Is Brantley the new Braves outfielder?

rico43

rico43

<B>Director of Minor League Reports</B>
Stronger than usual rumors out of Cleveland indicate free agent outfield Michael Brantley, who was not offered arbitration by the Tribe, is close to signing a three-year deal with the Braves. A three-time all-star, he missed most of the 2016 season after a late 2015 mishap where a dive tore up his right shoulder so badly it required two major surgeries.

He appaerntly has recovered enough to be passable in the outfield, but would be put in left, necessitating Acuna's move to right. He's only 31, walks as much as he strikes out, and hits nothing but line drives.

Thoughts?
 
rico43 said:
Stronger than usual rumors out of Cleveland indicate free agent outfield Michael Brantley, who was not offered arbitration by the Tribe, is close to signing a three-year deal with the Braves. A three-time all-star, he missed most of the 2016 season after a late 2015 mishap where a dive tore up his right shoulder so badly it required two major surgeries.

He appaerntly has recovered enough to be passable in the outfield, but would be put in left, necessitating Acuna's move to right. He's only 31, walks as much as he strikes out, and hits nothing but line drives.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Of course like everyone I'd like someone a little sexier, but I keep coming back to Brantley as the most logical. Also, a great clubhouse guy and with the current team chemistry I do think that will play a part as well as the talent and value.
 
This rumor has been out for a while now with little new information... that being said, I've warmed on him quite a bit. I hate shoulder issues, but it seems as if he's recovered well and had a very strong offensive season... stronger than I realized.
 
rico43 said:
Stronger than usual rumors out of Cleveland indicate free agent outfield Michael Brantley, who was not offered arbitration by the Tribe, is close to signing a three-year deal with the Braves. A three-time all-star, he missed most of the 2016 season after a late 2015 mishap where a dive tore up his right shoulder so badly it required two major surgeries.

He appaerntly has recovered enough to be passable in the outfield, but would be put in left, necessitating Acuna's move to right. He's only 31, walks as much as he strikes out, and hits nothing but line drives.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Where was this anyway?
 
Nerfherders said:
Honestly, I was hoping for more. Brantley is basically Nick Markakis. I was hoping for more pop out of that position.
Click to expand...

Brantley is much more dynamic than Markakis.... Brantley on average healthy is basically like Markakis' best years. And there will be more, its one piece and I personally think its a good pick.
 
clvclv said:
Where was this anyway?
Click to expand...

The rumor that has former #Indians OF Michael Brantley going to the #Braves with a three year contract certainly makes sense. Losing Brantley has increased the pressure for Cleveland to shore up a weak hitting outfield. Do they trade a pitcher to get it done?

From twitter.
 
Nerfherders said:
Honestly, I was hoping for more. Brantley is basically Nick Markakis. I was hoping for more pop out of that position.
Click to expand...

If Brantley was our only move, yes, but if you add Brantley with JTR, and add a pen arm or two with a bench bat.

The team is alot improved from last year.
 
Isn't that old random Bernie guy the only place this supposed rumor is coming from? I haven't seen anything remotely credible suggesting this.
 
Heyward said:
The rumor that has former #Indians OF Michael Brantley going to the #Braves with a three year contract certainly makes sense. Losing Brantley has increased the pressure for Cleveland to shore up a weak hitting outfield. Do they trade a pitcher to get it done?

From twitter.
Click to expand...

Not sure you can take "is close to signing a three year deal with the Braves" from that tweet.
 
clvclv said:
Not sure you can take "is close to signing a three year deal with the Braves" from that tweet.
Click to expand...

I dont, and free agents usually dont sign this early into the winter. Maybe a bench bat will sign, but once the QO's are declined/accepted, maybe by the end of the month some guys will sign.

And some trades will happen as well but i dont see any big names signing anytime soon.
 
It would not surprise me at all: http://www.chopcountry.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8437&highlight=brantley

"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. "

If the Braves can get him on a 3 year deal rather than the 4 year deal I predicted 3 months ago, I give the signing two thumbs up.
 
Nerfherders said:
Honestly, I was hoping for more. Brantley is basically Nick Markakis. I was hoping for more pop out of that position.
Click to expand...

He’s more like the Markakis signed four years ago—but with a better bat and worse injury concerns.

Edit: I see Enscheff already reiterated this point.
 
Last edited:
Brantley would be a great move. Excellent hitter vs RH pitching and ideally Duvall could be make an effective platoon partner. Brantley also fits well at the top of the batting order so we can move Acuna down. Even vs his weakness, left hand pitching, he has maintained a .320 OBP vs them so he isnt an automatic out when he does face them. We could also use Riley at 3B and LF to cover for platoon splits. Brantley is the hitter Markakis was in the first half but with a platoon split. Only a 3 year deal makes it a great deal. If go on to trade for Realmuto and sign a closer I will be okay with this offseason. I really dont want to trade all our pitching prospects. One trade is enough. If we have to lets get an elite player at the trade deadline.
 
Heyward said:
I dont, and free agents usually dont sign this early into the winter. Maybe a bench bat will sign, but once the QO's are declined/accepted, maybe by the end of the month some guys will sign.

And some trades will happen as well but i dont see any big names signing anytime soon.
Click to expand...

That's not the only tweet. Cleveland beat writers verified the info.
 
Heyward said:
If Brantley was our only move, yes, but if you add Brantley with JTR, and add a pen arm or two with a bench bat.

The team is alot improved from last year.
Click to expand...

That’s the key. If he is a piece, then I’m ok with it. He is listed as the second best free agent outfielder in some publications.
 
rico43 said:
It was attributed on MLBTR to "an old major league scout" with a podcast named Bernie Pleskoff. His info usually tracks pretty well.
Click to expand...

Saw the Pleskoff tweet...just never saw anyone mention something was "close".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top