International News, Rumor and Signing Thread

smootness said:
I like a lot of what you've said here, but I would just offer a couple 'disagreements'. First, that's getting extremely optimistic to have a 2019 ETA (even if only 'potential') for the guys who have yet to play in the system at all. It's hard for me to see guys like Pache, Cruz, Wilson, or even Yepez being ready at that point. And while Maitan could possibly fly through the system and be ready, that's pretty crazily optimistic on him as well. And I don't see any shot at all for Gutierrez by then.

And as for that potential OF, it would be seriously weak defensively. Riley has a cannon, but I can't see him moving extremely well in LF. And I don't see any way Maitan would fit in CF, even at that age. He's going to be huge.
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The main point is it's entirely possible that our lineup AND rotation could be homegrown by 2018/2019/2020 with quite a few inexpensive high-ceiling players. Combine the game's increasing revenues with the Braves' increasing revenues from the stadium complex, and it's definitely not hard to see us as potential major players when it comes to signing players from the monumental 2018 free-agent class. Keep the Pitchers, throw 8 years and $240 million at Machado, and call it a decade...

2B- Albies, SS- Swanson, 3B- Machado, 1B- Freeman, DH- Riley, RF- Maitan, LF- Lazarito, C- Gutierrez/Herbert, CF- Mallex
 
clvclv said:
The main point is it's entirely possible that our lineup AND rotation could be homegrown by 2018/2019/2020 with quite a few inexpensive high-ceiling players. Combine the game's increasing revenues with the Braves' increasing revenues from the stadium complex, and it's definitely not hard to see us as potential major players when it comes to signing players from the monumental 2018 free-agent class. Keep the Pitchers, throw 8 years and $240 million at Machado, and call it a decade...

2B- Albies, SS- Swanson, 3B- Machado, 1B- Freeman, DH- Riley, RF- Maitan, LF- Lazarito, C- Gutierrez/Herbert, CF- Mallex
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No doubt, I agree.

For me, I'd rather keep Inciarte. I just don't know how long Mallex will be a productive major league player.
 
smootness said:
No doubt, I agree.

For me, I'd rather keep Inciarte. I just don't know how long Mallex will be a productive major league player.
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I agree with this, I think that Inciarte is a slower version that we hope Mallex becomes. But I feel Inciarte will play better defense in center than Mallex, and if we were to fall into or get a better center fielder...Inciarte is a better 4th outfielder as well.
 
I'll take Inciarte over Mallex too. I'm interested to see what they do with the money when the big free agent class rolls around. Harper or Machado would be big targets we could afford. If Machado stays healthy that is.
 
Inciarte is a platoon player waiting to happen... if we can get quite a bit for him (and it sounded like he was coming off valuable to plenty of clubs) then we should jump on it... he can't hit lefties at all.
 
zbhargrove said:
Inciarte is a platoon player waiting to happen... if we can get quite a bit for him (and it sounded like he was coming off valuable to plenty of clubs) then we should jump on it... he can't hit lefties at all.
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Platoon? There is no way that's his outlook. He's had little issues in the minors hitting them (.298 in A, .384 Adv.A, .260 in 13, small sample in 14' at .400) and should be solid going forward. I just disagree with that ZB.

I did read that he changed his approach and it cost him against LH.
 
Hudson2 said:
I'll take Inciarte over Mallex too. I'm interested to see what they do with the money when the big free agent class rolls around. Harper or Machado would be big targets we could afford. If Machado stays healthy that is.
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I still have hope that Inciarte gets traded to the Cubs. I think the Cubs are working on Dexter Fowler bidding against the White Sox. If they miss out, I think Inciarte goes to the Cubs. I just can't believe that they sign a guy whose value is significantly tied to his RF defense and play him out of position in CF.
 
Deester11 said:
Platoon? There is no way that's his outlook. He's had little issues in the minors hitting them (.298 in A, .384 Adv.A, .260 in 13, small sample in 14' at .400) and should be solid going forward. I just disagree with that ZB.

I did read that he changed his approach and it cost him against LH.
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He hit something like .220 against lefties last year...
 
Horsehide Harry said:
I still have hope that Inciarte gets traded to the Cubs. I think the Cubs are working on Dexter Fowler bidding against the White Sox. If they miss out, I think Inciarte goes to the Cubs. I just can't believe that they sign a guy whose value is significantly tied to his RF defense and play him out of position in CF.
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I don't know how WAR works its way through, but if Heyward does play CF, will his offensive value as a CF increase compared to other CFs that it will make up for any loss in his defensive WAR, which will likely drop.
 
zbhargrove said:
He hit something like .220 against lefties last year...
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Yes, in a one-year sample with about 140 ABs. He hit over .270 against lefties in the majors in 2014. His issue against lefties right now is a lack of any power. His K-rate in the majors has actually been better against lefties, and his isoOBP is pretty much equal to against righties. So his average should be fine against lefties going forward, and he should be able to put up an OBP at or above .300. His issue is his lack of pop against them, but it shouldn't force him into a platoon.

And regarding Hayward in CF, yes his defensive value will probably come down some, but his offensive value will go up and should negate the drop in defensive value. He can absolutely play CF and be very valuable right now.
 
DaneHill said:
It's Saturday. Has Laz agreed to sign with us yet? :popcorn:
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snark-spock.jpg
 
smootness said:
Yes, in a one-year sample with about 140 ABs. He hit over .270 against lefties in the majors in 2014. His issue against lefties right now is a lack of any power. His K-rate in the majors has actually been better against lefties, and his isoOBP is pretty much equal to against righties. So his average should be fine against lefties going forward, and he should be able to put up an OBP at or above .300. His issue is his lack of pop against them, but it shouldn't force him into a platoon.

And regarding Hayward in CF, yes his defensive value will probably come down some, but his offensive value will go up and should negate the drop in defensive value. He can absolutely play CF and be very valuable right now.
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Your argument for Inciarte not being a platoon player is a based on an empty BA that tops out at .270, an OBP of around .300, and little to no power vs LHers. Do you realize you just described the exact definition of a platoon player?

I would be shocked if Inciarte isn't at his absolute peak value/production right now.
 
Enscheff said:
Your argument for Inciarte not being a platoon player is a based on an empty BA that tops out at .270, an OBP of around .300, and little to no power vs LHers. Do you realize you just described the exact definition of a platoon player?

I would be shocked if Inciarte isn't at his absolute peak value/production right now.
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But that comes with elite defense. We'll be hard-pressed to find a CF with more overall value against LHP.
 
On another note, has anyone heard about the Cardinals interest in Maitan? Evidently they are "all over" him and have been since he was 13. They also sign a few players from the academy he trains at. I think he's a Brave come July 2nd, but this Lazarito thing should quickly die if it means losing Maitan.
 
Deester11 said:
On another note, has anyone heard about the Cardinals interest in Maitan? Evidently they are "all over" him and have been since he was 13. They also sign a few players from the academy he trains at. I think he's a Brave come July 2nd, but this Lazarito thing should quickly die if it means losing Maitan.
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As far as I can tell this is based on one St. Louis beat writer mentioning it last July with no real specifics. I'm pretty sure every team in the Majors has scouted him since he was around that age.
 
mqt said:
As far as I can tell this is based on one St. Louis beat writer mentioning it last July with no real specifics. I'm pretty sure every team in the Majors has scouted him since he was around that age.
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Yeah, I understand that. Penalties notwithstanding, why wouldn't others have a bidding war for what's being described as a generational talent? Handshake agreement aside.....if/when/should he sign, he'll be my new Teheran rookie league to majors follow.
 
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