I'd give Madson a major league deal right now. He's a far better option than either Jackson or Carle.
If we'd had DFA'd Duvall at the end of ST we could have given his 40 man spot and money to Madson and had an actual useful piece without adding payroll or exposing anyone of worth to waivers.
You're arguing semantics. Of course us missing the playoffs will lead to lower revenues. At best you could argue it's a risky move, but in reality, it would be an extremely dumb move to marginalize costs for some sort of bonus structure when your job security is entirely dependent on the on-field success of the franchise.
Last edited by Carp; 03-29-2019 at 09:58 AM.
Southcack77 (03-29-2019)
I declared that they were stuck in baseball purgatory long ago. Certainly, one game isn't a trend. But this offseason was a trend for me which re-enforces my concerns regarding the rebuilding plan - they got to a point where perception says they should contend but find themselves in a place where they don't have enough payroll space to fill the holes needed to feed the fire of contending and that if they go into a full on trade the farm to contend now mindset then they are a one or two year wonder cratering back into a rebuild once again.
Assuming Minter and O'Day come back in a reasonable timeframe, it is just part of the ups and downs you have each season. I mostly view it as a test of Snitker's ability to manage with a short pen. It will be interesting to see if he gives Sobotka and Parsons some semi-high leverage innings before he turns to Carle again in a similar situation.
"I am a victim, I will tell you. I am a victim."
"I am your retribution."
This offseason was a result of a miscalculation of cOF cost by AA and the inability of the Braves to add long term payroll debt because of MLB debt servicing rules due to the desire to add even more long term commercial debt.
You didn’t call that happening 3 years ago. There is plenty of young talent around, and there would be plenty of cash if the Braves weren’t suddenly more interested in being a realty development company instead of a baseball team.
We will never win a game this year. Yesterday proves it!
I disagree. Your argument is premised on the idea of total health by the pen once Minter and O'Day return. We know Viz has shoulder issues and who knows if Venters is going to hold up long term. Minter and O'Day returning healthy and staying healthy is also far from a guarantee.
Then there's the fact that we're relying on Parsons and Sobotka to perform in key roles while cutting their teeth.
The issue here is depth. AA should have added at least two relievers in the offseason. A closer or at least legit set up man and a middle reliever. That would provide the depth to keep guys like Jackson and Carle off the roster except in transient, 8th man roles while letting the younger relievers rotate up and down between Atlanta and AAA as needed.
The fact that Carle and Jackson are more than the 8th man shows how little depth we have in the pen.
It also makes no sense for AA to run up to his absolute payroll limit this year when doing so wont alter revenue. Save the money, increase profits, reap the reward.
Maybe if they miss the playoffs this year the calculus changes and he has to sink more money into payroll. That's not the case right now though. Coming off a division title win that ignited the fan base and still fielding a legitimate team, he has some ability to go cheap.
I find it exceedingly unlikely AA didn’t spend payroll to boost his 2019 bonus. It seems illogical to be that short sighted. If the Braves face plant this year attendance will plummet, and AA will be on the hot seat. He knows this, so there’s no way he made roster decisions based on some bonus for a single year.
Tapate50 (03-29-2019)
It's not just a bonus structure. I think AA getting a bonus is a big motivator but that's not all. If the Braves turn a fantastic profit this year that will solidify AA with Liberty far more than winning the division will.
The simplest explanation is most likely true. To me, trying to maximize profits is the simplest explanation. The Braves are being run as a business, profits are always going to be the driving force.