Official 2022 Offseason Moves Thread

bravesfanforlife88 said:
I'd be okay rolling with Soroka/Wright/Ynoa/Mueller/Touki/Newcomb mix for the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation for a little bit. But I do feel like it would be a spot we may need to address at the deadline. Look at the Dodgers. They had a stacked rotation, with few depth pieces. Come playoff time, they only had 2 or 3 guys ready to go.
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That’s why it’s key to have young arms ready to step in. Give them a 3 month audition and upgrade at that time.

We really don’t need a big upgrade for the playoffs. The bullpen games worked well and I’d love to explore that more for the 4th starter games.
 
Carp said:
Putting Strider in the pen is a terrible, terrible strategy.for his development. Dude is a SP and needs consistent work doing that.

While we have a ton of options at SP, none of them are proven. So relying on 2 of 5 rotation spots with unproven pitchers is an unwise decision too. Especially considering Morton's injury. We should approach this off-season with the understanding that we probably won't start the year with Morton and Soroka in the rotation. Honestly, anything we get from Soroka is gravy at this point. A reliable veteran SP will be needed. Greinke would be my preference depending on cost.
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Why does people keep thinking he’s a starter? He’s not…he started a few middle of the week games at Clemson but came out predominantly out of the pen…He had control issues at Clemson and often times wasn’t even a thought for Monte Lee…

He’s obviously got some instruction down in the minors at the professional level but I think he’s better suited out of the pen.
 
jsebe10 said:
Why does people keep thinking he’s a starter? He’s not…he started a few middle of the week games at Clemson but came out predominantly out of the pen…He had control issues at Clemson and often times wasn’t even a thought for Monte Lee…

He’s obviously got some instruction down in the minors at the professional level but I think he’s better suited out of the pen.
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A high leverage arm would not be a terrible outcome for him either.

I think there is a lot to gain from getting major leaguers out as well but 50 did raise a solid point that he doesn't have a whole lot of innings under his belt the last 2 years and could use a few months at AAA.
 
50PoundHead said:
I don't see any Rule 5 issues. Tarnok and Waters are really the only guys that have to go on the 40-man and there will be six guys filing for free agency and probably half a dozen that can be DFA'd. I think three will be coming off the 60-day DL, but there should be enough room to get done what needs to get done.
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Given the fact that the DH is coming, Freeman hasn't been extended, and he's been on fire since getting to the AFL following his big power numbers in a *hitty hitters' environment in Mississippi, I think there's a much higher chance Lugbauer gets added than there was midway through the season, but I'd agree he's probably the only other one they'd think long and hard about making room for.

This is going to be a really interesting couple of weeks for AA no matter what. Assuming there's enough additional resources following the deep postseason run to bring at least one of Pederson or Rosario back along with a Freeman extension, he's still going to have the Ozuna situation to deal with - and I've yet to see the first sign that that whole mess is anything other than as clear as mud.

Replacing Ozuna with Soler would be a no-brainer if you're not on the hook for Ozuna's salary anymore and I'd argue that replacing Duvall with Pache makes almost as much sense, but it's incredibly hard to imagine a point where there's enough money to carry BOTH of the DH/part-time OF guys. Having one of Rosario/Ozuna in LF with one of Soler/Pederson in RF and Pache/Heredia hitting 9th and playing defense until Acuna's ready would make plenty of sense, but is there really going to be enough money available to pay BOTH Ozuna and Soler - particularly considering the fact that you'd prefer to never see Ozuna wear a glove again? With the Morton and d'Arnaud situations already taken care of and a chunk of the extra playoff money available to work out an extension with Freddie, the moves AA "needs" to make this offseason would be relatively straightforward if you simply knew you were off the hook for the prior commitment to Ozuna.

I hate to go down the HH road, but if they really aren't willing to go where they probably have to to keep Freeman, Oakland is probably going to be big sellers this winter and a package made up of Waters and a couple of arms might net you Olson (who's under control through 2023 for a lot less money). If you went that way, you wouldn't have to worry about having enough money to bring back whichever OF/DH guys you chose to on short-term deals with enough money left to extend Dansby and Fried through 2025 (when they'll turn 30).
 
jsebe10 said:
Why does people keep thinking he’s a starter? He’s not…he started a few middle of the week games at Clemson but came out predominantly out of the pen…He had control issues at Clemson and often times wasn’t even a thought for Monte Lee…

He’s obviously got some instruction down in the minors at the professional level but I think he’s better suited out of the pen.
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I frankly don't know whether he ends up in the rotation or in the bullpen. My only point is that I think he needs more innings in the minors. There gets to be a reflex from some on this board that once a guy has any success at the minor league level, he's automatically suited for a major league role. Baseball--for both pitchers and hitters--is all about adjustments and the ability to make them. I think it takes more than 100 minor league innings to develop that ability.
 
clvclv said:
Given the fact that the DH is coming, Freeman hasn't been extended, and he's been on fire since getting to the AFL following his big power numbers in a *hitty hitters' environment in Mississippi, I think there's a much higher chance Lugbauer gets added than there was midway through the season, but I'd agree he's probably the only other one they'd think long and hard about making room for.

This is going to be a really interesting couple of weeks for AA no matter what. Assuming there's enough additional resources following the deep postseason run to bring at least one of Pederson or Rosario back along with a Freeman extension, he's still going to have the Ozuna situation to deal with - and I've yet to see the first sign that that whole mess is anything other than as clear as mud.

Replacing Ozuna with Soler would be a no-brainer if you're not on the hook for Ozuna's salary anymore and I'd argue that replacing Duvall with Pache makes almost as much sense, but it's incredibly hard to imagine a point where there's enough money to carry BOTH of the DH/part-time OF guys. Having one of Rosario/Ozuna in LF with one of Soler/Pederson in RF and Pache/Heredia hitting 9th and playing defense until Acuna's ready would make plenty of sense, but is there really going to be enough money available to pay BOTH Ozuna and Soler - particularly considering the fact that you'd prefer to never see Ozuna wear a glove again? With the Morton and d'Arnaud situations already taken care of and a chunk of the extra playoff money available to work out an extension with Freddie, the moves AA "needs" to make this offseason would be relatively straightforward if you simply knew you were off the hook for the prior commitment to Ozuna.

I hate to go down the HH road, but if they really aren't willing to go where they probably have to to keep Freeman, Oakland is probably going to be big sellers this winter and a package made up of Waters and a couple of arms might net you Olson (who's under control through 2023 for a lot less money). If you went that way, you wouldn't have to worry about having enough money to bring back whichever OF/DH guys you chose to on short-term deals with enough money left to extend Dansby and Fried through 2025 (when they'll turn 30).
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I would be very surprised if Lugbauer is on the 40-man (but I've been surprised before). Mississippi is certainly not a hitters' paradise, but that has zero effect on Lugbauer's approximately 40% K-rate. Lugbauer was drafted as a C/1B, but he hasn't caught much since his season in Low-A. Obviously the presence of Langeliers was going to limit the opportunities for other guys to play catcher, but I was surprised Lugbauer didn't at least log a few more innings down there. It would seem his ticket to the majors would involve some measure of positional flexibility.
 
Tapate50 said:
Its beyond nuts that the two of them turned out the way they have.
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It's an oversimplification on my part, but if you watch Freeman's Game 6 home run, you can see one of the reasons for the divergence (at least with the bat). Add to that Heyward's beaning and things start to take shape.
 
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McCann'sCans said:
Fair criticism. Just surprises me that everyone here seems to be completely writing him off. I think he’s a pretty clear favorite to be starting in CF to begin the season, and I won’t be shocked if he’s successful.
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For me, I don't write him off at all but I never had a very high expectation on him to begin with.

If he ended up being amazing it would hurt but I was thinking he'd be Pillar or Inciarte or Bradley or someone in that range if anything.

I'm willing to take the risk of trading him for something really good. But otherwise keeping him is fine with me and being it on slow.
 
50PoundHead said:
I would be very surprised if Lugbauer is on the 40-man (but I've been surprised before). Mississippi is certainly not a hitters' paradise, but that has zero effect on Lugbauer's approximately 40% K-rate. Lugbauer was drafted as a C/1B, but he hasn't caught much since his season in Low-A. Obviously the presence of Langeliers was going to limit the opportunities for other guys to play catcher, but I was surprised Lugbauer didn't at least log a few more innings down there. It would seem his ticket to the majors would involve some measure of positional flexibility.
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Most of these 40 man issues aren't issues.

Lugbauer isn't getting added to the 40 and he's not gonna get drafted.
 
thewupk said:
I have. I wouldn't pay him for what he has been or for the name if that's what you are asking.

But I would be fairly surprised if AA doesn't target a vet starting pitcher that's projected for a 1-2 WAR season for depth. Greinke is in that group among others.
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There's always 1-2 veteran SPs projected for 120+ IP and 1-2 WAR available at the end of the offseason. Rather than splurging on a guy like Smyly early, AA should just wait to sign that guy, but this time make sure he's actually healthy and will contribute at the start of the season. They should do the same thing with the best DH bat available as well if they find out they have Ozuna's cash to spend.

I would be shocked if AA doesn't add this year's version of Hamels/Smyly.

Focus on 1B, LF and CF.

Grab the best affordable SP, RH BP arm and DH (if no Ozuna) available late.
 
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50PoundHead said:
It's an oversimplification on my part, but if you watch Freeman's Game 7 home run, you can see one of the reasons for the divergence (at least with the bat). Add to that Heyward's beaning and things start to take shape.
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I looked at my DVR and couldn’t find game 7. I for sure thought we won game 6. Did Manfred take that away too?
 
bravesfanforlife88 said:
I'd be okay rolling with Soroka/Wright/Ynoa/Mueller/Touki/Newcomb mix for the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation for a little bit. But I do feel like it would be a spot we may need to address at the deadline. Look at the Dodgers. They had a stacked rotation, with few depth pieces. Come playoff time, they only had 2 or 3 guys ready to go.
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I think the Braves while hoping for the best need to be operating under the assumption that Soroka will never throw another pitch for the organization again.

Beyond that Wright pitched well in the WS but that was just a few innnings. Ynoa only has 2 pitches. Mueller lost his stuff and Touki and Newk can’t find control.

Basically I’m saying I think we need some additional depth.
 
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