Offensive Outbursts, Trade Talks, and Reynaldo Lopez Injury Concerns

00:00:21
Speaker 1: Welcome to the Hammer Territory Podcast. My name is Sean Coleman. Hope wherever you are and wherever you are listening, as always, it is a pleasure to be with you once again. It is Sunday night, July twenty eighth, less than forty eight hours away from the twenty twenty four and it will be trade deadline. And normally in this spot each week you would hear from Brad Rowland and Scott Coleman. But they did a wonderful program last night, and tonight I'm back with my podcast partner Steven Tolbert with plenty to discuss when it comes to the Braise Weekend. Stephen, how are you, sir? Good as always getting to talk Braise baseball with you.

00:00:55
Speaker 2: What's up, Sean? Yeah, man, it's it's certainly a better vibe than when you and I talked on Thursday night. Whatever night were that atrocious loss to the Mets, all the extra eating stuff that happened that night, So yeah, you know, they rebounded and they were able to get a serious split. They won the last two games. Just better vibes. You know, we're gonna talk about the game today and obviously there was some bad news attached to it, so that's gonna definitely put a damper on it. But they got the losing streak off their back, which is big, and now we're kind of waiting on injury news, and then we got the trade deadline. But yeah, we're gonna talk about it all. But it's always good to do these with you, man.

00:01:38
Speaker 1: Yep, good talking with you. And then, as you alluded to listen the right when it comes to Sundays, it seems the Braves more often than not, Sunday has not been a fun day. And when it comes to the Braves, you know, either it's disappointing performances on the field. But the last two Sundays it has been significant news on the injury front. Are potential news on the injury front. Of course, a week ago, you know the news about Max Freed, who you know, I will say it does look like, you know, the outlook for Max is definitely more positive than it was a week ago. And of course the you know, injury to Ozzie Albi's But in today's game, yes, the Brave's one nine to two. We'll get into the offensive outburst in just a moment. But the big news of the day so far is that starter Ronaldo Lopez, All Star starter Ronaldo Lopez, who's been you know, the era leader for much of the season. He only went three NS and there was you know, it looks as if, you know, at first, the initial prognosis was, hey, forum tightness, he'll be day to day. But then of course there was more news that he is on his way back to Atlanta and either has or is going to be looked at through an MRI. Because as we all know, forum tightness typically you know, could be you know, an early you know, indicator of some you know, more significant injuries. But the big thing is Stephen we don't know as of yet, We won't know, we're recording a Sunday night, won't know until Monday. But the big thing is is that at the very least, this is not all that positive. This could be you know, maybe it's just a day to day thing, like they said, it could be something much more significant. But the thing is, the Braves just can't afford to lose renaldal Lopez. Yes, they can make moves to the trade deadline, but just at some point, these injuries, especially to the starting staff, have to stop.

00:03:16
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, it's gonna be you know, we're once again playing the the MRI roulette. It seems like, you know, we did it about a week ago with Max about just waiting to hear about the Mriyes, Maxis came out clean. It was all good news. It was just some they called it very minor stuff. And he's scheduled to be back on Friday. And so once again we have to do it with Ronaldo. And you know, I'm not terribly optimistic. I'm being honest. You know, anytime you see four arms strain as the injury designation, that's not good. I mean, you know, people that know the game, and even really casual fans by this point probably know that forearm restrain oftentimes leads to elbow stuff, and that oftentimes leads to kind of the big, big injury for a picture, which is you know, Tommy John surgery. So we're not there yet, but that is often a precursor. So it looks like we'll get the news tomorrow. They're doing imaging and stuff tonight and we'll find out. But it's a bummer. You know, it's a rough time on the calendar. You know, if you if you kind of go down now with with you know, if it does end up being Tommy John, then you lose all of twenty twenty four and probably most of twenty twenty five if we're being honest, depending on how what kind of procedure it is and stuff like that. So you know, it could be a big deal and it could really change the landscape for the Braves. So it's gonna be very seat. Like, you know, it is good that it happened before the trade deadline. Alex can still go do something about it, but you know, starting pitching is so expensive and there's just not a lot you can do. The Braves don't have. The Braves have a bunch better farm system than they've had in a recent memory. I think Fangrass had them at like fifteen in their latest update, and the Braves have got actually like three or four guys in their top one hundred, So, like, the farm system is not nearly as bad as it was a couple of years ago. There's actually some high end talent there now. But still you don't want to be going out and having to acquire starting pitching at the trade deadline. It's just that's literally the most expensive thing you can do. So it's gonna be very interesting to see. You know, we're we're all just gonna be kind of waiting tomorrow on the Ronaldo news and then the fallout. You know, the trade deadline is on Tuesday, so we're less than forty eight hours away. I'm sure Alex was already at least having preliminary talks about starting pitching because of the Max Freed stuff. But if this is a serious injury, then I'm very interested see what the reaction is going to be to that, because again, like you said, you know, they can't afford much more, and after Tuesday, you can't add anybody else to her. You know, there's no there's no more trades. I mean, you could sign guys that get released, but there's no more trades. So you got to be really comfortable with your depth after tuesdays. So it's going to be very interest to see if this ends up being a significant injury to Ronaldo, what the how they respond to that, you know, what the what the counter removed to that is. So but yeah, we'll find out tomorrow just exactly what's going on with with Ronaldo.

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00:07:26
Speaker 1: Of course Stephen, we've all ready and I agree completely. You know, I don't necessarily know if there is one positive. It didn't really seem as if rinaldo you know, experienced any type of real decline in his velocity. He was still up with the ninety six ninety seven range. Also, you know, it was it was just it he seemed uncomfortable. It wasn't as if he felt something in his elbow like we saw that happen with Spencer Strutter. I'm not saying that since those things didn't happen, there's not a realistic chance that it could be a significant injury. But maybe there's some positives in this, you know, could be a minor thing. But you know, we're also you know, yes to very have been managing the innings of their starters, but we're also starting to see that, you know, again the starting rotation is starting to really feel these injuries. Because of course, on Monday, you know, the Braids are going to go with Grant Holmes basically as an opener against the Brewers, and on Tuesday, it seems as if Bryce Elder, especially if you know Lopez were to go on the IL, he would be the one to go on Tuesday, and then Chris Sale on Wednesday. But Stephen, I also want to bring this up that today was a pretty significant day because you're starting to see some familiar names also return in terms of their minor league performances. Hirscht and Waldrup was on the mountain today in the Braves munder league system. Moscar, you know it was on the mound for the Stripers. You've had a J. Smith Shaver who's return from injury. You have Ian Anderson who's return from injury. When we talk about if something were to happen where there was a significant injury to Lopez Stephen, what is your confidence. I know that we've talked about what potentially expect from some of these young arms, but what is your confidence in now that we've got some of these players returning, the depth of the Braves pitching staff being there to at least get the Braves through the regular season in terms of that versus then going out to make a trade for a starting pitcher.

00:09:09
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean if they keep it all, like you know, having a J. Smith Shoalver and having Waldroup and having Ian Anderson and Oscar and Noah, like, if they keep it all, then yeah, that's really good depth. I mean, you know, you add in Bryce Elder, and you know, you add in Dylan Dodd and those guys like it's that's a pretty good amount of depth for your rotation. Now, you know, in two days, a few of those names could be wearing different uniforms depending on the trades the Braves make. So you know, it's gonna be interesting to see. It'll be better to reassess that on Wednesday once we actually know which guys are going to be around, or like you said, if they acquire you know, a major league caliber starter or swingman or some sort of innings eater. None of that would surprise me. But yeah, I mean, if you have to dip down into that depth, you feel good about it. I mean, it's good that AJ's back. It's good that Waldrip's back. It's good that Dean Anderson's back. It's good that he knows back. All those guys were coming back from injury, so, you know, having them all back and pitching, and I think they're all in correct me if I'm wrong. I think they're all in Triple A now, so you know they're they're twenty minutes away from you know, true As Park if the Braves need him so, and the Braves have got some young guys. There's a guy named Drew Hackenberg in Mississippi, who's was one of their higher draft picks a couple of years ago, I think, or maybe last year, who's doing really well in Mississippi. So like, they do have some pretty strong pitching depth. It's young, and it's it's unproven, but it is talented, so you know, and and of course you know, that's exactly how you would have described Spencer swellenback about three months ago, right, talent had been unproven, and we've seen how quickly he's been been able to contribute and really solidify his rotation spots. So the Braves have talent there. It'll be interesting to see what how much of that talent is still around on Wednesday, and it'll also be just see if they go out and add somebody, if they go get a picture, if you know what they prioritize. There's no possible way Alex can fill all of these holes with trades. There's just too many injuries. So my guess is he's gonna have to pick and choose which ones to him are most crucial. And that's what that's gonna be the interesting part of the next forty eight hours.

00:11:33
Speaker 1: Absolutely, and as much as we can talk about that pitching depth, as much as you know it could you know, definitely help during the regular season if you lose Renaldo Lopez. The difference between him and that young depth is Lopez likely was going to play a significant role for this team. You hope he still does in the playoffs, but if that is in jeopardy, and especially with you know, a Max Free also on the il. Still though, if you can go get a guy, it probably becomes a bigger priority to go get a guy who could actually contribute to the playoffs in multiply any role than have to rely on these young guys to be in that role once it comes. So just because you had that depth doesn't mean that, you know, with Lopez now potentially being in jeopardy, you don't go make a move. But we'll discuss the trade deadline a little bit more in just a moment. There was some significant action on the field for the Braves on Sunday, and they finally played a good offensive game on a Sunday. I believe what five home runs today? Maybe four or five? Overall, excuse me, naoics and thoughtless. Brian Snicker went with a more structured platoon lineup. Adam Neuvall at the top of the order. I know that's surprised many, but as you, Stephen mentioned on Twitter, the reason why I was top of the orders because he crushes lefties and that's exactly what the Braves did today. But we're going to go into more detail on a few of the players who did really well today, but overall, Stephen, the home runs were there. It was good to see the runs. This Braves lineup surprisingly looked like they did last year, but it was a great setting for them to be able to do it against the Mets to get a series tie over the weekend.

00:13:01
Speaker 2: Yeah, it was. It was a sight for sore eyes. I mean, I tweeted this out. But the Braves scored more than six runs for the first time since June twenty first, that first game against the Yankees where they scored eight runs. That was the last time the Braids had scored more than six runs in a game. So you're talking about more than a month ago. And yeah, it's funny that it happened on a day where if you just looked at the names on the lineup card, it was like oof, like you know, it's Today was one of those lineups where you could really get a sense of the injury situation the Braids are dealing with. But yeah, I don't know why people were freaking out about Deaval leading off. I had a lot of that in my Twitter mentions today, you know, I mean, honestly, it makes way more sense than anything else the Braids are. I mean, you know, Devall Mash's lefties. He's got like a three seventy OVP against lefties this year. Kelnick has been really really strong, Like Kellnick is in a deep, deep, deep, deep slump. He's got like three hits for the month, something crazy like that. So it made all sense in the world. You know, the Braves typically when there's a level tended pitcher on the mound, the Braves typically have a pretty strong line up even with these injuries, just because you know, Loreano hits lefties well, de All hits lefties well, Arcia can hit lefties. Like even some of the weaker hitters in the lineup. When there's a lefty on the mound become less of a you know, they they become much less of a you know, a detriment to the the rural offensive production. So it was great to see. And you know, the Braves still need to figure out how to how to have that level of production and gets right handed pitching. I think that's their big that's their big weakness, and I think that's what Alex is going to try to solve in the next couple of days. But when there's a left on the mound, they've got some top. And it was good to see Matt Olsen hit another homery homer. I think that saw on Twitter. This is the first time all year at homer and back to back games. He had a really good series in New York. I think he had six or seven hits for the series, something like that, a couple of homers, So getting him all the way BA would be unbelievable. You know, Riley and Ozuna had good series. That middle of the order could get going and at least be a constant for this team. At least you have that, like at least you can build off that and then try to patch some holes elsewhere. But yeah, it was good to see. It was good to see nine runs on the board. It was an easy win, you know, even with Renaldo leaving the game early, it's a pretty easy win just because the offense dominated. So it felt like a twenty twenty three game. If I'm being honest, we haven't had any of those, and it was nice to see. It was nice to get out of New York with a split after that disastrous start on Thursday and Friday. So yeah, good bounce back from the team.

00:15:44
Speaker 1: Over the past thirty days. Coming into this game, the Braves were twenty fifth in Major League Baseball in walk rate. They had the six to lowest walk rate among MB teams over the past thirty days coming into today. Over the past thirty days, they were twenty eighth in strikeout raide. They were striking out at the third highest frequency of any team in baseball. So what really had stood out about this praise offense is that, you know, they just struggledmight bely being able to put good at bats together to get the job done. But what today reminded us of is that if our middle of the order can get going, it can help hide you know, overall those struggles. If we can get the home run ball going, that makes up for not being able to put those good at bats together. You talked about Matt Olson being the most important player to get going in the second half. It certainly seems as if he's doing that. But speaking of deadline needs, another player who quietly has over the past, even you know, a few weeks, even when you know he still wasn't getting a lot of hits, he was hitting a lot of balls to the opposite side over one hundred miles per hour. Now we're starting to see a little bit of power. Orlando Arcia seems to definitely be someone who is, you know, more frequently putting together productive at bats. If Arcia can start to find his stroke, get to play a bit, that's a deadline need, you know, potentially helped out at the shortstop position. But Maddelson getting going, Arcia getting going, our middle of the order getting going with the home runs especially. The good thing is is that we're starting to show indications that internal talents for the Braves are starting to play a bit more to their usual talent level, and that could be a huge, huge boost, especially going into a pretty favorable schedule in August.

00:17:23
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think Orlando's on like an eight or nine game hitting streak something like that. You know, it's been a bunch of one hit games, but he I mean, considering where he was for most of the year, I'll take it. And he obviously hit that home run today. Like I said, he's another guy that when there's a lefty on the mound you definitely feel better about it than when there's already you know, I'm gonna be very sue what they do at second base. Nancho Alvarez has looked pretty rough, and he did have a hit today, but it's been a lot of weak contact, a lot of ground balls. And credit for the battery power guys, the prospect guys, Garrett, you know, they've they've been banging that drum for a week, weeks and weeks that he's not ready, that he still struggles with velocity, that he struggles getting any sort of exit velocity on his on his batted balls, and you know, especially against ninety eight ninety nine. I mean that's not unique to not show a lot of guys struggle with that, especially when they first come up. But yeah, do the Braves go do something at second base? Like you said, Orlando has been better, so that at least temporarily, you know, probably bumps that down the priority list of what Alex probably deems the most critical spots to to upgrade. But it's gonna be interesting. But yeah, if the middle of the order can just be be great, like if Riley, Ozuna and Olsen can be great, Like I'm talking like one fifty WRC plus or above for all three of them. You know from now to the end of the year, that that does cover up a lot. Like you can do a lot of damage with those three guys batting back to back to back and putting out that kind of production like you can. You can win a lot of games like that, and that would be huge. I mean, that would just be so massive, Like you said, it covers up so much for the rest of the lineup. I do think Alex is going to go improve parts of the lineup before Tuesday. But yeah, if the Braves three stars, the stars they have left could hit like stars for the rest of the year, it would go a long way to kind of course correcting what's been a very weird twenty twenty four.

00:19:33
Speaker 1: Absolutely, And the other notable development on Sunday in the lineup was the fact that yes, against it was against the left hander, but there was a notable emission in his name was Jared Kilnick. Now, I think that it shouldn't be that much of a surprise to some that, you know, for the Braves to go outside of the box them stacking against right left handers. That made sense. Kelnick has been very bad against left handers this year. One of the things that was so intriguing him about the Stars twenty twenty three season and was that he did very well against leftanders. Well, it's not carried over to this season, but overall ninety one WRC plus a six' ninety. Ops, yes he had that good six week stretch and he also had the start of the season where he looked. Good he's done well on the leadoff, spot but he's been, very very. STREAKY i think, that you, know obviously what's kind of positioning itself is that The braves do go at an outfield, Bat you're likely going to see a platoon of Kell nick Versus rity's devall versus. Lefties but the other thing That i'll say about, This, stephen is that the underlying metrics certainly suggests there's a productive bat. THERE i think Keller nick still has plenty of. POTENTIAL i have not given up on Kell nick at, all BUT i also feel that when it comes to Kel, nick can we talk about you, know if The braves go get an outfield bat at the, deadline should they do, it you, know to where it's controllable for next. Year one thing that stands out to me is this is That kelnick certainly is going to play a part this, year BUT i think when it comes to his outlook kind of what we've seen from, him don't to give up on him at. All BUT i do think that it's also fair to say that if The braves do go get a productive, outfielder that they do control beyond this. Season one thing that also could emerge is, that, hey The braves maybe just fine With kelnick being their fourth outfielder next, year but certainly will be interesting to see How kelnick is handled over you, know the after. Today but it seems like that he's going to be more in applatoon at the ball going forward than anything. Else of, course time will, tail.

00:21:28
Speaker 2: YEAH i, mean, yeah we got to see what they do between now And, Tuesday BUT i do think we might start seeing, this you, know of, course depending on what happens at the trade, deadline but we might start Seeing kelnic sit against lefties, again where he goes back to being a platoon. PLAYER i don't, know, though you, know they gave up a lot of money to get him and they didn't give up a lot of long term. Money they. Gave most of the money they paid is it's only on the books for this year and comes up the books for next, year which is some of the financial flexibility that The braves have in the off season is a lot of money that they paid for all the guys that they ended up trading and trading away to get Keller nick ultimately come off the books uh at the end of the. Year but because they they did pay a lot of money to get, him they're not you, know the only the only they're they're not going to give up on. It, like the only scenario where he's not going to be a part of the team next year is IF i, think you, know somebody was really really interested in him in the next two days And alex included him in a, deal which you, KNOW i haven't heard anything even remotely suggesting that's going to. Happen but it's not out of the realm of possibility that some team really likes Kel. Nick The braves see an opportunity to maybe clear a log gym the next, year use some of his value and and tries to help the team in another, way but other than THAT i think he's going to be part of the team next. YEAR i JUST i don't necessarily know if it's going to. Be, hey we're guaranteeing you the full time left field job and you get six hundred and fifty plate. APPEARANCES i don't think he's fully earned that. Yet there certainly was a point in the season where it looked like he had but you, know the season is all it's a long, season it's a it's, uh you, know things change very, quickly and he's been on a, brutal brutal stretch where HE'S i, mean his numbers are just completely. Tanked and and so it does call into question how much do you want to just guarantee him for next. Year he makes some very little money in terms of his. Salary he doesn't have a long term extension that you're tied. To he does have minor league, options so like The braves aren't tied to anything with. Him they did spend a lot of money to get. Him but AND i don't think they're given up on him by any. Stretch BUT i do wonder if The braves saw an opportunity to get an outfielder with years of control after this. Season if they're okay with what you, said where he's just more of a fourth outfielder next, year and you, know and and then you just kind of see what happens from. THERE a lot of that will be answered in the next two. Days we'll see what they. Do it's possible they just go get a rental outfielder for the rest of this year and none of WHAT i just said. Matters BUT i don't think he's so good and so locked into a full time job next year that that that should stop you from going to get a controllable outfielder if one you, know becomes. Available it's just Not he's not that level of player yet where he should be stopping you from making other. Moves so that's another. One it's going to be to see what they do with, him and obviously the. Outfielder if they get an, outfielder AND i think they, will you, know how much team control does he? Have what does that mean for count it going? Forward all that's going to be interesting to see.

00:24:47
Speaker 1: Because the other contributing factor as we shift into the trade deadline discussion is that we've seen some notable outfield names already. Move you, Know Jazz chisholm to The, Yankees Jesse winker to The, Mets randy Or Rose arena to The. Mariners and the thing that stands out about those guys is that those were kind of your you could probably get even a fairly reasonable cost type players that could elevate The brais line, up especially where they need it against right handed, pitching or at least have the potential to do. That but what stands out to me now is that with those names being off the, Market, stephen is that many of the other guys you could see being you, know at a pretty reasonable, cost you, know that could be you, know acquired at you, know maybe a similar or a slightly you, know heavier cost than the guys that The braves got in twenty twenty. ONE a lot of those type of guys that are available, now they're really good against left handed. Pitching The braves don't really need help against left handed. Pitching today showed that they need help against right handed. Pitching and the players that potentially could be moved that could help This braise line up against right handed, pitching those are the significant under control for the future type. Guys Taylor, Ward Laris robert And i'm gonna let you get into someone that you really enjoy that could potentially be an option for The braves as. Well but to, me what kind of how this trade market is setting up the fact that we just talked about Kell. Nick maybe he's you, know you, know could be the fourth outfielder next. Year it could be setting up to Where alex has some motivation to go get a pretty significant talent that could factor into The braves planes this year but also next, year and that can help out with right handed. Pitching perhaps that option is more in play now than some of us may.

00:26:23
Speaker 2: Anticipate, YEAH i, mean there was definitely some noise today that The braves were talking with The White. Sox none of it was, confirmed of, course it's all, whispers but you, Know hayman had a report that The braves And White sox have been talking a, lot and that you, know all the names are kind of on the, table you. Know i've sat on the show a couple of times THAT i think there's an argument for going to get a guy Like Luis robert who hits both left he's and right right. Handers he's a good defensive. Outfielder he does have some injury, history and that's that doesn't. Matter but you, KNOW i think there's real. THERE i MEAN I i we'll see what. Happens you, know most trades don't. Happen of, course the vast majority of trades don't. Happen so it's NOT i guarantee, anything but there is enough smoke out there THAT i do think it's. Real but, yeah the, guy the guy That i've liked for a while Is Brandon lao Of, tampa who plays second base for. Them he's a left handed, hitter but he's also played quite a bit of outfield in his, career and you, know if you look at his, page he's kind of designated as a second baseman slash. Outfielder he's a left handed. Hitter he really really hits right handed pitching very. Well he has his whole, career and you, know The rays look like they're going through a period of transition where they're moving a lot of their more veteran. Guys lao, is he's, thirty he's got two more years of team. Controller he's got two team options after this, year both for a ridiculously cheap amount of. Money it's like ten and eleven million. Dollars But WHAT i like about him is that he hits right. Handed he can play second. Base you, Know nacho can go back, down Or nacho might even be in the, trade but you, know he could play second, base and then If ozi came, back he could he could kind of shift to the outfield and play, there especially right field In, truest which is pretty, small it's pretty easy to. Play he doesn't have the most you, know he's he's thirty and been a second baseman for a couple of. Years he's not like the the rangiest guy you've ever seen or the strongest. Arm but for a guy that can hit right, handed pitching as well as he, COULD i think he's maybe my favorite guy on the on the. Market. Uh you, know those options are so cheap for the next two years That tampa might not trade. Him but it does seem Like tampa's going through kind of a full transition where they've moved some. Guys you, know they, moved they moved To, rosarina they Moved, pees they move Zach. Eflin so you, KNOW i wouldn't be surprised at all if he's moved in the next two, days AND i wouldn't be surprised at all if The braves are at least involved in those. Discussions now we'll see what happens and who they like and who The braves are willing to give. Up but in terms of, fit somebody who could play second base and the, outfield a left handed hitter who can hit right handed, pitching which is The braves' biggest. Weakness it just makes sense to. Me but you, know it takes more than that to get a deal. Done so we'll see what. Happened but, Yeah Louis, Robert Brandon, lyle those two GUYS i think are my favorite targets at the, moment just because they both can hit right handed. PITCHING i Think Louis, robert even as a right handed, hitter has got like a one FIFTEEN wrc plus or something like. That it gets right handed pitching for his. Career he has left these better than, righties but he still his Right he's pretty dang. Good so it'll be to see what they. DO i do think they need help on that side of the. Ball and so, yeah that's gonna it's gonna be fascinating to see what ale which Direction alex goes.

00:29:48
Speaker 1: In. Absolutely and the other thing IS i know that what other teams do doesn't really impact What alex. Does it never has AND i don't think that it ever. Should but what's notable, is, again this will probably change as the trade deadline. Goes but you know the names that have been, traded these significant names that you know have been. Traded, yes The mets Got Jesse, winker and we've seen you, know a few you, know The phillies have made a few moves as. Well The phillies are clearly the best team in The National. League but what steps out to me is, that you, know The, brewers The, dodgers The, cardinals you, know they have not really made that major of a. Move so to, me, yes The phillies, are you, know The phillies And dodgers are the two best teams right now in The National, league especially with the injuries that The braves have. Had but if The braves were to kind of look at the landscape and, see, okay you, know other teams may not be necessarily moving like we, thought you, know like several thought they. Would you, know if The braves can go get that significant added bat and you get alsoon going, again you get you, Know ozsie, back you Get freed, back things such as. That the thing That i'll say is is that this, season while it's been absolutely frustrating to go, THROUGH i there's still a chance that this season could could really turn, out you, know to have a much better outlook going into the playoffs than somebody anticipate right. Now so you, know, again what happens with other. TEAMS i don't think Motivates Alex. Steven BUT i do think that if he found the right deal for that right type of, it that you could see The braves being in a pretty decent position going into the. Playoffs and then, hey at that, point you never know what's gonna. Happen BUT i will say that The braves offense gets clicking more like we're used, to you could see plenty, happen you know for The, braves that they can get everybody back, healthy plus make a notable move or two at the.

00:31:28
Speaker 2: Deadline, yeah you, know they're supposed to Get michael, Back Michael harris back middle Of, August they're supposed to Get ossie back kind of the middle end Of. SEPTEMBER i would still not hold out hope for. THAT i still think there's a decent chance At ozzie is not gonna come back this, year just because rist injuries are so fickle and guys usually take a little bit. Longer but, yeah if you Get michael, back who helps is a left headed hitter who does help against right handed, pitching and you can go get somebody that can help you in that. Regard you Get Matt olson, going like we've Seen Matt olson get, Going like that's the biggest. Piece, honestly If Matt olson can can find his form, again and then you can Keep selling And Max freed. Healthy you, know they're still saying That max is going to be, back you, know pretty, soon maybe as soon As. Friday they're still calling everything very. Minor they said all the structural stuff around his elbow is. Good so you, know if they get him, back if they can keep him And sale healthy and then Get Matt olsen going and get a little bit more pop in their, lineup get a little bit more depth with some of these, injuries Get Michael harris, back like, YEAH i, Mean Max freed And Chris sale can carry you through a postseason by. Themselves and if you Get olsen And ozuna And riley all, going you get you add another bat via the deadline Like bradyce have a, really really good, bullpen one of the best bullpens in. BASEBALL i, mean they could win A World. SERIES i know it's crazy to say for a team that just lost six in a row and has been spiraling a, bit but like right, now this team has enough talent to win A World. SERIES i would argue this team is a much better and much more talented position than the twenty twenty one team was before the trade. Deadline so of, COURSE i, mean this team can have a magical. Run but you, know they got the, injuries have got to, Quit like we can't take any more. Injuries i'm not expecting good news With. RONALDO i would love to be. Wrong i'm not expecting good, news but, yeah they got the, injuries got to, quit and they got to get medals In Austin rally And Marcello zuna all going at the same time hitting like, superstars and maybe add a couple of, pieces you, know in the, lineup and yeah they could they could Do they could still accomplish everything that we wanted to accomplish before the season. Started they still have enough talent to do.

00:33:53
Speaker 1: That So steve AND i know that we may be on a podcast together At chips and maybe on podcast together before the trade deadline, occurs will, certainly you, know have reaction after. It but as we wrap up this edition of The Hammer territory, Podcast i'm gonna put you on the spot a couple of predictions for the trade deadline when it comes to The, braves even if it's not, names just some. Thoughts but what do you have a prediction or too when it comes to the trade deadline two days from.

00:34:18
Speaker 2: NOW i think there's a very good chance they trade For Lewis. Robert you know, me you And scott did a show a few weeks ago AND i kind, OF i kind of talked myself into The braves trading For Louis. ROBERT i think it does make a lot of. SENSE i think it's very. Real you, know it takes a lot to make those trades, happen you, Know Robert, scott multiple years of team. Control it's going to take some of the braves best. Prospects but it does make a lot of. Sense SO i that that one would not surprise me at. All you, KNOW i Think scott talked About Taylor ward when we did that, show AND i think that's a very much An alex and tooppoless type of. Move you, know he's the guy that's expected numbers are actually better than his actual. Numbers And alex loves those type of guys because they're typically really good value in terms of how much they. Cost Hayzus sanchez From marlin is the same type of. Guy he's a lefty who's right as. Well his expected numbers are way higher than his actual, numbers and every time he goes To Truest park he gets a, ball you, know seven miles over the chop. House so that's another guy THAT i would not be super right it's at. All The marlins are trading, everybody so that would not surprise me at. All it's gonna be something like. That it's either going to be a big. Move it's either going to be Like Luis robert or it's gonna Be, hey here's a list of guys who's expected numbers are better than their actual. Numbers they play the outfield and they can hit right handed, pitching and you Know Taylor, Ward Hayesus, sanchez guys like. That you, know in worst case, SCENARIO i think they'll go get like A Lane adams if everything else falls through and they just want to get another. Body Lane adams is a bit redundant because he's a lefty master who strugg was against right handed pitching and and The braves already kind of have that prototype in their. Lineup but you, know if everything else falls, Through i'm Guessing alex goes and gets something like that just as another body to add to the. Lineup SO i know that's like seven different guesses in your, answer BUT i would probably just rank him in, tiers LIKE i think tier. One if you Gave, alex you, know everything he, wanted he would go get a guy Like Lewis. Robert if that doesn't, WORK i think he moves to the you, know expected number are better than actual number of Guys Jesus Sanchez Hill, award and if those fall, through you go to you, know you go to Your Lane adams of the world and and see if if you can get. Him but but, yeah that's that's HOW i see it. Going and you, know we'll, see we'll all find out.

00:36:50
Speaker 1: Together SO i made the mistake before of, tribute of owing tribute to Former braves Like, Adams BUT i believe you THINK i Mean Lane thomas of The nationals.

00:36:59
Speaker 2: RIGHT i Told brad THAT i was going to do, This Lane thomas.

00:37:04
Speaker 1: Lan, Adams, YES i made the mistake before.

00:37:08
Speaker 2: To Lane Thomas Lane adams formally of The, BRAVES i KNEW i. WAS i KNEW i was gonna do.

00:37:15
Speaker 1: THAT i think that it's probably going to be a trickle down. Effect and WHAT i mean by that is this is THAT i do think that The braves are going to try to go out and get an impact, bat one that's. CONTROLLABLE i think they definitely are going to do that because the other thing about getting an impact bat is that you don't Have Marcella zuna but for another. Year you don't know what you're going to get From Ronald Acuna junior next, year coming off his SECOND aco. Injury Ozy albi's is not being you, know he had a great year in twenty twenty, three but he's also been injury prone as of. Late so there's plenty of, reasons even if they're not always. Mentioned there's plenty of reasons to go out and get a, impact controllable. Bat SO i do think That alexandopolis is looking like A Luis robert or A brandon law you, know if not that maybe go get A Taylor. WARD i also, think especially if you See Ronaldo lopez, potentially you, know if there is a significant injury there that maybe put his twenty twenty five in. JEOPARDY i wonder If alexandoppless goes and dips into either The a's or The rockies bucket again and go get some you, know potential controllable Pitcher Cal quantrill Or Austin, gomber who are both controlled through twenty twenty. Five could Have Paul, blackburn you, know be someone that you, Know alex could you, know talk about you, know no one that you know you really would expect maybe to be in the in the playoffs, rotation but you at least could see them be in productive regular season contributors both this year next. Year so that's the type of thing THAT i can, see you know WHAT i would look if we Got Taylor ward as well as one of those, pitchers it would be a successful. Deadline you, Know i'm not NECESSARILY i believe his name Is Luis rengifo as. Well i'm not necessarily sure if his profile really matches what The braves look, at but he could be another option that could play multiple. Positions that's controllable like A Brandon. Lyles SO i THINK i think that he's actually especially If lopez is a significant, INJURY i think you could see notable moves made for a bat and an. Arm but at the very end of the, DAY i do think that there's gonna be multiple moves made and it's gonna be exciting to see to what level they're. Made But, stephen do you have anything for US a guinness we wrape up this edition of The Hammer territory.

00:39:17
Speaker 2: Podcast no apologies to The Layne thomas family for calling Him Leane adams multiple. Times BUT i do think there's also a possibility That braves maybe go get you, know last year they just went and got, randomly they just went and Got Nicky lopez to help shore up the middle infield. Defense and that would not surprise me at all if they got you, know kind of a light hitting but really good defender up the. Middle you, KNOW i know they win get With, merrifield but he's more of a he's more of a base, steeler pincher runner. Type he's he's pretty weak in the. Field you, Know ozzie's of course going to be down for a. While you, KNOW i don't know how much Longer natcho it's going to be, up or even if he's gonna be in the organization in a couple of. Days so that wouldn't surprise me at all if they went and did another kind Of Nicky lopez type. Acquisition but, yeah it's gonna be. Fascinating you, KNOW i love this time of. Year you, KNOW i have all the all of my notifications, on so you, know if If rosenthal or anybody drops a, trade then it pops right up on the. Phone and so it's always. Fun it's always entertaining to see what the team's gonna. DO i do think there'll be. MOVES i don't think they're just gonna stand. PAT i do Think alex is gonna. ADD i think he noticed his team needs more. Talent so it's it gonna be about what they, do and you, know we'll find. Out we'll find out. Together the next forty eight hours are little less than forty eight, Hours so.

00:40:41
Speaker 1: Yeah hashtag hug watch all the notifications you can think, of and just a will be a lot of fun over the next few. Days and one of the things That i'll mention is this is that The Matt olsen trade occurred on A, monday so it seemed like over the past few, years big extension extensions occurred On. Mondays in the, past it seems like That mondays have been the day when if alex And topless is going to make a, move a notable, move it's on A. Monday so, hey tomorrow that trend could continue and you, know twenty four hours from, now we could be, having you, know some very fun discussions when it comes to A Hammer territory emergency, podcast or maybe we'll even do one later. Tonight but until. Then his name Is Stephen, tolbert Be Underscore outliers On. Twitter my name Is Sean. Coleman you can find me at Stats. Sac until next, time Go, Braves we'll talk to you again on The Hammer Territory podcast