Kimbrel signs 4 year extension with a club option for fifth year

[Hawk]

FWIW (probably little), both Teheran and Simmons have the same agents (SFX).

[Hudson2]

I could def see payroll goin up to about $130. Even more if we could rework our tv deal. Simmons, Minor, Heyward, Upton would be the order I would work the next extensions. This all gives Wren a clear picture of our payroll for the next 5 years or so. Don't be surprised to see him target an ace at the deadline either.

[Heyward]

For those saying Kimbrel is more tradeable.

Why would they sign him to this deal with the new ballpark coming.

Everyone knows Kimbrel is a huge fan favorite, why trade him for a few prospects?

[Heyward]

I could def see payroll goin up to about $130. Even more if we could rework our tv deal. Simmons, Minor, Heyward, Upton would be the order I would work the next extensions. This all gives Wren a clear picture of our payroll for the next 5 years or so. Don't be surprised to see him target an ace at the deadline either.

I'd wait on Minor.

We cant sign Heyward until next offseason but i would have it at.

Simmons, Heyward, Minor, JUp.

Minor has 4 years of control left i think.

Simmons i try to get before Opening Day leaving those three to keep him, or two.

Regards to an ace, i wouldnt count on it.

[AUTiger7222]

This is a fundamental (and common) misunderstanding about our payroll. The Braves might not be in Philadelphia territory in terms of dollar flexibility, but it is pretty clear they are no longer a $100MM team. No payroll has been set for this season, much less next. It isn't outside of the realm of possibility that Atlanta be closer to $150MM+ when the team transitions to the new stadium in Cobb.

This contract is a steal for Atlanta, there's really little argument against it. The base AAV ($10.6MM) puts things in perspective -- it's only $600K more than Jim Johnson is being paid this season, at age 31, by the Oakland A's (a solidly small payroll team).

And Jim Johnson just had a season with more blown saves than Craig Kimbrel has in his entire career.

[AUTiger7222]

I think we can keep both. Provided they want to play here.

Take a look at the three most recent MLB parks to open, and the way those teams' payrolls trended upward in the two years prior.

[Miami Marlins]
2012: $101,628,000
2011: $ 57,695,000
2010: $ 47,429,719
Increase: ~$54MM

[St. Louis Cardinals]
2010: $ 97,659,167
2009: $ 65,299,266
2008: $ 56,932,766
Increase: ~$41MM

[New York Mets]
2009: $149,373,987
2008: $137,793,376
2007: $115,231,663
Increase: ~$34MM

The Cardinals stadium opened in 2006.

[Hawk]

The Cardinals stadium opened in 2006.

Thanks, that was actually the info for the Twins.

[Orphan Black]

Nice deal...never thought they'd be able to afford Kimbrel...glad I was wrong, and glad he was willing to sign for this.

[AUTiger7222]

Thanks, that was actually the info for the Twins.

Makes sense now. I wouldn't use the Marlins as an example since they had that fire sell and traded all those guys after signing them, but the other examples, especially the Twins, is very comparable to the Braves situation.

[mossy]

[jcc03004]

I don't remember too many complaints the consensus was that Lowe was still good and without him we don't make the playoffs in 2010

[Heyward]

I don't remember too many complaints the consensus was that Lowe was still good and without him we don't make the playoffs in 2010

It was a good deal mostly, we had no pitching at the time so i wont blame him for that or even KK for that matter.

First 2 he was good, 3rd year meh, obviously had to trade him in the 4th year.

[Knucksie]

This is a fundamental (and common) misunderstanding about our payroll. The Braves might not be in Philadelphia territory in terms of dollar flexibility, but it is pretty clear they are no longer a $100MM team. No payroll has been set for this season, much less next. It isn't outside of the realm of possibility that Atlanta be closer to $150MM+ when the team transitions to the new stadium in Cobb.

As most of us know, this board has no shortage of experts on what the payroll is and what the salary should be for every player over the next several years.

[Heyward]

I almost wonder if we're going to have to (and should) wait until next off-season to lock up Simmons. If the sides are truly that far apart on the offensive side of things, give him a season to show improvement there and we can see what we've got.

It's a good question.

But what if he has a very good year offensively and will cost more to sign?

Not bad to try to sign him now at a little discount (Longo's first, MadBum, Goldy among others) were discounts.

Im not sure what type of numbers are being thrown out though, years as well.

[Knucksie]

Nice deal...never thought they'd be able to afford Kimbrel...glad I was wrong, and glad he was willing to sign for this.

Yes, there some noise being made here him becoming the $20 million closer.

[Carp]

It's a good question.

But what if he has a very good year offensively and will cost more to sign?

Not bad to try to sign him now at a little discount (Longo's first, MadBum, Goldy among others) were discounts.

Im not sure what type of numbers are being thrown out though, years as well.

I'm sure it isn't more than 50 million considering his offense is pretty weak at the moment. I'd assume we're talking about a 6-7 yr deal at least.

[Russ2dollas]

CK's deal appears to have a decent amount of incentives.

Maybe we can do that with Simmons. Lock him down and then use incentives to pay him for offense if it comes. If they do, I just hope they use OPS vs avg or HR.

[cajunrevenge]

But what if he has a very good year offensively and will cost more to sign?

Thats a problem I wouldn't mind having.

[thewupk]

CK's deal appears to have a decent amount of incentives.

Maybe we can do that with Simmons. Lock him down and then use incentives to pay him for offense if it comes. If they do, I just hope they use OPS vs avg or HR.

Unless things have changed you can't put incentives on actual performance numbers like that. You can do it on games played, voting in certain awards, all-star appearances, etc.

[TDlxANDER]

People show up to watch CK. When he comes out of the pen....the camera phones come out.

Like others have stated.....worst case scenario, the team falls apart somehow and needs to start over in 3 years, it's a very tradeable contract to potentially get a nice package in return. Hopefully that isn't the case and he's here for at least all 5 years and a few more division crowns.