Mark Bowman @mlbbowman 7m
It looks like the Braves are going to avoid an arb hearing with Kimbrel. An extension could be announced soon.
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman 7m
It looks like the Braves are going to avoid an arb hearing with Kimbrel. An extension could be announced soon.
This would be a dream come true, I was under the assumption we were going to have to trade him after this year. PLEASE BE TRUE!!!
If it is true this is turning into one of the best offseasons ever!
No chance this is a long term extension right?
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN · 2m
Long-term extension is the only way ATL would be able to keep Craig Kimbrel. Dollars wouldn't work for ATL going yr.-to-yr. in arbitration.
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal · 1m
Source: #Braves indeed close to extension with Kimbrel.
David O'Brien @ajcbraves · 1m
#Braves are about to announce a Kimbrel contract this morning
Atlanta Braves @Braves 21s
The #Braves have agreed to terms with @kimbrel46 on a four-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
Atlanta Braves @Braves 36s
Kimbrel's contract runs through the 2017 season and includes an option for 2018. #Braves
Wow, that was really unexpected. It would be cool if we could keep Kimbrel for a few more years at an affordable rate.
We all thought that Wren needed to keep this core together and he agreed.
Listen, I've been critical this off season for the lack of player moves for the Braves, but now we know why. Wren very smartly locked up his core players for a long time, because of this it's been a very successful off season. To me Kimbrel was key along with Freeman. Once in a lifetime closers just don't grow on trees like Kimbrel what a great job. My next guess would be an extension for Andrelton Simmons, although that's a pressing issue yet. Great job Frank.
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN 5m
Braves just announced Craig Kimbrel has agreed to a four-year deal. More great news for the franchise.
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal 57s
Kimbrel four-year extension with #Braves buys out all 3 years of arbitration and 1 year of free agency. Club option would buy out 2nd year.
Now Rosenthal is reporting that there is an option for a fifth year. Lets hope these numbers aren't astronomical.
Wow! I never expected to see this. Am I still asleep?
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN 45s
Craig Kimbrel at the outset of his career: 381 strikeouts among the first 883 batters he faced.
David O'Brien @ajcbraves 54s
#Braves Kimbrel gets 4 yrs plus a 1-yr option, said extensions team gave to Freeman, Teheran helped convince him team serious about winning
David O'Brien @ajcbraves 35s
#Braves Kimbrel gets 4 yrs plus a 1-yr option, said extensions team gave to Freeman, Teheran helped convince him team serious about winning
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman · 1m
Kimbrel said he didn't think an agreement was possible until the two sides began getting closer during this week's negotiations.
Hah, we are all excited about this!
I know I have been outspoken about trading Kimbrel. Thats not because I didn't want to see him but that hte price tag would be prohibitive. However, now that he is signed I am thrilled. Lets hope that they keep a separate budget for Craig and still devote 90-95M to the rest of the tea
David O'Brien @ajcbraves 1m
#Braves Wren: "I'm not in the camp that says anybody can close games."
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN 58s
@jaysonst reporting Kimbrel deal is worth a minimum of $42 million over four years.
Hopefully Simmons and J-Up are next to call it an offseason!
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman 19s
Kimbrel's deal is guaranteed to be for four years and $42 million. Potential Max value is five years and $58 million.
I can definitely live with that!
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal · 50s
Source: Kimbrel with #Braves four years, $42M. Can grow to $45.5M with performance bonuses. Option year worth $13M. Max value: $58.5M.
Glad we didn't trade him for Profar. :eusa_dance:
That is a great contract. I didn't think we would get him for anything clsoe to that.
Mark Bowman@mlbbowman
Kimbrel's deal is guaranteed to be for four years and $42 million. Potential Max value is five years and $58 million.
The Freeman and Teheran extensions, to me, meant that the braves were just trying to save money over the next few years. Kimbrel, I believe, means that they are willing to spend more on payroll and hopefully move forward as a competitive team.
If we can just lock down Jason for longer, perfect offseason. Don't expect it but I would love it. My hunch is they'll wait til after next season at least, and see if there's a big cost difference between keeping him or Justin.
These last few weeks have been a most unexpected turn for this team. Never thought we'd ever see this level of commitment as long as our current ownership was in place. One happy Braves fan here in NC.
My guess is it is structured something like this:
2014 8M
2015 8M
2016 11M
2017 13M
2018 option for 13M
Priced for him to be a 2.5 WAR/year player during the life of the contract.
As with the Freeman and Teheran deals, there is a discount relative to market but it is relatively small. None of these deals will turn out to be team friendly to the tune of the Sale and Goldschmidt deals.
I know few people will be concerned with budget flexibility down the road, but this deal will create some problems, especially in 2017. It would have been better to do it three years, with one or two option years.
I love Simmons, but I'm not too concerned about him. Our best position prospect is Peraza who's by all accounts a great glove SS. Simmons more so than Freddie or Jason I'm aggressive with my approach to retain. He has to sign below market or let him go in a year or 2.
Talking Chop @TalkingChop 1m
The next contract extension should be Frank Wren's.
boom. awesome news.
Thats exactly what we're trying to exploit. From klaw chat this week:
"Lark11 (Earth)
Given that MLB revenues are exploding at such incredible rate, isn't it likely that the percentage of revenues that trickle down to player salaries is lagging? If it's lagging, then aren't there bargains to be had, namely teams flush with revenue signing players to long-term extension before the labor cost % starts to catch up to the revenue explosion? Wouldn't it be wise to lock up talent before the market starts to reflect the new revenue reality?
Klaw (1:12 PM)
Yes, and I think some teams are figuring that out with contract extensions like Freeman's. I would also anticipate a few agents, like Boras or CAA, with a few elite players to try to push them to free agency to take advantage of the weaker FA crops and industry revenue surge."