Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop John Hart Talks
By Jeff Schafer
Atlanta Braves’ rotation showing plenty of depth
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The pitchers competing for starting jobs have all pitched well over the first few weeks of the 2015 Spring Training. Wandy Rodriguez has an ERA of 0.69 and has already earned the fourth starting spot. What’s left is the fifth. Lefty Eric Stults, Chien-Ming Wang, Cody Martin, Manny Banuelos and youngster Michael Foltynewicz are the ones looking to earn the job. Could we see the benefits from signing a veteran pitcher pan out early in Spring Training? The Telegraph mentions in their article that teams have already been calling about Rodriguez.
There have been rumors teams have called the Braves about Rodriguez. He had success several years ago in Houston, and if he stays healthy, Rodriguez could be a nice bottom-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Should the Braves take advantage of his value and trade him now, before he perhaps breaks down physically? That is a dilemma.
Of course, they could hold on to Rodriguez and hope he pitches well for a couple of months and then trade him for a better prospect in late July, as long as the Braves are not in contention. Rodriguez has not had a full season since 2012, so there is concern that at age 36 he might have trouble staying healthy.
Teams might also call about Stults and Wang. But here is where it gets interesting. If Minor does return in late April or early May, there would only be a need for one new starter. So do the Braves let Rodriguez pitch in April and if he does well, then trade him? If he has a couple of good starts, Rodriguez could get the Braves a pretty good prospect back in a deal.
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Atlanta Braves Rumors
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Take a look at Alan’s write up about Olivera from a few days ago. The prized Cuban free agent is a hot commodity right now with the Braves, Dodgers, Marlins, and Padres all interested in his services. From the rumors flying around, the Braves are content with offering Olivera a five year deal but he is seeking a six year deal. Atlanta is suspected to be offering a deal worth $30-40 million range and the Dodgers maybe upwards of $77 million. Think this will be determined prior to opening day?
Verifying an earlier report, the Braves will not go to six years for Hector Olivera,tweets David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. We heard earlier last week that Olivera was seeking a sixth year.
braves may be willing to up ante & give a 5th year to cuban star olivera, but not a 6th, as @DOBrienAJC reported
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 22, 2015
olivera's 1st agent sought $72M for 6. new agent genske has multiple teams at 5. is 60 for 6 possible?
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 22, 2015
. MLB Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: John Hart joins Chip and Joe in the booth to go over what the Braves are sorting through and what happened this offseason.