Yeah, I was referring to him as the top end #2 really. I consider him more of a low end #1 high end #2. This year he's pitched like a solid #1 but typically he's been more of a #2. Would depend on cost like you said. I wouldn't spend 20+ per year on him.
Trades You'd Make At The Drop Of A Hat...
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Yeah, I was referring to him as the top end #2 really. I consider him more of a low end #1 high end #2. This year he's pitched like a solid #1 but typically he's been more of a #2. Would depend on cost like you said. I wouldn't spend 20+ per year on him.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
I believe he could put up ace-like numbers here with our defense up the middle. But do I consider him an ace? I'd say he's more a number 2/3 but still very solid and with the potential to put up an ace type season.
Horsehide Harry
<B>Mr. Free Trade</B>
That would be kind of like having 75% of the payroll in Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz wouldn't it?
You have to have young controllable prospects everywhere else.....kinda like the Braves do or are either shooting for.
As for Judge: "A good athlete for his size, Judge has average speed and defensive ability in right field. His strong arm gives him a third above-average tool. He followed up his strong debut by playing well in the Arizona Fall League, so he may not need more than another year in the Minors."
6'7" 275 is about like 6'2" 225 as long as both are in shape and reasonably good athletes. It's not like he's 6'1" 275. His build is more like Dave Winfield.
But, I'm not stuck on Judge per se. I am using him as a fit for the type OF I would like to see acquired - a corner OF with a decent bat and some pop. Please don't give me the .280 RF'r that's going to hit 15 hr and 25 2B and say that's ok because he's got a great arm and a little speed. That's NOT what this team needs. This Team needs 120 HR and 180 2B out of 1B, 3B, LF, RF and catcher. Because you aren't going to get it from Simmons, Jace or Peraza, or Mallex Smith. Even keeping Maybin only lowers that total by about 10 hr and 20 2B.
And when did this imaginary situation happen exactly? Those three were never 50% of our payroll much less 75%.
In 95 the big three were 16.2 mil out of our 47 mil budget just under 35%
96 it was 18 out of 53 for 34%
97 it was 18.7 out of 53 for 35%
98 it was 24.3 of 61 for 40%
99 it was 25.3 out of 79 for 32%
2002 it was 31 out of 92 for 34%
It would be impossible to have a great team with so much of your budget tied to 3 players. Anyway, I agree that Judge is the type of bat we need for LF, and he has the arm for the OF. I just don't see him having the range at his size once he hits his mid 20s to be an effective fielder.
It's probable that the Braves payroll scrapes $150MM+ by 2017. The Braves could easily add two TOR starters via FA and still have ~$50-65MM to play with outside of pre-existing contractual commitments (like Freeman).
Not to say that I agree with that direction, but anything is possible at this point.
Not to say that I agree with that direction, but anything is possible at this point.
Horsehide Harry
<B>Mr. Free Trade</B>
You are assuming the budget doesn't grow. I think that's highly unlikely.
On the one hand I've got you arguing this, which IF the payroll stay at $100M then I agree with you.
On the other hand I have Heyward arguing that the Braves should just eat Johnsons number because $9M is no big deal. I always feel like $9M is a big deal....
I imagine our payroll will increase with the new stadium, but thinking it's going to jump by 40-50 mil is a pretty big leap. I'll believe that when I see it (but would certainly be really happy if that is the case). Has there been something written that says we are likely to jump that high?
Horsehide Harry
<B>Mr. Free Trade</B>
I think I remember something from one of the execs back when the new park was announced at $150M but I could be mis-remembering.
Well if that's the case then yeah I would agree with you on the two free agent pitchers being viable, as that would only be a 1/3 of our budget. But even then, I'd rather see us sign Justin Upton and Price/Grienke rather than 2 pitchers. Get those two, try and buy low on Weiters maybe, and resign Uribe then we'd be in great shape next year.
Dude has 2 HRs in 274 ABs, what pop? Looks like decent prospect though, but not a corner OF like we need. If we are trading Grilli to the Blue Jays I would want their catcher prospect Max Pentecost.
Horsehide Harry
<B>Mr. Free Trade</B>
Pentecost is probably out of range for Grilli.
Alford is interesting but raw and from Mississippi. Maybe KB knows more about him since Alford's from MS.
Alford is interesting but raw and from Mississippi. Maybe KB knows more about him since Alford's from MS.
Well, we're not exactly talking about a drastic '$40-50MM jump', we're talking about a natural increase from the team's spending capacity in 2015/2016 ('North of $100MM and South of $120MM' per Hart ... and this was before the Kimbrel and Upton contracts were moved) that also aligns with increased MLB revenue sharing, new revenue streams at the Cobb facility, and the certainty that the Braves are going to do whatever is within their means to put a competitive team on the field in 2017 ... this type of spending is a documented trend in MLB, which I think will also be heightened/aided by the Braves' involvement in the mixed-use bits of the new stadium.
http://www.athleticbusiness.com/more-news/free-spending-braves-banking-on-stadium-revenue-boost.html
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
If they'll give us Max for Grilli I'd be all over that deal.
Apparently the Blue Jays briefly considered moving some combination of Pentecost, Jeff Hoffman, and Mitch Nay in a deal for Dan Duquette this past offseason. I wonder if that signifies a willingness by the organization to move either Hoffman/Pentecost.
I'd put both Grilli and Johnson on the block in a deal that would net the Braves Hoffman/Pentecost.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Probably. I'd be happy to trade Grilli and J Johnson for Pentecost and change though. And the Blue Jays definitely need pitching.
KB21
Where's My Cup of Coffee?
When I say pop, I don't necessarily mean just home run power. He also has 17 doubles, 4 triples, and is slugging .434 on the year.