Garmel (10-19-2021)
I’m not sure who we’ll end up bringing back, but Freeman and Ozzie are our only 2 projected lefties next year.
Apparently even if Duval opts out of the mutual option, the Braves still have an arbitration year left on him. So he can only hit FA if the Braves don't want him back. With the uncertainty of the top OF prospects, Acuna's knee recovery and Ozuna's legal problems, the Braves would seem destined to keep him. Trade Rumors say Duval is projected to make $9 million in arbitration. That's a lot for a 4th outfielder, but not for a starting CF that can give you some pop. I wonder if the Braves would consider giving him a 1 year extension if he opts in to the mutual option.
I don't know how that would work vis-a-vis arbitration regarding the opt-out if initiated by Duvall. If it is as you say, I can only imagine that Duvall will force arbitration. I think there will be negotiations in any instance because it's pretty clear Snitker loves the guy. You may be the only guy here who sees Duvall as a season-long CF.
Last edited by 50PoundHead; 10-19-2021 at 02:23 PM.
Braves had surprisingly little impact from its patchwork outfield defense so far. Feels like that might still cost them a game somewhere. Rosario blew a play during the chase, but that's about it. Heredia probably didn't ultimately cost the team anything with that weird approach but he's supposed to be good.
Duvall did grade out positively in CF this year in a limited sample. He's historically been a plus plus guy in the corners and played that way this year when he was in left and right.
At 7 million (assuming both agree to that option) would it be worth going with Duvall in CF full time? A low obp, slugging, average to good defender in center wouldn't be the worst idea.
Hard to speculate on Ozuna. But Ozuna/an OFer for one year with Ozuna's salary in LF, Duvall in CF, Acuna in RF and maybe Soler back as the DH if that ends up happening. Should get some production out of that.
But it's hard to really say what going on with the OF. Just too many variables right now.
We don't know when Ozuna will be reinstated. Based on the DA's decision to reduce the charges and pretty weak plea deal, I would assume he will play some point, but that could be depending on the new CBA.
I also don't know why you'd assume he is by far the best hitter of the bunch. Duvy has been better then him each of the last 2 seasons offensively and has a stronger career numbers as well. Soler has was good for 1.5 seasons in 2018 and 2019. I wouldn't let his brief stint with us lead you to believe that it's closer to his actual level.
I have doubts Duvall can hold up as a CF full-time over 162. His bat would suffer, and I think that already may be happening. And his bat can’t suffer much before it’s below average. Soler is a better bet to be to be an impact bat. Duvall is what he is.
But I don’t know why we are arguing the two anyway. I’m not the one who brought Duvall up. I want Soler back as DH and a platoon of Rosario or Pederson and Duvall in LF.
We may be going back to the days of my youth when some teams had the equivalent of three lumberjacks in the OF with a late-inning defense-centric caddy brought in late usually to play CF with the starting CF moving to one of the corners. That might be a way to get Pache's feet underneath him as a big league player. Duvall's a funny player. Doesn't look athletic, but obviously is.