CyYoung31
Shift Leader
But did we even consult with Iggy? Or not and just tell him he’s not the closer anymore?
These reliever contracts have been beyond reasonable. We should’ve signed one of them.
Offseason Hot Stove 2024-25 Thread
- Thread starter CrimsonCowboy
- Start date
But did we even consult with Iggy? Or not and just tell him he’s not the closer anymore?
These reliever contracts have been beyond reasonable. We should’ve signed one of them.
It may be disappointing for us fans, but this is a logically sound plan. If the tax penalties need to be reset there’s no better season to reset them than the one where they know with 100% certainty their 2 best players will miss significant time.
This season is already handicapped while Strider/Acuna recover, so it’s the one to punt if they must punt one.
It sucks, and I still hold out hope some moves are coming, but the reasoning is sound.
And probably have left us no money to make moves at the deadline.
Again, the off-season isn't over. Even after pitcher's and catchers report. The Braves didn't add Duvall until March 13th last year. And while he didn't work out, pretty much everyone thought he was a solid 4th OFer/platoon option at the time after bitching about having no OF depth behind the Harris, Acuna, and Kelenic the entire off-season.
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
And signing Scott and Hoffman would have?
I fully expect him to add an actual MLB pitcher before Opening Day. But, there have been plenty of reasonable moves to have been made already. Not signing Minter is still dumb as hell IMO. I’d have taken him and that deal over Scott.
We don't know that they were interested in bringing in both together. Just that they had interest in both relievers.
I assume we missed on some signings like Minty because other signings were already in place before that got nixed. Either due to injury concerns (Hoffman) or maybe a change of heart (Scott).
This has been my thinking as well- and look - even you’ve said it yourself- the ultimate goal: we want to be playing meaningful baseball at the end of the season.
By re-setting, it is my uneducated understanding that we can actually extend our window - so I’m very good with that, and in three years from now may be very glad —and look back on this off-season as one of “played it damn smartly.”
AND here’s the reality - on paper, we most likely win the division as it is - and when injuries happen- which they will- AA still has some serious ammo (prospect capital) in reserve.
Assuming Strider is in the show by late April, this pitching staff is good enough to take this team very very far as it is.
Strike3urout
Active member
I'm looking forward to a fun season, even if the title hopes are very slim. Last year sucked not so much because they dropped out in the first playoff round, but because of all the injuries througout the season and underperforming offense. If we get a glimpse of the 2023 offense, with continued strong pitching, I'm happy.
Hudson2
Well-known member
I get the doom and gloom bc we have had a crappy offseason but we get to see Strider and Acuna again and that's huge. We are still very much title contenders with the team as is. The offense won't be as bad as last year and the pitching will probably take a step back but I expect AA to get another MLB pitcher soon. It should be a fun season.
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
my thought has always been that if the team was going to just tease the tax line, then just stay below it. But I don't think there is much benefit to them dipping below intentionally outside of draft consideration. The difference in resetting is 30% (50% for 3 years, and 20% for 1st year)... So if the Braves are over by 40 million next year the difference in penalties is 12 million for the year. For a team with the potential to win a WS every year, I don't think that is enough to punt an off season. AA should have had a direction and a contingency plan to account for how the market played out. It is clear he did NOT..
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
As long as the offense isn't like it was last year, then yes it will be fun. The team last year was by far the most frustrating I have seen in the AA era.
Hudson2
Well-known member
It may have been the most frustrating in any era. It was almost the entire group that crapped the bed. I don't think it happens again and we have Acuna and Profar both gonna be in the lineup with Baldwin knocking on the door. I'm more worried about Sale not repeating last year, Strider not being himself for while, and Schwellenback maybe having some hiccups. That's why another good SP is critical imo.
Even if this is the case, the good news is that whatever pitching we are interested in now should theoretically cost less to acquire 5 months from now. Granted, you have to whether the storm until then. But despite this board's disdain for them, we have some solid options to keep us afloat for a couple months should we lose someone or other pitchers regress. I still have faith AJSS can be an above average MLB SP. I think Waldrep and Elder could both still be acceptable 5th starters. Who knows what we actually get with Ian Anderson, but there is a decent chance he gets back to being the league averager SP he was before the injury.
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Hudson2
Well-known member
Agreed. We'll no doubt be in the hunt come the trade deadline. I still think AA gets one before ST is over.
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
The reports that they had offers to both of them out there were out there at the exact same time. There was even the report they had both medicals. Which makes sense because they were interested in Hoffman to be a starter.
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50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I agree with Matt. Anthopoulos is in charge of baseball operations. If he wanted to have a sit-down with Snitker and tell him he wants to see better utilization of the bench, that would happen and likely be employed and Anthopoulos would then likely improve the bench.
SJ24
New member
Just a few weeks ago you were adamant that a starting pitcher and bullpen help would be acquired.
Now you are saying it's perfectly reasonable to punt.
As CyYoung stated, the Braves could have had Pivetta and Jansen and stayed under the tax.
This is a disastrous offseason any way you slice it if you're trying to win baseball games and run a competent franchise.
You are trying to put lipstick on a pig like a homer . . . the ones you always criticize.
Letting Freeman walk, trading Langeliers AND Wild Bill for Sean Murphy, etc. The errors just keep piling up.
And don't give me any crap about the Sale trade. Anyone would have traded light hitting Vaughn Grissom, who was never even a top 100 prospect, for the chance Chris Sale would stay healthy.
I am ready for a new GM and maybe more importantly: new ownership.
SJ24
New member
Reminder.