Braves Offseason

Braves Offseason Update

  If you're a true Braves fan, the picture aboves cuts deep. It hurts. Not only do we have to watch Brian McCann with another team, that team is the dreadful Yankees. The Yankees are the Nickelback of the MLB. The casual fans love them, but people that pay attention,  know they're worse than Cruela De Vil.  McCann has been with the Braves since his rookie season, and has been their catcher ever since. Now we can't like him, its against the rules.  So, to me, he is now Brian McCannot. What an awful joke. Oh well let's talk about some pieces the Braves have added.

  I came into the offseason hoping for 3 things: lefty hitting second baseman, ACE starting pitcher, and a catcher. Looks like I won't get any of them so, happy offseason to me.

  Last week they signed 1B/3B Mat Gamel. Gamel is a 28 year old failed prospect coming off two ACL surgeries. With that said, his last full season with AAA Nashville, the dude went for .310 average, 28 bombs, and 96 rbi. So, the talent is definitely there, the Braves just have to hope it translates to the majors. Also, obviously have to hope for a full recovery as well. With the two knee surgeries his defense might be lacking at 3rd base. But with Andrelton Simmons next to him, they can probably get away with playing him there when Chris Johnson needs a day off. Low risk move and has the potential to pay off big time.

  Yesterday, it was announced that the Braves have traded minor league lefty Sean Gilmartin for Ryan Doumit. What a trade right? Doumit will likely be a pinch hitter and 3rd catcher. He is a switch hitter, but likely will be used mostly from the left side.  He hit .229 vs righties last year with 12 Home Runs in 340 at bats. On the season, he hit .247 with 14 Home Runs and 55 rbis. Safe to say this isn't the catcher I was hoping for. Losing Sean Gilmartin isn't going to hurt anything though. Yes, he was a 1st round pick, but last season in AAA he had a 5.74 ERA and 3.3 BB/9. That is not good for a soft throwing lefty.

  The biggest pickup of the Braves offseason so far is....wait for it....Gavin Floyd. Definition of ace pitcher, wait no that's wrong. He's coming off Tommy John surgery and only threw 24 innings Last season.  I'm dogging him, but I actually kind of like the pick up. Just not the ace I was hoping for, but as the number 5 pitcher, I expect him to be solid. His last full season in 2012, he sported a 4.29 era with US Cellular field. Widely known as a hitters park. So being in spacious Turner Field should help his numbers.  The real bright spot in the 9.2 K/9, but he had a 4.4 BB/9. But the Braves pitching coaches work wonders with strikeout pitchers. Craig Kimbrel, Jordan Walden, Julio Teheran are all examples of pitchers that the walks dropped and the strikeouts rose when joining the major league team. 

  The offseason isn't over yet, and I expect the Braves will make some more moves, but good chance it won't be anything major.