Peeking towards 2007 pt. 1
Just a tad over two weeks remain in the regular MLB season and the Braves continue to decline in the wild card chase. As of today they stand or slump 6.5GB as tonight they'll being a series against the Marlins. With the season coming to an end with just 15 games left I want to begin to peek ahead towards next year. I'm trying to decide on the best way to approach this so, I'll attempt to break it down based on position and contract status. Here's a look at the active roster for the remainder of 2006.
Catchers
Brian McCann
Brayan Pena
Todd Pratt
Infielders
Adam LaRoche
Brian Jordan
Daryle Ward
Scott Thorman
Marcus Giles
Martin Prado
Wily Aybar
Edgar Renteria
Tony Pena, Jr.
Pete Orr
Outfielders
Jeff Francoeur
Matt Diaz
Andruw Jones
Ryan Langerhans
Pitchers
Tim Hudson
John Smoltz
Kyle Davies
Chuck James
Oscar Villareal
Lance Cormier
Joey Devine
Ken Ray
Tyler Yates
Kevin Barry
Peter Moylan
Macay McBride
Chad Paronto
Wayne Franklin
Bob Wickman
DL
Chipper Jones
Blaine Boyer
John Foster
Chris Reitsma
John Thomson
Horacio Ramirez
Phil Stockman
Danys Baez
Mike Hampton
Kelly Johnson
Whew...there is the list. Coming into this offseason what do you think priority number is for the Atlanta Braves? If I heard getting a closer signed, that is correct. I think Atlanta if they can bring back the Wick. Bob Wickman has done everything the team could since arriving in July. So, here's what I'm looking for this offseason.
Priority #1
Sign a closer- I think Atlanta should bring back the Wick. Bob Wickman has superb since arriving in July. Just think maybe we wouldn't have been in this funk if something was done last March. Wickman has thought about retirement at season's end but after recent success might come back in '07.
Priority #2
John Smoltz's $8M option. Smoltz is up for a team option next year and should without hesitation be granted it. Smoltz has been pretty vocal during the year criticizing mgmt. which I don't blame him, and then there was that "trade" comment. I don't know how JS really feels, but not resigning Smoltz will not get Atlanta into the playoffs in 2007.
Priority #3
Get your bullpen together. I guess this can be blended with number 1, but the Braves really need some reliable pen hands. At the start of this year, I knew Reets wasn't going to finish as closer, too fragile. I liked the Remilinger signing, but I had my doubts. We know Reets is gone, but here some other I don't want to see next year...Yates, Moylan, Ray, Foster. Cormier and Villareal have shown promise and aren't too bad "spot" starters. Cormier could even be a darkhorse for the starting rotation next year depending on alot of variables. I'll get to that later. Baez would be a good 8th inning guy, but I'm afraid he'll want more money than were even paying our closer for next year. That's where Joey Devine should follow suit. The pen could resemble the following:
-Oscar Villarreal
* "Stole" some victories this year, but should return for atleast another round
-Blaine Boyer
* Returning from injury
-Macay McBride
* He'll return unless traded
-Kevin Barry
* Possibly a return
-Chad Paronto
* Not too big on Paronto, but somehow I think Bobby will bring him back.
-FA
** JS needs to sign/trade for atleast 2 veteran relievers
-FA
** Same as above
-Joey Devine
* 8th inning specialist before developing into closer for '08.
-Bob Wickman
* I'm going to assume Wick comes back
Priority #4
I'm sticking it to the pitching staff. Establish the 5 man. Injuries and bad outings have resulted in alot of starts from a number of pitchers. I think Atlanta should go after a top notch starter. It's a must of Smoltz isn't returning. Whom, I can't answer that. Here's who we've so far.
-Tim Hudson
*He's shown glimpses of the Oakland version, but has yet to put up the #1 stats most Braves fans expected. Hudson is under contract for next year but after that his contract becomes back loaded, resulting in Hampton like money per season. I think the Braves really need to consider a possible trade by next July if his struggles continue. I like Hudson, but if your paying a guy $13M when he's 12-11 4.95 ERA, are you really getting your money's worth??
-Chuck James
*As I've said before a bright spot for the '06 season. Chuck James has been on fire as the year comes to a close. Those expectations will soon get even higher when 2007 comes around. James could be the third starter on the staff but will probably start out as number 4.
-Kyle Davies
*Coming off a serious injury is never easy. Kyle has struggled since his return but as in another post, don't give up on the guy. Kyle hasn't thrown many balls so just think of this time as ST. I believe Davies will make a solid return for '07.
-Mike Hampton
*Man oh man. Hampton is a guy most Braves fan wish weren't on the team. When your paying someone $13.5M to ride a training bike all year, it stings a bit. Hampton is coming off TJ surgery and as reports have stated expected to be back for '07. If he can return healthy it will defintely help stabilize this rotation.
-Horacio Ramirez
*Staying on the course of injured players, HoRam has had his share. I don't think Ramirez will return, but he very well could. That doesn't make much sense does it. I personally have given this guy many chances, but he's just too injury prone. With James, Davies, and possibly Hampton in 2007, Ramirez looks like to be the odd man out. If he's back next year, I will be suprised and it won't be the first time.
-John Smoltz
*Includes a 2007 option worth $8M. I said it earlier, he must be resigned for run towards a division, playoff whatever. If this happens, I look for it sometime after the world series before the cutoff date which is sometime in Nov. I think.
-Lance Cormier
* A long shot darkhorse for the 2007 rotation. He's been a good starter at the triple A level and has shown promise while starting in Atlanta. I think the only way he'll be starting is if Smoltz, Hampton, or Ramirez doesn't return. He very well could be traded. He's proven to pitch in the minors and is major league ready, but will there be enough room and can he continue to pitch well.
After all that here's my predicted 2007 rotation: Hudson, Smoltz, Hampton, James, Davies. This maybe the longest post I've ever had here at the Dugout. Well, it will be a few days before I write part 2 followed by 3 and 4. So look for those sometime next week. In the meantime let's enjoy some Braves baseball while it's still around.
Catchers
Brian McCann
Brayan Pena
Todd Pratt
Infielders
Adam LaRoche
Brian Jordan
Daryle Ward
Scott Thorman
Marcus Giles
Martin Prado
Wily Aybar
Edgar Renteria
Tony Pena, Jr.
Pete Orr
Outfielders
Jeff Francoeur
Matt Diaz
Andruw Jones
Ryan Langerhans
Pitchers
Tim Hudson
John Smoltz
Kyle Davies
Chuck James
Oscar Villareal
Lance Cormier
Joey Devine
Ken Ray
Tyler Yates
Kevin Barry
Peter Moylan
Macay McBride
Chad Paronto
Wayne Franklin
Bob Wickman
DL
Chipper Jones
Blaine Boyer
John Foster
Chris Reitsma
John Thomson
Horacio Ramirez
Phil Stockman
Danys Baez
Mike Hampton
Kelly Johnson
Whew...there is the list. Coming into this offseason what do you think priority number is for the Atlanta Braves? If I heard getting a closer signed, that is correct. I think Atlanta if they can bring back the Wick. Bob Wickman has done everything the team could since arriving in July. So, here's what I'm looking for this offseason.
Priority #1
Sign a closer- I think Atlanta should bring back the Wick. Bob Wickman has superb since arriving in July. Just think maybe we wouldn't have been in this funk if something was done last March. Wickman has thought about retirement at season's end but after recent success might come back in '07.
Priority #2
John Smoltz's $8M option. Smoltz is up for a team option next year and should without hesitation be granted it. Smoltz has been pretty vocal during the year criticizing mgmt. which I don't blame him, and then there was that "trade" comment. I don't know how JS really feels, but not resigning Smoltz will not get Atlanta into the playoffs in 2007.
Priority #3
Get your bullpen together. I guess this can be blended with number 1, but the Braves really need some reliable pen hands. At the start of this year, I knew Reets wasn't going to finish as closer, too fragile. I liked the Remilinger signing, but I had my doubts. We know Reets is gone, but here some other I don't want to see next year...Yates, Moylan, Ray, Foster. Cormier and Villareal have shown promise and aren't too bad "spot" starters. Cormier could even be a darkhorse for the starting rotation next year depending on alot of variables. I'll get to that later. Baez would be a good 8th inning guy, but I'm afraid he'll want more money than were even paying our closer for next year. That's where Joey Devine should follow suit. The pen could resemble the following:
-Oscar Villarreal
* "Stole" some victories this year, but should return for atleast another round
-Blaine Boyer
* Returning from injury
-Macay McBride
* He'll return unless traded
-Kevin Barry
* Possibly a return
-Chad Paronto
* Not too big on Paronto, but somehow I think Bobby will bring him back.
-FA
** JS needs to sign/trade for atleast 2 veteran relievers
-FA
** Same as above
-Joey Devine
* 8th inning specialist before developing into closer for '08.
-Bob Wickman
* I'm going to assume Wick comes back
Priority #4
I'm sticking it to the pitching staff. Establish the 5 man. Injuries and bad outings have resulted in alot of starts from a number of pitchers. I think Atlanta should go after a top notch starter. It's a must of Smoltz isn't returning. Whom, I can't answer that. Here's who we've so far.
-Tim Hudson
*He's shown glimpses of the Oakland version, but has yet to put up the #1 stats most Braves fans expected. Hudson is under contract for next year but after that his contract becomes back loaded, resulting in Hampton like money per season. I think the Braves really need to consider a possible trade by next July if his struggles continue. I like Hudson, but if your paying a guy $13M when he's 12-11 4.95 ERA, are you really getting your money's worth??
-Chuck James
*As I've said before a bright spot for the '06 season. Chuck James has been on fire as the year comes to a close. Those expectations will soon get even higher when 2007 comes around. James could be the third starter on the staff but will probably start out as number 4.
-Kyle Davies
*Coming off a serious injury is never easy. Kyle has struggled since his return but as in another post, don't give up on the guy. Kyle hasn't thrown many balls so just think of this time as ST. I believe Davies will make a solid return for '07.
-Mike Hampton
*Man oh man. Hampton is a guy most Braves fan wish weren't on the team. When your paying someone $13.5M to ride a training bike all year, it stings a bit. Hampton is coming off TJ surgery and as reports have stated expected to be back for '07. If he can return healthy it will defintely help stabilize this rotation.
-Horacio Ramirez
*Staying on the course of injured players, HoRam has had his share. I don't think Ramirez will return, but he very well could. That doesn't make much sense does it. I personally have given this guy many chances, but he's just too injury prone. With James, Davies, and possibly Hampton in 2007, Ramirez looks like to be the odd man out. If he's back next year, I will be suprised and it won't be the first time.
-John Smoltz
*Includes a 2007 option worth $8M. I said it earlier, he must be resigned for run towards a division, playoff whatever. If this happens, I look for it sometime after the world series before the cutoff date which is sometime in Nov. I think.
-Lance Cormier
* A long shot darkhorse for the 2007 rotation. He's been a good starter at the triple A level and has shown promise while starting in Atlanta. I think the only way he'll be starting is if Smoltz, Hampton, or Ramirez doesn't return. He very well could be traded. He's proven to pitch in the minors and is major league ready, but will there be enough room and can he continue to pitch well.
After all that here's my predicted 2007 rotation: Hudson, Smoltz, Hampton, James, Davies. This maybe the longest post I've ever had here at the Dugout. Well, it will be a few days before I write part 2 followed by 3 and 4. So look for those sometime next week. In the meantime let's enjoy some Braves baseball while it's still around.
posted by Adam at
3:03 PM
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