Atlanta Braves GM I’m getting so tired of this
By Fred Owens
Oct 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Fans wait out a rain delay before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals at Turner Field. Unless the Braves are a lot better in 2016 they stand will look like this when it’s not raining. Mandatory Credit: Kevin D. Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella told USA Today he’s tired of everyone “taking shots” and saying the Braves are not tanking.
Dear John
Oh how I hate to write. . . . No I really do, I wanted the new regime to flush away the residual effects of the prior leadership and have supported at least the concept of their moves. Then came the trade of Andrelton Simmons for a soon to be 32 year old, league average shortstop and two pitching prospects.
I wrote about that a couple of days ago so I won’t say any more. Apparently the bludgeoning in the press, on TV, Radio and in the blogs got under Coppolella’s skin and he did his Popeye impression.
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That’s all I can stands, I can’t stands no more
As Alan noted in this morning’s Chop Coppolella went on what I’d call an ‘oh me-poor me’ rant designed I suppose to defend the team’s honor. According to Bob Nightengale in the post linked above, “. . . Coppolella is livid that no one is giving them the benefit of the doubt.”
Here’s a secret Mr. Coppolella, the fans are livid too and with good cause, the trade of Simmons made no sense to them or anyone else.
Coppolella said that regardless of what anyone said he would, “. . . trust our scouts and analytics.” Yet he’s produced nothing in the way of analytics to back that up. Instead he used a traditional stat line as justification, something that made sabermetrics guys raise their eye brows and chuckle. I’ve yet to see a sabermetrically oriented commentator find a rationale in any of the new metrics to support his assertion. If you have let me know.