Atlanta Braves Clippings

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Braves.com

Braves to continue reconstructing ballclub

Offseason unlikely to be as busy as last year, but Coppolella could surprise

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | November 2nd, 2015

ATLANTA -- When the Braves entered last year's offseason, we essentially knew they were going to reshape their future by trading Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Evan Gattis.

Now that this year's Hot Stove period is upon us, it is easy to assume the Braves will not be nearly as busy as they were last winter. But this past year probably should have taught us that it is never wise to make assumptions about anything that can be influenced by general manager John Coppolella's creative mind.

Truth be told, the Braves are likely still at least one year away from being legitimate postseason contenders again. But the rough second half could influence the aggression shown by Braves president of baseball operations John Hart as he attempts to produce a competitive product in 2016 and move another step closer toward the completion of the massive reconstruction process that began last year.

Free agents/options: The Braves would love to lure A.J. Pierzynski back to Atlanta next year to at least serve as their backup catcher. Unfortunately, Pierzynski's success this season enhanced his cost and demand, especially among American League clubs that could use him as both a catcher and designated hitter.

There might also be some interest in keeping right-handed relievers Peter Moylan and Edwin Jackson. They would likely need to sign an incentive-based deal or agree to a Minor League contract.

Needs: Even if Pierzynski returns, the Braves will still likely search for a veteran to fill that starting catching role Christian Bethancourt will likely never gain in Atlanta. There will also be a focus placed on acquiring two relievers to strengthen the bullpen. Hart and Coppolella want to create depth in the relief corps department to compensate for the uncertainty surrounding Jason Grilli (Achilles) and Shea Simmons (Tommy John surgery).

The Braves will also look to add an affordable veteran starting pitcher who has the potential to strengthen the back end of a rotation and also provide valuable experience to a very young rotation.

Potential targets: Though there will be some talk about free agent Matt Wieters, it seems more likely that the Braves will land at least one catcher via the trade route. Chris Iannetta stands as a wild card among the free-agent candidates.

Joakim Soria, Jonathan Broxton (assuming the Cardinals don't exercise his 2016 option), Tyler Clippard, Darren O'Day and Tony Sipp are among the relievers who could draw attention from Atlanta.

As for a starting pitcher, Mark Buehrle (Pierzynski's longtime White Sox teammate) would be a decent fit. But Buehrle has provided some indication he might retire. Doug Fister and Yovani Gallardo are among the other experienced pitchers who might draw interest if the price is right.

Trade assets: The Braves are sure to get some calls about some of the pitching prospect depth they have compiled over the past year. Nine of their top 12 prospects per MLB.com are pitchers, and that is not counting former top prospects Mike Foltynewicz and Matt Wisler, who both experienced long stretches in Atlanta this year.

Julio Teheran enhanced his value with his late-season success, but the trade of Alex Wood seemingly increased the importance of keeping Teheran in Atlanta. Over the summer, the Braves talked to clubs about Teheran and Andrelton Simmons. But unless a hefty value is being provided in return, Teheran and Simmons are both likely to stick around.

Financial situation: When the Braves traded Chris Johnson to the Indians in exchange for Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn in August, they took on more payroll for 2016 in order to make their '17 payroll more attractive. Still, they have approximately $30 million to spend this winter.

Bottom line: Though there might not be an obvious target this offseason, there is no doubt that the Braves will need to add a key offensive piece over the next year to be where they want to be in 2017. They will weigh whether it makes more sense to do that now or next winter, when they will have more money.

Borkowski suspended for using PEDs

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | November 3rd, 2015

ATLANTA -- Braves Minor League pitcher Steve Borkowski received a 68-game suspension on Tuesday after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

After signing as an undrafted free agent this year, Borkowski posted a 9.00 ERA and allowed a .390 opponents' on-base percentage over the 20 innings he completed for Rookie-level Danville.

Borkowski, 22, will not be paid as he serves the suspension.

Olivera to play some LF in Puerto Rico

Braves hope decision enhances his versatility on defense

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | October 30th, 2015

ATLANTA -- The Braves view Hector Olivera as a middle-of-the-lineup asset that could benefit their offense over the next five seasons. Olivera's long-term defensive role will be better understood after he spends some time playing left field in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

After spending the past couple weeks evaluating their options, the Braves decided it would be in Olivera's best interest to enhance his defensive options. Thus the 30-year-old Cuban will play both third base and left field during his six-week stint in Puerto Rico with Criollos de Caguas.

Still, the Braves have made it clear that this does not mean they are hoping to use Olivera as their primary left fielder next year. It's simply a decision that enhances his defensive versatility and provides the club a chance to get a feel for what their needs might be over the next few years.

Before exiting Cuba and signing a six-year, $62.5 million deal with the Dodgers earlier this year, Olivera had been primarily used as a second baseman. Once he began his professional career in the United States, he transitioned to third base. But because a hamstring injury sidelined him most of the summer, he ended up playing just 21 games (168 innings) at the hot corner with the Braves in 2015.

It seems too early to project where Olivera might fit long term on a defensive basis. But when the Braves were pursuing him as a free agent this past winter, there was talk that he would likely end up as a left fielder if he signed with Atlanta.

Although Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn might not be viewed as everyday options, they will both return to Atlanta as left field options, unless the Braves are able to creatively move at least one of those contracts. Adonis Garcia stands as another option to occasionally use in left field or at third base.

Despite the limited range he showed during his short time playing third base, Olivera appears to be a better defensive option at third base than Garcia.

Unless the Braves take a chance on David Freese or find another option via trade, Olivera might actually be the club's best option at third base for at least another year. But there is still reason to plan for the strong possibility that he could end up in left field before his contract expires after the 2020 season.

Although it might be debatable whether Rio Ruiz is capable of becoming Atlanta's third baseman by 2017, Austin Riley has spent the first few months of his professional career giving the Braves reason to wonder if his reign as their third baseman could begin as early as 2018.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After debate, Olivera rated Braves’ No. 1 prospect by BA

By David O’Brien

In Baseball America’s updated Braves top 10 prospects list announced Monday (Oct. 26), seven of the top eight were players since mid-December via the draft or trades. Shortstop Ozzie Albies, at No. 3, was the only one among the top eight who was with the Braves 11 months ago.

In a rarity, BA’s No. 1 Braves prospect is a 30-year-old, Cuban third baseman Hector Olivera, who’ll be 31 in April. Left-hander Kolby Allard, the Braves’ top pick in the June draft, came in at No. 2 on the list.

Personally, I was surprised that BA even had Olivera on the list, given his age and injury history. And No. 1? I never would’ve expected that.

Allard turned 18 in August, and if not for a back injury (stress fracture) that forced him to miss most of his high school senior season, some at Baseball America thought he’d have been the Braves’ No. 1 prospect.

“We had internal debate (about Olivera as No. 1),” said John Manuel, Baseball America editor-in-chief. “I will say the (major league) track record of Cuban hitters with Olivera’s track record is very good, and there was no natural choice. Maybe if (Austin) Riley were a better athlete, or if Allard were healthy, or if we were more confident in the impact of Albies’ bat.”

Right-hander Tyrell Jenkins, who was acquired with Shelby Miller in the November trade that sent Jason Heyward to St. Louis and was named the Braves’ organizational pitcher of the year, didn’t even crack BA’s top 10. For those keeping score, that means the seven newcomers (in the top eight) who were acquired in trades or the draft came in deals beginning with the Justin Upton-to-San Diego trade Dec. 19.

The only holdovers who were in the Braves organization who were this time last year: Albies, outfielder Braxton Davidson (No. 9) and right-hander Lucas Sims (No. 10).

The rest of BA’s top 10 included 19-year-old pitcher Touki Toussaint, a Diamondbacks 2014 first-round pick, at No. 4; 18-year-old third baseman Riley (No. 5), 21-year-old lefty Max Fried (No. 6), 22-year-old center fielder Mallex Smith (No. 7), and 18-year-old righty Mike Soroka (No. 8).

Sims was rated as the Braves’ No. 1 prospect by Baseball America at this time a year ago, before all the trades and draft picks and before he struggled in the first half of the 2014 season and injured a hip in the bus crash that landed several other Single-A Carolina players on the disabled list. He wasn’t hurt seriously, hads a strong second half, and I’ll predict that Sims climbs back up this list quickly if he pitches like he has in his past couple of starts in the Arizona Fall League.

That includes the one I saw Monday at Mesa, Ariz., when he retired nine of 10 batters – the only one who reached did so on a shortstop error – and struck out four while touching 97-98 mph with his fastball, a few mph above where he’s usually been in the past. If Sims keeps pitching like that, I think the Brookwood High grad could be knocking at the big-league door at some point in the ’16 season.

I’ll be writing a feature on him for next Sunday’s AJC, and it should be posted on our website by the end of the week.

Braves prospect Cabrera’s 102-mph fastball entices

By David O’Brien

PHOENIX – Scouts have clocked Mauricio Cabrera’s fastball in triple digits on a regular basis here in the Arizona Fall League, but after his first three appearances his ERA was still in double digits, as in 12.27.

Hence the quandary of Cabrera, who can throw 102 miles per hour but still has plenty of work to do if he’s to become a major league pitcher.

Actually, quandary might be a bit of an overstatement, since he only turned 22 in September and the Braves aren’t facing any immediate deadlines or decisions about his future.

For now, they will wait and hope that it clicks for Cabrera, that he improves his location and hones his curveball to complement that impressive heater and a 92-93 mph changeup that’s also a plus pitch. He needs the curveball to give him something a little softer to keep hitters off-balance.

He’s pitched in five minor league seasons and made only 13 appearances above Class-A, all of those 13 coming in relief this past season at Double-A Mississippi.

In Arizona, much as during the minor league season, Cabrera has shown flashes of dominance as well as episodes of how-can-he-struggle-like-that?

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Dominican gave up six hits and five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings over his first two appearances for the Peoria Javelinas, who have six other Braves minor leaguers on their roster, some of them here to get more at-bats or innings after missing time following a harrowing bus crash that sidelined several members of the high-A Carolina team.

But after getting knocked around in his first two AFL outings, Cabrera allowed two hits and one walk with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings over his next two appearances Oct. 24 and Wednesday (Oct. 28). I’m out here to see Peoria play three games and looking forward to seeing him pitch at least once and maybe twice (he didn’t get in Friday’s game, but is likely to pitch Saturday).

Dan Winkler, by the way, pitched one perfect inning in Friday’s 4-1 win against Glendale. Winkler, a Rule 5 pick last December, made his major league debut for the Braves late this season after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The righty has made four AFL relief appearances (through Friday) and given up four hits, two runs and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings.

Winkler, 25, doesn’t throw anywhere near as hard as Cabrera – he’s about double-digits below him in peak velocity — yet Winkler had a 3.35 ERA and 447 strikeouts in 429 2/3 innings in four minor league seasons in the Rockies organization, including a 1.41 ERA in 12 starts at Double-A Tulsa in 2014, with 71 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 70 innings.

Cabrera has a 4.35 career ERA in 113 games (50 starts). He has 275 strikeouts and 174 walks in 322 2/3 innings.

Signed for $400,000 in 2010, Cabrera pitched in the Dominican summer league in 2011, then led the Appalachian League with a .213 opponents’ average for rookie-league Danville in 2012 in his first season in the United States.

He was the No. 10 prospect in the South Atlantic League for low-A Rome in 2012, but a forearm strain forced him to miss two months of the 2013 season in high-A. Cabrera returned to high-A Carolina to begin the 2015 season and ended up with an ERA well over 6.00 for the second season in a row – he had combined 6.33 ERA in 36 appearances in ’15 at high-A and Double-A with 53 strikeouts and 35 walks in 48 1/3 innings.

Winkler is three years older and in what should be his prime, but it’s still rather startling to note how much more success he’s had with so much less, in terms of sheer stuff. Not that this is unique. The Braves have had other pitchers who threw 100 mph in the minors and never amounted to much, and they’ve had some highly successful pitchers who never threw much harder than the low-90 mph range.

Not to oversimplify, but Winkler was so successful in Double-A last season because he has a couple of things that Cabrera does not: Deception and good location. Location doesn’t really need explanation, and is something that Cabrera can still improve. But deception is more difficult. Winkler has a little hitch in his delivery, a funky motion that makes it hard for hitters to pick up his pitches.

Cabrera doesn’t have deception, and perhaps you’ve heard what they say about big-league hitters being able to time a jet (an exaggeration to illustrate that good major league hitters can hit four-seam fastballs, no matter how hard they’re thrown). Even good minor league hitters can hit upper-90s (or above) fastballs if they’re straight and not complemented by a good secondary pitch. Cabrera’s curve still isn’t consistent, his plus-changeup is thrown at a much higher velocity than most pitchers, and hitters, particularly lefties, see his fastball well.

Hitters can “sit” on the fastball, and when Cabrera doesn’t have good location they can also go to the plate knowing there’s a pretty good chance they can work a walk.

So he’s a work in progress. The potential is huge, and the Braves put him on the 40-man roster last winter, so they have expectations. But it’s also not like he’s only 19 or 20 years old. It’s not a given that he’ll ever realize the enormous potential in that arm.

When he pitches like he has his past couple of times he’s been on the mound in Arizona, against some pretty good young hitters, the Braves can’t help but maintain their high hopes for the flame-throwing prospect.

• Mike Minor continues to gradually increase his throwing program after the left-hander missed the 2015 season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. He’s expected to throw off a mound by mid- to late-November, and the Braves have a Dec. 2 deadline to offer him a contract (the tender deadline, when teams must offer contracts to all unsigned players on their 40-man rosters, else they become non-tendered free agents).

Minor is again eligible for arbitration. Through the arbitration process he could be offered no less than 80 percent of his 2015 salary, which was $5.6 million (after he won his spring arbitration hearing against the Braves, who had offered $5.1 million). The Braves have indicated they plan to, or at least want to, re-sign him and have him in the rotation. They reason that with the price of pitching these days, it’s worth the $5 million-or-so gamble that he’ll be healthy in 2016 with a repaired shoulder, after being slowed or sidelined for most of two seasons with shoulder issues.

• The Braves signed three pitchers to minor league contracts including veteran Chris Volstad and interesting independent-league prospect Connor Little, who is not little (6 feet 6, which is actually two inches shorter than Volstad).

Braves shortstop Simmons wins another Fielding Bible Award

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For the third year in a row, Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons was a unanimous selection as the best defensive player at his position in the major leagues.

Simmons, who turned 26 in September, has not only won the prestigious award in each of his three full seasons in the majors, he’s been named atop the ballots of all 12 panel members who vote. The San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Crawford was second on every ballot this year.

Simmons is also one of three finalists for the National League shortstop Gold Glove Award, which will be announced Nov. 10. Simmons has won Gold Gloves each of the past two seasons and also won a Platinum Glove Award as the best defensive player in the NL regardless of position.

While Gold Glove awards are presented to the top defender at each position in each league, the Fielding Bible Award is given to just one player at each position regardless of league.

Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward, a former Braves teammate of Simmons’, was among the other three repeat winners of Fielding Blble awards. Heyward, in his first season with St.Louis, won for the third time in four years.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel won his second consecutive award, and Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt won his second in three years.

The other six Fielding Bible Awards went to first-time winners: Giants catcher Buster Posey, Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, Pirates left fielder Starling Marte, Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, and Diamondbacks multi-position player Ender Inciarte.

It was the second year that the Fielding Bible panel has given an award to a player for multi-position fielding prowess..

Braves sign veteran pitcher Volstad, two others

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves signed three pitchers to minor league contracts including veteran right-hander Chris Volstad and a pair from the independent-league ranks, which Atlanta has mined with some success in recent seasons. Olnly Volstad’s contract includes an invitation to major league spring training.

Connor Little, 25, was rated the No. 8 independent-league prospect by Baseball America and posted a 1.70 ERA and 0.824 WHIP (walks-plus-hits per inning pitched) in 51 appearances last season in two leagues. The 6-foot-6 right-hander had a 1.19 ERA and 90 strikeouts with 14 walks in 68 innings (47 appearances) for Evansville in the Frontier League.

Left-hander Bryan Morgado, a Phillies fourth-round draft pick in 2010 out of the University of Tennessee, spent parts of three seasons in the Phillies organization without making it past high Single-A ball. He pitched the past three seasons in independent leagues and was 4-6 with a 4.00 ERA in 32 games (10 starts) for Lancaster of the Atlantic League in 2015, totaling 71 strikeouts and 28 walks in 72 innings.

The hope, of course, is that another Brandon Beachy or Brandon Cunniff – two recent Braves pitchers who previously toiled in indy-league ball – could come from the relative obscurity of an independent league to contribute at the big-league level.

Volstad, 29 is much more of a known commodity, having spent parts of seven seasons in the majors with the Marlins, Cubs, Rockies and Pirates. He has a 35-51 career record and 4.92 ERA in 131 games (123 starts), and a two-inning relief appearance for the Pirates last season was the only game he’s pitched in the majors since 2013.

Still, the Braves think Volstad, a former Marlins first-round draft pick – the No. 16 selection in the 2005 draft – could compete for a spot in the spring or help at some point next season. He was 11-7 with a 3.18 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) for the Pirates’ Triple-A team in 2015 and allowed just three homers in 155 2/3 innings.

Pierzynski, Moylan among 4 Braves free agents

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHOENIX — Braves catcher A.J. Pierzysnki and relievers Peter Moylan, Ross Detwiler and Edwin Jackson all became free agents Monday, the first day after the conclusion of the World Series.

The Braves hope to re-sign veteran Pierzynski, but it remains to be seen if his price rises above where they’re willing to go for the catcher, who’ll be 39 on Dec. 30. After batting .300 with 24 doubles, nine homers and 49 RBIs in 113 games, Pierzynski might be attractive for an American League team that offer a multi-year deal with the designated-hitter role a possibility down the line.

Moylan signed a two-year minor league deal with the Braves in March that was intended to give him time to recover at a cautious pace from his second Tommy John surgery and serve as a player/coach for rookie-league Danville in late summer. But he progressed ahead of scheduled and was called up by the major league team in August, at which point the minor-league contract was voided.

The Braves might have interest in re-signing Moylan or Jackson, who was released by the Cubs last summer with 1 1/2 seasons left on a huge contract.

Re-signing Pierzynski has been previously characterized as a priority by the Braves, if the price is within reason. He rebounded from a career-worst season in 2014 and surpassed expectations as a hitter in his first year in Atlanta, while providing the leadership the Braves hoped he would for their young pitching staff.

Pierzynski had been brought in to serve as a mentor to rooke Christian Bethancourt, but when Bethancourt struggled early while Pierzynski excelled, the majority of playing time shifted to Pierzysnki and Bethancourt was eventually demoted to Triple-A for much of the summer.

An informal survey of Atlanta media members indicated that Pierzynski was a frontrunner for the team’s Most Valuable Player award in an upcoming vote. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said late in the season that he thought Pierzynski was the team MVP.

Braves minor leaguer gets 68-game PED suspension

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves minor league pitcher Steve Borkowski got slapped with a 68-game suspension without pay after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He’s currently on the rookie-league Danville roster, and his suspension begins at the start of the 2016 season.

The Braves signed the 22-year-old undrafted free agent to a minor-league contract in July, and Borkowski went 3-1 with a 9.00 ERA in 10 relief appearances at Danville, allowing 32 hits, 20 runs and six walks with 14 strikeouts in 20 innings.

He tested positive for a metabolite of Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the minor league drug program. The 68-game length of the suspension equals a full season in the Appalachian League, a short-season rookie league.

The suspension was one of three announced Tuesday by the office of the baseball commissioner. The others were Cubs minor league outfielder Adron Chambers, who got a 50-game suspension following a second positive test for a “drug of abuse,” and Giants minor league pitcher Alvaro Diaz, who got a 25-game suspension without pay following an unspecified violation of the drug program.

City, county still at impasse over Turner Field sale approval process

By Katie Leslie - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The bidding process for Turner Field is well underway, with offers on the property due later this month. Still, Fulton County and Atlanta leaders have yet to agree on a long-running dispute over who gets to decide the fate of the ballpark.

Mayor Kasim Reed has said the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority alone has the power to approve a development deal. But Fulton County has insisted it has a say, and Atlanta council members are wondering if they, too, get to weigh in.

In a recent meeting with the city council’s finance committee, Reed didn’t rule out the possibility of the council also taking a vote, but said approval by Fulton County isn’t required.

“Fulton County may have a different opinion,” Reed told the finance committee in October. “But that’s my opinion and that’s the opinion I’ve gotten from every attorney I’ve consulted with.”

Chairman John Eaves has long maintained that the county gets a final vote. On Monday, he held his ground during a public meeting with residents near Turner Field.

“Despite what you’ve heard, Fulton County is still a player in all of this,” said Eaves, who was joined by Commissioners Marvin Arrington Jr. and Bob Ellis, who sit on the recreation authority board. “We own assets. We own property. We own parcels. And any transaction that occurs does require our approval.”

The final approval question has perplexed the commission and city council alike in the years since the Braves announced their planned departure to Cobb County. And though city and county officials have made public statements about working collaboratively on the sale of Turner Field, the governments have yet to agree on this critical element.

During the October hearing, Atlanta Councilwoman Felicia Moore pushed for clarity on who from the city gets to weigh in.

“You will really have to give me a lot of background information that suggests the mayor would have the ability to act on behalf of the city without some sort of authorization or agreement from council,” she told the authority’s executive director, Councilmember Keisha Lance Bottoms, during the October hearing.

Atlanta’s law department, which is tasked with reviewing whether the city council has a say on the buyer, has not made a final determination on the issue, spokeswoman Anne Torres said. Torres added that any discussions between Reed and the law department on whether Fulton gets a vote is protected by attorney-client privilege.

Fulton County Attorney Jerolyn Ferrari was more forthcoming.“Fulton County, by and through its own governing body, must consent or agree to a conveyance because of the one-third interest which the title examination shows that Fulton County holds at Turner Field.”

Ferrari declined to say what what would happen if the city and county fail to reach agreement, but noted, “I am optimistic, however, that the parties will work together.”

State Rep. Margaret Kaiser, a Grant Park resident who came to Monday’s meeting, wants a clear answer. She said she’s concerned that the recreation authority alone could execute the sale. The authority is comprised of nine members, with six appointed by Atlanta and three by Fulton.

“These are not elected officials. At the end of the day, they are appointed by elected officials,” Kaiser said. “We’d like an answer once and for all.”

It’s unclear how the dispute will be resolved and what impact it will have on the sale. But that issue may be moot altogether, some residents at the meeting said.

Residents Scott Callison and Alex Lima expressed frustration that, despite the public meetings and competitive bidding process, the future of the ballpark already seems decided in favor of a deal with Georgia State University and real estate firm Carter.

Reed has repeatedly expressed support for that proposal, which involves a $300 million mix of student housing, apartments, retail and the conversion of Turner Field into a football stadium.

“What I’m hearing a lot is that it’s just an exercise in futility, that this is a foregone conclusion,” Callison said.

A few residents said they were worried the Georgia State development would bring “party-goers” and harm their home values if homeowners turn over their property to student renters. But Jackson Faw, a Peoplestown resident, said he welcomes the plan as Georgia State would bring campus police and increase the area’s security.

Others, like Jane Ridley, said they were disappointed that Mechanicsville was “left out” of the request for proposals altogether.

The RFP covers six parcels, including the ballpark, totaling 67 acres of land. The Turner Field site is nearly 80 acres, but the media lot, lots west of the Downtown Connector and FanPlex are not included in the bid. Bids are due Nov. 20.

The Fulton leaders pledged to advocate on behalf of the residents as the authority weighs the bids.

The stakes have never been higher, Arrington said. “I think this is the single most important thing that will define this community going forward.”

Fox Sports

Short Hops: Braves bullpen review/preview

Long the strength of the Braves, their bullpen struggled due to trades and injuries in 2015. Can this group rebound in '16?

By Cory McCartney

FOXSportsSouth.com's team of Braves writers are taking a look back at 2015, position by position, and breaking down what we know heading into what figures to be another busy offseason. We conclude with the bullpen.

STATS THAT MATTER

-1.0 -- Collective WAR by the Braves relievers last season, which was the 29th in the majors (the Red Sox were worse at minus-1.4). Atlanta was the only National League team ranked lower than 22nd.

2 -- Arodys Vizcaino (1.60) and Edwin Jackson (2.92) were the only relievers who ended '15 on the active roster with an ERA below 3.48.

2.25/10.13 -- The first number represents Jim Johnson's ERAs while he was with the Braves; the second is what he posted after his deadline deal to theDodgers.

THREE KEY QUESTIONS

1. What went wrong for the Braves relievers in 2015?

The past season only the Rockies at 4.70 had a worse bullpen ERA than the Braves' 4.65, a figure that was the worst for any group of Atlanta relievers since 1977 and, dating back to 1914, the franchise finished just 13 years with a bigger number.

To sum all that up: the Braves' relief efforts in 2015 were the worst since Georgia product Jimmy Carter's first year as President.

Still, going back to 2011, Atlanta has the third-best cumulative bullpen ERA in the game at 3.24, a testament to just how dominant that Craig Kimbrel-led unit was for four years. No one is expecting this current collection of arms to get back to that point, but with new general manager John Coppolella pinpointing upgrades here as the biggest area of need, the seeds for a turnaround should be planted.

Consistency would certainly help. Before the season, the Braves traded Kimbrel (Padres), Jordan Walden(Cardinals), David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve (both to the Yankees), Anthony Varvaro (Red Sox) and David Hale (Rockies), in-season they sentLuis Avilan and Jim Johnson to the Dodgers and Jason Grilli was lost in July to a ruptured Achilles.

The end result was Fredi Gonzalez using 34 different players in relief -- that included 17 rookies and oneunforgettable appearance from Jonny Gomes -- which was a jump of 19 more players than the year before.

Finding proven arms will no doubt be on Coppolella's short list, but just getting healthy will be a major help, as Grilli is expected back for the the start of spring training and Shae Simmons(2.91 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 11 walks in 26 games in '14) returns from Tommy John surgery.

And on the topic of Grilli ...

2. Grilli? Vizcainio? Someone else? Who is the closer?

Before his season-ending injury, Grilli looked much more like the 2013 All-Star than the pitcher who lost the closer role with the Pirates in '14 and was eventually traded to the Angels.

He converted 24 of his 26 saves opportunities in 36 appearances with a .217 batting average against. Those were a vast improvement from '14's 4.00 ERA and .252 BAA in 62 games, and Grilli's 12.05 strikeouts per nine innings where more of a return to '13's figure of 13.3.

That kind of a season -- even at 38 -- would make it seem a given that Grilli would have every chance to reclaim the closer role if he's indeed back to full health by Opening Day.

The problem with that though, is Arodys Vizcaino.

Originally acquired by the Braves in 2009 from the Yankees as a 19-year-old, and then reacquired last November by sending Tommy LaStella to the Cubs, Vizcaino made a strong case for the job after Grilli went down.

He was nine of 10 in save chances, held opponents to .218 batting and had a 1.60 ERA in 33 2/3 innings over 36 games. Over Vizcaino's last nine appearances, which included five saves, he didn't allow a run in 8 2/3 with 12 strikeouts to two walks.

Granted, it was a small sample size, but let's not forget that Grilli was brought on to be a setup man and was only thrust into the closer role on the day before the season opener when Kimbrel was dealt to the Padres. If Gonzalez believes enough out of what he's seen from Vizcaino, it could allow Grilli to move back to that spot in the pecking order.

Of course, the wild card here may be Mike Foltynewicz. The popular belief is that the Braves are intent on keeping him a starter, but if Mike Minor and Manny Banuelos are healthy -- and join Shelby Miller, Julio Teheran and, likely, Matt Wisler -- will there be enough room for Foltynewicz or Williams Perez in the rotation?

If not, Foltynewicz's arsenal, in particular, and 19.3 strikeout percentage would look right at home in the bullpen, and, eventually, closing outs games.

3. Where will reinforcements come from?

While Coppolella is clear in his intentions to revitalize the bullpen, the reality is that getting healthy may be the first real step. As previously stated, Grilli and Simmons will again be available and having Vizcaino and Andrew McKirahan, both of whom were suspended for 80 games for PED use, for an entire season will also help immensely.

If we're assuming Atlanta carries seven relievers on the active roster, that would account for four spots, and if Foltynewicz is in the conversation, that leaves two open spots.

There's the potential that Edwin Jackson (2.92 ERA in 24 games after being traded from the Cubs) and left-hander Matt Marksberry, who had a .170 average against lefties, could return. But if the Braves do look outside, especially for a lefty, Franklin Morales could make a lot of sense after limiting left-handers to a .192 average for the champion Royals.

The Braves could wind up digging into their own system with Chris Withrow or Zack Bird -- who they acquired from the Dodgers -- or Jason Hursh, Daniel Winkler (a Rule 5 pick) or any of the laundry list of youngsters who were up and down between Atlanta and the minors last season or those who were in the rotation in '15.

The point is that, while Coppolella and Co. could look outside the organization, there is plenty of in-house options that could make this spring every interesting.

Short Hops: Braves starting rotation review/preview

Following the Atlanta Braves' historic youth movement in 2015, the starting rotation will be expected to keep progressing next season.

By Zach Dillard

FOXSportsSouth.com's team of Braves writers are taking a look back at 2015, position by position, and breaking down what we know heading into what figures to be another busy offseason. Next up, starting pitching.

151: The Braves received 151 starts from pitchers under the age of 25 this past season, the highest single-season total in MLB history. For comparison, the youth-infused 1989 and 1990 Braves teams posted 123 and 120 under-25 starts, respectively, which were the previous franchise highs.

6: Braves starters posted a combined 6.0 WAR over the course of the 2015 season, tied with the Diamondbacks for the 28th-worst value in baseball. That mark also undercut the franchise-worst starters' WAR, set in 1985, since the team relocated to Atlanta.

24: Shelby Miller pitched well but suffered through a franchise-record 24 straight starts without earning a win. Miller snapped the streak in his final outing of the campaign, pitching eight scoreless innings to enter the offseason on a high note.

How much trust and patience is the front office willing to put into this rotation's youth movement?

Starting pitching depth is the most promising aspect of the franchise's rebuilding effort, and if there's one area the team can afford to show some patience it's the rotation.

After failed veteran experiments Eric Stults and Trevor Cahill, the staff was headlined by 24-year-olds Shelby Miller, Julio Teheran and Alex Wood and backed by rookies Matt Wisler, Mike Foltynewicz, Manny Banuelos, Ryan Weber and Williams Perez. Wood was a major piece in the Braves-Dodgers blockbuster trade deadline deal involving Hector Olivera, but there are a variety of high-ceiling pieces left to choose from.

Outside of Miller and Teheran, each of whom wrapped up rotation spots long ago, 23-year-old Matt Wisler's strong September, including just four earned runs allowed in his final three starts, should keep the former top prospect in the starting mix. That leaves two spots open for the likes of Foltynewicz, Banuelos, Weber, Perez, veteran Mike Minor and the team's Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Tyrell Jenkins — and that's if the team doesn't make an offseason move. There are other young arms that could enter the conversation over the course of the 2016 season, but many of the farm system's top arms are at least one season away due to age and/or injury.

The organization has made a habit of searching for low-cost veteran arms to shore up the back end of the staff over the past few years — Stults, Cahill, Aaron Harang and Freddy Garcia come to mind — but this might be the year to divert away from that strategy. There's simply no need. This Braves team is not one decent pitcher away from contending. This remains a rebuilding process, and for every inning given to a veteran spot starter it takes away opportunities from the likes of Foltynewicz or Jenkins.

(In terms of the team hitting the trade market or looking at one of the high-priced free-agent stars like David Price or Johnny Cueto, keep in mind that an expensive long-term contract, by definition, will eventually block one of the team's 10-plus top-tier pitching prospects. That could create a scenario where the Braves are willing to flip some of their prospects for a bat down the line, but that's not exactly the route they've geared up for.)

The Braves have already made the leap and hit the reset button, and they are now overflowing with pitching prospects. There needs to be some faith that they've made the correct decisions with those arms.

Who is the left-hander in the stating rotation?

Trading Alex Wood came with its fair share of risks. Not only did the Braves part with one of the most consistent young starters in baseball — his 6.8 WAR since the 2013 season is the fourth-best mark among qualified under-25 MLB starters, sandwiched between Julio Teheran and Shelby Miller — but they traded their only proven left-hander on the roster.

At the time of the trade, lefty rookie Manny Banuelos was just five starts into his career. He dealt with injury issues and production concerns down the stretch. Veteran Mike Minor has not been a productive MLB pitcher since his strong 2013 season, and he was sidelined by injury throughout the 2015 season. The front office has expressed optimism, but he's a health risk and there's no guarantee he can return to top form. Left-handed prospect Max Fried, the primary piece in the Justin Upton trade, is the only other realistic option, and he's making his way back from Tommy John surgery.

There were times last season when the Braves employed an all-righty rotation, but that's far from ideal.

The obvious organizational hope is for Banuelos to come back healthy and challenge for a spot in spring training. Then there's Minor, who will be owed at least 80 percent of his $5.6 million in arbitration. Minor's situation harkens back to the Brandon Beachysituation (another former Braves arm that could not regain his form after battling injuries), but the fact that Minor is a southpaw makes it that much more difficult to let him walk. If the front office believes Minor's good health, do not be surprised if they ignore the cost and keep him — if only for insurance purposes.

If the front office makes a move in free agency or on the trade market, chances are it's a left-hander. Bonus: If Banuelos and Minor are healthy, it will give Atlanta that many more options to shore up its problematic bullpen.

As young arms improve, can Shelby Miller and Julio Teheran carry the rotation?

The past two seasons have been anything but consistent for Miller and Teheran. Before Miller enjoyed a breakout season under Roger McDowell's tutelage, he sputtered through a sophomore slump in St. Louis. Julio Teheran's first half and home-road splits were forgettable at best (4.56 ERA, 4.05 FIP) in 2015, but after his name was floated in trade rumors he bounced back with a solid second half.

Those two names need to become anchors for this rotation, though.

Wisler and the rest of the team's young group are bound to hit their growing pains once again next season, but it's going to be Year 4 for Miller and Teheran. It's time for that consistency to kick in. For extreme recent examples, look across baseball at the likes of Jake Arrieta and Dallas Keuchel, who broke out in their fourth seasons to jump into the upper echelon of pitchers league-wide.

Can Miller and Teheran make similar leaps?

Marietta Daily Journal

Seeing is Believing: SunTrust Park progress makes it easier to envision the final product

By Ricky Leroux

CUMBERLAND — Recent progress being made on the new Atlanta Braves stadium under construction will allow passers-by to truly envision what the ballpark will look like when it opens, a Braves executive said this week. Mike Plant, executive vice president of business operations for the Braves, recently said the steel that will hold up the ballpark’s massive videoboard in center field is complete and construction crews are now erecting the steel for the stadium’s four light towers in the outfield. “The scoreboard steel is all erected and finished,” Plant said. “It will essentially stay that way until we start putting, much later in the project, the LED panels and all of the guts of the scoreboard and videoboard. That’s much further downstream.” The steel for the light towers was expected to be completed and in place by the end of October, he said, though the lights themselves won’t be installed for some time. Plant said these two projects represent a “significant landmark” for the stadium project. “It really gives people a little bit of an understanding of the scale and the orientation of the ballpark much more than just looking at it on paper,” Plant said. Commissioner Bob Ott, who represents the area where the stadium is being built, said he drove by the stadium site last month and was struck by the progress being made. “There’s some brick that’s up on some of the (exterior), so I think that you can definitely get a feel for the size and the shape of the stadium,” Ott said. “I think it’s coming along.” Meanwhile, project general manager American Builders 2017 is on track to have all the concrete at the stadium poured by mid-November, Plant said. To meet that goal, crews recently completed the largest concrete pour of the stadium project. About 1,700 cubic yards were poured on the site over a nine-hour stretch that started Sept. 22, at 10 p.m. and ended Sept. 23, at 7 a.m., Plant said. “The thing you learn about concrete — I’m not an expert, but I’ve learned enough to know that once you put that in the truck, you only have a limited amount of time before you pour that. They worked through the night,” he said. By working overnight, crews were able to limit the effect the concrete trucks would have on traffic around the site, Plant said. “That’s been our commitment from the day we started the project — to minimize the amount of heavy trucks on the road surrounding the site so that it would alleviate some of the burden on the traffic around there,” he said. “I think most people that work or live around there would agree we’ve had little impact with our construction project on the traffic in that area.” Ott concurred, saying he hasn’t heard any complaints from residents or businesses in the Cumberland area about construction traffic. The Braves and American Builders are both working frantically to keep to the construction schedule for the stadium, set to open at the beginning of the 2017 season. According to American Builders, 600 people were working on the stadium site in mid-September, plus another 100 people working on the neighboring mixed-use development, up from the 415 total people working on site in mid-July. Crews had put in a total of 635,000 man-hours on the stadium project as of mid-September, a significant jump from the 425,000 man-hours put in on the site by mid-July. Plant said the project has required a lot of dedication on the Braves side. “It really owns my life at this point,” he said. “I know I speak for a lot of people — and it owns all them, too — but that’s what it takes. That’s why I feel confident about where we’re at in the process because a lot of people are dedicating a good chunk of their life to making sure that we deliver this thing, and not just the ballpark, the entire mixed-use development at the same time.” Though the Braves’ 2015 season has come to a close, Plant doesn’t see his schedule loosening up.

“(The season ending) doesn’t make it any easier,” he said. “There’s always something. … I wouldn’t wish this on too many people, I’m not gonna lie to you. Everyone in our organization is doubling down, doing double and triple duties. … We’re sprinting toward the finish, but that’s still 18 months away. Our plan is we’ll be moving into those offices late next November and through December. So that’s not that far away.”

‘You can really see it taking shape’: Concrete work on SunTrust Park is almost complete

By Ricky Leroux

CUMBERLAND — The Atlanta Braves are about two weeks away from having all the concrete for SunTrust Park complete, which would be the fastest that feat has been accomplished for a new ballpark, according to a Braves executive. “Sometime mid-November is when we’ll do what’s called a ‘topping out’ of the concrete. That means the main structure of the entire ballpark — all that concrete (will be) done,” said Mike Plant, executive vice president of business operations for the Braves. Plant said this week the experts the Braves worked with on planning the stadium project knew they were setting up an aggressive, but achievable schedule. “It’s a lot easier, and I think the contractors would probably kill me for using the word ‘easy,’ but the fact that we live in the South — you couldn’t do this in the North. Concrete has to cure right, and temperatures are important. The weather’s been cooperating with us, as well. All those things have been really helping a lot,” he said. The final parts of the stadium where concrete is being poured is behind right field, where the offices for Braves staff and the Chop House restaurant will be. “We start moving in in less than a year,” Plant said. “We’ll start all the technology piece of moving into our office building in October of next year. No rest for the weary, as they say.” With the concrete portion of the project nearly complete, brickwork continuing on the exterior of the ballpark and the steel for the scoreboard and light towers going up, Plant said it’s easy to get a picture of what the stadium will look like when complete. “I don’t think anyone would have too difficult of a time understanding the orientation of the ballpark now. Clearly, that’s helped by the steel for the scoreboard going up,” he said. County Manager David Hankerson said as much during his monthly update to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday. “It’s amazing if you get the opportunity to drive by there from week to week. You can really see it taking shape as a stadium,” Hankerson said. There are about 700 workers on the site currently, up from the 600 people on the site in mid-September and the 415 people on the site in mid-July. A total of 820,000 man hours have been worked on the site as of mid-October with no time lost due to accidents, a feat Hankerson called “amazing.” Meanwhile, much of the mechanical and electrical infrastructure is being shipped to the site and put in place. For example, all of the large, industrial air conditioning units for the ballpark were installed recently. “Those are huge, huge pieces of equipment. It took a pretty big effort to get those in place,” Plant said. Additionally, the pumps that will drain water from the playing surface have been installed, power transformers are being delivered and the air/heating ducts that will run through the stadium are being installed on the service and field levels. Plant said he’s been impressed with the precision that has gone into constructing SunTrust Park. “You’re talking about a one-inch conduit that goes through a hole in the concrete that’s all planned and designed on computers,” Plant said. “When you line it up on site, it all fits together. It all works. For me, the thing I continue to think about is ‘How’d they do this 40 years ago?’ Before computers, it was all done by hand drawings. You really marvel at the experience and the quality of the individuals that are responsible for making sure this thing all pieces together and do it without very few modifications.” CONSTRUCTION OF TWO PARKING DECKS NEAR BALLPARK UNDERWAY Outside the stadium, work continues on two parking decks the Braves are building near the ballpark. East of the ballpark, most of the trailers that were serving as on-site offices for the construction crews have been moved to make way for a 1,100-space deck dubbed the “East Deck,” Plant said.

The deck will provide parking for the Braves’ full-time staff, team doctors, clubhouse staff, players and broadcasters. It will also have spots reserved for holders of season tickets for certain premium sections of the ballpark and will provide parking for the Roxy Theatre, the 53,000-square-foot entertainment venue planned for the mixed-use development next door to the ballpark. Plant said the East Deck was not part of the Braves’ plans initially. “That was one of the add-ons. It was not part of our original plan and scope, but as we continue to build our parking plan — which again, we have been consistent about saying we’re not going to announce a parking plan until we have the entire plan completed — but this gives you an indication of the fact that we are working on the parking plan. We’re working it extensively, and it includes things like building decks.” When the Braves started the planning process, the team thought it could use existing parking near the stadium, Plant said. “When we purchased the site, there was certainly a pretty good objective and feeling that because of the significant amount of office parking that exists around that site, that we maybe could accomplish a great deal of our parking needs by just lease arrangements,” Plant said. When that idea failed to play out as the Braves envisioned, the team went back to the drawing board and added the East Deck to its plans. Another deck under construction will be underneath the plaza area between the stadium and mixed-use development, a deck Plant refers to as the “Pond Deck” because it’s being built over a 2.7-million gallon retention pond. The concrete for the bottom floor of the parking deck has been poured and crews are beginning to build columns for the structure, Plant said. The plaza is a key piece of the puzzle for the Braves. “That plaza’s really important because we need to have it open by the time we play our first game, so we’re feeling pretty good about the progress on that as well,” Plant said.

WXIA-TV

Residents near Turner Field want 'live, work, play' development in its place

Jon Shirek, WXIA

ATLANTA (WXIA) -- It's clear that people who live in the Atlanta neighborhoods around Turner Field do not want what they characterize as that economic desert, that no-man's-land, any more.

But many are still not sure if the decision makers will listen to what they do want for that prime location.

"We should have the right to self-determination," said Jane Ridley, a resident of one of the neighborhoods, Mechanicsville.

Ridley was part of the big crowd that gathered in a small, historic church, Monday night, a few blocks from the soon-to-be vacated Turner Field.

Residents near Turner Field, old and new home owners, told county commissioners that they want the owner of the Turner Field properties, the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority, to choose a buyer for the property who will buy-in to their vision of resurrecting the community, someone who will develop a live-work-play community.

"What we need is what they have in Buckhead and in Midtown -- grocery stores, retail stores, jobs, banks, hospitals, all of the basic goods and services that are in every other part of town," said Suzanne Mitchell, president of the Organized Neighbors of Summerhill.

All of that, and more, used to be in those neighborhoods, just south of downtown, prior to the stadium and parking lots that replaced them beginning in the 1960s.

Many said they are not convinced that Atlanta's Mayor Reed, one of the key decision makers on this issue, hasn't already made up his mind for a Georgia State University plan to expand the university south, from downtown, onto the Turner Field properties, which is not what most of the residents at Monday night's hearing want.

Mayor Reed said again, two weeks ago, that he is listening, he still has an open mind, and that whatever does end up in place of what's been there for 50 years will be a vast improvement.

"It's going to elevate the property values and amenities of everybody who lives around Turner Field," Reed told city council members on October 14. "And it's definitely going to be better than what is at Turner Field, right now."

Fulton County Commission Chair John Eaves, and the two other commissioner who organized Monday night's public hearing -- Marvin Arrington, Jr. and Bob Ellis, who are also members of the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority -- promised residents they will advocate for them.

"We've got your back," Eaves told the residents at the end of the meeting.

"We want this to be like other vibrant parts of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County," Eaves told reporters after the meeting, "and, what's crucial in all of this, is the right developments."

The sealed bids from potential buyers are due November 20.

The Sports Xchange

Braves offense must improve next season

By The Sports Xchange

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves completed the first phase of their complete makeover, with an emphasis on acquiring a group of strong young pitchers and restocking a farm system that had deteriorated into one of the worst in the National League.

Now the team must rebuild the offense, which scored the fewest runs and hit the fewest home runs in the National League in 2015. The punchless Braves wound up going 67-95, and they finished fourth in the Eastern Division, their worst finish since 2008.

As a result, the fans stayed home. Only a big crowd on the final day pushed them over 2 million in attendance.

“(We) have done dramatic, dynamic and outside-of-the-box thinking to try to shorten this downturn that we are experiencing right now,” team president John Schuerholz said. “We believe we are at the very bottom and the work (president of baseball operations John Hart and general manager John Coppolella) did to make the deals they made to get our farm system refurbished with talent again and to offload some contracts that were tying our hands to be aggressive and creative, we are in a great place. We have to endure 2015. We have to own it. And we do. We understand that.”

There was a lot to like about the young arms. The Braves traded for Shelby Miller, who became their best starter. Miller was victimized by the lack of run support, but proved to have top-of-the-rotation stuff.

Other youngsters got their chance, too. Matt Wisler (acquired from San Diego), Manny Banuelos (acquired from the Yankees), and Mike Foltynewicz (acquired from Houston) each had flashes of brilliance. Wisler, who won his last three starts, is almost certain to be in the rotation next year, with the roles for the other two unsettled.

Atlanta also got contributions from home-grown rookies Williams Perez and Ryan Weber, who will compete for spots in the rotation.

The pitching problem is in the bullpen, which was the worst in baseball after a season-ending injury to Jason Grilli and the trade of Jim Johnson to the Dodgers.

The club is hopeful that hard-throwing Arodys Vizcaino can slide into the closer’s role. Otherwise the bullpen is likely to look quite different, with the most likely holdovers to be lefty Matt Marksberry and probably Daniel Winkler, a Rule 5 signee who must be carried next year.

“We’ve already talked about getting better in the bullpen,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The club will try to build the rest of its roster around first baseman Freddie Freeman, shortstop Andrelton Simmons and right fielder Nick Markakis. Expectations are high for third baseman Hector Olivera, who was acquired at great price in midseason but never really recovered from a hamstring injury.

There are plenty of questions. The club must decide whether Jace Peterson will be its everyday second baseman and whether Cameron Maybin is good enough to play center field on a daily basis. The strong finish from rookie Adonis Garcia, who hit 10 home runs, means the club may try him in left field.

One big issue is behind the plate, where Christian Bethancourt has not developed offensively and could be displaced. He was handed the starting job in spring training, but quickly lost it to 38-year-old A.J. Pierzynski, who hit .300 with 49 RBIs.