7:12pm: Collmenter will receive a $1.2MM base salary in 2017 and can earn up to $1.2MM via incentives as well, tweets O’Brien.
6:18pm: The Braves have agreed to a one-year deal to avoid arbitration with right-hander Josh Collmenter, reports David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter). Atlanta acquired Collmenter in a rare September trade, and the longtime D-backs hurler spent enough time in the minor leagues this year to delay his path to free agency by a season. He’ll remain under control with the Braves into 2017 now and can serve as either a rotation piece or a swingman should the Braves add multiple arms to their rotation mix this winter, as general manager John Coppolella has stated as a goal. Details of Collmenter’s contract aren’t yet known, but MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected a $2.2MM salary for the Sparta Group client.
[Related: Atlanta Braves Depth Chart]
The 30-year-old Collmenter (31 in February) found himself released by the D-backs earlier this summer after recording a 4.84 ERA in 22 1/3 innings. Arizona’s 2015 Opening Day starter latched on with the Cubs on a minors pact and pitched well in four Triple-A starts for Chicago before Atlanta picked him up in a trade that didn’t grab many headlines but could yield benefits in the season to come. Collmenter went on to three starts for Atlanta in the season’s final weeks, posting a 2.37 ERA with 7.6 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 42.3 percent ground-ball rate in 19 innings. In his career, Collmenter has a 3.50 earned run average, 6.3 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a 36.1 percent grounder rate in 678 1/3 innings — all coming with Arizona and Atlanta.
As it stands, the Braves are set to enter the 2017 campaign with Julio Teheran atop their rotation, but the outlook behind him is decidedly less certain. Mike Foltynewicz has likely pitched his way into a spot, and former top prospect Matt Wisler logged 156 1/3 innings despite a lackluster 5.00 ERA. Fellow top prospect Aaron Blair also struggled in the Majors, so he’s probably not guaranteed anything heading into Spring Training next year. Other internal options for the Braves include John Gant, Tyrell Jenkins, Williams Perez and Rob Whalen, but as noted above, Coppolella appears set on deepening his team’s rotation picture with the addition of at least two starters (either via trade or free agency).
Get verlander
Good luck passing his 10/5 rights
Well he was a big Braves fan growing up, but Detroit is gonna ask too much.
Why would Detroit trade him…?
Another decent pitcher the Dbacks let go. Good job Stewart.
at least Dave is gone
I just think he is too old. He had 2-3 average season before this year. Cant imagine he is going to be the Verlander of old. I’d certainly not give up good prospects. Just doesnt fit our timeline. That being said, 2 B prospects and taking all the contract would entice me.
I’m assuming one SP FA and one trade. Who are you guys hoping for. I sorta want Hammel/Archer and weiters. I think we COULD be involved with the wildcard if that happens.
Yes on Hammel. No on Weiters
I would like them to go after Archer or Sale. Hammels would be a nice on a short contract.. don’t like Wieters though. I think they get the same production out of Flowers/Rekker without a bad contract. He is injury prone and on the wrong side of 30 for a catcher.
I dont think Flowers/reker will get near 20 and i think Weiters will. I just think Weiters is on par if not a bit better as a DEF catcher and with his power alone its probably worth spending the money.
Hoping for Sonny Gray. Archer will take a price Atlanta isn’t willing to pay. I think it’s wishful thinking.
I even think Gray could command too high an asking price but I’ll remain hopeful. If nothing else I would think he’d be easier to pry away.
Personally I would love a combo of Gray and Vogt in a trade. If no Vogt and they decide to sign Wieters I can live with it as long as they don’t give more than 3 years. I would prefer 2.
As for the FA SP, not really a fan of Hammel. Honestly would be ok with Fister.
Wildcard, would love them to sign Justin Turner even though I’m dreaming on that one.
I would call it a good offseason with Gray, Fister, and Vogt/Wieters.
Verlander is better than Having Blair or wilder
I’m not in love with Weiters, but he is on par with mccaan. I think if we can get him for 4/44 id rather have him. I just dont see better options out there. That being said. Flowers is a great backup, but low end starter.
Do you guys think if we did get Weiters/Hammel/Archer we could sneak into wild card senarios?
I would not mined Weiters at that price. I just imagine that he will get more with Ramos’s injury.
Here is my projection
Lineup:
Inciarte: 290/360 105 runs/ 40 RBI
Swanson: 263/330 94 runs/58 RBI
Freeman: 295/405 103 runs/113 RBI (40 HR)
Kemp: 250/327 88 runs/101 RBI (31HR)
Markakis: 280/360 85 Runs/90 RBI (15 HR)
Weiters: 238/313 61 Runs/77 RBI (18 HR)
Ruiz/Garcia: 78 Runs/65 RBI (18 HR total combined)
Jace/Albies: 250/338 69 Runs/61 RBI
Rotation:
Tehran: 15-9 3.25 era
Archer: 13-10 3.48 era
Folty: 13-8 3.85 era
Hammel: 12-10 3.90 era
Wisler: 9-14 4.20
Closer:
JJ/Vizzy: 3.40 era/ 36 saves
Contracts:
Weiters: 4/60 mil
Hammel: 3 year (4th club option) 48 million (15 mil for option)
I think it would be a good 4 year deal for turner for 3b 4/60 — think Riley may push him out by 2018.
Thoughts?
After looking at those numbers, they are certainly a “half glass full” numbers and probably about 40 runs more than it should be. But, if we are close to that production we make the playoffs.
Just imagine, if we did get (or close) to the playoffs in 2017, we should have the money to buy one or two pieces to be a perennial competitor . Exciting stuff.
What would they give up for archer? Tampa would almost certainly want inciarte I’m guessing
Inciarte should certainly be on the table for a pitcher like Archer. Especially with Mallex Smith waiting in the wings.
Coppy would then be turning Shelby Miller into Dansby Swanson and Chris Archer. That’s highway robbery.
Inciarte, Weigel, and Rio Ruiz would be a solid offer.
I dont see the braves trading inciarte unless they are wowed. Sale would be nice to have but coppy already said he isnt going after an ace. Not that the right scenario wouldnt make him change his mind.
Is ruiz even ML ready?
Would be a great deal for ATL.. but I don’t think the Rays would sell low on Archer.. he had a bad year but has Ace written all over him.. Don’t think Ruiz would be included because of Longoria. I imagine 2 top pitching prospects, Dustin Peterson and Mallex would be the type of package required. Which is prob. Why Coppy said he isn’t going to look for an Ace.. with another High draft spot this year, I do think the Braves could swing a trade like this! Rays love prospects.
Coppy said he wouldn’t do many things that he has done. I don’t see how you can believe what he says at this point (and that’s not a bad thing…he’s a good poker player).
And yes, I’d say Ruiz is ML ready by his performance last September and the consideration he is getting to platoon with Adonis.
I’m not so confident that the Braves see Rio Ruiz as major league ready. He had a very up and down season last year in AAA (after he was unexpectedly promoted after a horrible AA season). He did very poorly against left handed pitching (.203 avg vs .294 vs RH pitching) so he doesn’t look to be an every day capable player yet (although he may end up being one). He did however from all accounts work diligently to improve his fitness and work on his glovework (which improved dramatically). I will admit that he could probably slide in a third sometime this season as a platoon option, but I wouldn’t think that the Braves plan on that from the onset of the season forward. You can’t make an assumption he is ‘ready’ from a mere 7 at bats at the major league level.
Also what did Coppy say he would not do that he did?
I doubt ATL would trade Inciarte. He is Mallex with less speed but a better arm and has already proven to be a starting MLB center fielder..
Solid move. I hope the MLBTR guys are wrong on R.A. Dickey. I am not saying I think they are wrong, I just hope they are (although his veteran presence would be welcome). I would be cool with Hammel though. Side note, I think Flowers/Recker will be good enough this year at Catcher. So I hope if they get Weiters, that it is because he did not get the deal he wanted and settles.