Braves Meeting with Lester

Right? And how does this mesh with the news about the Braves making a bid somewhat below the Cubs/Red Sox?

I suspect whoever reported that was misinformed.

I'm actually relieved we are not making a play for Lester.
 
I suspect whoever reported that was misinformed.

I'm actually relieved we are not making a play for Lester.

Yeah, it almost read like it was Lester's agent that was giving the info to Heyman.

At any rate, I too am relieved that this ship has apparently sailed. I think we'll be smart to wait things out a bit for a value play at the middle or lower end of the starting pitching market. A lot of interesting options out there. Justin Masterson for one. He'd be wise to take a one year deal to rebuild value, and it'd be great to have at least a small chance of turning him into qualifying offer material. Just hand him a team photo with Andrelton Simmons and Roger McDowell circled (and Dan Uggla nowhere to be found).
 
We also have to make a decision by tomorrow night on tendering Medlen and Beachy. I suspect the decisions regarding those two will have an effect on what kind of additional starting pitching we go after.
 
I suspect the decisions regarding those two will have an effect on what kind of additional starting pitching we go after.

I kind of doubt that. The Braves are not likely to be dependent upon Medlen/Beachy for anything aside from depth in 2015 -- if either is even retained.
 
Right? And how does this mesh with the news about the Braves making a bid somewhat below the Cubs/Red Sox?

Heyman is generally spot-on, too.

It seems like Hart, or somebody in the FO, has been floating an awful lot of information lately.
 
EDIT: Forget what I said here. No point in discussing this stuff. Sorry if I came across uncivil with Blue. Not my intent.

I was actually being facetious. Didn't think you we're being uncivil at all. Don't know why he didn't want to have a conversation with you.
 
I do wish I would have seen your deleted post though. Bet it was raging, kind of like my boner right now.

No. I just asked you to please explain how I was being uncivil. But then I decided it wasn't worth talking about and if you thought I was being uncivil I would just apologize and move on.
 
There is a lot of pitching available this off-season. The market is over supplied. Teams that wait will get the bargains.

No doubt. That being said, I'd personally love to hear Hart announce that we've signed Masterson to a one year $10 million contract and have moved on from Medlen and Beachy. Don't get me wrong - I love Kris as much as everyone else does - but that's 2 TJs in a span of 4 years, and we're not likely going to be a playoff contender unless something unforeseen happens. A midseason return by either of them isn't suddenly going to spark us and push us over the top of much of anything.

The team to mimic in our current situation is the Cubs - sign several players you think can turn into long-term assets from teams that find themselves in the hunt in June or July and move those guys early to get the best return. A return to form from say Masterson and Torii Hunter could net us a handful of prospects that could contribute as early as 2017, even if they're 4th OF/utility guys and/or pen arms.

Move Justin, Gattis, and/or Minor for the best packages you can get to get headliners for the new park, and build a REALLY strong bench and pen with the pieces we plug holes with over the next two seasons.
 
Masterson is a good option, but there many others. Among the free agents worth considering, there are Hammel, Volquez, Peavy, Brett Anderson, Morrow and old friend Aaron Harang. As the game of musical chairs winds down, one or two are likely to be left without a seat and their price will start to drop.

There is also the trade market. Teams that could be looking to move starting pitching include Toronto, Tampa, Oakland, the Mets, the Cubs (remember Edwin Jackson), the Reds.

It will not be hard to find a starting pitcher. And the price is going to drop. Hart needs to be patient on this one.
 
So the Braves remove themselves from the bidding because they just found out Lester was going to cost over 125 mil???? LOL

They need a new PR firm
 
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