2018 Offseason And Targets

Status
Not open for further replies.
AA knows the offseason was botched and everybody else does to including people who aren’t Braves fans. Bringing Kimbrel would be a good way to ignite the fan base.
 
This was my initial thought when Freeman was cut. Would't be surprised to see Duvall cut either if it meant being able to pony up enough for Kimbrel. Still would be shocked to see it happen all things considered.

I currently have the Braves right around $113M after dumping Freeman. It's pretty clear the Braves are trying to free up money to make a run at someone, and the only 2 options are Kimbrel and Keuchel. Cutting Duvall would bring it down to around $111M.

Assuming the max opening day payroll is something like $125M, that leaves $14M for Kimbrel...which is in the realm of being reasonable.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Braves swap Duvall for Guyer to save a few bucks they can toss Kimbrel's way. Kimbrel's agent really screwed up.
 
Last edited:
Verlander now discussing a contract extension with Houston.

Jesus AA do something. Either spend the money we have on a free agent like Kimbrel, make a gd trade with our surperfluous minor leaguers, or lock up some of our young core like Acuña and Albies. Just do something at this point. It’s maddening that we continue to sit and do absolutely nothing.
 
Verlander now discussing a contract extension with Houston.

Jesus AA do something. Either spend the money we have on a free agent like Kimbrel, make a gd trade with our surperfluous minor leaguers, or lock up some of our young core like Acuña and Albies. Just do something at this point. It’s maddening that we continue to sit and do absolutely nothing.

Is it not abundantly clear that AA is being hamstrung by the powers that be (namely McGuirk) and being told that any available surplus cash is going towards paying down senior debt on the Battery? Yes perhaps AA will get McGuirk to release some modicum of cash to obtain someone like Kimbrel if on a 1-2 year deal with a below market AAV but otherwise the baseball team is an ancillary business unit (and cost center) to the primary real estate business, unfortunately. AA’s fault is either not realizing that earlier in the winter (when he could have signed Brantley, made a trade for Realmuto and still spent less than JD) or for simply being too shortsighted on the market for other players vis a vis his actual free cash budget.
 
Is it not abundantly clear that AA is being hamstrung by the powers that be (namely McGuirk) and being told that any available surplus cash is going towards paying down senior debt on the Battery? Yes perhaps AA will get McGuirk to release some modicum of cash to obtain someone like Kimbrel if on a 1-2 year deal with a below market AAV but otherwise the baseball team is an ancillary business unit (and cost center) to the primary real estate business, unfortunately. AA’s fault is either not realizing that earlier in the winter (when he could have signed Brantley, made a trade for Realmuto and still spent less than JD) or for simply being too shortsighted on the market for other players vis a vis his actual free cash budget.

IMO it’s entirely AA’s fault. He knew what the deal was financially when he took the job. He’s also had over a year to analyze and learn our farm system. If he knew we didn’t have cash to spend then use the excess capital to trade for a reasonably priced player. Or how about not signing JD and spreading that wealth around either signing a few players, or using whatever ‘surplus’ we have to lock up our young players. There’s a variety of ways this off season could have been handled, but AA literally chose the poorest, least financially practical way. Not only did he not address several needs, but he put all of his eggs in the JD basket. One injury and poof, your entire off season goes up in smoke. So yes, he is 100% to blame. Now if you want to discuss why he was put in this position, then yes, we can also place blame on ownership. But AA knew exactly what he was dealing with.
 
I believe AA does have *some* amount of money to spend, but is just being really (and overly, I'd say) cautious. As a silver lining, at least we don't have any albatross contracts that have to unload or wait out. AA can open up the wallet anytime he wants should he decide and be allowed to do so
 
Looks like we're waiting until the 9th to give Kimbrel the call yet again. Hope it works better than that one time.

craig-kimbrel-looks-on-as-the-dodgers-win.gif
 
IMO it’s entirely AA’s fault. He knew what the deal was financially when he took the job. He’s also had over a year to analyze and learn our farm system. If he knew we didn’t have cash to spend then use the excess capital to trade for a reasonably priced player. Or how about not signing JD and spreading that wealth around either signing a few players, or using whatever ‘surplus’ we have to lock up our young players. There’s a variety of ways this off season could have been handled, but AA literally chose the poorest, least financially practical way. Not only did he not address several needs, but he put all of his eggs in the JD basket. One injury and poof, your entire off season goes up in smoke. So yes, he is 100% to blame. Now if you want to discuss why he was put in this position, then yes, we can also place blame on ownership. But AA knew exactly what he was dealing with.

But looking at it the other way, if JD has an MVP caliber season, our offseason looks great.
 
Verlander now discussing a contract extension with Houston.

Jesus AA do something. Either spend the money we have on a free agent like Kimbrel, make a gd trade with our surperfluous minor leaguers, or lock up some of our young core like Acuña and Albies. Just do something at this point. It’s maddening that we continue to sit and do absolutely nothing.

So do something just to do something? That’s smart.
 
The Brewers were said to be serious a couple of days ago about Kimbrel so maybe he hasn’t came off his price much and is wanting a 4 year deal. I’d offer 3 with an option and that’s it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top