Kimbrel As A Trade Candidate

[clvclv]

I know Hart's saying "it's not even being considered" but we're all well aware that he's also said they're open and looking at every option to improve. Since Jason, Justin, and Gattis were on the table, we all know better.

Mainly starting the thread to centralize the talk about Kimbrel specifically since they're saying that the Grilli signing doesn't impact Kimbrel at all. Meta posted several recent returns in closer trades in the Grilli thread, so what would you think moving Kimbrel might net the Braves?

If dealing him gets you a Daniel Norris, Max Pentecost, plus or Profar and Mazara coming back don't you HAVE to take the deal?

I'd even argue that dealing Kimbrel allows you to keep Gattis - you'd likely get at least one high-ceiling arm ready to step into the rotation plus or two inexpensive offensive pieces in return.



So no one has to dig, here's Meta's list...

"Well here are some trades of closers:

- The Tigers gave up Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel for Soria. So let's start there and go up.
- The Red Sox gave up Josh Reddick + others for Andrew Bailey
- The Angels gave up Taylor Lindsey, Jose Rondon, R.J. Alvarez and Elliot Morris for Street
- The Diamondbacks gave up Matt Davidson for Addison Reed
- The Phillies gave up Michael Bourn and some detritus for Brad Lidge

So those are the starting points, but then adjust those packages up since Kimbrel is better than any of those guys."

http://www.chopcountry.com/forums/sh...886#post180886

[Oklahomabrave]

If the Blue Jays get desperate they'd be an ideal trading partner. Is prefer not to package Gattis and Kimbrel together, I think that negates a lot of potential value in a return.

[sturg33]

BJ + Kimbrel to Tigers for nothing. Let them pay the salaries... We clear about $30 million in payroll.

[thethe]

BJ + Kimbrel to Tigers for nothing. Let them pay the salaries... We clear about $30 million in payroll.

Not sure why everyone is concerned with payroll the next couple of years. This move would have made sense prior to Justin Upton or Heyward being traded so we could lock them up. At this point salary relief doesn't help the Braves since we probably won't be competing any time soon.

In 2 years it will be much easier to trade BJ under the following reasonsable and some not so reasonable assumptions:

1) Salaries are going to skyrocket which makes it easier to absorb 15 million for a center fielder who can still field his position
2) With only 2 years left going into 2017 the Braves only would have to absord a small amount to move the contract
3) BJ could theoretically show small improvements which makes him more movable

I just don't see any reason to trade BJ right now unless someone gives us a stupid deal. He can still play CF which is a need for us right now.

[bravesnumberone]

If we were packaging someone with Kimbrel, would rather have done that before giving Justin away. I'd rather wait to trade Kimbrel in July. Always a couple contenders with bullpen troubles.

[thethe]

If we were packaging someone with Kimbrel, would rather have done that before giving Justin away. I'd rather wait to trade Kimbrel in July. Always a couple contenders with bullpen troubles.

Thats the most logical course of action. Team could potentially give up two top 50 prospects considering the dire need and how many years he's locked up on.

[sturg33]

Not sure why everyone is concerned with payroll the next couple of years. This move would have made sense prior to Justin Upton or Heyward being traded so we could lock them up. At this point salary relief doesn't help the Braves since we probably won't be competing any time soon.

In 2 years it will be much easier to trade BJ under the following reasonsable and some not so reasonable assumptions:

1) Salaries are going to skyrocket which makes it easier to absorb 15 million for a center fielder who can still field his position
2) With only 2 years left going into 2017 the Braves only would have to absord a small amount to move the contract
3) BJ could theoretically show small improvements which makes him more movable

I just don't see any reason to trade BJ right now unless someone gives us a stupid deal. He can still play CF which is a need for us right now.

Clearing $30 million in salary makes sense to me bc:

1. BJ sucks
2. Kimbrel won't be able to help us anytime soon

We can use that money for someone like Cueto or Price next offseason... Or a big trade. Point is, losing Kimbrel doesn't really hurt us right now. Losing BJ clearly helps

[thethe]

Clearing $30 million in salary makes sense to me bc:

1. BJ sucks
2. Kimbrel won't be able to help us anytime soon

We can use that money for someone like Cueto or Price next offseason... Or a big trade. Point is, losing Kimbrel doesn't really hurt us right now. Losing BJ clearly helps

I'd rather not throw big money at pitching. I like the idea of continuing to develop pitching and let Roger work with them at the major league level. Its just too big of a risk to pay someone 15-20 a year and have them blow out their arm. Spend the money on positional players.

[Heyward]

Clearing $30 million in salary makes sense to me bc:

1. BJ sucks
2. Kimbrel won't be able to help us anytime soon

We can use that money for someone like Cueto or Price next offseason... Or a big trade. Point is, losing Kimbrel doesn't really hurt us right now. Losing BJ clearly helps

Uggla is off the books next offseason and they can use that money on a high impact SP if thats what they choose to do. I'd prefer to sign a big-name bat, we have lots of pitching as it is.

You dont give them away, its not like we're scrapping for dollars here.

[SidSlid92]

I'm ok trading Kimbrel. Can't see us paying him the $15 mil+ that he will demand when he becomes a FA down the road.

Blue Jays are rumored to want a closer, and have numerous prospects of interest: Norris, Pompey, Travis, Castro, Urena, Nay.

I would love a deal of Kimbrel plus prospect or 2 for Norris or Pompey and then 2 of Castro/Travis/Nay.

[Carp]

Trading the best closer in baseball who is still young and signed for a few years should get plenty in a deal. Not like trading a starter or an everyday player but Kimbrel is not your everyday closer.

Sure but he's also not cheap which is important. Jays could have easily signed Robertson or Miller for what Kimbrell is getting paid.

If the Jays trade for anyone, I'd be willing to be it will be for Paps, who has experience pitching in the AL East and doesn't have as much money tied to him.

[chop2chip]

You can, but to rebuild a whole system through the draft takes 3-5 years at least and the Braves just could not accept that timeframe.

Something drastic needed to be done. You just could not let talents like Heyward/Upton walk for a comp pick. If the right deal is out there for Kimbrel they will do the same but its different iwth him because he has already showed a willingness to stay on board at less than market. If the others did the same we would still have them around.

If you could sign either J Up or Heyward, that's the optimal solution. I wouldn't sacrafice that for prospects. That's not close to worth it.

But I think it's reasonable to take the FO's word for it that we weren't going to be able to resign them. Before anyone disputes that, just think of all the players that have left even when we were good and had reason to keep them. It's the worst part of baseball. In other sports every team keeps their best players if they want to. In baseball it's a rarity.

[thethe]

If you could sign either J Up or Heyward, that's the optimal solution. I wouldn't sacrafice that for prospects. That's not close to worth it.

But I think it's reasonable to take the FO's word for it that we weren't going to be able to resign them. Before anyone disputes that, just think of all the players that have left even when we were good and had reason to keep them. It's the worst part of baseball. In other sports every team keeps their best players if they want to. In baseball it's a rarity.

I'm not sure I would have committed big time dollars to Heyward. I really want Upton here honestly. Guy has proven he can be a dynamic hitter and that is what we need. But, when it became clear those guys weren't going to extend at less than market it was time to make the smart move and trade them.

[chop2chip]

I'm not sure I would have committed big time dollars to Heyward. I really want Upton here honestly. Guy has proven he can be a dynamic hitter and that is what we need. But, when it became clear those guys weren't going to extend at less than market it was time to make the smart move and trade them.

You finally have a legit top 10 player to overrate and now you underrate him.

Steven Adams is trolling us all rn

[thethe]

You finally have a legit top 10 player to overrate and now you underrate him.

Steven Adams is trolling us all rn

Whose a top 10 player in baseball? Heyward? Seriously?

FYI - Adams has been solid since he got healthy.