we've got to sign someone. They all have flaws and the contracts are going to be high. Not sure Gray is the guy at 34 if he's supposed to be the long term replacement for Max.
I’d prefer signing a starter on a very short term deal so that the ascent of Darius Vines to the regular 5 man isn’t delayed.
There’s enough young promise in the system that I don’t think you have to commit to a long-term FA signing this year. Maybe if there was a better option than currently is on the market. This will probably be a big year in deciding just what the future holds for a number of the system arms: it’s probably Ian and Ynoa’s last shots, we’ll see AJSS probably get significant innings, and Elder has a chance to show he can be a back-end staple if he can be more consistent. Waldrep will probably get some play later as well.
Based on the rankings list Gin Buckets sent me today I'm very high on Waldrep, the other Spencer S, and Cade Kuehler
The bigger issue is the only worthwhile starter they have under contract past this year is Strider and while he has moments, he’s not really an ace, per se. Frankly, on a title competitor, he should be a #2. Though in his defense, his peripherals were even better than I realized this season. With Fried and Morton likely gone at season’s end, they *have* to get a top of the rotation starter done this offseason.
Hopefully Yamamoto will be able to live up to the last Japanese ace we had, Braves legend Kenshin Kawakami
They have Murphy over Ritchie, which I wouldn't, but I understand why they did that with the upcoming TJ. Murphy scares me with his dip in velo -- not sure I'd have him in my top 10. https://outfieldflyrule.com/postseason-2023-atlanta-braves-top-30-prospects/ Here are the 31-60 guys from the Outfield Fly Rule folks. 31. Tyler Tolve, C 32. Cody Milligan, OF/2B 33. Keshawn Ogans, IF 34. Geraldo Quintero, 2B/OF 35. Brooks Wilson, RHP 36. Jorge Bautista, RHP 37. Tyler Owens, RHP 38. Seth Keller, RHP 39. Hayden Harris, RHP 40. John Gil, IF 41. Javier Valdes, 1B 42. Didier Fuentes, RHP 43. Ethan Workinger, OF 44. Jared Johnson, RHP 45. Cal Conley, IF 46. Leiker Figueroa, 2B 47. Cedric De Grandpre, RHP 48. Carlos Cordero, IF 49. Carlos Monteverde, OF 50. Angel Nieblas, IF 51. Kyle Wilcox, RHP 52. Kevin Kilpatrick, OF 53. John Estavez, OF 54. Landon Stephens, OF 55. Justin Dean, OF 56. Jair Casanova, OF 57. Rolddy Muñoz, RHP 58. Landon Harper, RHP 59. Shay Schanaman, RHP 60. Will Verdung, IF Fwiw; he said that he'd have Gowens around #40. Of the 31 - 60 guys, I really like Ogans (#33), Bautista (#36), and Workinger (#43), but I need to look into more of these guys though.
Its already been said, but Im glad we didnt fork over that kind of money for Nola. Hes good, but Ive always felt he was very hittable when we faced him
If Matzek comes back healthy we’re going to be throwing absolute filth in the 6th inning of Elder games Iglesias Minter Bummer Lopez Matzek Jimenez Johnson That’s before you talk about Kowar playing up with new coaching, Dylan Lee, Daysbel, any young guys, or someone like Ynoa moving to the pen.
Hoping Ynoa will handle that role and we can leave Lopez in the bullpen. Bowman also mentioned this will not affect the pursuit of Gray
And old. I hope he’s being signed with the intention of being a sort of Charlie 2.0 while we wait for either a younger FA option next year or some development in the farm system.
maybe snell is an option with how great this pen looks and possible multiple inning guys like ynoa and reynaldo