2018 Offseason And Targets

[Bravesfannchar]

Kiley just did a good job summing up the Braves plan:

I think ATL had lots of possible moves, they're at the opening of a window and chose to not act too aggressively. Standing pat for one more year of prospect development is the easiest of the correct answers, so that's what they seemed to have chosen

It explains all the short term deals and the reluctance towards cashing in any prospect capital.

And lots of FA OF names available next year that were discussed here.

Ozuna
Puig
Castilianos (SP)

[Enscheff]

Decent chance Matt Chapman is made available if the A's take a step back in 2019. Certainly would be good to have the prospect capital to trade for him.

AA loves stealing young impact 3B from the As.

[Enscheff]

And lots of FA OF names available next year that were discussed here.

Ozuna
Puig
Castilianos (SP)

3B too.

JD
Arenado
Rendon

All these guys should fall into the contract range below Machado/Harper that the Braves can actually afford.

I suppose it's time to once again say, "looks like NEXT year is when the Braves will make serious additions".

[Enscheff]

The Braves could still add Zobrist or Marwin and create an incredibly deep roster full of platoon advantages.

[nsacpi]

So what does AA say to the season ticket holders? Markakis isn’t really what a lot were expecting and were expecting a bigger offseason.

"Everyone wants to see us make a splash with trades and signings. I get it completely. … The one thing I know the fans care about is if that team is going to win on the field.”

[Tapate50]

The Braves could still add Zobrist or Marwin and create an incredibly deep roster full of platoon advantages.

I wouldn't hate Marwin at this point in time. Have to think his versatility and price point right now could be a nice fit.

[Hudson2]

Would 2/20 get Marwin?

[Super]

The Braves could still add Zobrist or Marwin and create an incredibly deep roster full of platoon advantages.

think marwin could work out quite well. and he won't be expensive based on what other guys have received so far.

[Southcack77]

Kiley just did a good job summing up the Braves plan:

I think ATL had lots of possible moves, they're at the opening of a window and chose to not act too aggressively. Standing pat for one more year of prospect development is the easiest of the correct answers, so that's what they seemed to have chosen

It explains all the short term deals and the reluctance towards cashing in any prospect capital.

Not a new theory around here either.

[Southcack77]

At the deadline you have to cash in prospects. But I think he will try to follow the model used in the Gausman trade. Cash in multiple second-tier prospects while trying to hold on to the best ones.

We put ourselves in the GM's shoes.

I would hope that he would be willing to give up things from the good list to get things of great value. I hope that he would never give up premium talent for an imperfect fix, just to marginally improve the team.

[Southcack77]

3B too.

JD
Arenado
Rendon

All these guys should fall into the contract range below Machado/Harper that the Braves can actually afford.

I suppose it's time to once again say, "looks like NEXT year is when the Braves will make serious additions".

I don't think the Braves will be serious on Arenado, but maybe.

If the Nats don't sign Harper, my assumption is that they will use the cash to keep Rendon off the market. Particularly, if Rendon's rumored ask is as reasonable as reported.

Ozuna seems like a real possibility.

[BeanieAntics]

The Braves could still add Zobrist or Marwin and create an incredibly deep roster full of platoon advantages.

I was sort of thinking about this after I heard about the Nick signing. Maybe AA thinks he has enough starpower with Donaldson, Acuna, and Freeman and he is trying to build a deep roster with quality bats up and down the lineup/bench in lieu of grabbing one impact guy.

It might just be me trying to figure out a way to justify the Markakis deal in my head, but I think an approach like that does make some sense.

[BeanieAntics]

If we signed Marwin to a 3/33 deal or something like that, our lineup would be incredibly deep. Instead of having Culberson be our premier bat at the top of the bench, he'd basically be on the far end of the bench. The only slight hesitation I have is Snitker's willingness to deploy AA's strategy, if this is indeed the strategy that he is going with.

But having a bench of Camargo, Marwin, McCann, Culberson, and Duvall would give us a TON of opportunities to exploit platoon mismatches. AA would have to stay on top of Snitker though.

[Southcack77]

Drew Pomeranz to the Giants for 1.5m guaranteed, incentives to 5m.

Dumping Teheran and doing a veteran scrap heap pickup like that would have made a ton of sense to me.

[tululush]

If we signed Marwin to a 3/33 deal or something like that, our lineup would be incredibly deep. Instead of having Culberson be our premier bat at the top of the bench, he'd basically be on the far end of the bench. The only slight hesitation I have is Snitker's willingness to deploy AA's strategy, if this is indeed the strategy that he is going with.

But having a bench of Camargo, Marwin, McCann, Culberson, and Duvall would give us a TON of opportunities to exploit platoon mismatches. AA would have to stay on top of Snitker though.

Why not do this and trade for JTR? JTR won't cost a lot in the way of $ and would definitely fit in our budget.

[Super]

Drew Pomeranz to the Giants for 1.5m guaranteed, incentives to 5m.

Dumping Teheran and doing a veteran scrap heap pickup like that would have made a ton of sense to me.

i don't think it was very possible to dump teheran, even paying most of the money.

[Super]

If we signed Marwin to a 3/33 deal or something like that, our lineup would be incredibly deep. Instead of having Culberson be our premier bat at the top of the bench, he'd basically be on the far end of the bench. The only slight hesitation I have is Snitker's willingness to deploy AA's strategy, if this is indeed the strategy that he is going with.

But having a bench of Camargo, Marwin, McCann, Culberson, and Duvall would give us a TON of opportunities to exploit platoon mismatches. AA would have to stay on top of Snitker though.

i don't even think it would take 3/33 to sign him at this point.

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

I was sort of thinking about this after I heard about the Nick signing. Maybe AA thinks he has enough starpower with Donaldson, Acuna, and Freeman and he is trying to build a deep roster with quality bats up and down the lineup/bench in lieu of grabbing one impact guy.

It might just be me trying to figure out a way to justify the Markakis deal in my head, but I think an approach like that does make some sense.

It definitely makes sense. Didn't Zobrist come within an eyelash of signing with Atlanta before ultimately signing with the Cubs?

[DirkPiggler]

Kiley just did a good job summing up the Braves plan:

I think ATL had lots of possible moves, they're at the opening of a window and chose to not act too aggressively. Standing pat for one more year of prospect development is the easiest of the correct answers, so that's what they seemed to have chosen

It explains all the short term deals and the reluctance towards cashing in any prospect capital.

On the other hand, by the end of this season some of the prospects, probably even some we are counting on being able to use in trades to upgrade the team, will go down in value due to injuries or inability to adjust at higher levels. Someone will be the 2019 version of Kolby Allard.

The point being, some of these guys may provide more purchasing power right now than they will at the deadline or after the season.

[clvclv]

Don't forget, if you trade for JTR, you likely trade Flowers as well. So you could dump Flowers, Duvall, and/or Freeman, freeing up plenty of space to be creative.

Ideally (for me), you make a Realmuto/Steckenrider deal for Riley, Anderson or Wilson, Flowers, and a throw-in and dump Freeman (adds ~ $2.5 million if Steckenrider bumps up to $2 million this year). Then cut Duvall loose and sign Marwin for 3 years/$30 million (adds ~ $7 million). Leave the rest (~ $5 million) plus anything Bowman was assuming they'd have left for a possible TOR addition at the deadline. I could be pretty happy with...

Acuna, Realmuto, Freddie, Donaldson, Markakis/Camargo/Gonzalez, Albies, Ender, Dansby

A Mac, Camargo, Gonzalez, and Culberson bench would be really strong, and Steckenrider should be a pretty solid upgrade to the pen over Freeman (not to mention he could provide another closing option).