That’s really interesting about Murphy. Surely they wouldn’t trade Contreras. If they did get Murphy then a package of Contreras, Grissom, Anderson would get you a pretty dang good controllable player. I’d spend my resources elsewhere though.
If the Braves don't think Contreras has much of a future behind the plate, now would best time to trade him for max value. He could bring back a really good player in return for some team that thinks he can be their everyday catcher. Obviously you lose your DH, but finding a DH is way easier then finding a good SS or cOF.
The problem is finding a team that has a SS or cOF to give up. Generally, a team that has a very good major league player available would be more inclined to trade for prospects instead of another major league player. And teams that need Contreras likely wouldn't want to give up a valuable player from the roster because it just makes another hole. However, Contreras still has 5 years of control remaining, so he could still be seen as a building block. Maybe he could be a centerpiece for someone like Bryan Reynolds for instance.
Andy Martino
@martinonyc
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2h
Mets are at a ~ $250MM. Add a deGrom/Verlander they're just south of ~$290. There's no hard line, but figure Nimmo would get them to, what ~$315? Would still need another SP and bullpen. Something has to give somewhere.
If the Braves don't think Contreras has much of a future behind the plate, now would best time to trade him for max value. He could bring back a really good player in return for some team that thinks he can be their everyday catcher. Obviously you lose your DH, but finding a DH is way easier then finding a good SS or cOF.
The problem is finding a team that has a SS or cOF to give up. Generally, a team that has a very good major league player available would be more inclined to trade for prospects instead of another major league player. And teams that need Contreras likely wouldn't want to give up a valuable player from the roster because it just makes another hole. However, Contreras still has 5 years of control remaining, so he could still be seen as a building block. Maybe he could be a centerpiece for someone like Bryan Reynolds for instance.
Interesting take. Says the Braves are focused more on their actual payroll number and not the luxury tax number, so take that for what its worth. Also, it is interesting to point out. The Braves have roughly $50M coming off the books next season. That being the case, if they go over the luxury tax this season, but drop under it next season, they will only have around a $4M fine which is reasonable. Especially considering they are getting increased $$$ from their TV contract than in the past, and they got around $30m from MLB selling that asset to Disney.
I think they do go over the luxury tax and bring back Swanson, or bring in one of either Turner or Correa
This is actually a good point to consider. Even if they went over this year, and had to pay a small penalty, they could have a path to getting back under next season. We will see what happens
Morton, Rosario, Pina, Yates, Arcia would all be free agents after this season. d'Arnaud also has an option year that could be declined, but i'd keep him.
And only having 1 year / $16m on Ozunas deal would make it a little easier to trade him, especially if he has a bounce back season.
To be honest, if talking about cutting salary in places, it really makes me wonder if we jumped the gun on paying $10m to get rid of Odorizzi. At the price pitchers have gone so far this offseason, it seems we could have saved a few million.
I thought I read the 10 million that the Braves ate in the Odorizzi deal was booked in 2022. If this is thecase, then the Braves current payroll for 2023 would be in the 180 millions not in the 190 millions. I would also assume any buyouts that have happened were booked in 2022. I think the Braves have plenty to spend and will go over the tax.
I think it was DoB who mentioned that, but Sport Trac and Fangraphs have the $10m into the 2023 payroll sitting around $195m.
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Phillies have meetings with all four of the top SS. They’ll definitely grab one of them.
I wonder what Dombrowski has planned when Nola become a free agent next winter (and Wheeler the next year). Truly they don’t have the money to resign everyone given they have been skiddish in the past going past the luxury tax threshold.