1 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:24,119 Speaker 1: Welcome one and all to the Hammer Territory Podcast. It's 2 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:27,040 Speaker 1: not been that long since me and Stephen talked with you. 3 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: Good to be back with you, and hey, you know what, 4 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 1: that's what we've been looking forward to with baseball now here. 5 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: But unfortunately, this is going to be the first time 6 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: this season so far that I don't know if you 7 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:43,239 Speaker 1: call this an emergency podcast, but we definitely have plenty 8 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: to discuss with the first significant injury of the spring 9 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:50,240 Speaker 1: for the Braves. Before we get into the details, Stephen, 10 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: good talking with you. It feels like that we were 11 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: talking about Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin just yesterday. It 12 00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: was literally forty eight hours ago. But lo and behold, 13 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 1: we had that conversation and now we see another significant 14 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 1: development in the brains catching situation, which is becoming a 15 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: big storyline this spring. 16 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, an already interesting storyline got another wrinkle today. Yeah, 17 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 2: we talked about it on Friday because it was such 18 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:21,400 Speaker 2: a topic. Drake Baldman was looking so good, Sean Murphy 19 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 2: got off to a slow start in spring, and so 20 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,040 Speaker 2: the conversation got louder and louder, and then of course 21 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 2: we wake up this morning and we find out that 22 00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 2: Sean Murphy has a fractured rib. He took a ninety 23 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 2: five min hour fastball to the rib on Friday. I 24 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 2: don't know if anybody noticed it. I didn't see anybody 25 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 2: talking about it, you know, Friday or Saturday, so maybe 26 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:43,919 Speaker 2: it just went unnoticed. But yeah, we got the news 27 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 2: first thing this morning that he has a fractured rib. 28 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 2: The timetable is four to six weeks, is what they 29 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 2: gave us. There's a lot in that. I'm very curious 30 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 2: to see if that's four to six weeks before he 31 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 2: starts doing baseball activity activities again and then another two 32 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 2: weeks to get ready to go for the season, or 33 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 2: if that's four to six weeks for him ready to 34 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 2: go to play games. So that part will be interesting. 35 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 2: But yeah, you know, we knew at some point the 36 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:15,360 Speaker 2: Bradys weren't going to be injury free all year. And 37 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:17,400 Speaker 2: the first big one, you know, we talked about it 38 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 2: on Friday. They had gotten a lot of good health 39 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:21,880 Speaker 2: so far, and the first big one popped today. 40 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and you know, it becomes you know, it makes 41 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 1: the story more interesting now film when it comes to 42 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 1: headlines and things like that, speculation, what could it mean 43 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 1: in all that different stuff. But I'll start with the 44 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 1: conversation with this. At least from my perspective, this really 45 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:41,800 Speaker 1: doesn't change much in my opinion. And the reason that 46 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 1: I say that is because of the fact that, Okay, 47 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 1: Sean Murphy is going to be out for about a 48 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 1: month to a month and a half. And let me 49 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,920 Speaker 1: actually get to this first point. I feel bad for 50 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 1: Sean Murphy, like it's just it's pure bad luck. And 51 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: I know that when someone struggles, especially when someone is 52 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:03,919 Speaker 1: paid to be a star, like Sean Murphy was when 53 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 1: the Braves traded for it and extended him, and he 54 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: had the great start in twenty twenty three, he had, 55 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,240 Speaker 1: he had a good start to the second half, struggled 56 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: in September. As we've discussed, you know, he struggled since 57 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 1: the start in two thousand and four, whatever timeline. People 58 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 1: have been disappointed with the performance of Sean Murphy. But 59 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 1: it's just been pure bad luck. Sometimes you just chalk 60 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: it up to that. No one could have planned for 61 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 1: the oblique injury to start last year. No one can 62 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: sit here and plan for a crack rip from a fastball. 63 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: But bad luck is just part of the equation. So 64 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 1: for Sean Murphy, the hope is that he gets healthy 65 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:36,600 Speaker 1: as soon as possible. But back to my original point 66 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: about this doesn't change much. Drake Baldwin, I hope has 67 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 1: an unbelievable spring. I really hope he does. And I 68 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 1: think it's most sensible. You could talk about the Braves 69 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 1: going to add another catcher or maybe going with you know, 70 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: someone that they already have in camp, what have you. 71 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 1: Drake Baldwin should break camp with the Braves because the 72 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:58,119 Speaker 1: Braves start to the season is going to be especially 73 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 1: tough going out West playing some good team. Hey, you 74 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: want to go with your most talented options, but when 75 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: Sean Murphy is healthy come the middle of April. In 76 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: my opinion, even if Drake Baldwin is having a great 77 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: start to the season, Sean Murphy should still come back 78 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 1: and be the everyday catcher. And again, I think that's 79 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 1: what's going to happen regardless of what happens over the 80 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 1: next four to six weeks, because we have seen it 81 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,479 Speaker 1: time and time again. Alex and Thoptless is going to 82 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:26,160 Speaker 1: be loyal. He's going to stay committed to guys he 83 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 1: believes in. I feel that he believes in Shawn Murphy. 84 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:31,840 Speaker 1: To me, this doesn't change much of anything at all. 85 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,280 Speaker 1: It's not like it's a serious, long term injury. It's 86 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: not like something that's been lingering. It's something that Murphy 87 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:40,919 Speaker 1: will eventually get over and in time, come middle to 88 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 1: late April, when he returns, more than likely I think 89 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:45,480 Speaker 1: he just assumes the starting job and will be good 90 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 1: to go. That being said, last time we had this conversation, 91 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 1: I talked about the fact that what stops a lot 92 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 1: of this conversation is Sewn Murphy having a great spring, 93 00:04:57,800 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 1: a good start to the season, and him putting this 94 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 1: conversation to rest that he's clearly the Braves catcher. I 95 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 1: now switch it over to Drake Baldwin. Well, it's sad 96 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:09,960 Speaker 1: to see Shaw Murphy had the bad luck that he's had. 97 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 1: Drake Baldwin should take absolute advantage of this opportunity and 98 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: make this conversation as loud as possible. But at the 99 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: end of the day, I hope Drake Baldwin has an 100 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: excellt spring a great start to the season. Again he 101 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,919 Speaker 1: should be the Braves primary catcher. But at the end 102 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 1: of the day, for me, this jest does not change 103 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: much of the conversation at all other than it's gonna 104 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: be pretty exciting to see Drake Baldwin in a futured role. 105 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:38,839 Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's interesting. So we talked about on Friday 106 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,840 Speaker 2: when we had this conversation that an injury actually clears 107 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:46,040 Speaker 2: up a lot, right, like we weren't. Now it's pretty simple, 108 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 2: like Drake Baldwin's just gonna get a chance to play. Now, 109 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 2: there's a chance they could go with one of the 110 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:53,799 Speaker 2: older guys. But I think Bauman somebody made this point today. 111 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 2: It was either Justin or Bowman, but somebody made the 112 00:05:56,520 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 2: good point that Baldwin is the only guy that can 113 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 2: be optioned. You know, they have Chadwick Trump, they have Casselli, 114 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 2: they have Sandy Leone, but those guys are on minor 115 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 2: league deals or have no options. So if you go 116 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:13,040 Speaker 2: with one of those guys right out of the gate, 117 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 2: then when Murphy comes back, none of those guys can 118 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 2: be optioned and therefore you just lose them. Now, losing 119 00:06:18,440 --> 00:06:21,680 Speaker 2: those guys is not the biggest deal, but Baldwin can 120 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 2: just be optioned, So it actually makes sense in this 121 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 2: case to go with the young guy because when Murphy 122 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:28,039 Speaker 2: comes back, you can just option Baldwin and you're fine. 123 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 2: So I think that's what they're gonna do. I think 124 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:32,840 Speaker 2: Baldwin's gonna be the guy. I think they're just gonna 125 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 2: give him a run and see how he does. I'll 126 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 2: say this, it's very bad luck for Sean Murphy. It really, 127 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:45,000 Speaker 2: it's very bad. Listen. I saw people giving him shit 128 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 2: today because he got hurt. Listen, anybody, anybody that wants 129 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 2: to can stand in a batter's box, take a ninety 130 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 2: five minar fastball to the ribs and tell me how 131 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 2: you feel. And if you say you feel fine and 132 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:57,039 Speaker 2: you can go play a major league season, then you 133 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,560 Speaker 2: can have some Then you can talk about Sean Murphy 134 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:04,159 Speaker 2: getting hurt. But you can't. No one can. There's nothing 135 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 2: you could do about getting a ninety five hour fastball 136 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,479 Speaker 2: of the rips. That's not being injury prone. That's just 137 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 2: having bad luck. Like I was annoyed by how much, 138 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 2: how much how much people were blaming Murphy today for 139 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 2: being hit with a fast But it doesn't it doesn't 140 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 2: make any sense to me. So that's my that's my 141 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 2: first point. My second point is this, if you strip 142 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 2: out all the context of the conversation that we've been 143 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 2: having about the catcher spot. This is actually a pretty 144 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 2: low impact injury because Sean Murphy, when everybody's healthy, Sean 145 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 2: Murphy is like the seventh or eighth most important hitter 146 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 2: in the lineup. I mean, you have Akunya profar Olsen, 147 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 2: Riley Ozuna, Michael Harris, and Ozzie Alvi's that's seven, right, 148 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 2: So Sean Murphy is like your eighth, seventh or eighth 149 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 2: best hitter. And not only is Sean Murphy like your 150 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 2: seventh or eight best hitter, but Sean Murphy plays the 151 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 2: one position where you do actually have a top prospect 152 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 2: behind him. Like if this had been matt Olsen. If 153 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 2: this had been matt Olsen taking a fastball to the 154 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 2: ribs and being out for six weeks, this is a 155 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 2: whole different deal because the Braves don't have another guy 156 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 2: to replace matt Olsen. The Braves actually have a pretty 157 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 2: decent option to replace Sean Murphy for six weeks. And 158 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 2: by the way, it's only March third, like six weeks. 159 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 2: It's like the middle of April. So it's only because 160 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 2: all of this other stuff that we've been talking about 161 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: for the last two weeks, was this such a massive 162 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 2: story today, Like in terms of actually like on field 163 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 2: impact to the team, this is about as good an 164 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 2: injury as the Braves could have had. Having an elite 165 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 2: prospect immediately behind Murphy who can step in for a 166 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:45,319 Speaker 2: little bit while he gets better. They don't have that 167 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 2: at pretty much any other position. So it is funny 168 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 2: the reaction online today versus how big of a deal 169 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 2: it really is. As long as it's not lingering, and 170 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,559 Speaker 2: as long as he is actually back in April, you know, 171 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 2: this has very low impact on the team. Not only 172 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,679 Speaker 2: is Murphy not one of your bigger hitters, he doesn't 173 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 2: have to be in this lineup, but you have an 174 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 2: elite prospect behind you, So it sucks for Sean. I 175 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 2: agree with you. I was really hoping he would get 176 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 2: off just to a hot start, shut everybody up for 177 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 2: six months, and we don't have to talk about this anymore. 178 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 2: And now, if Drake Baldwin goes out and has a 179 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 2: really good you know, if Drake Balwin goes out and 180 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 2: has a really good first few weeks in the majors 181 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 2: and then Sean Murphy comes back and starts struggling again, 182 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 2: it's gonna get even louder than it ever was before. 183 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:35,680 Speaker 2: So it sucks for Murphy, it really does. I can't 184 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 2: stand people who blame him for being hit with a fastball. 185 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 2: It's just the dumbest, the lowest form of argument. I 186 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 2: can't stand that. But in terms of the Braves, they 187 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 2: actually do have a really good in house option at 188 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 2: that position, which they can't say at most positions. So 189 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 2: this is actually not as detrimental as as it probably 190 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 2: was made out to be. 191 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,559 Speaker 3: Uh todd father, Remember the good old days when we 192 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 3: would have the cards and the binders, But then they 193 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 3: get all messed up and we're trying to sell online 194 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:06,840 Speaker 3: and it's just real clunky. They really actually weren't the 195 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:07,760 Speaker 3: good old days, were they? 196 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 4: No, they were definitely not. But now there's a better way. 197 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:14,200 Speaker 4: The Arena Club has been dominant with this. They you 198 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:16,480 Speaker 4: get to trade your card, you could sell them, but 199 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:19,079 Speaker 4: the best part for me is getting them graded. I 200 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 4: love everything about that, this new age of getting cards graded. 201 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 4: You could display them on your online showroom, your mobile device. 202 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:27,839 Speaker 4: It's the coolest thing in the world. 203 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:31,559 Speaker 3: Whether you're buying, selling, trading, or displaying. Arena Club is 204 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 3: the all in one trading card platform. You have to 205 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 3: sign up for an account at Arena club dot com 206 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 3: slash foul. Just like Todd Father mentioned, there's a process 207 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 3: that combines AI and human grading to get the job 208 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 3: done right now twenty percent off your first slab pack 209 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 3: or card purchase by going to Arena club dot com 210 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 3: slash foul use codefoul. That's Arena club dot com slash 211 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:56,840 Speaker 3: foul codefoul for twenty percent off your first purchase. 212 00:10:58,320 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 1: And I don't think that did she get lost in 213 00:10:59,880 --> 00:11:03,199 Speaker 1: the conversation. What the best long term outcome from all 214 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,959 Speaker 1: of this is, right, Drake Baldwin doing well this spring, 215 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 1: having a good start to the season, you certainly would 216 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 1: love to see him have that type of impact on 217 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 1: the Braves. If he struggles, I don't think it's going 218 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:16,680 Speaker 1: to be kind of like we saw with Nacho Alvarez 219 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 1: last year. You know, when Nacho Alvarez came up just 220 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: did not offer really any sort of value. You saw 221 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: how his upside could really be impacted if he's not 222 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: going to be able to hit. With Drake Baldwin, not 223 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:30,559 Speaker 1: only do you expect for him to hit, but he's 224 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,040 Speaker 1: got a you know, pretty good defensive reputation as a catcher. 225 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 1: So if Drake Baldwin struggles. I don't necessarily think that 226 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 1: that's going to do much for his overall prospect status. 227 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:41,359 Speaker 1: But the point that I'm getting at is this, regardless 228 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:43,720 Speaker 1: of whatever you hope for or feel about the situation, 229 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:47,960 Speaker 1: nothing changes the fact the best long term outcome of 230 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 1: this situation is Drake Baldwin doing well with this opportunity 231 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:55,320 Speaker 1: that he's given, but Sean Murphy coming back and returning 232 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 1: to all Star form, because nothing beats having the city 233 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 1: fifty five to sixty million dollars investment that you have 234 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:05,320 Speaker 1: in Murphy start to pay off because he's showing once 235 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:08,400 Speaker 1: again the player that was worth that extension. And then 236 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 1: you also have Drake Baldwin either backing him up or 237 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: becoming a potential trade option if Murphy returns to form. 238 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: That is the best overall outcome for the Brave. So 239 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: regardless of again, it's stupid to blame Sean Murphy in 240 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 1: this situation, that's number one. But the second thing is 241 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 1: is that you're certainly cheering for Drake Baldwin to make 242 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: the most of this opportunity. But again I go back 243 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: to the point. This is why I don't feel it 244 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: changes much. It doesn't change the fact that the best 245 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 1: outcome is Drake Baldwin taking advantage of this opportunity doing well, 246 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:42,560 Speaker 1: but Sean Murphy coming back, and this time Murphy coming 247 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: back with the vengeance, motivated to prove his worth, and 248 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:48,360 Speaker 1: then you get that all star level of Sean Murphy again. 249 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 1: I hope that's the outcome, and I think that there's 250 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: a good chance it could be. 251 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I'll say this this this is more on 252 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 2: the antler. This is more on the side. But if 253 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 2: the catching situation goes poorly this year, like if Drake, 254 00:13:06,280 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 2: let's just say, hypothetically, Drake Baldwin's not ready, he doesn't 255 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 2: look good. You know, after about three weeks, Sean Murphy 256 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:14,679 Speaker 2: comes back, and let's just say Sean Murphy doesn't have 257 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 2: a good year and the catching situation is not good. 258 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 2: In twenty twenty five, there's gonna be questions as to 259 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 2: why the Braves just let Travis Darnault go for eight 260 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:27,000 Speaker 2: million dollars. You know, at the time, you and I 261 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:29,720 Speaker 2: sat here and we speculated that they did that because 262 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 2: they were gonna go out make a significant contribution to 263 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 2: the bullpen. After Joejamanez got hurt and his nine million 264 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 2: dollars kind of got kind of died on the vine. Well, 265 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 2: obviously we know now that didn't happen, So it just 266 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 2: kind of looks like you just declined Darnault's option just 267 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 2: to save the money, which no one is ever happy with, 268 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:51,079 Speaker 2: of course. And so if this catching situation goes poorly 269 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 2: this year, like that's gonna be a thing that gets 270 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 2: talked about, is like, why did you just let go 271 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:58,440 Speaker 2: of a really good like Travis Dardeaut was like the 272 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:00,840 Speaker 2: third best hitter on the team last year? Why did 273 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 2: you let it go have a veteran player still good 274 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,319 Speaker 2: at such a reasonable salary, Like that's gonna be a conversation, 275 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,600 Speaker 2: fair or not. I understand that they wanted Murphy to 276 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 2: catch more, they wanted Bald wouldn't have a shot, like 277 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:14,400 Speaker 2: I understand the logic of why they did it. But 278 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 2: if it goes poorly at that position this year, the 279 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 2: optics of that don't look good when you didn't use 280 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 2: that money anywhere else on the roster. So that is 281 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 2: part of this. But I just really want Sean Murphy 282 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 2: to have like a five month run of just health 283 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 2: because I think playing every day is gonna help him 284 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 2: like when he came back from the injury last year 285 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 2: he played, he played like fifty percent of the games. 286 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 2: He would play a game and the insat a game 287 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 2: play a game and instead of game, Well, he was 288 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 2: already two months behind everybody, and he had no chance 289 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 2: to catch up because he played on a fifty percent 290 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 2: time share. I think this time, if they actually let 291 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 2: him catch like eighty percent of the games and let 292 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 2: him get back into a rhythm and play more, I 293 00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 2: think we're gonna see the Sean Murphy we saw in 294 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three. And that's what I hope. You're one 295 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 2: hundred percent right. The best thing for the Braves is 296 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 2: both of these guys look awesome. That's the best thing 297 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 2: for the Braves, and then they can figure out whatever 298 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 2: they're gonna do. But I am just I really want 299 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 2: Sean Murphy to have a big twenty twenty five and 300 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 2: obviously did not get off to a good start here. 301 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 2: But it looks like it's gonna be a relatively low 302 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 2: impact injury in terms of timeline. It's gonna be back 303 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 2: in mid April. I want Sean Murphy to have a 304 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 2: monster year. 305 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 1: Well, the other thing that I'll say to this is 306 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 1: that you know, when we talk about Sean Murphy, when 307 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 1: we talk about Drake Balwin, you know, it makes the 308 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: headlines for catchers, is their offense, offense, offense, offense, home runs, 309 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 1: all that different stuff. But the other side of the 310 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 1: equation is the impact Sean Murphy has handling the pitching staff, 311 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 1: helping them, helping them mix Sale and also being able 312 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 1: to control the run game of opposing teams. That is 313 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:51,920 Speaker 1: probably the one thing that may not be talked about enough, 314 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: but it's gonna be the most important thing that Drake 315 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:57,040 Speaker 1: baldwhen becomes accustomed to. I believe that it was said 316 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 1: he's going to catch tomorrow's game with Chris Sale making 317 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 1: his second spring training start tomorrow. But you've got Drake 318 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 1: Baldwin who's gonna start the season as catcher, handling this 319 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 1: pitching staff that's got plenty of questions of its own, 320 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 1: not necessarily a lot of new faces, but you want 321 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,440 Speaker 1: them to have a great start to the season. But that, 322 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: to me is the other side of the equation, and 323 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:18,960 Speaker 1: where you really want Sean Murphy to come back and 324 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: be strong is how will he handles a pitching staff 325 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 1: and the overall responsibilities of being a catcher, not saying 326 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 1: Drake Baldwin cannot do that, but he's He's just naturally 327 00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: a less reliable option right now, and so it's just 328 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 1: one more question that the Braves have to deal with. 329 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: I think Drake Baldwin will be fine for two to 330 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:39,400 Speaker 1: three weeks, but I think that that side of things 331 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:41,880 Speaker 1: makes it even more important to get Sean Murphy back 332 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: as healthy and ready to go and productive as possible. 333 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, the fact that he's immediately immediately announced that he's 334 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 2: gonna catch Sale, I thought was notable. Like that tells 335 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 2: me they're trying to get him ready for opening day 336 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 2: because obviously Sale is gonna pitch open It knock on 337 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 2: every piece of wall at assuming health, Sales going to 338 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 2: pitch opening Day. So yeah, that was notable to me 339 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 2: that they immediately announced that. The second thing I'll say 340 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 2: is this, the pitching staff had this best ERA in 341 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:14,560 Speaker 2: baseball last year, and Sean Murphy does not get any 342 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:17,600 Speaker 2: credit for that, even though he should. The pitching staff 343 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:19,840 Speaker 2: had the best ERA in baseball now the pitchers should 344 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,120 Speaker 2: get most of that credit. But like, the catchers matter there. 345 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 2: So you're right, that part of the game never gets 346 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:29,240 Speaker 2: talked about. Because we can't quantify it. We can't qualify 347 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,199 Speaker 2: we don't know how to we don't know how to 348 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 2: give catchers credit for that, so we don't talk about 349 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:37,439 Speaker 2: it a lot. It's just easy to talk about offense, 350 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:40,919 Speaker 2: but managers pitchers will tell you the other side of 351 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 2: the ball is more important. It's like shortstop defense is 352 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 2: more important than offense when it comes to catchers, but 353 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 2: we never talk about it. So that's a good point. 354 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 2: But yeah, I'm very excited for Drake. I want to 355 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:52,560 Speaker 2: see him. I want to see what he looks like. 356 00:17:52,600 --> 00:17:54,960 Speaker 2: He's listen, we talked about this day online. He's twenty 357 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,159 Speaker 2: four years old, Like we probably need to get this 358 00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:00,240 Speaker 2: career going, Like he's not a twenty one year old, 359 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:02,679 Speaker 2: but we need to worry about service time or stuff 360 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:04,480 Speaker 2: like that. Like he's twenty four. This is his age, 361 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:07,199 Speaker 2: twenty four season, same born in the same month as 362 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:11,200 Speaker 2: Michael Harris, same year, and so I'm excited. I want 363 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 2: to see him for like two or three weeks, just 364 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 2: see what he looks like. And he's the type of 365 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 2: hitter that the Brids could use in their lineup. Contact 366 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 2: doesn't strike out a bunch, So yeah, it's gonna I'm excited, 367 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:24,199 Speaker 2: you know, I want Sean Murfray to have a good year, 368 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 2: but I'm also excited to see Drake Baldwin. 369 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:33,520 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and they're none of this should quell that excitement 370 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: you want to see, especially for a franchise that, yes, 371 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:40,719 Speaker 1: we've been lucky to have, you know, a Counya Riley. 372 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 1: You know, so much of our talent that you know, 373 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: definitely contributed to our World Series run a few years 374 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 1: ago was homegrown. But we don't get it every year, 375 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:49,800 Speaker 1: and so it's gonna be fun to see Drake Baldwin 376 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:53,880 Speaker 1: step up as another prominent, you know, a prospect, homegrown prospect, 377 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:56,919 Speaker 1: and hopefully he'll make the most of the opportunity. Speaking 378 00:18:56,920 --> 00:19:00,720 Speaker 1: to making most the most of the opportunity, another somewhat 379 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:05,080 Speaker 1: notable name was introduced at Braves camp today, not formally, 380 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:08,160 Speaker 1: but when I say introduced, meaning that he made he's 381 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 1: going to be a part of spring training for the Braves. 382 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 1: Hector Nerris, an old friend of the team. Of course, 383 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 1: you know. My fondest memory of Hector Harris, I believe 384 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 1: that it was Opening Day of twenty eighteen when Nick 385 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,240 Speaker 1: Markakas hit that three run homer on opening Day to 386 00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:24,399 Speaker 1: walk off home run to hit the ball game. Formerly 387 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: of the Phillies, formerly of the Astros, someone notable name 388 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: of that he's been around for a while. He had 389 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 1: on paper on the surface an excellent twenty and twenty 390 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 1: three last year, regressed a little bit. He's an arm 391 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 1: to me, Stephen, that you might be able to use 392 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 1: in a short spurt if you want to sit here 393 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 1: and convince him to potentially be a bullpen dept for 394 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:51,199 Speaker 1: the organization. That to me is is certainly there. But 395 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:54,080 Speaker 1: I think that his best days are behind him. Even 396 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: his really good year in twenty and twenty three was 397 00:19:56,600 --> 00:19:59,680 Speaker 1: a lot of luck. So nothing really to take away 398 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 1: from this. To me, this is on the same level 399 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: as a buck former. It's a yeah, I've heard of 400 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:05,679 Speaker 1: this guy before, and I know that he's had a 401 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 1: few good years. But this is not, in any way, 402 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 1: shape or form a move that makes me think, Hey, 403 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 1: this guy, all of a sudden, he's going to become 404 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 1: a huge part of a bullpen. 405 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:20,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, just another name on the NRI list, just another option. 406 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 2: They'll see what he looks like and if it's not good, 407 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 2: they'll cut him. It's no risk, right, minor league deal, 408 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:31,440 Speaker 2: no guaranteed money, so just another name to throw out. 409 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,440 Speaker 2: You know, he's thirty five or thirty six something like that. 410 00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:37,479 Speaker 2: The fact that he was available on March third and 411 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:39,040 Speaker 2: and all he could get was a minor league deal 412 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:41,160 Speaker 2: kind of tells you where he's been the last couple 413 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:44,359 Speaker 2: of years. Strikeouts have gone down, walks have gone up, 414 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:47,440 Speaker 2: homers have gone up. None of those are good indicators, 415 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:50,159 Speaker 2: of course, So you know at that age he doesn't 416 00:20:50,160 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 2: throw hard, and you know he used to throw harder. 417 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:53,679 Speaker 2: He throws like ninety two to ninety three now, So 418 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:56,800 Speaker 2: you know, this is just a is there anything left 419 00:20:56,840 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 2: in the tank? Is there anything any part of the 420 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:01,920 Speaker 2: guy that used to be a pretty decent reliever in 421 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 2: the majors? Is that guy still in there at all? 422 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 2: Or is he just kind of done? And my guess 423 00:21:06,760 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 2: is he's just gonna be done. But you know it's 424 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:11,840 Speaker 2: a it's a risk free move, so that's why they 425 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:12,160 Speaker 2: did it. 426 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:16,679 Speaker 1: Yeah. The other thing. The other notable development from Monday, 427 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 1: of course, was that A. J. Smith Schab made his 428 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 1: second start of the season. You know, when it comes 429 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:28,879 Speaker 1: to facing off against the Rays, two innings, pitched four hits, 430 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:32,240 Speaker 1: one in and run. Did you have three strikeouts, so, 431 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 1: you know, kind of a mixed bag of success. I 432 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: think overall, he still looked pretty decent. But I'll kind 433 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 1: of make this a twofold you know scenario here for you, Steven, 434 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:44,720 Speaker 1: We've seen a j Smith Shauv for a second time. Now, 435 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 1: you know, we're starting to see, you know, some of 436 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:50,639 Speaker 1: these pitchers get their second round through Spencer Swellingboch was unbelievable. 437 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 1: I thought Ronaldo Lopez had a pretty good outing. You know, 438 00:21:53,040 --> 00:21:55,320 Speaker 1: Sunday was a really fun day to watch the Braves 439 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: play baseball. But the other news of the day in 440 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:03,239 Speaker 1: the majors was that Josey Kntana signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. So, 441 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:07,680 Speaker 1: as you see more and more of our fifth starter options, 442 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:11,919 Speaker 1: are our depth options makes or make their multiple starts, 443 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 1: make their second starts or so in spring training, I 444 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 1: know we've talked about how much we would like for 445 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 1: an arm to come in as a potential starting option. Stephen. 446 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 1: The thing that I'll ask is this, though, is that 447 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:28,119 Speaker 1: to me, the reason why it makes so much sense 448 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:33,520 Speaker 1: is because we've not really seen Alex and Thoppless make 449 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 1: that significant move for a starter at the trade deadline. 450 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 1: The really only notable move that he made for a 451 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 1: starter in his time as a Braves GM was Kevin 452 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:45,200 Speaker 1: Gosman in twenty eighteen, and that was before Gosman became 453 00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:48,160 Speaker 1: like all star Cy young level Godsman. So the point 454 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,880 Speaker 1: that I'm getting at it is is this is that 455 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:53,120 Speaker 1: I know that it doesn't look like that the starter's 456 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:54,920 Speaker 1: going to be added, and I know that the Braves 457 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:56,639 Speaker 1: really want to see what they've got with their depth, 458 00:22:57,440 --> 00:22:59,919 Speaker 1: but they could really use another arm in that starting rotation. 459 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:03,400 Speaker 1: And that is the one part of Alexan Topolos's track 460 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:06,159 Speaker 1: record that is a bit incomplete because we just have 461 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:08,520 Speaker 1: not seen a lot of success with it. What are 462 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:11,359 Speaker 1: your overall thoughts as you see more and more names 463 00:23:11,359 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 1: come off the board. Andrew Haney, you know last week 464 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:14,879 Speaker 1: and Jose Cantana this week. 465 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, listen, I'm surprised. I've said it all off season. 466 00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:22,040 Speaker 2: I thought they would add a starter. I thought they 467 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:26,800 Speaker 2: would add a reliever. They haven't added either. And I 468 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 2: know people are very high on Grant Holmes. I know 469 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:33,879 Speaker 2: people still think Ian Anderson has got it somewhere in 470 00:23:33,920 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 2: the tank. 471 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 4: A J. 472 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:41,640 Speaker 2: Smith Schalver does have a lot of potential. But you're 473 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:44,320 Speaker 2: relying on a lot of stuff that you're not sure about. 474 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:49,119 Speaker 2: And you know that's assuming Spencer Strider comes back and 475 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 2: has no hiccups. No, you know, he's no ill effects 476 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:55,200 Speaker 2: from the surgery, that he just picks up and begins 477 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 2: being Spencer Strider again. Because, like you said, this is 478 00:23:57,800 --> 00:23:59,919 Speaker 2: not a team that goes out and really gets starters 479 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:03,479 Speaker 2: at the deadline. And one reason is because starters are 480 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 2: very very expensive at the deadline, and for the like 481 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:08,639 Speaker 2: the last five years, the Braves have like a bottom 482 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:12,119 Speaker 2: five farm system, so it's very very difficult for them 483 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:14,639 Speaker 2: to go out and actually competitively go get a starter 484 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:18,640 Speaker 2: at the trade deadline. Now they will have potentially Drake 485 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:22,000 Speaker 2: Baldwin to dangle, you know, a level of prospect they 486 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:25,119 Speaker 2: probably haven't had in a while, not since Michael Harrison. 487 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:28,560 Speaker 2: They were never going to trade Michael Harris. So we'll see, 488 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:30,960 Speaker 2: we'll see what happens. I am very surprised. I thought 489 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:33,240 Speaker 2: the Braves would be in on either Haney or Quintana. 490 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:36,360 Speaker 2: There's really not much left. Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn 491 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 2: are kind of the only two guys that have any 492 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:41,120 Speaker 2: sort of experience. Neither had a good year last year. 493 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:45,840 Speaker 2: Both are like thirty seven or thirty eight. So you know, 494 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 2: we're kind of getting down to where it's just this 495 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 2: is the group. And listen, if they're right about Grant Holmes, 496 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:56,200 Speaker 2: if they're right about Ian Anderson, then no one cares, 497 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,000 Speaker 2: no one can. You know, you get the credit if 498 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 2: you're right. But if you're wrong. And everybody kind of 499 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:08,400 Speaker 2: saw this coming and it goes poorly, Alex is gonna 500 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:11,560 Speaker 2: get ripped. You know, payroll is not Pyroll didn't go up, 501 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:15,680 Speaker 2: it went down. They declined the optional Travis Darnaut, they 502 00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:18,320 Speaker 2: had the money to spend and they didn't add And 503 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 2: so I hope it goes well. I really obviously I 504 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:23,760 Speaker 2: want Ian Anderson to pitch good. I want Grant Holmes 505 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:25,879 Speaker 2: to pitch well like I want these I want a J. 506 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 2: Smith Schalber to take a step that would be huge 507 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:30,760 Speaker 2: for this organization. If a J. Smithshalbro could just take 508 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:32,920 Speaker 2: a big leap this year, that would solve a lot 509 00:25:32,920 --> 00:25:36,560 Speaker 2: of problems. But I you know, honesty compels me to 510 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:39,439 Speaker 2: say I'm very surprised that they never added a starter 511 00:25:39,600 --> 00:25:41,720 Speaker 2: or a reliever for that matter. I know they've just 512 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:45,119 Speaker 2: done this, you know, whole sign a million in our eyes, 513 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 2: sign a million guys on minor league deals in the 514 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:49,800 Speaker 2: bullpen and just hope a few of them work out 515 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:51,879 Speaker 2: and maybe that works. And again, if it works, no 516 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 2: one cares. But I'm I'm concerned about it. I you know, 517 00:25:56,960 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 2: I've said before, I'm not that much of a believer 518 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:01,800 Speaker 2: in Ian Anderson. We'll see. I could be dead wrong, 519 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:06,360 Speaker 2: but I'm I'm definitely concerned about the rotation. I thought 520 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:08,879 Speaker 2: the Braves, you know, Countana signed for like four million 521 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:12,600 Speaker 2: bucks one year. Four million bucks. I don't know, that 522 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:14,760 Speaker 2: seems pretty reasonable for a guy that can give you 523 00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:18,119 Speaker 2: pretty solid innings and is a proven major league starter. 524 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:21,880 Speaker 2: But obviously they didn't think so. So you know, they 525 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:24,240 Speaker 2: may be right. And if they're right, we'll we'll give 526 00:26:24,280 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 2: them a paddle. Well, you know, we'll we'll come on 527 00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:27,680 Speaker 2: here and tell you, hey, they were right, we were wrong, 528 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:30,439 Speaker 2: they were right, and I just hope it doesn't go 529 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:30,920 Speaker 2: the other way. 530 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:34,679 Speaker 1: Well, the thing I'll say is this is that if 531 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 1: you are a fan of the Baby Braves, hey, if 532 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 1: you remember twenty years ago when the year that Brian 533 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:45,080 Speaker 1: McCann and Jeff Frank Corr made their you know, very 534 00:26:45,200 --> 00:26:47,880 Speaker 1: very memorable debuts together in the middle of the two 535 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:50,200 Speaker 1: thousand and five season. It basically stayed that season. I'm 536 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,040 Speaker 1: not saying we're gonna get that, you know from the 537 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:54,720 Speaker 1: Drake Baldwins and ad Smith Shawbers of the world, but 538 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:57,040 Speaker 1: it does look like the things are coming together to 539 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 1: where some of the more notable younger Braves could have 540 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:03,119 Speaker 1: significant roles on this team to start the season. So 541 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:05,480 Speaker 1: if you are a fan of that, certainly hope they 542 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:08,840 Speaker 1: make the most of their opportunity. My name's Sean Comen. 543 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:10,920 Speaker 1: You can find me in Stat's sec on Twitter. For 544 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 1: Steven Talbert, who you can find a b underscore outliers 545 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:17,600 Speaker 1: on Twitter. Slash x slash, whatever you want to call it. 546 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:20,359 Speaker 1: Nowadays you can find Hamber Territory across all forms of 547 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:23,800 Speaker 1: social media. Foul Territory part of the Foul Territory family 548 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,240 Speaker 1: of podcasts. Here at Hammer Territory you can find both 549 00:27:26,280 --> 00:27:29,119 Speaker 1: those great brands across all forms of social media. For 550 00:27:29,160 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 1: Stephen Talbart, my name is Sean Coleman. Will be back 551 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:34,840 Speaker 1: with you again. Hey, We're in full mode here to 552 00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 1: cover the Braves each and every time there's a game. 553 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:40,760 Speaker 1: Slash Big Nuds, Slash whatever you want to call it. 554 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:44,200 Speaker 1: We're here for the constant content and the analysis each 555 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:46,160 Speaker 1: and every day until next time, Go braves. We'll talk 556 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:49,200 Speaker 1: to you again soon here on the Hammer Territory podcast