GDT 8/22/21: Braves @ Orioles - Contreras in the lineup

[thewupk]

Well, the last month should prove that Freddie is the straw that stirs the drink in ATL. There are not many that could lose a RAJ and actually get better and deeper because of the responding moves. They didn't lose their best player when RAJ got hurt. Freddie is their best player. l cannot see him demanding to break the bank nor can I see the team repeating the Glavine mistake.

Hmmm.

Glavine did demand to break the bank and it wasn't a mistake to top that offer.

[VirginiaBrave]

Hmmm.

Glavine did demand to break the bank and it wasn't a mistake to top that offer.

I assume you read John's book?

[Heyward]

Well, the last month should prove that Freddie is the straw that stirs the drink in ATL. There are not many that could lose a RAJ and actually get better and deeper because of the responding moves. They didn't lose their best player when RAJ got hurt. Freddie is their best player. l cannot see him demanding to break the bank nor can I see the team repeating the Glavine mistake.

I dont think he'll want like a Pujols level deal, but he wont be cheap by any means.

[VirginiaBrave]

I dont think he'll want like a Pujols level deal, but he wont be cheap by any means.

I wouldn't expect the best first baseman in the league to come back at a flea market price, would you? By the time he is done he will be considered the best first baseman in Braves history and his number will be on the wall.

[Enscheff]

Given Ozuna's situation, i think you gotta pickup Joc's option. Duvall is probably back, and hopefully Ronald's okay for opening day. Ronald, Joc, Duvall would be a solid outfield.

Everyone realizes that option is a mutual option, and those are very rarely exercised by both sides, right?

[Russ2dollas]

Everyone realizes that option is a mutual option, and those are very rarely exercised by both sides, right?

I think Joc and Duvall have mutual options. Duvall has a 3 million cost to not offer him.

I think you offer both the option. I'm not sure either person accepts it, but Joc is by far the least likely.

That said, it's a weird year. Labor is an issue. Joc had a hard time last year getting signed. He didn't have the best year this year (maybe he kicks @ss in the playoffs and he gets paid). It's possible. Much more likely he tries to work out a multiyear deal with the Braves if he likes it here.

A LH hitter that can hit and at least pass in CF is valuable.

[Enscheff]

Freeman has every right to expect and ask for the Goldy 5/130 contract to be the absolute floor for his next contract, and teams should be expected to pay more.

But I hope AA is smart enough not to go 5/140 or 6/160.

If Freeman is willing to sign for a higher AAV than Goldy got for ~3 years, I expect AA to make it happen.

It's the $27M+ salary in years 4+ for a mid-30s 1B that should scare everyone. If Freeman follows the typical 1B aging curve, that salary will slam the Braves contention window shut a few years before it needs to be shut.

[Enscheff]

I think Joc and Duvall have mutual options. Duvall has a 3 million cost to not offer him.

I think you offer both the option. I'm not sure either person accepts it, but Joc is by far the least likely.

That said, it's a weird year. Labor is an issue. Joc had a hard time last year getting signed. He didn't have the best year this year (maybe he kicks @ss in the playoffs and he gets paid). It's possible. Much more likely he tries to work out a multiyear deal with the Braves if he likes it here.

A LH hitter that can hit and at least pass in CF is valuable.

Agreed. Joc is the exact type of player the Braves needed on the roster from opening day.

AA eventually cobbled together the roster we all knew needed to be built, it just took him 4 extra months to do it. So it's no surprise this team is now playing as we expected. I just didn't imagine they would storm into 1st like this.

[Hudson2]

Freeman then Morton would be my 2 main priorities then tackle the bench. I think Touki and Ynoa can replace Smyly for sure but we may need another lefty in there instead.

[VirginiaBrave]

Agreed. Joc is the exact type of player the Braves needed on the roster from opening day.

AA eventually cobbled together the roster we all knew needed to be built, it just took him 4 extra months to do it. So it's no surprise this team is now playing as we expected. I just didn't imagine they would storm into 1st like this.

Just flat got lucky that the Mets didn't put together a hot streak in mid-June.

[Heyward]

Just flat got lucky that the Mets didn't put together a hot streak in mid-June.

Braves were also incredibly unlucky in the 1st half. Blew so many games.

[thewupk]

I assume you read John's book?

Was this not the case?

[VirginiaBrave]

Was this not the case?

Read Built to Win it's a Paul Harvey more to the story thing.

[CJ9]

Freeman then Morton would be my 2 main priorities then tackle the bench. I think Touki and Ynoa can replace Smyly for sure but we may need another lefty in there instead.

I’m always confused when people get caught up on how many lefties or righties are in a rotation. Who cares? Just get the best five you can.

[chop2chip]

I’m always confused when people get caught up on how many lefties or righties are in a rotation. Who cares? Just get the best five you can.

I’ll always default to BPA, but there is a very strong strategic advantage in the playoffs to be able to set the opposing teams lineup.

[Hudson2]

I’m always confused when people get caught up on how many lefties or righties are in a rotation. Who cares? Just get the best five you can.

So why have any lefties on the team at all then? Just throw all righties. Won’t happen bc it doesn’t make sense. You have to have lefties for different matchups and balance.

[Southcack77]

Just flat got lucky that the Mets didn't put together a hot streak in mid-June.

Luck that a team now under .500 didn't have a hot streak while it had lots of guys in the shelf?

[CJ9]

So why have any lefties on the team at all then? Just throw all righties. Won’t happen bc it doesn’t make sense. You have to have lefties for different matchups and balance.

Out of the bullpen for late game situations, of course you need lefties.

But being unsure about only one lefty in the rotation when the four righties would be better than any lefty available? Just seems strange to put a less talented starter in the rotation when they’re going to face some teams with righty heavy lineups, some teams with lefty heavy lineups. Just get the best starters and let them pitch.