The All-Star break isn't really the halfway point of the season, but it's the perfect time to separate what's temporary from what I think is here to stay.
A couple Braves SPs from the past to consider as they approach this year’s trade trade deadline…Vern Bickford and Bill Voiselle. Who are Bickford and Voiselle? The 3rd and 4th starters on the 1948 Braves team. A clever turn of a phrase by a baseball writer (and great performances by Spahn and Sain down the stretch) gave these guys an unfair rap. They went 11-5 with a 3.27 ERA and 13-13 with a 3.65 ERA, respectively for the Braves in ‘48. Which leads us to trade deadline moves in 2026. I agree with Michael. Just like adding arms to Spahn and Sain wasn’t the critical factor in ‘48, adding another SP isn’t going to be the deciding factor for this team. And given the projected lack of teams in sell-mode, the cost of prospects for another arm is going likely to be too high. The 3 big power guys (Acuna, Olsen and Riley) have to perform and the other guys have to provide consistent run generation as well.
Lindsay, while you make some logical points, it is how MUCH I believe each point for me to draw your conclusion. You are assuming the result of potentially giving away the future to succeed this year will reap another Chris Sale. But, what if it reaps another Kim? What if AA pays $20MM/year to someone who does nothing, or does what a $1MM/year player can do? And how does that enable us to compete with the loaded Dodgers who simply coast along with the confidence of a dynasty.
Not saying AA shouldn't "look" and "shop". But the prices I see from last winter on other teams (e.g., Bichette) say "hold" more than it does "buy". The results of BRAVES last winter (notwithstanding Dubon) say "hold". Philly will reclaim the NL East by July 25 and never look back. And it won't be because AA didn't move during the trade deadline. It will be because of Riley, Kim, Murphy (2-1/2 year slump = injured to death/career over) and the "back to normal" results from Smith, Mateo, Elder, etc.
I'm hoping that you are right and that I am so, so wrong.
I don't believe they should sell the farm, I just think we need to be prepared for whatever trade we do make costing more than we're comfortable with. Seemingly the core tenet behind AA'a tenure has been the unwillingness to make uncomfortable deals
AA at the start of his career he would throw the dice and make big prospect moves. He may again this year. I believe they are going to be very cautious about Hartman and Cam. Hartman's rise from the edge of the back of the top 30 prospects has given a little hope Cam could still be with the Braves if we get a big time starter. I have so much excitement for the farm before the draft. Now, with this influx of talent that may or may not sign, I am over the moon at the moment for the possibilities for the farm. I could see them trading one or the other of Hartman or Cam but hopefully not either and especially not both. It will be an interesting deadline. At some point this year the WS will be over and everything will be in lock down mode etc....I will do my best to enjoy the game on the field. Enjoy this great Braves team with so many amazing players and coaches who will at some point all leave the team for some reason. I hope I am around to see it.
Excellent, well-researched article, Lindsay. I don't want to see the Braves' minor league talent wiped out but I agree that now is the time to strike for a stud SP. Spahn and Sain were two studs that made it happen. Wheeler and Sanchez are making it happen in Philadelphia. Sale and any of the other current SP's are not going to get it done. Sadly, though, I doubt that AA (and McGuirk) have the courage to make a truly bold move and it will be a cautious, half-hearted move for another mid-level guy with little gained.
A couple Braves SPs from the past to consider as they approach this year’s trade trade deadline…Vern Bickford and Bill Voiselle. Who are Bickford and Voiselle? The 3rd and 4th starters on the 1948 Braves team. A clever turn of a phrase by a baseball writer (and great performances by Spahn and Sain down the stretch) gave these guys an unfair rap. They went 11-5 with a 3.27 ERA and 13-13 with a 3.65 ERA, respectively for the Braves in ‘48. Which leads us to trade deadline moves in 2026. I agree with Michael. Just like adding arms to Spahn and Sain wasn’t the critical factor in ‘48, adding another SP isn’t going to be the deciding factor for this team. And given the projected lack of teams in sell-mode, the cost of prospects for another arm is going likely to be too high. The 3 big power guys (Acuna, Olsen and Riley) have to perform and the other guys have to provide consistent run generation as well.
Lindsay, while you make some logical points, it is how MUCH I believe each point for me to draw your conclusion. You are assuming the result of potentially giving away the future to succeed this year will reap another Chris Sale. But, what if it reaps another Kim? What if AA pays $20MM/year to someone who does nothing, or does what a $1MM/year player can do? And how does that enable us to compete with the loaded Dodgers who simply coast along with the confidence of a dynasty.
Not saying AA shouldn't "look" and "shop". But the prices I see from last winter on other teams (e.g., Bichette) say "hold" more than it does "buy". The results of BRAVES last winter (notwithstanding Dubon) say "hold". Philly will reclaim the NL East by July 25 and never look back. And it won't be because AA didn't move during the trade deadline. It will be because of Riley, Kim, Murphy (2-1/2 year slump = injured to death/career over) and the "back to normal" results from Smith, Mateo, Elder, etc.
I'm hoping that you are right and that I am so, so wrong.
I don't believe they should sell the farm, I just think we need to be prepared for whatever trade we do make costing more than we're comfortable with. Seemingly the core tenet behind AA'a tenure has been the unwillingness to make uncomfortable deals
I meant it more as in "you can't hug a prospect that might not be up until 28 or 29" than I did as "sell the farm"
They paid Carter Beck $2.7 million ?
I thought they did him a favor drafting him.
There is a rule they had to offer Carter Beck AT LEAST 75 % of his slot value.
So you can't blame them what they paid him.
My question would be there were better prospects they could have drafted at #26 that would have signed for that $ 2.7 Million
AA at the start of his career he would throw the dice and make big prospect moves. He may again this year. I believe they are going to be very cautious about Hartman and Cam. Hartman's rise from the edge of the back of the top 30 prospects has given a little hope Cam could still be with the Braves if we get a big time starter. I have so much excitement for the farm before the draft. Now, with this influx of talent that may or may not sign, I am over the moon at the moment for the possibilities for the farm. I could see them trading one or the other of Hartman or Cam but hopefully not either and especially not both. It will be an interesting deadline. At some point this year the WS will be over and everything will be in lock down mode etc....I will do my best to enjoy the game on the field. Enjoy this great Braves team with so many amazing players and coaches who will at some point all leave the team for some reason. I hope I am around to see it.
"Chris Sale and four days of hail”
Lately, is been more like "No offensive support for Sale and four days of hell!"
Excellent, well-researched article, Lindsay. I don't want to see the Braves' minor league talent wiped out but I agree that now is the time to strike for a stud SP. Spahn and Sain were two studs that made it happen. Wheeler and Sanchez are making it happen in Philadelphia. Sale and any of the other current SP's are not going to get it done. Sadly, though, I doubt that AA (and McGuirk) have the courage to make a truly bold move and it will be a cautious, half-hearted move for another mid-level guy with little gained.