Michael Brantley in 2019

E

Enscheff

Well-known member
It's a given the Braves will be adding a corner OFer this upcoming off season. In fact, it will likely be priority #1 for the Braves (perhaps slightly behind getting a quality starting catcher).

While we all would love to see Harper brought in on a $350M deal with an opt out after 2-4 seasons to help Freddie Freeman carry the Braves to the postseason, the fact of the matter is it's extremely unlikely other teams won't offer a similar deal with even more guaranteed money in a market that provides more opportunity for exposure and marketing appeal. Too many large market clubs bent over backwards this past off season to reset their luxury penalties to let the Braves outbid them for Harper/Machado.

Pollock is the silver medal for all teams in the market for an OFer. He would be a nice fit for the Braves, both on a financial and productivity basis. The issue with Pollock will be the same as the issue with Cain last off season in that they will be valued for their CF defense. The Braves already have a serviceable CF under control with a very reasonable contract, so it might not be the best allocation of resources to pay for CF defense and then stick that player in a corner OF spot.

Markakis represents a decent fallback option. He is probably going to sit on the FA market long into the off season, and then sign a 1-2 year deal similar to the deals typically given to aging veterans projected to produce 1-2 wins. He is a well respected veteran, a model citizen, and is a very good backup plan for the Braves 2019 OF.

I keep coming back around to Michael Brantley as an option for LF. Before being sidelined by a major ankle injury, Brantley was a consistent high average, moderate power corner OFer...much like Markakis was when the Braves signed him. Since coming back from the ankle injury, he has continued to be the same high average, moderate power corner OFer he was prior to the injury. Nothing about his 2018 peripherals (.308 BABIP, 12.0% HR/FB) suggests significant sustainability issues with his current .308/.355/.493 line.

Brantley is a lot like Markakis at the time the Braves signed him (recent surgery, above average player, early 30s, good average, moderate power, below average defense, should not have a QO attached), and I expect he will cost something similar to the 2019 equivalent of the 4/44 deal Markakis got from the Braves. The difference now is that the Braves are in a position where acquiring such a player makes sense, whereas it probably didn't back when they signed Markakis.

Given Harper will be too expensive, and Pollock will get paid to play CF, I would be in favor of the Braves signing Brantley for around 4/50-4/55...assuming he keeps up his current work.
 
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nsacpi said:
So Muk on a 1-2 year deal versus Brantley on a 4-5 year deal. I think that would be the choice. Discuss and debate.
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I would not want to be the team who gives Brantley 5 guaranteed years, which would be around $65M+ total.

A 5th year team option might be doable though.
 
CJ9 said:
What do the defensive metrics for Brantley look like?
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Terrible in CF and below average in LF. Calling him "serviceable" is about as good as anyone can say.

The Braves would do well to use a defensive sub late in games when possible.
 
nsacpi said:
Joc Pederson is a trade option I have interest in.
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Younger, better defender, under control for 2 more seasons, is virtually unplayable vs LHP, low average with high power hitter (exact opposite of Brantley).

An acquisition of Pederson means the Braves will have to also acquire a RHH OFer to complement him (perhaps this is where DPete fits?), which is something I wouldn't be opposed to doing with either Brantley or Pederson.

Starling Marte is another trade option if the Pirates go full rebuild.
 
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Enscheff said:
Younger, better defender, under control for 2 more seasons, is virtually unplayable vs LHP, low average with high power hitter (exact opposite of Brantley).

An acquisition of Pederson means the Braves will have to also acquire a RHH OFer to complement him (perhaps this is where DPete fits?), which is something I wouldn't be opposed to doing with either Brantley or Pederson.

Starling Marte is another trade option if the Pirates go full rebuild.
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the point about his weakness against LHP is important. Ideally he should be platooned.
 
Starlin Marte is my first choice. I've been high on him for awhile. He should cost a pretty penny I terms of prospects, but he won't break the bank.

Another long shot possibility is Stanton. I know you may think I'm crazy, but he seems to be a square peg in a round hole in NY. The fans don't seem to accept him as they have done other superstars. Also, I think the Yanks will go hard after Harper, and while they could just put one of them at DH, I think the Yanks see an opportunity to move on from this experiment and will take it.

I liked Brantley a lot pre-injuries and wanted the Braves to trade for a few years ago. But his defense is pretty bad nowadays. I'd be wary about getting back into a Kemp situation. Still, I wouldn't complain if AA brought him on a 4 year deal.
 
I like that he’s left handed.

This move makes sense to me if we get another big bat, trade ender and move acuna to cf.
 
During the ASG they talked about how his manager called Brantley the heart of the team. I tried to make an argument that we are wasting Acuna's defensive talents in LF on Facebook but it went over like a turd in a punch bowl. We would be fortunate to get Brantley.
 
My Marte idea was shot down because of his PEDs suspension on another forum. But I like it and if you can get him you can possibly have a dynamic 1-2 of Marte/Albies. May not be too bad because he has 3 years left and the 2 after next year are options.
 
Brantley would be fine for the right amount of money. He’s maybe the best of the aging guys if you overlook the injuries. Unless pollock is an aging guy.
 
Enscheff said:
Terrible in CF and below average in LF. Calling him "serviceable" is about as good as anyone can say.

The Braves would do well to use a defensive sub late in games when possible.
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He's been -9 DRS in LF this year, and given he's 31 it might be a true decline in defensive skills. Calling him below average at this point could wind up being an understatement. I'd be leery of a long term deal with him because of that defensive drop.

Marte if the Pirates go full sell mode would be ideal I think.
 
Rather than seek a bat who is a defensive liability, perhaps the Twins are willing to part with 2017 Gold Glover Byron Buxton, who has had a slow-healing fractured toe (suffered in one of his spectacular catches). He also injured a hand during his rehab, but the Twins optioned him back to AAA, so mighty were his struggles to come back. But the year before, he was more than adequate.
 
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