jpx7 (12-08-2019)
What’s wrong with the site?
Me either. And if JD signs first and the Cubs are asking for the moon for Bryant then adding a 3b and cleanup hitter both becomes pretty tough. Maybe Maffai was dropping a hint about the payroll when he said we were well below the luxury tax threshold when he talked about spending. Bc even signing JD puts us over 150 million. None of us saw that coming.
Agreed. I would have bet any amount of money the Braves wouldn’t top $150M on their opening day payroll.
If they are willing to go $150M to sign JD, nobody can really claim it’s impossible for them to top $160M to accommodate Rendon. At that point the payroll increase over 2019 is so significant we have no way to project how high it can go.
I still think they will be closer to $130M, and Hamels was signed because they couldn’t match whatever offers JD has in hand. The big bat will come via trade, but I wouldn’t be surprised by anything anymore.
We also have Melancon and Greene's money coming off the books after next season. I would imagine with Folty becoming expensive he's either a trade candidate now or for sure next offseason.
Forever Fredi
I was expecting the big trade to come last offseason with JTR and it didn’t happen so I’m kinda expecting it this offseason if they can’t land JD. I think it’ll be closer to 150 than 130 just bc if they do make a trade for say Bryant then that still adds another 18 to the payroll for next year. Getting a 3b isn’t so much the problem, it’s getting one that can bat 4th. Only 3 of those are available and 2 of em are FA. JD still makes the most sense bc if his relationship with JD and how well he played here. AA ha the green light to bring him back as long as it’s not to crazy I’m sure. 3/75 and I think they can both be comfortable with it.
That’s what I thought about too. If AA wanted Rendon then he could backload it a few million to next year bc Pache and Waters should both be ready and every position would be pretty much filled. I know it probably won’t happen but Rendon makes a ton of sense and bc we haven’t been linked to him at all.