The guys who settled got above what was projected. I think Freeman and Kimbrel, and their representatives are betraying a shaky grasp of how the system works. The failure to bridge the small gap with Heyward is more of a headscratcher. Seems like both parties got too stubborn there at the end. The Heyward asked and offered numbers are both within the range of what is reasonable.
I doubt it really has anything to do with Fredi. Heyward reportedly turned down an extension that would surely have paid him more than the arbitration figures, Freeman seems to want to go back to West Coast, and Kimbrel has definitely been superior to Rivera, Papelbon and Soriano, he simply wants to be paid.
I will not be surprised if at least 2 of them are traded before start of season.
I think the point with Heyward is that the $5.2M offered is already a good bit higher than what was projected, yet it still wasn't good enough for Jason. Wren has stated that he went well above what was recommended for all the guys, yet it still wasn't good enough for Kimbrel, Freeman and Heyward. I think the Braves will probably win all three of the cases, but we will lose all three soon as it seems apparent they don't want to be here long term.
Did anyone watch Hot Stove this morning? According to Darling, Casey and someone else I cont recall, there are no long term winners in arbitration hearings.
Bdawg2309 (01-17-2014)
I have no problem with players trying to get as much money as they can in their negotiations. I'd do the same. I would cry big old crocodile tears if what I'd ask for was too much for Liberty ****ing Media.
Last edited by Gary82; 01-17-2014 at 08:09 PM.
Has there EVER been a statement and question a certain someone should absolutely never have made and asked publicly more than...
Kinda pathetic to see yourself as a message board knight in shining armor. How impotent does someone have to be in real life to resort to playing hero on a message board?
Really? He's been a 5 WAR player per 162 games in his career even with his ****ty 2011 campaign. That's damn good and certainly worth what's he's asking for in his 2nd year or arby. The only legit thing you can say about him is injuries and the time he missed in 2013 were freak issues.
Kinda silly to bet but we can argue cant we? At least disagree.
Braves have a history of downplaying and paying closers other than Smoltz.
Do you not recall the 2011 off season when Wren was on record of implying to the press that Heyward might not be in their long term plans?
I have never heard about any tension between Fredi and Freddie but others on here have. I do know who will win that argument if there is one.
It is reason to think when you consider that Wrens two biggest signings this winter so far were Gamel and Doumit. Do I need to tell you which positions they play?
Then there is the stadium issue, you know, that new one that has to be paid for.
So what are the odds that Heyward isn't signed soon? Freddie and Kimbrel are far apart. But 300K for Heyward and the Braves? What are the odds they don't just split the difference?
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
The comments I have read on Bowman and Shultz would indicate that neither team seems interested in a compromise.