2013 MLB postseason running thread

Agreed. I myself never said anything about choking. (Not saying that you said I did, either.) Last year they got royally screwed on that infield-fly call.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121005&content_id=39509938&c_id=mlb

But to have lost eight straight post-season events (seven series, one wild-card game) has to be completely gut-wrenching. Over the past 23 years, the Brave are either the most successful or second most successful team as far as overall excellence. Yankees are probably No. 1, Cardinals probably have something to say, though they only made one post-season from '91 to '99, when the Braves started their run of excellence.

Yet for all that excellence, the Braves have one fewer World Series title than the Florida Marlins. I'd say at least 26 teams wish they were the Braves over the past 23 years. But the heartbreak has to be devastating.

 

It's almost as if Fredi knows the team better than you do. Almost.

 

With a payroll that isn't budging (the Braves are owned by a cable company), the worst TV deal in Major League Baseball, a couple of really bad contracts in Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton and no real stud hitting prospect in the minor leagues combined with the Nationals and maybe Mets being on the rise, you get the sense that the Braves window is closing.

I think that plays into Braves' fans' heartache, as well. In the past, you could take comfort into waiting for next year. Now, there's no indication whatsoever that next year will even provide a playoff run.

 

Moddy, Kemp is done for the whole postseason.

 

Maholm is a goner in Atlanta, as is Brian McCann. I wouldn't be surprised to see them bring back Tim Hudson on a 1-year, incentive-laden deal, at least until Brandon Beachy shows he's healthy.

They have to find someone, anyone, to take Uggla. I don't know who would want him at this point, but Vernon Wells got traded twice, so I never say never. Either way, leaving him off the postseason roster indicates they have no interest in bringing him back. The Braves would be wise to wait and see who gets Robinson Cano (and who doesn't) before trying to move Uggla.

BJ Upton is more complicated, given the remaining length (4 years) on his contract and the presence of his brother on the team. They have to give BJ every chance to succeed, lest they risk pissing off little (and far more talented) brother.

Jim Bowden, among others, has advocated the Braves pursuing David Price in the offseason. I'd love for it to happen, but don't see it. They'd likely be outbid by someone with a stronger core of upper-level prospects (the Rangers, Cubs and Reds come to mind), but then I never thought they'd be able to put together a viable package for Justin Upton, either.

 

The thing is, it's not like Carpenter was showing signs of poor command or not having it. Puig's double was more a fluke than anything. Opposite-field doubles just inside the line (and this one was a grounder) are almost always more a matter of bad luck for the pitcher rather than a bad pitch. And then he was ahead 0-2 on Uribe. Then lightning struck. You just can't manage a baseball game trying to predict lightning strikes -- unless you want to run out of players and pitchers by the sixth inning.

Baseball is a game of averages and that's how you have to manage. Unfortunately for the Braves, the averages never seem to work out in the post-season.

 

He's having shoulder surgery on Tuesday.

 

I'd be interested to hear what the Nats are willing to give up for Price. I'd assume Cole and/or Giolito have to be included along with Clippard maybe?

I kinda hope Rizzo sticks with the guys already in the organization for the 4th and 5th starter spots.

 

Well, Kimbrel is pissed.

http://deadspin.com/craig-kimbrel-said-he-could-go-two-innings-was-mad-he-1442541137