Around the League: 2017 offseason edition / 2018 Season

[bravesfanMatt]

Well, obviously a trade of FF now isn't going to happen. The team has come together, mainly around remarkable performances and improvements by the new guys, the pitching and a miraculous walk year performance out of neck. I also expected a bigger decline out of the catching duo. So, hurrah Braves. It does happen. The stars do align.

Even with that trading Freeman, still wouldn't be the worst idea in the world given the right return. I know, I know....MVP, blah, blah.

Freeman is really good. No question. And he may win the MVP, but I doubt it as he has cooled significantly, especially in the power department. I think a strong argument can be made that he's not even the best player on the Braves right now, but Acuna is.

IF you could swing a trade with the Astros in the offseason where you send Freeman for Whitley, Tucker and Alvarez, I think long term that deal would make sense. You are moving Freeman's money, which allows more payroll flexibility and getting back one of the top OF prospects in baseball, a true #1 starter prospect and a longer term 1B/OF guy who in 2-3 years may be the next Freeman. Freeman is just what Houston needs because they are several years into their window. The Braves are starting their window but by the time they are in the middle, Freeman will either be gone or diminished by age in all likelihood.

In the mean time what's better: A Duda/Reynolds short term 1B platoon for $10M combined, plus Whitley, Tucker & Alvarez (plus whatever the extra $12M in payroll flexibility brings) OR Freeman at $22M per year on the backside of his peak?

I know what I'm saying is blasphemy since many are player centric instead of team centric. I also know that Freeman probably sells a lot of merchandise (but I would be willing to bet that Acuna could be marketed into that position).

This is why you are one of my fovorites. You really have a knack with awesome trade blockbusters.

[nsacpi]

Any player has a price, even Freeman. Whitley, Tucker and Alvarez easily surpasses that price. This is a nice thing to speculate about in an alternative universe. I rather doubt the Astros would entertain the idea of that sort of a deal.

[bravesfanMatt]

Any player has a price, even Freeman. Whitley, Tucker and Alvarez easily surpasses that price. This is a nice thing to speculate about in an alternative universe. I rather doubt the Astros would entertain the idea of that sort of a deal.

The real deal breaker is the stros have zero need for coppy’s right arm.

[Enscheff]

Any player has a price, even Freeman. Whitley, Tucker and Alvarez easily surpasses that price. This is a nice thing to speculate about in an alternative universe. I rather doubt the Astros would entertain the idea of that sort of a deal.

Yes, if the Astros offer $150M in surplus value for Freeman, a trade makes sense.

As is the case with all of HH's trade proposals...that isn't even in the realm of being realistic.

[Horsehide Harry]

Yes, if the Astros offer $150M in surplus value for Freeman, a trade makes sense.

As is the case with all of HH's trade proposals...that isn't even in the realm of being realistic.

Again, I said given the right return which in my mind would be an overpay. I've never said trade him just to get rid of him or for equal value.

Overpays do happen and it's usually when teams have a need and a particular player fits that need perfectly. That's why I chose the Astros.

As nsacpi said any player has (should) have a price. That trade or something very similar would be my price for Freeman.

[Enscheff]

Again, I said given the right return which in my mind would be an overpay. I've never said trade him just to get rid of him or for equal value.

Overpays do happen and it's usually when teams have a need and a particular player fits that need perfectly. That's why I chose the Astros.

As nsacpi said any player has (should) have a price. That trade or something very similar would be my price for Freeman.

Great point then...

If someone wildly overpays for a player, you'd trade him.

Hot take!!

[Heyward]

what kind of young pitching do they have? a quick search through my memory isn't getting many results.

They dont really have any type of SP. They have Fedde but he's a MOR guy.

They'd have to open the checkbook to get someone, really not much out there in the SP department. Kuechel, Morton (i think he stays in Hou), Hamels maybe, Anibal?, Lynn, Happ, Corbin, Harvey, Eovaldi. Kershaw could hit FA, but not sure he leaves, guess you never know in sports these days. But overall, not an inspiring group of FA SP's.

But if i was the Nats, i'd blow it up and build around Turner, Soto, and Robles. They have alot of guys who could bring quite a bit in return. If for some reason, Harper stayed then you go for it, but if he leaves, i'd blow it up. Not sure even with tweaks here and there, they're better than Atl or Phi next year. Both teams have trade assets, and money to really upgrade their teams in the coming years.

[Heyward]

Braves are better off keeping Freeman than trading him since they're a contending team now and moving forward.

Hope he retires a Brave if anything.

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

Hopefully Harper finds his way out of the NL East.

[Southcack77]

They have Scherzer, Strasburg, Roark, Joe Ross and some other dudes who have pitched in majors to start their rotation next year. They should be ok there in short term.

Hard to see them Liquidating. Might be smart.

Might be smart of Pirates too.

[Carp]

Freddie Freeman's slash line by month in 2018...

Apr: .314/.437/.559 (.995 OPS)
May: .355/.433/.518 (.951 OPS)
June: .277/.348/.545 (.893 OPS)
July: .315/.364/.500 (.864 OPS)
Aug: .346/.429/.526 (.954 OPS)

Freeman has not "cooled significantly". He has been the model of consistent excellence this season...and for the last few seasons.

Freeman is going to post a 6+ fWAR season, will be a strong contender for MVP, and is considered one of the most valuable assets in the sport.

This ridiculous narrative suggesting the Braves would be better off trading Freeman under any scenario while in contention for a play off spot is completely and utterly absurd.

Yep. Any sort of realistic Freeman trade won't help they Braves for the next 2-3 years at best, at a time in which our competitive window has just begun. The quickest way to get fired and alienate the fan base... trade your most valuable player at the start of your contention window when he has 3 years of control left.

Trading Freddie was a ridiculous idea when Harry first mentioned it. Now, it's downright insane.

[NYCBrave]

Yep. Any sort of realistic Freeman trade won't help they Braves for the next 2-3 years at best, at a time in which our competitive window has just begun. The quickest way to get fired and alienate the fan base... trade your most valuable player at the start of your contention window when he has 3 years of control left.

Trading Freddie was a ridiculous idea when Harry first mentioned it. Now, it's downright insane.

Which is not even to mention the PR hit and fan backlash we'd face by trading our fan favorite player and face of the franchise, especially while we're winning.

[Super]

Which is not even to mention the PR hit and fan backlash we'd face by trading our fan favorite player and face of the franchise, especially while we're winning.

it's honestly a stupid suggestion. very stupid, even.

[BeanieAntics]

it's honestly a stupid suggestion. very stupid, even.

Its just stupid. Very stupid Harry. This suggestion of yours was done very very badly. SAD!

[Horsehide Harry]

Its just stupid. Very stupid Harry. This suggestion of yours was done very very badly. SAD!

To think outside the box you have to get out of the box.

If you do today what you did yesterday, all you get today is what you got yesterday.

All innovation is born from pain and blood.

With great power comes great responsibility.

The spoils go to the bold.

[nsacpi]

the best way to go the extra mile is outside the box

[bravesfanMatt]

Before going the extra mile always check with your Walmart supervisor.

[nsacpi]

Before going the extra mile always check with your Walmart supervisor.

if he says no, you can always try going the extra mile while staying inside the box

[Tapate50]

if he says no, you can always try going the extra mile while staying inside the box

Dollar General let’s you go the extra 2 miles I believe

[Enscheff]

Nats just blew a leadoff double after Scherzer bunted him to 3rd with 1 out.

Nola vs Scherzer is 0-0 through 3 innings.