TalkingChop Oct 14, 2018
TC Chop Podcast Ep. 137: Payroll projections, coaching limbo and more
Eric Cole joins us. Greetings! The offseason is now officially upon us for the Atlanta Braves but the Talking Chop Podcast isn’t going anywhere. For Episode 137, TC’s own Eric Cole joins the program and topics for this particular show include the following: Eric’s thoughts on the NLDS, what transpired, and how it should be viewed in a big-picture sense At the time of this recording, Brian Snitker and the coaching staff are still technically in limbo Nick Markakis reportedly won’t be getting a qualifying offer and we examine his future What about Anibal Sanchez and Kurt Suzuki? Much...
TalkingChop Oct 13, 2018
Braves News: Nick Markakis qualifying offer, Ozzie Albies’ development and more
Atlanta Braves News Braves not planning on extending qualifying offer to Nick Markakis, per report The offseason hasn’t really gotten in gear for the Atlanta Braves yet but a report suggests that the team is not planning on extending a qualifying offer to outfielder Nick Markakis. Braves confident in Ozzie Albies’ development Ozzie Albies slumped down the stretch but Brian Snitker and the Braves have complete confidence in his ability as a player. “I have every confidence, and I think everybody does, in him as a player,” Snitker said. “He’s got the skill set. It’s sometimes...
TalkingChop Oct 12, 2018
Braves not planning on extending qualifying offer to Nick Markakis, per report
Not a big surprise. The Atlanta Braves will face a number of offseason questions and one of those will be whether or not to bring back outfielder Nick Markakis. Markakis is a free agent and is coming off of a banner season but seemed to wear down as the season progressed. However, he will be entering his age-35 season and the Braves may seek an upgrade. Fancred’s Jon Heyman reported on Thursday that the Braves are not planning on extending the $17.9 million qualifying offer to Markakis which would tie draft pick compensation for the Braves should he sign elsewhere. Heyman goes on to...
TalkingChop Oct 11, 2018
2018 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Peter Bourjos
We are recapping every player that saw time on the Atlanta Braves’ Major League roster in 2018. Up first is outfielder Peter Bourjos. Did you know that outfielder Peter Bourjos had not one but two different stints on the Atlanta Braves’ roster in 2018? Bourjos was part of the opening day roster after he was released by the Cubs in Spring Training. He signed a major league contract with the club on March 25 adding another name to what was already a crowded outfield situation. At that time, Atlanta had Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis penciled in as starters with Lane Adams, Preston...
TalkingChop Oct 8, 2018
Braves survive with 6-5 win over Dodgers
Ronald Acuna and Freddie Freeman both homered to help the Braves to a 6-5 win over the Dodgers. The NLDS will continue on Monday after the Atlanta Braves delivered a 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 to avoid elimination. Held scoreless for the first 19 innings of the series, the Braves finally broke through in the second against Walker Buehler. Nick Markakis worked a leadoff walk to get things started. That walk was the first by Atlanta hitter in the series. Buehler answered right back and struck out Johan Camargo and Kurt Suzuki. Ozzie Albies followed with a soft single to...
TalkingChop Oct 1, 2018
Braves’ bench decisions hinge on the health of Dansby Swanson
Swanson’s health will help determine the rest of the Braves’ bench composition for the playoffs. While the Braves have a number of question marks on the pitching side of their postseason roster, their lineup and bench is clearer. There are decisions to be made though and the biggest may have to do with who is available from a physical standpoint. Lineup Locks: (Tyler Flowers/Kurt Suzuki, Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Johan Camargo, Ronald Acuña Jr. Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis) No surprises here as this has been the core of the team’s lineup for the better part of the season....
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sep 30, 2018
Nick Markakis starts 162nd game of season
Nick Markakis’s 2,001st game was his 162nd of the 2018 season, further establishing his role as Braves ironman.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sep 28, 2018
Nick Markakis compares Ronald Acuna with Manny Machado as a rookie
One would think the Braves are tired of talking about rookie sensation Ronald Acuna, yet players and coaches continue heaping praise on the outfielder on cue.
TalkingChop Sep 23, 2018
Adams, Sanchez lead the charge as Braves’ bench prevails 2-1 to sweep Phils
A relaxed game at SunTrust Park saw the Braves victorious once again, thanks to Lane Adams driving in both runs and another good start by Anibal Sanchez. After the immense pressure of the last few games of this series, the Braves were able to take a load off and rest most of their regulars in the finale against the Phillies. However, that didn’t cost them a “W,” as they prevailed 2-1 to sweep away Philadelphia and knock them out of the 2018 playoffs with no further doubt. The starting lineup for the game featured both Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman, but they took one at-bat each...
TalkingChop Sep 23, 2018
Markakis, Freeman, backups comprise post-clinch lineup
No rest for the two lefties in Atlanta’s heart of the order, apparently With the division clincher happening yesterday afternoon, expectations were that the Braves would trot out a lineup entirely composed of backups and bench players for today’s series finale. However, that’s not quite going to be the case... because Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis apparently just won’t quit. Our final (regular season) home game of the year. Let's make it a sweep! #ChopOnGame Preview: https://t.co/NCRzVOdbFd pic.twitter.com/wVY7DAVTO4— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 23, 2018 Let’s go...
TalkingChop Sep 22, 2018
Atlanta clinches NL East title with 5-3 win over Philadelphia
Let’s pop bottles. Today is a day that likely will be remembered forever in Braves history. It began with Mike Foltynewicz getting off to a fantastic start striking out one and getting two easy flyouts in the first. Atlanta wasted no time at all jumping all over Jake Arrieta who could not throw a strike early on. After two consecutive walks Freddie Freeman struck out bringing up Nick Markakis who also walked to load the bases in front of Johan Camargo. Camargo lined a two run single to left field and gave the Braves a quick 2-0 lead. After another quick inning from Folty the Braves got...
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sep 21, 2018
For Markakis, this is what Braves’ rebuild has been all about
This is what the Braves’ rebuild has been all about.
TalkingChop Sep 18, 2018
The Braves, sprint speed, and baserunning value
The Braves are fast. But how much does that really help them? The 2018 Braves are fast. Not all of them, certainly (hi, Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki!), but as a team, they’ve got a lot of speed. Source: Baseball Savant Those colored dots are the Braves, and the gray dots are everyone else. Sure, the Braves aren’t above-average everywhere, but they’re above-average enough. (Nick Markakis and Johan Camargo aren’t much help, though.) Looking over these numbers, though, might lead you to wonder: “Okay, the Braves are pretty fast. But how valuable is that?”...
