2012 Braves Season Thread

[Francoeurstein]

It's about that time of year, I'm surprised someone hasn't posted one of these yet.

I'd like to start the discussion off with a question: how do you guys think the Braves are gonna fare in 2012? I've seen some underrating of the Braves everywhere I look... I see them projected in 3rd, 4th place in the East, below .500, etc. I honestly think they have a shot to be solid, they just have a few question marks.

What do y'all think?

[PureBaseballFan]

It's about that time of year, I'm surprised someone hasn't posted one of these yet.

I'd like to start the discussion off with a question: how do you guys think the Braves are gonna fare in 2012? I've seen some underrating of the Braves everywhere I look... I see them projected in 3rd, 4th place in the East, below .500, etc. I honestly think they have a shot to be solid, they just have a few question marks.

What do y'all think?

I think the Braves come in 2nd and potentially 1st. (though that largely depends on the health of the Phillies) The major reason the Marlins and Nationals have "overtaken" the Braves in the eye of the media is because of injury concerns with the Braves (among other valid concerns) and the fact the they made big moves while Atlanta held the line.

I understand the first concern but believe that many overlook problems for both of the other teams. The Marlins I think have questions in the bullpen, clubhouse (Reyes, Ramirez, Zambrano, and Ozzie could work perfectly or could implode), and their rotation has a certain amount of questions, to be fair to them they could have an absolutely devastating offense. The Nationals are closer then the Marlins and have less questions but I do think one has to wonder about their offense as the success of it is based largely on the comeback of Werth and expectation that guys like Ramos, Espinosa, and Desmond will take the next step. (Questions similar to the Braves questions about their offense)

I don't think the Braves are a clear cut favorite for 2nd in the NL East but I think all 4 top teams in the NL East have big enough question marks that could actually sink their team, so while I think Atlanta will be 2nd (and a WC) I wouldn't be shocked if Atlanta finished anywhere other then last.

[TheJourneyman]

The one thing that worries me about the Braves is the offense. Will Chipper stay healthy? Will Heyward ever hit again? Will Freeman hit a sophomore slump? What will they do at SS? Pastornicky might not cut it especially if the offense is struggling. Uggla looks good so far this spring. Let's just hope he gets off to a better start this year. They have a chance to finish anywhere in the field in the East. I think they will fight for the WC again in 2nd behind the Phillies mainly because of the questions on offense.

[SamtheBravesFan]

The one thing that worries me about the Braves is the offense. Will Chipper stay healthy?

No, he will most certainly not. Just the way of the world with him. I'm looking forward to seeing if Fredi's hand is forced with Constanza having a terrible spring on both ends.

Will Heyward ever hit again?

Of course he will. It's highly unlikely that he has been so psychologically and mechanically damaged that he'll never recapture what made him good in the first place. If he has, well... that'd be REALLY sad.

Will Freeman hit a sophomore slump?

I'd argue he's already gone through something like that because he struck out a lot. It's all about making contact on the ball with him, and he was able to hit .282 with a normal .339 BABIP despite striking out 142 times.

What will they do at SS? Pastornicky might not cut it especially if the offense is struggling.

They're definitely going with him or Simmons; it'll be just like having Rafael Belliard all over again. At least Fredi won't be tempted to put either player at the top of the lineup, and I seriously doubt Jack Wilson will ever be the starter.

Uggla looks good so far this spring. Let's just hope he gets off to a better start this year.

I have the utmost confidence in that becase that slump of his was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. We're not seeing a slump and streak like he had for a while.

They have a chance to finish anywhere in the field in the East. I think they will fight for the WC again in 2nd behind the Phillies mainly because of the questions on offense.

Anywhere in the field? Even last behind the Mets?

[PureBaseballFan]

The Braves are signing Livan Hernandez. I have been badmouthing him for the past 5 years so hopefully he will never see anytime on the mound in Turner Field though with Fredi in the dugout he will be the opening day starter.

Edit :: Many are saying he is the likely 5th starter for the 1st month.

[SamtheBravesFan]

The Braves are signing Livan Hernandez. I have been badmouthing him for the past 5 years so hopefully he will never see anytime on the mound in Turner Field though with Fredi in the dugout he will be the opening day starter.

Edit :: Many are saying he is the likely 5th starter for the 1st month.

Makes sense to me. They'll go with him as long as he's good to give Teheran and Delgado free time to improve command in the minors. It's a win-win. Livan can't be as bad as Mark Redman.

[PureBaseballFan]

Makes sense to me. They'll go with him as long as he's good to give Teheran and Delgado free time to improve command in the minors. It's a win-win. Livan can't be as bad as Mark Redman.

The information now is that he will be a spot starter/longman taking a bullpen spot from Gearrin (who every time I see I become less impressed with) and that it won't have any affect on the 5th starter battle.

I don't mind Livan as the last guy in the bullpen and to be honest his very slow stuff might be alright as a reliever, the only completely positive thing about this signing is that even Fredi can't abuse Livan.

[SamtheBravesFan]

The information now is that he will be a spot starter/longman taking a bullpen spot from Gearrin (who every time I see I become less impressed with) and that it won't have any affect on the 5th starter battle.

I don't mind Livan as the last guy in the bullpen and to be honest his very slow stuff might be alright as a reliever, the only completely positive thing about this signing is that even Fredi can't abuse Livan.

Livan's the master of accumulating Pitcher Abuse Points and not getting hurt.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Does anybody else find it amazing that Livan Hernandez isn't 40 years old? Seems like he's been pitching forever. But, with his signing hopefully he'll be a solid stopgap until Hudson gets back. It'll be good to have his bat too.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Braves have acquired Reds 3B Juan Francisco in exchange for JJ Hoover. Possible 3rd baseman of the future?

[SamtheBravesFan]

Braves have acquired Reds 3B Juan Francisco in exchange for JJ Hoover. Possible 3rd baseman of the future?

Could be a left-handed infielder for the bench, because Terdoslavich is supposed to be playing in Gwinnett. I don't see why they'd trade for Francisco to stick him a level lower in Mississippi or change his position for Joe.

[PureBaseballFan]

He is a 24 year-old with monster power that had run out of options and had gotten into the doghouse of Reds management after showing up overweight this spring training.

Reports basically brake down to this.

* Huge Power
* Good Contact rate in the minors (to small of a sample size in majors)
* Strikeout to walk ratio is terrible, highest walk rate in minors 4.9% (for a full season)
* Range is below average though has a good arm

Basically you are looking at a guy who at his best might hit .270/.280/.450, the way I see him is a really poor man's Pablo Sandoval at best.

[Francoeurstein]

If he can OPS around .760-.780 while Chip is gone, then he's fine with me.

God I can't wait til Thursday..

[Blue387]

Francisco's mammoth blast
9/12/11: Juan Francisco crushes a 502-foot homer out of Great American Ball Park in the bottom of the second

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=19127709

[PureBaseballFan]

Braves vs. Future going on right now, really fun to see some of these prospects.

[Blue387]

1. What's going on with Jason Heyward? I watched his strikeout to end the game against the Mets against a straight 93mph fastball.

2. Michael Bourn has a career .291 OBP and .609 OPS against lefty starters. Is there someone else who could bat leadoff for the Braves against a lefty?

[SABR Steve]

Fifth place

[PureBaseballFan]

Fifth place

Is that a reply to Blue or your belief that the Braves are going to finished last in the division?

1. What's going on with Jason Heyward? I watched his strikeout to end the game against the Mets against a straight 93mph fastball.

2. Michael Bourn has a career .291 OBP and .609 OPS against lefty starters. Is there someone else who could bat leadoff for the Braves against a lefty?

1. High and straight fastball he was late on and swung under, these strikeouts happen to every major league player throughout the year. This is not to say that Heyward is perfectly fine but just that strikeout and one game means little to me until a decent sample size (not done in Spring) is taken.

2. The Braves knew about this wart with Bourn when they grabbed him. Only Pastornicky could provide the potential combo of quality speed and solid OBP but given that he is completely unproven in general it is highly unlikely he will take the leadoff spot let alone move out of the 8th slot.

[dominik]

atlanta really needs chipper back. they have good pitching but they have a hard time scoring runs.

I also hope that heyward can find back to his form. he is a tremendous athlete and a sophomore slump is normal. a lot of guys have a bad second year after a good rookie season.

however I have also heard some guys talking about that his swing mechanics are not good and he relied mostly on his athleticism which pitchers now have found out.

I hope for him this is not true and if it should be true that he works on his holes in his swing.

[PureBaseballFan]

Fredi Gonzalez Running Tally :: -2

Since we all don't seem to like Fredi much I thought we should start giving him a score. Basically I add a point for a choice I agree with and take away one for those that I don't.

Note :: This is purely for fun

+1 - Tyler Pastornicky starting SS
-1 - Jose Constanza over Durango/Parraz
+2 - Medlen and Hernandez go over 2 innings
-2 - Pinch-hitting Pastornicky with Hinske, then using Diaz against a RH Power Pitcher
+1 - Tommy Hanson Opening Day starter
-1 - Jack Wilson starting today
-2 - Eric Hinske 2 pinch-hit ABs, Constanza 3 pinch-hit ABs

[Los Bravos]

And his steadfast refual to ever pinch hit Ross, even if we're down to the last man.

[Los Bravos]

A perfectly healthy Heyward is sitting (in favor of Diaz) against Happ tonight.

This garbage cannot go on for much longer.

[PureBaseballFan]

A perfectly healthy Heyward is sitting (in favor of Diaz) against Happ tonight.

This garbage cannot go on for much longer.

What you don't like our manager living in the past?

Just be thankful that Julio Franco isn't on the team because he would likely be platooning with Freeman right now.

[PureBaseballFan]

Matt Diaz has really done a great job against lefties and his defense in right has been great this game.

[Los Bravos]

This bullpen's "bridge" has been washed away by a flood.