2018 Offseason And Targets

[UNCBlue012]

Man, I really hope the Braves don't spend resources making lateral moves to players like Gray who are no better than the many cheap young guys they already have.

The goal should be to spend resources to improve the team's areas of weakness, not spend resources to get players who are no better than the guys already on the roster.

This x100000000.

[clvclv]

One argument would be that either Brantley or Pollock are big injury risks, so—as Enscheff’s noted—you’re going to want to hedge and boost the OF depth options.

Pollock at that price is no doubt interesting, but there's no question signing him would require a second signing - much like trading for Pederson would require adding someone to share time.

Assuming AA could get him for that kind of money and they kept Newk instead of bring Sanchez back, there could conceivably be enough funds available to possibly add Pollock (~ $13 million), Grandal (~$15 million), AND Marwin Gonzalez (~ $10 million?) and you might have a little left to add a reliever that falls.

Switch-hitters everywhere for late-game situations after Riley comes up (Albies, Camargo, Grandal, and Gonzalez). Buy out Julio's option in 2020 and replace him with one of the kids and you'd have some money to help pay for this year's acquisitions going forward.

[Carp]

Gregorius is going to have TJS and is now a possible non-tender candidate.

If the Yanks weren't in on Machado before, they certainly are now.

Machado is pretty awful on defense tho. Seems like Iglesias would be a better option for them.

Then again, they could just sign both....

[NinersSBChamps]

Gregorius is going to have TJS and is now a possible non-tender candidate.

If the Yanks weren't in on Machado before, they certainly are now.

More earth shattering opinions from this idiot.

[Jaw]

I can't see Camargo in a utility role after an OPS of .800+ over a full season. That bat just seems too valuable for a mid market team to not have in the lineup everyday.

I also don't think any of the FA OFs are a good match. Harper is out of the budget and the others are extremely injury prone or just mediocre. I expect a bench bat and catcher to come via free agency and any impact bat to come via trade, with AA leaving some budget space to use at the deadline.

I see replacing Swanson as the easiest path to an improved lineup.

[Jay212033]

Man, I really hope the Braves don't spend resources making lateral moves to players like Gray who are no better than the many cheap young guys they already have.

The goal should be to spend resources to improve the team's areas of weakness, not spend resources to get players who are no better than the guys already on the roster.

But didn't folk say that about Verlander as well? Nobody wanted a washed up Verlander but he has been nothing short of spectacular with Houston. Buying low on Gray could be a good option similar to the Sanchez pick up.

[CyYoung31]

But didn't folk say that about Verlander as well? Nobody wanted a washed up Verlander but he has been nothing short of spectacular with Houston. Buying low on Gray could be a good option similar to the Sanchez pick up.

Gray has never been in the same stratosphere as Verlander.

Enscheff isn’t so much poo-pooing Gray as he is the logic behind the Braves using valuable resources to add to an area where there’s already a surplus. We should already have a pitcher or two that can give us Gray’s production for league minimum.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Gray has never been in the same stratosphere as Verlander.

Enscheff isn’t so much poo-pooing Gray as he is the logic behind the Braves using valuable resources to add to an area where there’s already a surplus. We should already have a pitcher or two that can give us Gray’s production for league minimum.

However a trade may take away some of that surplus especially if it is a big acquisition where as gray may not take much to pick up. He is a great buy low option if the situation arises

[NYCBrave]

I can't see Camargo in a utility role after an OPS of .800+ over a full season. That bat just seems too valuable for a mid market team to not have in the lineup everyday.

I also don't think any of the FA OFs are a good match. Harper is out of the budget and the others are extremely injury prone or just mediocre. I expect a bench bat and catcher to come via free agency and any impact bat to come via trade, with AA leaving some budget space to use at the deadline.

I see replacing Swanson as the easiest path to an improved lineup.

Swanson is a tough one to peg. Do you give up on the potential, or give him another year to prove himself. The defense has come along way to where it's a big asset so there's that. Not sure there is a clear path to an upgrade out there, unless through trade or if we move Comargo to SS.

[msstate7]

I can't see Camargo in a utility role after an OPS of .800+ over a full season. That bat just seems too valuable for a mid market team to not have in the lineup everyday.

I also don't think any of the FA OFs are a good match. Harper is out of the budget and the others are extremely injury prone or just mediocre. I expect a bench bat and catcher to come via free agency and any impact bat to come via trade, with AA leaving some budget space to use at the deadline.

I see replacing Swanson as the easiest path to an improved lineup.

I've been as big a Camargo guy as anyone. Hell, I bet on the guy. With that said, I think he's more .750 ops than .800 going forward

[Horsehide Harry]

Cubs have a ton of potentially very bad money on their books now.

Heyward through 23
Lester through 20
Darvish through 23
Chatwood through 20
Have to decide on the Hamels option

[Tapate50]

Cubs have a ton of potentially very bad money on their books now.

Heyward through 23
Lester through 20
Darvish through 23
Chatwood through 20
Have to decide on the Hamels option

I would think they extend Hamels at a reduced rate

[thewupk]

But didn't folk say that about Verlander as well? Nobody wanted a washed up Verlander but he has been nothing short of spectacular with Houston. Buying low on Gray could be a good option similar to the Sanchez pick up.

Ignoring the fact that Houston has a reputation of getting the best out of pitchers. A washed up justin verlander was as good as prime sonny gray. The two situations just aren't comparable.

[Buzzworm]

Cubs have a ton of potentially very bad money on their books now.

Heyward through 23
Lester through 20
Darvish through 23
Chatwood through 20
Have to decide on the Hamels option

Does it really matter to them though?
They practically print money and like the Dodgers can afford to miss over and over again.
Unlike the NFL or NBA there isn’t any consequences for a big market club compared to someone like us.Such is life in MLB....

[cajunrevenge]

Does it really matter to them though?
They practically print money and like the Dodgers can afford to miss over and over again.
Unlike the NFL or NBA there isn’t any consequences for a big market club compared to someone like us.Such is life in MLB....

The luxury tax functions as a soft cap. Its still bullcrap but without it we would have teams with 300 million payrolls.

[cajunrevenge]

Ignoring the fact that Houston has a reputation of getting the best out of pitchers. A washed up justin verlander was as good as prime sonny gray. The two situations just aren't comparable.

Theres a lot of rumors of something fishy going on with Astros pitching. If they arent cheating their pitching coach is the best in the buisness.

[cajunrevenge]

Swanson is a tough one to peg. Do you give up on the potential, or give him another year to prove himself. The defense has come along way to where it's a big asset so there's that. Not sure there is a clear path to an upgrade out there, unless through trade or if we move Comargo to SS.

As long as Swanson is cheap and playing good defense we should keep giving him chances.

[CyYoung31]

Theres a lot of rumors of something fishy going on with Astros pitching. If they arent cheating their pitching coach is the best in the buisness.

A lot of rumors or just sour grapes by one guy?

[UNCBlue012]

Theres a lot of rumors of something fishy going on with Astros pitching. If they arent cheating their pitching coach is the best in the buisness.

Nah, they're just really damn good.

[Heyward]

Cubs have a ton of potentially very bad money on their books now.

Heyward through 23
Lester through 20
Darvish through 23
Chatwood through 20
Have to decide on the Hamels option

I would think they pickup Hamels option, he was really good when they got him, and go with Lester/Hamels/Quintana/Hendricks/someone.