Harper isn’t signing for $30 mil per year.
Albies could have problems with his swing adjustments, Swanson might not take that next step offensively, Donaldson could miss some time due to injury. Ender could slump meaning Acuna has to play CF for a period of time opening a spot in LF.
Camargo will get plenty of AB's and provide much needed insurance.
The one-year commitment to Donaldson means we will have a fair amount of financial flexibility next off-season. O'Day is the other big expiring deal at $9M. We get to evaluate Riley and Camargo one more year and then decide next off-season if either or both is part of our long-term plans.
"I am a victim, I will tell you. I am a victim."
"I am your retribution."
BedellBrave (11-26-2018), Chico (11-26-2018), DirkPiggler (11-26-2018), jpx7 (11-26-2018)
That should be the target. 400-500 PAs sounds about right to me. He could be quite valuable rotating around the infield and outfield to exploit platoons, pinch hitting, spelling Donaldson to keep JD fresh, providing insurance against injuries... Camargo isn't going anywhere. He is still going to be a vital part of this team.
Chico (11-26-2018), jpx7 (11-26-2018), UNCBlue012 (11-26-2018)
I was pretty vocal about liking a Donaldson signing earlier, so this one gets my approval.
You have cash to spend and Donaldson is the only realistic potential middle order bat out there. You are protected against his injury to some degree by Camargo and Riley. There is a non-zero chance he's an All Star or borderline MVP candidate for you. He fits the Braves pretty well. No prospects or draft picks sacrificed and no long term financial stability.
If the Braves now sign a cOF FA to a less than four year deal, make a bullpen acquisition, and maybe trade for a starting pitching upgrade this is pretty close to my conservative going for it plan.
jpx7 (11-26-2018)
I'm fine with this as long as Fried is in the starting rotation! :)
Natural Immunity Croc
JohnAdcox (11-26-2018), rico43 (11-26-2018), TURBO (11-26-2018), UNCBlue012 (11-26-2018)
Brantley/McCutcheon/Pollack
Acuna
Freeman
Donaldson
Albies
Flowers/McCann
Inciarte
Swanson
Arguably still little light in the batting order.
What's not to like about this deal? Best bat on the market that you aren't going to pay $300 million for. Still money to make a move for a corner outfielder and add a legit ace in a trade, provided you can dump Julio's contract.
This is probably very likely.
Unless we are able to move some money, I think this deal will take us out of the running for Cutch/Brantley/Pollack. I think we are going to explore the trade market for our corner outfielder.
If we can put Camargo in a super utility role and trade for a ~3 win corner outfielder with upside, I think we'll enter 2019 as the favorites in the NL East, provided the Phillies don't go nuts this offseason. At this point, I just don't see any path for us to add a ToR starting pitcher to the fold unless we trade for a young guy. Same for the bullpen. If we don't trade for an Edwin Diaz type player, I don't see us making a move for a top shelf closer. I'm fine with that.
It'll be interesting to see how we make the money work.