Braves aren't signing Moncada isn't happening because John Hart hates offense
Well if we dont get Moncada it would be nice to spend money on something other than old journeyment relief pitchers, back up catchers and weak hitting out fielders.
(watch us sign aioki, and like a former giant relief pitcher. )
jpx7 (01-16-2015)
Many outlets have reported we are scouting him heavily
http://www.baseballamerica.com/inter...cada-showcase/
http://www.chatsports.com/atlanta-br...ada-2-10714728
Seems like a waste of time and effort if we had no interest in at least giving the bidding process a try. Does that mean we will get him? Obviously not... but we are very clearly interested.
You don't send Blakeley and Clark if you aren't at least a bit serious.
Last edited by zbhargrove; 01-16-2015 at 07:18 AM.
Cespedes decided between the Marlins and A's. Also in the ring were the Orioles, White Sox, Cubs, and Tigers. Bigger wallets than the A's, for sure, but not the Yanks, Red Sox, or Dodgers. The A's signed for Cespedes for an $8M/Y commitment over 4 years. Whoever signs Moncada will have to write a a couple of HUGE checks right off the bat.
It's not crazy to imagine it, but it's got to be considered a Hail Mary at best. If Moncada gets $30-50M in bonus money, as he is expected to, the post-tax cost is going to run close to double that amount.
The Yanks, Sox, and Dodgers have money, commitment from ownership, and the ability to eat an expensive mistake (insert Laird/Harang joke here). The Braves, IMO, do not. It's certainly a possibility, but it seems an extremely remote one.
I have reason to believe that John Hart is going to assume that Moncada is the right player at the wrong time and will therefore not be part of the plan to field a palatable team in 2015 while focusing mainly on 2017 and also trying to be the girl at the dance that isn't necessarily the best looking but is the one that is most fun to dance with while keeping in mind that the 2014 Braves were not the 1927 Yankees.
jpx7 (01-16-2015)
I agree that Moncada is a Hail Mary. <5% chance we get him. The range I see most often is $30-40m for bonus ($60-80m with 100% penalty). Then you still need to pay for his arbitration years, which could bring the cost to more like $100m over 6 years. I think the market for Cuban players may have jumped the shark at this point. Moncada's floor is an everyday regular from what I hear, and he has the potential to be a franchise player. Makes you wonder what Bryce Harper could have gotten under this International system and if it would have been worth it.
If you think he's a stud - then you do it.
$100M over 6 years is cheaper than any established MLB stud on FA market
You're right... Clark went to his showcase for no reason... the showcase with scouts from only 5 other teams present... but sure, that's "every other effin team in the majors" I guess. Obviously every team scouts pretty much every player. It's obvious from the actions that the Braves have more than just a cursory interest... he may have interest in signing with the Braves, he might not... you have no clue. The fact is, you said only the one poster was saying the Braves had interest (and no actual sources) and you were proven wrong but you don't want to actually address that issue.
Last edited by zbhargrove; 01-16-2015 at 10:30 AM.
That BA article mentioned 8 teams with a heavy presence at the showcase, and 80-100 scouts overall.
The Braves are clearly interested, considering that they sent Clark and Blakeley. There is a non-zero chance that we'll get him. I just think it's an extremely remote possibility.
I'm just trying to manage expectations here ;-)
I think I got it, they will just make the outfield wall 300 on both corners and 350 to center so we can score runs in the new stadium.
"Donald Trump will serve a second term as president of the United States.
It’s over."
Little Thethe Nov 19, 2020.
We will need almost everyone on offense to either have a career year or play to their expectations. And for our pitching to do the same and stay healthy. Could it happen? Yes. Has this happened with other teams? Yes. Will it happen? Not likely.