re: Braves Offseason - pitchers and catchers report 2/15

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I don't think he's necessarily out to conserve cash. I just don't think he sees anything right now in the FA market that he feels is worth it. He just gave Donaldson the biggest season salary that we've ever signed someone to in Atlanta, so he clearly doesn't mind spending if, in his mind, it's the right piece for us. Now, fans may disagree that Donaldson is that person, but that is irrelevant.

We as fans have no clue what trade discussions are going on due to the secrecy with which AA's team works under. I think the thing we DO know is that he refuses to sign veterans to long term (more than 3 years) contracts, and I'm good with that. And in terms of trades, you have to have a willing trade partner. It's quite possible that we are dangling 3 stud pitchers in front of the Marlins and they are insistent on a top tier bat as well. Since we have very few of those, we aren't in a position to really give those up.

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Man, someone that actually gets it........

It all boils down to money. Its been rumored that we were going to have around 10 mil more to spend this year right?

We ended 2018 with a $136 million payroll. We are currently around $115 mil according to Cots. So one can assume that we have about 30 million left to spend right? People also have to realize that we cant just go up against our spending limit before the season starts. AA wants to be able to make moves during the season, and not be strapped and forced to make trades that dont really move the needle.

Cut 30 mil in half, so we probably have about 15 mil left to spend before the season. We cant just go out and sign Donaldson, McCutchen/Brantley/Pollock, a reliever, and possibly upgrade the rotation at once.

It feels like we are either going to sign a reliever and make a trade, and roll what we have and see how the young guys perform, and have money at the deadline to do whatever we want.

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He's 30 years old. Can't imagine AA going longer than 3 years on him, which is around $16.6 mil per year. I know our bullpen sucked last year, but that's a lot of money for a guy only pitching 60 innings a season.

Everything I've read is Jeter and the fish want prospects, prospects, and more prospects, along with a left handed hitter in the lineup in a possible exchange for JTR. Impossible to know the actual details, but that's a summary coming from a handful of Marlins beat writers.

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It seems like the Braves, Red Sox, and probably other teams are playing chicken with Kimbrel since it came out at the beginning of the offseason that he wanted 6 years and 100 million. Remember when AA did that interview a week or so ago, he had said that the front office had just then started talks with relievers because the market was too high up until then. There isnt too many relievers left that I would take over what we have now, so he was probably talking about Kimbrel. Its pretty much a wait and see now.

Realmuto is probably just a pipedream at this point. We arent giving up Riley and Anderson. If it was Riley and a lower prospect, maybe Gohara or someone like that, the deal probably would have already been done. Plus, the Dodgers can probably do Pederson, either Ruiz/Smith at catcher, and another piece. Id expect them to end up with Realmuto now.

I actually like our options in the pen right now.

Minter is still the closer of the future imo. He had some issues last year, but he was solid for the most part.

Viz is solid.

A healthy O'Day is a huge addition that hardly anyone is talking about since he came over last summer.

Sobotka pitched very well last year in short innings, but the walks are scary because I doubt he has a BAA under .200 again.

Biddle, Winkler, Carle all have shown promise.

We added Webb to the 40 man so he wouldnt be picked in the Rule 5 Draft. He has electric stuff. Just needs to get the walks down.

Dayton is coming back from injury, and he has good stuff.

Then you have our young guys like Fried, Wilson, and Touki that all could be in the pen to start the year.

It could be a good group. Just keep Freeman and Jackson far away from the team.

We gunna suck this year. Donaldson isn't nearly enough. Markakis could have a big slump after last year. Pitching is average. Mets, Nationals, Philly making big moves. We're not keeping up.

who were the guys on here that organized the group season tickets? are y'all doing it again, and if so, have you already made the purchase? I'm interested in getting in on it this time if possible.

After reading some interwebs, Reddit, and Twitter, I think we get the deal done for Realmuto by Friday, and its going to cost a lot. Anderson/Pache/Allard is what Im guessing.

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Anderson/Pache/Allard is what Im guessing.

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It would really, really suck to lose Anderson and Pache to a division rival but if we can sign Realmuto to an extension, it would be worth it.

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But I think they want a lineup player from us. Marlins are in control of JTR. I think it'd cost us those players plus Camargo

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Marlins initially were asking for one of Albies, Camargo, or Dansby, but Mish(Marlins Guy, reputable) has said that the Marlins have moved on from asking for a MLB guy from the Braves. 3 prospects now.

Harper officially a Phillie