Braves Offseason

[kg01]

Yeah, not stuck on Soler. Some guys have to go to make room. Really don't think that Canning is the answer. I am concerned about the rotation, though. If the Braves lose Fried and don't sign Morton, they are depending on Strider bouncing back after elbow surgery, Lopez duplicating what he's only done once, Sale staying healthy, and Schwells not suffering the sophomore slump (c.f.: Anderson, Elder, et al). What are the chances all of those come up heads?

Fried made $15M last season. Can AA not take the $8M he just saved on Soler, put a couple more $M with it, and offer Fried $25M?

Agree thats a lot that needs to happen, if they lose Fried. But what if he wants $30mil+ tho? How much would be too much for you?

And, like you said, they need 2 starters probably. And I'm not sold on anyone in the pipeline being ready. I really think they're going after the guy from AZ that's been good all but his one year for the Dbaggs.

 

[stinger78]

Agree thats a lot that needs to happen, if they lose Fried. But what if he wants $30mil+ tho? How much would be too much for you?

And, like you said, they need 2 starters probably. And I'm not sold on anyone in the pipeline being ready. I really think they're going after the guy from AZ that's been good all but his one year for the Dbaggs.

There's always a limit. IMPO, $30M is too much. I'd for sure offer him $25M/year for 5 years though. If he wants to max out, like DS wanted, then he will end up elsewhere. There is always a team that will overpay, be it one that perennially huge payroll (but often does nothing: NY Mets) or one that has nothing but is looking for one marquee player to promote (White Sox). There are always 2-3 in the Met's bucket and always 5-6 in the White Sox bucket. If he wants to finish his career in a bad situation or out of contention, he can do that.

ETA: His reality is he now has a concern for small injuries and durability. When he's on, he's on, and he can and does finish complete games. But he's also missed a good bit of time the past 3-4 years due to nagging injuries. Plus, he'll be 31 before he reports for spring training.

The good thing about him is that he has mastery of an assortment of off-speed pitches. He doesn't have to rely on his fastball and can convert easily to a junk ball pitcher. That is in his favor, IMO. So, I think he has high long-term value.

 

[Golden Tornadoes]

There's always a limit. IMPO, $30M is too much. I'd for sure offer him $25M/year for 5 years though. If he wants to max out, like DS wanted, then he will end up elsewhere. There is always a team that will overpay, be it one that perennially huge payroll (but often does nothing: NY Mets) or one that has nothing but is looking for one marquee player to promote (White Sox). There are always 2-3 in the Met's bucket and always 5-6 in the White Sox bucket. If he wants to finish his career in a bad situation or out of contention, he can do that.

ETA: His reality is he now has a concern for small injuries and durability. When he's on, he's on, and he can and does finish complete games. But he's also missed a good bit of time the past 3-4 years due to nagging injuries. Plus, he'll be 31 before he reports for spring training.

The good thing about him is that he has mastery of an assortment of off-speed pitches. He doesn't have to rely on his fastball and can convert easily to a junk ball pitcher. That is in his favor, IMO. So, I think he has high long-term value.

I think 5/$25 would be my highest offer too. Anything past that is an overpay for a pitcher who is getting less and less durable as he ages. Like kg said though, I don’t think anybody on the farm is ready though I am curious how Waldrep looks in ST.

 

[Techwood Relict]

Acuna could be used as a DH. That would take a lot of wear and tear off his knees.

Vlad could still hit despite broken wheels. Not that I think Acuna is that bad off. We may see him in the DH role much sooner than the field.

 

[stinger78]

Fried projected to sign with the Red Sox for 6/$136. That’s less than $23M per year. He’s already making $15M. This is one the Braves could do. They just saved $8M from Soler. That’s $23M right there. Make it happen, AA.

 

[Golden Tornadoes]

Fried projected to sign with the Red Sox for 6/$136. That’s less than $23M per year. He’s already making $15M. This is one the Braves could do. They just saved $8M from Soler. That’s $23M right there. Make it happen, AA.

Will also save $7M from not re-signing Luke Jackson I believe

 

[THWG]

Fried projected to sign with the Red Sox for 6/$136. That’s less than $23M per year. He’s already making $15M. This is one the Braves could do. They just saved $8M from Soler. That’s $23M right there. Make it happen, AA.

I'd be fine giving him that. I just don't want to see us go over $25M annually

 

[Golden Tornadoes]

What are the thoughts on the Bummer and Lopez extensions?

 

[gtbeak]

What are the thoughts on the Bummer and Lopez extensions?

Lopez "extension" is really just moving money around. The Braves agreed to guarantee his 2027 option in exchange for Lopez agreeing to move $3M of 2025 salary into 2026. Bummer's extension also guaranteed his two options while moving 2025 salary into 2026, but the final number is slightly different ($13M now instead of $14.75M). The question for me is why are the Braves tying to move salary out of 2025 into 2026 and 2027? Are they shooting for someone on a 1 year deal?

 

[stinger78]

Braves decline TDA’s option.

 

[Poodletop]

I liked d’Arneaux but don’t mind them passing on Luke Jackson.

 

[stinger78]

They may try to sign him again for lower than his contract amount of $8M. I think he’ll be snapped up by a team that needs a backup C.

 

[stinger78]

Just saw, per Fangraphs, that the Braves have 3 of their top 10 candidates: Sale (1), Lopez (7), and Fried (10).

 

[kg01]

I liked d’Arneaux but don’t mind them passing on Luke Jackson.

Oh no ... Lose Jackson's gone?

 

[Golden Tornadoes]

Braves decline TDA’s option.

There has been a lot of chatter about Drake Baldwin tearing it up in the minors and the stats back it up. Braves must think he is ready to be part of the show.

 

[stinger78]

There has been a lot of chatter about Drake Baldwin tearing it up in the minors and the stats back it up. Braves must think he is ready to be part of the show.

I'd rather Baldwin get a full season at AAA first. C is the hardest of the hard positions to play in MLB - between the ears. Please AA, don't promote him too soon, just to save a few million.

 

[kg01]

I'd rather Baldwin get a full season at AAA first. C is the hardest of the hard positions to play in MLB - between the ears. Please AA, don't promote him too soon, just to save a few million.

Yeah the Nacho kid was similarly balling at the lower levels. Good but not ready. Don't rush

 

[THWG]

I'd rather Baldwin get a full season at AAA first. C is the hardest of the hard positions to play in MLB - between the ears. Please AA, don't promote him too soon, just to save a few million.

Yeah the Nacho kid was similarly balling at the lower levels. Good but not ready. Don't rush

I live close to Gwinnett's stadium so I go to double digit games every year. Baldwin is every bit as good as advertised. He is going to be an extremely good catcher. Also, he is lefty and adds some balance to Murphy. We could also use Tromp at catcher to start the year as the backup.

 

[stinger78]

I live close to Gwinnett's stadium so I go to double digit games every year. Baldwin is every bit as good as advertised. He is going to be an extremely good catcher. Also, he is lefty and adds some balance to Murphy. We could also use Tromp at catcher to start the year as the backup.

We must live pretty close to one another. I’m about 10 minutes from Cool Ray field.

 

[THWG]

We must live pretty close to one another. I’m about 10 minutes from Cool Ray field.

That's about what I am too. Maybe more like 15 for me though.