Southcack77
Well-known member
I buy every bit of Haniger's 3 win projection for 2019, and I think he would be projected for ~12 wins over the next 4 seasons he is controlled for ~$25M. That's a surplus value pushing $100M (though way below that $135M figure being tossed around earlier).
Knowing what we know about the Ms quotes for a Haniger return, the package from the Braves almost certainly starts with one of Pache/Riley plus one of Soroka/Wright/Anderson (or maybe Touki or Newk). That duo represents about $80M in value, and then random filler would be sprinkled in to complete the package.
Is that type of package for 4 years of Haniger (a young 3 win player) preferable to $50M in cash for 3 years of Cutch (an aging 3 win player)? The only way it is preferable is if the Braves don't have $50M to give Cutch. The only way the Braves don't have $50M to give Cutch is if they are insistent on adding a SP, or if the opening day payroll is $120M and they've already spent $107M.
I still think the most likely scenario is the Braves getting a Gray/Frazier package from the Yankees in exchange for young pitching that the Yankees will somehow turn into studs. Gohara for Gray/Frazier. If I had to bet on 1 specific scenario, that's where I'd place my money.
I just don't see a scenario where they were so excited about Donaldson they spazzed into making him their only significant acquisition at the expense of their most obvious glaring hole.
I think they'll make some other moves and we'll see. It's entirely possible though, that they want to play this offseason exclusively in short range commitments in FA.
I still think the pass on McCutcheon was the 20m obligation in 2021. I don't think they want to risk 15% of their payroll on an aging player in decline at possibly a peak moment for their young players.
I don't know for sure, but it really doesn't make sense to splurge on Donaldson and stopgap LF and C and SP and the pen. I think the end game looks better than that.