Around Baseball 2024 edition

[Heyward]

Our old friend William Contreras rocking a 1.115 OPS through the first 2 weeks of the season.

Happy for him, and glad we got Murphy. But we upgraded, but maybe not as much as we thought.

[bravesfanMatt]

Not just throwing out. Teams are less likely to steal with an elite catcher behind the plate.

I still don't know that it would justify the cost, but I just thought it should be noted.

except that isn't true.
Murphy had 87 stolen base attempts in 866 innings where WC had 93 in 942 innings. Murph was better at throwing out runners of course, but it is easy to see teams ran on him more than WC..

[Cormier's Spring]

The most inexplicable part of the Murphy/Contreras trade is why the A's got Milwaukee involved and didn't just take Contreras.

[Pugfan]

Love Contreras and Milwaukee is my second favorite team because a huge part of the Braves great tradition happened in Milwaukee. So if I wasn’t a Braves fan I might be a Brewers fan.

[CyYoung31]

except that isn't true.
Murphy had 87 stolen base attempts in 866 innings where WC had 93 in 942 innings. Murph was better at throwing out runners of course, but it is easy to see teams ran on him more than WC..

I think it depends more on the pitcher. The Braves are notorious for having pitchers who don’t hold runners well, with a few exceptions. (Fried, Teheran, Glavine, Horacio)

[bravesfanforlife88]

[cajunrevenge]

Blake Snell after 3 starts 11.57 ERA. Costs 32 million for one year with a 30 million player option if he keeps sucking. Failed to last 5 innings in any start.


Reynaldo Lopez after 3 starts 0.50 ERA. Costs 30 million for 3 years with an 8 million club option for 2027. Went 6 innings in every start.

[thewupk]

The most inexplicable part of the Murphy/Contreras trade is why the A's got Milwaukee involved and didn't just take Contreras.

Because in theory they already have their catcher of the future in Shea.

[CyYoung31]

[UNCBlue012]

Whether it's during the season or in the offseason, I hope the Braves make an all-in push at re-signing and/or extending A.J. Minter. He's worth whatever they give him.

[cajunrevenge]

I dont know about that. I kind of figured he was a gonner when we acquired so many lefty relievers over the offseason. Seems like a lot to spend on a reliever considering the contracts we already have. I could get behind a 3 year deal but someone is bound to offer him something stupid. Like the Mets.

[bravesfanMatt]

Whether it's during the season or in the offseason, I hope the Braves make an all-in push at re-signing and/or extending A.J. Minter. He's worth whatever they give him.

I don't know.. what is the going rate for a lefty, 31 year old reliever who averages 1.2 wins a year.. I would imagine projections would be sub 1 war for any years after this one.

[cajunrevenge]

I know they wont trade him now but its a damn shame that the A's have a closer as good as Mason Miller. Throws 103 MPH Fastball with an average of 101. No reason for them to keep him. Should trade him at the deadline for a kings ransom. He is only a closer but he has less than a year of service time which means any team that trades for him gets 2.5 years of pre-arb closer making peanuts. Instead the A's will probably hang on to him until he has 1-2 years left or blows out his arm and loses most of his value, Theres few things less valuable than a closer on a last place team, but thats why they will stay a last place team.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Another potential pitching injury. Jesus Luzardo has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Nationals and will have some elbow discomfort checked out.

[bravesfanMatt]

it would be interesting how much more a team gets as control goes up.. seems the return is greatest between 1 year and 2 years.. but does it get much better when it goes to 3 years.. or between 3-4...

what I am saying is does it matter if they hold him until next deadline which still gives a team what 3.5 years of control.. outside of holding onto a pitcher's risk.. I doubt the return is going to be much different from this years deadline and next years... not taking into account competition for other closers...

[Carp]

Our old friend Kyle Muller is finding success in the A's BP as well. Not a ton of K's but the BBs are way down and so is the HR rate.

[cajunrevenge]

it would be interesting how much more a team gets as control goes up.. seems the return is greatest between 1 year and 2 years.. but does it get much better when it goes to 3 years.. or between 3-4...

what I am saying is does it matter if they hold him until next deadline which still gives a team what 3.5 years of control.. outside of holding onto a pitcher's risk.. I doubt the return is going to be much different from this years deadline and next years... not taking into account competition for other closers...

It should make a difference. The value isnt just getting a closer with elite stuff but the cheap pre-arb years. Conceivably they would get more at the trade deadline because during the offseason teams just have more options. The A's should use the fact they dont have to trade him as leverage and hope a contender gets desperate or feels he can put them over the top. With his big fastball I think theres even a lot of marketability with him to bring fans to the game. Who doesnt want to see a 103 mph fastball. Well, other than the opposing hitters.

[cajunrevenge]

Our old friend Kyle Muller is finding success in the A's BP as well. Not a ton of K's but the BBs are way down and so is the HR rate.

Good for him. I always liked him as a reliever prospect. Looks like he is being used as a long reliever. Almost 3 innings per appearance. I think more pitchers should be used as 1 time through the batting order relievers. Theres plenty who arent good enough to be 5+ inning starters but more than capable of pitching 1 inning at a time.