Brownie19

Yep - after coaching a Top 3 offense in MLB from 2020 to 2022, Guillermo clearly fell behind the times and was no longer suitable to be the hitting coach. He seemed to completely forget what he was doing.

Crazier things have happened, but I can't help but think the Braves have some of the worst odds of advancing this year. I think having the DBacks in the playoffs would have been better for baseball.

I think that's fair. I'd like to see the org address the future of Shapiro. There are some major decisions to be made. Would you like to see them fire them both right now and do you think that would impact Vlad's future? I happen to think that's a huge element to all of this. A new GM (and/or President) is likely to want to clean house to some extent. Not the best look if you're trying to extend your superstar player(s). Should we cut bait and start fresh - knowing that likely means we're dealing Vlad and Bo....or do you stand pat and let the lame duck President/GM make the decisions with Vlad/Bo? Fascinating times ahead for the Jays.

This is all about different perspectives. Ownership and/or Shapiro may have a totally different perspective of what success looks like than you do. You and I could have different perspectives. The FO inherited a 1 year contender in 2016 that we all knew would have several massive holes in it by 2017. They retooled and were back in the playoffs in 2020, had a great team (likely their best) that just missed out in 2021 and were in the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. Most know the playoffs are a crapshoot and s*** didn't work out. So in some views (perhaps including those who actually matter), results to date have been pretty good. 2024 was a disaster, but there is value in consistency and thus he's provided some leash to turn it around. I do suspect the leash is a lot shorter though... You don't have to squint too hard to see how Ownership and Shapiro "could" view Atkins as doing a pretty solid job. The only way you truly don't is if you believe success is measured in playoff wins. You can believe that if you'd like - but you should at least acknowledge that others don't....and those others might be the ones who own the team and/or are the President of Baseball Operations. Full disclosure - I'm kind of done with Atkins. I'd have no issue if they can him and try someone else. But I'm not ready to suggest the org is a joke with no accountability if they keep him.

That's true. I think it would be odd to have him calling other GM's to see who's available, but he may be there to ensure decisions "pass the smell test" and/or as a sounding board. I still think there are ways to impart real change that don't include firing Shapiro. Or at least I wouldn't be comfortable suggesting the ONLY way to see real change is to fire Shapiro.

He doesn't have to. He can just accept his $22.5M option and pitch however he feels like pitching. I'm just saying it's uncommon for an Owner to just say it was a mistake to sign a current player because he sucked. They also signed and paid Eduardo Rodriguez essentially the same amount this year and he was equally as s***** and is signed for 3 more years. Why does he get a free pass? Who wants to play for an Owner who will publicly call you out as a "mistake" if you have a down year?

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/3088733/d-backs-owner-shoulders-blame-for-montgomery-signing-our-biggest-mistake Owner pushes GM to sign Jordan Montgomery and then goes on to suggest it was a horrible decision to invest that money in a guy who performed so poorly. This of course is a player who can exercise a $22.5M offer to stay in Arizona next year. He must feel so welcome within the org.

Astros leave Verlander off the WC playoff roster. Do we normally start a playoff thread(s) for this type of info?

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/five-things-i-liked-in-yesterdays-mets-braves-doubleheader/ I thought that was a nice little summary of some awesome things that happened during the Mets/Braves double header yesterday.

Lindor deserves a lot of credit. His bat was trending down and it looked like he was in danger of becoming guy who relied a lot of his defense for value - something we know typically declines in the early 30's. After a rough first year in NY, he's now produced 3 incredible seasons and is well on his way to becoming a HOF player and a NY Mets legend.

I missed this - why was the final Houston/Cleveland game cancelled? Was it rained out? Feel bad for JRam not getting his shot at 40/40.

I'm not sure I agree. Shapiro can fire Atkins and try another GM. It's not like that would be abnormal. Would you like to see them fire Shapiro now, replace most of the staff and start the rebuild? Do you think that's the best direction for the franchise? Do you think that would impact our ability to resign Vlad (and/or Bo)?

Elaborate. If he signs for 12 years $500M - would you suggest Atkins f***ed up by not signing him to that deal?

This is the Around Baseball thread and the guy just wanted to give props to the Braves and AA for battling through a difficult season. And of course you have to pull it back to your hate for Atkins eh? Are you OK?

That's great news. Incoming Horwitz 150 wRC+ season.

Man - Derrick Henry looks rejuvenated. Just a beast in that offense.

And of course....we have a pitching duel. That's baseball for you.

Kudos to him. He's shoving so far in the biggest game of his live. Love seeing stuff like that.

For sure they have a package that could land Bo this offseason.

I'm not interested in this debate. There's no debate. The Braves rotation was incredibly lucky this year. Seek help if you can't see that. You aren't making a lot of sense recently and are getting called out left, right and center man. Regroup for the playoffs please.

Everyone did. That's why multiple people opined that your logic was stupid.

What a disaster for Atlanta - they don't have any starter available? Crazier things have happened though. Wouldn't rule them out at all as they'll likely be facing the Mets B squad.

They actually don't have a ton of depth (which is evident by the fact they are starting Grant Holmes in a MUST WIN game). They got 177 innings from Chris Sale, 134 innings from a 1st year converted RP in Lopez, 113 innings from a guy who started the year in A+ ball and 165 innings from a 56 year old Charlie Morton. Elder, Winans, Vines, Waldrep, etc. were all pretty useless to them. You don't have to squint very hard to see the Braves rotation was pretty lucky this season to be where they are. I mean - it worked, but the probability of this happening were probably <5%. Even you should be able to see that.

About as well as the 2023 WS Champs... I think I'd actually rather see the DBacks get the last WS spot over the Braves (even though I do love the Braves). Big time offense - I'd rather watch them over the beat up Braves (kudos for them to get this far). I could see the DBacks get hot again and go on a playoff tear.

100% they should and probably will. What a f***ing game. Bring on the playoffs man - that is incredible. Would you guys rather see the DBacks or the Braves in the playoffs?