How is this season happening? Is there anyone that can actually justify this team being so bad. Yes, the team has been riddled with injuries:
Let’s take a look at the data:
April
- Spencer Strider out for season on day 1
- Sean Murphy out for 2 months on day 1
- Ozzie Albies breaks toe, 10-day IL, out 11 days
May
- Pierce Johnson on 15-day IL, missed 3 weeks
- Tyler Matzek on IL on 5/7, transferred to 60-day IL, still out
- Ronald Acuna Jr. out for season on May 30th
- Austin Riley, while not on IL, spent 15 days without play from 5/13=5/27
- A.J. Minter, 15-day on 5/30, out until 7/7
- AJ Smith-Shawver, 15-day IL on 5/24
June
- Michael Harris II, 15-day IL, transferred to 60-day IL.
- Hurston Waldrep, 15-day IL/ 617
July
- Ramon Laureano, 15-day IL, 7/9
- Max Fried, 15-day IL, 7/21
Am I Making Excuses? Kinda Sorta
This is a lot for any team to overcome, but when a pre-season CY Young candidate and a pre-season MVP candidate goes on the shelf permanently, then several core players are out for a month or months, it’s hard to get any rhythm and baseball might be the single most important sport that rhythm and reps pay off the most.
Trades are Starting to Come in Bunches
As Braves fans, we are hoping that AA replaces some of the duds with studs, but let’s take a look at what’s happened on the trade market in the last few days:
- Mariners grabbed Randy Arozarena for 2 Minor Leaguers
- Diamondback grabbed A.J. Puk for 2 Minor Leaguers
- Dodgers trade James Paxton to Red Sox for a minor league infielder
- Orioles and Phillies swap Seranthony Dominguez and Austin Hays
- Orioles traded for Zach Eflin, sending 3 prospects to the Rays
None of these trades seem to be big time needle movers, but moves are being made and AA is on the clock and there’s 130ish hours to make additions.
Braves Lineup and Charlie Morton
And, of course, Kodai Sengai comes off the IL to face us tonight.
JC’d.
I have my doubts Fried pitches again this year. From Dan Szymborski’s column:
“Instead, the Braves are choosing to be cautious with Fried because neuritis in the forearm can be related to an underlying problem with the UCL. Fried has already had Tommy John surgery once, about a decade ago when he was still a Padres prospect.”
It’s the first I’ve read that the nerve can be related to UCL issues. It just seems like something that will take a long time to heal, plus a rehab stint will be needed. It’s also his walk year, so why would he risk further injury? I hope I’m wrong.
re: trade deadline, I think they get an outfielder but someone even below Jesse Winkler’s level because I can’t see AA paying a high price for a rental. One player probably isn’t going to make a difference; I think they do something very marginal and hopefully go into the off-season with a new offensive mindset. The high strikeout, low walk, and power-first approach should be reevaluated.
I thought this would be the year for a big trade but now I can’t see it given the prices.
The dominoes keep falling but none of them are coming to us so far.
Drake Baldwin is out of the lineup.
Bless his heart, Adam Duvall… a homer off a righty.
Dammit Brandon, you woke me up.
Well, the rally after the error is not surprising thus season. Kind of expected it actually
What a miserable season. This team is destined for third place
I remember when we used to hit multiple home runs
In fact, there is such a thing as a bad one-year deal.
This team — as currently constructed with the players available — sucks.
Does anyone else hear circus music? Uncle Charlie is washed and so is this season. Unfortunately, I’m a glutton for punishment and won’t stop watching.
We are a bad bad team
We are a bad bad team
We are a bad bad team
We are a bad bad team
You ever love a team so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two?
I didn’t think so
You ever tried with all your heart and soul to root them back to health?
I want to hope so
You ever pray with all your heart and soul just to watch them fall apart?
We are a bad bad team
We are a bad bad team
We are a bad bad team
Feel like crying
Feel like crying
Is Julio Franco still a free agent?
Still cursed, and recapped. https://bravesjournal.com/2024/07/26/iwotb-mets-8-braves-4/