Rico, he's been the de facto GM since he extracted the knife from Frank Wren's back. He's destroyed this franchise, and it will be 8-10 years and another regime change before they are relevant again. Mark me.
Reading Bradley this afternoon told me everything I needed to know. He got his boss fired. I have no tolerance for that.
Wren is Dombrowski's number two with the Red Sox now. They made some missteps the last few years under Cherington. Wanna bet they can rebuild their "decimated farm" and get rid of their bad contracts and become relevant five years faster than the Braves? They will. Because they have professional baseball men at the helm.
It's a damn shame.
NinersSBChamps (11-16-2015), Prikichi (11-16-2015)
I'd be amazed if Coppy could unload Markakis' contract.
Forever Fredi
I've been okay with the moves so far, but if they trade Freeman, gonna be hard for me to follow the Braves. The minors is stacked. We have a ton of money already and he's worth every dime. Saying that, I don't think we are trading him.
I floated a Freeman for Meadows, Bell and Willy Garcia trade about two months ago, then again about two weeks ago. Braves might could take Morse back ($8M 2016) to clear some payroll for the Pirates and send them CB along with Freeman for appearances sake.
I think it makes perfect sense for both sides. The Pirates need to win now since after McCutchen and his $14.5M club option are finished after the 2018 season, he is gone. They are clearing cash with the retirement and departure of several fairly expensive pieces from 2015 like AJ Burnett, Aramis Ramirez (1/2 season), Joe Blanton, etc. They also conceivably clear more money after 2016 and 2017 in Liriano, Locke, Morton, etc. so Glasnow is likely much more important to them short and long term than Meadows given that they have Marte, McCutchen and Polanco all lined up in the outfield through AT LEAST 2018.
For the Braves, it brings back a top LH CF/LF (#22 overall), the #1 rated SW 1B prospect in baseball (#31 overall), and a RH RF prospect who is probably better than any of prospect the Braves have right now with the possible exception of Davidson. Getting Morse in the return would be icing on the cake for the Braves because they could live with him or without him in the deal AND you clear Freemans $12M this year and $20+M per year moving forward.
Last edited by Horsehide Harry; 11-15-2015 at 08:17 PM.
Stop saying you're gonna quit following the Braves if so-and-so is traded. No you aren't. And if that's the kind of fan you are, good riddance.
BedellBrave (11-15-2015), clvclv (11-16-2015)
The reason I posted the other thread about what the team would look like in 2016 IF NO TRADES HAD BEEN MADE was to show that, barring a massive influx of additional payroll space, the rebuild path was THE ONLY REAL CHOICE.
Now, we can all debate about the best way to rebuild. I am for a full commitment to it, all the way. Some would prefer to rebuild a little, clear the bad contracts (mostly done) and add incremental pieces to the existing core through FA signings and minor trades. Some want to rebuild a little, make significant trades from the minors in effort to make the team competitive now. I think all those are valid positions with pros and cons, risks and rewards.
But, to take the position that the FO should somehow Magic away all the Wren mistakes, while keeping the existing core intact, rebuilding a virtual Sahara of a minor league system, add good players to the team to replace the Wren mistakes all while maintaining or lowering payroll is just bizarre. To maintain that position in the face of obvious evidence to the contrary is just petulance. JMO
I have no doubt Rosenthal has reliable sources around baseball. I have no doubt those people told him that Freeman has been talked about. But that can come from so many things.
Petsonally, I think it's more that other teams have checked in as to Freeman's availability. They think the Braves are open to trading anyone so there's no doubt been people calling about Freddie. This could give rise to chatter.
I think Kimbrel is the only time I've seen one of the John's say they've not talked about a guy and later traded him was Kimbrel. I think the statement was true at the time and the Kimbrel deal just developed late.
Would we trade Freeman for the right return? Of course. I honestly don't think we're looking to deal him though. Simmons made more sense with Albies coming on strong and Simmons never being more valuable. Freeman makes no sense to trade.
clvclv (11-16-2015)
If we can get top 30 prospect off tommy john, its a no brainer to trade Freeman. We can throw in another prospect too.
"Yes, I did think Aldrich was good UNTIL I SAW HIM PLAY. "- thethe
Wow.
I was expecting the typical "you are never going to get that" comments. 2 of the top 31 prospects in baseball? I don't see any way you get a better deal than that unless you can convince the Pirates to include Glasnow and maybe you could (I doubt it) but I would think the Braves would have to include a SP from their side going the other way like Wisler.
I think trading Freeman makes a ton of sense for this team IF you can get back a good enough return because it allows you to potentially fill 2-3 long term holes AND clear the money that is owed Freeman off the books allowing you to spend that elsewhere. Now, if you were going to move Freeman and pocket the cash, then no, it doesn't make any sense.