Flowers, Braves agree to one-year extension

[Southcack77]

Looks like a pretty good deal.

Flowers is worth $4 million next year most likely. If he collapses move on with no harm done. 6million won't break the bank for an option.

[TURBO]

I'm hoping this is a sign the Braves are correctly valuing catcher framing now that AA has come over from the Dodgers and pulled the FO into the 21st century.

I would be surprised to see Suzuki extended with his poor pitch framing metrics. With Flowers in place as a safety net, hopefully they aim higher this off season. Suzuki seems to be in the same boat as Markakis...Plan C or D if other bigger fish can't be caught.

Does WAR use Pitch framing in calculations?

[Enscheff]

Not fWAR, and I don't think bWAR (though I don't really bother with bWAR anymore for pitchers or hitters, so I don't know for sure).

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

That's a good deal and better to get it done now.

[thewupk]

Does WAR use Pitch framing in calculations?

nope. you can add it in though manually.

[Chico]

Gausman, Duvall, Oday, and now Flowers. AA is getting a head start on filling out the roster for 2019. This will allow him to shop for upgrades and wants as opposed to needs. I approve of this method.

[Super]

Gausman, Duvall, Oday, and now Flowers. AA is getting a head start on filling out the roster for 2019. This will allow him to shop for upgrades and wants as opposed to needs. I approve of this method.

good point. staying mostly out of bidding wars for pieces like these to fill out rosters should save some coin.

[Chico]

good point. staying mostly out of bidding wars for pieces like these to fill out rosters should save some coin.

Also, agents and opposing GMs know when you have a glaring hole. We can still shop for a catcher, 3B, Corner OF, SP, or RP for upgrades without looking desperate.

[nsacpi]

I'd try to bring in a better offensive catcher.

Already have offensive questions at SS, 3B, CF, and Muk is a FA.

That's half the damn lineup but good for TFlo, hope he's the backup though.

I understand the concerns about the offense, but when you look at the full picture we get a lot from the "lighter hitting" players defensively.

Ender is a gold glover at a premium defensive position. Swanson is a strong defender at a premium position and still cheap. Camargo is very good defensively and also cheap. Flowers contributes a lot via his framing skills and ability to handle a young staff. Also none of them are black holes offensively.

So looking at the full picture, I'm fine with how we are filling out those four positions. Although I would like to add a bit in the off-season in terms of infield depth.

[Hulavol]

Need to sign Machado....

[UNCBlue012]

Also, agents and opposing GMs know when you have a glaring hole. We can still shop for a catcher, 3B, Corner OF, SP, or RP for upgrades without looking desperate.

Need to sign Machado....

Yes please:
Ender CF
Machado 3B
Freeman 1B
Acuna LF
Markakis RF
Albies 2B
Flowers/Whoever C
Swanson SS
Folty RHP

[Hulavol]

Yes please:
Ender CF
Machado 3B
Freeman 1B
Acuna LF
Markakis RF
JT Realmuto/Flowers
Albies 2B
Swanson SS
Folty RHP

Fixed it for you

[JxnMissFan]

Yes please:
Ender CF
Machado 3B
Freeman 1B
Acuna LF
Markakis RF
Albies 2B
Flowers/Whoever C
Swanson SS
Folty RHP

Six months ago Neck needed to go. Now it seems everyone wants him back. I hope We can do better than Neck in RF next year.

[nsacpi]

Six months ago Neck needed to go. Now it seems everyone wants him back. I hope We can do better than Neck in RF next year.

who do you have in mind for right

[clvclv]

who do you have in mind for right

Depending on who's willing to gamble on older players, if Markakis wants more than a one- or two-year deal, there's always the option of moving Acuna to RF and trying to get Brantley, McCutchen, or Adam Jones on a 3 year deal. If you could get them for around the same AAV as Markakis I wouldn't be against giving one of them an extra year. They'd then be about Markakis' current age when that deal ended.

It's getting tougher to see AA spending big on any player at this point, and even though Camargo has arguably exceeded management's expectations I think they have him spend some time this winter tracking flyballs in the OF so he and Culberson can form a super-sub platoon while Riley gets a shot at 3B next spring. That would help offensively when you use him at SS instead of Dansby.

[JxnMissFan]

who do you have in mind for right

I really want Pache. I know I’m a year early to bring that name up. I’ve had several opportunities to watch him play in MS. He is going to be a good MLB player. He should not be traded.
But back to the present. I would look at Pollock or Cutch. Not sure if either is a natural RF. But they could play LF and Ender and Acuna could move around. Neither one will give you a better year than Nick has given the team this year. I just don’t see Nick sustaining his current level of play next year. I think the money needed to sign pollock or cutch will be in line with what the Braves can afford. .

Just stay away from Harper. I think he is a problem. year in and year out the Gnats have more clubhouse drama than any team. It’s hard to believe that Harper isn’t at least part of the cause. Harper certainly is not a leader in my opinion.

Ok one more off the wall outfield idea.
Sign Donaldson to one year contract with options (which I think he will sign to rebuild his value). Put Carmargo in the outfield and plantoon him with Duvall. Carmargo has the arm and speed to play OF.