When I got the news that Ronald Acuna Jr. might be out for a bit (which happened to be false, thank the light), I put this out on Twitter:
For me, Adam Duvall always seemed like the solution to the roster’s problems:
- He’s a good, not great, bat.
- He can handle all 3 OF positions at an above average rate.
- He’s a good platoon for Jarred Kelenic.
- He’s already well-liked by the team.
Now that the announcement has been made that Duvall with platoon with Kelenic, it feels like the Opening Day roster is set as long as health wins out.
Starting Pitchers
Breakdown: There is a scenario here were Bryce Elder could be the 6th starter and the Braves go with only 7 in the bullpen to start. However, Bryce has looked pretty awful and Anthopoulos might choose to keep him in AAA to work through some things.
Relief Pitchers
- Raisel Iglesias
- Joe Jimenez
- Pierce Johnson
- Tyler Matzek
- Dylan Lee
- A.J. Minter
- Aaron Bummer
- Jackson Stephens
Breakdown: If the Braves go with Elder, Stephens, who has a split contract, likely stays down at AAA until the rotation works itself out. This pen looks dynamite on paper, but we all know that relievers are volatile.
The Offense
I’ve wondered for awhile if the Braves would consider moving Michael Harris II up to the 2nd spot, and now that Jarred Kelenic will be platooned with Duvall, I feel that’s more likely than it was last week. So, here’s my guess on the regular lineup:
- Ronald Acuña Jr.
- Michael Harris
- Matt Olson
- Austin Riley
- Ozzie Albies
- Marcell Ozuna
- Sean Murphy
- Orlando Arcia
- Kelenic/Duvall
Da Bench
The bench is likely stronger this year than it’s been in any year since the beginning of the new streak. However, I’m not sure it’s set yet. While I think David Fletcher will end up having a role at some point in the season, there are still a few weeks of spring training and teams could get desperate for a good glove at SS (Dodgers?). However, here’s my guess as of today:
- Travis D’Arnaud
- Forrest Wall
- Duvall/Kelenic
- Luis Guillorme
Fletcher has been outrighted off the 40-man and reassigned to AAA. If he wants to get paid, he’ll have to accept his assignment. Guillorme, while not a great backup SS, could play it should injury occur and Fletcher could get called up for the next game. When Fletcher gets the call, he’ll likely not be able to be optioned again and that is something that would really eat at AA.
Duval has an underrated head of hair IMHO
That is a great head of hair.
Ryan and I think hair is overrated
I gotta believe the plan is to trade Fletcher and save at least $3M of his salary to cover Duvall.
I was really thinking of Duvall’s last year with us when I was worried about collapse; he really did have a nice year last year with Boston, with good corner defense too. There still is some risk of collapse, as he is a marginal starter in his mid 30s, but I feel even better (and more confused?) about the signing now.
So I have a fair number of friends in Red Sox Nation and I was telling them last year that they were going to like Duvall. They did, and then were asking about Grissom. I was telling him they’re going to love Vaugn Grissom… and that may still be true, but he hasn’t batted yet in preseason owing to a groin sprain.
I absolutely love this roster. It’s amazing what spending at the top of the league and having several team-friendly deals can do for the depth and quality of your roster.
https://x.com/TheWARmonger_/status/1769155374723022869?s=20
I always think of Tyler Flowers when I think of pitch framing, and now I can also think of Ryan Doumit.
New thread.