Trades You'd Make At The Drop Of A Hat...

[Braves1976]

I know most of y'all won't agree but Folty is the one I'd trade to fill our needs. I'd do so because I don't see him living up to the hype as either a starter or a reliever.

 

[auyushu]

What would Miller and Wood bring back? Who knows but it would be a lot considering their current performance, contract status and the need around baseball. Could you get a young power hitting OF (like Judge?). Likely. Could you get a good catcher (especially since CB appears to have worn out his welcome, not surprising since he has been way overvalued throughout his minor league career). Sure.

We aren't going to spend big money on 2 starters, nor should we. We'd have 60-75% of our payroll stuck in 2 pitchers and Freeman, which would be horrible. Now trading Miller and/or Wood to fix our LF and 3B situations and then signing someone like Price or Grienke to long term deals will make a ton of sense, and I hope we explore that this offseason.

You keep bringing up Judge, but he's really not an OF solution to me. At 6'7 275 he's more of a 1B/DH long term, don't see him sticking in the OF. And even if he did he'd likely be horrible defensively.

 

[clvclv]

They are not signing two big name SP's with all the pitching they've added.

They MIGHT sign one and even that is pushing it.

And Hamels contract is relatively fair given what some of these guys are gonna get.

Is that you John Hart? Coppy???

Really don't feel like searching, but my guess is that there are plenty of things that you've said they're NOT going to do that they've donr. Please preface this by stating it's your opinion unless you're one of them.

 

[sturg33]

Why not just sign David Price in the offseason and save the prospects? Price is 2 years younger and while he would cost more, it likely won't be that much more than Hamels $22.5M (probably $30M per) and you would have him locked up longer.

The FA market is all about top end pitching. With the room the Braves have (and could have more) in payroll, there is no reason they couldn't sign a couple. Maybe Price and Zimmerman.

Bc I don't want to sign him to an 8 year deal to get it done

 

[clvclv]

I know most of y'all won't agree but Folty is the one I'd trade to fill our needs. I'd do so because I don't see him living up to the hype as either a starter or a reliever.

Tough to disagree with this.

I love ALL the depth and young arms but as HH mentions if you're going to spend it, THIS winter is when you do it.

I understand all the doubters who don't believe the Braves can't land these free-agents, but you're just not being very realistic if you think that's the case. Even if you think all the big markets are going to play on these guys, none of them are in a better position to do what it takes to land multiple impact guys than we are right now. The players are going to take the most money, period.

Detroit's in the middle of a bad contract with Verlander and didn't do what it took to keep Scherzer. Do you really think they are going to suddenly step up and pay Price market value when they already owe Verlander $112 million plus a $22 million vesting option between now and 2020, Miggy $248 million through 2024, Anibal Sanchez $37 million through 2017, Ian Kinsler $30 million through 2017and V-Mart $56 million through 2017??? That's an awful lot of rapidly aging guys who could very quickly make you the new Phillies if you try to keep Price and Cespedes at market value. Iltich REALLY wants to win, but I think the fact that they didn't do what it took to keep Scherzer signals the fact that even he realizes their window may very well have already closed - if you can't win it all with Scherzer, Price, Verlander, Sanchez, and Porcello having a breakout year, the writing on the wall is there in BOLD.

There's little doubt that if the Dodgers are going to play on one of them, it'll be Greinke IMO. He's the perfect second-fiddle for Kershaw - he's not interested in the spotlight and seems to be quite happy cashing his checks to be one of the 10 best SPs in the game while no one gives him credit for it.

I guess the point is that IF Hart & Company felt the easiest way to make this team a legitimate contender in 2017 was to outbid everybody for two of Price, Cueto, and Zimmerman and then turn around and trade one or two of Wood, Miller, Folty, another arm, and Peraza to get a young, inexpensive 3B and LF, they're certainly in position to do so.

EDIT: I don't particularly think that's the course they intend to take, but I definitely wouldn't dismiss it out-of-hand - the organization was pretty successful with a large chunk of payroll invested in their top 3 SPs and substantially more minimal commitments on offense for a LONG time.

 

[Braves1976]

Tough to disagree with this.

I love ALL the depth and young arms but as HH mentions if you're going to spend it, THIS winter is when you do it.

I understand all the doubters who don't believe the Braves can't land these free-agents, but you're just not being very realistic if you think that's the case. Even if you think all the big markets are going to play on these guys, none of them are in a better position to do what it takes to land multiple impact guys than we are right now. The players are going to take the most money, period.

Detroit's in the middle of a bad contract with Verlander and didn't do what it took to keep Scherzer. Do you really think they are going to suddenly step up and pay Price market value when they already owe Verlander $112 million plus a $22 million vesting option between now and 2020, Miggy $248 million through 2024, Anibal Sanchez $37 million through 2017, Ian Kinsler $30 million through 2017and V-Mart $56 million through 2017??? That's an awful lot of rapidly aging guys who could very quickly make you the new Phillies if you try to keep Price and Cespedes at market value. Iltich REALLY wants to win, but I think the fact that they didn't do what it took to keep Scherzer signals the fact that even he realizes their window may very well have already closed - if you can't win it all with Scherzer, Price, Verlander, Sanchez, and Porcello having a breakout year, the writing on the wall is there in BOLD.

There's little doubt that if the Dodgers are going to play on one of them, it'll be Greinke IMO. He's the perfect second-fiddle for Kershaw - he's not interested in the spotlight and seems to be quite happy cashing his checks to be one of the 10 best SPs in the game while no one gives him credit for it.

I guess the point is that IF Hart & Company felt the easiest way to make this team a legitimate contender in 2017 was to outbid everybody for two of Price, Cueto, and Zimmerman and then turn around and trade one or two of Wood, Miller, Folty, another arm, and Peraza to get a young, inexpensive 3B and LF, they're certainly in position to do so.

EDIT: I don't particularly think that's the course they intend to take, but I definitely wouldn't dismiss it out-of-hand - the organization was pretty successful with a large chunk of payroll invested in their top 3 SPs and substantially more minimal commitments on offense for a LONG time.

As far as signing a starter this off-season, one I'd consider personally depending on the cost and years is Yovani Gallardo. He's an underrated pitcher and could be a good mentor to some of our young guns IMO. Gallardo is 3-0 with a 0.60 ERA in his last 7 starts for Texas. He's having a very good year so not sure how much he'd cost in AAV and years, he's 29 years old and will be 30 next year.

 

[sturg33]

As far as signing a starter this off-season, one I'd consider personally depending on the cost and years is Yovani Gallardo. He's an underrated pitcher and could be a good mentor to some of our young guns IMO.

I think if you spend big money on a FA, you gotta go and get a stud to at least guarantee a few years of top level production. Grienke, Price, Zimmerman, and Cueto are the guys I'd target - in that order

 

[Braves1976]

I think if you spend big money on a FA, you gotta go and get a stud to at least guarantee a few years of top level production. Grienke, Price, Zimmerman, and Cueto are the guys I'd target - in that order

I don't consider Yovani Gallardo chop liver, he has better numbers than Zimmerman and similar numbers to others you list. And most all of them are 29 including Yovani Gallardo who turns 30 next year. Plus even though I like Cueto a lot I have injury concerns with him personally that would make me afraid to lock him up for a lot of money long-term.

 

[auyushu]

I don't consider Yovani Gallardo chop liver, he has better numbers than Zimmerman and similar numbers to others you list. And most all of them are 29 including Yovani Gallardo who turns 30 next year. Plus even though I like Cueto a lot I have injury concerns with him personally that would make me afraid to lock him up for a lot of money long-term.

I'd prefer Gallardo to Cueto and Zimmerman myself, but he is in the midst of having a career year, and has an era a full run below his FIP. His GB % would fit in really well with our strong middle infield defense though.

 

[Heyward]

Is that you John Hart? Coppy???

Really don't feel like searching, but my guess is that there are plenty of things that you've said they're NOT going to do that they've donr. Please preface this by stating it's your opinion unless you're one of them.

Alright, put your money where your mouth is.

We sign two aces for 200+ mil each, i'll leave the board, if they dont, you leave, you got the cahones?

 

[Heyward]

I'd probably want Greinke if we went after someone but i figure he stays in LA.

I'm meh on Price, he'll want a lot of years, and there's a ton of mileage on his arm.

I'd rather sign some that are a step down for a lot less if we signed a starter, good market.

Gallarado, Fister (good buy low), Kazmir just a few who could be had.

 

[Braves1976]

I'd prefer Gallardo to Cueto and Zimmerman myself, but he is in the midst of having a career year, and has an era a full run below his FIP. His GB % would fit in really well with our strong middle infield defense though.

I favor him in part because of how our team is built, I believe he'd do very well here with our strong defense up the middle. I'm all about building a pitching staff that fits with our strengths including our defense up the middle.

 

[auyushu]

I'd probably want Greinke if we went after someone but i figure he stays in LA.

I'm meh on Price, he'll want a lot of years, and there's a ton of mileage on his arm.

I'd rather sign some that are a step down for a lot less if we signed a starter, good market.

Gallarado, Fister (good buy low), Kazmir just a few who could be had.

And Grienke doesn't have a ton of mileage on his arm?

Fister would be a horrible signing. His peripherals have been horrible the past two years, he's freaking toast.

 

[Braves1976]

And Grienke doesn't have a ton of mileage on his arm?

Fister would be a horrible signing. His peripherals have been horrible the past two years, he's freaking toast.

Good points, I'd stay clear of Fister personally as he's trending in the wrong direction too much IMO.

 

[auyushu]

I'm all about building a pitching staff that fits with our strengths including our defense up the middle.

Agreed. And that's another reason you are probably right about Folty being the best prospect to trade (though he could make a good reliever possibly). Him being a flyball pitcher doesn't really fit with our strengths.

 

[Braves1976]

Agreed. And that's another reason you are probably right about Folty being the best prospect to trade (though he could make a good reliever possibly). Him being a flyball pitcher doesn't really fit with our strengths.

Glad we agree, hopefully the front office does too. Time will tell.

 

[Heyward]

And Grienke doesn't have a ton of mileage on his arm?

Fister would be a horrible signing. His peripherals have been horrible the past two years, he's freaking toast.

Ok fair point but i think Greinke will age well, he relies on command more than velocity.

Still would rather have Greinke even though i dont think he leaves LA, doesnt get much spotlight with Kershaw there.

Cross off Fister.

Leake, Latos would be some buy lows.

Lackey could be a stop gap for a few years.

Brett Anderson has had a good year in LA, only 28.

 

[auyushu]

Ok fair point but i think Greinke will age well, he relies on command more than velocity.

I see Grienke and Price as pretty similar in that regard really. I think both will age really well. Price only throws 93, not like he's a fireballer himself. I'd give the nod to Grienke, mainly due to Price having his GB % steadily dropping the past few years, which is a little concerning (but it hasn't affected him at all performancewise as of yet).

Latos would be an interesting buy low, but I see him about the same as I see Brett Anderson. The injury history would scare the crap out of me on both, much like Cueto. Lackey is old, so not likely to be very useful in 2017 when we are really competing.

But I really don't see a point in buying low. We already have Banuelos, Wisler, and Perez to fill out the back end of our rotation. If we are going to spend on pitching we need to be grabbing a potential ace or top end #2 starter. Someone like Grienke, Price, or Gallardo.

 

[Heyward]

I see Grienke and Price as pretty similar in that regard really. I think both will age really well. Price only throws 93, not like he's a fireballer himself. I'd give the nod to Grienke, mainly due to Price having his GB % steadily dropping the past few years, which is a little concerning (but it hasn't affected him at all performancewise as of yet).

Latos would be an interesting buy low, but I see him about the same as I see Brett Anderson. The injury history would scare the crap out of me on both, much like Cueto. Lackey is old, so not likely to be very useful in 2017 when we are really competing.

But I really don't see a point in buying low. We already have Banuelos, Wisler, and Perez to fill out the back end of our rotation. If we are going to spend on pitching we need to be grabbing a potential ace or top end #2 starter. Someone like Grienke, Price, or Gallardo.

I dont know if i'd consider Gallarado as a top end guy.

Depends on cost as always though.

 

[Braves1976]

I see Grienke and Price as pretty similar in that regard really. I think both will age really well. Price only throws 93, not like he's a fireballer himself. I'd give the nod to Grienke, mainly due to Price having his GB % steadily dropping the past few years, which is a little concerning (but it hasn't affected him at all performancewise as of yet).

Latos would be an interesting buy low, but I see him about the same as I see Brett Anderson. The injury history would scare the crap out of me on both, much like Cueto. Lackey is old, so not likely to be very useful in 2017 when we are really competing.

But I really don't see a point in buying low. We already have Banuelos, Wisler, and Perez to fill out the back end of our rotation. If we are going to spend on pitching we need to be grabbing a potential ace or top end #2 starter. Someone like Grienke, Price, or Gallardo.

Yea, if we do any buy-low's among starters it should be something like the minor league deal with ST invite type for depth like we did with Wandy and Stults. Then you can just cut them after ST if no injuries happen or otherwise have no room in the rotation, or stash them in the minors a month in case of injury. But other than that I'd not do any buy-low's among starters, I am fine with giving vets a shot on minor league deals though because you never know with injuries.