Braves sign Donaldson, 1 yr 23 million deal.

[TheRunningAgent]

I just got home. Been on the road all day listening to MLB on Sirius XM. They are certainly all about these deals. I am too. The best thing is that we still have the kids and are set up for the Winter Meetings to do more. Exciting times!

 

[CrimeDog247]

Albies could have problems with his swing adjustments, Swanson might not take that next step offensively, Donaldson could miss some time due to injury. Ender could slump meaning Acuna has to play CF for a period of time opening a spot in LF.

Camargo will get plenty of AB's and provide much needed insurance.

Did you see how Camargo looked in the playoffs? Let’s stop acting like he’s better than Donaldson.

 

[bravesfanMatt]

Who's been saying Donaldson as a potential 3B?

Who's been saying McCann at catcher?

oh yeah.............

Finally got your Astro player. Sort of.

 

[Hudson2]

And which one of those are available. I do believe we'll make one big trade this winter involving some prospects, anyones guess as to who, AA plays it close to the vest.

I meant Fulmer. I could see a Castellanos and Fulmer deal happening.

 

[Heyward]

I meant Fulmer. I could see a Castellanos and Fulmer deal happening.

Fulmer isnt that good, and Castellanos is a FA soon and isnt good defensively, hard pass.

 

[Russ2dollas]

I have to think the risk of JD will make them want a more reliable cOF. That’s why I lean towards Cutch over Brantley now.

I think we need a legit lh hitter in the corner

 

[Oklahomabrave]

In DOB’s article it says BMac agreed to a deal last week but was on vacation. This FO really is tight lipped

 

[Horsehide Harry]

Finally got your Astro player. Sort of.

And I'm not even mad.

I certainly didn't want to overpay for a FA catcher like Grandal (would have been OK with him on shorter years and dollars than it appears he will get) or Ramos (Same) or trade a mint for Realmuto. I just don't trust a big investment in catchers.

As for Donaldson, I thought it would be a multi-year deal like 2/$36M or 3/$50M. Glad to see it as a one year deal and had not picked up on the QO angle. I think it's a good risk/reward play, especially if they really believe in Riley as the long term 3B.

Now, I'm thinking they need a LH and RH power cof bat with Acuna moving to CF and Inciarte moving in trade. Plus a pen arm and maybe a TOR guy.

 

[weso1]

Fun day. Super pumped to see how Donaldson will do this season. And by super pumped I'm sitting comfortably with no emotion.

 

[Carp]

So this likely leaves near 20-25 million left before reaching opening day payroll. We still have cOF, SP, and closer among the positions we're reportedly trying to improve. To me, this move indicates a large trade is coming for a cost controlled player or we sending JT and/or O'Day along to help cover 2019 salary. It also seems like a move for one of the Indians staters is unlikely. MadBum may be more likely at this point at only 12 million and the Giants may be taking a bit of salary too to get a better prospect.

 

[BeanieAntics]

I think this move is going to push Philly to make some big moves.

They could trade for Goldschmidt to play first base. Then they could sign someone like Lucas Duda to play first base. Then all they'd have to do is sign or trade for a solid first baseman and they'd be set. At that point, we might as well start a rebuild.

Edit: If we did decide to rebuild, we could trade them Freddie and Donaldson to play first base for them. They have a nice crop of first basemen prospects that could really benefit our future.

 

[blueagleace1]

Who's been saying Donaldson as a potential 3B?

Who's been saying McCann at catcher?

oh yeah.............

The same guy who was adamant we trade Freeman....

 

[Enscheff]

So this likely leaves near 20-25 million left before reaching opening day payroll. We still have cOF, SP, and closer among the positions we're reportedly trying to improve. To me, this move indicates a large trade is coming for a cost controlled player or we sending JT and/or O'Day along to help cover 2019 salary. It also seems like a move for one of the Indians staters is unlikely. MadBum may be more likely at this point at only 12 million and the Giants may be taking a bit of salary too to get a better prospect.

They were at $82M, and just added $25M.

If we assume $120M-$125M, that leaves $18M-$23M, with another $3M that can easily be freed up by dropping Duvall.

If we further assume Cutch/Brantley will cost $15M, that's anywhere from $3M-$11M to address the bench and add arms. A guy like Dietrich will be less than $4M since he was non-tendered rather than paid that, so that's a little cash left to add an arm if they want one.

Carrasco is due $8M. Gray is due a little more, but can easily be acquired with the Yankees eating cash. Paxton is slated to earn $9M, and the Braves were supposedly in on him. It looks like they can add an arm in the sub-$10M range. If payroll is $130M then they have even more room to play with.

 

[TheRunningAgent]

Another thing this deal does for us, it buys one more year to see what Riley will do. It gives us options. If Riley breaks out at Gwinnett, we won’t need to re-sign Donaldson. In fact, depending on the circumstance, we may can deal him at the deadline. The same goes for Contreras. Best case for the Braves is for Riley and Contreras rips up AAA this year. We are set up nicely for options provided they aren’t dealt for pitching.

 

[Bravesfannchar]

Another thing this deal does for us, it buys one more year to see what Riley will do. It gives us options. If Riley breaks out at Gwinnett, we won’t need to re-sign Donaldson. In fact, depending on the circumstance, we may can deal him at the deadline. The same goes for Contreras. Best case for the Braves is for Riley and Contreras rips up AAA this year. We are set up nicely for options provided they aren’t dealt for pitching.

Yep and we can give a QO to JD next year if we want to since he couldn’t receive a QO this year from CLE.

 

[bravesfanMatt]

Another thing this deal does for us, it buys one more year to see what Riley will do. It gives us options. If Riley breaks out at Gwinnett, we won’t need to re-sign Donaldson. In fact, depending on the circumstance, we may can deal him at the deadline. The same goes for Contreras. Best case for the Braves is for Riley and Contreras rips up AAA this year. We are set up nicely for options provided they aren’t dealt for pitching.

We wouldn’t trade either unless we are out of the playoff picture. That might have been what you are saying. But it is more likely we will be in it.

 

[Super]

The downside is Mac is the other catcher. Signing JD forced them to go cheap at C.

Was that the right play? Quite possibly if Grandal was going to cost $80M.

i always had the feeling grandal was going to get more than the $13M being talked about. i think it will be more like $16-18. good catchers are rare commodities, and guys like grandal rarely become available.

also, as other have pointed out, i think AA was extremely reluctant to lose a draft pick.

 

[Super]

This is exciting for 2019, and we all bought AA’s “we are set in the infield” hook, line and sinker.

I can’t wait to see the inevitable trade that’s about to happen.

this is why i always say i don't really believe a thing a FO says publicly.

 

[TheRunningAgent]

Not to get totally off subject, but for now, I wouldn’t mind the lineup going Inciarte, Albies, Acuna, Freddie, JD, whoever we get for RF, Flowers/McCann and Dansby.

 

[NYCBrave]

One underrated aspect of this deal, is since it's a 1 year deal, Donaldson will go all out to prove himself so he can earn a multi year deal next year. Players seem to perform at their highest level in walk years.