Looking towards 2025

Even still, our 40 man roster is going to be that full? Couldnt we just release him if we get to that point. He was pre-arb so its not like it would have cost a lot. I just dont understand how they thought he would be okay to try as a starter but dont think he could be a decent reliever when he comes back.
 
Even still, our 40 man roster is going to be that full? Couldnt we just release him if we get to that point. He was pre-arb so its not like it would have cost a lot. I just dont understand how they thought he would be okay to try as a starter but dont think he could be a decent reliever when he comes back.

It definitely was a bit puzzling considering the cost to acquire him. But maybe there's something the Braves staff saw they didn't like while he was here.
 
Even still, our 40 man roster is going to be that full? Couldnt we just release him if we get to that point. He was pre-arb so its not like it would have cost a lot. I just dont understand how they thought he would be okay to try as a starter but dont think he could be a decent reliever when he comes back.

I agree. 40-man was at 38 or 39 and after the non-tenders it's sitting in the low-30s.

The Kerr acquisition was a puzzler to me. As NYC says, the acquisition cost (in terms of carrying some of Carpenter's contract) was, while not onerous, a cost that did impinge flexibility. I think Kerr is another example of how the pro scouting staff becomes enamored with one aspect of a player that drives acquisition. Braves have been pretty good at it with Lee, Winans, Holmes, and others and have missed badly with Luetge. Although Kerr's 30, there's still a chance for him if he bounces back from surgery.
 
I don't know what Kerr's arb number was going to be, but I bet they sign him to a minor league deal next year to let him rehab but be off the 40 man roster all year.

The bigger consideration is that if Kerr was kept on the 40 man roster he'd be paid a MLB salary and gain a whole year of service time next year for a year he's not available to pitch. A minor league deal makes far more sense for the organization. Kerr Ynoa and Salinas are all strong candidates to be re-signed
 
The bigger consideration is that if Kerr was kept on the 40 man roster he'd be paid a MLB salary and gain a whole year of service time next year for a year he's not available to pitch. A minor league deal makes far more sense for the organization. Kerr Ynoa and Salinas are all strong candidates to be re-signed

I wonder what the market for Ynoa will be. Kerr is hurt and Salinas is still developing, but Ynoa does have a track record of being effective when healthy. He's down the list on the pecking order in Atlanta and I wonder if he'll try somewhere else.
 
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/braves-rumors-outfield-left-handed-bat.html

Why would AA be looking for a LHH OFer to go with Kelenic/Harris until Acuna is back? It seems to me the logical fit would be a RHH that can platoon with Kelenic, or push him to the bench for good once Acuna is playing.

Additionally, this is another comment about the Braves potentially trying to get under the cap despite AA saying payroll was going up, and spending just under the 3rd level last year. Where is this narrative coming from that AA won't push the luxury number close to $280M this year? What info leads people to think the payroll won't remain as it's been the last couple years?
 
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https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/braves-rumors-outfield-left-handed-bat.html

Why would AA be looking for a LHH OFer to go with Kelenic/Harris until Acuna is back? It seems to me the logical fit would be a RHH that can platoon with Kelenic, or push him to the bench for good once Acuna is playing.

Additionally, this is another comment about the Braves potentially trying to get under the cap despite AA saying payroll was going up, and spending just under the 3rd level last year. Where is this narrative coming from that AA won't push the luxury number close to $280M this year? What info leads people to think the payroll won't remain as it's been the last couple years?

Weren't the braves horrible vs rhp last season?
 
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/braves-rumors-outfield-left-handed-bat.html

Why would AA be looking for a LHH OFer to go with Kelenic/Harris until Acuna is back? It seems to me the logical fit would be a RHH that can platoon with Kelenic, or push him to the bench for good once Acuna is playing.

Additionally, this is another comment about the Braves potentially trying to get under the cap despite AA saying payroll was going up, and spending just under the 3rd level last year. Where is this narrative coming from that AA won't push the luxury number close to $280M this year? What info leads people to think the payroll won't remain as it's been the last couple years?

Maybe people are in shock, like we have been, that the Braves are spending at the level they are and don't think it will continue?
 
If Bellinger were cheap enough he can backup CF and 1b and doesn’t strike out a lot. He could be a valuable piece if the Cubs eat enough money.

I had the same thought. The Braves would finally have a legitimate back-up at 1B to give Olson a day at DH or insurance if he got hurt and Bellinger could do the same for Harris. Of course, Ozuna will be slotted in at DH, so there probably won't be a rotation at the position. Still, a guy like Bellinger is likely a better bet than Kelenic.
 
If Bellinger were cheap enough he can backup CF and 1b and doesn’t strike out a lot. He could be a valuable piece if the Cubs eat enough money.

I had the same thought. The Braves would finally have a legitimate back-up at 1B to give Olson a day at DH or insurance if he got hurt and Bellinger could do the same for Harris. Of course, Ozuna will be slotted in at DH, so there probably won't be a rotation at the position. Still, a guy like Bellinger is likely a better bet than Kelenic.
 
I had the same thought. The Braves would finally have a legitimate back-up at 1B to give Olson a day at DH or insurance if he got hurt and Bellinger could do the same for Harris. Of course, Ozuna will be slotted in at DH, so there probably won't be a rotation at the position. Still, a guy like Bellinger is likely a better bet than Kelenic.

He isn’t a long term commitment and again if the money makes sense then the whole thing makes sense. Like you said we don’t have any insurance for Olson if he got hurt so that would be a nice backup plan. There aren’t a lot of options out there right now that would make more semse.
 
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/braves-rumors-outfield-left-handed-bat.html

Why would AA be looking for a LHH OFer to go with Kelenic/Harris until Acuna is back? It seems to me the logical fit would be a RHH that can platoon with Kelenic, or push him to the bench for good once Acuna is playing.

Additionally, this is another comment about the Braves potentially trying to get under the cap despite AA saying payroll was going up, and spending just under the 3rd level last year. Where is this narrative coming from that AA won't push the luxury number close to $280M this year? What info leads people to think the payroll won't remain as it's been the last couple years?

It came from speculation last year that they were trying to take on more money in 2023 to try to get under the cap in 2024 to reset the penalties because it looks very unlikely they will get under the cap past 2024 with several cheap contracts coming up.
 
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/braves-rumors-outfield-left-handed-bat.html

Why would AA be looking for a LHH OFer to go with Kelenic/Harris until Acuna is back? It seems to me the logical fit would be a RHH that can platoon with Kelenic, or push him to the bench for good once Acuna is playing.

Additionally, this is another comment about the Braves potentially trying to get under the cap despite AA saying payroll was going up, and spending just under the 3rd level last year. Where is this narrative coming from that AA won't push the luxury number close to $280M this year? What info leads people to think the payroll won't remain as it's been the last couple years?

It came from speculation last year that they were trying to take on more money in 2023 to try to get under the cap in 2024 to reset the penalties because it looks very unlikely they will get under the cap past 2024 with several cheap contracts coming up. Sale's resurrection along with Lopez/SS breaking out has dramatically changed that outlook though. We went from desperatly needing multiple TOR SP to having the best rotation in baseball for probably less per year than Juan Soto will make per year.
 
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The LH OF list is rather small.

You got Kepler or Conforto for free agents

Cody Bellinger and Wyler Abreu are said to be available.

Then speculation on guys like Lars Nootbar, Matt Wallner, or Trevor Larnach.

I don’t know where we’re looking, but pickings are slim
 
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/braves-rumors-outfield-left-handed-bat.html

Why would AA be looking for a LHH OFer to go with Kelenic/Harris until Acuna is back? It seems to me the logical fit would be a RHH that can platoon with Kelenic, or push him to the bench for good once Acuna is playing.

Additionally, this is another comment about the Braves potentially trying to get under the cap despite AA saying payroll was going up, and spending just under the 3rd level last year. Where is this narrative coming from that AA won't push the luxury number close to $280M this year? What info leads people to think the payroll won't remain as it's been the last couple years?

They don’t have info; it’s just speculation. All real information, cited in the article, suggests payroll will increase.
 
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