1 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of the 2 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:14,240 Speaker 1: Hammer Territory Podcast. It is somewhat of an emergency show, 3 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: and as we have said for a while now, we 4 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: don't like doing emergency shows before like the trade deadline time, 5 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: because it is usually not good. If folks have not 6 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: heard the news, it is not good. Chris Sale has 7 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: a fractured left ribcage and it's gonna be a while. 8 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: It seems like before. Chris Sale is back with the 9 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,920 Speaker 1: Atlanta Braves. I am joined today by Stephen Tolbert, and 10 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 1: I mean, Stephen, let's just jump right in here. Immediate 11 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: short term impact for the Atlanta Braves. We are recording 12 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: this just for housekeeping notes about two thirty Eastern time 13 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 1: on Saturday, so maybe we'll get some more information. But 14 00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:52,919 Speaker 1: on the surface, this does not look good at all 15 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: for the Braves. 16 00:00:55,880 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, what's up, buddy? 17 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 3: I mean this, Chris Sale has been the best player 18 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 3: on the team since the day he got here, basically, 19 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 3: I mean a lot of us because Ronald was out 20 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 3: and I understand so Torontald's been back, He's probably got 21 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 3: a case for it. But on the whole, Chris Sale 22 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:11,960 Speaker 3: has been the best player on the team. Since the 23 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 3: day he got here. And that's what they just lost. 24 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 3: The starting pitching has been the most consistent part. 25 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 2: Of this team by far. 26 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,399 Speaker 3: The offense and the bullpen have been kind of the 27 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 3: reasons for the bad play at times. The starters have 28 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:30,959 Speaker 3: been unbelievable, and Chris Sale has been, you know, the 29 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 3: number one reason for that. And I mean, they just 30 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 3: lost their ace. And I understand Stryder has looked better, 31 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 3: Schwellenbach has looked really good. You know, they probably still 32 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 3: have two really good pitchers at the front of this rotation. 33 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 3: But Chris still had a I mean, there was a 34 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 3: decent shot he was gonna win a Cy Young for 35 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 3: the second year in a row. 36 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,080 Speaker 2: That's how good he's been. And now he's out for 37 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 2: It's still too early. 38 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 3: We're recording this about an hour after the news drop, 39 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 3: so we don't know exactly how long he's been out 40 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 3: he'll be out, but the preliminary stuff is not good. 41 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 3: It could be one, two months, it could be you know, 42 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 3: August before we see him again. So yeah, this is 43 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 3: devastating news. 44 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:09,880 Speaker 1: It is, indeed, and we shall see what, if anything. 45 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 1: Brian Snitker says this weekend, I mean Honestly, rib cages 46 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 1: and injuries to ribcages can be pretty tricky, and not 47 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: only do you have to recover, but there's a pain 48 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: tolerance that comes with it too. I wanted to just 49 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 1: mention while we're talking timelines. So it's a few years 50 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 1: old now, but the National Library of Medicine did a 51 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 1: study on major league and minor league players who have 52 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 1: suffered fractured ribcage injuries, and on average, players miss about 53 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:47,639 Speaker 1: forty seven forty eight days. But the study did show 54 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:50,320 Speaker 1: that pitchers tend to be on the longer end of that, 55 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:53,640 Speaker 1: so of course every case is unique. We'll see what 56 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: happens with Sale again, we'll catch it. We are waiting 57 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 1: for a little more information. But even if it's average 58 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: for who is not a young man at this point 59 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 1: in his mid thirties, you know, we're talking at bare 60 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 1: minimum six seven weeks, and it could be as long 61 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 1: as two months. 62 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:09,920 Speaker 2: Quite honestly. 63 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I did see dB did confirm that it 64 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 3: happened on the play in the ninth inning where he 65 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 3: dove for the ball. I think it was one Soto 66 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 3: he dove for that ball threw him out at first. 67 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 3: I mean, that's just another kick to the nuts because 68 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 3: it was the ninth inning of a five to nothing game. 69 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 3: And you know, he's he's such a psychopath competitor, like 70 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 3: he's just if he can get to a ball, that's 71 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 3: what he's gonna do. 72 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 2: He's gonna literally dive off the mountain to get to it. 73 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 3: You would love to be like Chris, it's five to nothing, buddy, 74 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 3: we need you, But you can't tell somebody that competitive 75 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:45,840 Speaker 3: not to do that. 76 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 2: And it's just kind of a freak thing. 77 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 3: And unfortunately for Chris, you know a lot of his 78 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 3: injuries throughout his career have been these type of injuries 79 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 3: where it's just like some random freak accident. It's not 80 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 3: been a lot of like consistent arm or elbow or shoulder. 81 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 2: Always these freak things that catch him. 82 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 3: And last year was the back that popped up literally 83 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 3: right before the playoffs. This year it's you know, he 84 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 3: dove off the mound and broke a rib. So yeah, 85 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 3: in that timeline, listen, if it's forty, if it's you know, 86 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 3: fifty days, I mean that's you know, there's a good 87 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:18,440 Speaker 3: chance the Brave season might be over by the time 88 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 3: he gets back. So it's not a guaranteed thing. We're 89 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 3: we're not ready to just you know, call it now, 90 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 3: but this is a massive blow. 91 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:28,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, it really is. And let's just kind of now 92 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: take stock of the Braves rotation, which is of course 93 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 1: already without Rinaldo Lopez and already without a J. Smith Schaffer. 94 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:40,919 Speaker 1: Now you lose sale for some period of time. So 95 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:47,280 Speaker 1: now it's Spencer, Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, Grand Holmes, Bryce Elder 96 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:52,280 Speaker 1: and presumably Diddy or Frontes. I think, I mean, maybe 97 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: you feel differently, Stephen, but I think what seemed like 98 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 1: it was going to maybe be a one game audition 99 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 1: at least on the outside, or just a one game 100 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 1: to kind of give everybody in their rotation a breather. 101 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:05,960 Speaker 1: It seems like Diddy or Fuentes is probably now your 102 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 1: fifth starter, unless they want to roll with like Austin 103 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 1: Cox and some bullpen games or something. 104 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 2: We'll see. 105 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:14,360 Speaker 1: But I mean that, regardless of Diddy or being in there, 106 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 1: a top four of Schwellenbach, Streider, Holmes, an Elder, Oh boy, 107 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:22,040 Speaker 1: I mean for a team that is already trying to 108 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,279 Speaker 1: climb out of this hole, this very deep hole, that 109 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 1: is pretty scary. If we're being blunt. 110 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 3: Well, and I think it does answer the kind of 111 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:32,359 Speaker 3: the mystery of why they called up Flints. 112 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 2: You know, it was kind of a weird. 113 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:35,920 Speaker 3: It's kind of a weird thing to do when somebody 114 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 3: literally just got to triple a somebody that young. It 115 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 3: seemed like it was just going to be one start, 116 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 3: which typically you don't call up one of your best 117 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 3: prospects for one start. You usually call up a journeyman 118 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 3: guy or do some sort of you know, modified bullpen 119 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 3: game or something like that. 120 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,479 Speaker 2: And I think we know now that the Braves had 121 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:55,840 Speaker 2: an inkling. You know. Obviously Chris did that on. 122 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 1: What was that Wednesday, Yeah, Wednesday. 123 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:01,160 Speaker 3: So they would have known by Friday. That's at least 124 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 3: something was up. So I think we have the answer 125 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 3: to the mystery of life. Wintes was called up to 126 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 3: begin with, Like you just said, he wasn't immediately sent 127 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 3: back down after the game, which is also a bit unusual. 128 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:14,919 Speaker 2: You know, I guess it. 129 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 3: You know, we we probably could have connected the dots 130 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:19,039 Speaker 3: a little bit that somebody was hurt, but nobody saw 131 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:22,159 Speaker 3: Chris Sale broken rib out for maybe two months coming. 132 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 3: But yeah, I mean that's gonna be the five and 133 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 3: my guess is Alex is already looking at you know, 134 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 3: trades other teams starters, but it's still kind of early 135 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,239 Speaker 3: for that quite honestly. You know, trades don't typically happen 136 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:38,039 Speaker 3: till the second half of July, and we're still, you know, 137 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:39,040 Speaker 3: second half of June. 138 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 2: So those are the five right now. 139 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 3: And I really hope these improvements Spencer Strider has made 140 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:46,360 Speaker 3: over the last couple of starts. 141 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:47,680 Speaker 2: I really hope those. 142 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:51,040 Speaker 3: Stick, because my god, do they need like old school 143 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 3: Spencer Strider now more than ever? 144 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 2: Yeah? They do. 145 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: And I mean even Grant Holmes, I mean, a player 146 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 1: who he thought was gonna be maybe the fifth starter 147 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 1: this year and then might transition to a bullpen roll 148 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 1: at some point if everything went well. Well obviously not 149 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: everything went well, and then you lose Lopez and Smith Shavor. 150 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 1: I mean, it is shocking in Major League Baseball how 151 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:17,720 Speaker 1: you can feel good about your starting pitching depth maybe 152 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 1: coming into a season or even a couple of weeks 153 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 1: or months into a year, and then you blink and 154 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, you're tapping into a kid who 155 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 1: was a teenager up until four days ago, to presumably 156 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: make starts every fifth day. Bryce Elder, even though he 157 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 1: has been better, is realistically more of a sixth or 158 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 1: seventh starter in an organization. Holmes has been fine, but 159 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: you know, you said Schreider and Schwellenbach. I mean those 160 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: two have to just be awesome moving forward if this 161 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: team has any chance of just kind of bridging the 162 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 1: gap to staying competitive this summer. 163 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 2: And again, don't. 164 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,559 Speaker 3: Be surprised if Alex goes out and at least gets 165 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 3: like a you know, somewhat of a journeyman starter type. 166 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 3: I really don't know how much you can depend on 167 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 3: a nineteen. I mean literally, Fuinte has just turned twenty, 168 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 3: like a week ago. I don't know how much you 169 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 3: can actually depend on this kid to come up and 170 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 3: just perform at this line. I mean, that's that's incredibly 171 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 3: unfair to ask. I would not be surprised at all if, 172 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:20,440 Speaker 3: like tomorrow or even today, Alex trades for at least 173 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 3: a body, Maybe somebody's having a rough year that they're 174 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 3: kind of you know, is cheap and they they're hoping 175 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 3: for a bounce back or something. 176 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 2: Just another body. 177 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,199 Speaker 3: Because I I'm not a prospect guy. I don't think 178 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 3: there's anybody else in Triple A that's even like no 179 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,679 Speaker 3: decent So I would not a trade of some sort 180 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 3: would not shock me. 181 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: Well, and it's interesting now, I think about that interview 182 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:47,079 Speaker 1: that Alex and Thoppolz did with local radio four or 183 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,079 Speaker 1: five days ago, and one he defiantly said the team 184 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: was not going to sell players with control. Now, maybe 185 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: this sale injury will have a little bit of an 186 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: impact on that, and he did kind of leave the 187 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 1: door open, as we talked about on the show that 188 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:03,839 Speaker 1: if you are a player on an expiring contract and 189 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: the Braves are just out of it, maybe there's something. 190 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 1: But it was interesting that Alex said on the radio 191 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:11,720 Speaker 1: that day that he was almost wanting to make a 192 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: trade just to prove to people that the team was 193 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 1: not going to sell. So maybe he has been working 194 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:21,680 Speaker 1: and has some players on his office whiteboard of players 195 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: who could be available. The Braves also did recoup a 196 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:27,959 Speaker 1: little bit of unexpected money with Jerks and Profar getting 197 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 1: suspended and half of his salary going away, So I 198 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 1: don't know. I mean, I think I think you're spot 199 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: on that it would not shock me. At some point 200 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 1: in the near future. It is not going to be 201 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 1: anyone good, I would guess it's probably going to be 202 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:44,719 Speaker 1: kind of like Rafael Montero, who is a body who 203 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 1: is probably better than what you have in Gwenet right now, 204 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:50,720 Speaker 1: but could at least make a start for you every 205 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: fifth day and not just like wave the white flag. 206 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 1: Because I do agree, even though Diddy or Fuentez has 207 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,840 Speaker 1: a bright future, asking him to go out there every 208 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:02,439 Speaker 1: fifth day against teams far better than the Morelands feels. 209 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: I mean, you're asking the world of that kid. 210 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, and like it literally might be somebody like Charlie Morton, 211 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 3: who's been terrible with Baltimore and the Baltimore's you know, 212 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 3: done so they would give him away an art beat. 213 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,440 Speaker 3: I'm not saying it's gonna be, but like, would that 214 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 3: surprise you at all? If the Braves announced tomorrow they 215 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:23,200 Speaker 3: traded for Charlie Morton, they wouldn't shock me. But it's 216 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:25,559 Speaker 3: gonna be somebody probably on that level. So I would 217 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 3: set expectations wisely for that. But yeah, and the thing 218 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 3: that sucks for Alex is he was already having to 219 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 3: look at Bullpen and probably some sort of offensive help. 220 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:37,040 Speaker 3: I mean, as unconsistent as the offense has been, he 221 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 3: was probably looking you know, I know, Profar is coming back, 222 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:42,959 Speaker 3: and Profar has looked incredible and Triple A and his 223 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 3: couple of rehab starts. But you know, for a fact, 224 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 3: he was definitely looking for bullpen help. He was probably 225 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:49,719 Speaker 3: looking for offensive help, and now he's got to look 226 00:10:49,720 --> 00:10:53,600 Speaker 3: for starting help. You know, at some point it's too 227 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 3: many holes to plug. So yeah, I'm very curious to 228 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 3: see how they react to this. 229 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 1: So this is going to be a shorter show from 230 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 1: our usual standard. But I guess just final thoughts, Steven, 231 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:11,000 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously, short term, this is crushing for the Braves. 232 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 1: There is no sugarcoating this. Sale is probably a top 233 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,679 Speaker 1: three pitcher in the game right now and has been 234 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 1: since the start of twenty twenty four. I don't want 235 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 1: to say that the season is officially done today because 236 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:28,840 Speaker 1: there is ways to kind of bridge the gap, but 237 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:31,920 Speaker 1: Dear God, for a team that had finally started playing 238 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 1: better coming off the sweep of the Mets. I know 239 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 1: they had the letdown on Friday night, but whatever those 240 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 1: are going to happen. You beat the Brewers two out 241 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 1: of three, you take the series against the Rockies, it 242 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,959 Speaker 1: felt like the vibe was finally progressing. The teams ahead 243 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: of them in the National League Wild Card have also 244 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:51,480 Speaker 1: cooled considerably. The Padres are struggling. The Cardinals have calmed 245 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: down a bit, Like it wasn't if they were fifteen 246 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 1: games back in the season, was like mathematically over the 247 00:11:57,559 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 1: man alive. I mean, losing Sale for we'll say one 248 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:04,439 Speaker 1: to two months seems to be the estimation. It really 249 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: really puts this team in a tough place. 250 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, and listen, this doesn't matter, but it is worth 251 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:11,959 Speaker 3: pointing out. 252 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 2: Sale was also like their lock all Star pick. 253 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 3: Now he's not gonna be an All Star so like 254 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 3: and you have to have one representative, so like, like 255 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:24,320 Speaker 3: Acunya might just be on the team now, just even 256 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:25,640 Speaker 3: though he deserves to be on the team with the 257 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:27,560 Speaker 3: way he's played, it just might be a lock now 258 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 3: because you have to have one. But yes, so Sales 259 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 3: is not gonna be on the All Star team, which sucks. 260 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 2: He was a lock for that. 261 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 3: I think he was probably one of the front runners 262 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,200 Speaker 3: for Cy Young. He's gonna you know, this is gonna 263 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 3: cost him that you can't miss this much time and 264 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:41,839 Speaker 3: win an award like. 265 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 2: That, And yeah for the team, like. 266 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 3: I'm very like, when when when Akunya tour was acl 267 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 3: on twenty one and the team was, you know, struggling. 268 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 3: He immediately traded for Jock Peterson like the next day, 269 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:57,079 Speaker 3: and he said he did that intentionally to make sure 270 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:00,200 Speaker 3: people know, like we're not done, we're not giving it up. 271 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 3: And like you were just talking about earlier, he had 272 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 3: already mentioned kind of having that mindset. So like, I'm 273 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:08,199 Speaker 3: very curious how this how the front office reacts in 274 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 3: the next twenty four hours forty eight hours, if they 275 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 3: go hyper aggressive to try to bring some life back 276 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:17,520 Speaker 3: in that clubhouse, that clubhouse has to be just devastated. 277 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:19,959 Speaker 3: Like not only is Chris the best, probably one of 278 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,080 Speaker 3: the best players on the team, Like he's like a 279 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:25,720 Speaker 3: beloved teammate, Like everybody speaks so incredibly highly of Chris. 280 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 3: He's one of the most important veterans on the team. 281 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 3: Like it's just a massive blow all the way around 282 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:34,680 Speaker 3: your organization. And so I'm very curiously how Alex responds, 283 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:36,440 Speaker 3: how the front office responds if they do like a 284 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 3: Jock Peterson type thing where they immediately go and. 285 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:40,839 Speaker 2: Try to get somebody to ease the blow. 286 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 3: I don't know, this sucks. I mean, a season that 287 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:45,240 Speaker 3: has already sucked. 288 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:48,199 Speaker 2: This sucks. And I said it the other day. 289 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 3: I tune in, you know, when the Braids were playing badly, 290 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 3: I said, I tune in for two reasons, to watch 291 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 3: Chris Sale and to watch Ronald Conue junior. And damn, 292 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 3: we don't even have Chris Sale to watch anymore. Mean, 293 00:13:57,800 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 3: it's just that it's just been of course, of course 294 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 3: that's what happens. 295 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, it lose Chris so yes, when it rains, it pours, 296 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,680 Speaker 1: and goodness, yeah, not the news. I mean, this was 297 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:12,439 Speaker 1: I think we had said on the show in the past. 298 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:14,800 Speaker 1: And this is a little captain obvious, but if there 299 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 1: was one thing this baseball team could not afford, it 300 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 1: was to lose one of their top starting pitchers. Like, 301 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:24,720 Speaker 1: the offense has problems, but at least you can kind 302 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:27,160 Speaker 1: of cover that up. And it's easier to trade for 303 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:29,800 Speaker 1: an outfielder than it is to trade for a starting 304 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 1: pitcher of any kind of impact. Because guess what, especially 305 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:35,840 Speaker 1: with the expanded playoffs, seventy percent of the league thinks 306 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:39,000 Speaker 1: they have a chance at the postseason and five of 307 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 1: the obvious sellers, I mean, the Rockies don't exactly have 308 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 1: a lot of starting pitchers. They could trade that are 309 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 1: gonna help or the White Sox or the Marlins. Right 310 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 1: like this is in general, it's tough to add starting pitching. 311 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 2: It's the thing. 312 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 3: It's the most expensive thing to buy at the deadline 313 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 3: is impact starting pitching. Never never, never mind a cy 314 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 3: Young caliber pitcher. That's not even right possible with the 315 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 3: Braves farm system. Just any sort of impact pitching is 316 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:06,480 Speaker 3: far away the most expensive thing by the deadline. 317 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 1: And frankly there's probably a conversation happening in the bravesfront 318 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: office how much do you put into this season? Now? 319 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: If you can get a starter with control, then sure 320 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: like someone who's going to make an impact in twenty six, 321 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 1: maybe twenty seven beyond. Of course, then you obviously you're 322 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: thinking about more than just this season. But if I 323 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 1: had a guess, I mean, I kind of think your 324 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 1: Charlie Morton idea is spot on because it would only 325 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 1: cost money. It's not going to give prospects. It's it's 326 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 1: kind of similar to what they did last trade deadline 327 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 1: when they traded for Solaer. It was purely a money thing. 328 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: They didn't really give up any kind of prospect and 329 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: that probably made sense given all the injuries. Why give 330 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 1: up one of the few prospects who have a real 331 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 1: potential and ceiling if you are already kind of drawing 332 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 1: dead in a season with injuries in an uphill climb. 333 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, and then yeah, that's one hundred percent fair. Like 334 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 3: they might look at this and be like, listen, guys, 335 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 3: it's just not our year. Alex will never say that 336 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 3: publicly until after the trade deadline, when they've when they've 337 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 3: traded Marcelo Zuna and they can't avoid it anymore. But like, 338 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 3: he's not gonna say that, but if you see the 339 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:16,640 Speaker 3: team not really do much, that's kind of an indication 340 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 3: that they might be like, listen, there's just too many 341 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 3: there's too much to fill in here. We don't have 342 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 3: enough prospects to go around make all these trades. It 343 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:27,480 Speaker 3: was different in twenty one because outfielders, like you just said, 344 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 3: are so cheap. You can just rebuild your outfield on 345 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 3: the cheap and really not give up anybody that you've 346 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 3: ever heard of from your farm system. It's it's different 347 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 3: when you when you got also bullpen troll troubles and 348 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 3: rotation troubles, Like it's very possible you're one hundred percent right, 349 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 3: it's very possible they look at this thing and just 350 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 3: like it's you know, it's not our year. 351 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 2: Yeah. 352 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: So it is the third weekend in June. I guess 353 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: there is maybe a month before the Braves have to 354 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 1: make some final decisions. As we have outlined on this podcast, 355 00:16:58,560 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 1: there in the middle of a very very important stretch 356 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 1: this week and next. So far, Chris Saale injury aside, 357 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 1: it's gone well. If you would have told us on 358 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:10,760 Speaker 1: Sunday night after that Rocky series that they were gonna 359 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 1: go three and one against the Mets and the Marlins, 360 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:18,639 Speaker 1: think ticket right, I mean it was so we will see, Steven. 361 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 1: We're gonna get out of here on a brief emergency 362 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 1: edition of the show. We prefer to do emergency episodes 363 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 1: that are fun and exciting and adding to the roster. 364 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:30,760 Speaker 1: We're not doing that today. But any final thoughts from you, 365 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:31,880 Speaker 1: sir before we get out of here. 366 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 3: No, I feel bad for Chris, Like the dude had 367 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 3: really found his form again, like cy Young level Hall 368 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:42,479 Speaker 3: of Fame level pitcher, and he just catches another freak injury. 369 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:46,160 Speaker 3: Like he's from every account he's like an awesome dude. 370 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 3: Like he's just like an a one person, and like, 371 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:52,199 Speaker 3: I really I hate it for the team. Obviously we 372 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 3: cover the team, but like I probably actually hate it 373 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:57,199 Speaker 3: more for the individual because I think he has got 374 00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:59,040 Speaker 3: a really good chance of winning his second sy Young 375 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 3: like potentially locking in a Hall of Fame career, Like 376 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 3: you know, he's kind of right on that edge, like 377 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 3: right on the border of like no doubt hall of Famer, 378 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:09,360 Speaker 3: like one more injury. 379 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:11,879 Speaker 2: Like I just I feel bad for Chris. 380 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 3: It's just a crappy way to go out on a 381 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 3: diving plan in the ninth inning of a five to 382 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:20,199 Speaker 3: nothing game. And yeah, for the team, it's gonna be 383 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 3: very very watch over the next twenty four to forty 384 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 3: is It's gonna be very ice to see how they 385 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:25,560 Speaker 3: respond to this. 386 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, yes it will. Man, not what we wanted on Saturday, 387 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 1: but we'll see if the Braves can maybe overcome this 388 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:37,040 Speaker 1: keep their heads above water. And then add something I 389 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 1: don't know, stranger things have happened, but it the climb 390 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:42,919 Speaker 1: up the mountain has become even steeper, like somebody just 391 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,360 Speaker 1: dropped like another twenty five pound weight into their backpacks 392 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:50,680 Speaker 1: and now they're trying to navigate a snowy Mountain with 393 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: I mean, just another thing they Frankly, this team could 394 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,920 Speaker 1: not afford to have happen with an injury to maybe 395 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 1: one of the best pictures, not maybe one of the 396 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:03,119 Speaker 1: best pictures in the game. All Right, Steven, that's. 397 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:04,320 Speaker 2: Gonna do it for us today. 398 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:06,320 Speaker 1: A big thank you to everybody for checking out this 399 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:10,920 Speaker 1: mini emergency episode of the show. As always, I think 400 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:13,359 Speaker 1: the plan is for Brad and I to do our 401 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 1: usual Sunday night show and then, of course we have 402 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 1: a important series with the Mets, even if it will 403 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 1: not feature Chris Sale coming up this week, we will 404 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:24,760 Speaker 1: have plenty of shows with Steven and with Sean and 405 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:27,640 Speaker 1: with Brad and myself. So again, everybody, have a great 406 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:30,320 Speaker 1: rest of your weekend. Hopefully the Braves can win two 407 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 1: games down in Miami and keep this thing rolling. We 408 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:34,680 Speaker 1: will see everybody next time.