Jason Heyward talks possible contract extension with the Braves....

[goldfly]

Heyward: I grew up a Braves fan, I grew up in Georgia. I grew up riding past the stadium every day. They know where I stand as far as wanting to play in Atlanta. The front office is well-aware, and I think the fans are well-aware. That's my passion, going out there and playing every day. I love playing the game and it was icing on the cake to be drafted by the home team for me in the draft. There's a business side of things, and that's going to take care of itself, but y'know, we'll have those conversations, I guess, whenever they see fit (laughing). But, as far as me, I'm just trying to get ready to go play baseball, have fun doing it, and it's been a pleasure playing in Atlanta thus far.

http://www.talkingchop.com/2014/11/6...ith-the-braves

[jpx7]

****ing. Sign. Dude.

[Tapate50]

Very encouraging. I seem to have read that the Braves have offered what his numbers suggest on a LTD, but his camp balked. I have no clue as to what that number was, but his camp seemed to think another year of offensive production (and HEALTH) would help inflate the Braves offer. I would probably advise him the same in his agent's place. I would imagine the Braves do NOT want him to hit the open market as he will likely recieve more from someone else.

I may be in the minority, but as Heyward goes we will go. His OBP and power potential have the ability to lift this entire lineup. If he plays like last year at the plate, I don't like our chances. I don't think you can let his potential walk now that you already have it in house. There isn't anyone we could sign to replace him with as much elite potential.

[cajunrevenge]

I cringed when I saw this thread because I was expecting him to say all the cliche crap that I hate from players like

"it's up to the team not me"
"That's up to my agent and the team"
"It's not about money, it's about respect"
"I have to feed my family" - after turning down 100+ million

I will forever respect Andruw for taking matters into his own hands and Smoltz for turning down the yankees.

[gilesfan]

Its a tough call if he wants to be paid as one of the top players in baseball. You almost have to pay it and just hope he can figure things out and turn into a great hitter.

[Tapate50]

Its a tough call if he wants to be paid as one of the top players in baseball. You almost have to pay it and just hope he can figure things out and turn into a great hitter.

I don't see much way around it.

[cajunrevenge]

I would offer Heyward a lifetime contract. I would use Chipper as an example of what he could be. One team players are a special breed and get/deserve more respect. I would offer 200-250 million for a lifetime contract that includes a cushy job when he retires. Most of the pay would come over the first 10 years with low salaries after that. Say 20 million a year the first 10 then 5 mill a year the next 10 years. That takes care of that awkward time at the end of his career where a lot of players leave because the think they have more in the tank than they really do like Smoltz. If a quarter of a billion isn't enough for him then he is lying that he wants to be a brave.

[weso1]

Heyward to Boston, LA or New York is how I read this quote.

[gilesfan]

I would offer Heyward a lifetime contract. I would use Chipper as an example of what he could be. One team players are a special breed and get/deserve more respect. I would offer 200-250 million for a lifetime contract that includes a cushy job when he retires. Most of the pay would come over the first 10 years with low salaries after that. Say 20 million a year the first 10 then 5 mill a year the next 10 years. That takes care of that awkward time at the end of his career where a lot of players leave because the think they have more in the tank than they really do like Smoltz. If a quarter of a billion isn't enough for him then he is lying that he wants to be a brave.

250 million. Can Heyward play all 9 positions at once? Who is going to hit if Heyward gets on base without the use of imaginary runners?

[nsacpi]

somewhere around 23M/year for 5-6 years should be something that works for everyone

[cajunrevenge]

250 million. Can Heyward play all 9 positions at once? Who is going to hit if Heyward gets on base without the use of imaginary runners?

You stopped reading at 250 million. Read the rest.

[BremanFan88]

He spoke about his love for the game of baseball so clearly he's full of crap.

[Coredor]

somewhere around 23M/year for 5-6 years should be something that works for everyone

I'm not sure we could afford that unless we know the budget is going up with the new stadium.

[cajunrevenge]

I'm not sure we could afford that unless we know the budget is going up with the new stadium.

I think it's safe to say it's going up. The budget now according to Hart is around the same as what we had last year which was 112 million. We were at 80-90 million a few years ago. The added TV revenue plus new stadiums always get an attendance boost their first year should have them around 130-140. The reworked tv deal alone was an extra 25 million a year on average. After taxes and Liberty ' s executives taking their cut as bonuses should be 10-15 million in added payroll. That's probably what got us to the 110-115 range we are in now.

[Julio3000]

Extent, please.

[Heyward]

Its a tough call if he wants to be paid as one of the top players in baseball. You almost have to pay it and just hope he can figure things out and turn into a great hitter.

This is where i stand.

And we really have nothing to replace him with our farm system being bare.

[Heyward]

I'm not sure we could afford that unless we know the budget is going up with the new stadium.

It's going up for sure, to what extent is up for debate.

With the contracts they gave out last year.

[Heyward]

Still not sure he re-signs, but what would you offer?

7/150?

[ATL22]

5/100 seems more than fair right now. That should position Heyward to re-enter free agency as a 31 year old who could still get another mega deal if he becomes the player he thinks he will. If he doesn't, the Braves overpay but not terribly for the prime years of a Gold Glover who's still more the face of the franchise and heart of the team than Freeman. Heyward will be the first big test for the new front office talent evaluators. On paper J-Up is the better hitter to commit to long term but Heyward just brings so many intangibles that Id be shocked if anyone in the Braves FO really prefers Justin to Jason.

[keithlaw]

Extent, please.

Hopefully that becomes extant