And Fangraphs factors injuries into that number, so it's safe to say this roster is really damn good.FWIW I was off by a bit after the Kim signing. Fangraphs currently has the Braves with 45.8 WAR which is a 93-94 win season.
True. But if he has a bad year, he might not get to $28m. Betting on himself a bit.in that case he could just take the QO and he'd have already nearly matched the $48M in two years instead of four
That’s kinda nuts.FWIW I was off by a bit after the Kim signing. Fangraphs currently has the Braves with 45.8 WAR which is a 93-94 win season.
If Elder gets 20-25 starts, we are in big trouble.The Dodgers have given us a post-Driveline pitching model. In order to throw 98, all pitchers will get injured. So you sign 13 starters and just expect half of them to be in the shop. We don't need to get rid of Elder, he's gonna get 20-25 starts. Add Bassitt and maybe another free agent for a short contract so when their arm falls off we are limited in how much dead money we have to eat.
...and what I'm saying is we get all giddy thinking Sale, Strider, Schwellenbach are going to have 96 starts. I have no problem projecting 100 wins if they d. But they won't, and we won't. Because every pitcher is required to overthrow what their body infrastructure is really capable of just to have a job. So you need five more in order to replace the ones in the shop. Ours have names like Wentz and Elder.If Elder gets 20-25 starts, we are in big trouble.
He is currently, at best, 6th among SP options going into 2026 behind, Sale, Schwelly, Strider, Lopez, and Waldrep . And that is being pretty optimistic, because I would be more willing to give Holmes or one of the top prospects an extended look in the rotation before I give Elder more than 5 starts this year.
If we sign another SP, that moves Elder down to the 7th spot (again, at best). As I've said before, unless we are trying Elder in the pen during ST, it's pretty likely he will be traded before the start of the season, because he isn't making the rotation and he's out of options.
Nice move for them. And the value is there. They badly need arms in that bullpenBrad Keller to Phillies 2 years $22m
Sale/SS/SS/Lopez/Waldrep/Elder in the rotation. Holmes in the Bullpen.I don't think everyone is grasping that you can't just keep Elder back in the wood shed and polish him off when needed. If the Braves start the year with Sale/SS/SS/Lopez/Waldrep/Holmes all healthy.. then I don't see a place for Elder to sit on the bench and take a valuable 26 man spot on the team.. you would have to DFA him to get him to trip A and he would probably be claimed... So it is better to just trade him in spring and get something you can stash in AAA for those emergencies.
If Elder gets 20-25 starts, we are in big trouble.
He is currently, at best, 6th among SP options going into 2026 behind, Sale, Schwelly, Strider, Lopez, and Waldrep . And that is being pretty optimistic, because I would be more willing to give Holmes or one of the top prospects an extended look in the rotation before I give Elder more than 5 starts this year.
If we sign another SP, that moves Elder down to the 7th spot (again, at best). As I've said before, unless we are trying Elder in the pen during ST, it's pretty likely he will be traded before the start of the season, because he isn't making the rotation and he's out of options.
Only downside for Elder is no options so either he breaks camp as the 5th or pitches out of the bullpen.Elder isnt that bad as a #5.
We were 14-14 in Elders starts. He averaged 5.5 IP per start. 14 Quality starts. Went 7 innings or more 6 times. He wasnt the reason we lost in 2025. A .500 record from your 5th starter who can also go deep into games for near league minimum is an asset.
Sale will be back imo unless he has a big time injury and Kim's will all depend on if he rebounds so they could both be back but hopefully Lodise breaks out and has a big year and we need Ritchie to hit so we can save money on the rotation. Also if Lopez ends the year healthy then that 8 million dollar option is a no brainer.