2010 MLB Season Discussion

[Cephius]

As a general rule, you don't bring any highly-touted prospect into the majors unless you're prepared to give him a starting job. You don't want a guy like that rotting on the bench in the majors when he could be getting better in the minors. I haven't been following the Braves OF situation that closely but they already have Melky/McLouth/Hinkse right?

I'd let Heyward start in the minors, and bring him up if his performance demands it.

[Moss]

He could definitely start from day 1. We will likely roll with McLouth in center, Melky/Diaz platoon in left and Heyward in right. If Heyward starts in the minors we will probably throw Hinske in the mix at both corner outfield spots. Pretty sure Hinske was just signed as a bench bat and occasional starter.

edit: As of last Saturday he was hitting .387/.548/.613 in 13 games with nine walks and five strikeouts in 31 at-bats.

[Cephius]

That sounds like it'd work, as long as they leave him there. Just like when the Orioles brought up Wieters. They gave him the job and stuck with him even though he was hitting .200 for awhile. I think if you start sending guys down and bringing them up again it can create confidence problems. Either start him in the minors and bring him up for good later, or let him start from the get-go. Personally I like bringing them up later in the year to lessen the pressure and let the kid get his legs under him, since a lot of guys tend to be slow starters.

[Moss]

Yup, I agree with all of those views. All reports indicate Heyward is as grounded as they come and he isn't letting the hype affect him, but like you said I think it would much easier on him to start in the minors.

[Soa]

I completely agree with you both, I was just curious to see if you thought the Braves would be tempted to bring him up right away, since they are true contenders for the playoffs this season (and it being Bobby Cox's final year and all).

[Bozo]

Braves v. Mets on ESPN, good shit.

How many Yankees did they interview? No, I don't mean the Mets.

[Nightbreed]

Need some fantasy help please:

So with Nathan done, I need to fill his spot.

What's left:

Brad Lidge
Bobby Jenks
Frank Francisco
Matt Thornton

[Akiyama]

Good god, that's tough. Is that really all that's left..? Ew. Is Francisco the Rangers closer for sure? If so, I'd say him or Lidge.. even with Lidge being hurt, he may help later on.

[Nightbreed]

EDIT: Picked up Francisco for now.

[Moss]

I completely agree with you both, I was just curious to see if you thought the Braves would be tempted to bring him up right away, since they are true contenders for the playoffs this season (and it being Bobby Cox's final year and all).

Oh they will definitely have a hard time sending him down, he has played as well as anyone could have hoped. I still think it might turn out better even for this year if he starts in the minors, then when he comes up he will be ready to tear shit up.

[Alderaan]

Everyone on the team wants him there, they feel the team has some real chemistry right now. You don't mess with chemistry. I also feel that letting him play now may help down the road when the hometown discount option is tossed around. Plus with McLouth struggling so badly, i don't think you cost your team wins now for something 4 years down the line.

[Akiyama]

Some reason, I read McLouth as McCann. Curse having two Mc's on a team. D:

[Alderaan]

Speaking of McCann, i'm excited he had his second eye surgery to fix his botched one. Kinda crazy he couldn't see the ball half of the time last season. You could see it between pitches, he was really fighting it.

[Cephius]

Hughes is the Yankees 5th starter. Joba back to the bullpen where he belongs. Good luck, American League.

[Byrd]

Hell of a catch by Ichiro the other day:

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news...=.jsp&c_id=sea

[Alderaan]

It's official, Heyward will be the opening day right fielder. Woot!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...braves-heyward

[Moss]

Yeah it would be kind of hard to send him down with how he has played this spring.

[Soa]

That's a big boost for their lineup, looks like we may have a race in the NL East after all.

[Moss]

hell yes another Braves spring training game on ESPN, I'm getting spoiled.

[Alderaan]

I'm enjoying this discussion during the Braves game about eliminating the DH. Get rid of that shit already. It should go the way of the circular, astroturf ballparks of the 70's.