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

[CrimsonCowboy]

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 7m
It looks like the Braves are going to avoid an arb hearing with Kimbrel. An extension could be announced soon.

[ChapelHillMatt]

This would be a dream come true, I was under the assumption we were going to have to trade him after this year. PLEASE BE TRUE!!!

If it is true this is turning into one of the best offseasons ever!

[kyky3911]

No chance this is a long term extension right?

[kyky3911]

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN · 2m
Long-term extension is the only way ATL would be able to keep Craig Kimbrel. Dollars wouldn't work for ATL going yr.-to-yr. in arbitration.

[kyky3911]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal · 1m
Source: #Braves indeed close to extension with Kimbrel.

[kyky3911]

David O'Brien ‏@ajcbraves · 1m
#Braves are about to announce a Kimbrel contract this morning

[skidlee]

Atlanta Braves ‏@Braves 21s

The #Braves have agreed to terms with @kimbrel46 on a four-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

Atlanta Braves ‏@Braves 36s

Kimbrel's contract runs through the 2017 season and includes an option for 2018. #Braves

[thethe]

Wow, that was really unexpected. It would be cool if we could keep Kimbrel for a few more years at an affordable rate.

We all thought that Wren needed to keep this core together and he agreed.

[tvsportscaster]

Listen, I've been critical this off season for the lack of player moves for the Braves, but now we know why. Wren very smartly locked up his core players for a long time, because of this it's been a very successful off season. To me Kimbrel was key along with Freeman. Once in a lifetime closers just don't grow on trees like Kimbrel what a great job. My next guess would be an extension for Andrelton Simmons, although that's a pressing issue yet. Great job Frank.

[Millwood1Hitter]

I know some on here don't like him, and I will agree that he hasn't been perfect and made a few questionable decisions throughout his tenure, but I absolutely love Frank Wren. I think he's done a really good job and has won more often than not in deals, and he held to his guns with not trading away this young core, and now keeping them.

[GovClintonTyree]

I know some on here don't like him, and I will agree that he hasn't been perfect and made a few questionable decisions throughout his tenure, but I absolutely love Frank Wren. I think he's done a really good job and has won more often than not in deals, and he held to his guns with not trading away this young core, and now keeping them.

I've liked Frank and his work all along. Other than Upton, I would've made all the deals he made, even the ones that came up snake eyes.

[AUTiger7222]

I know some on here don't like him, and I will agree that he hasn't been perfect and made a few questionable decisions throughout his tenure, but I absolutely love Frank Wren. I think he's done a really good job and has won more often than not in deals, and he held to his guns with not trading away this young core, and now keeping them.

I have never understood the Frank Wren hate. He's done a masterful job!

[NinersSBChamps]

I have never understood the Frank Wren hate. He's done a masterful job!

People question him because of the moves he makes that don't involve current Braves players. Uggla and BJ are the big ones.

I applaud him for getting the extensions done that he has in recent weeks. Generally he makes very solid trades as well. His flaw is free agent signings though and with a mid market budget those deals can really hurt the franchise.

[Millwood1Hitter]

Gov, and I understand why he did what he did with the BJ deal. I loved the Uggla trade, just hasn't worked out and should have waited on extension.

My only major beefs with Wren was over the KK deal, I don't think that was a move or risk that needed to be made. And the other one was tex for kotch, should have taken the best deal possible no matter what positions the players or prospects involved played. But IMO, all the Tex mess is in JS who was an epic disaster the last decade of his tenure.

[holden]

I like all the deals we're making.

I will say that the odd man out on all these deals is the one I wanted to lock up the most, but oh well. This is a solid core.

[AUTiger7222]

Gov, and I understand why he did what he did with the BJ deal. I loved the Uggla trade, just hasn't worked out and should have waited on extension.

My only major beefs with Wren was over the KK deal, I don't think that was a move or risk that needed to be made. And the other one was tex for kotch, should have taken the best deal possible no matter what positions the players or prospects involved played. But IMO, all the Tex mess is in JS who was an epic disaster the last decade of his tenure.

But the KK deal was perfectly understandable. The Braves had absolutely no starting pitching. Nobody knew KK would bomb.

[Hawk]

But the KK deal was perfectly understandable. The Braves had absolutely no starting pitching. Nobody knew KK would bomb.

Exactly. It really wasn't that bad of a deal, especially if you factor in how much the Braves probably made in merch sales and TV royalties from Japan (Kawakami was a well-established NPB pitcher prior to crossing the Pacific).

Wren's first choice from Japan that offseason was actually Junichi Tazawa, but we were outbid by the Red Sox.

[NinersSBChamps]

How about that Derek Lowe signing?

[Russ2dollas]

I've been a big trade CK guy. But this is a very reasonable deal. I like that we are paying guys money (being fair and not trying to take advantage) and the players are being reasonable.

I really believe that locking down these key pieces is going to be a huge advantage for the organization. They will know who their cornerstone pieces are and that can guide trades, FA signings, and draft strategy for the next couple of years.

I want to lock up Simmons. Then Heyward next, Then JUp if possible (maybe at least till the end of his bro's contract). Gattis is too old to need an extension even if he becomes a stud.

I hope Wrenn will have a better record with extending our own guys then he does with FA.

Develop our own. Keep the studs. Use FA to fill holes, not long term contracts. That will be best for us.

[AUTiger7222]

How about that Derek Lowe signing?

The Derek Lowe signing wasn't that bad and was much needed after losing out A.J. Burnett and not trading for Jake Peavy. And Lowe was actually pretty good the first 2 years he was here.