The Braves originally contacted Lester's agents at the GM meetings, so, although it is possible, I highly doubt that John Hart is possessive of that level of PR forethought.
Braves Meeting with Lester
- Thread starter Hawk
- Start date
The Braves originally contacted Lester's agents at the GM meetings, so, although it is possible, I highly doubt that John Hart is possessive of that level of PR forethought.
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
Also, bringing a guy in for a meeting is serious business. You wouldn't waste your own OR the player's/agent's time just to keep fans happy/engaged.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
I think we do have a chance and am keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't happen.
There are some great things about Lester. Groundball lefty who has had success pitching in Fenway. But the list of bad contracts for pitchers in their 30s is quite long. Santana, Lee, Carpenter, CC, Jimenez, probably Verlander and Cain, maybe Tanaka who is younger, Hampton to mention an ex Brave. A bunch of others depending how far back you want to go. Pedro's deal with the Mets.
Use the money to extent Justin.
Millwood1Hitter
Anytime Now Frankie...
Wouldn't be the first time, though as I believe it happens more than one thinks.
But I'm not sure that this is one of those meetings, there is mutual interest and I believe both are probably more feeling things out to see if their could be potential to reach a deal half way, but them again I'm just assuming, so what do I know!
The only way I could swallow signing Lester is if he gives the Braves an extremely team-friendly deal that is moderately backloaded.
For example:
$5MM signing bonus.
2015: $12MM
2016: $14MM
2017: $22MM
2018: $24MM
2019: $20MM Mutual Option (with $10MM buyout)
(Fudge the numbers around a bit to be between $80MM-100MM in total value, but nothing above.)
Even then, I don't love it -- a lot still depends on how Hart and Co. choose to construct the team over the next 2 years.
For example:
$5MM signing bonus.
2015: $12MM
2016: $14MM
2017: $22MM
2018: $24MM
2019: $20MM Mutual Option (with $10MM buyout)
(Fudge the numbers around a bit to be between $80MM-100MM in total value, but nothing above.)
Even then, I don't love it -- a lot still depends on how Hart and Co. choose to construct the team over the next 2 years.
braves31win
Arizona Fall Leaguer
Lester seems like a long shot...would you guys be more willing to sign Liriano for 12-13 million/yr over 3 years? Gives us wiggle room to trade Minor with BJ to unload his some of his contract and still have some dollars to extend Justin and maybe add offense with Uggla's contract expiring.
Liriano has been good in the NL.
Thoughts?
Liriano has been good in the NL.
Thoughts?
NinersSBChamps
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br> 2015 (Co-Winner)</BR>20
My thoughts are we need to focus on putting together a lineup before we waste all of our money on starting pitching.
Julio, Wood, Shelby, Minor (if we must), and insert someone on the cheap or call someone up.
Julio, Wood, Shelby, Minor (if we must), and insert someone on the cheap or call someone up.
I wouldn't use Lee as an example. He's been great and only recently had arm trouble. CC was fantastic for his 1st contract with the yanks. Santana's wasn not god awful, as they got top end production for half of the life of the contract. But obviously his contract ended up being bad in the later yrs.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
I think Hart is entirely capable of foresight.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Yeah, this would not be good money to spend.
So you think he is intentionally engaging Jon Lester just to mitigate the backlash from the fanbase for trading Jason Heyward?
Because that is what I was referring to in the context of my response.
And its likelihood is somewhere in the realm of ~0.01%.
blueagleace1
Playing the Waiting Game
You are exactly right! Good call.
David O'Brien
@DOBrienAJC
#Braves didn't make an offer during their meeting with Jon Lester today.
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/ba...witter_2014_braves_sfp#56c6bb8b.257077.735557
The Braves met as planned with Jon Lester on Thursday, though it wasn’t known if progress was made toward signing the left-hander who’s among the three best starting pitchers on the free-agent market.
They didn’t make an offer during the afternoon lunch and meeting with Lester and his agent, but the Braves’ revamped and aggressive front office heads laid out the plans and goals for the team as it goes through a transition period aimed at being a consistent championship contender by the time they move into a new ballpark in 2017.
@DOBrienAJC
#Braves didn't make an offer during their meeting with Jon Lester today.
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/ba...witter_2014_braves_sfp#56c6bb8b.257077.735557
The Braves met as planned with Jon Lester on Thursday, though it wasn’t known if progress was made toward signing the left-hander who’s among the three best starting pitchers on the free-agent market.
They didn’t make an offer during the afternoon lunch and meeting with Lester and his agent, but the Braves’ revamped and aggressive front office heads laid out the plans and goals for the team as it goes through a transition period aimed at being a consistent championship contender by the time they move into a new ballpark in 2017.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
That doesn't sound like a terribly attractive pitch to a 30 something pitcher.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Not really. I think he's tire-kicking and it looks good to the home folks. Some people are making like he's the village idiot, and he's quite shrewd. I'm not sure what happened in Texas, but I know the guy was absolutely excellent in Cleveland. Nothing he's done so far changes my mind.
And if Lester will go for $16-17m, he might force himself to draw up the deal.
I know our Blessed Trinity values Big Pitching uber alle, but even they at this point must know that they've got the top four spots well-filled within our budget and it's time to go get some hitters.
Millwood1Hitter
Anytime Now Frankie...
That would be an assumption on your part. I mean he's already got multiple rings so it isn't that important and there are some guys that sign because of the school systems in certain places!
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Well, I suppose. But you're telling him the next 450 innings he throws are placeholders until we're ready to compete again. You don't need to pay Jon Lester to do that. You might as well pay Edwin Jackson and get Melvin off the books.
Millwood1Hitter
Anytime Now Frankie...
It was meant as a tongue in cheek type joke. It's gonna come down to the benjamins, it always does....ala Mike Hampton and Denver's school systems.
Although I don't believe that dollars are the only factor in player for Lester, as I believe he will make his choice based on a balanced decesion of winning, dollars, and comfort.
NinersSBChamps
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br> 2015 (Co-Winner)</BR>20
Well he's got pretty much zero shot of winning and would make less if he played for the Braves. So....