Looking to next year with this years progress so far..

[Hudson2]

With how Riley’s play has picked up where he left off to end last season and how Soroka has dominated so far just like last year and Swanson has really turned the corner along with Folty and possibly Newcomb, next year looks to be the year we could be serious contenders. If 3b is fixed in house with Riley and the rotation is looking fine with options of Soroka, Folty, Gohara, Newcomb, Teheran, McCarthy, and possibly Wright the team is looking to not have many holes. With around 60 million to spend and possibly more if Teheran is dealt what would you do to give us a big time LF’er and to solidify the bullpen and bench?

[thethe]

With how Riley’s play has picked up where he left off to end last season and how Soroka has dominated so far just like last year and Swanson has really turned the corner along with Folty and possibly Newcomb, next year looks to be the year we could be serious contenders. If 3b is fixed in house with Riley and the rotation is looking fine with options of Soroka, Folty, Gohara, Newcomb, Teheran, McCarthy, and possibly Wright the team is looking to not have many holes. With around 60 million to spend and possibly more if Teheran is dealt what would you do to give us a big time LF’er and to solidify the bullpen and bench?

2019 could shape up to be a 95+ win year with the right FA addition (*cough* Harper *cough*).

However, I'm just loving 2018 and don't want to take any focus away from what could be a playoff year.

[Hudson2]

2019 could shape up to be a 95+ win year with the right FA addition (*cough* Harper *cough*).

However, I'm just loving 2018 and don't want to take any focus away from what could be a playoff year.

I’ve looked at Harper as not a possibility at all but with how Riley and the starters have performed if ownership would approve it I’d make a serious offer for him. At his age he would fit right in with our core and fill the only real hole we may have. I don’t see anybody breaking the 40 million a year mark this offseason but I could see him coming in around 38 per. With how cheap most out guys would be I’d go to 38 million with an opt out after 3-4 year and hope he opted out which I think he would.

[thethe]

I’ve looked at Harper as not a possibility at all but with how Riley and the starters have performed if ownership would approve it I’d make a serious offer for him. At his age he would fit right in with our core and fill the only real hole we may have. I don’t see anybody breaking the 40 million a year mark this offseason but I could see him coming in around 38 per. With how cheap most out guys would be I’d go to 38 million with an opt out after 3-4 year and hope he opted out which I think he would.

We EASILY have the money to sign Harper with room leftover. It makes too much sense.

We are going to be an attractive team with the youth and performance. If the Braves come in at the number I think this year ~86 wins then all of a sudden we are the darlings for prognosticators next season.

[thewupk]

We will upgrade LF but it won't be Harper. I'd look to a productive corner OF on an expiring contract that a need needs to unload.

[thethe]

We will upgrade LF but it won't be Harper. I'd look to a productive corner OF on an expiring contract that a need needs to unload.

I think its fair to make the argument Harper won't sign with Atlanta but I don't think its right to dismiss the possibility. It fits - Especially a front loaded contract with a player option after the third year.

[Super]

I wonder if Pollock would be a fit for LF. Probably will get too much money. There isn't much outside the known guys.

[CJ9]

Heyman had a good write up yesterday ranking the free agents this offseason: https://t.co/3FxZ72B0kX

[CJ9]

I know the Riley optimism is growing and I’m not trying to be the wet blanket, but he’s riding a .500 Babip this year.

The good news is the front office has all season to evaluate him. If his bat is real and there’s a better 3B option available, I’d be willing to move Riley to the outfield.

[msstate7]

I know the Riley optimism is growing and I’m not trying to be the wet blanket, but he’s riding a .500 Babip this year.

The good news is the front office has all season to evaluate him. If his bat is real and there’s a better 3B option available, I’d be willing to move Riley to the outfield.

Yeah, the BABIP is high, but riley can hit. His ST ops was .908 while barely hitting over .200; the power is real

[Skeeter31]

The more I think about it, the more I see some parallels from the offseason when we had to decide if we signed Bonds or Maddux...that time we went pitcher, who was a big part in continuing that string of playoff appearances.

This time around, I think you have to go with the hitter...less risk than the best pitcher available in Kershaw.

I know technically Kershaw is listed among the upcoming FA class, but there is a zero percent chance he goes anywhere other than the Dodgers. He’ll opt out of his deal only to sign a bigger one with them. There is no way the Dodgers let him go.

[CJ9]

Out of all the guys that I see on that list, honestly Pollock seems like the most likely. I don't see us really going after a SP in free agency, but if we did maybe someone like Corbin would make some sense. Still, I think it would be an indictment of the rebuild if we had to go the FA route to acquire a top pitcher. We have Gohara, Folty, Newcomb, Fried, Allard, Soroka, Wright, Teheran, and maybe Mccarthy all competing for a rotation spot next year. Then we have Wentz, Anderson, Wilson, Toussaint right behind them. If we can patch together a playoff caliber rotation out of that collection of arms, then something has probably gone really wrong. I think the areas of need for the next year or two will likely be 3rd, C, and OF. 3rd because I'm not sold on Riley. Catcher because Kurt and Tyler are pretty old and we don't know how long they can hold up with this level of production. And outfield because Nick will be gone and Tucker is probably more of a bench bat.

Yeah Pollock is more the tier to be thinking about. He also makes a lot of sense with AA’s emphasis on defense. An outfield with him, Inciarte and Acuna would be fun.

As always, probably just comes down to the contract. He’ll be 31 on opening day next year and has had plenty of injuries.

[Carp]

A lineup with Judge, Stanton, Machado, Harper, Sanchez and some of their young players?

Sheesh. Crown the damn Yanks.

They are who we thought they were

[Knucksie]

At least nobody's in here soiling himself about Lucroy.

[thewupk]

At least nobody's in here soiling himself about Lucroy.

In a twist of good fortune Flowers has turned into what Lucroy used to be.

[Russ2dollas]

We might get Lucroy next yr

My prediction has always been
1. Extensions for Swanson albies and acuna if they will take them
2. Large trade. Don’t know for whom and I expect an overpayment for a pitcher. We have 40 man issues and they will clear some guys out.
3. Sign a second tier bat like pollack.
4. Catcher in the 10 million area like flowers grandal or lucroy

I think if we got pollack and mouse (1-2 year deal on moose) then we could be in really good shape next year.

IMO Riley is getting a full year in aa this year and aaa next year no matter what happens per aa philosophy