tOfficial 2017 Braves Season Thread

[Chewbaccer]

We're just a week away from pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training and the long offseason will finally be over.

Overall, we had a rough season last year, but we had a winning record during the second half of the season and we were one of the hottest teams in baseball in the month of September. The bats really came to life after the Matt Kemp trade, and hopefully we can carry some of that momentum into the new season and field a competitive team this year.

I think we're still a year away from legitimately contending, but I think a preseason goal of finishing .500 or better isn't unrealistic.

Key subtractions:

C- AJ Pierzynski
OF- Mallex Smith
SP/RP- Tyrell Jenkins
RP- Shae Simmons
SP/RP- John Gant
SP- Williams Perez
RP- Ryan Weber
RP- Eric O'Flaherty


Key additions:

UTL- Sean Rodriguez
SP- Jaime Garcia
SP- Bartolo Colon
SP- RA Dickey
C- Kurt Suzuki

My prediction for the opening day 25 man roster:

C- Tyler Flowers
1B- Freddie Freeman
2B- Jace Peterson
3B- Adonis Garcia
SS- Dansby Swanson
LF- Matt Kemp
CF- Ender Inciarte
RF- Nick Markakis

BN- C- Tyler Flowers
BN- OF/INF- Sean Rodriguez
BN- OF/INF- Chase D'Arnaud
BN- Middle INF- Micah Johnson
BN- Corner INF- Rio Ruiz

SP- Julio Teheran
SP- Bartolo Colon
SP- Mike Foltynewicz
SP- RA Dickey
SP- Jaime Garcia

CL- Jim Johnson
SU- Mauricio Cabrera
BP- Daniel Winkler
BP- Arodys Vizcaino
BP- Chaz Roe
BP- Ian Krol
BP- Armando Rivero

 

[bamabear82]

We're just a week away from pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training and the long offseason will finally be over.

Overall, we had a rough season last year, but we had a winning record during the second half of the season and we were one of the hottest teams in baseball in the month of September. The bats really came to life after the Matt Kemp trade, and hopefully we can carry some of that momentum into the new season and field a competitive team this year.

I think we're still a year away from legitimately contending, but I think a preseason goal of finishing .500 or better isn't unrealistic.

Key subtractions:

C- AJ Pierzynski
OF- Mallex Smith
SP/RP- Tyrell Jenkins
RP- Shae Simmons
SP/RP- John Gant
SP- Williams Perez
RP- Ryan Weber
RP- Eric O'Flaherty


Key additions:

UTL- Sean Rodriguez
SP- Jaime Garcia
SP- Bartolo Colon
SP- RA Dickey
C- Kurt Suzuki

My prediction for the opening day 25 man roster:

C- Tyler Flowers
1B- Freddie Freeman
2B- Jace Peterson
3B- Adonis Garcia
SS- Dansby Swanson
LF- Matt Kemp
CF- Ender Inciarte
RF- Nick Markakis

BN- C- Tyler Flowers
BN- OF/INF- Sean Rodriguez
BN- OF/INF- Chase D'Arnaud
BN- Middle INF- Micah Johnson
BN- Corner INF- Rio Ruiz

SP- Julio Teheran
SP- Bartolo Colon
SP- Mike Foltynewicz
SP- RA Dickey
SP- Jaime Garcia

CL- Jim Johnson
SU- Mauricio Cabrera
BP- Daniel Winkler
BP- Arodys Vizcaino
BP- Chaz Roe
BP- Ian Krol
BP- Armando Rivero

Soooo.... wtf is up with that avy ya got there, buddy?

 

[Chewbaccer]

Soooo.... wtf is up with that avy ya got there, buddy?

Lost avy bet over the Super Bowl.

 

[Chewbaccer]

We're just a week away from pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training and the long offseason will finally be over.

Overall, we had a rough season last year, but we had a winning record during the second half of the season and we were one of the hottest teams in baseball in the month of September. The bats really came to life after the Matt Kemp trade, and hopefully we can carry some of that momentum into the new season and field a competitive team this year.

I think we're still a year away from legitimately contending, but I think a preseason goal of finishing .500 or better isn't unrealistic.

Key subtractions:

C- AJ Pierzynski
OF- Mallex Smith
SP/RP- Tyrell Jenkins
RP- Shae Simmons
SP/RP- John Gant
SP- Williams Perez
RP- Ryan Weber
RP- Eric O'Flaherty


Key additions:

UTL- Sean Rodriguez
SP- Jaime Garcia
SP- Bartolo Colon
SP- RA Dickey
C- Kurt Suzuki

My prediction for the opening day 25 man roster:

C- Tyler Flowers
1B- Freddie Freeman
2B- Jace Peterson
3B- Adonis Garcia
SS- Dansby Swanson
LF- Matt Kemp
CF- Ender Inciarte
RF- Nick Markakis

BN- C- Tyler Flowers
BN- OF/INF- Sean Rodriguez
BN- OF/INF- Chase D'Arnaud
BN- Middle INF- Micah Johnson
BN- Corner INF- Rio Ruiz

SP- Julio Teheran
SP- Bartolo Colon
SP- Mike Foltynewicz
SP- RA Dickey
SP- Jaime Garcia

CL- Jim Johnson
SU- Mauricio Cabrera
BP- Daniel Winkler
BP- Arodys Vizcaino
BP- Chaz Roe
BP- Ian Krol
BP- Armando Rivero

The bench catcher should be Kurt Suzuki. Brain fart there.

 

[bamabear82]

Lost avy bet over the Super Bowl.

Ah, I see. Thoughts and prayers.

 

[Mistaken4193]

Im saying 84-78. But 2018 is the year.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Brandon Phillips was just acquired from the Reds for Andrew McKirahan and another low level prospect.

Guess that means you can slot him in as the starting second baseman, Jace Peterson will likely take Micah Johnson's spot as the bench middle infielder, and Jace can also play outfield.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Pitchers and catchers report today, the whole squad reports on Friday. We'll be having spring games soon and before you know it, the regular season will start.

 

[brandonk989]

I agree that this team is 1 year away however all of these "expert" predictions in the 71-75 win range baffle me. I think this team can easily win 80-85.

 

[Chewbaccer]

I agree that this team is 1 year away however all of these "expert" predictions in the 71-75 win range baffle me. I think this team can easily win 80-85.

A winning record definitely isn't out of the question.

I'd be happy with the season if we win 79 or more games, but would gladly accept some overachieving.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Seeing now that Sean Rodriguez could miss the entire 2017 season after his shoulder injury caused by a wreck caused by a dude in a stolen cop car. Guess that means the Brandon Phillips trade was a necessity if Albies is a year away.

I made my Opening Day roster prediction before I was aware of Rodriguez's injury, so I guess I'll stick with Micah Johnson making the opening day roster after all.

 

[Mistaken4193]

I keep forgetting we are playing in Suntrust Park this year. Cant wait.

 

[Chewbaccer]

I'm thinking that if RA Dickey pitches ahead of Folty in the rotation that Folty could have a big year. Going from a knuckleballer to an upper 90's fastball the next day won't be easy for the opposition. I guess it's moot if Dickey pitches the last game of a series.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Yall cool with keeping the same banner, or do yall want a new one since we're moving to the new Suntrust Park?

@bamabear82
@tabascojet
@Mondo Jay
@bravesfan
@Demonjoe93
@Mistaken4193
@GoldenSpur
@Edisto_Tiger

I'm cool either way.

And if yall want a new one, does anyone know of anyone that could make it?

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

I'm cool either way. The Vol bros are excellent at that kind of shit.

 

[Chewbaccer]

I'm cool either way. The Vol bros are excellent at that kind of shit.

That peckerwood @WestEndVol still hasn't got his computer fixed.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Yall cool with keeping the same banner, or do yall want a new one since we're moving to the new Suntrust Park?

@bamabear82
@tabascojet
@Mondo Jay
@bravesfan
@Demonjoe93
@Mistaken4193
@GoldenSpur
@Edisto_Tiger

I'm cool either way.

And if yall want a new one, does anyone know of anyone that could make it?

@gobigred

 

[Mondo Jay]

Would be cool to have a new one.

I getting excited for the season already.

 

[Chewbaccer]

And if it's decided a new banner is wanted, I'd say keep the same pictures of the players and Bobby and just put Suntrust Park in the background.

You start getting into current players and your banner will be out of date within a couple seasons. Using legends means it should be good for the long haul.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Would be cool to have a new one.

I getting excited for the season already.

Can't wait. Feels like the longest offseason in sports(I guess because it's a long stretch of nothing between the Super Bowl and baseball).

I feel good about this team, and think we can be competitive.