Originally Posted by
Southcack77
I don't expect Flowers/Suzuki to continue being a positive offensive platoon. I think they are really only positive now in comparison to other catching duos. They aren't a net positive to the offense necessarily.
I think that the Braves need to upgrade their offense one way or another if they want to be real contenders. Catcher is one place where there are options. There are maybe four options out there that might be available that could help the Braves offense. Realmuto, Grandal, Ramos, and Cervelli (lot of trade chatter).
In terms of acquisition cost, I would guess it would go Cervelli (11m plus non-elite prospect), Ramos, Realmuto, Grandal. I'm pretty reluctant to give up a significant draft pick to get Grandal. I think the Braves future is probably much more tied up in whoever they draft this season than whoever they would trade from their bank of existing prospects now and tying 18-20m up 4-5 years from now on an aging catcher seems like a bad long term strategy.
Ramos would not come with the draft penalty and might be cheaper and a shorter deal. I think though that he'll have several big market options after Grandal gets sorted out. So not sure where his market ends up.
Cervelli is possible available. If not now, then at the deadline when the Pirates are forced to admit they aren't in it. at 11m for one year, that's not really a significant burden and I'm thinking the cost would not be objectionable. The Pirates may well be a solid place for the Braves to do some shopping at some point.
I'm not in total love with Realmuto, but here is a young guy with no long term obligation that will come in relatively cheap. He's maybe primed for his best offensive seasons. No question he deepens the order.
Maybe you can get an extension done or maybe you just let it roll and hope Contreras is ready or you can just see where you are and go back to the bargain bin.
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Just looking at the landscape as of today, I'm not sure where else the Braves are getting the offensive bump. I think they obviously sign or trade for an OF or two. I think they maybe acquire an above average starter. and they'll shop in the mid tier reliever market, I think.