Atlanta Braves Afternoon Chop, THR 10/23
Busy Day
Fred already told us about the day’s biggest news: that John Hart has more-or-less caved to the will of John Schuerholz and has accepted the role of team President of Baseball Operations… a job title created just for Hart. However, there is follow-up news from the press conference:
So exactly how does one interpret this cryptic statement?
- Will Coppolella be promoted to the position of GM shortly (you don’t have to ‘add’ him – he’s already on the staff)?
- Will there be a two-headed GM monster with duties shared between Coppy (current Asst. GM) and Hart?
- Will the Braves even bother to name a GM?
We do have some late clarification to add:
My best guess (supported by that statement above): Hart has “kicked himself upstairs” – intentionally not taking the official General Manager position that was offered. We had previously speculated on these pages that some sort of mentoring role would be in play – and I believe that’s how it’s going to come down.
Hart will likely work with Coppolella through this transition phase – out of the Wren Way Era and into the Braves Way Era. After another 1-2 years, if all goes well and the two Johns (Schuerholz and Hart) are comfortable that the third John (Coppolella) isn’t going to tick off the scouting department, Coppy will get the promotion.
John III (Coppy) will get to do all the dirty work – travel to scout players, meet with the scouts, meet with the agents – while John II (Hart) mostly stays home, shuffles the 40-man roster, and begs fellow GMs to take B.J. Upton‘s contract.
The best news? This, from Schuerholz:
Yes – Dayton Moore is not in consideration… well, at least not for a couple more years. Meanwhile, Bobby Cox will continue to lurk about and make sure nobody fires his son, Fredi Gonzalez.
Holland, Kimbrel win Reliever of Year Awards
[ Editor’s note: does it somehow cheapen the award by giving it out during the World Series instead of after the season like all of the ‘major’ awards? Or is that the point? (Just asking) ] JACKSON ALEXANDER / MLB.COM
KANSAS CITY — Royals closer Greg Holland and Braves closer Craig Kimbrel were named the Relievers of the Year on Wednesday before the start of Game 2 of the World Series. Commissioner-elect Rob Manfred presented Holland with the Mariano Rivera Award, which honors the most outstanding American League reliever. Kimbrel received the Trevor Hoffman Award, which honors the most outstanding National League reliever.
Kimbrel topped the NL in saves for the fourth straight season with 47 — one behind Major League leader Fernando Rodney — while Holland finished third in the Majors with 46. Atlanta’s ninth-inning man posted a 1.61 ERA and a 92-percent successful save rate, while Kansas City’s closer notched a 1.44 ERA and a 96-percent save rate.
Rawlings announces 2014 Gold Glove finalists
MIKE AXISA / CBSSPORTS.COM Rawlings announced the finalists for the 2014 Gold Glove awards Thursday afternoon. There are three finalists per position, and the winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 11, at 8 p.m. ET. As a reminder, Gold Glove voting consists of two components: 75 percent from managers and coaches and 25 percent from statistical data. Here are the finalists at each position, with their number of career Gold Gloves in parentheses. …
NL Shortstop
- Zack Cozart, Reds (0)
- Adeiny Hechavarria, Marlins (0)
- Andrelton Simmons, Braves (1)
NL Left Field
- Starling Marte, Pirates (0)
- Justin Upton, Braves (0)
- Christian Yelich, Marlins (0)
NL Right Field
- Jason Heyward, Braves (1)
- Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks/Brewers (2)
- Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins (0)
…
One more note, courtesy of @AceballStats on twitter:
Atlanta Braves Morning Chop – Thursday, October 23, 2014.