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Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos discusses trades

By Fred Owens

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 17: Jose Reyes #7 (L) of the Toronto Blue Jays answers questions as he is introduced at a press conference as general manager Alex Anthopoulos looks on at Rogers Centre on January 17, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 17: Jose Reyes #7 (L) of the Toronto Blue Jays answers questions as he is introduced at a press conference as general manager Alex Anthopoulos looks on at Rogers Centre on January 17, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos made a lot of trades in Toronto, now he’s about to make a couple in Atlanta
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos made a lot of trades in Toronto, now he’s about to make a couple in Atlanta (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

As the Atlanta Braves ‘we’re real’ tour continues GM Alex Anthopoulos talked trades and limits. It seems money isn’t the biggest issue.

When the Nationals acquired Kelvin Herrera, we heard that Herrera’s contract got in the way. Clearly, that had merit but yesterday AA clarified the Atlanta Braves position.

It’s not really a change from the position I’ve put forth here but his statement fleshed out the rationale.

AA also confirmed that the way the team’s played so far merits the prudent addition of needed pieces.

The GM speaks

As the Atlanta Braves prepared to take on and eventually defeat the Yankees yesterday, the AJC’s David O’Brien published an interview with Anthopoulos discussing the team’s success and needs.

In spite of our moaning and groaning, the rotation’s been pretty good. They’ve given up 386 hits (fourth in MLB) and held opponents to the third lowest batting average – .229 – and the sixth lowest slugging rate – .383. It isn’t all peaches and cream of course.

While they are thirteenth in strikeouts, they rank 27th is free passes. Were it not for the improved defense things could look a lot different. The Bullpen failed to match that standard of performance.

Bullpen Woes

I’m not going to beat a dead horse here but the bullpen feels much like a roller coaster that we’re not sure will stay on the track.

Relievers are 20th in ERA (4.21) earned runs, WHIP (1.349), 28th in walks and 26th in strikeouts to walks ratio in spite of having the tenth most strikeouts. Six weeks ago Dan Winkler looked like the next closer. Since then he’s fallen off considerably probably because he’s exhausted.

The biggest culprits of the regulars are Sam Freeman and Peter Moylan. Moylan posted a 1.846 WHIP before heading to the DL. Freeman at least strikes out hitters but his walks continue to mount up at the worst possible time.

Some of this comes down to misuse by Manager Brian Snitker, some is just lack of talent and some due overuse as the Braves try to protect the young arms in the rotation.

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