Looking Ahead - The 2020 Offseason Thread

[Russ2dollas]

This morning on Hot Stove, Darling and Vasgersian emphasized the fact that no one takes the lesser deal anymore and there is no such thing as a home town discount.

I don't know what that is based on. There are multiple examples every year when people say that is true. McCann was one that comes to mind recently. He wasn't an A free agent, but he wanted to end with the braves.

Some rumors that Brantley just did that.

Sometimes people want to go to certain teams or just ignore other teams.

I don't see the offers, so I don't know. Not pretending I do know the answer.

I could see someone not thinking it's a discount if they get a higher AAV.

[PawPawMaxwell]

Brantley got a pretty good raise and we dont know if he even had any other offers. I would not call McCann's deal a home team discount, more of I want to play 1 more in front of my kids.

There are certainly pillow contracts but as far as home town discounts, I think, no I know, the MLBPA would frown deeply on any player much less the top rated position free agent player taking a discounted deal.

[clvclv]

Brantley got a pretty good raise and we dont know if he even had any other offers. I would not call McCann's deal a home team discount, more of I want to play 1 more in front of my kids.

There are certainly pillow contracts but as far as home town discounts, I think, no I know, the MLBPA would frown deeply on any player much less the top rated position free agent player taking a discounted deal.

Michael Brantley most certainly didn't "get a pretty good raise" - his last contract with Houston was 2 years/$32 million, just like the one he agreed to yesterday...

Michael Brantley lf
2 years/$32M (2021-22)

2 years/$32M (2021-22)
re-signed by Houston as a free agent 1/21/21
2 years/$32M (2019-20)
signed by Houston as a free agent 12/18/18
$2M signing bonus
19:$15M, 20:$15M
award bonuses, including top 5 in MVP vote, WS MVP, LCS MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, All Star
4 years/$25M (2014-17), plus 2018 club option
signed extension with Cleveland 2/10/14 (avoided arbitration, $3.8M-$2.7M)
$3.5M signing bonus
14:$1.5M, 15:$5M, 16:$6.5M, 17:$7.5M, 18:$11M club option ($1M buyout)
2017 salary increases by $1M with 1-5 finish in 2014-16 MVP vote or by $0.5M with 6-10 finish in 2014-16 MVP vote
2018 option increases by $1M with 1-5 finish in 2014-17 MVP vote or by $500,000 with 6-10 finish in 2014-17 MVP vote
award bonuses, including $0.1M for All Star
Cleveland exercised 2018 option at $11.5M 11/3/17
1 year/$526,900 (2013)
re-signed by Cleveland 3/7/13
1 year/$495,300 (2012)
re-signed by Cleveland 3/3/12
1 year/$421,800 (2011)
re-signed by Cleveland 2/11
1 year/$400,800 (2010)
re-signed by Cleveland 3/10/10
1 year (2009)
contract purchased by Cleveland 9/1/09
acquired in trade from Milwaukee 10/08
drafted by Milwaukee 2005 (7-205) (Ft. Pierce Central HS, Fla.)
$150,000 signing bonus
agent: Excel Sports
ML service: 10.131

[UNCBlue012]

Interesting bit on DOB’s latest mailbag:

​​​​​​​Did the Braves have any interest in Springer? Are they willing to spend that kind of money? — Jordan G.

It surprised me to learn the Braves were actually in on Springer until the end. I don’t know how serious they were, but that’s what I was told by someone in the organization, that there were several who wanted him badly. But the length and/or overall guarantee of his contract were just too much for the Braves. They’re not willing to commit that much, particularly when they have the Freeman extension coming up, which likely won’t be either as long or as lucrative as that Springer contract with Toronto.

[zbhargrove]

Brantley got a pretty good raise and we dont know if he even had any other offers. I would not call McCann's deal a home team discount, more of I want to play 1 more in front of my kids.

There are certainly pillow contracts but as far as home town discounts, I think, no I know, the MLBPA would frown deeply on any player much less the top rated position free agent player taking a discounted deal.

What? Brantley got a pretty good raise? No he didn’t. Do you Google this stuff before you post?

[zbhargrove]

Now that it is rumored the DH is here to stay... Nelson Cruz may still be a dark horse candidate but we would still need another bat I think

[PawPawMaxwell]

What? Brantley got a pretty good raise? No he didn’t. Do you Google this stuff before you post?

No I did not google it but I simply had the MLBTR Free agent projection stuck in my mind. Sure sorry I brought it up since it is so unimportant to this forum's interest in the Braves.

[NYCBrave]

Interesting bit on DOB’s latest mailbag:

​​​​​​​Did the Braves have any interest in Springer? Are they willing to spend that kind of money? — Jordan G.

It surprised me to learn the Braves were actually in on Springer until the end. I don’t know how serious they were, but that’s what I was told by someone in the organization, that there were several who wanted him badly. But the length and/or overall guarantee of his contract were just too much for the Braves. They’re not willing to commit that much, particularly when they have the Freeman extension coming up, which likely won’t be either as long or as lucrative as that Springer contract with Toronto.

Thanks for sharing that, and it is pretty intriguing to read. But it's like I mentioned in an earlier post, the Braves simply would not pay a free agent more than they plan to pay Freeman for the upcoming extension. It would just be a slap in the face to him, and possibly even hurt negotiations.

DOB seems to at least have faith something will happen with the extension, and it sounds like something we can live with.

[UNCBlue012]

Bowman said a few minutes ago that the Braves have the financials to sign JTR to a similar deal as the Phillies. So, that answers the question about money - it’s there.

[jpx7]

Thanks for sharing that, and it is pretty intriguing to read. But it's like I mentioned in an earlier post, the Braves simply would not pay a free agent more than they plan to pay Freeman for the upcoming extension. It would just be a slap in the face to him, and possibly even hurt negotiations.

DOB seems to at least have faith something will happen with the extension, and it sounds like something we can live with.

If Freeman wants to extent and win, he may have to accept being paid less than an impact-FA addition.

[zbhargrove]

Bowman said a few minutes ago that the Braves have the financials to sign JTR to a similar deal as the Phillies. So, that answers the question about money - it’s there.

If Bowman is correct then that’s wildly good news. Also gels with DOBs article saying we were in on Springer till the end

[zbhargrove]

No I did not google it but I simply had the MLBTR Free agent projection stuck in my mind. Sure sorry I brought it up since it is so unimportant to this forum's interest in the Braves.

Man you sure get defensive when you post bad information or takes

[UNCBlue012]

If Bowman is correct then that’s wildly good news. Also gels with DOBs article saying we were in on Springer till the end

yup, see it for yourself: https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-thou...-marcell-ozuna

[Heyward]

Braves may have the money, it's whether AA wants to take the risk and sign a guy for 4-5 years.

[zbhargrove]

yup, see it for yourself: https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-thou...-marcell-ozuna

No I saw it. Was just saying if his info is correct.

[Enscheff]

No I did not google it but I simply had the MLBTR Free agent projection stuck in my mind. Sure sorry I brought it up since it is so unimportant to this forum's interest in the Braves.

Just stop. You are becoming the guy on the board who aggressively pushes his ignorant takes despite being called out by everyone.

Players have been taking shorter deals with higher AAV in favor of longer deals that guarantee more money over the last few years. So you’re wrong, again.

JTR may very well prefer 2-3 years at $25M per year over 5 years at $22M per year.

[msstate7]

What's Cruz expected to get?

[Heyward]

What's Cruz expected to get?

I'd imagine a 1 year, 10 mil deal or so. He's probably waiting on the DH.

[msstate7]

I'd imagine a 1 year, 10 mil deal or so. He's probably waiting on the DH.

Do you think we could get Cruz and a pederson/Duvall platoon for same price as JTR or ozuna?

[UNCBlue012]

Mets and Angels favored for Bauer, as expected, per Anthony DiComo