Perhaps now we are seeing the reluctance of the Atlanta Braves front office to make any additional trades (beyond Lowe) this off-season. Here is Roger McDowell from Braves pitching camp at Turner Field yesterday regarding Tim Hudson:
"We'll progress as the doctors say he can progress," McDowell said. "Whether it's the middle of April or first of May, we'll probably be a little more cautious so that we can have him at the end. There's no reason to rush things and then have a setback."
"Middle of April or first of May," that's a long time to be without your ace. This could be the big reason that all the Jair Jurrjens trade rumors went nowhere, and were pretty much unsubstantiated rumors to begin with. Hudson's recovery from back surgery to repair a herniated disk in early November may put him a couple of months behind the rest of the team when spring camp begins next month.
It certainly seems like the Braves aren't counting on Hudson to start the season. Add to that the uncertainty of Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson to return from their late season injuries, and the only pitcher from last year's season-opening starting staff who seems to be a sure bet to be healthy to begin the season is Brandon Beachy. It's a good thing the Braves have great starting pitching depth.
This depth could be put to the test early in the year, as the kids will have to be ready when the bell rings if the veterans on the staff can't go. The Braves rotation to start the season could conceivably look something like this: Beachy, Mike Minor, Kris Medlen, Julio Teheran, and Randall Delgado. Then as Jurrjens, Hanson, and Hudson got healthy, the guy doing the worst in the rotation would likely be replaced with the veteran.
If that mix of youngsters is actually the rotation to start the season, then the Braves will not have a single starting pitcher in their rotation over the age of 26 ... and it would still be a really good staff. Even when Jurrjens and Hanson return, the staff would still be 26 or younger. Take a minute to marvel at that amazing young starting pitching depth...
It's going to be a spring training with lots of reports about injury recoveries. Reports of pitchers ahead of their rehab schedule, and reports of others behind in their rehab. Get ready for a lot of conflicting reports, but in the end remember that the Braves will probably err on the side of caution with Hudson, Hanson, and Jurrjens, and even if they throw well in the spring there's still a chance that all three could start the year on the disabled list.
The early season scheduled off-days don't really give the team the ability to use a four-man staff to start the season, so a full five-man rotation will probably be needed from the opening bell. By the way, if the opening day rotation is Beachy, Minor, Medlen, Teheran, Delgado, who would be your opening day starter?
0 recs | 77 comments
Beachy
BenDuronio - January 31, 2012
same
TomahawkGuy - January 31, 2012
yep
Poe76 - January 31, 2012
Having those 3 starters on the DL
at the beginning of the season could very well end up being a blessing in disguise.
WeStillHaveBobby - January 31, 2012
THIS
Keep em fresh for October and November.
Yakker - January 31, 2012
Beachy
I would be thrilled to see Meds in the rotation!! The guy earned the spot before. Atleast build the value in him for potential trade even though I would hate to see him leave.
rcates - January 31, 2012
Beachy would have been the guy in game 163.
If Hudson, Hanson, and JJ aren’t available, he’s the easy pick for opening day.
another simpsons avatar - January 31, 2012
Beach, but hopefully JJ
From the sound of this post, JJ might be good to go. Sure hope so.
carpengui - January 31, 2012
So Stoked
Meds is on the staff this year!!! He’s def my fav, has a great changeup and was sorely missed last year
HansonManCrush - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Uhhh
If that’s the opening day rotation, this team loses 110 games easily. That could very well be the worst rotation in baseball. Nobody out of those 5 can produce an ERA under 4. The only chance the Braves have to even come close to competing for that 2nd wild card spot is if Hudson, JJ, and Hanson have healthy, career years. Gonna be hard to consistently win without being able to score 3 runs consecutively especially with young, inexperienced, or ineffective starters.
NickSC15 - January 31, 2012
green
royhobbs - January 31, 2012
hes a new guy
cut him a break lol…..
jdelsandro - January 31, 2012
You’re funny.
GumpBrave - January 31, 2012
great insight bud.
jrodisjust2cool - January 31, 2012
How did Beachy produce an ERA under 4.00 if he’s incapable of it? Medlen also put up an ERA of (just) under 4.00 as a starter in 2010.
Aaand want to guess what Randall Delgado’s ERA was in his first 7 starts? Hint: it wasn’t above 4.00. Or even above 3.00. (I realize his FIP in that small sample left something to be desired, but the OP was about ERA…)
Ivan the Great - January 31, 2012
Beachy is a talent...
He could be a top starter on some teams.. the only thing is, he may not be able to pitch late into games at least yet… but we will see
jdelsandro - January 31, 2012
I'm with this guy
The Phillies still have Halladay, Lee, and Hamels not to mention Worley who’s another TOR starter to go with an amazing offense. Then the Nationals already had a good offense last year and this year they get back Strasburg, they’ve added Gio, and will have a full year from Zimmerman. Lastly the Marlins have gone out and added 3 of the top FAs and traded for one of the best pitchers in the NL (Zambrano).
There’s no way we stand a chance.
drumzalicious - January 31, 2012
Burn the Ted. Sell your season tix.
Cammando2317 - January 31, 2012
I wouldn't be worried about their ERA.
what I’d be most worried about is how far in games they will be able to go. O’Ventbrel will unfortunately be overused again this year…
WeStillHaveBobby - February 1, 2012
“Gonna” isn’t really a word.
Although it is @ half of a bad diagnosis.
Sam Jethroe - February 1, 2012
Can anyone tell me why
DOB just tweeted that Fredi would put Delgado or Teheran in the bullpen to start the season if they don’t make the rotation?
drumzalicious - January 31, 2012
Probably an innings limit
royhobbs - January 31, 2012
generally
if its an innings limit thing they would end the season in the bullpen not start in the bullpen.
drumzalicious - January 31, 2012
Traditionally I agree
But I’d rather them start in the bullpen if they have any chance at pitching during the stretch run, rather than being shut down in the midst of dominating and being replaced by Livan Hernandez on short rest, a la Jordan Zimmermann’s innings limit.
royhobbs - January 31, 2012
i disagree.
With Hanson, J.J, and Hudson looking like they might miss the first few weeks of the season I’d rather them be starting at the end of the year than the kids.
drumzalicious - January 31, 2012
Well
I’d wager that the likelihood of all three pitchers being on the DL at the start of the season is slim. That being said, if four starters are needed initially, I’d guess it would be Beachy, Jurrjens and/or Hanson, Minor and Delgado/Teheran, with only one of them getting bumped to the bullpen depending on the situation.
It’s very likely a moot point, because it’s coming from Fredi and not Wren. Both will likely start at Gwinnett if not Atlanta, to get on routine.
royhobbs - January 31, 2012
I strongly agree
willlinn - January 31, 2012
Exactly right
No chance they will be anywhere near 200 IP this season, so start them in the pen to limit their innings.
DolphinNation - January 31, 2012
last year Teheran ended up with about 165 IP and Delgado with 175 IP. Delgado could definitely get bumped up to 200 and Teheran around 180.
drumzalicious - January 31, 2012
Yeah, this. I’d already looked at the IP of those guys when the JJ trade rumors were flying and you’re right…. If an IP limit is imposed this year (I thought Atlanta didn’t really do that), then it’d be 180 or so for those guys.
I have NO idea why FG would say that either of those two guys would start the year in the ‘pen. If, god-forbid, we have 2 or 3 starters go down in April, we’re SOL because the kids aren’t stretched out. It’s a really stupid thing to even contemplate and this has to be the 4th or 5th time we’ve heard Fredi say something to the media that flies in the face of logic and the presumed plans of his GM.
Fatvirus - January 31, 2012
Didn't medley do fine
Moving from the pen to the rotation? I would be fine w medley getting the call if they are all in the pen.
willlinn - January 31, 2012
You mean right up until he had Tommy John surgery?
Lennox - January 31, 2012
He was stretched out at that point a bit. I don’t think the plan would ever be to have both in the bullpen, so emergency situations would have one of them likely ready to be called upon unless their turn in the rotation is nowhere near when they need a new starter.
I doubt this ever happens. Fredi may want it, but Wren will no better than to put these guys in a loaded ’pen when the replacements are very good. Plus, they can use some more work at triple-A to up their strikeout numbers.
BenDuronio - January 31, 2012
he started the 2010 year in Gwinett’s Rotation then did some spot starting in Atlanta to transition to the pen.
drumzalicious - January 31, 2012
Would be completely unnecessary to put either in the ’pen.
BenDuronio - January 31, 2012
duh
because hes the worst manager in baseball.
NickSC15 - January 31, 2012
It's funny 'cause it's true.
roberty - January 31, 2012
Beachy
DolphinNation - January 31, 2012
Beachy
TonyAlmeyda - January 31, 2012
Really? We’re just now seeing it? It wasn’t obvious when we had 4 guys coming off injury and the other options are 21 year olds? Wow. We catch on quick around here.
Fatvirus - January 31, 2012
That really sucks. It’s a good thing we have plenty of SP, but I feel for Huddy. He’s a great pitcher, and the Braves are a better team when he pitches.
Sparhawk - January 31, 2012
He was so friggin good last year down the stretch. Over his last 19 starts, he went as least 6 IP every time but once. And we won that game. He was consistently excellent from the middle of June on last year.
Fatvirus - January 31, 2012
He’s also been consistently awesome in his career. Not eye-popping every season, but damn reliable.
Ivan the Great - January 31, 2012
April opponents
NYM
HOU
MIL (sans Fielder and maybe Braun/Weeks)
NYM
ARI
LAD
PIT
No real worries there other than maybe AZ and MIL’s pitching staff. We could probably sneak through the month at .550 without Huddy or one out of Hanson/JJ.
Yakker - January 31, 2012
and a few man named Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, and Clayton Kershaw
austinhb - January 31, 2012
Funny tidbit:
Those guys were worth 17 bWAR last year. So, those two guys were the difference between a .500 club and a 98 loss club
Fatvirus - January 31, 2012
Well, I said AZ, so not sure why you’re mentioning Upton. But yeah, of course all teams have some threats (Mr. McCutchen says hi), but overall it’s not like we get PHI and STL right out of the chute.
Yakker - January 31, 2012
just think
if the Dodgers had added Fielder. . . . . terrifying.
drumzalicious - January 31, 2012
Well
Hard to be terrified by any team that is starting Juan Uribe, but yeah, I’m happy both Albert and Prince are AL-bound.
Yakker - February 1, 2012
Roy Oswalt
If this is true, the braves should scrape together every nickel they have and make Oswalt an offer for a one-year deal. At least make an offer. He might take it.
TKDC - January 31, 2012
No thanks
Cammando2317 - January 31, 2012
It’s not a bad idea but I’m not sure there’s any need to panic here and an Oswalt signing smacks of a panic move. Also I’m afraid that the reality is that the most generous best case scenario offer from the Braves would be considered laughable by Oswalt and his agent at best and an insult at worst.
Zontar - January 31, 2012
NO
jdelsandro - January 31, 2012
When was the last time a rookie pitcher started on opening day?
It would be exciting to see Teheran out there
Not what I would prefer, but it would still be exciting.
JayF - January 31, 2012
I really like what is going on here.
I can’t see the master plan, but they are showing that they have it on their mind and w in their strategic options to be sure we have fresh aces down the stretch and in the playoffs..the rest is up to circumstance
willlinn - January 31, 2012
This is why I’m very happy we didn’t trade JJ unless we got a great deal. It’s so important to have good pitching depth, especially when the pitching staff is the strength of your team.
Braves24 - January 31, 2012
slow down
how did it go from Hudson on the DL to start the season to Huddy, JJ, Hanson? Oh, that’s right, there’s nothing better to do than sling theoreticals everywhere. Nevermind…proceed.
HeyBattah - January 31, 2012
This isn’t a video game. When guys go down at the end of a season with an injury, they don’t magically heal before Opening Day. The team isn’t going to take any risks whatsoever with the health of any of those three, considering the depth they have.
abraves257 - January 31, 2012
Except JJ was slated to pitch in the first round of the playoffs last year had we made it. No reason to believe he’s anything but 100% healthy now.
king of games - January 31, 2012
I think he is. But there is no harm in just stating who could fill in for him if he can’t.
abraves257 - January 31, 2012
last I read
he’s still sporting a knee brace. So yea not sure about that 100%
drumzalicious - January 31, 2012
Gotta Be Beachy
It has to be Beachy. With the numbers and experience to play in big games, opening day should be no problem for him to perform, and win, with a good Offensive showing. I think it’s highly possible all three do start on the DL, even if just for the minimum to build arm strength and give the young arms some time on the field. I also agree that having those three on an early season DL is a blessing, two fold. 1) we get experience to the young arms when it counts less that they perform, plus show off an arm that could potentially be mid season trade bait for something we need. 2) the veteran guys we lean on later in the season will not have the high innings totals that caused these injuries last year.
AtlbravesAL83 - January 31, 2012
Tim Hudson
I’m really pulling for Tim. He’s a great Brave player on the field, a leader in the clubhouse, and a fine example off the field. Back surgery has a poor rate of success, takes a long time to heal, and you can’t be sure of the final result until the healing is complete. I read a lot about it and consulted with a number of doctors, specialists, and surgeons before having my operation 4 years ago. I’m much older than Tim and my operation was a lot more complicated but did include removal and repair of herniated discs. Mine was not as successful as hoped and I am part time in a wheelchair. Having gone through the rehabilitation process, I know Tim will go through stages of getting back to what he can do. Once he starts pitch at the major league level, he won’t know if he can throw as many innings as he used to. He won’t know how well his back will hold up over the long haul of a season. I’m just worried and wishing him the best.
BravesFanSince56 - January 31, 2012
Too Many Starters
Ya know on almost any other team Medlen, Teheran, Delgado, and even Viz would entering the year as back of the rotation starters. The fact that none of these guys is in the rotation, is pretty amazing. And when you consider that guys like Gilmartin and Hoover are on their way, its pretty clear that at some point Wren is going to have to trade a couple of these guys, or they’re just going to end up rotting in AAA or be wasted in the pen.
Bobby Hill#1 - January 31, 2012
Early season counts less that they perform?
If we would have won another game or two at anytime during the season last year we would have gone to the playoffs. I hate this logic. It seems that F.G. Has the same ho- hum attitude about early season games. You add ALL your wins up at the end of the season. A game here or there that just “gets away” has real consequences for a team like ours. We don’t have the offensive firepower that some others have, so we must be diligent in chasing wins.
Matt Holcomb - January 31, 2012
Our April schedule looks pretty nice for us. Also don’t forget that we are giving rookies the opportunity to have ML experience which is also extremely valuable.
GumpBrave - February 1, 2012
I thought everything was going fine with Hanson and that he has no restrictions?
When did this change?
Undocorkscrew - January 31, 2012
Most don't realize it
everyone was so busy fawning over Hanson at the time,Medlens stats as a starter,adjusted for quantity,are very close to Hanson.I always thought he got the raw deal the year they were both rookies.
Granted,he has been poor out of the bullpen.But,as a starter,he was outstanding.
I wouldn’t mind at all,to see that rotation for a couple of months.I quite imagine it may be one of the biggest stories in baseball if the 20 and 21 year olds perform as i believe they will.
dawg1060 - February 1, 2012
He had a rough couple of initial starts...
but settled in fine after that if I recall correctly, and did great in that role last year (or the year before, whenever it was).
Mr. Sanchez - February 1, 2012
he always
had trouble in the 5th/6th innings or rather the 3rd time through the lineup.
drumzalicious - February 1, 2012
This
Whether because of stamina or a poor 3rd pitch, Meds needs to figure out a way to get through lineups that crucial third time. If he does, the sky’s the limit.
Yakker - February 1, 2012
Now that I think about it
How cool would it be for the Braves to trot out a $2.5m/year starting rotation against the Phillies $75m,in a H2H series in April.
dawg1060 - February 1, 2012
No one should be hoping for injuries
At this point in time Teheran and Delgado are less capable pitchers than the projected rotation. No one should be cheering to see either of them start 20, 15, or even 10 games this year. If either Teheran or Delgado is starting it means the others guys are either hurt or ineffective. That’s not good news.
Even if it were possible to put together a mlb-caliber rotation full of guys barely out of diapers that’s really not the way to construct a competitive rotation. Teheran, Delgado, Minor and even Beachy will all still have to work through some significant growing pains this season.
Bobby Hill#1 - February 1, 2012
It’s February, this all could change by April. For the better.
However, I think if the list of choices are as speculated – Beachy on the mound would be a good thing.
NCChopper - February 1, 2012
Beachy baby.
I forgot about Meds. Meds is better suited for long relief now.
Sparhawk - February 1, 2012
Conversion to relievers
Weve got all these young starters that are great and have a young back end of the bull pen too but Kimbrel and Venters burnt out at the end of last season. There stuff wasnt nearly as kid. They both started to lose the strikezone and the both became significantly more hittable compared to mid season when no one could get bat on ball. Maybe that was youth and having not ever played a full 163 season or maybe it was inexperience but cutting down on their innings would be helpful
I like moving one of those big right handed arms to the pen to help cut down on the innings they have to throw. I know that not economically beneficial for us because we can get bigger money out of starters but I think adding another good arm to the back would keep us fresher so we don’t have a repeat of last year.
bobbycox6 - February 1, 2012
that is when huddy jj and hanson get back.. as for day one… Beachy for sure. Great under pressure.
bobbycox6 - February 1, 2012
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