Notable 2017 Non-Tenders

[Enscheff]

MLBTR just put up an article listing the 5 most notable non-tendered players: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/...n-tenders.html

The list includes MAdams and 4 pitchers. Let's see if any of the pitchers make any sense for the Braves.

Hector Rondon:

Projected to earn $6.2M, he was cut loose by the Cubs. His xwOBAs from 2015-2017 were .257, .269. and .295. His most recent .295 mark seems to be the result of his BB rate increasing to 3+ after being right around 2 his previous 3 seasons. That .295 mark is almost equivalent to the mark Viz posted last season. Viz is projected to earn $2.7M next year, and if the Braves can get Rondon for something along the lines of $3M per year they will have added another back end guy with potential to figure out his control and bounce back to being a dominant BP arm.

Mike Fiers:

Fiers was dumped rather than paid $5.7M. His xwOBAs from 2015-2017 were .301, .334, .333. At the age of 32 he is almost certainly well into his decline phase, and isn't a candidate to improve in 2018. He has logged 180, 168, and 153 innings the last 3 years, so he could be a target if the Braves want someone to soak up innings at the back of the rotation. With Fried and Sims already capable of that (at the very least), I don't see Fiers as a fit for the Braves.

Jared Hughes:

The Brewers cut him rather than pay him $2.2M. With 2015-2017 xwOBAs of .319, .314, and .318, he is a durable average pitcher out of the BP. He would be nice filler to round out a BP, but I don't think the Braves need to add him to an already crowded BP mix. He's basically Chase Whitley, who the Braves already have on the roster.

Drew Smyly:

He got TJ so the Mariners dropped him and his $6.85M salary. He posted xwOBAs of .316 and .297 in 2015 and 2016, and has produced like a solid #4 when healthy. Going into his age 29 season, he is likely at the early stages of his decline phase, so a #4 is probably what he can be counted on as his best case scenario when he makes his return. He could probably be had for a deal similar to the one Eovaldi signed with the Rays...$2M in 2018 with another $2M option in 2019. Hopefully the Braves will have enough options to fill out the #4 slot in the rotation that they don't have to make an addition like this right now.

Conclusion:

I would like to see the Braves sign Rondon if he can be had for approximately Viz money.

[biggentleben]

Surprised that Hughes was mentioned over Bruce Rondon, and frankly, I'd take a healthy Zach Putnam or Jake Petricka from the White Sox over Hughes as well. He's just nothing special at all....

[Enscheff]

Surprised that Hughes was mentioned over Bruce Rondon, and frankly, I'd take a healthy Zach Putnam or Jake Petricka from the White Sox over Hughes as well. He's just nothing special at all....

Bruce Rondon:

Projected to earn $1.2M in 2018. Posted xwOBA's of .307, .276, and .329 from 2015-2017. Has terrible control, and the one season he got the BB rate to league average was 2016 when he was very effective. He is an excellent project arm for a team adept at correcting control issues. Needless to say, the Braves are not that team.

Zach Putnam:

Projected to make $1.4M in 2018. Posted xwOBAs of .300, .330, and .208 in 2015-2017, though he only pitched 8 innings in 2017 before getting TJ. He has never shown good control and is already 30, so that .330 xwOBA looks about right. Hard pass on Putnam.

Jake Petricka:

Projected to earn $1.1M in 2018. Posted xwOBAs of .293, .315. and .322 in 2015-2017, though he only pitched 8 innings in 2016. He appears to have corrected some control issues, and still only posted a .322 xwOBA in 2017. Going into his age 30 season he is in his decline phase and unlikely to improve at all. He is very similar to Whitley and the aforementioned Hughes. This is another guy I would pass on.

Conclusion:

Hector is still the only guy I see worth picking up.

[bravesfanMatt]

We should pick up any pitcher with control issues so our pitching coach can fix. Wait. Never mind

[Enscheff]

Drew Smyly:

He got TJ so the Mariners dropped him and his $6.85M salary. He posted xwOBAs of .316 and .297 in 2015 and 2016, and has produced like a solid #4 when healthy. Going into his age 29 season, he is likely at the early stages of his decline phase, so a #4 is probably what he can be counted on as his best case scenario when he makes his return. He could probably be had for a deal similar to the one Eovaldi signed with the Rays...$2M in 2018 with another $2M option in 2019. Hopefully the Braves will have enough options to fill out the #4 slot in the rotation that they don't have to make an addition like this right now.

Conclusion:

I would like to see the Braves sign Rondon if he can be had for approximately Viz money.

Cubs just signed Smyly for 2/10 with a potential $7M more in incentives.

[50PoundHead]

Bruce Rondon:

Projected to earn $1.2M in 2018. Posted xwOBA's of .307, .276, and .329 from 2015-2017. Has terrible control, and the one season he got the BB rate to league average was 2016 when he was very effective. He is an excellent project arm for a team adept at correcting control issues. Needless to say, the Braves are not that team.

Zach Putnam:

Projected to make $1.4M in 2018. Posted xwOBAs of .300, .330, and .208 in 2015-2017, though he only pitched 8 innings in 2017 before getting TJ. He has never shown good control and is already 30, so that .330 xwOBA looks about right. Hard pass on Putnam.

Jake Petricka:

Projected to earn $1.1M in 2018. Posted xwOBAs of .293, .315. and .322 in 2015-2017, though he only pitched 8 innings in 2016. He appears to have corrected some control issues, and still only posted a .322 xwOBA in 2017. Going into his age 30 season he is in his decline phase and unlikely to improve at all. He is very similar to Whitley and the aforementioned Hughes. This is another guy I would pass on.

Conclusion:

Hector is still the only guy I see worth picking up.

I'm all for Petricka. I don't know if the kid can pitch, but his aunt his handling my late mother's estate. My siblings and I are meeting with her this afternoon again.

Hector Rondon is probably the best bounce-back candidate.