[ad_1]
The Atlanta Braves heated the Hot Stove reels on Monday by signing a two-year contract. Namely, they inked Josh Donaldson third base player for $ 23 million and veteran receiver and former Brave Brian McCann to a much more modest pact.
The Braves are of course the defending champions of eastern NL. In 2018, they reached the division title while they were very neglected in the National's pre-season. They did it with generally young and very promising training. As such, the Braves have one of the best long-term prospects of any baseball team, but these two targeted additions focus on their short-term prospects. In the end, it's also pretty strong.
Let's take a closer look at where the Braves are after their big Monday …
Donaldson's signature is a calculated risk wise
The Braves got a good Johan Camargo production at third base last season, but when you have a chance to get the most valuable former player on a one year contract, you made. Donaldson has had a lot of problems with the calves for a good part of the last two seasons, and he did not really hit before being traded from the Blue Jays to the Indians. However, with Cleveland, Donaldson has been more successful in meeting his advanced standards (146 OPS +). Yes, the size of the sample was tiny (60 appearances on the plates), but it was remarkable to see something that looked like Donaldson vintage in terms of production and quality of contacts.
Yes, Donaldson is about to turn 33, but he can still accumulate power while remaining selective and playing at least a third goal on average. In addition, it is really hoped that leaving Rogers Center will help Donaldson's bottom half to stay healthy. Beyond all this, he is obviously very encouraged to stay healthy and productive, since he will be back on the independent agents market next winter. It's a risk for the Braves, yes, but if Donaldson keeps his predictions while staying healthy, he'll justify the price, and then a little more.
They do not need McCann to carry the load behind the plate
McCann did not really hit last season, but the 34-year-old has only two fewer seasons out of a total of 106 OPS + for the Astros with 18 homers in 97 games. Obviously, McCann is not an everyday catcher – he has not caught more than 1,000 heats since 2015 – but he does not need to do it on this team. That's because the Braves also have the underrated flowers, Tyler, on the list. In addition to being a talented defender, Flowers also has a .360 OBP over the past three seasons. As a right-handed batter, he forms a natural squad with left-handed McCann. In other words, the Braves currently have an enviable depth of capture.
The rotation is potentially in good shape
Last season, the Braves ranked second in the rotation for the NL in NL. and a respectable seventh place in rotation. FIP. Brandon McCarthy and (presumably) Anibal Sanchez will not be back, leaving the Braves with this likely start of five …
- Mike Foltynewicz
- Julio Tehran
- Kevin Gausman
- Sean Newcomb
- Touki Toussaint
Of these, Gausman is the oldest state man aged 27 and 324 days. The Braves of last season gave the start to 13 different pitchers, the depth is obviously important, as for each team. On this front, the Braves have a very promising young weapons loom that can be blocked in case of injury or inefficiency – Luiz Gohara, Mike Soroka, Kyle Wright, Kolby Allard, Max Fried, Kyle Wright and Joey Wentz. At least one major service ranked all of these names among the top 100 baseball hopefuls at the start of last season. All are ready or will soon be at the highest level.
C & # 39; a rare depth internally, and that means the Braves can sit safely in this derby for beginners as free agents. The recent deep reconstruction of Atlanta focused on the shot put, and the fruits of this effort will help them greatly in the coming season (and beyond).
They still have needs
At the moment, Camargo is written in pencil on the Braves. Really, however, it is best to use it as a super-casual substitute for Donaldson in third place. Camargo, in two major league seasons, has spent time in third, short, second and left, and obviously, the Braves think he's able to hold on. Add to that an above-average plate production, and the 25-year-old, who could soon become one, could become Ben Zobrist Lite or even become Full Zobrist in the years to come. Having this type of weapon makes alignment easier, but since Camargo is much better on the right, he may be stretched out as a regular. That's also why he's not a platoon worthy of Adam Duvall.
The Braves, then, could use an outside field bat to knock to the left. Ambitious minds will jump in on behalf of Bryce Harper, who has been informally linked to the Braves in the past. On the other hand …
That's why, presumably. Bringing Nick Markakis back, provided he is willing to accept a platoon role and a short-term contract, is a possibility. Carlos Gonzalez and Lonnie Chisenhall are also available.
As for the market, it needs work. Last season, the Atlanta Rescue Corps ranked 10th in the NHL for EPO and 8th in FIP. This is suboptimal, especially for a team that designs on the global series. The Braves should be at stake for, for example, Joe Kelly and Andrew Miller or Zach Britton (I would like to avoid Craig Kimbrel, since he seems to be a downward candidate in 2018 and beyond). David Robertson could also be a reasonable addition. This overabundance of young beginners mentioned above can also be exploited for help. As for the incumbents, Arodys Vizcaino and A.J. Minter have an advantage, and Darren O 'Day is a returning candidate. This is a mixed approach that may require a reshuffle during the season, but the Braves have enough weapons and resources to build a better unit.
If they fulfill these needs, then they will be perhaps the best team of the BN.
Obviously, it all depends on the position of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado and, whatever the results, the Dodgers, Cubs and Brewers will probably have their say on "the best team in Newfoundland on paper". The Braves, however, are in a position to have a solid case.
Ronald Acuna is perhaps already the best player in the National League in terms of projections for 2019 and has played only 111 games last season. The promise of a full campaign from Acuna pushes the Braves' needles forward. In addition, the young soldiers Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson have probably not yet found their respective ceilings. Add to that the depth of rotation and one of the best one-in-four baseball hitter, and the Braves look like the big favorites of the NL East (and that's the case even though the Phillies let the steal dollars this winter).
In addition, the Braves won 90 games last season, but their base level may be a bit higher. Differential per round, they played more like a team of 92 wins. Take a look at the BaseRuns rankings available on FanGraphs, which corrects some sequencing and bundling effects inherent in the performance differential, and you'll find that the Braves also played more like a team of 92 wins at that level. In other words, their reference level for 2019 is a bit higher than their registration would suggest. Add, say, another 40 Acuna games, then Donaldson and younger weapons further development, and you may be talking about a team with a projection of 95-100 wins.
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has probably not completed his efforts, but the events of Monday, as well as the already strong state of the Braves, make it a potential power for the coming season.
[ad_2]
Source link
