Teheran was the easiest from the team's standpoint - "we've seen this kid since Day One...we know what we've got...VERY comfortable with the deal."
Freeman and Kimbrel deals were entirely about locking them up during their prime years - feel that they're substantially team-friendly "especially when looking at our flow chart and projecting where salaries will be five years from now."
Big part of thinking behind Kimbrel deal was also his long term health record - NEVER been on the DL at any level.
Completely expects Freeman's power to continue to grow - says Freddie puts on as good a show as Gattis in BP everywhere they go, consistently in the upper tanks whenever he wants to go there.
Long term Heyward extension will continue to be talked about, but the two year deal was the only one on the table this winter - both he and Casey Close feel that Jason will turn into the player everyone hopes, but the organization needs to see at least one healthy year WITHOUT the freak injuries. Mainly feel they need to see consistency develop, but that can only come with health - can't give him Freeman deal until he gets the chance to show he can give us the same thing.
Simmons talks still ongoing.
(Bowden thinks we won BOTH the Freeman and Kimbrel deals, and while he would've preferred to wait another year on Julio, agrees that we won that one financially. Gives Wren an unquestioned "A" for the offseason.)
Other various comments...
Be careful about writing the B. J. deal off as a bad one - spent the entire offseason working out with Derek Jeter, and that's likely to provide major benefit to his mental approach.
Made it very clear that they're also not writing Uggla off. Had a good winter, and they're still thrilled with his overall approach - always working hard, never takes a play off, huge part of clubhouse chemistry whether he's going good or not. Didn't say he CAN'T lose the job, but made it pretty clear he has to lose it - doesn't sound like La Stella can "win" it unless Dan completely stumbles again. (Personally think that's the right approach as well, but only time will tell.)
Freeman and Kimbrel deals were entirely about locking them up during their prime years - feel that they're substantially team-friendly "especially when looking at our flow chart and projecting where salaries will be five years from now."
Big part of thinking behind Kimbrel deal was also his long term health record - NEVER been on the DL at any level.
Completely expects Freeman's power to continue to grow - says Freddie puts on as good a show as Gattis in BP everywhere they go, consistently in the upper tanks whenever he wants to go there.
Long term Heyward extension will continue to be talked about, but the two year deal was the only one on the table this winter - both he and Casey Close feel that Jason will turn into the player everyone hopes, but the organization needs to see at least one healthy year WITHOUT the freak injuries. Mainly feel they need to see consistency develop, but that can only come with health - can't give him Freeman deal until he gets the chance to show he can give us the same thing.
Simmons talks still ongoing.
(Bowden thinks we won BOTH the Freeman and Kimbrel deals, and while he would've preferred to wait another year on Julio, agrees that we won that one financially. Gives Wren an unquestioned "A" for the offseason.)
Other various comments...
Be careful about writing the B. J. deal off as a bad one - spent the entire offseason working out with Derek Jeter, and that's likely to provide major benefit to his mental approach.
Made it very clear that they're also not writing Uggla off. Had a good winter, and they're still thrilled with his overall approach - always working hard, never takes a play off, huge part of clubhouse chemistry whether he's going good or not. Didn't say he CAN'T lose the job, but made it pretty clear he has to lose it - doesn't sound like La Stella can "win" it unless Dan completely stumbles again. (Personally think that's the right approach as well, but only time will tell.)
