Braves May Have $45MM To Spend

I'd love for CC to come to Atlanta, but it's wishful thinking.

I think we could solve our LF problem and avoid trading any of our top prospects if we swing a trade for Magglio...provided that we eat all of his contract.

WestCoastBias: Tim Hudson is not returning next year. At all. He's out of the picture entirely.

Its amazing how $45mm disappears when you're looking for a slugging OF and two veteran pitchers...and I assume that those veteran pitchers don't include Smoltz, Glavine, or Hampton (although some might be back with the team). I don't see us signing either Burnett or Sabathia, and I am very hesitant on Sheets due to our recently being burnt by Hampton on a injury-riddled high cost starter.

I hate to say it, but I see a Garland signing in our future, which would be a mistake at anything over 3/$24mm; A Derek Lowe signing would be ideal, and I'm in favor of bringing back both Smoltz and Glavine, with Glavine around, oh, $5mm and Smoltz at a base of $5mm with huge escalators according with innings pitched. But I do think a Maggs trade would be excellent if our top 5 prospects aren't involved.

Personally, I see one big free agent pitcher signing...possibly Lowe, and another pitcher coming to us through a trade. Maybe someone like Justin Duchscherer.

Funny you mention Maggs profound, I was thinking tonight while watching the sox/tigers game that we could give the Tigers Francoeur and Lillibridge and maybe they'd part with him.

Francoeur and Lillibridge... and maybe a low level prospect and it's a deal.

Realistically,

I think we can make a very competitive offer for Maggs, however if they wanted us to take on Dontrelle, I think we'd either offer much less for the package, or do it on a contingency that some money be coming our way...

Personally, I would want to stay far away from the mess that has become the D-Train de-railing...

That being said, I believe giving Lowe, Burnett, and/or Perez (2 of 3) a reason to sign here would be a great incentive...that means getting the deal for Maggs done 1st and going from there, showing everyone they're serious about contending next season...

Maybe swing a deal w/ someone for another SP using KJ in the deal since Prado has certainly proven he is capable of handling the position...

If we trade KJ we should be able to get a considerable bounty enough to get someone young, talented, and under control for 3+ years...Ian Snell comes to mind as Pitt could use a 2b...then again, maybe someone else has another player in mind (not named Cain or Lincecum or something ridiculous)

But here would be my opinion for a favorable 09 lineup and rotation:

1) Anderson cf
2) Prado 2b
3) Jones 3b
4) Ordonez rf
5) McCann c
6) Escobar ss
7) Kotchman 1b
8) Francoeur lf

1) Burnett/Lowe
2) Perez
3) Snell
4) Jurrjens
5) Hampton/Morton/Parr

That would give us a real chance to be competitive and also not risk much on our farm system...Maggs gives us just enough time before Heyward is ready...

Thoughts?

Trading Francouer for Maggs makes no sense for the Braves. That would fill one hole (LF), and create another (RF).

I think the Braves are fine giving Frenchy another year to rebound (not saying that's the right thing to do, but it's what I think they will do).

i think signing a fa OF would be a better option then giving up players for maggs who makes 18m next year unless det takes on much of that salary - but then that leaves a hole in RF if your trade frenchy who i think will have a turn around next year.

i like the idea of signing dunn, burrell, or manny if his isnt resigned - or any chance of vlad or crawfords options arnt picked up?around 16m-18m for an outfielder

then sign a front line pitcher - i like the idea of getting lowe - any ideas on how much lowe might get - say he gets around 15m?

then i like the idea to trade for someone like snell - kj for snell straight up? snell only makes 3m next year and 4.25 2010 and the next two years are club options.

thats around 35m

thats about 10+ million to work out contracts with smoltz glavin and hampton - i would keep two of the three

thoughts?

Thing is though, as long as Josh Anderson continues to show what we know he's capable of, there is no hole in CF and he fixes the leadoff problem as well...

To those who think Manny would be a good fit, yes he would to us fans...but he'll command at least 20M per however many years he gets AND he just would not work out w/ Bobby Cox as the manager so thats a no go...

Honestly, I don't see the Mets bringing Perez back...can't exactly explain it other than everything I have heard suggests they are looking in another direction.

I'm sorry but I stay away from Wolf and Garland...we're trying to improve the FRONT of the rotation...we already have Jair and a few others ready to compete for 3-5, especially if we can bring Hampton back...

I do like my idea even more now about making a play for Ian Snell...I still think he has the tools to win 20 on the right team.

I like Abreu BUT I don't think he gives us even close to the type of power we need given if Jeff struggles again and Chipper is out for any length of time...we need a masher...

And please, no more talk about Pat Burrell...we should stay far away from him as well.

Burnett is certainly Option A and then Lowe after him, but I believe I would start w/ seeing if we could acquire Snell and then trade for our bat (i.e. Maggs)

Basically, step it up a notch w/ every move toward the greatest move...the #1 starter.

I have seen that the Pirates want to make some changes, but I didn't think Freddy Sanchez was one of them, so I am not sure why they would deal Snell for Johnson. Furthermore I think the Braves would have to throw in another prospect or 2 to get that deal done if Johnson was a target of the Pirates. Snell is a huge value at his ability and salary.

Don't forget, Francoeur is a natural centerfielder so the Braves could easily find a left *and* right fielder.

Lowe over Burnett any day. Burnett has a nagging injury history and Lowe is rock solid. And if the "top prospects are off limits" all this trade talk about Maggs is just goofy.

Sign Dunn, Sign Lowe, sign Koji Uehara or someone like him.

That fills all the Braves holes when you take into account the numerous prospects who can play CF, especially one Jordan Schafer.

Fine Ham has the right idea.

Braves22, what is wrong with Pat Burrell. High OBP, good amount of power...Not seeing any red flags anywhere.

Beeniez, Jeff Francoeur is not a natural CF. That's just plain inaccurate.

$45 million to spend...that means no to Maggs. Why trade prospects when there is an ample amount of talent that can be bought for straight cash? Same with almost all of the trade ideas.

The Braves needs are a #1 Starter, a #3 starter, and a LF. Assuming the Braves aren't going to get CC (seems pretty reasonable assumption, though they can afford him), Lowe seems like the best target. Frank Wren has been spending a significant amount of time with scouts in Japan, so I think the Braves will do their best to ink one of the available Japanese pitchers. Koji Uehara sounds about right (probably about $7-8 million per year). I would be shocked if the Braves don't get one of Burrell or Dunn. This even leaves some money open for other improvements (backup catcher, re-sign Ohman, backup for Frenchy if this "off year" turns out to be permanent, etc.)

I suppose the only issue with this is that there is zero percent chance that Dempster doesn't re-sign with the Cubs.

If the Braves can sign one Type A free agent pitcher and acquire a power hitting leftfielder, then this team could compete in 2009 with a strong young infield.

KJ was the most sought after player for the braves last off season but they were unwilling at the time to part ways with him. I think that getting Snell would probably take KJ along with a young 4/5 starter like Morton. I agree Andy that KJ still has Extreme potential een though he isnt that young, but with his injuries his playing time in the bigs hasnt been to long and he is really starting to find his groove.

Anyone else think that if the Angels don't resign Garret Anderson to a cheaper deal, he would be a good addition for the Braves? Kotchman cites Anderson as a major influence and he would provide both offense and defense on a team that needs left-handed power.

The ubiquitous Juan Rivera also makes sense, seeing that he can play both corners and CF in a pinch.

"Trading for Maggs would be a waste when they can sign Adam Dunn and not have to give up any young players."

Signing Dunn means giving up 2 picks, which means 2 players of good potential.

"Why does nobody mention Manny?? 3 years @ 17-18 million per."

If Manny is willing to take that, the Dodgers will lock him up immediately.

Burrell makes the most sense for an outfield free agent signing. He's right-handed (need for Braves), he plays left field (need for Braves), and he has power (need for Braves). When facing a division including the likes of Johan Santana, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Scott Olsen, Odalis Perez, Oliver Perez, etc; you need right-handed power bats.

Pitching-wise. Power pitching is a HUGE need for the Braves, so Burnett makes the most sense for a top-priority (CC costs too much). Without Burnett or an effective, 100% Smoltz in 09, the Braves won't go anywhere. Next ink a Japanese guy that, as stated earlier, is not named Darvish. The fifth spot belongs to Hampton, Smoltz, Glavine (god please no), or Garland. Looks like this:
Rotation

1. AJ Burnett
2. Jair Jurrjens
3. Japanese Guy
4. John Smoltz/Mike Hampton/Tom Glavine/Jon Garland
5. Jorge Campillo

Line-up:

Vs RHP

1. Josh Anderson CF
2. Yunel Escobar SS
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Pat Burrell LF
6. Casey Kotchman 1B
7. Kelly Johnson 2B
8. Jeff Francoeur RF

Vs LHP

1. Yunel Escobar SS
2. Martin Prado 2B
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Pat Burrell LF
6. Jeff Francoeur RF
7. Casey Kotchman 1B
8. Josh Anderson CF

Provided the pen stays healthy and Royce Ring is able to be an effective LOOGY OR we re-sign Will Ohman, that should be an October-bound team.

Pen looks like this:

CL - Mike Gonzalez
SU - Rafael Soriano
LR - Jeff Bennett
LHSP - Will Ohman/Royce Ring
MR - Blaine Boyer
MR - Manny Acosta
MR - Buddy Carlyle

http://atlantabred.mlblogs.com/

"The [insert name of a major league baseball team] also are said to have some interest in Giants fireballer Matt Cain"

Cain isn't going anywhere. Do these dumb writers do ANY research before writing this crap?

How do you guys feel about trying to trade KJ and an outfielder or two for jake peavy? I really like the idea of having a 27 year old guys who can hit 97.

AtlantaBred, when Smoltz comes back, because yes hes coming back, he will be a closer. Unless that shoulder surgery was a miracle they wont want to put too much strain on his arm.

I really like the idea of trading for duscherer (how ever you spell his name) with a jon garland signing, and using the rest of the money for a slugger in left field and maybe even a trade for maggs. I know everyone is high on schafer but i really like the way josh anderson plays. Why not offer schafer and johnson for matt cain. you build a rotation for the future and save a little money to re-sign smoltz and ohman. think about the rotation. Cain, Garland, Jurrjens, Duschrer (again with the name)with the 5th spot open for campillio, smoltz, hampton. The line up like this

1. anderson
2. escobar
3. jones
4. burrell/dunn/ibanez
5. ordonez
6. mccann
7. kotchman
8. prado

bravesforlife14 I dont think anyone will argue with your "dream team" for the Braves next year. But its not realistic. Your not going to be able to trade for Duscherer, Cain and Maggs. We can't afford to trade away our entire Minor-League system like uwalfos mentioned.

The Braves will probably be shopping KJ/Prado, Brandon Jones and a SP. The only case that the Braves would trade one of their big-three prospects would be to acquire a player signed long-term such as Peavy.

I have thought about this for a long time and the Braves most realistic off-season plan would be to: make an initial offer to CC Sabathia and keep an eye on the bidding-war but go no more than $20 million a year. OR Make a reasonable offer for Peavy is he is truly be shopped like Buster Olney of ESPN reports. Hopefully we can achieve one of those two goals. If not then the Braves will be forced to signing Derek Lowe a reliable workhorse.

This is when it gets interesting. I think the Braves would waste money and talent going after a player such as Maggs. He is older, injury plagued and would cost $15-16 million! I think we could make an offer for Dunn for that money and have him for 95% of the year. I dont like Pat Burrell. I have watched him over the past few years while the Bravos battle Phillies and he is inconsistent and makes too many boneheaded mistakes. Dunn is going to strikeout a lot but he will also put up 40+HR's and 100+ RBI's. Ibanez is also a good option to consider.