Offseason Hot Stove 2024-25 Thread

[Carp]

Let's run with the assumption that we are resetting the luxury tax. That means we likely have 16 million or less remaining in AAV contracts to make improvements, with 3-5 million or so left for in season trades. That probably means Flaherty is unlikely, as I don't see him accepting a contract with an AAV for 16 million or less. I think someone would easily give him a 1 year deal for 20+ million.

It certainly seems like Cease or bust, unless Sonny Gray has a change of heart and we can make the money work with STL.

I suppose Luis Castillo is an option depending on how money Seattle would eat.

 

[Hudson2]

Let's run with the assumption that we are resetting the luxury tax. That means we likely have 16 million or less remaining in AAV contracts to make improvements, with 3-5 million or so left for in season trades. That probably means Flaherty is unlikely, as I don't see him accepting a contract with an AAV for 16 million or less. I think someone would easily give him a 1 year deal for 20+ million.

It certainly seems like Cease or bust, unless Sonny Gray has a change of heart and we can make the money work with STL.

I suppose Luis Castillo is an option depending on how money Seattle would eat.

You could always join the crowd and defer money like the Dodgers. But Cease at 15 million seems like the play. They may eat a couple of million if we give a better package.

 

[bravesnumberone]

19 days until pitchers and catchers report. Today would be a great day for AA to improve the actual MLB pitching staff.

 

[UNCBlue012]

I honestly think the Braves could and should be comfortable signing a starter and moving Grant back to the BP. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a guy like Estevez or Robertson, but I'm pretty happy with our bullpen.

 

[Hudson2]

I think it's Cease AA wants. And if he doesn't get him then he holds the line.

 

[Super]

You could always join the crowd and defer money like the Dodgers. But Cease at 15 million seems like the play. They may eat a couple of million if we give a better package.

I would think ownership needs to be on board with deferrals, especially to the levels the dodgers have done it.

 

[Hudson2]

I would think ownership needs to be on board with deferrals, especially to the levels the dodgers have done it.

I think like what somebody else said, the Dodgers did all of the deferrals bc they knew it was all gonna change in the next CBA and they wanted to get them in before then.

 

[striker42]

I think like what somebody else said, the Dodgers did all of the deferrals bc they knew it was all gonna change in the next CBA and they wanted to get them in before then.

Yeah, I can't imagine the players association or MLB is very happy with the abuse of deferred money.

 

[bravesfanMatt]

Yeah, I can't imagine the players association or MLB is very happy with the abuse of deferred money.

but the players are the ones taking the deals.. so they are just shooting themselves in the foot.. They could take the deferred money and just put it in a Money market and make 5% on the most basic and easiest of level... I never understood why they take those deals..

 

[rawwr]

but the players are the ones taking the deals.. so they are just shooting themselves in the foot.. They could take the deferred money and just put it in a Money market and make 5% on the most basic and easiest of level... I never understood why they take those deals..

or perhaps they would prefer to play in LA and deferring money lets them maximize what they get while playing for the dodgers

 

[Enscheff]

Perhaps it's helpful to revisit what SD gave up to acquire Cease a year ago...

#67 SP Iriarte (FV 50)
#75 SP Thorpe (FV 50)
CF Zavala (FV 40)
RP Wilson (mid-leverage MLB BP guy with 4 years of control)

That was for 2 years of Cease. SD has burned one of those years, and now Cease is worth about half that...at most.

Here's the latest FG rankings (2024 updated list since Longenhagen is the slowest writer on the planet) of the Braves prospects currently available:

#18 SP AJSS (FV 55)
#30 C Baldwin (FV 50)
#45 SP Waldrep (FV 50)
#49 IF Alvarez (FV 50)

Now I'm the low man around these parts on both AJSS and Waldrep, but I agree AJSS is the best SP prospect the Braves have currently. Both of them are at least equal in valuable to any player SD gave up for Cease, and arguably more valuable.

I'm also the high man on Baldwin, and in my opinion there's no way he isn't the most valuable player currently in the Braves farm system. Trading him for 1 year of Cease would be a mistake, and it looks like AA agrees.

I don't view Nacho an everyday MLB player, so I couldn't care less if he gets dealt. To me he's Grissom v2.0 and the best way to use him is to get value in a trade.

So it should be pretty clear that one of AJSS/Waldrep plus filler should be enough for Cease right now. The system is full of FV 40 guys for SD to pick from. Both those SPs are ready to step into SD's rotation and attempt to replace Cease, which is exactly what they need right now.

If AA gets Cease for Waldrep plus filler that's a Grade A- move on his part. AJSS plus filler is a B-.

 

[Hudson2]

Perhaps it's helpful to revisit what SD gave up to acquire Cease a year ago...

#67 SP Iriarte (FV 50)
#75 SP Thorpe (FV 50)
CF Zavala (FV 40)
RP Wilson (mid-leverage MLB BP guy with 4 years of control)

That was for 2 years of Cease. SD has burned one of those years, and now Cease is worth about half that...at most.

Here's the latest FG rankings (2024 updated list since Longenhagen is the slowest writer on the planet) of the Braves prospects currently available:

#18 SP AJSS (FV 55)
#30 C Baldwin (FV 50)
#45 SP Waldrep (FV 50)
#49 IF Alvarez (FV 50)

Now I'm the low man around these parts on both AJSS and Waldrep, but I agree AJSS is the best SP prospect the Braves have currently. Both of them are at least equal in valuable to any player SD gave up for Cease, and arguably more valuable.

I'm also the high man on Baldwin, and in my opinion there's no way he isn't the most valuable player currently in the Braves farm system. Trading him for 1 year of Cease would be a mistake, and it looks like AA agrees.

I don't view Nacho an everyday MLB player, so I couldn't care less if he gets dealt. To me he's Grissom v2.0 and the best way to use him is to get value in a trade.

So it should be pretty clear that one of AJSS/Waldrep plus filler should be enough for Cease right now. The system is full of FV 40 guys for SD to pick from. Both those SPs are ready to step into SD's rotation and attempt to replace Cease, which is exactly what they need right now.

If AA gets Cease for Waldrep plus filler that's a Grade A- move on his part. AJSS plus filler is a B-.

Word is they want Baldwin which isn't gonna happen since AA didn't give him up for a younger, cheaper, LH in Crochet. SD needs young cheap pitching with Cease only having a year left and Musgrove being out with TJ and Atlanta can help. We match up really well with SD.

 

[Enscheff]

Word is they want Baldwin which isn't gonna happen since AA didn't give him up for a younger, cheaper, LH in Crochet. SD needs young cheap pitching with Cease only having a year left and Musgrove being out with TJ and Atlanta can help. We match up really well with SD.

Is this the same word that said Scott was going to be signed?

Or the same word that said once Sasaki signed the Braves would sign a bunch of extra international FAs?

These people don't actually know anything.

 

[Hudson2]

Is this the same word that said Scott was going to be signed?

Or the same word that said once Sasaki signed the Braves would sign a bunch of extra international FAs?

These people don't actually know anything.

Somebody on ESPN radio was talking about it a few days ago and was just saying what they had heard.

 

[UNCBlue012]

Is this the same word that said Scott was going to be signed?

Or the same word that said once Sasaki signed the Braves would sign a bunch of extra international FAs?

These people don't actually know anything.

No, I've heard it from a few people. MLB Trade Rumors mentioned it, a guy who works for MLB Prospectus also told me last night that Cease is our primary target but the Braves are also in on Flaherty.

 

[Hudson2]

No, I've heard it from a few people. MLB Trade Rumors mentioned it, a guy who works for MLB Prospectus also told me last night that Cease is our primary target but the Braves are also in on Flaherty.

Same. They said if they don't get Cease soon they'll sign Flahtery. Flahtery won't cost any prospects either.

 

[bravesfanMatt]

I am not that excited about JF.. sits around a 4 FIP but he wants Ace level money.

 

[UNCBlue012]

Same. They said if they don't get Cease soon they'll sign Flahtery. Flahtery won't cost any prospects either.

I haven't heard that the Braves will sign Flaherty, but he's definitely a high priority.

 

[CyYoung31]

I can’t ****ing stand Flaherty, and I seriously doubt being in a Braves uniform is going to change that. That said, if he’s good I won’t complain.

 

[Enscheff]

Well if all the wannabe insiders are making claims, and being wrong never ever matters..

The Braves will figure out a deal for Cease that doesn’t include Baldwin.