Braves sign Mart to 2 year deal

[Enscheff]

Currently sitting at $107M with holes at 3b, C, SP and possibly cOF.

At this point the only logical explanation is that $130M was way off for the opening day payroll figure...I hope.

[Freshmaker]

I now predict we will sign Donaldson, Bumgarner and Ozuna, leaving us with a 165-ish payroll

[msstate7]

I now predict we will sign Donaldson, Bumgarner and Ozuna, leaving us with a 165-ish payroll

That would be a stout team

[jpx7]

Hard Bartleby on Bumgarner.

[zbhargrove]

I now predict we will sign Donaldson, Bumgarner and Ozuna, leaving us with a 165-ish payroll

Trade MadBum and his awful 5.29 road ERA for Wheeler and I'm on board. Although I'd rather in this scenario not sign JD and trade for Bryant or Andujar

[bravesfanMatt]

Ok AA. What’s next

[Hudson2]

I’m gonna say a trade for a cheap controllable player like Contreras is coming to fill a big hole and then going expensive at 3b.

[UNCBlue012]

I’m gonna say a trade for a cheap controllable player like Contreras is coming to fill a big hole and then going expensive at 3b.

agreed.

[Hudson2]

I’m not ruling any player out at this point bc all logic before the offseason started and what we thought the payroll was gonna be is completely out the window now. Does AA shock us all and go after Cole or Strasburg? Contreras and Moose wouldn’t cost very much at all but would still leave the offense lacking.

[bravesfanMatt]

So we are at 39 with holes to fill. Hmm.

[Heyward]

This is crazy. In a good way though. 160 million payroll? We haven’t filled any real hole yet and have spent 23 million.

I wouldnt say bullpen wasnt a hole but SP/3B/C were bigger needs, yes.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Shortening the game. Better be leading the Braves after six innings

[bravesfanMatt]

I wouldnt say bullpen wasnt a hole but SP/3B/C were bigger needs, yes.

With a strong deep pen I am willing to go to battle with our starting staff. Maybe a sub 7 million get on a one year deal to offer depth. We need a power bat and platoon for Flow.

[The Chosen One]

AA has indicated several times Newk will be given an opportunity to win a spot in the rotation in spring training. Remains to be seen what he does with it.

Newk might be used as an opener. Snitker's head gonna explode.

[zbhargrove]

I think Newk is being talked up a bit and referred to as a starting candidate to see what his trade value is

[clvclv]

I think Newk is being talked up a bit and referred to as a starting candidate to see what his trade value is

And you said that 2 months ago - don't anyone think he didn't scoop everyone.

[clvclv]

Newk might be used as an opener. Snitker's head gonna explode.

Actually could turn out to be really interesting - if AA is able to add an offensive Catcher like Contreras and Moose plus another SP, maybe he continues to go with a 4 man bench since Camargo and Culberson provide plenty of versatility and they carry 14 Pitchers. Wright/Wilson/Touki/and eventually Anderson could be kept on the Atlanta/Gwinnett shuttle to piggyback with him every fifth day.

[The Chosen One]

Actually could turn out to be really interesting - if AA is able to add an offensive Catcher like Contreras and Moose plus another SP, maybe he continues to go with a 4 man bench since Camargo and Culberson provide plenty of versatility and they carry 14 Pitchers. Wright/Wilson/Touki/and eventually Anderson could be kept on the Atlanta/Gwinnett shuttle to piggyback with him every fifth day.

Gonna be less shuttling since pitchers 10 Day DL is now back to 15.

[goldfly]

if Minter regains his form

haha

thanks for the chuckle

[Skeeter31]

Actually could turn out to be really interesting - if AA is able to add an offensive Catcher like Contreras and Moose plus another SP, maybe he continues to go with a 4 man bench since Camargo and Culberson provide plenty of versatility and they carry 14 Pitchers. Wright/Wilson/Touki/and eventually Anderson could be kept on the Atlanta/Gwinnett shuttle to piggyback with him every fifth day.

With the new 26 man roster a team is only allowed a maximum of 13 pitchers.

And we’re also entering into the new rule that a pitcher must face at least 3 batters before being pulled. So maybe stocking up on strong bullpen arms isn’t a bad move since we won’t be able to have a true LOOGY anymore.