Discussion of Braves 2018 Offseason plans

[thewupk]

Why not?

Assuming AA is being honest when he says he wants to get his own look at all these prospects BEFORE deciding who to trade (or not to trade), why would you back yourself into the corner that you can't afford the player you would consider trading for?

We're fans - of course we want him to run out and get players to fill holes before camp starts.

If we're going to entertain the blackjack dealer's wet dream of going after Donaldson and that the Jays somehow can't work out an extension with him before the deadline, somebody's going to have to pay the $11.5 million he's due during the second half of 2018. If AA thinks he's actually got a legitimate shot at extending him and could get him at the deadline for a reasonable prospect cost, every dime they save now would could come in handy, no?

I don't think anyone realistically expects that to happen, but it sure would suck to know that Donaldson's actually willing to sign here long-term without testing the market and that you couldn't trade for him because you couldn't afford to pay him for 3 months this summer because you spent the money on Frazier or Nunez wouldn't it?

Keeping money held back in a one off situation seems pretty far fetched. If the Braves really wanted to contend this year they would maximize their payroll at the start of the year. That makes the most logical sense.

[thethe]

No. But do you think most teams leave the same % of wiggle room to start the year? If the Braves payroll is really 130 right now would you keep it at ~116 to start the year?

That depends on what they are trying to do. Maybe they are forecasting a guy like Grienke is going to get dumped at midseason. I think its a good idea to go in with the flexibility considering our in house solutions for third base are not trash.

[msstate7]

There haven’t been many signings by a lot of teams. Perhaps everyone cut payroll

[Enscheff]

Do you think all teams spend 100% of their payroll on April 1st?

Well, let's see...the Braves needed special permission to add MAdams and his $2M salary when Freeman got injured. Doesn't that mean they used up all their money?

I have stated the 2018 opening day payroll will be lower than the 2017 opening day payroll. Opening day payroll is set based on projected revenue generation. They almost certainly based their 2017 opening day payroll on attendance projections that were higher than 2.5 million (we saw them paring payroll at the end of the year to offset the missed projections). Now that they are projecting 2.5 million or less in 2018, their opening day payroll will decrease as a result.

Why is this so complicated for some?

[Enscheff]

There haven’t been many signings by a lot of teams. Perhaps everyone cut payroll

The league as a whole is cutting payroll...

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mlb-...-in-long-time/

[clvclv]

Well, let's see...the Braves needed special permission to add MAdams and his $2M salary when Freeman got injured. Doesn't that mean they used up all their money?

I have stated the 2018 opening day payroll will be lower than the 2017 opening day payroll. Opening day payroll is set based on projected revenue generation. They almost certainly based their 2017 opening day payroll on attendance projections that were higher than 2.5 million (we saw them paring payroll at the end of the year to offset the missed projections). Now that they are projecting 2.5 million or less in 2018, their opening day payroll will decrease as a result.

Why is this so complicated for some?

Because Mom didn't bring us any Cheetos or new Fruit Of The Looms???

[Enscheff]

Because Mom didn't bring us any Cheetos or new Fruit Of The Looms???

Huh?

When can we expect Odorizzi to get to Atlanta?

[clvclv]

Keeping money held back in a one off situation seems pretty far fetched. If the Braves really wanted to contend this year they would maximize their payroll at the start of the year. That makes the most logical sense.

So you completely missed the "I don't think anyone realistically expects that to happen"?

The point is neither you, I, the unbelievably brilliant card counter, or the "geniuses" at FanGraphs have the first clue what AA has in mind. Some of us just don't get butt-hurt when we admit that.

That theory is no more far-fetched than the idea that the Braves are suddenly going to pay Donaldson $30 million/year in the first place.

[Enscheff]

So you completely missed the "I don't think anyone realistically expects that to happen"?

The point is neither you, I, the unbelievably brilliant card counter, or the "geniuses" at FanGraphs have the first clue what AA has in mind. Some of us just don't get butt-hurt when we admit that.

That theory is no more far-fetched than the idea that the Braves are suddenly going to pay Donaldson $30 million/year in the first place.

The Braves will not be trading for Donaldson in 2018.

That was a completely moronic suggestion (as is typical for you), whether or not an obligatory "it probably won't happen" was tossed in as a hedge.

[thewupk]

So you completely missed the "I don't think anyone realistically expects that to happen"?

The point is neither you, I, the unbelievably brilliant card counter, or the "geniuses" at FanGraphs have the first clue what AA has in mind. Some of us just don't get butt-hurt when we admit that.

That theory is no more far-fetched than the idea that the Braves are suddenly going to pay Donaldson $30 million/year in the first place.

You are right that we don't know what AA is planning or thinking. We do know talks with the Fish stopped after the Kemp trade and the Braves haven't had any serious rumors in players since that trade either. I wonder why?

[Enscheff]

You are right that we don't know what AA is planning or thinking. We do know talks with the Fish stopped after the Kemp trade and the Braves haven't had any serious rumors in players since that trade either. I wonder why?

Because Cheetos. Derrrp!

[Southcack77]

You are right that we don't know what AA is planning or thinking. We do know talks with the Fish stopped after the Kemp trade and the Braves haven't had any serious rumors in players since that trade either. I wonder why?

Because the Braves only have 10-15 million left to spend and they were not going to take on terrible long term contracts after just having cleared one or fork over a significant chunk of a farm system (or Acuna) the GM has repeatedly said he doesn’t have a good handle on.

It really isn’t hard to figure out.

[dak]

Good detail from DOB on the Braves thinking on 3B. Also, this depressing tidbit . . .

The point being, if they had signed Frazier to a two-year deal and were on the hook for an eight-digit salary with him a year from now, it would complicate that potential pursuit of a third baseman and, in effect, negate a lot of the reason for the Kemp trade -- which was to clear from the books the more than $18 million they would’ve owed Kemp in 2019. (By the way, I’ve since been led to believe that figure also was higher than what previous management had told us, that the Braves owed Kemp closer to $20 million annually than $18 million, but that’s water under the ol’ bridge, right?)

http://www.myajc.com/blog/atlanta-br...El24sHewGeusL/

[salmagundy]

Will the Braves take a look??

Right-hander Tim Lincecum will audition for Major League teams next Thursday (Feb. 15), Kyle Boddy of Driveline Baseball announced today (on Twitter). The two-time NL Cy Young winner has been working out with Driveline this offseason in an effort to revitalize his career.

Rockies right-hander Adam Ottavino, another Driveline client, shared a photo of Lincecum on Instagram back in December in which Lincecum looked to be in excellent physical condition. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan tweeted at the time that Lincecum’s velocity was up, and Boddy noted then that Lincecum would eventually host a showcase for MLB clubs before Opening Day.

[thewupk]

Because the Braves only have 10-15 million left to spend and they were not going to take on terrible long term contracts after just having cleared one or fork over a significant chunk of a farm system (or Acuna) the GM has repeatedly said he doesn’t have a good handle on.

It really isn’t hard to figure out.

I don't think anyone in here has advocated taking on a terrible long term contract. A 2-3 deal is definitely not that with prices for players being lower than expected.

[Enscheff]

Apparently, Nunez is going to cost about as much as Frazier, and the Mets chose Frazier.

Any team paying Nunez that much is going to value his versatility more than a team looking for an everyday guy at 3b. I’m guessing the Yanks or Red Sox end up signing him.

[CJ9]

Will the Braves take a look??

Right-hander Tim Lincecum will audition for Major League teams next Thursday (Feb. 15), Kyle Boddy of Driveline Baseball announced today (on Twitter). The two-time NL Cy Young winner has been working out with Driveline this offseason in an effort to revitalize his career.

Rockies right-hander Adam Ottavino, another Driveline client, shared a photo of Lincecum on Instagram back in December in which Lincecum looked to be in excellent physical condition. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan tweeted at the time that Lincecum’s velocity was up, and Boddy noted then that Lincecum would eventually host a showcase for MLB clubs before Opening Day.

I sure hope not.

[Southcack77]

I don't think anyone in here has advocated taking on a terrible long term contract. A 2-3 deal is definitely not that with prices for players being lower than expected.

you referenced trade with marlins, which needed to take back bad money or part with prospect haul. thats what i was referencing.

[Jaw]

Because Cheetos. Derrrp!

I think we all need to back away from the Cheetos talk. It's really just unnecessary. Chili Cheese Fritos are far superior in every way.

[thewupk]

you referenced trade with marlins, which needed to take back bad money or part with prospect haul. thats what i was referencing.

Right. Let me break it down to you what happened. Braves wanted Yelich. Marlins wanted Acuna. Braves said no and asked to take back a bad contract to bring down Yelich's surplus value. Marlins said no. Braves went and traded Kemp and lost all their payroll flexibility for 2018. Braves haven't been in a serious rumor since about any FA's or possible trade targets. AA has mentioned trying to back load some deals for any possible FA's this year. Why? Braves have zero money right now.