Braves avoid arbitration with Josh Collmenter

[dak]

I like the deal at this number. It's an arbitration-level contract, so not fully guaranteed. If for whatever reason they have a change of heart, he can be released in February for one sixth of the guaranteed money. I suspect his roster spot was tenuous, so the Braves made him an early (and low) offer to see if he would jump. I don't think they would have offered him arbitration.

[bravesfanMatt]

Nothing really bad about this deal.. extremely cheap insurance policy and one that is very tradable at the deadline if the youngsters show promise. Well done.

[50PoundHead]

Print those playoff tickets!

[TomahawkCult]

I enjoyed watching him pitch. That down-and-moving-away stuff to lefties is a great pitch to have.

[bravesfanMatt]

Print those playoff tickets!

Not until we resign AJP!!

[UNCBlue012]

This is a good move.

[50PoundHead]

Not until we resign AJP!!

If that happens, we just jump to printing the League Championship Series tickets. We sign Francouer, print those World Series tickets.

[Enscheff]

1 SP acquisition down, 1 to go!

[dak]

I'd say there's a 25% chance Collmenter ends up in the starting 5, 25% chance he earns a bullpen spot as the long man, and a 50% chance he's released with either 30 or 45 days termination pay. The way his contract is structured to minimize guaranteed money (different than most arbitration-level contracts), seems to be a tell that he is a candidate to be released later. I see him as a low-cost insurance policy. Also, it's a sign that the Braves are hesitant to rely solely on their young arms (Wisler, Blair, Perez, Whalen, Jenkins, etc.) to compete for the 5th spot.

[mfree80]

I'd say there's a 25% chance Collmenter ends up in the starting 5, 25% chance he earns a bullpen spot as the long man, and a 50% chance he's released with either 30 or 45 days termination pay. The way his contract is structured to minimize guaranteed money (different than most arbitration-level contracts), seems to be a tell that he is a candidate to be released later. I see him as a low-cost insurance policy. Also, it's a sign that the Braves are hesitant to rely solely on their young arms (Wisler, Blair, Perez, Whalen, Jenkins, etc.) to compete for the 5th spot.

You may be right. I think he is an almost ideal choice to hold down a spot IF they think Newcombe or one of the other young guys will be ready a couple of months into the season. Not a big loss if you let him go to make room.