Don't argue - just go away.
And put on your tighty-whities and get Mom to bring you some Cheetos.
Discussion of Braves 2018 Offseason plans
- Thread starter Horsehide Harry
- Start date
Don't argue - just go away.
And put on your tighty-whities and get Mom to bring you some Cheetos.
CrimsonCowboy
Moderator
My goodness. Get this offseason over with for the sanity of some posters here.
So Schoenfeld on ESPN just listed the Braves as one of the 5 teams that would be a fit for JD Martinez if he walks away from the Red Sox offer. I just can’t see it. Taking on another bloated contract for a below average OF defender. Plus the article made me laugh because it said the Braves have plenty of salary space as he alluded to 2019 and beyond, but how on Earth would we pay Martinez in 2018? Just nonsense.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I suppose they could somehow swallow a high AAV for a season or two, but I think one thing that is emerging this off-season that is probably playing into the slow movement of free agents is the reluctance on the part of teams to give out long contracts. As of today, the only two FAs who have gotten more than three year deals are Cain and Upton the Younger. Martinez fits the same offensive profile as those two and probably wants a similar deal. At this point, it doesn't seem the suitors feel the same way and I don't see him as a fit for the Braves unless it's a one- or two-year deal and the McGuirk decides to open the wallet. Both are unlikely.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
What about the group that gets their marching orders from the Russians?
Jaw
It's OVER 5,000!
Not sure I see the logic in a short term and marginal 3B signing for a non-competitive year. Does anyone really believe that whatever potential improvement Nunez may provide over Camargo or Ruiz is worth the opportunity cost of not learning more about those two guys? I do not.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
Those are patriots.
How smart does he look now? Some thought he signed slightly below market at the time but who knows how things would play out if he tried to wait out and get the best offer possible.
People still watch ESPN?
Agreed. Upgrading 3B only made sense if the Braves also upgraded the OF at the very least. This current roster with Nunez at 3B and someone projected for 2+ wins in LF would probably be projected to be a .500 team, and maybe looked at as a possible WC contender if some young guys really took off.
Now? What's the point? Just answer the "does Camargo really have power?" question once and for all.
Interesting note from Bowman -- Aaron Blair lost 30 pounds this offseason. https://www.mlb.com/news/predicting-the-braves-25-man-roster/c-266154114
Not exactly betting on him to be good all of a sudden, but we might have our first "best shape of my life" of the spring.
Not exactly betting on him to be good all of a sudden, but we might have our first "best shape of my life" of the spring.
We could if we wanted to. We have about 106M committed this year. Now if we deicide to pay Kazmir's deffered money this year and sandbag some other money for next year it's because we want to tank again and we're under the assumption the new ballpark will be enough of a draw to keep attendance wher it is. It's not because we have to, no matter what is said.
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
So much this.
LOL, of course it is.
All available evidence says the Braves have to lower payroll in 2018, but that doesn't matter to Chico! He will not be swayed!
I don't think we have to. I think we should at least be at $120 or so. If we're choosing to pay deffered salary this year and not signing anyone to upgrade our roster that shows we're saying screw it let's focus on 2019
BeanieAntics
Arbitration Eligible
One question I have is if we have the option to pay the money this year on Kazmir's contract, why in the world wouldn't we do that? Assuming that we are capable of doing so and have no plans to add anyone else of significance. In that circumstance paying Kazmir this year is the only thing that makes sense right?
A few possibilities:
1. Payroll is at $106M, and if they only have $110M to spend they can't afford to pay it all now.
2. They may want to keep financial flexibility just in case they are in position to add a contract at the deadline.
3. A FA may fall into their lap that represents a bargain value too good to pass up.
I imagine they are going to set aside whatever portion of that deferred money they can every year. It might $2M every year until it must be paid. Who knows.
Another thing to keep in mind is that his 2021 payment is due on Dec 15th, well after the 2021 season. That also opens up the ability to possibly borrow from the 2022 budget to spread the cash around even more. Spreading $8M out over 5 seasons of payroll ends up being nearly unnoticeable.
In short, the Braves may very well have already dumped $8M into an account somewhere to pay Kazmir in 2021, but I'm guessing they have quite a bit of flexibility with how they actually put that money together, and I would be shocked if they aren't taking advantage of that flexibility.