Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Sports Geek.
In today’s debate, Loyal Homer dispensed with any pretense that he was not enamored with Jason Heyward’s long ball (that sounds so creepy, but I mean it platonically). Loyal Homer absolutely gushed about J-Hey’s ability to save the franchise. He explains that Heyward’s potential to resurrect a hapless Braves ball club warrants his call to the majors in spite of potential draw backs in arbitration and free agent eligibility. Loyal Homer skillfully points out the fact that Heyward’s bat has been a difference maker in the few games the Braves have won so far this season. I was impressed to see an aggressive side to Loyal Homer when he actually argued from a “win now” perspective, quite a departure from the norm for this Atlanta Braves fan. He ended his argument on the emphatic point that the bottom line for the Braves is that no one can predict the future, and the club needs Heyward sooner rather than later.
The Sports Geek disagrees with Loyal Homer, but he does so without underscoring the enormous talent and upside that Jason Heyward brings with him to Atlanta. Instead he explains that Heyward may never reach his full potential without spending more time developing all aspects of his game in the minors. Citing the cautionary tale of Jeff Francoeur, he explains that although Heyward is displaying plate discipline and power he still might lack staying power. Sports Geek provides a reminder that all the judgments made about Heyward so far have been based off of a relatively small sample size.
Sports Geek also made reference to Joba Chamberlain’s early success in the Majors. Chamberlain figured to be a great starting pitcher, but he experienced early success in the role of a lights-out setup man. Giving Joba the ball in the eighth inning meant you could rest assured the Yankees would bring in the Hammer of God – Mariano Rivera – in the ninth to seal the deal. But because of the hurrying of the maturation process, Chamberlain never got to fully develop his ability as a starter. He is still a great player, but Yankees fans might always wonder what might have been. While I take issue with the Sports Geek’s belief that Joba Chamberlain is no longer the pitcher he once was – because I believe he is, and he is just not being used effectively – I will agree that more time in the minors may have provided a more polished player in the end. (And, for the record, if Jacobs Field was not a veritable swamp, and Indians fans displayed proper hygiene – i.e. one that did not attract bugs – the Joba story may have turned out very differently.)
Both authors made strong cases, and I legitimately had a difficult time choosing a winner. On one hand, the Sports Geek points out that history seems to favor the prudent approach of letting prospects take all the time they need to develop. But on the other hand, Loyal Homer points out that the Braves may not have the luxury of granting Heyward that time if they want to stay in contention.
At first it seemed to me to be an argument centered around the premise of should a club make moves to win now or win in the future, until I realized that it seems like the Braves are poised to do neither.
The Braves are currently ranked at the bottom of their division and boast a record just one game better than the league worst. Yes, I know it is still early, but that is exactly my point. Rushing Heyward to the Bigs would make more sense if he were the missing piece to a playoff bound team, but that is not the case. The Braves are stumbling out of the gate in a very competitive division. Having Heyward on the roster at this point seems like a luxury rather than a necessity. That’s why I am awarding the victory to the Sports Geek. His examples of Jeff Francoeur and Joba Chamberlain were too telling to ignore. I respect Loyal Homer’s win now attitude and desire to put a winner like Heyward on the roster, I just do not think the timing is right.
In the end, Heyward is still a star in waiting – but the operative word should be waiting. Perhaps Bobby Cox wanted to see what Heyward could do before he retired, or maybe Atlanta execs wanted to sell more seats, but the best interest of the club and the player would have been to stick with what Atlanta knows best – developing winners in the farm system.
Posted by Babe Ruthless 
