Official 2022 Offseason Moves Thread

[50PoundHead]

The Braves get to make the decision whether to enforce the clause in every situation. Is there even a question that domestic battery carries a much greater stigma than drug or alcohol addiction in our society? I think the Braves have a very good chance of getting out of the contract, for less than face value, if they want to be done with Ozuna. Ozuna's choices are to take a buy-out or fight it and suffer through months of reporting on what happened that night and sports columnists opining about whether his conduct is sufficiently bad to warrant his contract being voided by a morals clause. Don't you just want to see the reaction to the sports writer that takes the position a little domestic violence is alright? Think about what that kind of public trial does to Ozuna's baseball future. If he wants to play again, he'd be way better served to take a percentage of his Braves contract in a buy-out and hit the open market.

It also stands to reason the Braves can't begin negotiating a buyout based upon the morals clause until after MLB issues its investigative findings.

I wasn't saying that drugs/alcohol equate with domestic violence. The point I was trying to make is that morals clauses really have to be specific as to what morals one is trying to enforce. If not, we're in court forever.

[Southcack77]

I'm assuming his contract has a morals clause. I'm further assuming that Liberty has no problem taking a stand that being arrested for domestic violence violates that morals clause no matter the degree of that domestic violence. Even if they lose the argument and have to pay the contract, the Braves get nothing but positive publicity for taking a stand against domestic violence and Ozuna gets nothing but scorn for having engaged in domestic violence. In short, if the Braves don't want Ozuna back on the filed, he is in a no win situation as far as getting paid his full contract. I suspect when the investigation is complete, there will be a buy-out of his contract, the details of which will never be disclosed, and Ozuna will be released.

Until a contract is actually voided, it's not worth mentioning as a possibility and a misdemeanor plea is probably not going to be it. It hasn't gone well for entities that tried it.

Jerking motion in the general direction of the positive publicity.

It should matter whether Ozuna is eligible, still good, accepted by his teammates, and whether they can dump some of his salary or not. That's about it.

[Southcack77]

If you can't get relief on the $54 million due him, I'm with you. You can't just eat $54 million.

I'd assume players' wives are close. Domestic violence involving a player's wife is bound to cause locker room issues.

I disagree with the last sentence. Two players can find themselves in a heated exchange one minute and friends 45 seconds later... even if it becomes physical. In addition, a locker room has an Alpha that can resolve those issues between players quickly and players that aren't good fits can be traded without a huge hit in perceived value. In contrast, a player that beats and chokes his wife is a bigger ordeal for team continuity, cannot be resolved by the Alpha in the locker room and loses all trade value.

That's a huge assumption. Not sure why all the wives would be friends.

[Southcack77]

I think the most likely outcome is Ozuna is so terrible when he comes back he won't be on the roster anyways, and the Braves will be paying regardless.

Quite possibly.

[Heyward]

Chris Taylor expected to reject the QO from the Dodgers, no real surprise there.

[NYCBrave]

I don't think liking each other makes a team win it all, but I think not liking each other destroys a teams chance to win it all.
It is only natural to do more for the common good when you like the people that surround you. A selfish team doesn't win as much as a selfless team.
There are leaders that can make a team selfless even if they do not like each other... but Michael Jordan is the only one that immediately comes to mind. His intensity and passion for winning drove teammates to the brink, but they were terrified of not giving their all for the team. Much easier to get that buy in when you like each other.

Good post. I'd go on to add it helps to have certain personalities in the clubhouse to keep things loose, especially when the pressure can tend to mount. Like you said, these are not things that will automatically win you a championship, but it certainly helps keep a coordinated approach. I believe there was a quote from AA recently where he said he he took serious consideration when adding players to ensure he was adding quality individuals that would fit the culture.

[ixiXSolidXixi]

They still need to re-sign free agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, who rejected a five-year, $130 million proposal.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/counted...124217274.html

[bravesfanforlife88]

They still need to re-sign free agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, who rejected a five-year, $130 million proposal.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/counted...124217274.html

That's definitely new. I wonder if it comes down to the 6th year

[CJ9]

They still need to re-sign free agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, who rejected a five-year, $130 million proposal.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/counted...124217274.html

I think that’s the first actual number we’ve seen reported. Rosenthal wrote this morning that a 5/$150 seemed reasonable last year but that the question now is about how much more money it’ll cost since we waited.

[thewupk]

That's definitely new. I wonder if it comes down to the 6th year

I suspect it's the AAV

[thewupk]

I think that’s the first actual number we’ve seen reported. Rosenthal wrote this morning that a 5/$150 seemed reasonable last year but that the question now is about how much more money it’ll cost since we waited.

I don't think waiting should really cost the Braves more unless some kind of crazy bidding war happens which I just don't see. It's not like the QB position in the NFL where every year the price jumps based on what the previous QB signed his extension for. There are pretty set limits on what players like Freeman should earn. It's really going to come down to who offers the most years I think.

[NYCBrave]

I think that’s the first actual number we’ve seen reported. Rosenthal wrote this morning that a 5/$150 seemed reasonable last year but that the question now is about how much more money it’ll cost since we waited.

It's strange how that tidbit of information about Freeman rejecting that deal was thrown into the end of the article like it was known already. Almost makes me feel like it was made up, since that alone should be headline worthy.

[Hudson2]

I think 6/180 is Freeman’s number.

[Tapate50]

I think 6/180 is Freeman’s number.

Its the 6 thats a problem.

[bravesfanMatt]

I just don't think I want to pay FF 30 million AAV.. I love the guy, but sports is about the best team, not the best friends getting paid the best. We could spread that 30 million over 2 very good players

[DirkPiggler]

I think 6/180 is Freeman’s number.

2022: $40MM
2023: $35MM
2024: $30MM
2025: $25MM
2026: $20MM


Add a vesting option based on number of PAs in 2026 that would pay $20MM with a $5MM buyout. 5 years, $155MM guaranteed, with a potential for 6/$170MM. It gets FF to the six years provided he's still producing well enough to stay in the lineup at age 38, and gets him over the magic $30MM AAV if he doesn't.

[McCann'sCans]

I think we all need to be prepared for the reality that he's going to get a 5 or 6 year deal at $30m per year. I'm not happy about it, but I'm trying to be at peace with it. Seems a lot more likely than a) them letting him walk without an offer or b) getting him to lower the price.

[Tapate50]

Does front loading a contract like that coming off a WS make some sense? With Ozzie, Fried, Acuna getting more expensive it could keep things static for a year or two?

[sturg33]

Does front loading a contract like that coming off a WS make some sense? With Ozzie, Fried, Acuna getting more expensive it could keep things static for a year or two?

why front load a contract with inflation acting as it is?

[thethe]

Make the tough decision and let him walk. Its going to hurt when he is top 10 MVP for the next 2 years.

Pujols started to go downhill at the same age.

Organization will be fine. First base is the easiest position to fill.