2018 Offseason And Targets

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Kimbrel doesn't seem like a smart signing but I don't care. Bring him home. Odds are we will be trading for a reliever at the trade deadline. Let's fix the pen now and save the prospects. I need Venters to Kimbrel saving games again in my life.

The man is following our team around and hanging out with our players and practically begging for an offer. I don't think I can ever forgive AA if he doesn't get this deal for Kimbrel done.
 
If we could get Kimbrel on a 1 year deal, I'd be fine with it I suppose. But I still have my doubts that he'd be willing to take an offer like that.

On another note, it looks like we aren't going to be trying Riley out in the OF until later in Spring Training. That is a little disappointing to me. I'd like to see him get as many reps as possible out there. It'd be great if he could be called up to provide us a quality bench bat that had IF/OF power corner versatility. I could see him eventually serving the role that Duvall was supposed to serve for us, with the added benefit of being able to play 3rd sometimes.

I could have sworn upon first glance the next words that I didn't bold were going to read of being able to hit.
 
I was at spring training yesterday. Someone told me that Duvall had significant health issues last summer and that the Braves expect him to bounce back this season.
 
Is there a rule preventing a team from giving a player a contract with some sort of "incentive" option? Like, if we wanted to sign Kimbrel to a 1 year deal with an option that will vest if he can maintain a FIP under 2.5 with a K/9 rate over 13. I'm not advocating for it or anything, I'm just asking if it we could offer that if we wanted to.

You could get kinda creative with a contract structure like that by giving a player infinite incentive options. Sign a player to a 1 year deal, set a couple of statistical parameters for the incentive, and every year he meets those statistical goals would vest the next year's option. It would allow a certain type of player to bet on himself while limiting a team's long term risk. At most, you would only be paying for 1 bad year and once that happens the deal is done.

There is probably some rule in the CBA that prevents stuff like that, but I think it'd be interesting a team could/would do something like it.

Edit: Actually, I just looked it up and teams give out options for meeting incentives all the time, but are usually based on counting stats and playing time. I'd prefer if it were based mostly on rate stats, maybe with a small PA or GS minimum. But I still think the infinite option would be a cool concept for a team to try.
 
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It needs to be “confirmed” through a beat reporter, but this is certainly a candidate for the annual BSOML Award.

No doubt there’s not much here. Before, I was feeling like it was no one’s business, but this morning there’s little guilt. Apparently, his diabetes was the reason he was doing so poorly. They’ve gotten him a new doctor and a new ‘program.’ Take it for what you will but the Braves employee I spoke with Wednesday indicated they’re bullish on a rebound season.
 
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I was at spring training yesterday. Someone told me that Duvall had significant health issues last summer and that the Braves expect him to bounce back this season.

Dude has diabetes, iirc, so health issues aren't shocking.

That being said, his issues last year where perfectly in line with a hitter of his kind at his age. I think the most significant issue contributing to last year was age related skill erosion.
 
See how this goes? All these attempts at justifications and explanations as to why the Braves didn't sign someone so folks can continue to hold out hope they will make an impact signing like Kimbrel.

The obvious solution is simply, "they can't afford it".

The infuriating thing is the team almost certainly can afford it. They just don't want to. It's clear this team is making a good bit of money. But this is a corporate owned team being run by suits. Bottom lines are more important than box scores.

But whether they can't afford it or just won't pay it, the end result is the same.
 
Dude has diabetes, iirc, so health issues aren't shocking.

That being said, his issues last year where perfectly in line with a hitter of his kind at his age. I think the most significant issue contributing to last year was age related skill erosion.

He had 61 RBIs before he came here. 0 after that. We need to cut him a little slack for awhile to see how his spring goes. At least he’s good defensively.
 
The infuriating thing is the team almost certainly can afford it. They just don't want to. It's clear this team is making a good bit of money. But this is a corporate owned team being run by suits. Bottom lines are more important than box scores.

But whether they can't afford it or just won't pay it, the end result is the same.

So far, we have spent more money than most of the teams. I don’t think we are done yet. I can only imagine the talk had we done what SD did.
 
Dude has diabetes, iirc, so health issues aren't shocking.

That being said, his issues last year where perfectly in line with a hitter of his kind at his age. I think the most significant issue contributing to last year was age related skill erosion.

No doubt about it that last year could’ve been an age thing. One way or another, if this guy was right, it doesn’t sound like the Braves are dropping him anytime soon. Seems like several were hoping to recoup three mil for free agents.
 
Dude has diabetes, iirc, so health issues aren't shocking.

That being said, his issues last year where perfectly in line with a hitter of his kind at his age. I think the most significant issue contributing to last year was age related skill erosion.

Looking at his splits he did hit really well against lefties until July when he just cratered and that continued throughout the rest of the season so there could be something to it. We'll see of course but I have no issue giving him plenty of ABs against lefties to start the year.
 
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