Looking Ahead - The 2020 Offseason Thread

[Sheffield10]

Disagree. The Pads added a good one and good two with 3 years of control each. To do so they only traded one of their top 8 prospects. They lost one, top 100 guy and a 2-3 Win starter.

This is not an all in move. They still have a ton of ammo and/or cost controlled players in those 7 top 100 prospects they did not trade.

Yes, Yu's 34, 35, 36 yo seasons are risky. But it's not a ton of money, especially when you are paying Tatis and others peanuts.

If we go back to regular playoffs, I think the we have to win the division. I don't see the WC coming out of the east with the Pads/Dodgers in a much worse division than the East.

💯

[Carp]

The more I thought about it, I don't think this deal is that bad at all for the Cubs. The prospects they received may be a ways away, but it serves them on a couple of levels. Their farm system was depleted by all the "flags fly forever" trades they made a few years back so they've re-stocked to some extent. At the same time, some of the prospect capital can be flipped for guys who could help the big league club and are less expensive than what they've had. Cubs could do a fairly quick re-tool.

If Davies has a nice 1st half, they would surely flip him for several more prospects if they aren't in contention. This trade also allows them to pseudo compete in 2021 since Davies is a solid starter to replace Darvish and it frees up a good amount of cash to make some upgrades in other areas.

[Carp]

I'd rather doubt that's the way they go either - just pointing out the fact that they could become a much better team that way. They're not going to get the type of haul they'd like for Bryant or Baez, so it would probably be worth a shot if they're not broke - they might even be better off from a rebuilding perspective if they offered QOs to Bryant and Baez and got compensation picks for them. Management would arguably save a little face with fans since they could say "we tried to keep them" instead of trading one or both. If the Reds do have to move one or two of their important pieces, their only competition in the Central would be the Cards. There's little doubt they'd probably be a better team than in 2020 with moves like that, and their payroll wouldn't have increased. MUCH better defensively, their rotation would be worlds deeper (Hendricks/Odorizzi/Paxton/Davies would be really solid if healthy), and they could use Alzolay and Marquez in the pen.

Like most, I fully expect them to move Bryant as well (although fans will be disappointed with the return).

People are sleeping on the Brewers for some reason. Several of their players had very unlucky seasons in 2020. They will also get Cain back as well. I would expect a nice bounce back for the Brew Crew.

[clvclv]

People are sleeping on the Brewers for some reason. Several of their players had very unlucky seasons in 2020. They will also get Cain back as well. I would expect a nice bounce back for the Brew Crew.

Afraid I just don't see it. I definitely expect Yelich to bounce back, but outside of the 35 year old Cain (who won't have played in 18 months) and Hiura they don't have any offensive pieces who belong on a first-division club, and once you get past Woodruff and Burnes their rotation is a huge question mark.

LOTS of money to spend, sure, but this market isn't exactly flush with players to fill several of the holes they need to fill. Even if it was, how many would have Milwaukee as one of the top destinations on their list - especially since they barely look like an outside threat in the weakest division (at best), and would need to sign SEVERAL pieces before even thinking about being a threat to the teams at the top of the East and West? They REALLY need to trade Hader now while they can get a big return for him IMO - can you imagine the kind of haul they'd get from the Dodgers for three years of him at arbitration values?

[bravesfanMatt]

The friars have a lot left in the tank but these trades start to build salaries and 40 man issues. I am not a Darvish believer and they now have his salary plus a meh catcher for what 3 years now. Darvish feasted on crap offenses last year. I doubt he does as well next year. Then they have a lot of guys hitting arb over the next 3 years. Plus need to promote the top guys soon. It will be interesting to watch how Prepler navigates these next few years. Especially if some of his high priced guys start to flounder.

[Carp]

Afraid I just don't see it. I definitely expect Yelich to bounce back, but outside of the 35 year old Cain (who won't have played in 18 months) and Hiura they don't have any offensive pieces who belong on a first-division club, and once you get past Woodruff and Burnes their rotation is a huge question mark.

LOTS of money to spend, sure, but this market isn't exactly flush with players to fill several of the holes they need to fill. Even if it was, how many would have Milwaukee as one of the top destinations on their list - especially since they barely look like an outside threat in the weakest division (at best), and would need to sign SEVERAL pieces before even thinking about being a threat to the teams at the top of the East and West? They REALLY need to trade Hader now while they can get a big return for him IMO - can you imagine the kind of haul they'd get from the Dodgers for three years of him at arbitration values?

Cain did play a few games last season. And they were roughly a .500 team despite struggles by Yelich and Hiura and no Cain. Currently they need a 3b, 1b, and a SP. We'll see how they finish their roster out, but they easily have the best player and the best pitching duo in a division that is currently very weak. And 9/10 FAs don't care what a team's playoff hopes are. They want the most money, and if Milwaukee is the team offering that, then that is where they'll sign.

[thewupk]

Disagree. The Pads added a good one and good two with 3 years of control each. To do so they only traded one of their top 8 prospects. They lost one, top 100 guy and a 2-3 Win starter.

This is not an all in move. They still have a ton of ammo and/or cost controlled players in those 7 top 100 prospects they did not trade.

Yes, Yu's 34, 35, 36 yo seasons are risky. But it's not a ton of money, especially when you are paying Tatis and others peanuts.

If we go back to regular playoffs, I think the we have to win the division. I don't see the WC coming out of the east with the Pads/Dodgers in a much worse division than the East.

There are 2 WCs in the regular playoffs

[clvclv]

Cain did play a few games last season. And they were roughly a .500 team despite struggles by Yelich and Hiura and no Cain. Currently they need a 3b, 1b, and a SP. We'll see how they finish their roster out, but they easily have the best player and the best pitching duo in a division that is currently very weak. And 9/10 FAs don't care what a team's playoff hopes are. They want the most money, and if Milwaukee is the team offering that, then that is where they'll sign.

This is the problem for them IMO. Encarnacion/Braun/Murphy/Thames/Moreland will be a difference-maker at 1B? Shaw/Marwin Gonzalez/Frazier/Franco/Gyorko at 3B? They have money, and ought to be able to land a decent SP to put in their #3 slot, but where are they going to find offensive help? Yelich is going to have to return to MVP-level production, Cain will have to be able to hide from Father Time, and Hiura has plenty of questions to answer.

The Central is going to be weak so anyone adding probably has a "chance" to win it, but neither of the wildcards will come from there and it's probably fair to say whoever wins it will be an underdog in the opening round of the playoffs. They don't have any help coming from their system in 2021, and certainly don't have the kinds of pieces in it to make a play for any of the big names presumed to be available on the corners (IF or OF) via trade. If you were Attanasio, would you feel comfortable telling Stearns to go ahead and spend big on the free-agents you're likely to be in on in this class?

[UNCBlue012]

Boob Nightengale: The Chicago #Cubs, after trading Yu Darvish and non-tendering Kyle Schwarber, are now extensively shopping catcher Willson Contreras. Contreras is projected to earn at least $5 million and perhaps as much as $7.4 million in salary arbitration, per

[msstate7]

Boob Nightengale: The Chicago #Cubs, after trading Yu Darvish and non-tendering Kyle Schwarber, are now extensively shopping catcher Willson Contreras. Contreras is projected to earn at least $5 million and perhaps as much as $7.4 million in salary arbitration, per

Wouldn't schwarber be a good platoon bat?

[thewupk]

Wouldn't schwarber be a good platoon bat?

For an AL team

[Heyward]

Disagree. The Pads added a good one and good two with 3 years of control each. To do so they only traded one of their top 8 prospects. They lost one, top 100 guy and a 2-3 Win starter.

This is not an all in move. They still have a ton of ammo and/or cost controlled players in those 7 top 100 prospects they did not trade.

Yes, Yu's 34, 35, 36 yo seasons are risky. But it's not a ton of money, especially when you are paying Tatis and others peanuts.

If we go back to regular playoffs, I think the we have to win the division. I don't see the WC coming out of the east with the Pads/Dodgers in a much worse division than the East.

Tatis is arb-eligible starting in 2022. You are right they only traded 1 top prospect but it's more the money they're taking on. They arent a big market.

[Carp]

This is the problem for them IMO. Encarnacion/Braun/Murphy/Thames/Moreland will be a difference-maker at 1B? Shaw/Marwin Gonzalez/Frazier/Franco/Gyorko at 3B? They have money, and ought to be able to land a decent SP to put in their #3 slot, but where are they going to find offensive help? Yelich is going to have to return to MVP-level production, Cain will have to be able to hide from Father Time, and Hiura has plenty of questions to answer.

The Central is going to be weak so anyone adding probably has a "chance" to win it, but neither of the wildcards will come from there and it's probably fair to say whoever wins it will be an underdog in the opening round of the playoffs. They don't have any help coming from their system in 2021, and certainly don't have the kinds of pieces in it to make a play for any of the big names presumed to be available on the corners (IF or OF) via trade. If you were Attanasio, would you feel comfortable telling Stearns to go ahead and spend big on the free-agents you're likely to be in on in this class?

You don't have to spend big on FAs to make upgrades. CJ Cron, Jose Martinez, or even Ryan Braun could provide some value at 1b on a 1 year deal. 3b could be upgraded by Asdrubal Cabrera. The Brewers don't have to make big splashes to get the sort of upgrades needed to win the division. It's a weak division that hasn't seen 1 team make any improvements. In fact, the 3 of the 5 teams have gotten significantly worse since the end of the season.

[Heyward]

If we go back to regular playoffs, I think the we have to win the division. I don't see the WC coming out of the east with the Pads/Dodgers in a much worse division than the East.

There's 2 WC's in a regular playoff format. Even then, Braves are just as good if not better than the Padres if we add a couple more bats.

[MadduxFanII]

Boob Nightengale: The Chicago #Cubs, after trading Yu Darvish and non-tendering Kyle Schwarber, are now extensively shopping catcher Willson Contreras. Contreras is projected to earn at least $5 million and perhaps as much as $7.4 million in salary arbitration, per

I really, really don't believe that Tom Ricketts is in such dire financial straits that he can't afford even $7.4 million for a player of Willson Contreras' caliber.

[PawPawMaxwell]

Does anyone here know where Bryce Ball spent 2020? Any ideas as to Braves plans for him? Guesses?

[50PoundHead]

Does anyone here know where Bryce Ball spent 2020? Any ideas as to Braves plans for him? Guesses?

He was on the 60-man roster and participated at the alternate site. In the absence of the pandemic, it's my guess he would have started the year in High-A and had he done well there finished the year in Mississippi.

[UNCBlue012]

Hopefully, AA takes this hard-earned $600 stimulus check and invests in a big middle-of-the-order bat. I’m so sick of him sitting on his hands while other teams make big-time trades. Sad!

[Heyward]

Hopefully, AA takes this hard-earned $600 stimulus check and invests in a big middle-of-the-order bat. I’m so sick of him sitting on his hands while other teams make big-time trades. Sad!

Sarcasm? Braves have been one of the more active teams this winter. He's probably waiting for full confirmation on DH before making some moves on that front.

[PawPawMaxwell]

Hopefully, AA takes this hard-earned $600 stimulus check and invests in a big middle-of-the-order bat. I’m so sick of him sitting on his hands while other teams make big-time trades. Sad!

Only truly big deals/signings have been pitchers which we dont need yet..