Looking Ahead - The 2020 Offseason Thread

[Tapate50]

Problem is why we keep Camargo?

He can be cut loose for nada

[clvclv]

He can be cut loose for nada

That's the case with Jackson. If he doesn't significantly outperform Webb, Arano, and others during camp he can be cut loose - if he does, the other guys have options remaining. Johan actually has two options remaining as well, but I'm not 100% sure he can be sent down again - we'd need to check deeper into how many days he's spent on rosters.

[clvclv]

Probably not a discussion either AA or Snitker wants to have with him, but we may have finally reached the point where Acuna has to move down in the order to help the team.

If you keep Freddie in the #2 spot with Acuna behind him and Dansby leading off, you still make it extremely tough on opposing SPs to "settle in" in the first inning. Then you could sign a Pederson/Rosario and Duvall platoon - whichever LH hitter you sign hits behind Ronald against RHPs, and d'Arnaud hits behind him against lefties.

[ixiXSolidXixi]

Probably not a discussion either AA or Snitker wants to have with him, but we may have finally reached the point where Acuna has to move down in the order to help the team.

If you keep Freddie in the #2 spot with Acuna behind him and Dansby leading off, you still make it extremely tough on opposing SPs to "settle in" in the first inning. Then you could sign a Pederson/Rosario and Duvall platoon - whichever LH hitter you sign hits behind Ronald against RHPs, and d'Arnaud hits behind him against lefties.

I like Acuña second with Freddie third.

[bravesfanMatt]

Well with ender pache riley and camargo all in the same lineup does it really matter where Acuna hits.

[clvclv]

"The Braves had interest in Liam Hendriks before Hendriks signed with the White Sox earlier this month, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). This could indicate that Atlanta is looking to bolster its closing options, and perhaps make a significant investment in the process. The Braves have shown willing to spend on their bullpen in recent years, with moves like last winter’s free agent deal with Will Smith and absorbing Mark Melancon’s contract at the 2019 trade deadline. Melancon handled closer duties for Atlanta in 2020 and is still unsigned, so a reunion seems theoretically possible."

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/...-springer.html

Apparently AA has plenty of money to play with - he's only interested in short-term deals. This would explain why he's waiting Ozuna's market out.

Since all we've heard is that LF is at the top of the to-do list - but he was apparently in on Hendriks - it's probably fair to wonder if he's not looking for someone more dominant than Melancon for the pen. Rosenthal's still floating around out there, and he'd sure look nice at the back of this pen.

Go ahead and add Rosenthal and one of Villar/Miller/La Stella, then see where everything stands - the Pederson/Rosario/Mazara/Duvall market isn't likely going to budge until there's movement on the Ozuna front.

[50PoundHead]

"The Braves had interest in Liam Hendriks before Hendriks signed with the White Sox earlier this month, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). This could indicate that Atlanta is looking to bolster its closing options, and perhaps make a significant investment in the process. The Braves have shown willing to spend on their bullpen in recent years, with moves like last winter’s free agent deal with Will Smith and absorbing Mark Melancon’s contract at the 2019 trade deadline. Melancon handled closer duties for Atlanta in 2020 and is still unsigned, so a reunion seems theoretically possible."

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/...-springer.html

Apparently AA has plenty of money to play with - he's only interested in short-term deals. This would explain why he's waiting Ozuna's market out.

Since all we've heard is that LF is at the top of the to-do list - but he was apparently in on Hendriks - it's probably fair to wonder if he's not looking for someone more dominant than Melancon for the pen. Rosenthal's still floating around out there, and he'd sure look nice at the back of this pen.

Go ahead and add Rosenthal and one of Villar/Miller/La Stella, then see where everything stands - the Pederson/Rosario/Mazara/Duvall market isn't likely going to budge until there's movement on the Ozuna front.

I see La Stella's name now and then, but where would he play? I don't think Villar would make much sense either. Miller I can see.

[UNCBlue012]

Taillon to the Yankees

[UNCBlue012]

#Braves Remain engaged on Marcell Ozuna. Also looking at their traditional 1 Yr high AAV type deals for bats. When DH gets announced in NL, they'll have an interesting choice between Ozuna & Nelson Cruz. Some rumblings they're looking at both trades for 3rd Base & Marcus Semien

[UNCBlue012]

Taillon to the Yankees

the Pirates have been prioritizing quantity over quality this off-season with a strong haul from the Yankees:

The four young #Yankees prospects going to the #Pirates: Miguel Yajure, Roansy Contreras, Maikel Escotto and Canaan Smith, @JeffPassan reports. Yajure is the highest-rated #Yankees prospect in deal.

[PawPawMaxwell]

#Braves Remain engaged on Marcell Ozuna. Also looking at their traditional 1 Yr high AAV type deals for bats. When DH gets announced in NL, they'll have an interesting choice between Ozuna & Nelson Cruz. Some rumblings they're looking at both trades for 3rd Base & Marcus Semien

I would be a bit cautious on Semien as a long term answer. The live ball of 2019 versus the rest of his career seems out of whack for the money he got last year.

[clvclv]

I see La Stella's name now and then, but where would he play? I don't think Villar would make much sense either. Miller I can see.

Villar's probably better-suited to be Dansby's backup than Camargo - not good enough to be an everyday SS anymore, but supposedly can fake it well enough to hold it down for a little while. All three are better offensive utility guys than Johan.

Just looking to improve around the edges as much as possible. The Yankees spent $15 million on their utility guy and the Padres spent $7 million on theirs. LeMahieu's quite a bit better than those three - it's questionable whether Profar is. All should be quite a bit more affordable than those two and would likely be substantial upgrades to our bench.

[clvclv]

#Braves Remain engaged on Marcell Ozuna. Also looking at their traditional 1 Yr high AAV type deals for bats. When DH gets announced in NL, they'll have an interesting choice between Ozuna & Nelson Cruz. Some rumblings they're looking at both trades for 3rd Base & Marcus Semien

How about including names when you copy and paste tweets? No idea whether the folks you quote are worth listening to.

[UNCBlue012]

How about including names when you copy and paste tweets? No idea whether the folks you quote are worth listening to.

I don’t include a tweet unless it’s from a decent name or someone that I know now has a few solid sources. This is from @HotStoveintel. He’s rarely the first on a trade but has good and accurate insider info.

[UNCBlue012]

PANDA IS BACK

[ixiXSolidXixi]

PANDA IS BACK

There is the big bat! Literally!! 🤣

[NYCBrave]

This was also in that MLBTR article, about Braves pursuit of Springer.


George Springer was also reportedly on the Braves’ radar until the very late stages of the outfielder’s free agent tenure, though ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (subscription required) writes that the team was looking to act “as a potential safety net” if Springer didn’t find a long-term offer to his satisfaction. Essentially, it would have been this offseason’s version of the Braves’ past one-year deals with Marcell Ozuna and Josh Donaldson, as Atlanta took advantage of thin markets for those two players and were rewarded with outstanding seasons.

[msstate7]

PANDA IS BACK

My sources say he's in the best shape of his life

[Enscheff]

This was also in that MLBTR article, about Braves pursuit of Springer.


George Springer was also reportedly on the Braves’ radar until the very late stages of the outfielder’s free agent tenure, though ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (subscription required) writes that the team was looking to act “as a potential safety net” if Springer didn’t find a long-term offer to his satisfaction. Essentially, it would have been this offseason’s version of the Braves’ past one-year deals with Marcell Ozuna and Josh Donaldson, as Atlanta took advantage of thin markets for those two players and were rewarded with outstanding seasons.

The Braves have the flexibility of adding this bat at LF, 3B and probably DH. The likelihood of getting Turner, Ozuna or Cruz on a 1 year deal is pretty high. Once that impact bat is acquired, the other spots can be filled in with complimentary players.

This has probably been AA’s plan the whole time, and he should be commended for it.

[msstate7]

The Braves have the flexibility of adding this bat at LF, 3B and probably DH. The likelihood of getting Turner, Ozuna or Cruz on a 1 year deal is pretty high. Once that impact bst is acquired, the other spots can be filled in with complimentary players.

This has probably been AA’s plan the whole time, and he should be commended for it.

Which of the 3 would be your preference?