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Full NTC complicates that.

Moreover, unlike Grissom, reports on his defense have been good—good enough, indeed, to think he may actually stick at SS. It’s an interesting development, since, as I recall, he was drafted as a defensively-gifted 3B and then moved up the spectrum to SS.

This raises the interesting question: what percentile outcome are we seeing with Acuña, given the huge drop in k-rate alongside his 40/70 season? Are we living in his 0.1% outcome universe?

I’m going with Anferni Gonzalez, because he looks like a beanpole, suggesting he’s destined to be our Venezuelan, or rather, Also-Dominican Pedro.

Looks like converting elite-velocity relievers back to starting is this off-season’s market inefficiency, with Anthopoulos’ old colleague Zaidi following suit, signing Jordan Hicks to 4/$44m and announcing the intention to stretch him out à la Reynaldo Lopez. Makes sense, given the high price...

I’m assuming Sportrac wasn’t pricing in that Fried missed two-thirds of the season with injury? Other projections were much closer to the $15m upon which he ultimately agreed.

Certainly, they’ve evinced a strong conviction in Kelenic’s being worth it. I hope they’re right—but it seems like the AA FO has a good track-record with strong convictions.

That seems entirely speculation-based on the part of that Pirates beat writer—but I’m sure the Braves illustrious beat guys will never get the scoop, one way or the other.

Plus two PTBNLs eventually incoming.

Looks like the CBT implications are positive, if small, for the Braves (given that the $10m Sale was owed was deflated by its deferred nature): You’d think that little bit of extra breathing-room would be helpful in signing a RH-hitting back-up OF, but Harrison Bader just got $10m …

This is just my read—I can’t recall anyone in the FO ever commenting directly on these matters; and, moreover, I can’t hazard much of a guess as to why this is the case—but it seems the club really prefers simple, straightforward accounting and contractual terms. They’ve famously eschewed...

It was clarified that it was a Club Option that could vest into a guarantee with certain performance thresholds being met. It’s moot now, however, as 2025 is guaranteed and 2026 is a straight Club Option.

Boston was never paying Sale anything this season, post-trade. They paid Atlanta $17m to take on Sale’s obligations ($17.5m in 2024 plus $10m in 2039) and get Vaugh Grissom in the process. Chris Sale subsequently decided he’d take a $1.5m pay-cut in 2024 to get $22m in 2025, instead of $10m in...

Braves net $1m in 2024, before CBT elements are factored in; but the new AAV seems to make things pricier re this year’s CBT number (though better for 2025’s, assuming the option was picked up), which most likely ultimately negates any savings. Seems to be more straightforwardly about gaining...

Is it well known, or just well speculated? I’m not even denying the likelihood it’s true, I just can’t remember any verifiable reporting, and certainly he’s never been quoted as saying that.

Anthopoulos is serious that the Braves don’t care about the CBT, just the real dollars: Sale only adds $500k to the real payroll in 2024, but pushes them into third-tier CBT territory.

Sportrac and a couple other sources describe it as a club option that could vest to a guarantee if certain benchmarks are hit. So I believe the Braves will control Sale’s rights in 2025 if they choose.

The Red Sox are sending $17m for 2024, so Sale’s a $10m gamble who produced 2.6 fwar last year with good underlying numbers. His 2025 status: $20m club option that automatically vests with a top-ten Ctabus Young finish. I’m sure the Braves would be elated to have that vest, especially because...

These bounceback SP FAs are signing nearly full-freight AAV deals, with only the length discounted. That’s a good indicator of how expensive FA pitching is right now.

To wit, from MLBTR tonight: