Evening Chop: Just A Whole Bunch of Random Atlanta Braves Newsy Notes
Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Famer Bobby Cox waves to the crowd after being introduced during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Several Bits of Atlanta Braves News – All in One Place
The #Braves announced Bobby Cox will continue to serve as a consultant through at least the end of the 2017 season
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 3, 2015
The Braves announced today that they have Hall of Fame former manager Bobby Cox under a contract extension for his (obviously formal) role as a consultant for the Braves. He will continue to hang around the office, eating the doughnuts, standing in doorways… through 2017. The official job functions are: “Cox will continue to advise & consult in all areas of Baseball Operations; the Major League Club, spring training, minor league operations & scouting.”
A Fun Piece of Cox Info
Count Bobby Cox among those who love Austin Riley's potential: "This kid is legit. He can hit and field. He does everything.” #Braves
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 3, 2015
All we hear is good stuff about Austin Riley. As Bobby would say: “Go get ’em kid!”
Jerry Crasnick’s Braves Day Out
Tweets from ESPN’s Crasnick on two topics… both garnering some attention. Topic 1: Shelby Miller:
It's looking more and more like #Braves will hang onto Shelby Miller. They've received a ton of hits, but are not shopping him.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 3, 2015
#Cubs are interested in Miller. But #Braves have Hector Olivera in LF and Nick Markakis in RF, so Jorge Soler may not fit.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 3, 2015
Okay, this is indeed all speculation on his part. The real problem with his equation is this: while the Braves have 3 more years of control for Miller, they are expected to be “lean” years, comparatively. Better, then, to bolster the lineup for those ‘years of plenty’. Jorge Soler, if he indeed happens to be the target, is signed through 2020 – which is actually perfect from Atlanta’s point of view.
It is worth pointing out that of the other names in Speculation Central, Javier Baez is not going to be a free agent until 2022, Starlin Castro not until 2020. So again, there’s a time fit.
But here’s hoping that the Braves indeed hold out for Soler if he’s truly what they want. Right now everything is on hold for Zack Greinke. Once he leans one direction or another, the dominoes will begin to fall.
But Crasnick’s thoughts, while understandable, are not going to represent the Braves’ thinking: I predicted that Miller would be traded within the first two weeks of this month, and right or wrong, I’m sticking with that call.
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