.

Getting Acuna back next week will be huge. Also, Strider should be back in a few days.


I think the Braves are in a good spot, all things considered with injuries and the putrid 0-7 start.

Tell me again how the pen isn’t a major issue…

[trob115]

Snitker was the issue, not the pen. Also if Olson would pull his head out of his rear, we win too

[msstate7]

Snitker was the issue, not the pen. Also if Olson would pull his head out of his rear, we win too

All of this.

In the 8th, they had their best (only) 2 hitters up. Snit has to use our best available there.

[trob115]

All of this.

In the 8th, they had their best (only) 2 hitters up. Snit has to use our best available there.

What's so frustrating to me, is that the Braves have lost at least 4 games this year you can easily say due to poor in game management.


If we had a competent manager, we would be in much better shape.

AA is frustrating to me too. I'm ready for him to put up or shut up.

[shoeless joe]

What's so frustrating to me, is that the Braves have lost at least 4 games this year you can easily say due to poor in game management.


If we had a competent manager, we would be in much better shape.

AA is frustrating to me too. I'm ready for him to put up or shut up.

definitely agree on AA

[BravesDoggy]

definitely agree on AA

Agree here too. I guess you can call it bad luck on Profar but he shoulda done his homework. Ignoring the SS position for 2 years now baffles me. You go into this season AGAIN depending on Arcia and Snit gives up on him in week 1 and now we are stuck with a AAA shortstop.

You lose Fried and Morton and replace them with nothing. Depending on Sale and/or Lopez not to fall off was a huge gamble. These are positions that could have been shored up last season, at the trade deadline, and this offseason and chose not to

[msstate7]

Drake Baldwin and AJSS look like absolute studs. As a big AA critic, we probably should consider this when we critique AA. I was mad we didn't try to swing a trade for a proven SS or SP, but man, I am really happy we held these two.

[shoeless joe]

Allen is an old school light hitting good glove SS...if the rest of the lineup does what they're supposed to then he is an asset. if you're relying on him for offense then he's not good enough.

the two major problems right now are ozzie and olson. harris could be better and ozuna but both of them are streaky guys...and they can go on extended, month long, hot streaks and just about carry the team. hopefully acuna coming back will help lighten the load some of those guys feel. and we can blame snit and his managing of it all we want but the pen just doesn't have what it's had and at some point that will need to be addressed. nothing is as demoralizing for a team as to lose a late inning lead cuz the pen can't get ahead in the count and throw a slider with break or locate a heater to put somebody away.

[msstate7]

Acuna was 2-3 last night with a double and an assist. Just missed a hr in back-to-back rehab games. I can't wait to put him at the top of this lineup

[shoeless joe]

Tell me again how the bullpen isn’t a major concern…

[BravesDoggy]

Tell me again how the bullpen isn?t a major concern?

Holmes should be in the pen and would quickly shore up middle relief

[KOdawg1]

1. Snitker continues to cost this team games

2. That bullpen is absolute ass.

[trob115]

Snit needs to be turned loose yesterday.

My 8 year old called us losing this game when he put in Montero. He's literally the worst option in the pen. It's so bad even kids know what is coming.

Also brining in PJ to face Duran was stooopid. Dodd and Lee both were available. I promise you Snit has now cost us 5 games with lack of decision making.

[msstate7]

This team used to be so talented they could overcome snit's idiocy. They aren't good enough to that now. Need someone to make optimal moves. And Acuna is ready... he better be in DC Tuesday night

[KB21]

It's been time to fire Snitker. It's pretty clear that Ron Washington was the magic behind the team prior to last year.

[shoeless joe]

I’m not saying snit isn’t making some questionable decisions. But putting all the blame on him when the pen clearly sucks is stupid. He put 4 different arms in with the lead last nite. None of them got the job done. None. That’s not a snit issue that’s a bullpen issue and an AA issue.

And 100% agree on Ron Washington. That plus the losses of leaders for numbers and cheaper is costing them big time when those numbers guys aren’t producing numbers.

[msstate7]

Lee hadn't pitched since Thursday.
Iggy pitched 2 of last 3 with day off between.
Hernandez pitched Monday and Friday.

Snit shoulda absolutely deployed these guys to secure the win last night. Then he could rest them today and Monday's day off.

[BoomBoom]

Agree here too. I guess you can call it bad luck on Profar but he shoulda done his homework. Ignoring the SS position for 2 years now baffles me. You go into this season AGAIN depending on Arcia and Snit gives up on him in week 1 and now we are stuck with a AAA shortstop.

You lose Fried and Morton and replace them with nothing. Depending on Sale and/or Lopez not to fall off was a huge gamble. These are positions that could have been shored up last season, at the trade deadline, and this offseason and chose not to

It's completely understandable when you look at the SS market. You either ridiculously overpay for the handful of elite SSs.....or you take value in the scrubs. There's not really a market of anything in between. Most MLB teams have a hole at SS in the lineup. No one is dealing away a SS or SS prospect with value.

SP isn't much better of a market these days. If we had given Morton another $20M and gotten nothing out of him at 40-whatever, AA would rightfully be pilloried for it. I don't think he was depending on no drop-off, but he put together a good staff without overpaying for anyone. He got Sale and Lopez for nothing, Strider is underpaid, and AJSS is on track. I don't even know where Holmes came from. Even Elder has performed. That's a pretty good job from the GM!

The main problem is all the money on this roster is paid to the hitters in the middle of the lineup, and they are not performing to their contracts.

The pen though, that's all on AA. That, and the lack of one better corner OF. There are options aplenty for those, and AA has just stood pat with scrubs.

[BravesDoggy]

The luck from 2021 and the crazy offensive output from 2022 is not coming back. AA needs to stop pinching the pennies and come up with a new approach with this team or he and Snit need to both find new jobs.

It?s time to seriously explore the market value for Ozuna and Murphy. Shortstop can?t be ignored any longer, need another SP (in addition to Strider coming back), and fix the pen.

[BoomBoom]

The luck from 2021 and the crazy offensive output from 2022 is not coming back. AA needs to stop pinching the pennies and come up with a new approach with this team or he and Snit need to both find new jobs.

It?s time to seriously explore the market value for Ozuna and Murphy. Shortstop can?t be ignored any longer, need another SP (in addition to Strider coming back), and fix the pen.

Agreed, we overperformed in 21 and 22.

But, they're not pinching pennies. They're above the luxury tax threshold or just below it. They're not going to spend more.

They're in a bit of a pickle with Murphy and Ozuna. You don't really want to trade a catcher like Murphy for a rookie to take over. And Ozuna can't play the OF, which prevents them from DHing one of the catchers or Acuna. And no one wants Ozuna because of his history. And they'd be dumb to trade one of their few hitters right now. The worst part of that is that for any given game, they can only start 2 of Ozuna, Acuna, Murphy, and Baldwin. With Eli White or Verdugo getting a start instead. But it is what it is.

[BravesDoggy]

Agreed, we overperformed in 21 and 22.

But, they're not pinching pennies. They're above the luxury tax threshold or just below it. They're not going to spend more.

They're in a bit of a pickle with Murphy and Ozuna. You don't really want to trade a catcher like Murphy for a rookie to take over. And Ozuna can't play the OF, which prevents them from DHing one of the catchers or Acuna. And no one wants Ozuna because of his history. And they'd be dumb to trade one of their few hitters right now. The worst part of that is that for any given game, they can only start 2 of Ozuna, Acuna, Murphy, and Baldwin. With Eli White or Verdugo getting a start instead. But it is what it is.

Maybe pinching pennies is an exaggeration, but you get what I mean. In the past 5 years, Dansby, Freddie, Fried and Morton have come off the books and the only player that has been signed of any significance is Profar. The core group is fine to ride with, but you see what happens when 2, 3 or 4 of them underperform. It's obvious that the 22 season was lightning in a bottle, so when you aren't getting crazy production from Ozuna, Albies, Acuna, Riley, and Olson, you better not have any black hole positions or it just magnifies the struggles of the big five. The SS position has been a glaring hole for about a season and a half now. You let Fried and Morton walk and replace them with Grant Holmes, a reliever to SP project which they've already tried with Lopez and he's out long term.

[msstate7]

I don't know if Allen can keep it up, but ...
16th among SS in fWAR (0.9)
1st in def value
He's on pace for a 3.6 fWAR season. That's pretty damn good

[shoeless joe]

I don't know if Allen can keep it up, but ...
16th among SS in fWAR (0.9)
1st in def value
He's on pace for a 3.6 fWAR season. That's pretty damn good

as i said earlier. allen is not the problem. and once some of the others start putting up their typical numbers his lack of offense won't be near as noticeable to the end results.

[msstate7]

as i said earlier. allen is not the problem. and once some of the others start putting up their typical numbers his lack of offense won't be near as noticeable to the end results.

We still need to use him better. He should bunt anytime a runner gets on in front of him with 0 outs. He's a pretty terrible hitter that's rocking an unsustainable .340 babip.

[BravesDoggy]

as i said earlier. allen is not the problem. and once some of the others start putting up their typical numbers his lack of offense won't be near as noticeable to the end results.

But that's kinda the point i made in my previous post. People have pretty much assumed those "typical numbers" are what the big five produced in 2022, and that is just not happening again. So, when Ozuna is hitting single digit homeruns, Olson is hitting .220 and his power is down and you have a struggling Harris (who often isn't even counted in the big 5) and a struggling Ozzie, those non-producing OF and SS positions just become much more glaring.

Everybody used to talk about how fearsome the lineup was 1 through 9, but when your lineup ends with Stuart Fairchild, Michael Harris, Eli White and Nick Allen it is not instilling fear.

[shoeless joe]

But that's kinda the point i made in my previous post. People have pretty much assumed those "typical numbers" are what the big five produced in 2022, and that is just not happening again. So, when Ozuna is hitting single digit homeruns, Olson is hitting .220 and his power is down and you have a struggling Harris (who often isn't even counted in the big 5) and a struggling Ozzie, those non-producing OF and SS positions just become much more glaring.

Everybody used to talk about how fearsome the lineup was 1 through 9, but when your lineup ends with Stuart Fairchild, Michael Harris, Eli White and Nick Allen it is not instilling fear.

dont' disagree with this. we have a track record on riley, he's gonna hit 270 with 30 homers if healthy. ozuna will probably catch fire at some point and end with 30 homers, harris is streaky and will end up doing some things. and acuna should add some level of production above what they have been getting from the corners. those things are based on more than one season.

the two that in my opinion are concerning are ozzie and olsen. olsen cant barrel a fastball consistently and ozzie thinks he's barry bonds.

[trob115]

At least Olson appears to be getting on a bit of a heater. He had a great weekend.

[BravesDoggy]

For a team that was labeled the most dangerous 1 thru 9 for the last couple of years, the numbers this season almost through 2 months of play are a bit concerning. Sorry I don't get into all the BABIP and those crazy ass stats, I'm just old school and look at the basic offensive numbers.

Nobody in the top 20 in BA (Riley at 22)
Riley is tied for 19th in RBI
the HR numbers are way down compared to previous years' pace

The positives are that nobody leads the league in K's although Riley is close. Ozuna is leading the NL in walks and Olson isn't far behind which is helping their OBP greatly.

[msstate7]

Olson xwoba in 2022 (54 hrs) was .392; it's .389 right now. Olson had a launch angle problem to start the season, but he's getting lift again.

[KOdawg1]

I hate this team.

[trob115]

Looked like the 7u rec league tonight

[msstate7]

Looked like the 7u rec league tonight

Tho organization is run by idiots, so don't be surprised by dumb play

[BravesDoggy]

Fire Snit or blow it up. This team is sinking.

[shoeless joe]

selfish...selfish...selfish...

i'm not questioning how hard anyone plays or wants to win but you can just watch the swings and see this team plays a selfish brand of baseball at the plate. Losing wash, EY, dansby and freddie like they did was the death nail. money ball has never won jack crap when it matters. you need leaders and captains the hold clout to keep everyone accountable.

oh...and the bullpen still sucks. can't throw strikes in the 9th to keep it a one run game. AA is beyond over rated.

[msstate7]

The problem is all these hitters are streaky, and they never line up 3 at the same time. Riley's last 30 games are absolutely horrendous. Ozuna has cooled off. Acuna came in hitting, but Olson stopped. Ozzie is actually rounding into form, but no one around him is hitting at all. I believe hitting with RISP and sequencing has a lot of luck involved, and the braves just have none right now.

[msstate7]

This made me feel a little more hopeful...
Braves record the last 5 years:
May 28, 2021: 24-25
May 28, 2022: 22-25
May 28, 2023: 32-21
May 28, 2024: 31-21
May 28, 2025: 25-28

[BravesDoggy]

I know that they haven't been full strength with the rotation and the bullpen has been very shaky, but we haven't even reached the end of May and there have been 4 shutout losses and 5 losses with the score either 2-1 or 3-1. That is inexcusable for a team that is built around "friendly deals" for all of this supposed firepower. 7 summed it up well above, this team is streaky as shit. And I don't think getting Profar back in the lineup is going to solve anything because he is as streaky as the rest. This team needs a professional HITTER, someone that is going to get you a .280-.300 average and put the ball in play. I don't know who that is at this point but damn I am tired of seeing a runner on 3rd with one out and seeing 2 straight K's. This lineup is just not competitive when it matters.

[BoomBoom]

selfish...selfish...selfish...

i'm not questioning how hard anyone plays or wants to win but you can just watch the swings and see this team plays a selfish brand of baseball at the plate. Losing wash, EY, dansby and freddie like they did was the death nail. money ball has never won jack crap when it matters. you need leaders and captains the hold clout to keep everyone accountable.

oh...and the bullpen still sucks. can't throw strikes in the 9th to keep it a one run game. AA is beyond over rated.

The bullpen is currently 28th in MLB.

[Pinto]

I?m ready to get rid of AA and Snit. Need a new fire

[BoomBoom]

As the Braves keep dropping series and falling further out of WC slots, I actually spent a little bit looking over contracts to see what we could get if we went into fire sale mode this year. The only guy that we really could and would trade for good talent would be Sale. He only has an $18M club option for next year. Great value for the acquiring team, plus if he gets hurt you just decline the option. I would only trade him if we're getting a top 10 SS in return, MLB-ready, not already being paid top dollar. If you get that, you avoid having to buy an overpriced FA SS for next year, and can use the savings to sign an elite SP to replace Sale long term. There's not many of those SSs around, but 1.5 years of Sale might be enough to get one. Everyone else we could trade would bring back only a lottery ticket or two. No need to give up on turning things around for those.

[msstate7]

Murphy is a great trade candidate. He's having one hell or a season - 5.3 fWAR pace. Baldwin and Murphy can't play together, which is a large part of the offensive struggles. Murphy should be on the block right now.

[BoomBoom]

Murphy is a great trade candidate. He's having one hell or a season - 5.3 fWAR pace. Baldwin and Murphy can't play together, which is a large part of the offensive struggles. Murphy should be on the block right now.

After this year, Ozuna will be gone. One of them can DH while the other starts. That's a good situation to be in. Assuming Acuna won't need to DH more than a little.

But I agree, may actually get decent talent for him.

[BravesDoggy]

As ive said several times, Murphy and Ozuna were and are great trade candidates to get a pretty dang decent haul of players back. But then they just had to go and start oversharing about Ozuna's hip and tanked some of his value.

DHing Baldwin/Murphy is not a solution. Baldwin needs to play and Murphy doesnt have the stick to be a fulltime DH. Trade Murphy while he's got value.

[shoeless joe]

Bad bad baseball. Tyin run on 3rd and non competitive at bat after non competitive at bat. Why is Harris gettin paid again?

[KOdawg1]

These long term extensions are aging like sour milk.

[shoeless joe]

yep...AA thought he was getting cute by paying early and having flexibility later...but now we're paying guys when we shouldn't have to be and they're not producing.
and to all those who acted like the bullpen wasn't an issue...it still sucks. iglesias giving up a run in the 9th changed the game last night.

bad approaches...or in some cases no approaches...are killing the offense and a bad bullpen is a soul crusher. AA has been absolutely abysmal if we're being honest. add seitzer to the list of guys who have walked and been costly.

[msstate7]

AA screwed the pooch on Harris and strider extensions. To be fair, I loved them at the time, so it's hard to critique now. I will say a guy on my Braves' board called these extensions being a financial problem later in real time.

[shoeless joe]

AA screwed the pooch on Harris and strider extensions. To be fair, I loved them at the time, so it's hard to critique now. I will say a guy on my Braves' board called these extensions being a financial problem later in real time.

i didn't like harris from the standpoint of he hadn't had an opportunity to fail before he signed. now, he has failed and come back but he is completely lost at the plate and looks like he's having a hard time adjusting to the adjustments. also, all the extra stuff that has nothing to do with the game seeming to be a priority for him is a red flag IMO.

i was a fan of the strider extension however. and it could end up being ok.

[BravesDoggy]

Drake Baldwin has that body type where if he puts on 20 more lbs he?s Pudge Rodriguez but damn I love his swing. And his homers leave the park effortlessly. It is definitely time to move Murphy and get a haul for him

[BravesDoggy]

AA screwed the pooch on Harris and strider extensions. To be fair, I loved them at the time, so it's hard to critique now. I will say a guy on my Braves' board called these extensions being a financial problem later in real time.

It?s bad when in today?s baseball you can say a guy has lost a step when he?s throwing 94-95. But Strider has lost that gunslinger edge and I?m not sure he had the mentality to become a pitcher. We will see if he adjusts but as it stands now his contract is gross. With AJSS on the shelf and who knows about Lopez, we are back to the AAA trash heap rotation. Will be interesting to see if they sell and trade Sale, Murphy and Ozuna, or sell a piece or 2 and try and rebuild the rotation.

[Really Clark?]

Good lord, 7 run 9th...it's past time AA to address the pen.

[shoeless joe]

Good lord, 7 run 9th...it's past time AA to address the pen.

Was obvious early on in season. But a lot on here refused to see it. Doesn’t matter who comes in when. Executing pitches is executing pitches. This pen hasn’t done that all yr. I don’t need metrics to tell me that

[BravesDoggy]

Lolololol. I turned it off at 10-4. Blow it up. Sheesh

[BoomBoom]

i didn't like harris from the standpoint of he hadn't had an opportunity to fail before he signed. now, he has failed and come back but he is completely lost at the plate and looks like he's having a hard time adjusting to the adjustments. also, all the extra stuff that has nothing to do with the game seeming to be a priority for him is a red flag IMO.

i was a fan of the strider extension however. and it could end up being ok.

Harris offers excellent CF defense. He doesn't have to hit to deliver on that team friendly contract. He was always a poor bet to be an above average OF bat, and his contract is priced accordingly.

[Pancho]

i haven't watched an inning. they must be down in the standings

[BravesDoggy]

i haven't watched an inning. they must be down in the standings

3 games below the Nats. A better record than only the Pirates, Marlins, and Rockies. 9.5 games out of the wild card. Great season AA has put together!!

[KOdawg1]

5-0 vs. the Mets this season

[BravesDoggy]

5-0 vs. the Mets this season

Not anymore. AA has found him another treasure off the AAA junk heap to insert for an automatic every 5th start loss. Can?t wait til we give Dodd and someone else a turn!!

[msstate7]

Not anymore. AA has found him another treasure off the AAA junk heap to insert for an automatic every 5th start loss. Can?t wait til we give Dodd and someone else a turn!!

Can't tell if you're serious. The kid certainly isn't ready, but when you down 3 starters, you don't have good choices. He's 20 with 2 plus pitches

[parabrave]

Harris needed more time at the AAA Level. He was brought up before he was ready. Heck they got rid of 3 dam good catchers who are excelling in thee bigs and their farm system isn't that good.

[KOdawg1]

Harris needed more time at the AAA Level. He was brought up before he was ready. Heck they got rid of 3 dam good catchers who are excelling in thee bigs and their farm system isn't that good.

This is going to sound bad but I kinda wanted MH2 to miss a game or two after getting hit by that pitch just to give him a reset of sorts.

He's pretty horrible right now.

[msstate7]

This is going to sound bad but I kinda wanted MH2 to miss a game or two after getting hit by that pitch just to give him a reset of sorts.

He's pretty horrible right now.

The problem is there's no option. I really believe if kelenic weren't hitting just as bad in AAA, he'd be up right now with Harris down.

[BoomBoom]

The problem is there's no option. I really believe if kelenic weren't hitting just as bad in AAA, he'd be up right now with Harris down.

Eli White can probably play CF. But as much as possible you want MH2 to get ABs and work his way through it.

Interesting thought I saw on the Twitters: trade Baldwin for a stud SS. Idea is you'll never get one otherwise, and Murphy/Stud at c/SS is better than Baldwin/crap, when taken together.

[msstate7]

Eli White can probably play CF. But as much as possible you want MH2 to get ABs and work his way through it.

Interesting thought I saw on the Twitters: trade Baldwin for a stud SS. Idea is you'll never get one otherwise, and Murphy/Stud at c/SS is better than Baldwin/crap, when taken together.

I'd prefer trade Murphy for a good package of whatever, and take on Correa. Lots of money comes off the books next season. He's signed for 3 more seasons, and that's basically our window

[StarkVegasSteve]

I'd prefer trade Murphy for a good package of whatever, and take on Correa. Lots of money comes off the books next season. He's signed for 3 more seasons, and that's basically our window

It's a sobering thought to think that the Braves had a decade long window and may only get one championship out of it. After 18 I was expecting at least 3-4.

[BoomBoom]

I'd prefer trade Murphy for a good package of whatever, and take on Correa. Lots of money comes off the books next season. He's signed for 3 more seasons, and that's basically our window

The general consensus is Murphy doesn't have much surplus value over his contract. He likely won't bring much back, though we could shed payroll without losing much production...so long as Baldwin doesn't get figured out or slump. Maybe a contender overpays at the deadline, but I doubt it.

[msstate7]

The general consensus is Murphy doesn't have much surplus value over his contract. He likely won't bring much back, though we could shed payroll without losing much production...so long as Baldwin doesn't get figured out or slump. Maybe a contender overpays at the deadline, but I doubt it.

I would disagree with the consensus then. He's on a 4.4 fWAR pace this season using 162 games. He's only paid 15 million per after this season. That's quite valuable

[BoomBoom]

I would disagree with the consensus then. He's on a 4.4 fWAR pace this season using 162 games. He's only paid 15 million per after this season. That's quite valuable

He's a 3 WAR player right now I'd say. Teams don't care about a 162 game pace, they care about games actually played. Maybe he could play more and not see a drop in production, maybe not.

That's still worth about $25M per year, so there is some surplus value. But when you factor in decreased production from aging, there's just not a lot there. Maybe $25M in surplus value, maybe more. I'm not sure how to relate that much value to a prospect, but I'd think you'd roughly take total value for 5 years. That comes out to less than 1 WAR value. That's a bench bat or reliever, not a quality player.

Baldwin probably has $100 or $150M in surplus value.

[parabrave]

I know that they haven't been full strength with the rotation and the bullpen has been very shaky, but we haven't even reached the end of May and there have been 4 shutout losses and 5 losses with the score either 2-1 or 3-1. That is inexcusable for a team that is built around "friendly deals" for all of this supposed firepower. 7 summed it up well above, this team is streaky as shit. And I don't think getting Profar back in the lineup is going to solve anything because he is as streaky as the rest. This team needs a professional HITTER, someone that is going to get you a .280-.300 average and put the ball in play. I don't know who that is at this point but damn I am tired of seeing a runner on 3rd with one out and seeing 2 straight K's. This lineup is just not competitive when it matters.

His name is carlos rodriguez currently in Gwinett. He hutting over 300. He is a marteen prado clone. Always gets a hit with RISP. He was in Biloxi but the braves signed him to the office 40 man roster. He had a dam good spring training.