1 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: The Hammer Territory Podcast once again, a new era of 2 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: the Hammer Territory Podcast, a more clear, concise, naturally beautiful 3 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:34,640 Speaker 1: era of the Hammer Territory Podcast. Okay, enough about my 4 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 1: new camera. My name is always is Sean Coleman. Wherever 5 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:39,200 Speaker 1: we are and wherever you are listening, it is always 6 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: a pleasure to be with you, and I cannot talk 7 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:45,559 Speaker 1: enough about how much is it is a pleasure to 8 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:47,319 Speaker 1: always be with one of the best when it comes 9 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:50,120 Speaker 1: to breaking down the Braves. My podcast partner, best podcast 10 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 1: partner in America, Stephen Tilbert. Hello, Stephen Tilbert, what's. 11 00:00:54,720 --> 00:01:00,240 Speaker 2: Up, buddy. So we're close today as we're recording, it 12 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 2: is Tuesday, February something, seventeenth, middle of February. We got 13 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 2: a spring training game that starts in like four days, 14 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 2: five days something like that. So yeah, Saturday, so we're close. 15 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 2: I can't wait. Obviously, there's the the mood around Braves 16 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 2: spring training has not been the best. The news has 17 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 2: not been great. You know. The focus has been on 18 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:31,200 Speaker 2: what the Braves haven't done and what the Braves have 19 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:34,640 Speaker 2: already lost. And we're gonna talk about some of that, 20 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 2: but we're not gonna stay We're not gonna stay drowning 21 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:41,600 Speaker 2: in our sorrows for every show that we do. Like, 22 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 2: there's still things to be excited about about this team, 23 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:46,760 Speaker 2: and we're gonna spend some time talking about that on 24 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 2: the back end of the show. So we're gonna cover 25 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 2: some of the what's happening, but we're also gonna spend 26 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 2: some time talking about like things that because I feel 27 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 2: like like we've had to cover what's been going on 28 00:01:57,400 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 2: with the injuries, but I feel like the overall tone 29 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 2: has been negga because of it, and I do want 30 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 2: to make sure that we are including some of the 31 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 2: positive things that are still very much in play for 32 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:09,519 Speaker 2: the Braves in twenty twenty six. So that's going to 33 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 2: be tonight's show. 34 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 1: This team still has many strengths, and we'll get into 35 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: one of the clear areas of strengths for this team 36 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: a little bit later on in the show, but first 37 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: we will start with the pitching, because you know, while 38 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 1: the news on the pitching has not been that positive here, 39 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:26,360 Speaker 1: you know in recent days, it still is where you know, 40 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: the news lies. And a couple of areas of news 41 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: for the Braves, one where we have not got news 42 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 1: yet and another where we got a little bit more 43 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 1: details of you know, the news that we're all hoping 44 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: to get. But you know, instead of you know, being 45 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:43,079 Speaker 1: you know, secret, when with what we're getting at, let's 46 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 1: get right to it. Of course today we were hoping 47 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:47,800 Speaker 1: by now you know, there was news over the weekend 48 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 1: of hrschel Walder having loose bodies in his pitching elbow, 49 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 1: and the hope was was that, you know, he was 50 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 1: going to get examined by a doctor. The thought process 51 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: is that maybe yesterday we would get some news and 52 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 1: if not yesterday, of course we would get today. But 53 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 1: of course we have not, so it's kind of a 54 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 1: waiting game to be clear, to kind of reset the 55 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 1: stage whatever news that there is. Hurst and Waldrop is 56 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 1: likely going to miss a somewhat significant to definitely significant 57 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: time of the season. You know he'll at least you know, 58 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 1: this isn't something that you know, he's going to be 59 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: on the mound in a few weeks. He likely at 60 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 1: this point best case scenario would be like maybe him 61 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 1: missing the first month of the season. A worst case 62 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: scenario obviously he's out for the year with it being 63 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 1: something more significant. But the thing is is that you know, 64 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 1: we don't know, and that's the waiting game, and that 65 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 1: just seems to be what we're constantly in for one 66 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: reason or another when it comes to the Braves pitching. 67 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: But the Stephen the thing that I've got that specifically 68 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 1: when it comes to Hurst and Waldrop that that's frustrating, 69 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 1: besides the fact that you were hoping that he could 70 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: provide depth for this team, is that now you've seen 71 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 1: him have elbow issues. 72 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 2: We've seen a J. 73 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: Smith Shover also have elbow issues. This next era of 74 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 1: Braves pitching that we had hoped would come in and 75 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 1: has shown flashes of being able to come in and 76 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 1: be contributors. Unfortunately, it's going to be delayed for the 77 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 1: same reason that the Braves current era of pitching really 78 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,680 Speaker 1: can't get the job done consistently injuries, and that's frustrating 79 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:20,160 Speaker 1: when it comes to Brave's young depth. 80 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, so essentially the distinction that we're waiting to hear 81 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 2: is he's got these loose bodies, these bone spurs whatever 82 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 2: you want to call, in his elbow, and some guys 83 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 2: can pitch with those in their elbow as long as 84 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:42,719 Speaker 2: they can manage the pain. You know, some guys do 85 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 2: like a cortozone shot. You can take some different antibiotics, 86 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 2: you can take like anti inflammatory stuff like that, and 87 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 2: you can control it non surgically. And that's the option 88 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 2: where herson, Roger Hearson Waldroup would only be out a 89 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 2: few weeks, like if he courtizone shot, like he probably 90 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 2: be down like three weeks or so. That's what Sean 91 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 2: was just talking about. The other side is is if 92 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 2: he has to have the arthroscopic surgery to remove the 93 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 2: bodies because you know, the pain is not tolerable or 94 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:19,720 Speaker 2: they're too big, they might cause damage. You know. That's 95 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 2: why I went to see a specialist to really get 96 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 2: the details. And that's the information we thought we'd have 97 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 2: by now. We just don't yet. And if he has 98 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:33,160 Speaker 2: the surgery to have him removed, then that's where it's 99 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:35,720 Speaker 2: like he's got to sit for like eight weeks or 100 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 2: ten weeks, and then he's got to start ramping back up. 101 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 2: That's like the three month, three or four month option 102 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 2: that we're just waiting to hear. So you know, as 103 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: soon as we know something, obviously you guys might know 104 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:49,600 Speaker 2: it by the time you're listening to this. As of 105 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 2: eight thirty Central time on Tuesday. We don't know, and 106 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 2: so that's what we're waiting for, and it, you know, 107 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 2: it does suck, like you just said, Like you know, 108 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 2: if you look at kind of the next stare of 109 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:04,359 Speaker 2: Braves pitching, which is supposed to be Strider, Weillumback, Waldrup, 110 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 2: and j Smith Schalver, all four have now had you know, 111 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 2: elbow scares of some sort. And coming into the year, 112 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 2: Waldrop's elbow was supposed to be the healthiest of all 113 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 2: all four of them, and he doesn't even get you know, 114 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,799 Speaker 2: two days in the spring training without his elbow starting 115 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 2: to bark. So the good news is the ligament in 116 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:28,480 Speaker 2: his elbow is is reportedly still fine. I guess they'll 117 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 2: know more when they look at it, but that was 118 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 2: the report that his ligament is fine. It's not like 119 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 2: we're staring at Tommy John or anything. It's just loose bodies. 120 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 2: But yeah, that's what we're waiting to hear, is just 121 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 2: the distinction between no surgery or surgery, and that pretty 122 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 2: wildly changes the timetable, which obviously affects the Brave's depth. 123 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:47,720 Speaker 2: I do think Waldrup was gonna spend some time in 124 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:49,280 Speaker 2: triple at the beginning of the year no matter what. 125 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 2: But that was before Schwallenbach got hurt, and now the 126 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 2: Braves are kind of one more injury away, where Hurst 127 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:57,359 Speaker 2: and Waldroup very clearly would have been in the rotation. 128 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 2: So it's a pretty important it's still a very important 129 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 2: piece of information we're waiting on. We just don't have 130 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:03,120 Speaker 2: it yet. 131 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:08,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I mean again, it's just it's it's incredibly frustrating, 132 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 1: and I'm sure there's no more no being more frustrated 133 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: than the players themselves and the franchise itself because you know, 134 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 1: again last year we saw over what a a six 135 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: week stretch for both Waldrop as well as miss Shaver 136 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: just how effective they can be. So Mims Shav at 137 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: the beginning of the year, Waldrop at the end of 138 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 1: the year, and of course Swellebach has been one of 139 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 1: the most impressive pitchers over the past two years, regardless 140 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: of age. So you think that at least two of those, 141 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: Waldrop and Schwellebach, and a year ago you're thinking all three, 142 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: all three of them can be big contributors in twenty 143 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: twenty six and beyond. And now it's fair to say 144 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: that you know, the right expectation is to not consider 145 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: a contribution from any of the three, and that's very 146 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: frustrating and it does bite into their development time as well. 147 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 1: And of course that lead is a segue into the 148 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 1: report that we saw today. Gave Burns of the Atlanta 149 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 1: Journal Constitution wrote an article basically saying that the Braves 150 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 1: didn't have they weren't in on Chris Bassett, they didn't 151 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 1: have interest. They don't really have interest in Lucas Gilido, 152 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: you know, they they're focused on their internal options. 153 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:14,559 Speaker 2: Now. 154 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: I don't want to question you know, a report at 155 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 1: all that I myself don't have knowledge of, but it 156 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: just it just doesn't make sense. Like and the reason 157 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: why I say that is because if the Braves don't 158 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 1: have interest in adding external pitching depth all of a sudden, 159 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:35,679 Speaker 1: when they've said that that's their number one priority, not 160 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 1: only this offseason, but now going on three straight off 161 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,080 Speaker 1: seasons for them all of a sudden to pivot away 162 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 1: from that when the need is bigger now than ever, 163 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 1: that doesn't make a lot of sense. And if this 164 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 1: is maybe you know, kind of a you know, giving 165 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:53,199 Speaker 1: a misdirection with information by the Braves, well it's really 166 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: not effective because everybody knows that you need pitching. So 167 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: it just again, I don't want to put two much 168 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: on a report that's out there because we typically know that, 169 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:05,839 Speaker 1: you know, the Braves are pretty tight lift when it 170 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:09,040 Speaker 1: comes to their intentions. But you just have to hope 171 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: that the Braves are continuing to do work on how 172 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 1: to add external talent, because no matter how much they 173 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:18,320 Speaker 1: believe in the ability of their current croper pitchers, the 174 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: availability and the lack thereof is becoming the more significant 175 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:26,840 Speaker 1: aspect of this Brave's pitching depth, because the lack of 176 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,720 Speaker 1: reliability when it comes to the talent being available is 177 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 1: now starting to outweigh the overall talent itself. 178 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's funny. I listen to a lot of 179 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:41,439 Speaker 2: just national baseball content just I want to know what's 180 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 2: going on around the league. I don't just listen to 181 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 2: local stuff, you know. I really wanted kind of a 182 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:48,120 Speaker 2: whole idea of what's going on over the league, and 183 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:50,680 Speaker 2: so I listened to quite a bit of national stuff. 184 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 2: And even on the national level, the Braves will come up. 185 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 2: Because the Braves have had these significant injuries early in camp. 186 00:09:56,600 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 2: It's a storyline. It's become a national storyline, and almost 187 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 2: universally every single podcast or show that I watch, the 188 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 2: same question gets asked, and that is why haven't the 189 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 2: Braves fortified their pitching staff? And no one has a 190 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 2: clear answer to this. And even the answer that Alex 191 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 2: gave a couple or last Friday when he did like 192 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 2: his twenty minute media segment, was that we're only focused 193 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 2: on top of the rotation arms, like, we're not really 194 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 2: looking for any depth. We're just unless it's somebody that 195 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 2: could slot at the top of a rotation, could be 196 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 2: a playoff strutter, that is not something we're really interested in. 197 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 2: And that, of course doesn't make any sense because the 198 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 2: Braves didn't have enough pitching to get through the regular 199 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 2: season last year, never mind the playoffs. So you know, 200 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 2: this is what this is the disconnect that people are 201 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 2: trying to figure out. And again, even on a national level, 202 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:54,959 Speaker 2: and almost unanimously, anybody that talks about this is left 203 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 2: wondering how that logic makes sense. I know, Bradon Scott 204 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 2: talked about it. I mean, we've all talked about it, bunch, 205 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:02,959 Speaker 2: and so that's you know, and we've got that report 206 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 2: today from Gabe that they were not really all that 207 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 2: interested in Bassett apparently not interested in Giolito. I would 208 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 2: certainly take that with a grain of salt. Until we 209 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 2: actually see where Giolito goes. I'm not gonna just you know, 210 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 2: Gabe is very good at what he does. But the Braves, 211 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:19,320 Speaker 2: you know, can lie to your face, you know, just 212 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:21,439 Speaker 2: as easily as they could do it to a reporter, 213 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:23,839 Speaker 2: just eas as they do to us. So until I 214 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 2: see where Giolito goes, I'm not gonna write that in 215 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 2: pen But that would track with what they said publicly 216 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 2: a few days ago that they're only interesting, they were 217 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 2: only interested in top of the line pitchers, and Giolito 218 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 2: is certainly not INMBASSTD is certainly not. So I don't 219 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:40,880 Speaker 2: get it. I mean, I've made this point of a 220 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 2: bunch like the Braves are not in a strong enough 221 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 2: position in terms of their pitching depth to be this 222 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,960 Speaker 2: picky where they can only look at like top of 223 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,960 Speaker 2: the rotation arms. And I thought Scott made a great 224 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 2: point on the show on Sunday. He's like, Scott said 225 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 2: something to I'm gonna butcher it. But Scott said something 226 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 2: to the effect of, you know, you're not even really 227 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:03,439 Speaker 2: in on these top of the rotation arms because you're 228 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 2: not spending top dollar on pitching, you're not willing to 229 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 2: give opt outs. So if you're not really in on 230 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 2: these top of the line pitchers, but those are the 231 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,120 Speaker 2: only types of pictures that you say you're in on, 232 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:15,600 Speaker 2: does that just mean you're out on all pitching? Like, 233 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:18,679 Speaker 2: it doesn't make a lot of sense, and I haven't 234 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:21,199 Speaker 2: been able to make sense of it. And listen, we 235 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 2: try to be very fair. We try to be process 236 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 2: oriented on the show. You will never see us just 237 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 2: freak out about results. Like we try to understand the 238 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:33,760 Speaker 2: process being used to get where they get. And by process, 239 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 2: I do not understand what they're doing with the pitching staff. 240 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:38,439 Speaker 2: They don't have enough depth. They didn't have enough depth 241 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 2: before these guys hurt. They rolled over all of this 242 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 2: injury risk. They did nothing to mitigate any of that 243 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 2: risk by adding depth to the roster. Alex says he 244 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 2: has money to spend. I don't if you have the 245 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:55,680 Speaker 2: funds and you have the ability to mitigate some of 246 00:12:55,720 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 2: this extremely high injury risk, I don't understand why you 247 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 2: don't do it. I just it's the same thing that 248 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 2: happened in the bullpen last year. Like you had a need, 249 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 2: you said, you had money, but you just didn't. You 250 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:09,959 Speaker 2: didn't do anything like I can't figure it out. I 251 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 2: don't understand it. I know plenty of national people who 252 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 2: don't understand it. So we're just gonna have to live 253 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 2: in our and are not understanding it. 254 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 1: The quick thing that I'll say to that is that 255 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 1: I believe Alex when he says that he truly is 256 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: focused on a playoff level pitcher, like a top of 257 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:29,439 Speaker 1: the rotation level pitch. 258 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 2: Oh, I believe him. 259 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: I just don't understand it, Yeah, because it tracks with 260 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 1: what he's done. And that's the thing that I you know, 261 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 1: we could go on for for you know, another full 262 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 1: show about this. But what I will quickly say the 263 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 1: thing that frustrates me the most about this it's not 264 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: just this offseason, right, It's been the past three off season. 265 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 1: It's been two plus years where the consistent theme from 266 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 1: the Braves has been that they want to add significant 267 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 1: starting pitching. We know they had interest in Aaron Nola, 268 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:55,680 Speaker 1: we know they had interest in Nathan the Abaldi. We 269 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,199 Speaker 1: know that they had you know, interest in Garrett Crochet 270 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: for instance. When it came to trade, they able to 271 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: get the job done. The thing that stands out to 272 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 1: me is that I definitely feel that they have the 273 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:10,080 Speaker 1: focus of wanting to add significant levels starting pitching. But 274 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:12,959 Speaker 1: it also feel like this feels at times like Alex 275 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 1: has to have so much value, are so many boxes 276 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: checked to actually pull the trigger, that he winds up 277 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: basically taking him own self out of contention for these arms. 278 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: It's either that it's not you know, the money, the 279 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 1: money's not at the level that he wants it, or 280 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:31,920 Speaker 1: it's too rich of a prospect costs things such as that. 281 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 1: So I think that's what it is to Scott's point, 282 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 1: To your point, either you need to become a bit 283 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: more lenient on how much risk you're willing to take 284 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 1: on to bring in a significant level pitcher, or you 285 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 1: need to widen your definition of a picture that will 286 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: make a difference and one that at least has durability. 287 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 1: Certainly would check a big box for the Braves. But 288 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 1: the thing is is that again, we could talk about 289 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:58,800 Speaker 1: pitching all day, all summer, all spring, we could talk 290 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: about it forever. Let's focus on something that's a streak 291 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 1: of this team. That's the Braves catching situation. More of 292 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:07,680 Speaker 1: that in a moment after a word from our sponsors. 293 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 2: All right, we got the Warby Parkers. 294 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:15,160 Speaker 3: I got the Raiders, but one thing I upgraded to Polarized. 295 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:16,200 Speaker 2: Sorry about it. 296 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:19,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, these are good not only for wearing, but also 297 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 3: out in the sun. When I become that baseball coach, 298 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 3: I always want to be with my kids. I got 299 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 3: the Hatchers. They're darker, a little bit wider for my face. 300 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:30,600 Speaker 3: They fit perfect, They're comfortable. It's an easy process to 301 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 3: order these really really cool glasses. 302 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 4: I am a diehard Warby Parker fan. I do have 303 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 4: prescription glasses and I wear Warby Parker every day for 304 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 4: many years. I'm excited about this one. Give it a shot. 305 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 4: Warby Parker gives you quality and better looking prescription I 306 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 4: wear at a fraction of the going price. 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Please support our 314 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 4: show and tell them Foul Territory sent you. 315 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: Just think if you get some of those Warby Parker glasses, 316 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: your vision becomes more clear, and that just means you 317 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 1: get to see me more often. I mean, that's just 318 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 1: the amazing thing about it. I need to sell celebrate 319 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 1: in this camera. AnyWho on to better things when it 320 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 1: comes to talking the Braves, and that of course is 321 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 1: their catching situation. Now, I know, I know, I know 322 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: some out there may not necessarily think that the process 323 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 1: in recent years of how the Braves have arrived their 324 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 1: current catching situation may have been the best or most effective, 325 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 1: But who cares. They have catching as a strength. And 326 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 1: I go back to a point that I made and 327 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: I will continue to make this over. Since nineteen ninety, 328 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: the Braves have had the second best catching situation in 329 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 1: terms of f war in all of the majors. The 330 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 1: only team that's had a better catching situation is the Dodgers. 331 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 1: Other teams that are near the top of that list 332 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 1: include the Red Sox and the Yankees. The point that 333 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:09,359 Speaker 1: I'm getting at is we know how much Alex and 334 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:13,160 Speaker 1: Thoppoless loves to have good catching talent, and he's good 335 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: at identifying it as well. If you have consistent top 336 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 1: flight catching talent winning usually correlates quite well with that 337 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 1: being a team trade. And Stephen, we're back there once again. 338 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:28,120 Speaker 1: And it's kind of crazy after we traded William Contreras 339 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:30,359 Speaker 1: for Sean Murphy. Whether or not you think the Sean 340 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 1: Murphy trade has worked out, it's really all or not 341 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:37,919 Speaker 1: because right in that train of Shay long eliers and 342 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:41,439 Speaker 1: you know, William Contreras and making the trade for Sean Murphy, 343 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 1: here comes Drake Baldwin, who may be the best of 344 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,639 Speaker 1: them all, coming off what was one of the better 345 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,680 Speaker 1: offensive rookie seasons we've seen from a catcher in quite 346 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 1: a while. 347 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, it's just it's it's all about Drake 348 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 2: at this point. I mean, Rookie raining Rookie of the Year. 349 00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 2: He's the reason to have the extra draft pick because 350 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 2: he won Rookie the Year and he was on the 351 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:04,920 Speaker 2: opening day roster and you know, we have all the 352 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 2: numbers and he had a fantastic season. The thing that 353 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:11,760 Speaker 2: I remain most impressed about is that when no one 354 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 2: was hitting in like April and May, Drake Baldwin was 355 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:18,160 Speaker 2: hitting like he It's been a while now so people 356 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 2: might not remember it, but go back and look at 357 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 2: what April, like what he was doing in April where 358 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 2: everyone's like, who the hell is this? Like I didn't 359 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:26,879 Speaker 2: realize this kid was like an All Star. He had 360 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,639 Speaker 2: a Monsters season one twenty five WRC plus for a catcher, 361 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 2: which is just I mean, this has been one of 362 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 2: Brad's bits for a long time, but go look at 363 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 2: like offensive stats among catchers around baseball, and it gets 364 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:41,959 Speaker 2: pretty ugly pretty quick, Like a one twenty five WRC 365 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 2: plus from a catcher is pretty nuts. And the thing 366 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 2: about that one twenty five is every single metric we 367 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:54,800 Speaker 2: use to try to determine if something is real or 368 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:58,480 Speaker 2: not or if it's a bit of a mirage. Says 369 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:01,919 Speaker 2: that everything he did last year was very real, like 370 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 2: very real. Like his average exi velosity was ninety two 371 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 2: miles an hour, which is like Austin Riley territory in 372 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 2: terms of how hard he hits the ball. It's like 373 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 2: Matt Olsen territory in terms of how hard he hits 374 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 2: the ball, Like you know, Acuna is in a different level, 375 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:18,560 Speaker 2: but for all the other like mortals, Drake Baldwin hits 376 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 2: the ball just as hard as you know, some of 377 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:22,160 Speaker 2: the best sluggers on the team. If you look at 378 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:26,600 Speaker 2: like the his Oba versus his expected Oba, expected Oba 379 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 2: and Oba are almost identical, you know. The it's just 380 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:35,720 Speaker 2: everything about his game last year seems repeatable. His left 381 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 2: versus right splits, he actually hit lefties better than righty's 382 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 2: last year. I'm not convinced that's real. That's probably the 383 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:46,719 Speaker 2: one I have the most questions on. You know, you 384 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:49,760 Speaker 2: always need to be very very careful about using a 385 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:54,160 Speaker 2: how or one season of splits to arrive at any conclusion. 386 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 2: I'm guessing as his career goes, that left handed number 387 00:19:57,600 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 2: will come down. But even if it's even, if it 388 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:02,880 Speaker 2: anywhere close to that is just a monster number because 389 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:05,360 Speaker 2: you have to be platooned, and most left handed hitters 390 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 2: in baseball get platooned now, and so if Drake can 391 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 2: do anything close to that, he's just that much more 392 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:13,480 Speaker 2: valuab He's literally an everyday player, and with the DH 393 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:17,479 Speaker 2: you can do that. So, you know, the defensive stuff 394 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 2: I think is probably where he could see the most 395 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 2: growth in twenty twenty six. He blocked the ball really well. 396 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:24,960 Speaker 2: He was not the best at throwing out runners, he 397 00:20:25,040 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 2: was not the best at framing. I think if you're 398 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,879 Speaker 2: looking for where can Drake get better, and then that's 399 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 2: where you start right defensive framing. I think Jonaheim was 400 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:37,600 Speaker 2: a strategic move by the team, and Sean Murphy is 401 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:41,120 Speaker 2: also a tremendous defensive catcher, so that's the area where 402 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 2: he can definitely get better. But he wasn't like he 403 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 2: was he was average. It's not like he was just 404 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 2: pitiful in those spots, like he's more than playable there. 405 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:51,679 Speaker 2: It's just an area where he can get better. But 406 00:20:51,800 --> 00:20:55,960 Speaker 2: the offensive stuff looks so real, and that's the stuff 407 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 2: I'm most excited. I want to see what year two brings. There. 408 00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:01,679 Speaker 2: Of course, is always a chance of a sophomore slump 409 00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:03,959 Speaker 2: of some sort, but again that's why we look at 410 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:06,960 Speaker 2: the process based numbers, the numbers behind the numbers and 411 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 2: all of that stuff says everything you saw last year 412 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:14,800 Speaker 2: was very real, very repeatable, very predictable. And so yeah, 413 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 2: the brands catching strength starts with the fact that they 414 00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 2: have this young, cheap, controllable, what looks like a monster 415 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:27,639 Speaker 2: at catcher and drake ball. 416 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 1: And along with the expected stats or the underlying metrics, 417 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 1: you know, supporting the surface level numbers. That's one thing 418 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:37,679 Speaker 1: that certainly makes you realize that what he can contribute 419 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:40,480 Speaker 1: is real, but you kind of hinted at it. It's 420 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:46,040 Speaker 1: also just across the board production in situational hitting, in 421 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:50,680 Speaker 1: different situational hitting. That's really really exciting. What he did 422 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:53,600 Speaker 1: versus left handed pitching, what he was able to do 423 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:57,959 Speaker 1: against a high velocity, what he was able to do 424 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:00,919 Speaker 1: with runners in scoring position, he was able to do 425 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:03,800 Speaker 1: at different areas of the lineup, The fact that he 426 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:08,439 Speaker 1: had very encouraging walk compared to strikeout numbers, that he 427 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 1: can just as comfortably go to left field as he 428 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: can right field. What that not only means is that 429 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:17,040 Speaker 1: what he did last year was real, but as the 430 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:20,040 Speaker 1: league adapts to him, he's going to be able to 431 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:22,199 Speaker 1: adapt back to the league, which is what's going to 432 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:25,639 Speaker 1: help him maintain being a highly productive player. That's what 433 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:29,960 Speaker 1: really stands out about Drake Baldwin. The difference between this 434 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:32,919 Speaker 1: year and last year, though, is of course going to 435 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:35,359 Speaker 1: be He's likely going to be playing eighty to ninety 436 00:22:35,359 --> 00:22:38,640 Speaker 1: percent of the games at catcher to start the year, 437 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:42,080 Speaker 1: and you mentioned the defensive shortcomings, especially when it came 438 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:44,399 Speaker 1: to being able to contain the running game. If you 439 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 1: remember the first game of last season, we were kind 440 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:49,639 Speaker 1: of like, oh no, they allowed those five steals against 441 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:52,399 Speaker 1: the Padres in Game one of last year. We wondered 442 00:22:52,400 --> 00:22:54,440 Speaker 1: how much of a concern that would be. But he 443 00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:57,000 Speaker 1: got better. But the one thing that I also think 444 00:22:57,040 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 1: makes a difference, even for Drake Baldwin his teammate, it's 445 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:03,439 Speaker 1: clearly believe in him as well. The most supportive and 446 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:07,320 Speaker 1: outspoken person for Drake Baldwin beginning even last year in 447 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:11,399 Speaker 1: spring training was Chris Sale. And if there's anybody that 448 00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:14,399 Speaker 1: you want in your corner on this brave squad from 449 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:16,960 Speaker 1: the beginning, it would be Chris Sale. So if Chris 450 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:19,360 Speaker 1: Sale was able to notice it and lo and behold, 451 00:23:20,440 --> 00:23:24,399 Speaker 1: his trust was absolutely validated. I'm not necessarily saying that 452 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:26,639 Speaker 1: Drake Baldwin all of a sudden is going to become 453 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 1: a top five catcher in baseball. But what I will 454 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:33,360 Speaker 1: say is is that if he puts together as good 455 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:35,640 Speaker 1: of or a better season this year than he did 456 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:40,480 Speaker 1: last year, you really really got a true asset to 457 00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:44,600 Speaker 1: work with. And one again that teams that are looking 458 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:49,080 Speaker 1: to consistently win must have a strong production from catcher. 459 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:52,359 Speaker 1: Drake Baldwin certainly seems for the next decade to be 460 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 1: right in line with that. 461 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 2: I remember, you know, Chris sill admitted he doesn't shake 462 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:03,359 Speaker 2: off his catcher, so whoever is catching him is calling 463 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:06,480 Speaker 2: the game like Chrisselle just throws whatever the catcher says. 464 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:11,120 Speaker 2: And that means that as a rookie. As a twenty 465 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 2: four rookie, Drake Baldwin was successively calling games for a 466 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:18,840 Speaker 2: cy young level pitcher his first year in the majors, 467 00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:21,960 Speaker 2: and I am curious. You know, he's not the best 468 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,879 Speaker 2: framer in the world. I do wonder how framing is 469 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:27,600 Speaker 2: gonna change now that we have the ABS system, Like, 470 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:29,720 Speaker 2: is that going to be as valuable as a skill 471 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 2: as it used to be. It probably will be because 472 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 2: you can't challenge every pitch, but it's probably gonna be 473 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 2: mitigated a little bit. And then if you look at 474 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:40,359 Speaker 2: the projections, and again I'm a big fan of these 475 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 2: projection models because they're typically the most accurate. Like ZIPS. Again, 476 00:24:45,840 --> 00:24:47,920 Speaker 2: drey Ball put up a one twenty five WRC plus 477 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 2: next year. His projection from ZIPS for next year, or 478 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 2: that's what he did last year. His projection for next 479 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:56,399 Speaker 2: year or for this upcoming year is a one twenty 480 00:24:56,440 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 2: four WRC plus. So that's a model that sees not 481 00:25:01,359 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 2: only what he did, but all the underlying stuff underneath 482 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:06,760 Speaker 2: it and says, oh no, no, this is real, Like, 483 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:09,360 Speaker 2: this is not a mirage that you watched last year. 484 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:12,440 Speaker 2: This is not something where we expect a big drop. Again, 485 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 2: project projection model is usually very conservative, especially with young players, 486 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:18,320 Speaker 2: but we don't have a lot of data. That's how 487 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 2: real all of his underlying stuff was last year that 488 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:23,679 Speaker 2: the projection basically sees an identical season from him for 489 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:27,879 Speaker 2: next year. Again, I do think some we need to 490 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 2: be somewhat cautious because it's a sophomore year. And listen, 491 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:33,640 Speaker 2: he would not be the first guy who's ultra talented 492 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 2: who takes a step back in his sophomore year. That 493 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:38,600 Speaker 2: happens all the time. Even guys are going to have 494 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:42,600 Speaker 2: tremendous careers take a step back. I think Acuna had 495 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:45,679 Speaker 2: like a one to twenty five WRC plus in his 496 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:48,399 Speaker 2: second year, which I think is still the lowest of 497 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:51,720 Speaker 2: his career until at least until he came back from 498 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:54,360 Speaker 2: the ACL. The first ACL, I think that was one 499 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:56,280 Speaker 2: of the lowest of his career. So like even guys 500 00:25:56,320 --> 00:25:59,359 Speaker 2: like Akunya take a small cans take a small step back, 501 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:01,680 Speaker 2: so we should not be surprised at all. It should 502 00:26:01,680 --> 00:26:05,040 Speaker 2: not shock anybody if that happens to Drake. But the 503 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:07,600 Speaker 2: low Strikeout Radio had like a fifteen percent strikeout rate 504 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:09,400 Speaker 2: last year, which is a number you use a lot 505 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:13,200 Speaker 2: to tell the guys overmatched that that's a really key indicator. 506 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:15,240 Speaker 2: You'll see a lot of rookies come up and run 507 00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:17,840 Speaker 2: like a forty percent strikeout rate, you know, in their 508 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:20,119 Speaker 2: first year, because they're just overmatched. And that never happened 509 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:22,679 Speaker 2: to Drake at any point last year. So it's just 510 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:25,560 Speaker 2: another indicator that what we saw is very real. The 511 00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:29,360 Speaker 2: Braves I have legitimately, I'm not gonna say great hitter yet, 512 00:26:29,359 --> 00:26:30,840 Speaker 2: but if he does what he did last year one 513 00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:33,480 Speaker 2: more year, I'm gonna start using the word great because 514 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:35,880 Speaker 2: I catch her with a one twenty five WRU plus 515 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:39,240 Speaker 2: is a great hitter. So we'll see. But as we 516 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:41,920 Speaker 2: sit here today, on paper, the Braves of one of 517 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:43,919 Speaker 2: the best young catchers in baseball, and that is the 518 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:46,600 Speaker 2: anchor for this position for this team in twenty twenty six. 519 00:26:47,359 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, when you start when you look at what Drake 520 00:26:51,080 --> 00:26:52,920 Speaker 1: did last year and you see that the only really 521 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:55,879 Speaker 1: rookie catchers over the past what fifty some odd years 522 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:57,960 Speaker 1: who have done what he did or better. And you 523 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:01,359 Speaker 1: look at names like Mike Piazza and Buster Ozy than others, 524 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:03,159 Speaker 1: that should kind of give you an indication. I'm not 525 00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:06,720 Speaker 1: saying that Drake is on a trajectory to reach that level, 526 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:09,080 Speaker 1: but he's off to that type of start and that's 527 00:27:09,080 --> 00:27:11,359 Speaker 1: definitely a good thing. And make no mistake about it, 528 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:14,720 Speaker 1: if the pitching is going to be less than reliable 529 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:16,399 Speaker 1: and it's going to be put, that's going to be 530 00:27:16,440 --> 00:27:19,159 Speaker 1: put even more of a need for the offense to 531 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 1: get back to be into the top of the league. 532 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:23,399 Speaker 1: Having a bat like Drake Baldwin that not only is 533 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:26,920 Speaker 1: left handed, but again it contributes to so many areas, 534 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:31,679 Speaker 1: especially errors areas where they take on more value if 535 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:34,760 Speaker 1: you're not hitting home runs. His value to this lineup 536 00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:36,439 Speaker 1: will be tremendous and it's going to be a lot 537 00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 1: of fun to see him in the midst of it. 538 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:40,800 Speaker 2: And he does not have to be platooned exact, and 539 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:45,280 Speaker 2: that is so massively underrated or a young left handed. 540 00:27:45,119 --> 00:27:49,400 Speaker 1: Hitter, but the Brave's catching situation as a strength. Hear 541 00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 1: me the Brave's catching situation as a strength does not 542 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:57,399 Speaker 1: only lie with nor end with Drake Baldwin, Jodah Hin 543 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:00,919 Speaker 1: and believe it or not, Sean Murphy also contribute to 544 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:03,119 Speaker 1: this being one of the best catching catching setups in 545 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:06,439 Speaker 1: the leagues. Well one of the best catching setups in 546 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:08,440 Speaker 1: the league. More on that and just a moment after 547 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 1: another word from our partners. 548 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:14,360 Speaker 5: Across government agencies and defense operations, precision and accountability are critical. 549 00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:18,200 Speaker 5: Fasten All delivers both with secure supply solutions, a nationwide 550 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 5: service network, and a strong commitments of compliance. We help 551 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:24,320 Speaker 5: teams streamline readiness from facility maintenance to tactical gear to 552 00:28:24,359 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 5: everyday essentials. You get what you need reliably, securely and 553 00:28:27,880 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 5: on time. Fastenal strengthening the infrastructure that protects us. All 554 00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:35,520 Speaker 5: want to learn more, visit fascinall dot com for Industrial 555 00:28:35,600 --> 00:28:37,600 Speaker 5: Supplies and Innovative Solutions. 556 00:28:37,880 --> 00:28:43,840 Speaker 2: That's f A S T E n A L dot com. 557 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:45,640 Speaker 1: So Steven, let's talk about it. You know, first we'll 558 00:28:45,680 --> 00:28:48,640 Speaker 1: start with you know joonah Heim, who again, I know 559 00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:51,080 Speaker 1: that he has you know, kind of falling off here 560 00:28:51,120 --> 00:28:54,240 Speaker 1: over the past couple of years, but when you look 561 00:28:54,320 --> 00:28:56,720 Speaker 1: at what he did just a few years ago, and 562 00:28:56,760 --> 00:28:59,960 Speaker 1: I know that again, it's a significant time difference between 563 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:05,640 Speaker 1: now and you know, twenty twenty two. In twenty twenty three, Jonaheim, 564 00:29:05,840 --> 00:29:07,520 Speaker 1: you know, I believe he was a former All Star 565 00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 1: with the Rangers if I remember that correctly. And again 566 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:13,160 Speaker 1: he's back with you know, one of the sources that 567 00:29:13,240 --> 00:29:15,440 Speaker 1: kind of helped him, you know, become that All Star 568 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 1: level catcher in Tim Hyers. I'm looking at that in 569 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 1: a very positive way. But I think that Jonaheim is 570 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:24,400 Speaker 1: about as good of an option that you could have 571 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:26,600 Speaker 1: found for a guy that you simply want to be 572 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:29,480 Speaker 1: your backup for two months. He'll probably catch ten to 573 00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:31,640 Speaker 1: fifteen games, you know, in the first few months of 574 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:33,400 Speaker 1: the season. But you brought up a great point in 575 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:36,200 Speaker 1: the segment just second ago about Drake Baldwin. He's also 576 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 1: probably here to kind of be a mentor, especially on 577 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:41,760 Speaker 1: the defensive side of things for Drake Baldwin. So in 578 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:44,280 Speaker 1: a contract that was very, very cheap, the Braves could 579 00:29:44,320 --> 00:29:46,640 Speaker 1: get value in multiple ways. And again I'm not saying 580 00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:49,280 Speaker 1: Jonahian is going to return to All Star form, but 581 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 1: I think that he will be able to contribute, you know, 582 00:29:51,640 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 1: successfully to the Braves winning more than some may think. 583 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:59,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, he was a seven win catcher between 584 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:01,640 Speaker 2: the twenty twenty t two season. In twenty twenty three season, 585 00:30:01,680 --> 00:30:02,880 Speaker 2: he was a seven to win catcher. He was a 586 00:30:02,880 --> 00:30:04,440 Speaker 2: four to win catcher. In twenty twenty three. It was 587 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:06,440 Speaker 2: an All Star looks like one of the best catchers 588 00:30:06,440 --> 00:30:09,240 Speaker 2: in baseball. Obviously, twenty twenty four and twenty twenty five 589 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:11,560 Speaker 2: have not gone or did not go the same way, 590 00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:15,160 Speaker 2: and that's why he was available for basically nothing this offseason. 591 00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:17,720 Speaker 2: At thirty years old, he's certainly not at the age 592 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:19,600 Speaker 2: where he should be washed up. But the performance the 593 00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:21,920 Speaker 2: last two years just hasn't been good enough. So the 594 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:24,800 Speaker 2: Braves are buying low. They know that they've got this 595 00:30:25,480 --> 00:30:27,920 Speaker 2: kind of a weird catching situation with Murphy being out 596 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:30,080 Speaker 2: for an undisclosed amount of time. We think it's gonna 597 00:30:30,080 --> 00:30:32,400 Speaker 2: be May, but we don't know. But you got to 598 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:36,440 Speaker 2: have another major league catcher, you know. I think for 599 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:38,640 Speaker 2: the first month and a half, the Braves are gonna 600 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:41,240 Speaker 2: for the first time in a long time have a legitimate, 601 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:44,960 Speaker 2: like starting catcher and a legitimate backup catcher. Where they've 602 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:47,480 Speaker 2: they've run these tandems for so many years now that 603 00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:50,640 Speaker 2: we've kind of forgotten what that's like. But I think, like, 604 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:53,360 Speaker 2: I think Baldwin's gonna play like eighty percent of the 605 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:55,880 Speaker 2: time eighty five percent of the time out of the 606 00:30:55,880 --> 00:30:59,520 Speaker 2: gate at catcher, and you know Jonah will play against 607 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:01,520 Speaker 2: especially if there's a tough lefty on the mound. That's 608 00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:03,800 Speaker 2: kind of you know, for his career. I think Jonah 609 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:06,960 Speaker 2: Hym's at like a one oh five WFC plus against lefties, 610 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 2: so you know, it's respectable. It's not like you're just 611 00:31:09,960 --> 00:31:13,720 Speaker 2: he's just gonna embarrass you up there. And I'm guessing 612 00:31:13,760 --> 00:31:17,320 Speaker 2: that's gonna be the relief point for for Baldwin early 613 00:31:17,360 --> 00:31:20,040 Speaker 2: in the season. Is Okay, there's a really tough lefty, 614 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:23,800 Speaker 2: Baldwin's played four to the last five or whatever it is. 615 00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 2: We're gonna give Jonah a chance to pitch, our chance 616 00:31:27,920 --> 00:31:30,880 Speaker 2: to catch and see what he can do. And listen, 617 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:34,479 Speaker 2: is it sexy. No, you know, it's a backup. It's 618 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:36,480 Speaker 2: a guy who, again, is not gonna play a lot. 619 00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:39,040 Speaker 2: It's kind of tough to get guys to accept that role, 620 00:31:39,560 --> 00:31:41,760 Speaker 2: like to sign on for that role knowing how little 621 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:44,360 Speaker 2: they're gonna play. You kind of need somebody that's had 622 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:46,160 Speaker 2: a rough couple of years that's just happy to have 623 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:48,680 Speaker 2: a major league job. You know, guys who are really 624 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:50,720 Speaker 2: good don't really sign up for roles like this where 625 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:53,520 Speaker 2: you're gonna be primarily a backup and then when Sean 626 00:31:53,600 --> 00:31:57,400 Speaker 2: Murphy comes back, maybe not even on the roster. So again, 627 00:31:57,480 --> 00:31:59,240 Speaker 2: that's not a position where you can sign like an 628 00:31:59,280 --> 00:32:01,840 Speaker 2: all star catcher because they're not going to sign up 629 00:32:01,880 --> 00:32:04,520 Speaker 2: for that role. So Jonahin's kind of what you get 630 00:32:04,840 --> 00:32:06,720 Speaker 2: and I'm not you know, I'm not gonna blow smoke, 631 00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:09,560 Speaker 2: but then tell you he's some great pickup. There is 632 00:32:09,600 --> 00:32:13,200 Speaker 2: a little upside because we've seen him performingly well not 633 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:16,360 Speaker 2: that long ago twenty twenty two, twenty twenty three with 634 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:20,400 Speaker 2: Tim Heyers. You know, it's kind of a pretty standard 635 00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:24,280 Speaker 2: third catcher and for the first six weeks, you know, 636 00:32:24,520 --> 00:32:27,400 Speaker 2: as the backup catcher role, and you know, it's fine 637 00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:28,400 Speaker 2: until Murf gets back. 638 00:32:30,840 --> 00:32:33,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, and that's a key, right until Murph gets back. 639 00:32:33,720 --> 00:32:35,600 Speaker 1: And that's that's where I think it's the funest part 640 00:32:35,640 --> 00:32:38,480 Speaker 1: to end the show because with all the injuries that 641 00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:40,440 Speaker 1: were once again dealing with and everything that we're kind 642 00:32:40,440 --> 00:32:43,240 Speaker 1: of seeing what is shit a little bit of positive light, 643 00:32:43,480 --> 00:32:46,240 Speaker 1: you know, when we talk about Sean Murphy and in 644 00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:49,280 Speaker 1: his three years with the Braves, again, I think that 645 00:32:49,320 --> 00:32:52,400 Speaker 1: it's fair to point out that the past three years 646 00:32:52,400 --> 00:32:55,200 Speaker 1: probably have not worked out to the best that many 647 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:58,479 Speaker 1: had hoped for when we traded and extended Sean Murphy, 648 00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:01,800 Speaker 1: but that doesn't mean that value has not been there. 649 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:04,560 Speaker 1: We're talking about a guy who has the eighth highest 650 00:33:04,760 --> 00:33:08,680 Speaker 1: f WAR at the catcher position since the Braves acquired 651 00:33:08,760 --> 00:33:11,280 Speaker 1: him before the twenty twenty three season, and a big 652 00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:13,600 Speaker 1: part of that is his defense. I do want to 653 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:16,720 Speaker 1: point that out. Sean Murphy, despite the offensive struggles that 654 00:33:16,760 --> 00:33:19,120 Speaker 1: he's had at times over the years and the injuries 655 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:23,040 Speaker 1: that he's had, he has maintained being one of the 656 00:33:23,080 --> 00:33:27,479 Speaker 1: best sources of defensive and defensive catching in baseball. And 657 00:33:27,520 --> 00:33:29,440 Speaker 1: if you want to talk about a pitching staff where 658 00:33:29,480 --> 00:33:32,800 Speaker 1: you're hoping that the pitchers that we have will consistently 659 00:33:32,880 --> 00:33:35,280 Speaker 1: reach the level of impact that they're able to reach, 660 00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:38,400 Speaker 1: having Murphy back there as a catcher is certainly going 661 00:33:38,440 --> 00:33:40,960 Speaker 1: to help that that. I think plenty of people know 662 00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:45,480 Speaker 1: about his defense, but I also I say this with 663 00:33:46,320 --> 00:33:54,840 Speaker 1: a certain level of confidence. Possibly the biggest mid season 664 00:33:56,040 --> 00:33:58,480 Speaker 1: pick up for the Braves. Sorry for me, sounded like 665 00:33:58,560 --> 00:34:03,120 Speaker 1: Chip Carrey could be Sean Murphy's offense if Sean Murphy 666 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:05,720 Speaker 1: is healthy, and if the only time that Sean Murphy 667 00:34:05,760 --> 00:34:08,600 Speaker 1: has truly been healthy was the star of the twenty 668 00:34:08,640 --> 00:34:10,960 Speaker 1: twenty three season, when he was an All Star and 669 00:34:11,000 --> 00:34:13,759 Speaker 1: at times looked like an MVP candidate. We saw last 670 00:34:13,840 --> 00:34:15,560 Speaker 1: year he had a bit of a stretch and you know, 671 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:18,040 Speaker 1: I believe in June where he looked like that version 672 00:34:18,080 --> 00:34:22,160 Speaker 1: of Sean Murphy again. There is a clear two to 673 00:34:22,280 --> 00:34:26,400 Speaker 1: three win offensive level player with the bat only in 674 00:34:26,560 --> 00:34:30,080 Speaker 1: Sean Murphy. And if he can get fully healthy and 675 00:34:30,160 --> 00:34:33,720 Speaker 1: return to form, and then you've start putting him at catcher, 676 00:34:34,080 --> 00:34:38,359 Speaker 1: Baldwin at DH, possibly Profar out in left field, that 677 00:34:38,480 --> 00:34:42,040 Speaker 1: could be a big factor in this Braves offense getting 678 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:44,040 Speaker 1: back to the level that we all hope it could. 679 00:34:44,160 --> 00:34:46,440 Speaker 1: I know people are down on Murphy right now because 680 00:34:46,440 --> 00:34:49,239 Speaker 1: of the injuries, because of the offensive struggles, but the 681 00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:52,640 Speaker 1: talent hasn't gone anywhere. I'm confident in saying that. And 682 00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:55,600 Speaker 1: if health gets back in the equation for Sean Murphy, 683 00:34:55,960 --> 00:34:59,319 Speaker 1: I still think there's a difference making that there that 684 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:03,680 Speaker 1: could be are really big benefit once again to an 685 00:35:03,719 --> 00:35:06,880 Speaker 1: offense that now oldman ever needs to get back to 686 00:35:06,920 --> 00:35:07,760 Speaker 1: being top of belief. 687 00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:14,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, that's that's gonna be a massive story 688 00:35:14,239 --> 00:35:16,799 Speaker 2: what him and Hassan Kim look like when they come 689 00:35:16,840 --> 00:35:20,600 Speaker 2: back in May. Whatever it is, it's gonna be a 690 00:35:20,600 --> 00:35:23,000 Speaker 2: massive deal. And one of the reasons is, again I know, 691 00:35:23,040 --> 00:35:25,959 Speaker 2: I keep mentioning these platoon splits because they matter a ton. 692 00:35:27,160 --> 00:35:29,080 Speaker 2: It's really two different lineups that you roll out. It's 693 00:35:29,120 --> 00:35:31,080 Speaker 2: whatever you roll out against left handeds or whatever you 694 00:35:31,160 --> 00:35:33,600 Speaker 2: roll out against right handers. I guess right handed pitching 695 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:35,400 Speaker 2: the Braves are pretty good. Like the Braves have a 696 00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:41,560 Speaker 2: lot of really good talent, you know. Baldwin, Olsen, profar 697 00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:44,160 Speaker 2: All hit from the left side and hit righties very well. 698 00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:46,680 Speaker 2: Yashimsky hits from the left side, hits righties very well. 699 00:35:46,680 --> 00:35:52,359 Speaker 2: Akunya Riley both hit righties very well. So I guess 700 00:35:52,480 --> 00:35:54,680 Speaker 2: right handed pitching there they look really good. It's against 701 00:35:54,760 --> 00:35:58,319 Speaker 2: lefties where I'm not quite there yet because I Yashimsky 702 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:01,040 Speaker 2: is obviously no nowhere near the same. I'm still waiting 703 00:36:01,040 --> 00:36:03,640 Speaker 2: to see what Baldwin looks like on year two. But 704 00:36:03,800 --> 00:36:05,960 Speaker 2: against lefties. Where you get a big boost is when 705 00:36:06,040 --> 00:36:08,640 Speaker 2: Murphy and Hassan Kim come back, because Murphy and Hassan 706 00:36:08,719 --> 00:36:12,000 Speaker 2: Kim for their careers, destroy left handed pitching. Like even 707 00:36:12,080 --> 00:36:15,240 Speaker 2: last year, when Sean Murphy didn't have the greatest offensive season, 708 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:17,560 Speaker 2: he had a one twenty five WRC plus against left 709 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:20,799 Speaker 2: handed pitching. Last year that was still with a hurt hip. 710 00:36:21,160 --> 00:36:24,560 Speaker 2: What's a plus again, a one twenty five against left 711 00:36:24,560 --> 00:36:25,120 Speaker 2: handed pitching. 712 00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:28,319 Speaker 1: One twenty five WRC plus for the catchup position. Where 713 00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:29,120 Speaker 1: have I heard that before? 714 00:36:29,200 --> 00:36:32,799 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's exactly what Bald opened up. So it's a 715 00:36:32,840 --> 00:36:34,719 Speaker 2: monster year even with a bad hip. So you get 716 00:36:34,719 --> 00:36:37,200 Speaker 2: that hip cleaned up. Even if it's not the same 717 00:36:37,239 --> 00:36:39,960 Speaker 2: against righty's anymore. The Braves don't really need it to 718 00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:41,640 Speaker 2: beat quite honestly. I mean, I know they make I 719 00:36:41,680 --> 00:36:43,840 Speaker 2: know they pay him fifteen million dollars a year, But 720 00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:46,520 Speaker 2: if you hit, if you hit left handed pitching and 721 00:36:46,560 --> 00:36:50,479 Speaker 2: you defend your balls off when you're out there, I mean, 722 00:36:50,640 --> 00:36:52,759 Speaker 2: you know, even last year he was like, I think, 723 00:36:52,760 --> 00:36:55,040 Speaker 2: a two win pitcher, which means he was still worth 724 00:36:55,040 --> 00:36:58,120 Speaker 2: his contract. He makes fifteen million bucks, you put up 725 00:36:58,440 --> 00:37:01,239 Speaker 2: essentially sixteen million dollars worth of value last year, and 726 00:37:01,239 --> 00:37:03,239 Speaker 2: again that was with a bum hip. So yeah, I'm 727 00:37:03,239 --> 00:37:04,920 Speaker 2: not out on Murphy at all. I know people get 728 00:37:05,000 --> 00:37:07,560 Speaker 2: dramatic about it because of and I get it because 729 00:37:07,560 --> 00:37:09,960 Speaker 2: of William Contrara's and the same thing happens with Olsen 730 00:37:10,360 --> 00:37:13,400 Speaker 2: because of Freddy Freeman. People always related to what it 731 00:37:13,520 --> 00:37:17,160 Speaker 2: was or what was here, which has nothing that Sean 732 00:37:17,239 --> 00:37:20,839 Speaker 2: Murphy didn't ask to be traded for William Contreras and 733 00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 2: Matt Olson didn't ask to be, you know, be the 734 00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:26,040 Speaker 2: guy that replaces Freddy Freeman. So I just look at 735 00:37:26,040 --> 00:37:28,080 Speaker 2: their value, what they're paid, what they do on the field. 736 00:37:29,400 --> 00:37:31,279 Speaker 2: Even last year with a bad hip and a really 737 00:37:31,360 --> 00:37:33,600 Speaker 2: up and down offensive season, he was worth his contract. 738 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:36,719 Speaker 2: I think he's got a chance to, you know, over 739 00:37:36,760 --> 00:37:39,680 Speaker 2: the next two years, really remind people of who he 740 00:37:39,840 --> 00:37:43,120 Speaker 2: is and if that hip is now healthy. And again, 741 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:45,000 Speaker 2: even when it's not been healthy, he's always hit left 742 00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:48,839 Speaker 2: handed pitching, which is really critical for this team. So yeah, 743 00:37:48,880 --> 00:37:52,000 Speaker 2: I'm I'm still all in on Sean Murphy. Dreg Baldwin 744 00:37:52,080 --> 00:37:54,480 Speaker 2: is awesome. Drake Baldwin's clearly the catcher of the future. 745 00:37:55,280 --> 00:37:58,520 Speaker 2: There's probably an argument that Sean Murphy's fifteen million could 746 00:37:58,520 --> 00:38:00,840 Speaker 2: certainly be used better elsewhere on the roster. I'm not 747 00:38:00,880 --> 00:38:04,319 Speaker 2: going to argue with that. That's just logic. You know, 748 00:38:04,360 --> 00:38:06,120 Speaker 2: I'd much rather be able to allocate that money to 749 00:38:06,200 --> 00:38:08,839 Speaker 2: probably a starting pitcher at this point. But you know, 750 00:38:09,600 --> 00:38:11,000 Speaker 2: and if he goes out and has a good year, 751 00:38:11,080 --> 00:38:12,600 Speaker 2: you probably have that option at the end of the 752 00:38:12,600 --> 00:38:15,200 Speaker 2: season if you want to move the money. So having 753 00:38:15,239 --> 00:38:16,960 Speaker 2: a good twenty twenty six is going to help in 754 00:38:17,000 --> 00:38:19,120 Speaker 2: a lot of areas. And if he gets that hip 755 00:38:19,200 --> 00:38:21,239 Speaker 2: right and he still has left, he's the way he 756 00:38:21,280 --> 00:38:24,200 Speaker 2: always has and he still defends the way he always has. 757 00:38:23,920 --> 00:38:26,400 Speaker 2: I still feel pretty good about a Sean Murphy year 758 00:38:26,400 --> 00:38:27,279 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty six. 759 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:30,080 Speaker 1: Hey, and it couldn't come at a better time, because again, 760 00:38:30,560 --> 00:38:34,279 Speaker 1: when the Braves have catching as a clear strength of 761 00:38:34,320 --> 00:38:37,320 Speaker 1: this team, just just think, you know, how how good 762 00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:40,640 Speaker 1: the Travis Darnaul years were, and how awesome he was 763 00:38:40,719 --> 00:38:45,160 Speaker 1: one of the best performing offensive catchers in postseason history. 764 00:38:45,480 --> 00:38:49,239 Speaker 1: The Braves have consistently had catching deliver, deliver when they 765 00:38:49,239 --> 00:38:51,200 Speaker 1: need it most. And if they can come back and 766 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:54,719 Speaker 1: you know, potentially have two top ten catchers that they 767 00:38:54,760 --> 00:38:58,080 Speaker 1: can have, you know, to use as they see fit 768 00:38:58,120 --> 00:39:00,399 Speaker 1: to keep both fresh. That could be or of an 769 00:39:00,400 --> 00:39:05,040 Speaker 1: asset than a liability all day long. But hey, this 770 00:39:05,120 --> 00:39:07,920 Speaker 1: has been a fun episode of the Hammer Territory podcast. 771 00:39:08,120 --> 00:39:12,360 Speaker 1: The reason Why, No ramts, no no frustration. 772 00:39:13,120 --> 00:39:16,640 Speaker 2: You know, there's a little bit of frustration in the beginning, 773 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:18,600 Speaker 2: but it was just a little bit. It wasn't a 774 00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:19,000 Speaker 2: big one. 775 00:39:19,200 --> 00:39:22,160 Speaker 1: I got you, I gotcha, but at least we ended 776 00:39:22,280 --> 00:39:25,000 Speaker 1: on a positive note, and that's what we're gonna carry 777 00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:27,279 Speaker 1: on those positive vibes. For Steven Tolber, you can find 778 00:39:27,360 --> 00:39:30,760 Speaker 1: him a beat underscore outlier on Twitter, slash x myself 779 00:39:30,800 --> 00:39:34,640 Speaker 1: shown coming at stats sac Hammer Territory across all forms 780 00:39:34,640 --> 00:39:38,280 Speaker 1: on social media, part of the Foul Territory family of podcasts. 781 00:39:38,320 --> 00:39:43,600 Speaker 1: Also anywhere that you listen, YouTube, Spotify, Apple, wherever you 782 00:39:43,719 --> 00:39:46,239 Speaker 1: check out your podcast, that's where we'll be for free 783 00:39:46,239 --> 00:39:49,200 Speaker 1: and hey more often than ever. With the season right 784 00:39:49,239 --> 00:39:52,680 Speaker 1: around the corner. Until next time, as always, be good, 785 00:39:53,719 --> 00:40:00,320 Speaker 1: have a great week, Enjoy basketball, enjoy baseball. H m 786 00:40:00,719 --> 00:40:02,240 Speaker 1: hm enjew a life. 787 00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:06,440 Speaker 2: Really good, solid, solid as good. 788 00:40:06,360 --> 00:40:09,600 Speaker 1: Inspiration Until next time, go brace. We'll talk to you 789 00:40:09,640 --> 00:40:11,600 Speaker 1: again soon here on the Hammer Territory pot