2019 Free Agent Targets

[rico43]

Just spend a while running down the list of 2019 free agents that is being heralded as so dang deep. While there's no telling what the money will look like in lieu of a) the grievance and b) Altuve getting a $30 per year extension, I could only come up with two logical moves the Braves should and could make.

1) Craig Kimbrel. No brainer. Braves have already shown their hand.

2) Manny Machado. He will get crazy money, but if I am the Braves, and considering he's only 25, I might go eight years and well north of $200 million. But I still don't think they get him. If not, then the much-discussed Josh Donaldson figures to be on the table. But I am projecting Machado at shortstop and Swanson as a failed project.

3) As far as starting pitchers go, I'd rather they extend Julio that sign one.

Of course, it's early. But I'm bored.

[Oklahomabrave]

I’m interested in Grandal.

[Enscheff]

The Braves will not be signing either Kimbrel or Machado. Extending Teheran as he declines even further would be extemely foolish.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Grandal, Pollock, wainwright (I’d like to see us have an experienced anchor in the rotation with postseason experience) maybe a 1 or 2 year deal

Acuña, Inciarte, and Pollock would make a great outfield

[CJ9]

I’m intrigued by Keuchel, but the injuries during the last two years would probably keep me from paying what it would take.

[Freshmaker]

The Braves will not be signing either Kimbrel or Machado. Extending Teheran as he declines even further would be extemely foolish.

While I'd of course love a Kimbrel return, I don't see us getting him either unless he really wants to come back. We already have Arodys and Minter for a (potentially pending Minter's development) solid 8/9 combo. Given Liberty's complete lack of interest in spending actual money on players, $10M+ for Kimbrel seems highly unlikely.

[nsacpi]

Minty Hippo is gonna be the lefty Kimbrel

[msstate7]

Minty Hippo is gonna be the lefty Kimbrel

We won’t need Kimbrel with minter, lindgren, and clouse

[Skeeter31]

As much as I love Kimbrel, the Braves better not waste the amount of money it will take to sign him.

[UNCBlue012]

We have to at least step up, grow some balls and spend the big money on one free agent.

[Enscheff]

While I'd of course love a Kimbrel return, I don't see us getting him either unless he really wants to come back. We already have Arodys and Minter for a (potentially pending Minter's development) solid 8/9 combo. Given Liberty's complete lack of interest in spending actual money on players, $10M+ for Kimbrel seems highly unlikely.

Kimbrel will be looking at Jansen-money if he puts up his usual season in 2018. That’s 5/80, or an AAV of $15M+.

[Tapate50]

Maybe. The FA period we just sat through makes me pause a bit projecting FA for relievers with mileage.

I think Machado likely gets 300 easily.

Want no part of a JT extension as we have likely seen him start his decline phase.

[Hudson2]

3 things I’d do next offseason.

1. Go hard after Donaldson
2. Use our prospect surplus to go after one of Archer or Fulmer
3. Sign Grandal

At some point we have to go for it and that should be next offseason. Our best pitching prospects will be ready and we will know all we need to on Riley.

[CrimeDog247]

Grandal, Pollock, wainwright (I’d like to see us have an experienced anchor in the rotation with postseason experience) maybe a 1 or 2 year deal

Acuña, Inciarte, and Pollock would make a great outfield

Wainwright is washed up, let's think a little deeper than that. Bumgarner would be one I'd be interested in signing.

[nsacpi]

If I had to pick the free agent we are most likely to target next off-season it would be Moose. Donaldon is a real possibility too if we manage the risk/reward of his decline years.

[Enscheff]

If the Braves have to spend money to sign a FA SP that’s more expensive than a 1 year stopgap, then the rebuild hasn’t produced enough pitching to contend anyways.

The Braves will need to find good players for LF, 3b and C. They should have around $60M to make that happen.

One of Flowers or Grandal will almost certainly be signed, and will take up $10M+.

If Riley continues to show progress, I expect the Braves to sign next offseason’s version of Nunez or Frazier. If he doesn’t I think AA will make a solid push for Donaldson. If the Braves are going to drop $125M+ to a FA, it’s going to be Donaldson.

LF should be filled with the best possible bat the Braves can afford, even if it requires cashing in some prospect capital to make it happen. No idea who might be available in trade, but I expect them to be shopping in the Cutch, Pollock, Blackmon aisle of the OF FA market.

The Braves have the resources to open the 2019 season with a rotation projected for ~12 wins, an OF projected for ~8 wins, and an IF projected for ~12 wins without Donaldson, and ~15 with him.

[Hudson2]

You could trade Teheran to free up extra money if we had to. Pushing it towards 70 million available. Donaldson would chew up 25 of that, Grandal 10, and Blackmon probably 17-18. That would still leave around 15-18 million to fill out the rest of the roster.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Wainwright is washed up, let's think a little deeper than that. Bumgarner would be one I'd be interested in signing.

I’d rather not dump that amount of money into a pitcher when we have a ton of good pitching prospects.

[Heyward]

I dont think they get in the Machado bidding war even though i would since he's still super young.

Wouldnt extend Julio with the pitchers coming up soon.

Kimbrel or a RP for huge money isnt smart.

Donaldson probably depends how Riley develops, as well as how Swanson does to some extent. There's some other outfielders out there who will cost money but not 100+ million, never know with so many teams shy to spend this winter however.

[AerchAngel]

3 things I’d do next offseason.

1. Go hard after Donaldson
2. Use our prospect surplus to go after one of Archer or Fulmer
3. Sign Grandal

At some point we have to go for it and that should be next offseason. Our best pitching prospects will be ready and we will know all we need to on Riley.

The Don is on the wrong side of 30 and probably declining and not worth the 30 mil he would want.

pass