Market for Catchers

[nsacpi]

Teams likely to be looking for a primary (as opposed to backup )catcher: gnats, Dodgers, Angels, Astros, A's, Diamondbacks, Rays

Teams possibly looking: Braves,Brewers, Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Yankees (if they don't think Gary Sanchez can give them the defense they need).

Supply on the FA market: Grandal, Ramos

Supply on the trade market: Reamulto, Cervelli, Perez, Martin, maybe Posey

A lot of teams will find themselves having to get by without a primary catcher. It is not such a bad thing as the Braves have shown to have a strong tandem where there isn't a clear #1 guy.

The best of the "tandem" type guys on the FA market: Suzuki, Maldonado, McCann, Lucroy

Am I overlooking anyone?

Seems to me this is going to be a strong sellers' market.

[msstate7]

What would McCann cost?

[nsacpi]

What would McCann cost?

my guess is both he and Suzuki would take about 5M

[bravesfanforlife88]

What would McCann cost?

Love Mac but he would be a downgrade over Suzuki at this point in his career

[msstate7]

Love Mac but he would be a downgrade over Suzuki at this point in his career

Probably so. It would be nice to have a l/r combo, but only if Mac rebounded

[JxnMissFan]

Teams likely to be looking for a primary (as opposed to backup )catcher: gnats, Dodgers, Angels, Astros, A's, Diamondbacks, Rays

Teams possibly looking: Braves,Brewers, Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Yankees (if they don't think Gary Sanchez can give them the defense they need).

Supply on the FA market: Grandal, Ramos

Supply on the trade market: Reamulto, Cervelli, Perez, Martin, maybe Posey

A lot of teams will find themselves having to get by without a primary catcher. It is not such a bad thing as the Braves have shown to have a strong tandem where there isn't a clear #1 guy.

The best of the "tandem" type guys on the FA market: Suzuki, Maldonado, McCann, Lucroy

Am I overlooking anyone?

Seems to me this is going to be a strong sellers' market.

I see AA making three moves this off season. 1. A FA signing in the 15 to 20 mil per range. 2. A big trade
3. A couple of low to moderate cost FA.

Since the team moved before the end of the season to lock up flowers I think the catchers position will be a tandem of flowers and a moderate priced vet.

I definitely see McCann as an option because he is a LHH.

I also see Zuk coming back but can understand why he would test the market.

[CrimsonCowboy]

McCann’s good days are behind him. He’d be better suited in the AL where he can DH.

[zbhargrove]

I want Grandal or Realmuto.... the upgrade in the lineup would be massive. Also upgrade the OF and we have a very good team. Sure then let's go ahead and trade for MadBum... why not.

[salmagundy]

Just say NO to Realmuto. His framing skill set is poor at best. A good framer is needed for Newk, Gausman and the others who try to "nibble" when in trouble. A good framer would also help the young guys gain confidence in finding and maintaining a viable strike zone. Of all mentioned, Grandal and Moldanado would be my picks. Which one would be determined by how many $$$ AA can/wants to spend on a catcher to pair with Flowers.

[BeanieAntics]

I want Grandal or Realmuto.... the upgrade in the lineup would be massive. Also upgrade the OF and we have a very good team. Sure then let's go ahead and trade for MadBum... why not.

I'm still a no on adding pitching. Get Grandal or Realmuto, trade or sign for a good corner outfielder, then use some resources to go out and get a good utility option to extend the bench. Maybe leave enough room to add a decent reliever. Maybe.

With all of our pitching, I think it'd be kind of silly to use resources on adding a top flight pitcher given our needs elsewhere. It would be nice, sure. But I see a starting pitcher as more of a want than a need. Our best bet is to shore up the offense and hope that one or two of our young guys emerge as good starters this season. Then maybe hope another one or two make a successful transition to the bullpen.

[zbhargrove]

I'm still a no on adding pitching. Get Grandal or Realmuto, trade or sign for a good corner outfielder, then use some resources to go out and get a good utility option to extend the bench. Maybe leave enough room to add a decent reliever. Maybe.

With all of our pitching, I think it'd be kind of silly to use resources on adding a top flight pitcher given our needs elsewhere. It would be nice, sure. But I see a starting pitcher as more of a want than a need. Our best bet is to shore up the offense and hope that one or two of our young guys emerge as good starters this season. Then maybe hope another one or two make a successful transition to the bullpen.

I'm not big on getting a starter either but MadBum healthy is a different story if the price is right. And I am with you on making all the other needed upgrades first.

[nsacpi]

I keep seeing "if Bumgarner is healthy"....what are we looking for here as indications of health

[BeanieAntics]

I'm not big on getting a starter either but MadBum healthy is a different story if the price is right. And I am with you on making all the other needed upgrades first.

The problem with Madison is the contract. He is going to cost a ton in prospect capital (I'm thinking 50 million+ in surplus value) for only one year of control. Some might make the argument that he might be more likely to sign an extension with us since he's a country boy from North Carolina, but then we have to ask ourselves if he is worth the big contract it would take to retain him at what would be his age 30 season. Especially given his history with health. Obviously a healthy Madbum would be a gamechanger for the rotation, but that seems like one of those "push all your chips in the middle" moves and I'm not confident enough in our ability to win a World Series (yet) to be making a move like that.

When I say this, I'm only talking about an offseason trade. I don't think an offseason trade would be wise. However, if we are in 1st place or competing for a playoff spot in July and the rotation could use some obvious improvement, I may be more amenable. He would cost less then than he would now, we'd know more about his health, and we'd know more about our own competitive agenda by then. That is why it is important that we save ourselves a little money this offseason for some mid season moves.

[msstate7]

I keep seeing "if Bumgarner is healthy"....what are we looking for here as indications of health

He sells his ATV

[zbhargrove]

The problem with Madison is the contract. He is going to cost a ton in prospect capital (I'm thinking 50 million+ in surplus value) for only one year of control. Some might make the argument that he might be more likely to sign an extension with us since he's a country boy from North Carolina, but then we have to ask ourselves if he is worth the big contract it would take to retain him at what would be his age 30 season. Especially given his history with health. Obviously a healthy Madbum would be a gamechanger for the rotation, but that seems like one of those "push all your chips in the middle" moves and I'm not confident enough in our ability to win a World Series (yet) to be making a move like that.

When I say this, I'm only talking about an offseason trade. I don't think an offseason trade would be wise. However, if we are in 1st place or competing for a playoff spot in July and the rotation could use some obvious improvement, I may be more amenable. He would cost less then than he would now, we'd know more about his health, and we'd know more about our own competitive agenda by then. That is why it is important that we save ourselves a little money this offseason for some mid season moves.

Actually think we're pretty much on the same page. That's why I said if the price is right.

[BravesCountry1]

Is there any way, anyway at all that Grandal doesn't receive a Q.O?

<1%??????

[Heyward]

Is there any way, anyway at all that Grandal doesn't receive a Q.O?

<1%??????

Grandal is easily the best catcher on the market, despite his bad postseason and easily gets a QO and wont accept.

Likely gets 4/70/ or 5/85+ or so in that ballpark.

[Southcack77]

The problem with Madison is the contract. He is going to cost a ton in prospect capital (I'm thinking 50 million+ in surplus value) for only one year of control. Some might make the argument that he might be more likely to sign an extension with us since he's a country boy from North Carolina, but then we have to ask ourselves if he is worth the big contract it would take to retain him at what would be his age 30 season. Especially given his history with health. Obviously a healthy Madbum would be a gamechanger for the rotation, but that seems like one of those "push all your chips in the middle" moves and I'm not confident enough in our ability to win a World Series (yet) to be making a move like that.

When I say this, I'm only talking about an offseason trade. I don't think an offseason trade would be wise. However, if we are in 1st place or competing for a playoff spot in July and the rotation could use some obvious improvement, I may be more amenable. He would cost less then than he would now, we'd know more about his health, and we'd know more about our own competitive agenda by then. That is why it is important that we save ourselves a little money this offseason for some mid season moves.

I'm not sure that Bumgarner would be cheaper at the deadline. if you are excited about acquiring him, it's because he's had a big, healthy first half and you are likely bidding against every contender on the market in need of pitching.

Granted, a similar situation might emerge if he became available before free agency really got going. Yankees, Nats, Phillies, Cubs, Brewers would all have to be interested.

[dak]

The multiple reports from Bowman on the Braves' focus on Realmuto has me real nervous. You have to think the acquisition cost will be very high (Bowman mentioned a Soroka and Riley package was discussed in July). His pitch framing numbers the past view years have been consistently poor, so he doesn't figure to be someone you invest heavily in if you're a believer in PF value as a franchise. I'd feel more comfortable shopping the middle tier of the FA or trade market and investing trade chips (lesser ones) in other areas where we may be able to get better value.

[JxnMissFan]

Is there any correlation between the quality of a pitching staff and pitch framing metrics?