Part of our usage of Pierce was keyed into the fact that his curveball played better away from Coors. It started to no longer do that, and so just not a part of what we try to do on the BP
Pierce just posted the worst K rate of his career (coupled with the best BB rate, but the K-BB% was his worst since 2017), worst FIP and xFIP since 2018, and a meaningfully worse Stuff+ mark than his first 1.5 seasons in Atlanta. I wish him well and wouldn’t be shocked if he was quite good in 2026, but not the guy his ERA would suggest he was last season.
Gotta see the numbers on what they paid but unless we are using that money elsewhere for a starter this seems a bit of a head scratcher as I imagine the number wasn’t that high.
I like Pierce, but felt he was becoming a liability with every appearance he made after May last year. His fastball didn't have much movement, and his curve was becoming easier and easier to see coming. It was like the hitters were waiting for it.
A typical Pierce outing with the first batter. Watch a fastball outside, watch another fastball, foul off one, then see the curve, hit into the gap. Rinse and repeat.
If the other starters stay reasonably healthy and effective, I wonder if they consider Waldrep for the bullpen. It seems like he would be unhittable coming in relief.
The Hand-Jonhnson-Mastruboni moment is officially dead
The one after brad is gone and pierce is on the IL is better.
The solo mission.
idk what you're talking about
Kinley and Suarez are enough of an upgrade on the righty front. I'm sad to see him go, but I think the Braves will be alright.
Part of our usage of Pierce was keyed into the fact that his curveball played better away from Coors. It started to no longer do that, and so just not a part of what we try to do on the BP
I almost feel bad for him.
Gets rescued from Coors and then has to go the next worst home run park.
Yeah MLB picked up on his only pitch this year and killed it at times.
Braves got the better guy in Kinley.
Reds need to pick up hand and mastrouboni now
They better have overpaid bc I don’t see why we would’ve parted ways with Prince Albert otherwise.
Pierce just posted the worst K rate of his career (coupled with the best BB rate, but the K-BB% was his worst since 2017), worst FIP and xFIP since 2018, and a meaningfully worse Stuff+ mark than his first 1.5 seasons in Atlanta. I wish him well and wouldn’t be shocked if he was quite good in 2026, but not the guy his ERA would suggest he was last season.
Gotta see the numbers on what they paid but unless we are using that money elsewhere for a starter this seems a bit of a head scratcher as I imagine the number wasn’t that high.
I for one was looking forward to him floating a hanger center center for a 7-8th inning game losing HR.
That was such a great game to that point too.
I was in San Francisco last year, I leaned over to my wife and said he's about to hang a curveball to chapman. Sure as shit braves lost
so it was your fault
Ahh perhaps, I was mad we pulled Elder
me, every time Iglesias had an opportunity to throw a slider this year
Shame. I liked him
Guessing $4Mish
Tough. I liked Pierce and got was fairly reliable when that curve ball was cooking.
Yeah it was cooking alright. For the other teams.
Sadness
Sad to see him go
Pierce. Johnson.
I’m kinda glad he’s not in Atlanta anymore
I like Pierce, but felt he was becoming a liability with every appearance he made after May last year. His fastball didn't have much movement, and his curve was becoming easier and easier to see coming. It was like the hitters were waiting for it.
A typical Pierce outing with the first batter. Watch a fastball outside, watch another fastball, foul off one, then see the curve, hit into the gap. Rinse and repeat.
Nice pickup? I wouldn’t go that far
Exactly. Kinley was way better.
Yeah MLB figured out his only pitch so good luck with that curveball.
Ok, good for him.
If the other starters stay reasonably healthy and effective, I wonder if they consider Waldrep for the bullpen. It seems like he would be unhittable coming in relief.