Aug 6, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia (13) hits a three run home run off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
If there was a message to be received about the hiring of Brian Snitker as manager of the Atlanta Braves, it could be as simple as this: if you perform, you will get the job.
There is a theme developing at 755 Hank Aaron Drive… one that will be moving north into Cobb County: performance for the Atlanta Braves will be rewarded.
You would think that this would be an obvious concept, but it is one that many teams struggle with. For if you have a high-priced veteran on your roster – he gets the lion’s share of playing time… even if he’s not playing well. That happens over and over again.
Sure, you know the such players have the potential for greatness, so that becomes the justification for continuing to run them out in the field. There will be statements like “Well, he won’t get any better sitting on the bench.”
Neither will the ballclub when there is an obvious weak link in your chain.
Such a practice just isn’t going to fly with the new-look Atlanta Braves.
Signals have been made to the Atlanta Braves – both staff members and players. Some of these signals have been subtle. Some have been overt.
Witness this answer to a question about the most disappointing aspect of the 2016 season:
The progress, or lack thereof, of our starting pitchers https://t.co/znrORn832b
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 13, 2016
Less than a month after this tweet, the 2017 contract option for pitching coach Roger McDowell was not picked up.
Here’s a list of other evidence:
– Brian Snitker was praised for his work – and ultimately got the manager’s role.
– Matt Kemp hit very well, but also was publicly dinged for not being in top shape.
– Adonis Garcia improved dramatically at third base – and it appears that the Braves will keep him there.
– Erick Aybar… didn’t live up to expectations for roughly half the season. He’s gone.
– Nick Swisher? Didn’t survive Spring Training.
– Hector Olivera? Don’t embarrass either yourself or the club.
– Ender Inciarte. Had a slow start and for a time it looked like there might be a battle for some playing time between him, Mallex Smith, Jeff Francoeur, et al. Once Inciarte got fully healthy and found a gear, any such thoughts vanished.
– Numerous pitchers did not have success at the major league level. Not only were they not kept around, but now the Braves will look for at least a couple of starters to take those places.
That’s just a very few examples.
Bobby Cox exhibited an uncanny loyalty to his players, but at the same time, there was a point at which you could not cross and still keep your position. That policy appears to be back with renewed strength – having full Front Office support behind it as well.
The message has been sent. Position players responded well to this in 2016. The next season will thus be very interesting to watch.
SunTrust Park rendering; courtesy of AtlantaBraves.com
Offseason Outlook: Atlanta Braves
“The rebuilding Braves didn’t show much improvement in the standings, ending up with a 68-93 record that landed them the fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft. But Atlanta ended the year on a 12-and-2 tear that represented a high note on which to finish. With a much-anticipated new ballpark on the horizon and an expectation of significant financial outlays at the major league level, hopes are high … but just how high should they be?
braves
Tomahawk Take 16hAtlanta Braves: Everyone Congratulates Brian Snitker On Landing Managerial Job
More headlines around FanSided:
21h - Atlanta Braves Catching: Four Trade Targets23h - Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on LHP Michael Mader1 d - Atlanta Braves: #VoteFreddie (again)!1 d - Atlanta Braves Go with Snitker AND Washington; Details Have Me Curious1 d - Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on OF Mel Rojas, Jr.More News at Tomahawk Take
… [snip] …
If there’s a spot other than the rotation that will almost certainly see some change, it’s behind the plate. Tyler Flowers will be back after a strong season in which he ran up a 109 OPS+ while appearing in 83 games. Journeyman Anthony Recker is controllable as well, and was even more impressive (.278/.394/.433) in his 112 plate appearances. But with Opening Day starter A.J. Pierzynski set to depart, and a mandate to improve, there has been plenty of chatter about the possibilities for an upgrade.
The free agent catching market took a huge hit with the recent ACL tear of Wilson Ramos, and it had already lost Francisco Cervelli when he agreed to an extension with the Pirates earlier in the season. But there are still at least a few near-everyday players set to reach the open market — chiefly, Matt Wieters (who has ties to the Atlanta area) and Jason Castro — and the trade market could provide some avenues as well. Atlanta has been connected, in particular, with long-time star Brian McCann, though it doesn’t seem as if the Yankees will part with him for quite as low a price as the Braves would prefer to pay. A bounceback candidate such as Derek Norris could also be pursued if the team’s preferred options aren’t achievable.
All told, there are a number of places on this roster that a clear contending team would deem in need of an upgrade. For Atlanta, though, there needs to be greater balance, lest future commitments again tie the organization’s hands. Coppolella has said that the club will have much more to spend than usual, but a truly all-in approach would be a major surprise. What investments the team does make figure to play a fairly significant role in dictating the team’s timeline to return to true contention.”
[ Ed. Note – Full treatment is available at the link above on the MLB Trade Rumors site, as the above was substantially excerpted. Noting Fred Owens’ significant recent write-ups on the catching market – both for free agents and trade possibilities – I pulled this bit about catching specifically to highlight for comparison.
There is a note about the bullpen that could be resolved in a different manner. With the signing of Jim Johnson, one would have to wonder if Arodys Vizcaino might not be that ‘anchor’ for the Braves’ bullpen so much as trade bait. A trade could be difficult early on, though, given Vizzy’s recent injuries and difficulty in returning to the mound at the end of the year, but to suggest that he will be the closer for 2017 is at least a bit premature. ]
Matt Kennelly named Heat manager
Perth native becomes first Baseball WA product to helm Heat
“PERTH — The Alcohol. Think Again Perth Heat are proud to announce Matt Kennelly as the club’s Manager for the 2016/17 Australian Baseball League season.
After a lengthy search locally, nationally and abroad to replace Kevin Boles, it was Matt’s vision, hunger for success and outstanding character that saw him win out the role against other highly credentialed candidates.
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Matt’s no stranger to Heat fans having been a key part of the team’s success on the field since the ABL returned in 2010. As part of Claxton Shield winning teams prior to the ABL, Kennelly is a member of the famed “Heat Dynasty” team who won four ABL Championships in six years.
This appointment pens a new chapter in the storied Kennelly brother’s journey and throughout the recruitment process Matt said the advice he got from his brothers helped give him the extra confidence required moving into this role.
“My family is always very supportive. We spoke about the massive opportunity that was presented to me, and that they would continue to support me throughout the season in this new role,” he said. “They said they would love to play with me as the manager, so it added to my decision to accept the offer.”
Born and bred in Perth, Matt becomes the fourth manager of the Heat since the revamped ABL commenced in 2010, but the first who has come through the Baseball WA system. He noted how the system has moulded him to be ready to take on this role.
“I am very lucky and grateful to have come through a program run by guys such as Don Kyle, Mark Pettit and Rod Drew, so I would like to run a similar ship.” Kennelly said. “I have also had some very influential managers in the USA during my time with the Atlanta Braves, so with the knowledge I have gained from them I’m sure it will make for an easier transition.”
…[snip] More at the link above…
[ Ed. note – this is an excellent thing for Matt.
Kennelly, a 16-year-old International Free Agent signee, was in the Braves’ minor league system from 2007-2016, excepting a brief hiatus to the Reds in 2013. He advanced to AA Mississippi in 2011, but only got a couple of brief stints at AAA: 2 games in 2011, 21 in 2013, and 18 last season before being released early on in the 2016 season.
Kennelly was a defense-first catcher and light hitting – never reaching .270. But with catching as a premium in the minor league, he’s had a steady job for the duration… and he’s still just 27 years old.
As indicated above, this Aussie played a lot in the Australian Baseball League in the off-season: 2010-2015. Now he gets to run the same club, and that’s a very nice thing to see for him.
Congratulations to Matt – good on ya, mate! ]
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