Braves sign Donaldson, 1 yr 23 million deal.

[BeanieAntics]

We have been discussing whether or not the Braves would give up a pick to sign Grandal. Instead, they likely gained a pick by signing Mac/JD.

I think that pretty much answers the question about the Braves and signing QO FAs once and for all...at least for $50M-$100M FAs.

I listened to the Talking Chop podcast the other day, and they did bring up an interesting point. They wondered if there was some sort of deal reached with Donaldson to not offer him a QO after this season so as to not diminish his value when he hit free agency. I've never heard of such a thing being in a contract and there isn't any evidence that it is, but it probably would have been smart for Donaldson to put that into the contract if he could.

[Enscheff]

I’d prefer Cutch/Donaldson/Freeman/Acuna/Albies, but it doesn’t really matter ;)

I think this is my preference too, but not a strong preference.

The JD/Freeman/Acuna trio could all be legit Top-10 MVP finishers if everything bounces right and JD stays healthy.

[Heyward]

I listened to the Talking Chop podcast the other day, and they did bring up an interesting point. They wondered if there was some sort of deal reached with Donaldson to not offer him a QO after this season so as to not diminish his value when he hit free agency. I've never heard of such a thing being in a contract and there isn't any evidence that it is, but it probably would have been smart for Donaldson to put that into the contract if he could.

If Donaldson has the year he's capable of having, he should still get a 70+ mil contract for 3+ years. But that could be true.

[Enscheff]

I listened to the Talking Chop podcast the other day, and they did bring up an interesting point. They wondered if there was some sort of deal reached with Donaldson to not offer him a QO after this season so as to not diminish his value when he hit free agency. I've never heard of such a thing being in a contract and there isn't any evidence that it is, but it probably would have been smart for Donaldson to put that into the contract if he could.

That is completely illegal to have in a contract, and I'm not surprised the "experts" at TC didn't know that.

Part of the allure of a 1 year deal for JD is the ability to gain a draft pick after this season.

[Heyward]

That is completely illegal to have in a contract, and I'm not surprised the "experts" at TC didn't know that.

Part of the allure of a 1 year deal for JD is the ability to gain a draft pick after this season.

Maybe not in the contract literally but there was a handshake agreement to not offer him one.

[BeanieAntics]

I think this is my preference too, but not a strong preference.

The JD/Freeman/Acuna trio could all be legit Top-10 MVP finishers if everything bounces right and JD stays healthy.

Yeah if everything broke the right way... JD stays healthy and hits like its 2015/16, Freeman returns to form, and Acuna reaches his potential this year... Wow. That would probably end up being the best or 2nd best hitting trio in baseball. I don't know how likely all that is, but the potential is certainly exciting.

If I set the over/under for that trio at 90 home runs, who takes the over on that? I could see that trio approaching 100 honestly.

[BeanieAntics]

That is completely illegal to have in a contract, and I'm not surprised the "experts" at TC didn't know that.

Part of the allure of a 1 year deal for JD is the ability to gain a draft pick after this season.

Really? Huh. Didn't know that.

I knew it sounded weird and I'd never heard of such a thing being put into a contract, but I didn't know that it wasn't allowed.

[Enscheff]

Maybe not in the contract literally but there was a handshake agreement to not offer him one.

Yeah, and maybe JD wore a Braves jacket as a kid too, or likes to scout minor league players in his free time.

[Enscheff]

Yeah if everything broke the right way... JD stays healthy and hits like its 2015/16, Freeman returns to form, and Acuna reaches his potential this year... Wow. That would probably end up being the best or 2nd best hitting trio in baseball. I don't know how likely all that is, but the potential is certainly exciting.

If I set the over/under for that trio at 90 home runs, who takes the over on that? I could see that trio approaching 100 honestly.

I have Freeman projected with 22 HRs and Acuna with 34, so that's 56 between the 2. Will JD project to hit 34+?

I'll let you know after I do his projection.

[Heyward]

Yeah if everything broke the right way... JD stays healthy and hits like its 2015/16, Freeman returns to form, and Acuna reaches his potential this year... Wow. That would probably end up being the best or 2nd best hitting trio in baseball. I don't know how likely all that is, but the potential is certainly exciting.

If I set the over/under for that trio at 90 home runs, who takes the over on that? I could see that trio approaching 100 honestly.

I'd say slightly under since JD will probably get alot of time off, but if hes healthy, thats a heck of a trio.

[nsacpi]

Maybe not in the contract literally but there was a handshake agreement to not offer him one.

That's the kind of thing that gets a GM a lifetime ban.

[clvclv]

Really? Huh. Didn't know that.

I knew it sounded weird and I'd never heard of such a thing being put into a contract, but I didn't know that it wasn't allowed.

Much like specific stats can't be what incentives are based on - Ws, HRs, hits, Saves, etc.. The one year deal Holland signed with Colorado in 2017 had escalators based on "games finished" rather than Saves - nitpicking, obviously, but that was how it was structured.

Can't allow handshake agreements agreeing not to attach draft pick compensation to players to be part of a deal (publicly, at least) - everyone wouldn't be playing on a level playing field if you did (as if they are to begin with). Somebody like the Braves or Jays with a stud 3B prospect who's almost ready could make that kind of offer where a lot of other teams couldn't.

[bravesfanforlife88]

AA is on 680 the fan saying that we are going to give Riley some looks in the OF this spring

[Enscheff]

AA is on 680 the fan saying that we are going to give Riley some looks in the OF this spring

Kinda like when he said they were set in the infield?

Expect to see a cOF acquired soon.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Kinda like when he said they were set in the infield?

Expect to see a cOF acquired soon.

I do expect to see a cOF acquired soon, just passing along what he said.

Also said that in a perfect world he would add a cOF, bullpen piece, and TOR starter. But as he sits here today he sees a TOR deal as unlikely....

[nsacpi]

AA also saying Ozzie to occasionally play short

[Chico]

AA is on 680 the fan saying that we are going to give Riley some looks in the OF this spring

He'll be our top bat in AAA. It makes sense for him to learn some LF for the inevitable injury.

This could also be posturing for some team who thinks they can get Riley on the cheap now due to JD and Camargo.

[Super]

He'll be our top bat in AAA. It makes sense for him to learn some LF for the inevitable injury.

This could also be posturing for some team who thinks they can get Riley on the cheap now due to JD and Camargo.

also the need for a legit cOF is muddied

[thewupk]

Acuna/Freeman/JD could be the best trio of bats we've had in some time

[rico43]

Kinda like when he said they were set in the infield?

Expect to see a cOF acquired soon.

Absolutely. Braves already get props this winter for striking first. Still annoyed we did not acquire Yelich.

BTW, One of my favorite things on this board during the off-season is that knowledgeable people get into arguments over things that are not mutually exclusive. This of course serves to make both parties look like trolls.