Braves rumor

[msstate7]

Per Mark Bowman- The #Braves are considering promoting Bethancourt and moving Gattis to LF. J-Hey would move to CF and J-UP to RF atmlb.com/1lF4d82

[trob115]

Would be fine by me. We need to just release uggla or trade him for a bucket of balls. BJ has at least shown some improvement and could be a beneficial late inning replacement.

[War Machine Dawg]

I wouldn't be in favor of that move at all. Gattis isn't that good in LF. Plus, the whole reason for the move would be to bench BJ in order to get his bat out of the lineup. But here's the problem: Bethancourt, while being a great defender, sucks as a hitter. I don't see him being much better than BJ offensively, to be honest.

Plus, it actually hurts us overall defensively, in my mind. Sure, you upgrade catcher a bit, but the OF defense goes to hell with Gattis in LF. And El Oso Blanco isn't exactly a bad defensive catcher. Watching him on a regular basis, he's actually pretty good behind the plate. And the staff loves throwing to the guy because he's creative with pitch selection back there. Also, it's not like BJ sucks as a CF defensively. He's actually still pretty solid out there, even though he doesn't have a stellar arm. The move also decreases team speed for an already slow team with Freeman, CJ, Gattis, and LaStella in the every day lineup.

Another factor to consider: J-Hey has struggled to stay healthy playing RF. Do we think he can hold up to the physical demands that come with playing CF and the increased pressure on him in CF to help cover up some of El Oso Blanco's lack of range?

Overall, it seems to me that promoting Bethancourt would be a desperation/panic move. While I want BJ out of the lineup, I don't see how adding Bethancourt solves anything. We're still in first based on our pitching & D. Bringing up Bethancourt screws up the D. The only option we have is to give Schafer another shot, cut Uggla, and go find someone on the scrap heap we think we could fix as an OF. Or call up the Dodgers and see what it would take to get one of Kemp, Ethier, or Crawford. They're log jammed in LA and need to move someone to unjam. Unload a couple prospects if that's what it takes, but go get some legit OF help.

[War Machine Dawg]

Would be fine by me. We need to just release uggla or trade him for a bucket of balls. BJ has at least shown some improvement and could be a beneficial late inning replacement.

I've been saying for 2 years I'd literally trade Uggla for a box of new balls and call it a win. Problem is, the box of balls has more value than Uggla at this point and no one wants him. The only option we have is to cut him. Just don't know why Wren hasn't had the balls to do it yet. We're going to have to pay him regardless, so free up the roster spot already.

[Dawg61]

I'd imagine BJ still starts most games even with Bethancourt getting called up

[FISHDAWG]

also rumored that LaStella will be moved up to the 2nd spot in the order

[msstate7]

also rumored that LaStella will be moved up to the 2nd spot in the order

Pretty sure that was a thought by FG against the angels bc they don't have a lh reliever

[KB21]

I wouldn't be in favor of that move at all. Gattis isn't that good in LF. Plus, the whole reason for the move would be to bench BJ in order to get his bat out of the lineup. But here's the problem: Bethancourt, while being a great defender, sucks as a hitter. I don't see him being much better than BJ offensively, to be honest.

Plus, it actually hurts us overall defensively, in my mind. Sure, you upgrade catcher a bit, but the OF defense goes to hell with Gattis in LF. And El Oso Blanco isn't exactly a bad defensive catcher. Watching him on a regular basis, he's actually pretty good behind the plate. And the staff loves throwing to the guy because he's creative with pitch selection back there. Also, it's not like BJ sucks as a CF defensively. He's actually still pretty solid out there, even though he doesn't have a stellar arm. The move also decreases team speed for an already slow team with Freeman, CJ, Gattis, and LaStella in the every day lineup.

Another factor to consider: J-Hey has struggled to stay healthy playing RF. Do we think he can hold up to the physical demands that come with playing CF and the increased pressure on him in CF to help cover up some of El Oso Blanco's lack of range?

Overall, it seems to me that promoting Bethancourt would be a desperation/panic move. While I want BJ out of the lineup, I don't see how adding Bethancourt solves anything. We're still in first based on our pitching & D. Bringing up Bethancourt screws up the D. The only option we have is to give Schafer another shot, cut Uggla, and go find someone on the scrap heap we think we could fix as an OF. Or call up the Dodgers and see what it would take to get one of Kemp, Ethier, or Crawford. They're log jammed in LA and need to move someone to unjam. Unload a couple prospects if that's what it takes, but go get some legit OF help.

The thing is, Bethancourt is actually a pretty good contact hitter. He doesn't walk and doesn't have much pop outside of doubles power, but he doesn't strike out a lot either. His bat has come around over the past two years. The contact would be an upgrade over BJ at this point. Also, center field is a position where offense is more important than it is for the catcher position. You can afford to put a guy who is mostly a defensive guy at catcher.

I don't disagree that Gattis is a poor defensive left fielder. I do think making this move to put him out there or at least make it a platoon situation between he and Bethancourt at catcher gets his bat in the line up more. As it is, he's getting 1-2 days a week off where his bat is not in the line up at all, just to play the endless black hole that is Gerald Laird.

[msstate7]

The thing is, Bethancourt is actually a pretty good contact hitter. He doesn't walk and doesn't have much pop outside of doubles power, but he doesn't strike out a lot either. His bat has come around over the past two years. The contact would be an upgrade over BJ at this point. Also, center field is a position where offense is more important than it is for the catcher position. You can afford to put a guy who is mostly a defensive guy at catcher.

I don't disagree that Gattis is a poor defensive left fielder. I do think making this move to put him out there or at least make it a platoon situation between he and Bethancourt at catcher gets his bat in the line up more. As it is, he's getting 1-2 days a week off where his bat is not in the line up at all, just to play the endless black hole that is Gerald Laird.

By moving Heyward to cf, you weaken lf and rf.

[KB21]

By moving Heyward to cf, you weaken lf and rf.

Justin Upton historically is a better right fielder than left fielder. It doesn't make much sense, but it is true. Justin is a bad defensive left fielder. He's a better defensive right fielder than BJ is in center though.

[smootness]

LF and RF become weaker, but CF definitely improves. BJ hasn't even been solid defensively out there recently; he's had some bad mistakes.

I was initially much in favor of this move; I've cooled on it slightly but I still think it would be a good move overall. I think Gattis is just fine defensively and does seem to call games well. However, he doesn't compare to Bethancourt. Bethancourt would immediately rival Molina defensively, and I'm not exaggerating. It instantly saves us runs behind the plate. From everything I've read, Bethancourt can change games defensively.

And no, he won't really be an upgrade offensively over BJ. But he shouldn't really be a downgrade, either. So the question is, does Bethancourt in C and Heyward in CF upgrade your defense enough to allow Gattis to play LF? I think it does personally. I would like the move. Our lineup would become better, too, if we moved La Stella to 2, moved Justin to 3, and then had Freeman/Gattis 4/5. And right now, I'd even be ok with Gattis hitting 4th and Freeman 5th.

[msstate7]

Justin Upton historically is a better right fielder than left fielder. It doesn't make much sense, but it is true. Justin is a bad defensive left fielder. He's a better defensive right fielder than BJ is in center though.

Heyward is the best rf in the game though

[smootness]

Heyward is the best rf in the game though

True, but he's also a better CF than BJ, and playing in CF actually gives him a bigger impact on the game.

[Dawg61]

The Braves have a minor leaguer that rivals a future HOF, 6 time gold-glove winner and 2-time platinum glove winner? Wow why's he in the minor leagues? NL needs his glove in the All-Star game. Seriously. I like home-field advantage for the WS.

[smootness]

The Braves have a minor leaguer that rivals a future HOF, 6 time gold-glove winner and 2-time platinum glove winner? Wow why's he in the minor leagues? NL needs his glove in the All-Star game. Seriously. I like home-field advantage for the WS.

Because of his bat, same reason Molina came along slowly initially.

I'm not necessarily saying he is the equal of Molina, just saying that he would likely be the closest thing in the majors once he's called up, based on everything I've heard and read. Bethancourt is not your average good defensive catcher; he has all the ability to be one of the greats.

[msstate7]

Because of his bat, same reason Molina came along slowly initially.

I'm not necessarily saying he is the equal of Molina, just saying that he would likely be the closest thing in the majors once he's called up, based on everything I've heard and read. Bethancourt is not your average good defensive catcher; he has all the ability to be one of the greats.

I've heard comparisons to Benito Santiago more than once

[Dawg61]

Giants didn't get on this run the last 5 years till they called up Buster Posey. I'm hoping they call up two more this year in Adam Duvall 3b (22 HRs) and Joe Panik 2b (.320 avg). The trade deadline is going to be very interesting this year.

[msstate7]

Giants didn't get on this run the last 5 years till they called up Buster Posey. I'm hoping they call up two more this year in Adam Duvall 3b (22 HRs) and Joe Panik 2b (.320 avg). The trade deadline is going to be very interesting this year.

Maybe the nl will institute a dh in the upcoming week. If so, I'm sure Christian will be called up. I really don't want any part of gattis in lf though and I certainly don't wanna lose gattis' bat

[Dawg61]

Hmmm maybe Freddie Freeman can play LF haha, he's probably better at it than Gattis

[msstate7]

Hmmm maybe Freddie Freeman can play LF haha, he's probably better at it than Gattis

He probably is. Gattis is one heck of a hitter, but a terrible of'er