MLBTR just put up an article listing the 5 most notable non-tendered players: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/notable-2017-non-tenders.html
The list includes MAdams and 4 pitchers. Let's see if any of the pitchers make any sense for the Braves.
Hector Rondon:
Projected to earn $6.2M, he was cut loose by the Cubs. His xwOBAs from 2015-2017 were .257, .269. and .295. His most recent .295 mark seems to be the result of his BB rate increasing to 3+ after being right around 2 his previous 3 seasons. That .295 mark is almost equivalent to the mark Viz posted last season. Viz is projected to earn $2.7M next year, and if the Braves can get Rondon for something along the lines of $3M per year they will have added another back end guy with potential to figure out his control and bounce back to being a dominant BP arm.
Mike Fiers:
Fiers was dumped rather than paid $5.7M. His xwOBAs from 2015-2017 were .301, .334, .333. At the age of 32 he is almost certainly well into his decline phase, and isn't a candidate to improve in 2018. He has logged 180, 168, and 153 innings the last 3 years, so he could be a target if the Braves want someone to soak up innings at the back of the rotation. With Fried and Sims already capable of that (at the very least), I don't see Fiers as a fit for the Braves.
Jared Hughes:
The Brewers cut him rather than pay him $2.2M. With 2015-2017 xwOBAs of .319, .314, and .318, he is a durable average pitcher out of the BP. He would be nice filler to round out a BP, but I don't think the Braves need to add him to an already crowded BP mix. He's basically Chase Whitley, who the Braves already have on the roster.
Drew Smyly:
He got TJ so the Mariners dropped him and his $6.85M salary. He posted xwOBAs of .316 and .297 in 2015 and 2016, and has produced like a solid #4 when healthy. Going into his age 29 season, he is likely at the early stages of his decline phase, so a #4 is probably what he can be counted on as his best case scenario when he makes his return. He could probably be had for a deal similar to the one Eovaldi signed with the Rays...$2M in 2018 with another $2M option in 2019. Hopefully the Braves will have enough options to fill out the #4 slot in the rotation that they don't have to make an addition like this right now.
Conclusion:
I would like to see the Braves sign Rondon if he can be had for approximately Viz money.
The list includes MAdams and 4 pitchers. Let's see if any of the pitchers make any sense for the Braves.
Hector Rondon:
Projected to earn $6.2M, he was cut loose by the Cubs. His xwOBAs from 2015-2017 were .257, .269. and .295. His most recent .295 mark seems to be the result of his BB rate increasing to 3+ after being right around 2 his previous 3 seasons. That .295 mark is almost equivalent to the mark Viz posted last season. Viz is projected to earn $2.7M next year, and if the Braves can get Rondon for something along the lines of $3M per year they will have added another back end guy with potential to figure out his control and bounce back to being a dominant BP arm.
Mike Fiers:
Fiers was dumped rather than paid $5.7M. His xwOBAs from 2015-2017 were .301, .334, .333. At the age of 32 he is almost certainly well into his decline phase, and isn't a candidate to improve in 2018. He has logged 180, 168, and 153 innings the last 3 years, so he could be a target if the Braves want someone to soak up innings at the back of the rotation. With Fried and Sims already capable of that (at the very least), I don't see Fiers as a fit for the Braves.
Jared Hughes:
The Brewers cut him rather than pay him $2.2M. With 2015-2017 xwOBAs of .319, .314, and .318, he is a durable average pitcher out of the BP. He would be nice filler to round out a BP, but I don't think the Braves need to add him to an already crowded BP mix. He's basically Chase Whitley, who the Braves already have on the roster.
Drew Smyly:
He got TJ so the Mariners dropped him and his $6.85M salary. He posted xwOBAs of .316 and .297 in 2015 and 2016, and has produced like a solid #4 when healthy. Going into his age 29 season, he is likely at the early stages of his decline phase, so a #4 is probably what he can be counted on as his best case scenario when he makes his return. He could probably be had for a deal similar to the one Eovaldi signed with the Rays...$2M in 2018 with another $2M option in 2019. Hopefully the Braves will have enough options to fill out the #4 slot in the rotation that they don't have to make an addition like this right now.
Conclusion:
I would like to see the Braves sign Rondon if he can be had for approximately Viz money.
