Posts tagged ‘Winter Meetings’

The Braves’ front office likely left this year’s meetings in Nashville thinking they took care of most of their offseason moves that need to be addressed. We want to know how you feel, though, during the post-winter meetings aftermath. Sometimes winter meetings are as much about the deals that you don’t make just as much as the deals that you do. For instance, one rumor floating around was a trade for Chuck James for a quality outfielder for a year or two. The deal eventually did not go down but how would the pitching staff look without James?

The Braves organization is still seeking a veteran catcher for the upcoming season. We have plenty of youth at the catcher spot but the back up role usually goes to a catcher that is good defensively and can handle the pitching staff adequately. Otherwise Clint Sammons would be the backup catcher of the future, something that just does not exist.

With the trade of right handed reliever Jose Ascanio for left handed reliever Will Ohman and infielder Omar Infante the Braves were able to fill two additional needs. Thus I feel that we had a successful winter meetings. I look at the addition of Josh Anderson from the Tigers as a positive change in CF. The club has lacked speed for years now and if this guy is half the outfield Andruw Jones was the Braves will be alright. We did not make a “blockbuster” trade or change the nucleus of the team but what we did do is assure another winning season for the Braves.

I can’t wait until spring training…it seems the same as Christmas morning with a bunch of presents. We have no clue what’s in them but we know it’s going to be a lot of fun finding out! E-mail us anytime at hosts@bravescast.com or call us at 679-608-2721.

Roberts Trivia

Last Weeks Question

Who was the last Atlanta Braves pitcher to lose 20 games in one season?
Answer: Phil Neikro in 1977

This Weeks Question

Which 4 Atlanta Braves players have won the rookie of the year?

To answer email us at hosts@bravescast.com or leave a voicemail at 679-608-2721.

Major League Baseball’s winter meetings are coming up this week and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what should be on this year’s wish list for the Braves. Realistically the Braves are going to the meeting probably only looking seriously at a left-handed pitcher. With the addition of Josh Anderson, a young extremely speedy center fielder the Braves may have found the center fielder of the future — now. Anderson is by no means a proven veteran player. They would be taken a risk with him as a starter but, he is a leadoff hitter and also a very solid outfielder. There will not be a need for this guy to have a certain average or runs batted in. Just get on base any way possible, steal bases, and put pressure on the opposing defense.

With that being said, there are the occasional “Blockbuster” trades that take place at these meetings. There is still a lot to offer in Atlanta’s farm system. The minor league system is full of talent that other teams will love to have. There is always the possibility of trading a young player similar to the Salty deal last year. I hope personally that the lineup stays somewhat the same as it is penciled in now. We have pitching, defense, speed and enough power to get by. I am more concerned about signing our young players to long term deals. I hope that Francouer can be locked up this winter and Kelly Johnson and Escobar should not be far behind if not this season defiantly next. I look forward to seeing Escobar drop to the two spot and the power guys come up to bat with guys on base in front of them.

Francouer, Chipper and Texeria should all have huge numbers this year if healthy. On top of my wish list is a speedy off season. I am so ready for some more baseball. Just thing after the holidays come and go we will only be a matter of weeks till catcher and pitchers report to spring training. Hope everone has a happy holiday and feel free to contact us to talk baseball at any time.

Robert’s Trivia

Last weeks Q & A
Who led the National League in losses in 1988?
Answer: Tom Glavine

This Weeks Question

Who was the last Atlanta Braves pitcher to lose 20 games in one season?

Ways to answer, e-mail hosts@bravescast.com or voicemail 678-608-2721