2016-2017 Off-Season Thread

[Russ2dollas]

Astros also signed Josh Reddick to a 4yr deal, somewhere north of $50 million.

Looking at reddicks deal and stats makes markakis look like a bargain. Still want to trade him and play Dustin Peterson

[zitothebrave]

Looking at reddicks deal and stats makes markakis look like a bargain. Still want to trade him and play Dustin Peterson

Reddick is a much better palyer than Markakis. His last 3 years he's had a 113 OPS+ the 3 years before we signed Markakis he had a 104. Reddick is also younger and a net positive instead of net negative defender. Add in the 2 years of market inflation and it works out to basically signing a younger, better player for the same money.

[Hudson2]

Per MLB trade rumors

Though the Braves have been connected to several top young starters, their focus is on trying to work a deal with the White Sox for Chris Sale, according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It’s still unclear just how hard Atlanta will push to pry him loose, and certainly Chicago isn’t in a position where it needs to move its affordable, excellent, and still-youthful ace. And as O’Brien notes, the Braves have signaled previously that they aren’t interested in emptying their farm to move toward contention — though there may be an added willingness to give up some premium assets in this case, as would certainly be necessary to get something done.

[Hudson2]

I know people say no way the Braves trade for an ace but there is way to much smoke here not to be fire. Coppy wants Sale bad and it sounds like something could happen if one of the Braves or Sox flinch.

[Oklahomabrave]

I believe the smoke is real, just don't believe Sale is the actual fire. I think we get a good young pitcher, just don't thinks it's Sale.

[Enscheff]

I know people say no way the Braves trade for an ace but there is way to much smoke here not to be fire. Coppy wants Sale bad and it sounds like something could happen if one of the Braves or Sox flinch.

The Braves are not going to be a good team without Folty, Swanson, and Albies, so if any of those players are used to acquire Sale it will be a lateral move overall.

The only expendable MLB piece is Ender due to the presence of Mallex, so if Coppy can get the ChiSox to take a deal centered around Inciarte and Newcomb there might some fire.

If Coppy can also take on Shields as a way to lower the cost for Sale, they might be on to something.

[clvclv]

Reddick is a much better palyer than Markakis. His last 3 years he's had a 113 OPS+ the 3 years before we signed Markakis he had a 104. Reddick is also younger and a net positive instead of net negative defender. Add in the 2 years of market inflation and it works out to basically signing a younger, better player for the same money.

Yep - and there's no chance whatsoever that the Dodgers would love to have the prospects they gave up to get Reddick and Hill back, right???

Like it or not, there are always going to be times when small sample sizes do matter.

[bravesfanMatt]

There was a tweet that said something to the effect of "A few Baseball execs said they think the Braves and Stros are going to be the most active this off season." So far that has been true, with the Stros going bigger. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Braves make a move or two before it is all said and done...

[CyYoung31]

Yep - and there's no chance whatsoever that the Dodgers would love to have the prospects they gave up to get Reddick and Hill back, right???

Like it or not, there are always going to be times when small sample sizes do matter.

Oh my god. You have the worst arguments. Seriously.

[GovClintonTyree]

Reddick is a much better palyer than Markakis. His last 3 years he's had a 113 OPS+ the 3 years before we signed Markakis he had a 104. Reddick is also younger and a net positive instead of net negative defender. Add in the 2 years of market inflation and it works out to basically signing a younger, better player for the same money.

That's not true. Markakis was a Gold Glove finalist.

[UNCBlue012]

Per MLB trade rumors

Though the Braves have been connected to several top young starters, their focus is on trying to work a deal with the White Sox for Chris Sale, according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It’s still unclear just how hard Atlanta will push to pry him loose, and certainly Chicago isn’t in a position where it needs to move its affordable, excellent, and still-youthful ace. And as O’Brien notes, the Braves have signaled previously that they aren’t interested in emptying their farm to move toward contention — though there may be an added willingness to give up some premium assets in this case, as would certainly be necessary to get something done.

I think his plan right now is simple: Sign a solid defensive-minded catcher and save any and all prospects for a big arm. I could be wrong, and part of me wants to be unless it's Archer (more control), but I think there is a legit chance we get a TOR ace.

Personally, I'm looking at catcher and third basemen. An ace comes last unless we get a phenomenal deal.

[zbhargrove]

The Braves are not going to be a good team without Folty, Swanson, and Albies, so if any of those players are used to acquire Sale it will be a lateral move overall.

The only expendable MLB piece is Ender due to the presence of Mallex, so if Coppy can get the ChiSox to take a deal centered around Inciarte and Newcomb there might some fire.

If Coppy can also take on Shields as a way to lower the cost for Sale, they might be on to something.

I don't see Albies being involved as a lateral move at all... he hasn't even seen an MLB at-bat. Jace isn't the ideal second baseman, but as a 7 or 8 place hitter, he's fine. Not saying I would want to trade Albies (although, of our offense prospect assets, he's probably the most expendable with quite a few second basemen in the pipeline), but if you end up turning Wisler's rotation spot into Sale... and get rid of Mallex/Albies + other lower level prospects... there's no way that's a lateral move... that is a clear upgrade.

[Chico]

There does seem to be some smoke to this Sale deal. I'v been waiting for Coppy to come out and silence it a little like he did with the Archer rumor, but he's been quiet. We need a front of the rotation starter, lefty, as well as a marketable name. He checks all the boxes. There could be something here. I would still rather pass to be honest, but it is interesting.

I don't wanna lose Albies, but I think he'd be inlcuded. 2B is not a hard position to fill on a major league team and we've developed a pipeline recently. Any of Jace, Camargo, TD, and Moore could see playing time there this season.

I don't know if they would want Ender or Mallex back, but one of them would be included. I think this would come down to the arms they chose with the Braves preferring to hold on to Ender.

After that they'd probably be looking at one major league ready arm and one high upside arm. It's hard to speculate as every team values arms in different ways. I think we'd trade from the starters we acquired via trade over the ones we've drafted, as the ones we acquired in trade were what we could get and the ones drafted are the ones we pin pointed. (except for maybe Touki)

Folty/Wisler/Blair/Newcomb/Fried/Touki....Out of that group the two whose value are at a high are Folty and Fried. The Sox do like lefties though, so maybe Newcomb and Wisler going back could suffice. That would probably mean you have to lose Ender.

So my complete baseless fan speculation would be Folty/Fried/Albies/Mallex or Wisler/Newcomb/Albies/Ender. There'd probably be a relief arm out of options like like Jose Ramirez, Chris Withrow, or Ian Kroll in there as well just because they could.

[UNCBlue012]

There does seem to be some smoke to this Sale deal. I'v been waiting for Coppy to come out and silence it a little like he did with the Archer rumor, but he's been quiet. We need a front of the rotation starter, lefty, as well as a marketable name. He checks all the boxes. There could be something here. I would still rather pass to be honest, but it is interesting.

I don't wanna lose Albies, but I think he'd be inlcuded. 2B is not a hard position to fill on a major league team and we've developed a pipeline recently. Any of Jace, Camargo, TD, and Moore could see playing time there this season.

I don't know if they would want Ender or Mallex back, but one of them would be included. I think this would come down to the arms they chose with the Braves preferring to hold on to Ender.

After that they'd probably be looking at one major league ready arm and one high upside arm. It's hard to speculate as every team values arms in different ways. I think we'd trade from the starters we acquired via trade over the ones we've drafted, as the ones we acquired in trade were what we could get and the ones drafted are the ones we pin pointed. (except for maybe Touki)

Folty/Wisler/Blair/Newcomb/Fried/Touki....Out of that group the two whose value are at a high are Folty and Fried. The Sox do like lefties though, so maybe Newcomb and Wisler going back could suffice. That would probably mean you have to lose Ender.

So my complete baseless fan speculation would be Folty/Fried/Albies/Mallex or Wisler/Newcomb/Albies/Ender. There'd probably be a relief arm out of options like like Jose Ramirez, Chris Withrow, or Ian Kroll in there as well just because they could.

I don't think we give up Folty, personally. Albies/Smith/Newcomb/Wisler is what we'd probably be comfortable (albiet not happy) and I don't think that's enough.

[GovClintonTyree]

I don't think we give up Folty, personally. Albies/Smith/Newcomb/Wisler is what we'd probably be comfortable (albiet not happy) and I don't think that's enough.

Huddy was speculating that such a deal might be expanded to include Todd Frazier. He's only got one more arb year. I think that makes a lot of sense.

I do think your proposed deal is enough and if it comes together it will look something like that. That is stiff enough that it hurts, which is probably a signal that it's about right. Fills a bunch of needs and wants for the Sox, too.

[zbhargrove]

I'm still not convinced that Mallex is the one to trade. Inciarte's value will likely never be higher and Mallex has the potential to be better than him. While Mallex wasn't exactly a huge prospect... he has been much more highly regarded than Ender ever was in the minors. Mallex seems to have a bit more pop... has much more speed... and has walked a a pretty good clip so far in the majors. He may not has as much defensive value, but he still has the potential to be a very good defensive CFer.

[GovClintonTyree]

There does seem to be some smoke to this Sale deal. I'v been waiting for Coppy to come out and silence it a little like he did with the Archer rumor, but he's been quiet. We need a front of the rotation starter, lefty, as well as a marketable name. He checks all the boxes. There could be something here. I would still rather pass to be honest, but it is interesting.

I don't wanna lose Albies, but I think he'd be inlcuded. 2B is not a hard position to fill on a major league team and we've developed a pipeline recently. Any of Jace, Camargo, TD, and Moore could see playing time there this season.

I don't know if they would want Ender or Mallex back, but one of them would be included. I think this would come down to the arms they chose with the Braves preferring to hold on to Ender.

After that they'd probably be looking at one major league ready arm and one high upside arm. It's hard to speculate as every team values arms in different ways. I think we'd trade from the starters we acquired via trade over the ones we've drafted, as the ones we acquired in trade were what we could get and the ones drafted are the ones we pin pointed. (except for maybe Touki)

Folty/Wisler/Blair/Newcomb/Fried/Touki....Out of that group the two whose value are at a high are Folty and Fried. The Sox do like lefties though, so maybe Newcomb and Wisler going back could suffice. That would probably mean you have to lose Ender.

So my complete baseless fan speculation would be Folty/Fried/Albies/Mallex or Wisler/Newcomb/Albies/Ender. There'd probably be a relief arm out of options like like Jose Ramirez, Chris Withrow, or Ian Kroll in there as well just because they could.

Pretty good guesses, I think. Your take on 2B is probably part of the discussion internally right now.

What would it take to add Frazier? He's only got one more year of control, but he'd fit here pretty well (especially if his contact improved a bit).

[UNCBlue012]

Huddy was speculating that such a deal might be expanded to include Todd Frazier. He's only got one more arb year. I think that makes a lot of sense.

I do think your proposed deal is enough and if it comes together it will look something like that. That is stiff enough that it hurts, which is probably a signal that it's about right. Fills a bunch of needs and wants for the Sox, too.

Personally, I'd do that deal. I like Albies a lot, but I think he is, in some degree, expendable. I truly believe Folty will be an anchor moving forward.

But man: Sale, Teheran, Colon, Folty, Dickey is just a darn solid rotation.

If we added, say, Ramos as our catcher and traded for Frazier, our lineup would be stout.

Inciarte CF
Swanson SS
Freeman 1B
Kemp LF
Ramos C
Frazier 3B
Markakis RF
Peterson 2B

[zbhargrove]

I think the FO really likes Folty and sees him as a main piece going forward. I don't see him being moved.

[GovClintonTyree]

I'm still not convinced that Mallex is the one to trade. Inciarte's value will likely never be higher and Mallex has the potential to be better than him. While Mallex wasn't exactly a huge prospect... he has been much more highly regarded than Ender ever was in the minors. Mallex seems to have a bit more pop... has much more speed... and has walked a a pretty good clip so far in the majors. He may not has as much defensive value, but he still has the potential to be a very good defensive CFer.

Spot on. It's not impossible that Mallex actually has a little pop. He'll lead whatever league he plays in in triples for the next decade.

And while Ender is an incredibly polished defensive player, he has optimized modest gifts with the bat. Exit velo was very low and launch angle flat, kind of the Willie Mays Hayes approach.

Even with that defense, he didn't seem nearly as attractive when he was hitting a soft .250.