Looking Ahead - The 2020 Offseason Thread

[UNCBlue012]

According to AJC’s Gabe Burns, Alex Anthopoulos said #Braves’ “interest was long term” with Ozuna. Didn’t want to do shorter deal. Called four years the “sweet spot.”

[Hudson2]

It’s just nice knowing that next offseason we won’t be wondering what 1 year deal slugger we may luck up on. It’s nice knowing what the main part of your lineup will look like for once.

[Enscheff]

Yes I did and I dont want any more of your comments about stupidity or nonsense. I just may have to come to Las Vegas and whip your ass. Take that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pure stupidity from this one

[UNCBlue012]

LOLOL

Marcell Ozuna just jokingly asked Alex Anthopoulos that if the #Braves signed him this week after just one day of negotiations, then why didn't we just do this right after the season ended?

[UNCBlue012]

Damn.

The Tampa Bay Rays did make an offer to Marcell Ozuna, but he communicated to his agents that he wanted to hear from the #Braves. Deal came together in one day.

​​​​​​​sounds like Ozuna lit a fire under AA’s ass

[UNCBlue012]

Lmao:

Anthopoulos said he is going to let Ozuna handle negotiations on a Freeman extension since he thinks it’s so easy.

[Super]

It’s just nice knowing that next offseason we won’t be wondering what 1 year deal slugger we may luck up on. It’s nice knowing what the main part of your lineup will look like for once.

tough to disagree here. obviously the one year deals have provided tremendous value and carried minimal risk, but knowing the Braves will have a guy for more than a year is nice. of course, it's only as nice as it is because the AAV is low enough.

[Hudson2]

tough to disagree here. obviously the one year deals have provided tremendous value and carried minimal risk, but knowing the Braves will have a guy for more than a year is nice. of course, it's only as nice as it is because the AAV is low enough.

Next year we’ll just have to worry about another starter and maybe a catcher.

[ixiXSolidXixi]

I have a feeling we sign Markakis a Minor league deal and we keep him for the whole year.

[clvclv]

Not for 1 year of Betts.

When you had already decided you were going to do whatever it took to sign him long-term you would. One year was simply what was left on his deal with Boston - they were never trading for one year of him. Their beancounters were always working under the assumption that they would be paying him $350-$375 million for the next decade or more.

Unfortunately Friedman gets to work his magic in a world where ownership is always going to say "yes" when it comes to money - as long as he can make a logical argument to support the moves he makes. We can all play the what if games for *hits and giggles, but there was never any chance they weren't going to be the highest bidder after they traded for him. No harm in that - that's what message boards are for. We keep talking about how Freeman's going to be a Brave for life and that he's going to stay for below-market money, yet DOB mentioned earlier this week that the extension talks seem to be for more than the Cardinals gave Goldschmidt (5 years/$150 million was the last number I saw mentioned).

If the statement that 4 years was what they really wanted to sign Ozuna for isn't GM-speak, a Freeman extension is announced in the near future, AND we're told there are still resources available to make a move for someone like Ramirez or Suarez we can probably begin to believe McGuirk and AA when they say they have more control over personnel decisions and payroll than any of us have believed so far - and AA is at least being given enough room to TRY to do what he has to to win it all. I'm not holding my breath while waiting for those announcements, but after a four year deal for a guy who's going to be a DH next year I'm at least crossing my fingers that that's the case.

[clvclv]

There is still quite a bit of work to do, so I hope DOB is right about the $10M+ to spend.

I think I’d like to see the addition of 2-3 more bats:

LHH OF (or a RHH with reverse splits like Puig)
Backup SS (Hech is fine)
Another RHH corner player (only if there’s a DH)

Maybe a backup catcher. Maybe a value add to the BP if a guy like Greene or MM ends up being very cheap.

The Ramirez deal seems unlikely since the Indians appear to be done shedding payroll, but maybe AA was waiting to pull the trigger until he knew Turner wouldn’t be at 3b. I seriously doubt it happens, but I also doubted Ozuna would get 4+ years. A deal centered around Riley/Waters/Lango is definitely something I’d be all for though.

Hechavarria signed with Chiba Lotte on Christmas day.

[Russ2dollas]

Next year we’ll just have to worry about another starter and maybe a catcher.

Catcher-assume some combo of Contreras langeliers jackson unless there is a trade.

Starter- probably. Chance wright or Wilson finally claims a spot

Lf-assume dh for Ozuna

3b- probably make or break for Riley

Ss-comit long term to dansby. Are story or others available?

Plus it will be a labor stoppage and play 100 games or so

[Russ2dollas]

According to AJC’s Gabe Burns, Alex Anthopoulos said #Braves’ “interest was long term” with Ozuna. Didn’t want to do shorter deal. Called four years the “sweet spot.”

Cost certainty helps.

I’m sure ff extension is coming. If it does you have cost certainty on 1b, 2b, cf, rf and do for next four years. If Riley, catchers or waters proves worthy you have more.

Core of pitchers still controlled.

Should give aa some options

[Carp]

When you had already decided you were going to do whatever it took to sign him long-term you would. One year was simply what was left on his deal with Boston - they were never trading for one year of him. Their beancounters were always working under the assumption that they would be paying him $350-$375 million for the next decade or more.

Unfortunately Friedman gets to work his magic in a world where ownership is always going to say "yes" when it comes to money - as long as he can make a logical argument to support the moves he makes. We can all play the what if games for *hits and giggles, but there was never any chance they weren't going to be the highest bidder after they traded for him. No harm in that - that's what message boards are for. We keep talking about how Freeman's going to be a Brave for life and that he's going to stay for below-market money, yet DOB mentioned earlier this week that the extension talks seem to be for more than the Cardinals gave Goldschmidt (5 years/$150 million was the last number I saw mentioned).

If the statement that 4 years was what they really wanted to sign Ozuna for isn't GM-speak, a Freeman extension is announced in the near future, AND we're told there are still resources available to make a move for someone like Ramirez or Suarez we can probably begin to believe McGuirk and AA when they say they have more control over personnel decisions and payroll than any of us have believed so far - and AA is at least being given enough room to TRY to do what he has to to win it all. I'm not holding my breath while waiting for those announcements, but after a four year deal for a guy who's going to be a DH next year I'm at least crossing my fingers that that's the case.

Whether or not you have to resources to sign him long term is irrelevant to the costs it takes to acquire him. The Dodgers could quite just as easily signed him as a FA if they wanted to go that route.

Verdugo was on pace for a 5 WAR season in 2020. That's not the sort of player you should be fine with parting with for 1 year of any player.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Per Rosenthal, Elvis Andrus heading to the A’s for Khris Davis. Others involved

[ixiXSolidXixi]

Per Rosenthal, Elvis Andrus heading to the A’s for Khris Davis. Others involved

So A’s selling?

[NYCBrave]

It’s just nice knowing that next offseason we won’t be wondering what 1 year deal slugger we may luck up on. It’s nice knowing what the main part of your lineup will look like for once.

We technically only have Freeman for one more season. Let's hope we hear about the extension soon.

[PawPawMaxwell]

Pure stupidity from this one

Pick me up at the Greyhound station next week. I dont know where your mother lives.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Rangers sending Elvis Andrus and catching prospect David Garcia to the A's for Khris Davis, catcher Jonah Heim, RHP Dane Acker

[MadduxFanII]

Rosenthal's latest notes column says the Braves seriously talked to the Rockies about Arenado, but the money was too much with Freeman's upcoming free agency and other young players coming in to big money soon.

Also flat out says the Indians aren't trading Ramirez.