Atlanta Braves 2007 onwards . . . (take 2)

[tripli00]

Well left OOTP for about a week and then couldn't resist.

After Atlanta Braves 2007 onwards . . . crashing I'm going to have another go.

Setup is the same as before. A 50 year history and then I am going to take over. Atlanta again (spot the common thread!) no matter what has happened.

One thing to note is that the league is already backed up!

Right off to take control and look at the history!!

[tripli00]

Well straight off there is a ringing of deju vu with the start of the setup. Its 16 Oct 2007.

In the 50 years sim Atlanta have 5 post season trips (88,91,93,94,07) with a WS ring in 94.

Last season they went 90-72 good for the division title and a massive improvement on 66-96 the year before (which was the best year in 6!!)

Attendance up nearly 2 mill but they have just gone out in the conference series 4-1 to Phillies who finished a game behind in the regular season. Looks a little hash to the outgoing GM - but they have been mediocre for 10-12 years prior to this one!

Lets see why!

[tripli00]

Straight away the team looks like it was built around the pitching - where nearly everything is top 5 in the NL.

Batting not so - only one player over .300, 1 player over 100 RBI, and only category we are top 5 in is SB!

Fan interest 80 of of 100 and towards the end of the season the fans started turning up. Average attendance up 24,000 from last season. About 8mill to play with and coaches and scouts all in for next season.

So the players . . . .

[tripli00]

49.5 mill payroll - projected next season 48.7 but some arbitration to do. Carl Hansen the highest earning soon to be FA at 3.5mill.

Lineup is currently the same for LH or RH pitching.

Leading off - Iguado RF. Eligible for Arbitration LH 27 yo.

.275, 36HR (), 94 RBI and 60 SB

Hitting 2nd - Long CF. Came over from TOR late season - eligible for Arb (26)

.310, 8, 52 and 21 SB

Hitting 3rd - Ortiz 1B. Has signed a 3 year 8.8mill extension starting 08. (24)

.328, 25, 66 and 3

Switch hitter but very low RBI's

Clean up - Miller - 2B. 3 yr extension 14-17 mill starting 08 (28)

.281, 32, 118 and 0 (there's the RBI's!!)

5th - Stevenson C. 1 yr left at 8 mill (26)

.220, 20, 63 and 0 average going down but power and a great C.

6th - Barron 3B. Another year in 08 at 2 mill (39)

.238, 16, 65 and 2 - really a first basemen as well

7th McNeal LF. Arbitration again (28).

.251, 13, 59 and 36

8th Carter SS. Auto contract (25)

.292, 13, 71 and 1 - he is 100 at all infield positions


Nothing exciting on the bench apart from a future 2B star.

[tripli00]

Looking at that a few things come to light

What is Iguado doing in the lead off spot?

Barron looks available to trade as the cost of this lot will go up. Some options on the infield with multi position players, and overall a good defensive side.

So what joy awaits in the pitching!

[tripli00]

Okay over to the pitching - as a start this looks good.

SP 1 Gomez 13-11 3.20 ERA 26 yo not eligible (i think) for arbitration. 220+ innings!!

SP2 Wilson 13-9 3.78 2 more years extension at 3.3 mil 240+ innings!

SP3 Bruno 14-9 3.43 - not arbitration eligible yet!!

SP 4 Sakai 0-1 4.5 - late season call up at 22 may be ready for the bigs auto renew

SP 5 Oliveria 15-7 5.6 another season at 370. 30 yo - not expecting to start

MR 3 run of the mill cheap guys - and Hansen who is going at 3 mill. Nothing outstanding there - we could be short.

SU - Boucher 9-2 1.82 ERA!!
SU2 - Yi 4-5 3.33

CL Franklin (3 more years at 3 mill) 26 SV 4.41


Okay now I see why the GM got the boot. The bullpen has one great setup and an okay closer and okay other SU - nothing else.

Also may be a SP short. Off to look at AAA

[tripli00]

Okay - this team is young and good - and there isn't a whole in the minors. A 3B maybe a future SP or two but nothing else.

Straight away I know that I need a MR or two, and another infielder that can hit would be handy. Some financial flexibility there and lets see what the winter brings!!

[tripli00]

Well Philly win the WS in 7 over the Yankees and we move onto retirement. I loss Barron at 3B and a minor league SP. We also get the new budget - and I am up to 21mill spare.

Anyone want to play 3B and pitch for me??