Major League Baseball has once again extended the paid administrative leave period of Braves outfielder Hector Olivera, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports on Twitter. The league has done so once already, and has yet to issue any final determination under the domestic violence policy since Olivera was arrested on April 13th. Along with Olivera, Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes has yet to learn the outcome of his own pending domestic abuse investigation despite the fact that his court case was brought to a close before the season started. While it isn’t surprising to see commissioner Rob Manfred proceeding cautiously while gathering facts, and there are no doubt behind-the-scenes discussions taking place, it’s surprising to see such lengthy periods of uncertainty.
Here’s more from Atlanta:
- The Braves are weighing whether now is the time to part ways with manager Fredi Gonzalez, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. If Gonzalez is fired, he’d likely be replaced from within on an interim basis. But the organization could well look to veteran skipper Bud Black in the long run, Nightengale suggests.
- While Gonzalez makes a rather easy target given the club’s start, Nightengale says that the club’s higher-ups don’t view him as somehow being solely responsible. Still, the sense is that things shouldn’t be as bad as they are. As Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes, the Braves have already cycled through plenty of roster options in an effort to spark some improvement.
- Atlanta’s ballpark machinations have extended back well beyond their current stadium-building efforts, Ira Boudway and Kate Smith of Bloomberg report. Per the report, the organization has engaged in political and financial maneuvering with several of its minor league affiliates, too, with taxpayers often carrying the burden for new buildings while the team-owned affiliates prosper.
Read that the White Sox are looking for a LH OF bat any chance they would be interested in Inciarte and what could we get for him.
there is no way the Braves would trade Inciarte right now. He is hurt and just about to start his rehab stint. They would be selling low at this point.
If the Sox want a LH OF bat, they should trade for the Braves best player right now, Markakis. The salary dump in itself would prove valuable for Atlanta.
Inciarte actually started his rehab today in Gwinnett. From my understanding he may return as soon as Saturday.
I would keep Inciarte, he is what we are trying to build around. I would trade Markallis for the right return, treat Olivera as a lesson learned
I wasn’t saying they would make a trade tomorrow I am talking bout after he establishes himself healthy.
Who should they trade him for? A recovering TJ pitcher? The Braves need young MLB ready position players on their roster. Inciarte is proven and fits that description perfectly. Again, if the Sox called up Coppy looking for a LH OF bat, Markakis would be the only one available, unless otherwise blown away by an offer.
Braves wouldn’t trade Markakis right now for anything less than Fulmer. It’ll never happen, but u know it’s the truth.
Teams in rebuilding mode build around guys like Inciarte, not trade them away. It’s kind of the whole point of rebuilding.
Of course Gonzalez isn’t fully responsible. The offence has about 2 players who are above average. Let him ride out this year and get the 1st overall pick, then replace him.
This isn’t the NFL, the 1st overall pick in baseball isn’t always that luxurious. Besides, while the roster isn’t great, good managers are at least able to string together and motivate sub-standard players. Fredi also has a track record of being a below average decision maker in games, even with talented rosters. He may go tomorrow, he may go in June, but I would be shocked if he wasn’t gone by the all-star break.
You only leave Gonzalez in if you believe that he won’t have a negative impact on the young players over the course of this season. This includes the players currently on the team as well as those brought up during the upcoming weeks/months. Considering his reputation for not being great at bullpen management, lineup construction and generally not managing an effective running game (which is a major key factor with most Braves prospects) then it’s hard to just let him finish out the year. It could have a detrimental effect going forward after he’s gone.
I have to agree with all Steelerbrave, Inciarte is one to build around. I can see a trade t the deadline when he is fully re-established. But even then it is a long shot. Markakis is the trade piece as an established, know what you get type of player. Plus Matkakis hitting doubles against Baltimore is right for Chi Sox.
I just don’t see anybody trading for Markakis if they were to take on that much salary for that many years I just would think the White Sox would rather put the assets needed to acquire CarGo or Bruce or maybe somebody else. I just see with the other options that are out there teams would not want Markakis.
With Inciarte though a team gets a A. Plus defender at all 3 OF spots B. Team control C. Low salary. I would think a team would be willing to almost over pay to get him than take on the other players mentioned because of A. Salary B. Years left on contract C. Limited defensive value.
In a perfect world of course I would love to get out from under Markakis contract but the fact of the matter is this offense is embarrassing and we need a RH power bat somewhere in this line up going forward. With Ruiz raking and looking to be our 3B of the future that basically leaves Catcher and an OF spot to fill that need.
Besides Markakis is a consumite professional that the young guys can lean on as a veteran leader and take some pressure off Freeman.
Yes but Inciarte will cost the team more, Markakis is at best a salary relief trade with a low prospect thrown in. Yes Chicago takes on more salary, but in that timeframe of Markakis’ contract, they can develop the prospect they did not give up for Inciarte.
I can’t see them taking on Markakis contract like I said before if they were to take on that much money I would think CarGo or Bruce would be better options for the amount of money they would have to shell out. CarGo is an extremely team friendlier deal and I would think the Reds would take back whatever difference in salaries between Markakis and Bruce but I believe he is signed for a year less.
Just don’t see anyway they would entice the White Sox to take Markakis.
Now if you wanna tell me we could get more for Inciarte from another team than I am open for discussion but to say that Inciarte is untouchable is nonsense. Not like he is Bryce Harper lol.
Cargo is owed $37 Mill/2Yrs
Kakes is owed $31.5 Mill/3Yrs
How is that more team friendly???
Also, cash considerations are an option. Markakis to Chicago W-Sox is definitely an option…
2 and a half years for 28 million is nothing, youre vastly overblowing his contract.
$27 million for Cargo done after next year. $18 million fine after next year I believe and both at 31 yrs of age. Markakis signed for 2 and a half at $28 million.
I would rather either of the other 2 at the price if I were the White Sox. And I may be reading the contract details wrong. And please correct if I am.
Is there a team out there with a young MLB ready catcher that would be enticed by Inciarte ? Maybe some sort of package to get Susac. I would think we could get more for Inciarte than just Susac but he is blocked by Posey and with Belt signing an extension.
If Atlanta wants to get rid of markakis and his contract, I hope Toronto makes a run for him. Whether Atlanta eats minimal money or none at all, I’m sure Shapiro wouldn’t have to give up much, if anything at all. That way Bautista can move to dh, and EE to 1b
I don’t understand the rush to move Markakis. I understand he is owed some money but it is not a terrible amount especially with all the money coming off the books. Also the young guys still need some veteran presence in the clubhouse moving forward.
Maybe over the next couple months Inciarte can change my opinion and I won’t be so inclined to move him.
The reason is simple why MLB is keeping Jose Reyes and Hector Olivera on paid administrative leave for so long. First, it is because the Internet mob will not be satisfied with anything less than a public execution right now. Second and more importantly, it is because that way when they do decide to suspend them for the entire season, it will seem a lot harsher. Paid leave for half the season followed by a suspension for the rest of the season will seem like a lot longer than a half season suspension right now. It is all about good PR, otherwise they wouldn’t even bother suspending them in the first place.
Ive seen enough of fredi gonzaes to know he’s a good assistant couch at best. whether it was the hanley ramirez debacle in florida or the collapse of 2011. Fredi is not a winner or a couch we should have for the future. people have said that its not his fault and he shouldnt get all the blame but i remember in 2005 bobby cox lead a team to a pennant using 8 rookies. i say let fredi finish this abortion of a season then let him go. one thing i will say in fredi’s defense is braves management is delusional if they thought this team is better than last years.