Few roster notes

[McCarroll21]

Both of these courtesy of RotoWorld.com
Braves released LHP John Foster.
Foster went down in March with a sore elbow and ended up undergoing Tommy John surgery in June. He probably won't be ready to compete for a job in the spring, but he'll turn up in some team's pen before the end of the year.

Braves sent LHP Wayne Franklin and outfielder Josh Burrus outright to Triple-A Richmond.
Franklin, who has now seen time in the majors in seven straight seasons despite very little history of success, gave up six runs in 7 2/3 innings for the Braves. He'll become a free agent.

[Adam's Army]

im sort of sad to see foster go, oh well.

[McCarroll21]

I wasn't aware that he had TJ in June. I thought he had surgery earlier in the year. With that being the case, it makes more sense to release him than pay him to sit on the DL until July.

Franklin's release doesn't surprise me, but Foster's did a little. I guess with McBride coming on, it makes sense.

[Adam's Army]

i see the reasoning, its just sad because if he was healthy he could be another solid option for the bulpen. but as you said mcbride had a good season and with boyer returning bulpen spots are going to be up for some serious competition.

[McCarroll21]

A few more, didn't want to start a new thread so I'll just bump this one up a little.

All courtesy of RotoWorld.com
Braves purchased the contract of RHP Manny Acosta from Triple-A Richmond.
Three years after being released by the Yankees, Acosta turned himself into a legitimate relief prospect by posting a 3.30 ERA and collecting 21 saves between Double-A Mississippi and Richmond. The 25-year-old still needs plenty of work -- he walked 47 in 60 innings -- but the Braves might be able to turn him into a useful bullpen guy.

Braves sent RHP Kevin Barry outright to Triple-A Richmond.
Barry, 28, had a 5.61 ERA in one start and 18 relief appearances for the Braves. He might get additional chances, but he's a middle reliever at best.

Orioles claimed [SS] Luis Hernandez off waivers from the Braves.
Hernandez hasn't ever displayed much of a bat, but he's just 22 and he projects as an above average defender at shortstop. The Orioles will carry him on their 40-man roster and hope that he blossoms while spending another season in Double-A. He batted just .268/.308/.329 in 380 at-bats in the Southern League this year.

Royals claimed RHP Ken Ray off waivers from the Braves.
Ray got off to a great start after joining the Braves during the first week of the season, amassing a 2.66 ERA and five saves through the All-Star break. However, command was a problem right from the start and once batters began laying off his plus changeup, there wasn't much he could do. He ended up with a 4.52 ERA and a 50/38 K/BB ratio in 67 2/3 innings. Since he's not arbitration eligible, the Royals figured it was worth the 40-man roster spot to see whether he could win a bullpen spot next year.

[Jsh1284]

Byebye Gagnray. Its been real buddy. Have fun in the pitts

[Chief Knockahoma]

Royals claimed RHP Ken Ray off waivers from the Braves.
Ray got off to a great start after joining the Braves during the first week of the season, amassing a 2.66 ERA and five saves through the All-Star break. However, command was a problem right from the start and once batters began laying off his plus changeup, there wasn't much he could do. He ended up with a 4.52 ERA and a 50/38 K/BB ratio in 67 2/3 innings. Since he's not arbitration eligible, the Royals figured it was worth the 40-man roster spot to see whether he could win a bullpen spot next year.

if he can't win a roster spot with the Royals....then he might as well hang 'em up.

[hotcorner33]

Orioles claimed [SS] Luis Hernandez off waivers from the Braves.

Hernandez hasn't ever displayed much of a bat, but he's just 22 and he projects as an above average defender at shortstop. The Orioles will carry him on their 40-man roster and hope that he blossoms while spending another season in Double-A. He batted just .268/.308/.329 in 380 at-bats in the Southern League this year.


Royals claimed RHP Ken Ray off waivers from the Braves.

Ray got off to a great start after joining the Braves during the first week of the season, amassing a 2.66 ERA and five saves through the All-Star break. However, command was a problem right from the start and once batters began laying off his plus changeup, there wasn't much he could do. He ended up with a 4.52 ERA and a 50/38 K/BB ratio in 67 2/3 innings. Since he's not arbitration eligible, the Royals figured it was worth the 40-man roster spot to see whether he could win a bullpen spot next year.

this makes me very unhappy. :(

[vnodnarb]

i really don't think ray had much of a chance to make our bp this year anyway

[McCarroll21]

i really don't think ray had much of a chance to make our bp this year anyway
The truth. We need to clear room on the 40 man to protect some of the minor leaguers from the Rule 5 draft. Ken Ray wasn't going to make the team out of ST, so we shouldn't use a 40 man spot on him. If he would have cleared waivers, he probably would have gotten a non-roster invite to camp and try, but it was very unlikely.

hotcorner, why are you disappointed about Hernandez? We've already got Hernandez on the roster. His name is Tony Pena, Jr. Why have two guys on the 40 man that can't hit their weight?

[hotcorner33]

The truth. We need to clear room on the 40 man to protect some of the minor leaguers from the Rule 5 draft. Ken Ray wasn't going to make the team out of ST, so we shouldn't use a 40 man spot on him. If he would have cleared waivers, he probably would have gotten a non-roster invite to camp and try, but it was very unlikely.

hotcorner, why are you disappointed about Hernandez? We've already got Hernandez on the roster. His name is Tony Pena, Jr. Why have two guys on the 40 man that can't hit their weight?


Well, hes a rockin prospect. I saw him in a couple milb games this season, he jacked one, and he was VERY VERY impressive offensively and defensively.

[McCarroll21]

I guess you're right. His career .252 AVG, .303 OBP, .328 SLG, 631 OPS IN THE MINORS just screams impressive. Remind me when you come watch my team in the local beer league. If I hit one out when you're watching, I'm headed straight for the show.

[Adam's Army]

I think Ray had a shot at our bulpen this year. Honestly, I am sort of surprised we let him go... but not that surprised. we already have a lot of competition for the bulpen.

[hotcorner33]

I guess you're right. His career .252 AVG, .303 OBP, .328 SLG, 631 OPS IN THE MINORS just screams impressive. Remind me when you come watch my team in the local beer league. If I hit one out when you're watching, I'm headed straight for the show.

Hes 21. lets flash back to how omar vizquel was in the minors, shall we?

[McCarroll21]

Hes 21. lets flash back to how omar vizquel was in the minors, shall we?
If you honestly believe that Luis Hernandez is the same quality as Omar Vizquel, I feel for you. The Braves have the best scouts in the world, if they decide he's not worth a spot on the 40-man roster, I have every right to agree with them.

[oyhstah crachah]

The Braves have the best scouts in the world, if they decide he's not worth a spot on the 40-man roster, I have every right to agree with them.
Or if the Royals don't think he's worth a spot on the 40-man roster, cause they're basically the braves scouts of a few months ago...

[vnodnarb]

Or if the Royals don't think he's worth a spot on the 40-man roster, cause they're basically the braves scouts of a few months ago...

keep in mind its a lot easier to make their 40 man roster

[McCarroll21]

Or if the Royals don't think he's worth a spot on the 40-man roster, cause they're basically the braves scouts of a few months ago...
Yupp. Royals didn't want him either. Should tell you something.

keep in mind its a lot easier to make their 40 man roster
The Royals didn't pick him up. They passed on him and the Orioles claimed him. The Royals claimed Ray.

[oyhstah crachah]

Yupp. Royals didn't want him either. Should tell you something...

...Especially about the Orioles...

[Adam's Army]

Here another roster note (because i dont feel like starting an entirely new thread).
A new Bowman article is on atlantabraves.com. In short, the Braves bulpen looks to be in pretty good shape next year. We know Wickman will be the closer, McBride, Yates, and Cormier are also likely to return. Plus Blaine Boyer will likely get a spot. then the Braves will have some options in the minor leagues for the remaining spot: stockman, Barry, Villareal etc

So we probably only need one more spot in the bulpen. it could be Kyle Davies. If not, then who will fill the last spot? who could we get?

[McCarroll21]

Not going to start a new thread for this, but the Brewers exercised their option for Damian Miller. We had talked about maybe bringing him in to be the backup to McCann, but as expected, he won't be available.

[lavell12]

When Yates and Paronto get sent down or released I will be happy but until then our bullpen will still suck

[Adam's Army]

Yates isnt going anywhere, Cox loves Yates. And Yates loves the Cox.

[FalconPride]

And Paronto was the best reliever we had until Wickman came over. He's cheap, too.

[lavell12]

My Bullpen

Closer Bob Wickman
Setupman Joey Devine
Leftyspecialist MaCay McBride
seventhinning Blain Boyer
RHRP Lance Cormier
RHRP Oscar Villarreall
RHRP Phil Stockman

[McCarroll21]

Without Reitsma, Sosa and Ray (the second half version) our bullpen could be addition by subtraction. Wickman, McBride, Yates, Paronto and Villarreal were all good down the stretch ... adding in Boyer and/or Devine and whoever else will only make it better.

We need another starter we can turn to. He doesn't have to be great, just good enough to push Davies in ST to see what we've got. Good enough that if we are facing an injury situation with Hampton, we'll be able to comfortably turn to him for a few weeks at a time. Best case scenario is we get another starter turning Davies into the one that starts in the minors and we bring him up for injury replacement.

[FalconPride]

Cormier and Stockman over Paronto?

I just don't get it.

And we really have no idea what Boyer will provide next year.

[McCarroll21]

And we really have no idea what Boyer will provide next year.Or Devine for that matter. That's why I'm including them in the "other relievers" right now. Let them start in middle relief and move into the setup roles.

Another good reason to add a servicible middle relief man. Again, not needing to be great, just servicible.

[FalconPride]

What this team should focus on is getting as many young power starters as they can. The great thing about young power starters is...they tend to make pretty solid relievers even if they're not starting. The rotation is really nothing to write home about and I actually think Davies could benefit from coming out of the pen and simplifying things.

[McCarroll21]

Well, we just need to get back to the Braves way of building a system. We lost that in the last few years when we had to start using prospects to get players instead of having a lot of money to spend.

We need to get back to drafting good pitchers. We need to get back to allowing them develop and bringing them along correctly. I don't know much about what the guys in the minors have as far as stuff, but is Harrison one of those guys we could bring along in the pen as a power arm? How bout JoJo Reyes, Matt Wright, or Beau Jones?

[FalconPride]

Of all the young minor league pitchers, I like Harrison the most, but can he jump from AA? Still a question.