A couple targets I'd like to see us make a run at that shouldn't cost an awful lot in terms of either money or prospects...
1. Domingo Santana
2. Jeurys Familia
*If we could add Familia and Britton, our bullpen instantly becomes a serious strength. I think Familia should be a main target because he should be the "cheapest" reliever that's been a legit back-end arm. He gives us another option at closer to pair with Viz and Minter.
"Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon"
The way Grandal is playing is there a chance he don’t get a qualifying offer?
Grandal is still going to get paid. He's the top pitch framer this year, #2 in offense, and #3 in defense.
The only thing I don't like about Grandal is we'd lose our 3rd overall pick (#60-#65)
Grandal would get a guaranteed contract of at least 4 years, 70+ million. He'd turn down the QO instantly. Great pitch framer, and good defender. At least 10-15 teams could use a catcher upgrade. Astros, Nats, Braves, Dodgers may keep him, Mets, Rockies to name a few. Grandal will have a large market and he'll be rewarded very nicely.
The more I look at risk/reward the more I like Donaldson if we can get him on a 1 year prove it deal.
3:13 AA kept cards close to his chest, but do you see them moving on from Markakis and Suzuki and finding younger guys to fill those spots?
Steve Adams
3:15 I think they'll let Suzuki move on. Anthopoulos is coming from a Dodgers front office (and a Jays front office before that) which heavily emphasized pitch-framing, and Zuk just isn't that good there. It's also probably a large part of why they extended Flowers.
I think the Braves will be in the Grandal market. Markakis I could see if his market doesn't really take off and he's sitting there for a one-year deal in February, but I'd expect them to aim higher. (Brantley? McCutchen?)
Essentially, I didn't take AA's comments to suggest that they wouldn't sign any free agents -- just that fans should put aside the Harper/Machado pipe dreams.
Pretty much what anyone with half a brain already knows, and I definitely agree AA will place a higher emphasis on pitch framing than we are used to seeing.
I could see Maldonado being brought in to split time with Flowers if the bidding gets too crazy on Grandal.
Ramos is 31 and a slightly below average pitch framer who probably projects to 1.5-2 wins in a roughly half-time role.
If he gets $17.5M per season over 4 years he would be the 3rd highest paid catcher in the game on an annual basis behind Molina and Posey. I find that scenario highly unlikely unless the catcher market goes absolutely crazy this off season.
I think I'd peg Ramos at close to Cervelli money...3/35 to 4/50 range.
I am not speaking about no one in specific Mr. Smart i am speaking about people here speaking about Grandal when you and everyone know what’s going to happen. Any way I respect you opinion when you talk about Braves budget and you speak like you work for the Braves when everyone know you are just another fan.