A plan to stretch Furentes out and make him a starter makes perfect sense. Did Alex provide insight on other internal Braves’ options for the rotation besides Strider & Schwellenbach (Ritchie, Murphy, AJSS, Cam, et.al.)? We need one or two to be ready to be in the 2027 rotation. I’m all for trying to acquire another starter(s) and re-signing Mahle seems like a good option. But building a rotation by FA and / or trades is much harder than most people making comments think it is.
Starting pitching has changed dramatically in the last decade and the options are extremely limited. And the number of innings SPs cover has declined as well.
In 2026, 38 pitchers achieved “quality starter” status. I’ve defined it as 150 innings with a sub-4.00 ERA. That’s 1.3 SPs per team. The only teams with more than two were Cleveland (4) and Philly (3). The only team with four last year - the Cubs - had one this year. The Braves had two (Sale and Holmes).
Here is the amazing statistic: There were eight (8) pitchers in all of MLB that made this list in 2025 and 2026. (9 if you add in Wheeler who pitched 149 ininnings in 2025).
Put the Dodgers aside an exception due to the structural payroll advantage it seems MLB granted them by not revenue sharing local tv and I have 2 take-aways: 1. Teams should have a plan to build a rotation internally with controllable pitchers and 2. Teams need pitching depth.
AA needs to add an SP (s)…I agree… but whomever he gets brings injury and regression risk. Give the young guys a shot and build depth.
Another terrible idea from “Arrogant” Anthopolous. Should we expect anything else? Didier was great as a reliever. Leave him there and make him the closer. Braves track record with young starters is horrible. He’s not gonna be “shortened” into a reliever when he loses close to 2 seasons recovering from the inevitable Tommy John surgery. Sign proven vets for starters and let Didier close.
I realize Fuentes was a very young, raw rookie when he was given a shot at starting and did not excel. A year later he really excels as a reliever. The bullpen has become an ever increasingly important part of successful teams - why not continue to let him grow and possibly be groomed as a closer?
Guarantee you Liberty Media and A.A. are voting for a Salary Cap, International Draft of 18 year olds, Rule 4 only draft College Players any and all the Cheap proposals to wreck Baseball
They don't even need a Salary Cap. Look at the Playoff teams. All "Bottom Feeders", except for Dodgers. Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, etc.
A plan to stretch Furentes out and make him a starter makes perfect sense. Did Alex provide insight on other internal Braves’ options for the rotation besides Strider & Schwellenbach (Ritchie, Murphy, AJSS, Cam, et.al.)? We need one or two to be ready to be in the 2027 rotation. I’m all for trying to acquire another starter(s) and re-signing Mahle seems like a good option. But building a rotation by FA and / or trades is much harder than most people making comments think it is.
Starting pitching has changed dramatically in the last decade and the options are extremely limited. And the number of innings SPs cover has declined as well.
In 2026, 38 pitchers achieved “quality starter” status. I’ve defined it as 150 innings with a sub-4.00 ERA. That’s 1.3 SPs per team. The only teams with more than two were Cleveland (4) and Philly (3). The only team with four last year - the Cubs - had one this year. The Braves had two (Sale and Holmes).
Here is the amazing statistic: There were eight (8) pitchers in all of MLB that made this list in 2025 and 2026. (9 if you add in Wheeler who pitched 149 ininnings in 2025).
Put the Dodgers aside an exception due to the structural payroll advantage it seems MLB granted them by not revenue sharing local tv and I have 2 take-aways: 1. Teams should have a plan to build a rotation internally with controllable pitchers and 2. Teams need pitching depth.
AA needs to add an SP (s)…I agree… but whomever he gets brings injury and regression risk. Give the young guys a shot and build depth.
Another terrible idea from “Arrogant” Anthopolous. Should we expect anything else? Didier was great as a reliever. Leave him there and make him the closer. Braves track record with young starters is horrible. He’s not gonna be “shortened” into a reliever when he loses close to 2 seasons recovering from the inevitable Tommy John surgery. Sign proven vets for starters and let Didier close.
Are there plans for Ray Kerr to be stretched out also? I'd imagine the Braves would like to see if he can continue the playoff success.
I realize Fuentes was a very young, raw rookie when he was given a shot at starting and did not excel. A year later he really excels as a reliever. The bullpen has become an ever increasingly important part of successful teams - why not continue to let him grow and possibly be groomed as a closer?
Guarantee you Liberty Media and A.A. are voting for a Salary Cap, International Draft of 18 year olds, Rule 4 only draft College Players any and all the Cheap proposals to wreck Baseball
They don't even need a Salary Cap. Look at the Playoff teams. All "Bottom Feeders", except for Dodgers. Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, etc.
Good to be back lindsay
Glad to have you back!