Atlanta Braves II

[005]

I would say definite no to the nationals and red sox. I would argue no to the phillies and rangers without Hamilton in CF. Yankees, yes.

No C comes close to McCann, Napoli 1/2 season fluke not withstanding if you even want to consider him their catcher. UGGLA outhomers everyone. Bourn steals more bases than anyone.

The nationals were a joke, though the up the middle shows some promise.

Phils if healthy easy Yes

Napoli/Andrus/Kinsler is better, and Hamilton as CF makes that a blow out

Red Sox lack C/SS, but their CF and 2B are elite.

Braves do lack depth which is worrisome, but if those three perform, they're right at the top of the league in up the middle production, save shortstop.

 

[TBrown]

Phils if healthy easy Yes

I see your point and concede differing opinions everywhere but here. The dominant Chase Utley everyone likes to remember doesn't exist anymore. Rollins is now fairly average. I would take UGGLA over Utley easily. McCann over Ruiz easily. I'd personally prefer victorino to Bourn, but victorino and Rollins don't make up the difference from the other two. And that's with the phillies healthy.

 

[005]

To each their own sir. Not saying I hate the braves guys. Though the only one I love is mccann

 

[005]

And Utley was better than Uggla last season.

 

[GAVol]

And Utley was better than Uggla last season.

The only thing that makes that remotely debatable is Uggla's avg. He outpaced Utley in just about every other offensive category.

 

[005]

Utley playing something resembling defense doesn't hurt his case, either.

 

[GAVol]

Utley playing something resembling defense doesn't hurt his case, either.

Uggla was fine defensively last year. Actually a lot better than I expected.

 

[005]

And still managed to be the worst defensive second baseman in the bigs.

 

[TBrown]

We align in pretty much every baseball discussion I've been apart of on this board but UGGLA is better than Utley as of today and last season.

Also we were talking about up the middle bats, not gloves. And as GA stated, UGGLA was fine defensively last season. Better than I expected. I doubt any 2nd baseman turns the double play as well.

 

[005]

I doubt any 2nd baseman turns the double play as well.

Very wrong...



And, how does fine defensively equal worst defensive second baseman in baseball?

Offensively they were close. And Utley's health is obviously a concern.

And, again, from what I am looking at... Utley had a better year last year. Higher WAR (which is a counting stat, accrued over the season)... in 103 games vs Uggla's 161.

Utley OPS: .769
Uggla OPS: .764

I'll gladly take a full year of Utley over Uggla.

 

[TBrown]

cool story brah. You're aware of the horrendous start UGGLA got off to and you're touting Utley out OPSing him by .05?

Very wrong...



And, how does fine defensively equal worst defensive second baseman in baseball?

Offensively they were close. And Utley's health is obviously a concern.

And, again, from what I am looking at... Utley had a better year last year. Higher WAR (which is a counting stat, accrued over the season)... in 103 games vs Uggla's 161.

Utley OPS: .769
Uggla OPS: .764

I'll gladly take a full year of Utley over Uggla.

 

[TBrown]

Whens the last time chase Utley hit 36 HRs in a pitcher's park?

 

[GAVol]

I'll gladly take a full year of Utley over Uggla.

And there's the rub . . . Utley hasn't played anything resembling a full season since 2009 and he's not looking too good for this year with his knee.

 

[005]

And there's the rub . . . Utley hasn't played anything resembling a full season since 2009 and he's not looking too good for this year with his knee.

Yes. And he was more valuable in total last season than Uggla despite playing far less games.

 

[TBrown]

My apologies.. That's .005

 

[GAVol]

Yes. And he was more valuable in total last season than Uggla despite playing far less games.

So a guy with the same OPS was more valuable while playing 50 less games. :blink:

 

[005]

No, but he had a higher WAR while playing 50 less games, as well.

 

[005]

Not saying Uggla's the worst second baseman ever in history or anything.

 

[zjcvols]

Alright Braves fans.

Do you want Pastor or Andrelton starting on Opening Day?

 

[TBrown]

Opening day- pastornicky. After super two status has passed, Simmons.

If the newest CBA got rid of super two, then Simmons.

 

[FalcoVol]

Leaning toward Simmons myself.

 

[zjcvols]

The Braved played all their position players today except for McCann (Ross got the start).

Guess who started at short?

Simmons.

 

[FalcoVol]

I hope Fredi can channel his inner Bobby this year, because I think it's gonna have to be one of those "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" kind of scenarios for us.

 

[GAVol]

The Braved played all their position players today except for McCann (Ross got the start).

Guess who started at short?

Simmons.

I think it's close to panic time at SS. Pastornicky hasn't remotely looked like he can handle MLB pitching and has hit .115 the first two weeks.

 

[TBrown]

I think it's close to panic time at SS. Pastornicky hasn't remotely looked like he can handle MLB pitching and has hit .115 the first two weeks.

3 errors.