I am beginning to worry about the Braves' hitting situation. It is a well-known fact that the Braves are missing a big bat in the lineup, especially in the outfield. Reports out of Las Vegas have things moving slowly. No big trades on the first day, and a contract offer to A.J. Burnett was a nice move... but what about the bats? The big bats? The big blood sucking bats that make pitchers shake in their knees because they got to face Chipper? Well, let's see. We are not in the hunt for Manny, unless we find an extra 200 million dollars laying around in Ted Turner's former office. We pass on Adam Dunn. Ok, the strikeouts are a little much. So what do the Braves do? What they always seem to do: look for the big trade.
So who does it look like we could get?
Rick Ankiel (.264, 25, 71)
Corey Hart (.268, 20, 91)
Jeremy Hermida (.248, 17, 61)
Now those are not the kind of numbers I hope the team would be getting, but some good players with a lot of potential. One name in particular stands out, Jeremy Hermida. Hermida is from the Atlanta area, played ball with McCann and Francoeur, and would instantly fit into our clubhouse. It doesn't surprise me this guy is in the mix because he is up for arbitration at the end of the season. Due to his Atlanta roots, the Braves probably have a good shot at re-signing him at a reasonable price at the end of the season. He will be a good addition, that is, if he can stay healthy. He has had his injury spells, but for a team that stuck it out with Mike Hampton for so long, only to see him leave for Houston, Hermida may seem "as strong as an ox."
I do think Hermida would make a great addition, the benefit would far out-weigh the risk. In the end, he still doesn't really fit the Braves' need other than the fact that he plays outfield and he may hit slightly better than the guys we threw out there last year. There is a deeper problem. First off, the majority of the hitters listed are left-handed hitters. Which does not complement Chipper and McCann. That would be too many lefties in a row, any way you slice it. That leaves Chipper (who is best from the left side) and McCann still hitting back to back. In the late innings, managers will bring in a single left handed pitcher to face down both Chipper and McCann- instead of having to use two. Lefty relievers do not come in bulk, particularly the good ones. Unfortunately, none of those players named really fit that role, with the exception of Ankiel. Who is definitely the stud of that stud pack, but I think he requires more time in another posting.In the end it may be the case that we don't land the truly blood-sucking slugger we all hope for. For now, it seems we will be content with big talk of big pitchers. A word of advice from a fan to Wren:
Pitchers win games, but it always ends with someone at bat.
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