Payroll and hope...

[TheBravos]

This year is lost and it is really amazing this is a $122 mil team...amazing. Before we trade ANYONE this year, our Payroll is $75 mil next year and $57 mil in 2019. That could be deceased to $56 next year and $38 mil in 2019 by simply trading Kemp ALONE.

It really makes me see two things:

1. If our young pitching can hold serve next year (and how could they do worse), we will have a HUGE amount of available cash to fill holes.

2. The Braves are absolute IDIOTS, if they don't move vets this year. Moving Kemp, would free the team up in a major way. Moving Kemp this year and Julio next year (if pitching progresses), would leave us with ONLY $27 mil on the books for 2019 (Inciarte and Freeman being the only two contracts).

[Russ2dollas]

who could we sign that will make us better? I know Lucroy. I don't think we can afford the multiple hundred million player (Harper, Machado, etc).

[Hawk]

$27MM on the books and 2700 in the stands.

[TheBravos]

$27MM on the books and 2700 in the stands.

I certainly don't hope it doesn't stay that way, but it gives us maximum flexibility coupled with more than a few (hopefully) promising young players. Julio and Kemp (especially Kemp), will probably be declining by then. Better to get them off the books while still productive, so we can spend elsewhere. If we don't have 5 good pitchers by 2019...the rebuild is a failure anyway.

[zbhargrove]

who could we sign that will make us better? I know Lucroy. I don't think we can afford the multiple hundred million player (Harper, Machado, etc).

I'm worried about Lucroy at this point even though I really wanted him for a while. He's really struggling to start the year, has had some health problems in the past and is getting old. I was more concerned when we were lacking catching prospects, but I really like the way a few are trending now so I think it would be better to sink the money into other resources like RF, LF, or 3B

[zbhargrove]

While I think both are very unlikely... Machado is more likely I think. It's easier to find serviceable OFers than stars at the corner spot. We need to unload Kemp and a number of others obviously though.

[nsacpi]

We have flexibility. The risk is we take on some contracts with too many years on it. If we go after guys like Lucroy or Moustakas or a quality starting pitcher, I hope the length of the contract (or remaining contract for trade acquisitions) will not be more than 4 years.

At this point, one of the good things about having Kemp and Muk is that they don't have that long left on their deals. So the risk is not that great.

[TheBravos]

2018 players under contract...this list could be carved down a bit this year with a little luck:

Player Salary
Freddie Freeman $21,359,375
Matt Kemp $19,000,000
Nick Markakis $11,000,000
Julio Teheran $8,166,667
Sean Rodriguez $5,750,000
Jim Johnson $5,000,000
Ender Inciarte $4,700,000
R.A. Dickey $500,000
Tyler Flowers $300,000

[smootness]

The Braves are never going to spend boatloads of cash in one offseason, and it's not really smart for any team to do it.

[nsacpi]

I like the way the contracts we currently are on the hook for roll of a bit each year, which does create some opportunities.

After 2017: Colon (12.5M), Jaime Garcia (12M)

After 2018: Dickey (8M assuming option is picked up), Markakis (10.5M), Sean Rodriguez (5M), Flowers (4M assuming option is picked up), Jim Johnson (4.5M)

After 2019: Kemp (18M, our share)

After 2020: Teheran (12M, assuming option is picked up)

After 2021: Freeman (22M)

[Southcack77]

I'm worried about Lucroy at this point even though I really wanted him for a while. He's really struggling to start the year, has had some health problems in the past and is getting old. I was more concerned when we were lacking catching prospects, but I really like the way a few are trending now so I think it would be better to sink the money into other resources like RF, LF, or 3B

I don't quite understand trying to sign Lucroy. I would think addressing third base would make a lot more sense. And picking up another experienced pitcher.

[nsacpi]

I don't quite understand trying to sign Lucroy. I would think addressing third base would make a lot more sense. And picking up another experienced pitcher.

I agree. Plus we have the late-blooming Flowers.

[TheBravos]

Lucroy will most likely be in decline. I don't like his age and price.

[cajunrevenge]

Most times with free agents you are paying for what they have done and not what they will do. We shouldnt be competing with the stupid teams that throw money at players for what they have done.

[zbhargrove]

Yeah, I was heavily on the Lucroy bandwagon and now I'm way off. I do really like the idea of getting Mouse Tacos

[Tapate50]

Yeah, I was heavily on the Lucroy bandwagon and now I'm way off. I do really like the idea of getting Mouse Tacos

I don't think his market will be a budget busting deal. Short enough (5 years?) and not so expensive as to break the bank annually.

[Southcack77]

I don't think his market will be a budget busting deal. Short enough (5 years?) and not so expensive as to break the bank annually.

Even if the salary is market rate for his current performance a five year deal is going to look bad.

[Russ2dollas]

I looked at the list and it was bleak

Maybe Frazier or moustskis for 3b

Not anyone to get excited about in the of or so.

Catcher has lucroy and above we have lots of questions

Almost have to hope there is a bad deal we can take on to get a stud like the pads did to us in the kimbrel trade

[GovClintonTyree]

I agree. Plus we have the late-blooming Flowers.

$5/40m?

[Skeeter31]

I certainly don't hope it doesn't stay that way, but it gives us maximum flexibility coupled with more than a few (hopefully) promising young players. Julio and Kemp (especially Kemp), will probably be declining by then. Better to get them off the books while still productive, so we can spend elsewhere. If we don't have 5 good pitchers by 2019...the rebuild is a failure anyway.

I still don't understand when people say Julio will be in decline. Julio is only 26. He's 1 year older than Folty and 2 years older than Blair and Wisler. It's not like he's some 31 year old vet. He was brought up young and I think we forget how young he still is. Unless Julio turns it around and can get us a good haul in a trade, I'd rather keep him and his rather serviceable contract.