1 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 1: Welcome one and all to the Hammer Territory Podcast. 2 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:25,680 Speaker 2: My name is Sean Coleman. 3 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:28,640 Speaker 1: Always a pleasure to be with you with my podcast partner, 4 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: Stephen Tolbert. Stephen, may you talk about it consistently and 5 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 1: for good reason. We're at that time of year, March 6 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: madness is beginning, and you know, so far it's been 7 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: fun to see some of these college basketball games. But 8 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:43,879 Speaker 1: good to talk with you is always Stephen. Another thing 9 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: about it is, man, we are two weeks away from 10 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: the start of the season for the Braves, and today 11 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: we're going to talk about some questions that we had 12 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 1: coming into spring training. Where do we kind of stand 13 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: with those? But Stephen, before we get into those details, 14 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: how are you, sir? Good evening to you, Sean. 15 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:02,480 Speaker 3: What's up? Brother? Yeah? 16 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 4: Man? Two week let's you know, right at two weeks. 17 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 4: Today's Thursday. We're recording on Thursday night. I think the 18 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 4: opening day of the season is Thursday. I think we're 19 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 4: right at two weeks. It's coming fast. You know, we 20 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 4: say that spring training does trag on. You know, there's 21 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 4: always storylines to talk about, which is what we're gonna 22 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 4: focus tonight. Basically is kind of the spring storylines that 23 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:29,679 Speaker 4: we had at the beginning and where they stand. But 24 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 4: we're we're coming up on it. It's gonna be here 25 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 4: before you know it. And I just can't wait. I'm 26 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:39,559 Speaker 4: every time every year at this time, I just get 27 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:41,960 Speaker 4: I fall in love with baseball over all over again. 28 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 4: You know, you watch spring training highlights, you see the guys, 29 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 4: the bat and the ball, the sounds of the game. 30 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:50,360 Speaker 4: I'm just addicted to it. I love it so much 31 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 4: and and so I can't I can't wait to get started. 32 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 4: But yeah, we got some interesting things to talk about tonight. 33 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 4: There's some things going on in camp that are not 34 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 4: settled by any means, and you know how important they 35 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 4: are is probably a case by case thing, but we're 36 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 4: going to talk. 37 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 3: About it today. 38 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I think that's settled is a very good 39 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 1: way of putting it, because, you know, we'll just kind 40 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: of give away you know what we're going to get 41 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: at what We'll go ahead and provide you with the 42 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 1: conclusion that we're going to come through talking through a 43 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 1: few of these spring training story lines. 44 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 2: At the beginning. 45 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: The conclusion is is that there were several questions that 46 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 1: the Braves came into spring training that remain unanswered, more 47 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: questions than many of us had thought would still remaining 48 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:35,079 Speaker 1: when we looked at the when we looked earlier in 49 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 1: the off season, and certainly more questions that were left 50 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 1: unanswered when you compared to where we were as a 51 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 1: team back last year, even the past two or three years. 52 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: And the simple truth is those questions remain as we're 53 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:50,920 Speaker 1: now in the midst of spring training, and it's a 54 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:54,080 Speaker 1: bit unsettling that it's gotten a bit louder because what 55 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 1: became clear with each and every day that we went 56 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 1: without some type of notable addition to this squad in 57 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:03,079 Speaker 1: an area of need. The Braves were looking for internal improvement. 58 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: They were looking for internal options to emerge to help 59 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: answer some of these questions. Those internal options, yeah, you 60 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: can name them, but they haven't answered the questions in 61 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,640 Speaker 1: my opinion. And when we talk about that we're settling 62 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 1: in two spring training, settling in leading up to the season, 63 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: the fact that those questions remain, Stephen, is what probably 64 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: is the most unsettling thing about this spring training. I'll 65 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:28,240 Speaker 1: stop trying to use all these fancy words. The point 66 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:30,680 Speaker 1: that I'm getting at is the same questions that we 67 00:03:30,720 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: had a month ago remain now and the fact that 68 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 1: they're louder it doesn't give the best a confidence when 69 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 1: it comes to going into the season. 70 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 4: I mean, yeah, that's okay, that's where we are right now. 71 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 4: I mean, you know, the easiest place to start is 72 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 4: the bullpen, right, I mean we we said for four 73 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 4: months that we were surprised the Braves haven't added anything 74 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,520 Speaker 4: significant to the bullpen because of what they lost, right, 75 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 4: They lost Joe Mienez, they lost a j mentor you know, 76 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 4: Jeff see Jabez moved on, and we just kept waiting 77 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 4: and waiting and waiting for them to add a significant, 78 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 4: high leverage reliever that still has not happened as of yet. 79 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 4: And what they did instead was they went with this 80 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:16,600 Speaker 4: kind of army of you know, non roster invitee, you know, 81 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 4: non guaranteed money guys who are on minor league deals 82 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 4: and basically just kind of threw numbers at the problem 83 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 4: and said, instead of going with quality, going and get 84 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 4: a you know, a really high expensive guy on the 85 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 4: free edge of market, we're gonna we're gonna throw quantity 86 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 4: at the problem and just see if we can catch. 87 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 3: Lighting in a bottle with one of these guys. 88 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 4: And you know, Anderson Polar and on hel Perdomo, we're 89 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 4: kind of two of the guys that everybody has been saying, no, no, 90 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:46,279 Speaker 4: these two guys are for real. 91 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:47,159 Speaker 3: You know. 92 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:48,839 Speaker 4: Just wait until we get the spring and you'll see 93 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 4: how how real they are. Well, I mean, here we 94 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 4: are two weeks in the spring, and I'll help Perdomo 95 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:58,279 Speaker 4: and Anderson Pilard don't look that great. To be honest, 96 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 4: you know, I think they were hoping Perdomo's stuff would 97 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 4: be a little bigger than it's been. You know, he 98 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 4: had such massive strikeout numbers with Pittsburgh before he got hurt. 99 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 4: You just really haven't seen that. I think he's got 100 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 4: three strikeouts on the entire spring. Anderson Polar has had 101 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 4: really good strikeout numbers, but he's given up a million bit, 102 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 4: I mean, one trillion base runners. He'd be pitched today 103 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 4: against the Phillies and it did not. 104 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 3: Go well at all. He got rocked. 105 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 4: I think he gave up a cycle and like the 106 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,480 Speaker 4: first the first four outs that he got, I think 107 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 4: he gave up the cycle. So you know, those are 108 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 4: the two of the big guys, and then you have 109 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 4: all the NRI guys and Jake Deekman has not looked 110 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:44,120 Speaker 4: you know, he's looked average. Buck Farmer had a bad 111 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:46,279 Speaker 4: day to day, He's had a couple of bad outings. 112 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 4: Day's bell has been okay, you know, nothing creaz like. 113 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 4: They just don't We just don't have any answers. And 114 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 4: you and I have talked about this before about there's 115 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 4: just a few more questions that I'm comfortable with at 116 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 4: the moment, especially around the pitching staff. And we'll get 117 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 4: to the back end of the rotation in a minute, 118 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 4: but the bullpen I think has to lead this off 119 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 4: because this is the area where they did not add. 120 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 4: They lost a lot, and they did not add outside 121 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 4: of you know, a bunch of minor league guys, and 122 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 4: they were really counting on Perdomo and Polar I think, 123 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 4: to be better than they've been. And you know, if 124 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 4: he read Bowman's piece the other day, I think he 125 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 4: ham out yesterday about his projections. He didn't have Pardomo 126 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 4: or Polar on his opening day bullpen projection. And there's 127 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 4: a lot of people who don't right now have them 128 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 4: because they haven't looked good. And so what happens, like, 129 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 4: are they just gonna go with like four of these 130 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,039 Speaker 4: Nri guys are they gonna you know, we still haven't 131 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 4: seen Hector Nerris Buck Farmer has not looked great. Like 132 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 4: I don't know. I don't know if you have an opinion, 133 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:57,039 Speaker 4: I don't know what they're gonna do. Like I mean, 134 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 4: David Robertson is still out there technically, and there's obviously 135 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 4: always trades. But like if you look at the names 136 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 4: and the performances in house in spring so far, I 137 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 4: have a lot of questions, and we were kind of 138 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 4: hoping by now we would get we would have a 139 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 4: few more answers, and we just don't. And I think 140 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 4: if you've got Alex and Thopless in an honest moment, 141 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 4: he would tell you they were hoping they would have 142 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 4: more answers by now, or these guys that look better 143 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 4: that could at least be projectable for the opening day 144 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 4: roster and then you know, early in the season before 145 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 4: you could make trades. 146 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 3: So I don't know, I don't know what you think. 147 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 4: But I have, specifically around the bullpen, I still have 148 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 4: the exact same number of questions I had when we started. 149 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 1: So I've been on record saying when it comes to 150 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 1: the bullpen, I haven't been as worried about the bullpen, 151 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 1: you know in the past when I talked about it, 152 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:52,320 Speaker 1: because that's one area where Alex and Thopless has shown 153 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 1: when I say he's a master of the move on 154 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: the margins probably the one area that he is beyond, 155 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: you know, getting guys who are underperforming offensively and we're 156 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 1: them to Atlanta and they can you know, get back 157 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 1: to where you know they were, you know, at good 158 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: points of their career previously. He's done that before, you know, 159 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: with with bullpen guys being able to trade for guys 160 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 1: I mean, joejimen Is, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer are all 161 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 1: examples of that. But that's mint season or you know, 162 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 1: in case of Bummer it was the off season and Joe. 163 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 2: Himans as well. But that's what he's done. 164 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 1: He's been able to go get guys who've underperformed and 165 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 1: come here and have done better. But you haven't seen 166 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: that be at the first of spring training. It's a 167 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: little bit harder to do that, I feel at the 168 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 1: first of spring training. And the other thing that kind 169 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 1: of stands out to me, Stephen is that with how 170 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:36,559 Speaker 1: much Alexanthopolis has spent on the bullpen in the past 171 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: and how much he's put emphasis on having depth in 172 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,960 Speaker 1: his bullpen in the past. The fact that we have 173 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: neither one of those things where you question the quality 174 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:48,559 Speaker 1: of the back end of the bullpen plus the depth overall, 175 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:50,959 Speaker 1: that to me is the biggest indicator, is to while 176 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 1: they may not speak to it, there is limitations right 177 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 1: now when it comes to what they can add financially. 178 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 1: That just this, the fact that they have not gone 179 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:02,960 Speaker 1: out and got more security, more certainty for the bullpen 180 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 1: is what basically makes me think that that is a 181 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 1: legit question because the legit answer is that they do 182 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:12,199 Speaker 1: have restrictions. So I don't necessarily know if that's going 183 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: to be a hindrance going into the season. And I 184 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 1: feel that Alexanthopolis, certainly, can you know, structure this bullpen 185 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:22,400 Speaker 1: as we go along, But you've already got questions about 186 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: the back end of your rotation, which we're about to 187 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: get into. If those guys struggle, you've got to rely 188 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 1: heavily on your bullpen to start the season. But you 189 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: can't rely on your bullpen because it's uncertain. Then you're 190 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:37,439 Speaker 1: getting into a slippery slope heer where quickly you could 191 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 1: find yourself you know, with a pretty bad pitching situation, 192 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:43,839 Speaker 1: and that could really hurt you when you need to 193 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:45,680 Speaker 1: get off to a good start for the season. 194 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 4: Yeah, listen, I mean, you know, Iglesias and Bummer and 195 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 4: Dylan Lee and Piters Johnson could come out in the 196 00:09:56,760 --> 00:10:00,040 Speaker 4: first month and just be lights out right and and 197 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:02,959 Speaker 4: the Braves barely notice the back end of their bullpen. 198 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:08,479 Speaker 4: But it's hard to say right now that there's any confidence. 199 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 4: You know, there are people that don't have confidence in 200 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:13,680 Speaker 4: Aaron Bummer, there are people that don't have confidence in 201 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 4: Pierce Johnson. Like I I probably have a little more comment, 202 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 4: like I think the four, the top four is good, 203 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 4: or at least it can be good, and also it can 204 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 4: be bad too, that's how bullpens work. 205 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 3: But the next four. 206 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 4: You know, I'm not as big as a believer in 207 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:32,200 Speaker 4: Day's bell as a lot of other people are. I 208 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 4: might be wrong, he could be awesome. I'm just not 209 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 4: there yet, and I haven't seen anything from any of 210 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:40,240 Speaker 4: these other guys to give me any level of confidence. 211 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:43,640 Speaker 4: And how much that hurts the Braves is going to 212 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 4: be depending on how much they need these guys, Like 213 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 4: you just said, Like you know, you can go through 214 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 4: stretches where your starters are doing really well and you're 215 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 4: only using like your top four or five relievers for 216 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 4: a stretch because the offense is kicking butt, the starters 217 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 4: are doing great and you don't really need it. You 218 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 4: can also go through stretches where you have multiple starters 219 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 4: only go three innings, and now you've got to cover 220 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 4: a bunch of bulk innings. Well, now you got to 221 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,319 Speaker 4: use the other guys, and it gets it can get, 222 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:17,440 Speaker 4: you know, dicey quick. So I am still stunned. I mean, 223 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 4: I'm gonna be just completely honest, I'm still stunned that 224 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 4: this is the group of pictures we have in camp. 225 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 3: I can't. 226 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 4: I've said it all off season. I thought they would 227 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 4: add to the bullpen. I thought they would add to 228 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 4: the rotation. I'm I'm I'm frankly stunned that they haven't. 229 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 4: I thought there was very clear need. I think they tried. 230 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 4: You know, we got reports about Jeff Hoffman and other stuff. 231 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 4: I do think they tried, but like obviously you get 232 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:45,679 Speaker 4: judged on the results, and obviously they didn't. They they 233 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:47,960 Speaker 4: haven't added anything significant, and I'm stunned by that. I 234 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:50,440 Speaker 4: really am I'm I still can't believe when I look 235 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 4: at the names when Bowman puts out his projection and 236 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 4: I look at the names in the bullpen, I can't 237 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:58,079 Speaker 4: believe those are the names. And you know, every time 238 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 4: I watch Ian Anderson pitch, I can't believe that he's 239 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:02,840 Speaker 4: going to start for the Braves. 240 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 3: Probably we'll get to that in a second, but that's 241 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:06,840 Speaker 3: kind of where we are. 242 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 4: And the top end of this roster might be so 243 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 4: good that it that it protects them from this stuff, 244 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:17,199 Speaker 4: or they could really it can really they can really 245 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 4: pay for it. We'll just have to see out how 246 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 4: how how it goes when the season starts. But the 247 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 4: bullpen specifically is an area where I'm I'm just as 248 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:29,200 Speaker 4: concerned as I was when spring training started, where I 249 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 4: thought they needed another arm, and I still think that. 250 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:34,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I think the easy way to look at 251 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 1: this is that, you know, this team is just one 252 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 1: more injury away from being in a really concerning spot 253 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 1: with its pitching staff. If if one of our you know, 254 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 1: if Seal or Schwellenbach or Ronaldo Lopez get hurt, or 255 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: Iglacias or Piis Johnson or Bummer get hurt, that puts 256 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 1: us in an even more unsettling situation, a situation in 257 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 1: which it again really I'm not going to use the 258 00:12:57,520 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 1: word dire, but it really could put us in a 259 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:02,679 Speaker 1: concern spot when it comes to the reliability of our 260 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 1: pitching staff. And that's what stands out to me, especially 261 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 1: when you consider the facts, the lack of luck that 262 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 1: we've had on the injury side of things over the 263 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 1: past few years. And again when Stephen says that he's 264 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:17,440 Speaker 1: stunned that we've not added to the bullpen, it's not 265 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 1: to be dramatic, not just to you know, he's not 266 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 1: just saying that on a whim. The real reason why 267 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: he's stunned is because again of how much emphasis alex 268 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,719 Speaker 1: and thoughtless, how much money he's spent on having a 269 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:31,560 Speaker 1: quality bullpen in the past. But that to me also 270 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 1: is what stands out, is that when we talk about 271 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 1: these questions remaining in them getting louder in spring training, 272 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:38,600 Speaker 1: there's another statement that gets. 273 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:39,160 Speaker 2: Louder as well. 274 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:42,880 Speaker 1: This team, unfortunately is one injury away to where especially 275 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:46,200 Speaker 1: to the pitching staff, they could really really be struggling 276 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 1: to find reliable arms and you don't want to be 277 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 1: in that position to start the season. 278 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:54,560 Speaker 4: Right exactly, and listen, I don't want to pay two 279 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 4: dollars of a picture again. There's a conversion of the 280 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 4: twenty twenty five first couple of month of the season 281 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 4: where this doesn't hurt the Braves at all. I mean, 282 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:06,080 Speaker 4: if Spencer Strider comes back and Sail and Swollen back 283 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 4: and Lopez and all the guys look great, and the 284 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 4: back you know, the back end guys of the bullpen, 285 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:15,400 Speaker 4: Iglesias and Bummer and Lee all look great, this might 286 00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 4: not affect them on all. This might not matter at all. 287 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 4: There's a real possibility that that's what happens. The top 288 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 4: end talent of this team is still very high. But 289 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 4: you know, the way my brain works is I'm always 290 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 4: thinking about, well, what happens if this good? You know, 291 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:36,400 Speaker 4: if this goes wrong, if one thing goes wrong, what happens? 292 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 4: And I just I don't feel terribly secure in like 293 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 4: Plan B, Plan A is still really damn good. And 294 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 4: that's the top four guys in the rotation and the 295 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 4: top four guys in the bullpen kind of carrying the load. 296 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 3: That's really good. 297 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 4: That the Braves are in as good as spot as anybody, 298 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 4: and you can look around baseball. You know, knock on wood, 299 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 4: the Braves have been relatively healthy this spring, especially in 300 00:14:57,880 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 4: the pitching staff. You know, they really haven't had anything 301 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 4: significant pop up on that side of the ball. A 302 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 4: lot of teams can't say that. I mean, my god, 303 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 4: the National the American League East has been just ravaged 304 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 4: with pitching injuries to spring, the Yankees specifically, So they've 305 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 4: been relatively healthy. And if those if they're top four 306 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 4: guys in the bullpen and their top four guys in 307 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:23,080 Speaker 4: the rotation can carry the day, then that's fine. But 308 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 4: you remember, Spinster Strider is not gonna be there for 309 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:29,120 Speaker 4: the first month, and you know they're gonna need multiple guys. 310 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:29,560 Speaker 3: You know. 311 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 4: Obviously they're people that believe in Grant Holmes. I'm still 312 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 4: not quite there with Grant Holmes, but I can be 313 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 4: convinced very very quickly, very easily, if he if he 314 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 4: proves the Braves right and as good as as they 315 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,760 Speaker 4: think he is. So I don't want to pay too 316 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 4: dire of a picture. I don't want to get crazy 317 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 4: with this. There's a version where it doesn't hurt them 318 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 4: at all, but there's also a version where it's it 319 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:53,560 Speaker 4: can get very bad because I think they've left I 320 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 4: think they've left themselves open to having a very questionable bullpen. 321 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 3: And that's really the first time. 322 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 4: I could say that Alex has always been so aggressive 323 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 4: with that specific unit. This is one of the first 324 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 4: times I can say I feel like they've left themselves 325 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:14,240 Speaker 4: open to being battle in that unit. And we'll just 326 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 4: have to see which version. You know, which version of 327 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 4: the bullpen starts the year. But there's a world Ward's bad. 328 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 4: There's also a world Ward's good. But I think for 329 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 4: the first time in a long time, I think there's 330 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 4: almost as much of a chances of being either average 331 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 4: or below average then there is being good. And we're 332 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 4: just not used to that with the Braves, with Alex 333 00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 4: Atdoppolins and the way he usually built bullpens. 334 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, and if you look at last year and say 335 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: look at all that we endured, you know, we talked 336 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: about planing a playing bole last year. 337 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 2: We were on playing a H G H I, F JK. 338 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 1: You go through the alphabet. We were on that plan 339 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 1: and we still made the playoffs. But the thing about 340 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:55,560 Speaker 1: it is with expanded playoffs, listen and being that team 341 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 1: that could still make a playoffs despite a lot of 342 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 1: different things they're working through. That's to me, that's that impressive. 343 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: The Marlins made the playoffs as recently as twenty twenty three. 344 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 1: There's a big difference between oh, well, you went through 345 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: all this and he's still made the playoffs versus what 346 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: are you doing to be a little JIT World Series 347 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 1: title contender. I expect for the Braves to be in 348 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 1: the conversation of the JIT World Series Title contenders, and 349 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:18,280 Speaker 1: I just feel that right now there's got to be 350 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:20,679 Speaker 1: a lot to go right for Atlanta. Then, you know, 351 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 1: we really had hoped for there to be. We wanted 352 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:26,360 Speaker 1: to go right obviously, but if it doesn't, the question 353 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 1: has really become louder. And the other part of the 354 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:30,640 Speaker 1: equation when it comes to looking at the pitching side 355 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 1: of things, is the fifth starter spot is the back 356 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 1: end of the rotation. And I think Grant Holmes has 357 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 1: shown I don't think that he's been just absolutely spectacular 358 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 1: this spring. I think he's been steady. I think that 359 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: he's been fine. I think Grant Holmes has been to 360 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: the level of you know, every you know, every three 361 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:49,960 Speaker 1: to four out of five times he's on the mound, 362 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:51,639 Speaker 1: he's going to put the Braves in a position to win. 363 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: He's already shown that he can do that. That's fine 364 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:59,680 Speaker 1: for me as a staller, Anderson have to hope that 365 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 1: maybe he can get through the lineup two times in 366 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:04,679 Speaker 1: a game, not walk more than five people, and hopefully 367 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 1: we live at the opposition to three to four runs 368 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 1: and then the offense takes off and he's put in 369 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:11,560 Speaker 1: a position to where he can help us win. That's 370 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 1: not that confident in my opinion of a setup for 371 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:18,120 Speaker 1: the back into the Braves rotation, especially again, if we've 372 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 1: talked multiple times this season about there being some legitimate 373 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 1: questions about. 374 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,439 Speaker 2: The top end of the brace current rotation. 375 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:28,959 Speaker 4: Yeah, listen, in a lot of ways, it's gonna come 376 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:33,479 Speaker 4: down to Grant Holmes because I do feel comfortable with 377 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:36,719 Speaker 4: Sale and Swollenback and Lopez. I know Lopez hasn't had 378 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 4: a great spring, but you know, somebody who is as 379 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:41,919 Speaker 4: veteran as he is, I really, I really. 380 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 3: Don't worry about it. 381 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:44,640 Speaker 4: I mean, I feel like once the season starts, he's 382 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 4: just gonna kind of get right back into you know, 383 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 4: regular season mode for him. So the top three I 384 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:54,200 Speaker 4: feel good about. I've gone on record, I'm not any 385 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:56,680 Speaker 4: and or some believer. I know, he's got a really 386 00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:58,760 Speaker 4: low you know, he's got an ERA in the two 387 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,439 Speaker 4: and the two the spring. But if you look at 388 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 4: literally any other number that we judge pictures by phip X, FIP, 389 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 4: strikeout rate, walk rate, you know, left on base percentage, 390 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 4: batting average on balls, you look at any of that stuff, 391 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 4: he's having a really bad spring. The only place he's 392 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:21,439 Speaker 4: not having a bad spring is era. And it's not 393 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:24,520 Speaker 4: even so much about the spring stats is just the 394 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:29,400 Speaker 4: process does not inspire any confidence. Like he's not striking 395 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:34,120 Speaker 4: anybody out, he has very little command. You know, right 396 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:37,439 Speaker 4: now he's surviving because the opposition has like a batting 397 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:39,800 Speaker 4: average on balls in play that's like below one hundred. 398 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 4: Well that, I mean everyone know. I mean this is 399 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 4: kind of like the Bryce Elder thing from a couple 400 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 4: of years ago. Like everyone knows that there is nothing 401 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:50,159 Speaker 4: sustainable about pitching like that. It's just a matter of 402 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,640 Speaker 4: when it bites you. It's not if, it's just when. 403 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 4: And so like when you know, people see the ra 404 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 4: and like, well, you know Ian Anderson's having a great spring, 405 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 4: He's I mean, he's just he's not having a great spring. 406 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 4: He's having you know, he's having a relatively lucky spring 407 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,359 Speaker 4: relative to how all of his other peripherals look. And 408 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:11,600 Speaker 4: there's just nothing in his stuff, in his command that 409 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 4: inspires much confidence, quite honestly. 410 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:15,480 Speaker 3: But he's the fifth starter. 411 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,400 Speaker 4: So if Grant Holmes pitch as well, then you can 412 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 4: live with like if if he if everybody else is 413 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:23,640 Speaker 4: good and Ian Anderson sucks, you can you can probably 414 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:25,680 Speaker 4: you can live with that until Spitzer Strider gets back. 415 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:26,280 Speaker 3: You really can't. 416 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:27,960 Speaker 4: I mean, there's a there's a lot of good teams 417 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 4: that don't have five good starters. So that's where Grant 418 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:36,399 Speaker 4: Holmes becomes so important because if he's good, then it 419 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:39,400 Speaker 4: matters a lot less. And that's kind of what I'm 420 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:41,800 Speaker 4: you know, that's where it's gonna come down to. Ian 421 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:44,800 Speaker 4: Anderson may surprise me and may come out and you know, 422 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:47,160 Speaker 4: I think his first game is gonna be against the Dodgers, 423 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 4: so we're gonna learn. We're gonna find out very quickly, 424 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 4: and he may surprise me. But I I I'm not 425 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 4: a believer, but again I can be convinced. But I 426 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 4: think Grant Holmes is the lynchpin of this. And if 427 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,040 Speaker 4: he comes out and has good starts of the year 428 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 4: and can bridge the gap to Strider coming back, then 429 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:06,600 Speaker 4: a lot of my concerns go away. It's if both 430 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:11,879 Speaker 4: Anderson and Homes are bad, and if the Braves are 431 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:14,000 Speaker 4: trying to do another kind of round of six man 432 00:21:14,119 --> 00:21:16,400 Speaker 4: rotation where they use another guy on top of those 433 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:18,439 Speaker 4: two before you get back to the top of the rotation, 434 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:21,120 Speaker 4: That's where I get concerned. And I just don't love 435 00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 4: the depth. If I'm being honest, I do like aj 436 00:21:25,040 --> 00:21:26,840 Speaker 4: Smith Schawver. I'm much more of a believer in him 437 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 4: than I am in your incident. But yeah, I'm just 438 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,880 Speaker 4: I was hoping to add a starter in this offseason, 439 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:35,360 Speaker 4: That's what I was hoping. I was hoping they'd add 440 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 4: somebody more proven, more you know, consistent than than what 441 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 4: they have now. 442 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 3: And they didn't. So now we're kind of dealing with that. 443 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, And the other thing that stands out to me 444 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:48,280 Speaker 1: is this. You know, we've talked about the bullpen, we 445 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:51,480 Speaker 1: talked about the starting pitching. You know, Orlando Arcia at 446 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: the shortstop position is not having a great spring himself. 447 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 1: I don't think that, you know, if you were hoping 448 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 1: for some type of you know, mini breakout from a 449 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 1: Brian Da La Cruz or a Jared Kellnick to show 450 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: that they may be able to take on and every 451 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 1: day we're on the outfield, we haven't seen that either 452 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:09,199 Speaker 1: the point that I'm getting that Stephen, we have not 453 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:15,359 Speaker 1: seen that unexpected, really positive development from a player so 454 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:18,960 Speaker 1: far this spring that we feel could fit a spot 455 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: or feel a need unexpectedly. And we're in a position 456 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 1: where we had really hoped that that would emerge, but 457 00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 1: none of that has happened. 458 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:27,360 Speaker 2: I think that one of the biggest. 459 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 1: Storylines of spring training so far is that that has 460 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 1: not happened. And again we're sitting here talking about the 461 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:35,000 Speaker 1: same things that we've talked about time and time again 462 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:35,680 Speaker 1: this offseason. 463 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:40,119 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, it depends on how much you believe 464 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:42,520 Speaker 4: in Nick Allen. I guess he's been the only one 465 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:45,400 Speaker 4: that's kind of or Sandy Leone. You know, maybe you're 466 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:48,600 Speaker 4: a big Sandy Leone fan and you love how he 467 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 4: lead lead leads the team in homers. But let's be 468 00:22:53,119 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 4: honest that neither one of those guys is gonna play. 469 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:58,879 Speaker 4: You know, maybe I'm wrong, maybe they actually are, you know, 470 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 4: have or do Orcia in a competition for starting shortstop 471 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:05,240 Speaker 4: I don't believe it. I think he's just gonna be 472 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 4: the starter. What you were really hoping for was somebody 473 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:12,199 Speaker 4: on the bullpen side, or maybe Ian Anderson, somebody'd have 474 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:16,240 Speaker 4: a really like explosive spring, a really you know, like 475 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:19,680 Speaker 4: all inspiring spring, and it would make you feel better 476 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:21,320 Speaker 4: about some of the questions they had on that side 477 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:24,000 Speaker 4: of the ball. And that just hasn't happened. It doesn't 478 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:26,399 Speaker 4: mean they're going to be bad by any stretch. It 479 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:29,200 Speaker 4: doesn't mean that. But like you said, we just haven't 480 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:33,879 Speaker 4: had There's no pleasant surprises, I guess is the easiest 481 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:36,080 Speaker 4: way to put it. There's been no like, oh my god, 482 00:23:36,119 --> 00:23:37,920 Speaker 4: look at this guy. You know, I knew he could 483 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:43,920 Speaker 4: be good, but man, he looks unbelievable. You know, again, 484 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 4: it might not matter. The top end of this roster 485 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:48,600 Speaker 4: is so damn good. The top end of this roster 486 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:52,440 Speaker 4: is so unbelievably good. You know, they got good news 487 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:54,199 Speaker 4: with a jerism profile injury. It looks like he's going 488 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 4: to be there for opening day. The top fifteen guys 489 00:23:57,600 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 4: on this roster are so unbelievably good. 490 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:01,160 Speaker 3: It might not matter. It really might. 491 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:04,200 Speaker 4: Those top fifteen guys until Strider and a cuon you 492 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:07,400 Speaker 4: come back, could just carry the load and nobody even 493 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:08,920 Speaker 4: notices anybody else on the roster. 494 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 3: And if that happens, none of this matters. 495 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:14,160 Speaker 4: But if they get into a situation where a few 496 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:17,880 Speaker 4: guys start out cold, you know, bad performances in April, 497 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:20,439 Speaker 4: and they actually do need those last ten players on 498 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 4: their roster, that's where I have concerns because I don't 499 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:28,840 Speaker 4: love I love the roster through like one through fifteen sixteen. 500 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:31,880 Speaker 4: It's after that then I have a lot of questions. 501 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 4: And we'll just have to see if they need those guys. 502 00:24:36,080 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 4: They might not, and if they don't, that would be fantastic. 503 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:42,080 Speaker 4: But yeah, we just haven't seen that, like really pleasant 504 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:44,960 Speaker 4: surprise come in spring training and take a job or 505 00:24:45,040 --> 00:24:47,560 Speaker 4: answer a question that we had when we started this thing. 506 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 3: It could still happen. 507 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:51,120 Speaker 4: The Braves could still make a move, by the way, 508 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:54,360 Speaker 4: they could still add somebody, they could trade. You know, 509 00:24:55,119 --> 00:24:58,320 Speaker 4: there's still guys on the fridge. Technically they could still add. 510 00:24:59,200 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 2: Every day. 511 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 4: It doesn't, it becomes less and less likely, but we'll see, 512 00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:05,280 Speaker 4: We'll see what happens. 513 00:25:06,840 --> 00:25:07,080 Speaker 2: Well. 514 00:25:07,160 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 1: I think the thing though, as we wrap up this 515 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:11,920 Speaker 1: edition in the Hammer Territory podcast. I think the full 516 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:15,600 Speaker 1: circle that we're kind of seeing comes back to what 517 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:18,639 Speaker 1: alex Enthopolis has positioned to be the calling card of 518 00:25:18,680 --> 00:25:20,520 Speaker 1: this team, and that's the offense. 519 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:22,679 Speaker 2: And what I mean with that is the fact that. 520 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:25,600 Speaker 1: To your point, if the offense lives up to what 521 00:25:25,720 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 1: it's capable of, a lot of these questions don't need 522 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:29,439 Speaker 1: to be asked. 523 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 2: But one of three things has. 524 00:25:31,440 --> 00:25:33,560 Speaker 1: To happen in my opinion, And when I say has 525 00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 1: to happen, I mean it has to happen in my 526 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:38,320 Speaker 1: opinion for us to get off the start. 527 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:38,600 Speaker 2: That we want to. 528 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:42,399 Speaker 1: Number One, if we hit home runs at at least 529 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 1: a top of the league level, not saying historical level 530 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:48,000 Speaker 1: like we did in twenty twenty three, but at the 531 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:50,240 Speaker 1: top of the league level. That's one thing that really 532 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,200 Speaker 1: hampered us last year was we just did not hit 533 00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:56,479 Speaker 1: home runs at a consistent enough rate to hide our 534 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:58,880 Speaker 1: other deficiencies. If we hit home runs through the top 535 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 1: of the league, I think, what fine. 536 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 2: That's one. 537 00:26:01,400 --> 00:26:03,640 Speaker 1: The second thing is what if we, like we did 538 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:08,119 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty three, had a historic season when it 539 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 1: came to first meaning production that puts our pitchers in 540 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:14,359 Speaker 1: such a better position when they're pitching with the lead 541 00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:17,440 Speaker 1: that really helps them out, and being able to work 542 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:20,280 Speaker 1: through counts, trust their stuff, what have you. So starting 543 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:23,879 Speaker 1: off games, have an offense get going early really really 544 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:29,200 Speaker 1: helps out. The third thing is a massive improvement from 545 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 1: where we regress the most last year, and that's timely 546 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:34,639 Speaker 1: hitting with runners in scoring position, making the mode of 547 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:39,160 Speaker 1: opportunities when runners are on base. If multiple of those 548 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 1: three things, three aspects of our offense wind up being 549 00:26:42,320 --> 00:26:44,440 Speaker 1: in a good position, we could be in a really 550 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:46,720 Speaker 1: good spot to start the season. But if none of 551 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 1: those things happen, then again, I don't think it's dire, 552 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:55,600 Speaker 1: but we potentially start putting ourselves in a hole to 553 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:57,480 Speaker 1: where it's going to be really hard to come out 554 00:26:57,480 --> 00:27:00,640 Speaker 1: of to be in a favorable position when it comes 555 00:27:00,680 --> 00:27:02,480 Speaker 1: to the postseason. I think the Brays are going to 556 00:27:02,560 --> 00:27:04,399 Speaker 1: make the postseason. I think they're one of the favorites 557 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 1: in the National League. 558 00:27:05,119 --> 00:27:06,240 Speaker 2: That's not going to change. 559 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 1: But the point that I'm getting at is all these 560 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 1: questions that we have about other parts of the team, 561 00:27:11,280 --> 00:27:15,560 Speaker 1: if the offense performs well, those questions become much much 562 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:19,480 Speaker 1: less silent. But the need for the offense to perform well, 563 00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 1: is a must, and if it doesn't, then you're probably 564 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:25,440 Speaker 1: going to see even more questions start to arise. 565 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:29,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly, I mean that's what I yeah. 566 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 4: I mean, do the best fifteen players on this roster, 567 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:37,360 Speaker 4: which a lot of them are offensive players, do they 568 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:40,760 Speaker 4: carry the day? Do they carry most of the load? 569 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 4: And if they do, this team could win one hundred 570 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:45,679 Speaker 4: and five games. 571 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:46,480 Speaker 3: This team could. 572 00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:48,960 Speaker 4: I mean, this team still has an absurd amount of talent. 573 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:51,840 Speaker 4: Just all of us still have PTSD from last year 574 00:27:51,880 --> 00:27:54,080 Speaker 4: when so many of their best players didn't play well 575 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:57,800 Speaker 4: and they had to lean on guys nobody was expecting 576 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:00,440 Speaker 4: to lean on and we saw the up and down 577 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:02,360 Speaker 4: season they had, and so for a lot of us, 578 00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:05,000 Speaker 4: we're like, well, if they have to do that again, 579 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 4: if they have to lean on guys, well, the depth 580 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:09,800 Speaker 4: of this team, like the last ten players on the roster, 581 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:13,920 Speaker 4: there's a lot of questions on those ten guys. If 582 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:18,560 Speaker 4: you know, eleven guys and so you know, like you 583 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 4: just said, we just need Austin Riley and Matt Olsen 584 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:25,960 Speaker 4: and Jerepson Profar and Michael Harris and Ozzy Albi's we 585 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:30,400 Speaker 4: need Marcello Zuna. Those players need to be the Braves' 586 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:34,119 Speaker 4: best players and Chris Sale and Schwellenbach and Lopez and 587 00:28:34,160 --> 00:28:38,120 Speaker 4: Iglesias and Bummer and if those guys are awesome, none 588 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:40,560 Speaker 4: of this matters. None of it matters. The Braves are 589 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:43,240 Speaker 4: gonna win a ton of games, and that's before you 590 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 4: even get a Kunyan Strider back. If those guys struggle, 591 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 4: and now you're leaning more onto your depth like it 592 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:52,120 Speaker 4: happened most of last year, the questions are gonna get 593 00:28:52,160 --> 00:28:54,280 Speaker 4: louder because of how little the Braves did this offseason. 594 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:56,280 Speaker 3: And that's where we are, and. 595 00:28:56,240 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 4: We'll just see which version kicks off the year, and 596 00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:04,040 Speaker 4: again they might they may still add. You know, we're 597 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:08,200 Speaker 4: not technically through the period of the winter, the arm sorry, 598 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 4: the spring where teams add. We're actually coming up on 599 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 4: that now. As guys don't win jobs with other clubs, 600 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:16,840 Speaker 4: they get released. You know, the Braves are gonna have 601 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:18,760 Speaker 4: a lot of forty man shuffling to do when the 602 00:29:18,760 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 4: season starts because of how many NRI guys they have 603 00:29:21,480 --> 00:29:23,600 Speaker 4: and and potentially are going to be on the roster. 604 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 4: So I still think there's gonna be a decent amount 605 00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:28,280 Speaker 4: of shakeup and they could add. But yeah, like you said, 606 00:29:28,320 --> 00:29:31,680 Speaker 4: if the top of the roster does its job, most 607 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:34,840 Speaker 4: of these questions become substantially less important. 608 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:40,280 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and and you know, again putting faith in those guys, 609 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 2: and it's easy to do. 610 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,640 Speaker 1: It's just with a bit more caution because of last 611 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 1: year and also kind of what we've seen as time 612 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:49,200 Speaker 1: has gone on. See even anything else from you As 613 00:29:49,240 --> 00:29:52,240 Speaker 1: we wrap up this edition of the Hammer Territory podcast. 614 00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:57,400 Speaker 4: Nope Selection Sunday is two days away, three days away, 615 00:29:57,480 --> 00:30:02,000 Speaker 4: so I can't wait. You know, Braves obviously continuing spring training. 616 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:03,840 Speaker 4: If you missed, by the way, I do want to 617 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:06,680 Speaker 4: give a shout out to Brandon Golden, play by play 618 00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 4: guy for the Braves. He came on the podcast with 619 00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:11,760 Speaker 4: Scott a couple of days ago. If you missed that out, 620 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:13,560 Speaker 4: I think it's actually the last episode in the feed. 621 00:30:13,920 --> 00:30:17,000 Speaker 4: So if you missed that episode, Brandon, you know, gave 622 00:30:17,080 --> 00:30:19,440 Speaker 4: us like a forty minute interview, talked about. 623 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:20,640 Speaker 3: A wide range of stuff. 624 00:30:21,040 --> 00:30:22,720 Speaker 4: Brandon's actually been on the show a couple of times, 625 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:24,280 Speaker 4: so big shout out to him. 626 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:25,520 Speaker 3: We really appreciate the time. 627 00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 2: That's great. 628 00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:30,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, a lifelong Braves fan. 629 00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:35,280 Speaker 4: I've you know, I play by play guys can can 630 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:37,760 Speaker 4: sometimes it can be a thankless job and you get 631 00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:39,840 Speaker 4: a lot of criticism. I thought he's I think he's 632 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:42,680 Speaker 4: done an incredible job since he's been the main guy. 633 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:46,720 Speaker 4: I thoroughly enjoy Braves broadcast, which I couldn't always say 634 00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:52,000 Speaker 4: before Brandon got there, So big shout out to him, 635 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:54,200 Speaker 4: and you know, to come on the show, and for 636 00:30:54,240 --> 00:30:56,920 Speaker 4: anybody else, you know, if you're just now finding us, 637 00:30:57,160 --> 00:30:59,840 Speaker 4: obviously it's me and Sean and Brad and Scott are 638 00:30:59,880 --> 00:31:02,560 Speaker 4: the four man team, and we'll be here all season 639 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:05,479 Speaker 4: and all hopefully postseason, and then all winter and then 640 00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:08,080 Speaker 4: all spring and then all season. It's a three hundred 641 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:10,800 Speaker 4: and sixty five day podcast. We give content every week, 642 00:31:10,920 --> 00:31:13,120 Speaker 4: usually three or four times a week, so make sure 643 00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:16,760 Speaker 4: you're subscribed, and we appreciate the last two months have 644 00:31:16,840 --> 00:31:20,320 Speaker 4: been some of our biggest shows, biggest weeks, biggest months ever. 645 00:31:21,360 --> 00:31:23,200 Speaker 4: You guys have been incredible. Even though it wasn't the 646 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:26,840 Speaker 4: busiest all season for the Braves, you guys were incredible, 647 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:31,840 Speaker 4: So big, big thank you to the fans. And season's coming, 648 00:31:32,040 --> 00:31:35,160 Speaker 4: so I'm unbelievably. 649 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:39,680 Speaker 1: Excited, absolutely, and we love the support because I feel 650 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:42,720 Speaker 1: like that there is a connection there because you know, 651 00:31:42,720 --> 00:31:45,680 Speaker 1: the folks who are kind enough to listen to this podcast, 652 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:48,320 Speaker 1: support this podcast, They're just like us in terms of 653 00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:50,880 Speaker 1: the fact they're listening for the same reason that we're 654 00:31:51,080 --> 00:31:53,720 Speaker 1: creating the content. We love the Braves and that's why 655 00:31:53,760 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 1: we're here, and we'll continue to obviously talk about them, 656 00:31:56,560 --> 00:31:58,800 Speaker 1: and hey, when we get to talking about games, that's 657 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:00,480 Speaker 1: when it gets about as good as you can get it. 658 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:02,560 Speaker 1: For Steven Tolbert, you can find him at b Undersquare 659 00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:05,200 Speaker 1: Outliers on Twitter slash x. My name is Sean Coleman 660 00:32:05,360 --> 00:32:08,480 Speaker 1: at Stat's Sac on Twitter slash x. You can find 661 00:32:08,480 --> 00:32:11,240 Speaker 1: foul Territory across all forms of social media part of 662 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:14,239 Speaker 1: the Hammer or part of the Hammer Territory across all 663 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:16,920 Speaker 1: forms of social media, part of the foul Territory family 664 00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:20,120 Speaker 1: of podcasts. So many great podcasts out there on foul Territory. 665 00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:22,960 Speaker 1: Make sure to check out each and every one of them. 666 00:32:23,040 --> 00:32:25,440 Speaker 1: Until next time, go Braves, We'll talk to you again 667 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:27,480 Speaker 1: soon here on the Hammer Territory podcast.