"Maybe this is the perpetual optimist in me, but I’m inclined to think things will end on the more positive side of the middle"
Lindsay, obviously this newsletter was put to bed before you knew Wentz tore his ACL and is out for the year. With this knowledge, do you still believe "things will end on the more positive side of the middle." Or are you now of a mind that Alex needs to sign Giolito today?
"On Giolito, I still don't think he's actually GOOD ..."
100%! There is a REASON he's available on March 9 less than three weeks before the season starts.
I certainly agree with the old adage that when a coach or GM starts listening to the fans, they wind up sitting with them (ie fired). That said, is there a case for AA to sign Giolito or make a trade just to do "something"?
Outstanding analysis. Given that the current status of the pitching staff is skating on thin ice, I think the key is the offense carrying more of the load, like when Elder or Wentz give up 4 runs in 4 innings. Can the offense overcome the absence of the '23 and '24 versions of Ozuna?
Yeah, that's the same point I made a few weeks ago - a top ten offense can absolutely cover for this rotation, but the DH spot was a question even before losing Jurickson Profar
Excellent analysis and perspective. I suppose it’s natural, but commentators almost always ignore or understate the risks associated with potential SP acquisitions. Every SP carries risk in today’s game. Besides some health luck and the emergence of a prospect or two, the Braves also likely to need a strong bullpen that can carry plenty of innings effectively. At least on paper, they seem to have it.
Agreed on the pen. I've got something coming later this week, talking about roles in the pen and how it could come together. The big looming decision, to me, is Hamilton (contract) vs Karinchak (performance) vs Suarez (expected role) for the final spot
The best case scenario is that Schwellenbach and Waldrep come back strong, and one of the young starters emerges to bump Lopez and Holmes to the pen.
The most likely outcome is that before Schwellenbach and Waldrep get back, we win most of the starts Sale and Strider make, and we lose half the starts the 3-5 starters make. The bullpen may get taxed with multiple innings when Lopez, Holmes, Elder and Wentz start.
Not much
"Maybe this is the perpetual optimist in me, but I’m inclined to think things will end on the more positive side of the middle"
Lindsay, obviously this newsletter was put to bed before you knew Wentz tore his ACL and is out for the year. With this knowledge, do you still believe "things will end on the more positive side of the middle." Or are you now of a mind that Alex needs to sign Giolito today?
Thanks! Great analysis, as always!!
lol it's pretty hard to convince me of the positives in anything right now, and I'm a perpetual optimist. Hate this for the guy.
On Giolito, I still don't think he's actually GOOD but we'll talk about that in tomorrow's newsletter
"On Giolito, I still don't think he's actually GOOD ..."
100%! There is a REASON he's available on March 9 less than three weeks before the season starts.
I certainly agree with the old adage that when a coach or GM starts listening to the fans, they wind up sitting with them (ie fired). That said, is there a case for AA to sign Giolito or make a trade just to do "something"?
Outstanding analysis. Given that the current status of the pitching staff is skating on thin ice, I think the key is the offense carrying more of the load, like when Elder or Wentz give up 4 runs in 4 innings. Can the offense overcome the absence of the '23 and '24 versions of Ozuna?
Yeah, that's the same point I made a few weeks ago - a top ten offense can absolutely cover for this rotation, but the DH spot was a question even before losing Jurickson Profar
Excellent analysis and perspective. I suppose it’s natural, but commentators almost always ignore or understate the risks associated with potential SP acquisitions. Every SP carries risk in today’s game. Besides some health luck and the emergence of a prospect or two, the Braves also likely to need a strong bullpen that can carry plenty of innings effectively. At least on paper, they seem to have it.
Agreed on the pen. I've got something coming later this week, talking about roles in the pen and how it could come together. The big looming decision, to me, is Hamilton (contract) vs Karinchak (performance) vs Suarez (expected role) for the final spot
The best case scenario is that Schwellenbach and Waldrep come back strong, and one of the young starters emerges to bump Lopez and Holmes to the pen.
The most likely outcome is that before Schwellenbach and Waldrep get back, we win most of the starts Sale and Strider make, and we lose half the starts the 3-5 starters make. The bullpen may get taxed with multiple innings when Lopez, Holmes, Elder and Wentz start.