be nice, enscheff
2018 Offseason And Targets
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be nice, enscheff
Hudson2
Well-known member
I think Pollock will stay more healthy moving to a corner outfield spot. Just my preference between the 2. I’d rather trade for Peralta.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
In dealing with the FA market, we should prize flexibility and control of financial risks. Or to put it slightly differently, be willing to pay a bit higher AAV for a shorter contract.
In particular, if we go after Grandal, Brantley or Pollock, we should really try for a 3 year deal. The aging curve is not the same for every player and this is a source of risk when signing guys to deals that take them into their mid-30s or beyond.
Similarly, when going after relievers (and I think we should go after someone with a track record of success pitching in high leverage situations) we should try to do a 2 year deal if possible. Ironically, this might mean going for an older guy like Soria or Robertson, who would be more willing to do a 2 year deal. But older players with strong performances in their walk year are a relatively good risk if they are willing to accept shorter deals.
In particular, if we go after Grandal, Brantley or Pollock, we should really try for a 3 year deal. The aging curve is not the same for every player and this is a source of risk when signing guys to deals that take them into their mid-30s or beyond.
Similarly, when going after relievers (and I think we should go after someone with a track record of success pitching in high leverage situations) we should try to do a 2 year deal if possible. Ironically, this might mean going for an older guy like Soria or Robertson, who would be more willing to do a 2 year deal. But older players with strong performances in their walk year are a relatively good risk if they are willing to accept shorter deals.
Sounds like Rosenthal knows more about the Braves than their own beat writer. The Braves are set up well to follow the new efficient trends in pitcher deployment, which is what I’ve been saying for months now.
Of course, it’s probably Bowmans job to keep the casual fans interested in the off season by writing stupid things like “the Braves have at least $60M to spend”, and, “the Braves can acquire Kluber, Realmuto and Harper...derp”.
Don’t be one of the idiots who thinks the Braves can afford to add more than they can really afford to add. You’ll sound smarter and won’t be as disappointed.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
That's how I am eye-balling the off-season. I think they can add some pieces without breaking the bank or bankrupting the farm. We may look to have a surplus of good young pitching and I don't think we should waste that. We may have to cough up more in dollars/years than we want to get another above average power bat in the line-up and that's the only type of player that I would shell out for. I am skeptical about Donaldson (and what he may cost), but if his demands are reasonable I would take a flyer on him. I don't know what the Yankees plans are with Aaron Hicks (and what is acquisition cost would be), but he is someone I would inquire about. For those dreaming about Eddie Rosario, it would take a truckload to get him and his peripherals really stink.
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When listening to the "experts" this morning - the folks that get paid to talk baseball - the feeling seems to be that Grandal's awful postseason cost him more than some around here think. The folks on XM have more or less agreed that he's looking at a 3 year deal, even if he gets they type of AAV most have been expecting. Not sure I buy that either, but if he can be had on a 3 year deal you almost have to expect AA to be in on him - if Contreras isn't ready in 2020, you can pick up Flow's option and still have one of the game's best catching tandems (if not the best).
If you're looking at 3/$45 million for Grandal and 3/$45 million for one of the corner OFs there's still plenty of money left to upgrade the pen - possibly with anyone not named Kimbrel.
That still leaves the TOR part of the wishlist unfilled - unless you could unload Julio's salary (which it sounds like they're still trying to do). I'm not sure they're open to going with Openers and the new ways other teams have deployed Pitchers this year, but no one's better suited to try it than the Braves IMO. If Rosenthal's right about us holding onto most of the arms, it's tough to see them not ask Camargo, Dansby, and Ozzie spend a little time in the OF this winter and during camp so you can maximize flexibility.
I would think a lot of whether they could go that route would depend on how good they feel about a bounce back from Duvall. If they think he can be playable enough to help keep Brantley healthy, there's no reason to think they couldn't land Grandal, Brantley, and one of the types of pen arms you mention. The thing about that is I'd almost rather go out and get Grandal, Brantley, and Gonzalez (ditching Duvall to even out the money), especially if you're not going to ask the young arms to give you traditional SP workloads moving forward. When you look at all the guys that are already on the 40-Man Roster, we've got a ton of kids you're not convinced can be rotation pieces yet that would probably be ideal in 2-3 inning stints - Newk, Touki, Fried, Gohara, and Wilson.
The problem with changing to that formula is you absolutely torpedo those guys' trade value when you start utilizing them that way.
Southcack77
Well-known member
I'll be dumbfounded if the Braves don't trade some of their major league ready pitching prospects.
Everything Anthopolous has said has suggested that they will in fact do that.
Holding on to all of these major league ready SP prospects is just not an efficient thing to do.
Everything Anthopolous has said has suggested that they will in fact do that.
Holding on to all of these major league ready SP prospects is just not an efficient thing to do.
But neck is a gold glover
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
Well if you're not gonna use the prospects to upgrade the team, when will you?
The point of having a good farm is to use them in trades to upgrade your roster. Cant prospect hoard forever now. I'm not saying i'd blow our farm on 3 players but no reason to not make at least 1 big trade to improve the team.
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
The problem with keeping SP prospects is their value can torpedo down and they wont be worth as much via trade.
Guys like Allard, Gohara, Fried, among some others values could really hit low a year from now, and we'd be looking like why didnt they move them. It would be beyond stupid to not make at least 1 big trade to help out the team.
The Braves window wont last forever, they need to capitalize on the farm they have, and use some of them in trades to improve the roster which has holes.
Guys like Allard, Gohara, Fried, among some others values could really hit low a year from now, and we'd be looking like why didnt they move them. It would be beyond stupid to not make at least 1 big trade to help out the team.
The Braves window wont last forever, they need to capitalize on the farm they have, and use some of them in trades to improve the roster which has holes.
msstate7
Well-known member
Couldn't the opposite be true too?
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
I mean yeah, their values could theoretically improve but if the likes of Newk, Fried, Allard, Gohard whose value is maybe peak value, doesnt improve. It hurts the team. It would be beyond stupid to hold onto all the SP prospects, if the Braves dont make any big changes, they may not even make the playoffs next year.
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
I fine dealing some. But a lot of these prospects we want to move aren’t even on the 40 man roster or just got added. We can let some assets mature a bit more.
I love the thought of another year of seasoning with johan, dansby, Acuña and oz all together. Sprinkle in our young pitching to prove themselves and you could start a very long reign of domination. Without any moves we are a top 8 team. Don’t cash in all your chips just to get to a top 4 team when there really isn’t a lot separating us from that spot now.
Make cautious moves now and maybe one bold move mid year. Then really answer any remaining questions next off season.
msstate7
Well-known member
Gohara and allard probably at low point. Gohara is worth holding on to. Don't really care on allard. I'd trade newcomb and fried if it upgraded us. Gohara is a lottery ticket worth holding though
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
I'm not sure we're a top 8 team without any moves.
We have some major flaws and got a little lucky last year. Not sure that happens again. Not saying i'd gut the farm or anything but it would be beyond stupid just to make some patchwork moves when Atlanta has the money and prospect capital to really improve the team this winter.
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
LMAO:
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bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
Luck maybe. But we did win 90 games. We are a good team. We need a new catcher and a new RF. Then some bench depth.
I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to jonesing for an Ace since I'm a part of the old-school traditionalist crowd, but you really can't argue with Rosenthal's point about improving the offense and pen first and foremost.
The 2018 rotation ranked 4th in ERA, 6th in WHIP, 28th in BBs, 12th in K/9, and 3rd in HR/9. If you just get Newk and Julio to throw more strikes, the rotation is fine. Even if they don't, you've got Soroka, Gohara, Fried, and Wright who may well provide upgrades to those two if they keep putting guys on.
The reason they couldn't hit good pitching against the Dodgers in the playoffs is that Acuna and Albies tried to do a bit too much, Flow isn't a strong hitter (even though he gets on base), and Markakis came crashing back to earth in the second half.
The 2018 offense finished 5th in average, 11th in OBP (will improve as Ozzie and Albies stop chasing so much), 11th in OPS, 19th in HRs, and 10th in SBs. Adding Grandal and Brantley would significantly increase those HR and OPS ranks.
For all that everyone kept trying to defend and not worry about the pen, it was the obvious weak link -
The 2018 pen ranked 17th in ERA, 24th in WHIP, LAST in BB/9, 14th in K/9, and 2nd in HR/9.
(All ranks were MLB ranks - not NL.)
bravesfanforlife88
Well-known member
Thought this would give everyone a good laugh. On MLBTraderumors article about Yanks being interested in Re-signing CC and theres interest in Gray, a poster commented the following....
"Machado is a LOCK in pinstripes. Plus the braves need pitching…… Gray for Acuna. Acuna is still a prospect and you can avoid his sophomore slump, meanwhile braves get a proven top 15 pitcher in the NL."
"Machado is a LOCK in pinstripes. Plus the braves need pitching…… Gray for Acuna. Acuna is still a prospect and you can avoid his sophomore slump, meanwhile braves get a proven top 15 pitcher in the NL."
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