Big Atlanta Braves Questions Still Left Unanswered 2 Weeks from the Finish Line
With their loss Sunday afternoon and a 3-9 month of September, the Atlanta Braves dropped to 75-74 on the season.
Their -1 run differential is right in line with that record. Because of a lousy second half and barren offense, the Braves have been, both literally and figuratively, an average baseball team.
Their season is not yet over though. With two weeks still remaining, there are a number of storylines to follow and questions that remain unanswered. Some questions are pertinent to this final month while others are key to figuring out what Atlanta will do in the offseason to prepare for 2015.
Here are the five biggest questions still left unanswered for the Braves down the stretch.
Are the Playoffs Still Possible?
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Yes, possible.
Realistic? No.
Atlanta's recent swoon has dropped it 10.5 games behind division-leading Washington and a full four games behind Pittsburgh for the second wild card.
Because the Braves would not only have to catch and pass the Pirates but also pass the Brewers if they hoped to make the playoffs, ESPN's playoff predictor gives them just a 2.5 percent chance of playing into October.
This is terrible news for a team that not only had playoff aspirations but World Series dreams as well. It looks like Atlanta will have to regroup these final weeks and plan for next year.
What Will Become of Mike Minor?
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In 2013, Mike Minor was the ace of the Braves staff. He threw over 200 innings, struck out 181 batters and won 13 ballgames, all career highs.
After a late start this season because of an injury, Minor has never found his groove. Any progress possibly made during a competent stretch at the end of August was washed away by his most recent outing Sunday.
Minor has frankly been one of Atlanta's very worst pitchers this season.
He has somehow been worth fewer wins above replacement than Gavin Floyd's nine total appearances this year, or Anthony Varvaro's 51.2 innings of relief.
Because of the pending free agency of starters Aaron Harang and Ervin Santana, there is much uncertainty for the team's rotation next season. As surprising as this would have been to say back in April, Minor's spot in the 2015 rotation is hardly guaranteed.
He should have at least one more start this month before the season wraps. That one performance may go a long way toward determining how Atlanta views Minor moving forward. A positive finish to a disappointing campaign can build confidence.
Another performance like Sunday, however, could encourage the Braves to dump Minor in favor of the players battling for a spot at the back end of the rotation.
What's the Smart Move at Catcher?
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Last year, Evan Gattis played some catcher, some first base and some left field. This year, through injuries, he's been strictly a catcher.
His bat is too good to take out of the lineup, although his catching has been a net negative in the majors. Now he's no late-career Mike Piazza, but Atlanta happens to have options here.
The final few weeks of the season may be worth seeing what Christian Bethancourt's bat can do over an extended period.
He's already thought of as one of the best defensive catchers around. His batting skills are the question; they have been barely replacement-level up to this point.
If Bethancourt can hit enough to play at catcher, the Braves may be better off overall with moving Gattis back to the outfield. This could also keep Gattis' bat a bit healthier next season, so it's worth exploring even if it would greatly deplete the team's range in the outfield.
Is Chris Johnson Still an Everyday Player?
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In the month of September, Chris Johnson is 3-for-33 with three walks and 10 strikeouts. He has been one of the worst hitters in the league.
This comes after a poor July and poor August. Really, Johnson's entire 2014 season has been a disaster except for the month of June. The season is playing out like a microcosm of his career.
June is 2013. The other five months are the other years of his career.
Last season, Johnson's play made people begin to think he was a special player finally breaking out. In actuality, it was an aberration, just like the month of June has been this season.
Because of these struggles, other guys are finally being given starts at third base. On Saturday and Sunday, it was Phil Gosselin.
Gosselin has been okay this season, but Johnson is the question here because of the money he is owed. His contract is bearable if he's being given 600 at-bats. However, the figures become extravagant for a player wallowing on the bench.
Atlanta can't really afford to have Johnson not be its third baseman.
That makes these final two weeks very important. If the Braves come to the realization that CJ isn't a full-time player, a move will have to be made.
What to Do at Second Base...
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Tommy La Stella has received a little more than 300 at-bats this year.
He's played almost entirely at second base during his time in the majors. He has good bat control and a good batting eye. However, he possesses no speed, no power and a below-average glove.
Phil Gosselin has under 100 at-bats this year.
Although he has most often played second, he has also seen time at third, short and in the outfield. Like La Stella, he has no speed, no power but a good batting eye. His flexibility in the field is also a tool.
Ramiro Pena has seen around 150 plate appearances this year. A lot of those came as Atlanta's second baseman, but Pena is not a long-term option in the field or at the plate.
Jose Peraza played the entire season in the minors between A-ball and Double-A. He batted .339 with an .806 OPS. He stole at least 60 bases for the second consecutive season.
Peraza has good range, plus speed and contact skills to boot, yet he's never played in the majors and was not called up this September because of an injury.
These choices leave Atlanta with a conundrum: what to do at second base.
Peraza has the most upside but may not be ready. La Stella is capable but doesn't offer anything besides the occasional walk and single. Gosselin is similar but can be used elsewhere on defense. None are perfect options.
While the Braves have a number of things to keep an eye on as they approach the finish line, second base may deserve the closest inspection.
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