zbhargrove
Well-known member
mlbtraderumors predict the Braves to sign Jason Hammels, Matt Wieters, and RA Dickey (in their top 50 list).
This was posted literally like 4 posts up.
mlbtraderumors predict the Braves to sign Jason Hammels, Matt Wieters, and RA Dickey (in their top 50 list).
If they don't find a viable trade option I believe they will sign Castro. All this Weiters stuff just seems to be speculation based on need and resources available.
Not to mention the fact that he's a "local guy" - a name "regular fans" would likely get more excited about than Castro.
I know a lot of people don't like it, but the Wieters situation sure smells a lot like Markakis. I begrudgingly understand that line of thinking (since they've considered those things before) - whether I agree with it is another discussion. That said, if they could get him for 3/$36 million, would it really be worth jumping off the ledge over? As it stands, Mac's going to cost that much over two years PLUS prospects until Cashman comes to his senses. Wieters is pretty well known to be a good clubhouse guy, and switch-hitting Catchers sure are nice to have if you can get them.
If you could get him for around that number WITHOUT surrendering any prospects or picks, I wouldn't be all that torn up about it. I'd personally prefer that over paying a premium for Ramos since he'll be pretty worthless within a year or two for a team that can't deploy him as a DH.
Wieters is terrible at every facet of the game. Folks act like he is some offensive force at catcher, but his OPS last year was .711 and his career OPS is .739. He hasn't been a 2 WAR player since 2012. He is one of the worst pitch framers in the game, which isn't even factored into his low WAR totals. Last year alone he was worth -7 framing runs, which is almost another lost win just from his poor receiving skills.
If the Braves pay $13M per year for that level of production I will have lost all faith in their ability to construct a contending MLB roster. All the data exists to make a competent decision, and giving Wieters that kind of money would prove they are either not capable to finding that data, or they are incapable of making sound decisions based upon that data.
Castro is lesser offensively, but is more than playable (for a catcher) vs RHers with a career .750 OPS against them. He is also consistently an elite pitch framer, and was as +12 runs last year. That is literally 20 runs better than Wieters, which is 2 wins just from framing. He will cost half as much as Wieters.
Wieters was a 2.6 WAR in 2013 according to FG. He only played 26 games in 2014 before he got hurt and only 75 games in 2015 after he returned. He had a 1.9 this year in his first full season in 3 years. I'd expect him to put up a low of 2 and around 2.5 in 2017. That's not bad for a switch hitting catcher.
Castro's OPS is .708 the last 3 years against righties and .661 overall. That Javy Lopez like random 2013 year throws off his career numbers. Usually with veterans you can average their last 3 full years and know what you're getting.
I'll give you the pitch framing as I don't know enough about the stats and their legitimacy to make a claim either way.
I'm not opposed to Castro vs Weiters depending on the price, but I'd rather look at the numbers objectively with no agenda.
The Wieters decision is going to come down to what our gusy from Baltimore report back to the Johns. If we sign him, then I'll assume they're making the claim he is a good rebound candidate and would work well with the pitchers they are trying to cultivate.
Braves have discussed Chris Archer with Rays
yeah, that's why I'm not excited. I'm sure we have -- but the cost would just be insane. If it's somehow affordable, yes please.I am sure a lot of teams have talked to the Rays about Archer. The price would be steep.
yeah, that's why I'm not excited. I'm sure we have -- but the cost would just be insane. If it's somehow affordable, yes please.
And what would my agenda be other than wanting the Braves to make the best possible roster decision, and use of resources? Am I Jason Castro's brother or agent, or I would benefit by the Braves signing him in some other way?
Braves have discussed Chris Archer with Rays
Link???
This is not only 100% correct, it was well worded. Thank you sir.Expect the Braves to be heavily rumored with every major player available by trade whether we've actually had discussions or not. The Braves have one of the deepest farm systems in the game, money enough to acquire an elite player, and the desire to compete this year. Teams wanting to sell a valuable player will pounce on that, leak that they've talked to the Braves, and try to leverage that into a higher price tag. It's the GM version of an agent saying they've been talking to the Yankees or Dodgers.