With the Cubs introducing righty Yu Darvish yesterday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times covers the key takeaways. Other teams dangled six-year offers of similar value, per Wittenmyer, though it seems that interest at a higher price point simply did not develop. Whether that means the Cubs secured a relative bargain or simply reflects the league’s valuation of an excellent but hardly flawless pitcher, the bottom line is that Darvish represents a major addition to one of the game’s best rosters. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein says the team was pleasantly surprised to be able to land Darvish at a rate that still kept the overall payroll under the luxury tax line. He also noted that the team will now have limited capacity for taking on salary during the course of the season. While Epstein framed the matter as one of managing the team’s short and long-term spending ability, those comments seemingly indicate that the luxury line is functioning as a soft ceiling this year for yet another top MLB organization.
More from the National League:
- The Marlins have settled on an executive to lead their drive to improve on the revenue side. As MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reports, the club has hired Chip Bowers as its new president of business operations. CEO Derek Jeter will oversee Bowers, who comes over from a stint as the chief marketing officer of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Elsewhere in Fish Land, Dave Hyde of the Sun Sentinel writes that Jeter ought still be given some room to operate before observers reach conclusions about his tenure atop the team’s operational hierarchy.
- Padres skipper Andy Green struck an optimistic tone in an interesting and wide-ranging discussion entering camp, as Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes. Those who’d like to get a sense of where the organization stands will want to read the entire chat. Of particular note, Green says the stance entering camp is that Clayton Richard and Bryan Mitchell already have rotation spots, with Dinelson Lamet and Luis Perdomo in the lead but not assured of a starting role. Otherwise, there’s a lengthy list of potential competitors. Likewise, second base and the outfield figure to be open battlegrounds over the coming weeks.
- It’s often said that arbitration hearings can lead to some tension between players and teams, and it seems that’s just what has happened with righty Mike Foltynewicz and the Braves. As David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes, Foltynewicz left the hearing with some frustrations about how things were handled by the organization. The team ended up winning a case that was held over a spread of just $100K. That said, the 26-year-old indicates that the experience won’t change his approach, telling O’Brien that he’s ready to “go to work and try to make this team better.”
Braves are a file and trial team. If the money was so close, both parties should have got together to make an extension. I doubt the Braves would say no to an extension with a difference of value of <0.5mm
The painting on the wall is of one certain player that isn’t going to be extended. Look for Folty to be traded.
Trade Folty to the Padres! Preller make it happen
A Folty-Hunter Renfroe swap would be interesting. 2 guys that have had some sporadic success, while also struggling at times.
Looks like Renfroe hasn’t had the MLB success that I thought he had, but he has raked at all levels. Could a scenery change to a hitter’s ballpark closer to home do it (he’s a MS native)?
Interesting, yes. Sensible, no. Padres don’t need any more starting pitchers at the moment as they have plenty of depth in that regard. I would think the Padres are still high on Renfroe, not as much prior to last season, but enough that a one player swap for Folty would be considered detrimental to the team’s future needs.
When Clayton Richard and Bryan Mitchell are guaranteed spots, you definitely need help
That’s not a reason for optimism, that’s lunatic optimism.
He was more than likely referring to their exceptional SP depth in the minors. Not the current rotation in a season where they don’t expect to compete.
we got Erlin and Rea coming back from injuries too,
This will be a make or break year for Renfroe, but the team still has enough confidence in him to not want to trade him yet. I think the Padres will be more likely to sign a pitcher next offseason before they trade for one.
Folty is worth more than Renfroe
Ignorant and incorrect. Both guys are the same age, Folty’s career WAR is 0.5 while Renfroe’s is 1.2
To say that Folty is worth more is false. Renfroe is statistically over twice as valuable. With room for upside.
Do you understand trades are not calculated to equal out on career WAR, right?
Padres have enough pitchers, regardless of quality. Trading something you lack for something you have plentiful amounts of seems a bit counterproductive, no?
I sure do, but I also am aware that Folty is not worth more than Renfroe as stated by the commenter above. I just don’t like when people throw out uneducated assumptions and just expect them to stick on this site. Too many educated baseball fans on here to say something stupid like that.
I like Renfoe, but outfielders who can put up 1.2 WAR in a season and a half are a dime a dozen. Folty almost threw a no-hitter last year and has a heater. I personally think the potential of Folty is more valuable than Renfoe.
Just for the sake of reasoning
What happened the last time the padres traded a hitter for a pitcher?
The hitter was better
Give up?
Cashner for rizzo
I would say no but you can have Janokowski for Folty
Arbitration is crazy pitting teams against players. We don’t want to pay him the raise because he’s really not that good. Awesome we won case, now go out and win for us. Has to leave some with bitter feelings.
True, but nobody forces teams to take players to arbitration. They easily could’ve offered $100g more and skipped the entire process.
It could be said just as easily that Guilty could have just excepted the amount offered. Also, the way you are saying it, that teams take players to arbitration is deceptive. They both go to arbitration.
i think what it boils down to is the guys know it’s all business.
It’s a very similar thing as the players publicly being upset when the team doesn’t do much at the trade deadline to help the team. To make a trade deadline deal, you are sacrificing someone on your 25 man roster, so when these players speak out about disappointment in deals not getting done, they’re effectively saying they want one of the guys in their locker room to lose their job.
Players are the commodity, like or not, that’s the business. I don’t get the sense Folty is long term solution for the Braves, whether it be SP or bullpen piece. I’m actually surprised he hasn’t been dealt…
Hes shown flashes. If he doesnt put it together this year he will be dealt or fall into the Blair/Wisler group
They’re waiting for him to reach peak value as his replacement readies. He has more value as a starter though he’d have more long-term value as a bullpen piece, knowing there are kids with higher floors (and higher ceilings) ready to surpass him.
Folty was defeated…finish him!
{Gif of Kabal inflating Sub-Zero’s head until it explodes}
Lol…that’s exactly what I’ve pictured every time they’ve described an arbitration loss as a defeat on this site…I’m from the Sega Genesis days though where they got knocked down into the pit of misery
I was a member of the John Madden Club in high school. Needless to say I didn’t have many girlfriends.
You don’t need girlfriends when you have Madden brother
#FolteyForCloser2018
Absolutely not. This guy is a headcase, even before arb. Closers need to be able to work through tough spots, and Folty has not learned that trait so far. He has the most value letting him get the innings, where he can look like an ace before he falls apart in the 5th or 6th.
Agreed!!
I met Folty a few years ago. He was really nice and laid back. I know he can get riled up a little bit on the mound, but I wouldn’t call him a headcase. This is all probably overblown. He’ll be fine. I hope he has a strong year whether we flip him or not.
Folty is one of those guys that definitely wears his emotions on his sleeve. In terms of baseball money, that 100k isn’t much and would be worth it to make sure articles like this don’t get published and confirming folty wouldn’t create a stir in the clubhouse. My fear at this point is that this will effect his game and he will need to be dealt ASAP.
Since when do employers pay $1.00 more than they need to?
The same time players take one dollar less than they have to.
With his attitude problems I say move him now while you can get anything for him.
Just waiting to read a headline of Folty missing time for breaking his hand punching a wall/cooler, etc.
Padres say they’ll have a battle in the outfield I guess hosmer is not coming so will Myers is not moving to left field. Bummer!
Myers has certainly flourished during his time at 1B. Why would you want him back in the OF where he has a better chance of getting hurt again?
Why do you want Hosmer?……He and Myers are almost the same player stat wise
Myers has more consistent power and more speed.
The only advantage Hosmer has over Myers is Batting Average.
Renfroe, Margot, Pierla is a fine OF combination.
Save the Payroll for improving the rotation (long term)
Myers has a canon for an arm and would do well in left field . Hosmer is a gold glove first baseman and gets on base . As for rotation long term check the minors allot of you guns coming soon . Padres need to spend now because they won’t be able to compete with other teams in next years free agency .
His arm is a camera?
Yea he’s flourished lol
U watch him play he’s clunkfest at 1B and .240 hitter striking out 180 times
Refreshing reading about Andy Green’s attitude. It’s a nice reminder that while the groupthink among MLBTR commenters believes teams are purposefully losing, the actual players and managers on the field are competing to win every game. The division is pretty loaded so it’s going to be a tough road, but it doesn’t seem they get bogged down by stuff like that.
I can tell RunDMC knows nothing about Folty at all and a lot of others on here don’t seem to understand the guy. He’s not irritated he lost. He’s irritated he had to go to a hearing for 100k when that was pointless. Folty is here for the long term, like it or not. Saying he’s a head case and needs to be traded or moved ASAP is ignorant. Dude is a competitor, he’s also still young. To say he wouldn’t fit a closer role is just as stupid. Last year I saw him get out of lots of tight spots. I believe he actually pitched better with a runner on.
His issue is he gives 100% every pitch and is spent by the 3rd time through the order and doesn’t get the calls he should (i.e. when he lots his no-no against the A’s last year after a blown strike 3 call.)
So this season when he ends up being the best pitcher on the staff, I can’t wait to see the comments on here about him then.
For 75K. He was offerred 2.225 to sign. His fault due to GREED. Boss said let ’em go.
Probably said he is a headcase because he throws his hands in the air and rolls his eyes every time something doesn’t go his way. With that being said, he did have Matt Kemp trying to shag fly balls for him and Adonis handling the hot corner. I would’ve rolled my eyes a bit too if that was the left side of my defense.
From the article: “Losing his arbitration case against the Braves last week wasn’t what bothered pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, it was looking over during the hearing and seeing no one he recognized from the team in attendance.” although “The team actually had two of its front-office representatives in addition to an outsider attorney at the hearing”
If that’s true, then he’s ignorant and he should fire his agent because they either a) don’t know Braves are a file-and-trial team, or b) what file-and-trial means. Either way, someone needs to lose their job.
I don’t know Folty – I just know his reputation, which seems to fall in line with his inconsistencies. If you see him – hopefully not in a Chick-fil-a – let him know I’m rooting for him.
So glad my Dodgers didn’t resign this guy. Let the Cubs have him and perhaps a few good years then suffer with the albatross of a contract (e.g.,Puljos). LA will get whatever pitching they need sometime during the seasons using assets that continue to arrive through their well – developed farm system. Not sour grapes just don’t think it’s worth having a guy who makes the excuse that he tipped his pitches, claims it was fixed, then goes out and gets bombed again.
You are either a troll (a bad one) or completely clueless. That is such an awful comparison of contracts.
I just looked up the definition of irony in the dictionary. It literally states “Chesteraarthur calling someone a troll”
@David722
Your rant is just sour grapes
Argument would work better if you compared this contract to Cueto’s and not Albert’s.
Get rid of his sorry a$$. Makes $2..2 million for one year for mediocre effort – more than many make in a lifetime. Maybe swap with Vizcaino and some boot for Duvall and Suarez.
Righhhtttt because a $240m contract that pays $30m a year when albert turns 41 is comparable. Gtfoh man, the darvish deal is as big of a bargain as you can get for that caliber of a free agent pitcher. Our rotation is superior.
Not so fast
There are better rotations out there.
You’d be splitting hairs with the top 5 rotation in MLB.
Need to blame Excel Sports Management. Folty needs to change reps before next year to clear the air. ESM claims “Whether it’s league deals, team deals, event sponsorships, endorsers, etc., Excel has insider insights on the marketplace and what other sponsors are paying. We know what the properties’ hot buttons are, and what’s easy or hard for them to give up, which enables us to obtain not only the right benefits but also the right protections, exclusivities, and term lengths.” Looks like a fail on their part. Wise up Mike!
Foley has potential, he also has considerable skill. With that being said I really see the braves starting rotation being completely flipped by this time next year.
The braves will harvest 5 pitchers of equal to or better quality ( stat wise) then the boys we’re rolling out this year. No offense to my tomahawk clad brothers.
Folty feels the heat from the burners underneath him. It is my very meek and non baseball experienced opinion that he is a bit emotional to turn that stress to a positive.
Congrats Mike on becoming a dad…. and don’t worry the shock of seeing the birth wears off pretty quick.
Hit round ball square, take all scalps.
GO Braves!!!!
You are basically correct! Luiz Gohara is probably the only ‘long term starting pitcher’ that is currently in The 2018 Starting Rotation.
My projected 2019 Braves Starting Rotation:
1. Mike Folty (despite Folty’s head case issues, he has good stuff and I feel that he’ll rebound enough to make Teheran expendable at The July Trade Deadline. Teheran’s contract status, along with a rebound in 2018, will make him a trade target by pitching starved teams seeking playoff help).
2. Luiz Gohara
3. Mike Soroka
4. Kolby Allard
5. Kyle Wright
2018 is very important for Sean Newcomb. He’ll have the 1st half of The 2018 Season to show that 1. he’s developed an effective 3rd pitch to go along with his fastball and curve. 2. He can get past consistently needing 100 pitches to get through the 5th inning. The Braves simply have TOO MUCH high ceiling young talent working their way up the system…to ‘patiently’ wait for Newcomb to turn into the left handed version of John Smoltz. Sure, it would be ‘a good problem’ to have Newcomb develop in 2018. However, I feel that ultimately, Newcomb will either 1. be converted to a high leverage, late inning reliever, capable of going multiple innings..2. Traded to a team who needs starting pitching, yet can be patient with Newcomb (basically giving him a couple of years to ‘live up to his potential’).
Max Fried has a lot of talent. However, given his past injury issues…I feel that Fried would be much better suited to fill and Andrew Miller-like role in The Braves Bullpen.
My projected 2020 Braves Rotation:
1 Luiz Gohara (Folty will be close to Free Agency, simply put, The Braves will have CHEAPER, younger, more high ceiling options coming up by then).
2. Mike Soroka
3. Kyle Wright
4. Kolby Allard
5. Tooki Tousiant, Joey Wentz, Bryce Wilson, Ian Anderson (also, the likes of Patrick Weigel, who would have auditioned for a starting spot later in 2017 if he hadnt torn his ACL in May 2017 while in Triple A, should be ready by 2020 to compete. However, with his 100mph, perhaps The Braves will transition him to The Bullpen by then. It’s good to have these kinds of options/incredible depth. Also, Tucker Davidson, Kyle Muller and Ricardo Sanchez are prospects who would be ranked VERY HIGH in other MILB systems….however because of The Braves depth, they barely get any notice).
My projected 2021 Braves Rotation:
1. Mike Soroka
2. Luiz Gohara
3. Kyle Wright
4. Bryce Wilson
5. Ian Anderson/Joey Wentz
A lot can happen between now and 2021! Injuries/attrition/variance/inability to get MLB hitters out, etc. all play a huge role in many a highly touted prospect flaming out. While I feel comfortable with my projections…I’ve been watching MLB long enough to understand that often times, the ‘unexpected’ happens. Back in 1991……most people would have thought that Steve Avery would have The Most DOMINANT career between Glavine, Smoltz and Avery (Maddux didnt come until the 1993 Season). Avery was 18-8 in 1991…;pitched 16 2/3rd innings, only gave up 7 hits, 1 walk, struck out 19 against a LOADED Pirates offense in The 1991 NLCS!
However by the 1995 Season, it was apparent that Avery was on the downside. Injuries simply sapped his ability. Also, Pete Smith was considered the better prospect than Glavine (who went 7-17 in his 1st full season). Those are prime examples of why a team LOADED with pitching prospects like The Braves…..continue to HOARD our prospects and patiently WAIT until we actually develop a FULL ROTATION that starts showing that they are deserving of a long time role….BEFORE Braves Management starts ‘trading from The Surplus’.
I’m excited about The 2018 Season…NOT because I expect The Braves to make The Playoffs (I dont…we simply lack legit middle of the order power besides Freddie Freeman….and our rotation is simply not ‘playoff worthy’)….but because I’m excited to see how Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna potentially wreck havoc at the top of the batting order for most of 2018…..as well as seeing Luiz Gohara pitch a full season (he’s my Rookie of the Year pick)…..seeing young bullpen pieces like AJ Minter, Dan Wrinkler and Anyelo Gomez settle into The Bullpen…..and hopefully seeing Mike Soroka, Kolby Allard and Kyle Wright eventually get their own ‘cups of coffee’ later in The 2018 Season (probably sometime after The July Trade Deadline).
Gohora is ur pick for Roy, but soroka is our #1 2021…. ok… I can dig it.
…I guess he pulls a glavine?
Folty’s biggest issue was not the money or the fact that they were going to arbitration over 100k. It was the fact that the Braves sent representatives that he didn’t even know. He was thrown by the fact that it there wasn’t a single person he knew from the Braves from office. I see his point. Kind of makes you feel like nothing more than a name on a document… Not saying they messed up. Perhaps that’s how most teams operate? Does a GM or assistant GM need to be in this meeting? But they probably killed any chance of keeping him for the long term. Given the amount of pitching rising through the system, he does seem a good trade candidate.
LOL. Don’t hate the player, hate the game. He’s mad because he lost $100K, not including the stress involved as his wife was about to give birth to their first child. I get it. Thing is, he gets to plead his case for his salary when so many of us don’t. We get a paycheck and few have the say in their bonus, whether performance-based or not.
If Folty is mad about being a number, then get over it. His team is owned by a corporation based in CO, and he was going to court to fight for money from a corporation. What did you expect – to be opposed by counsel with Bobby Cox, Javy Lopez and Blooper the Misunderstood Mascot?
The whole point of arbitration is neutral parties make arguments, like a debate, and the one with the most sound evidence presented most likely will win. Many players understand not to take it personally going into it, but I can understand how it’d be difficult, but it’s a part of the game. If he wanted to avoid that, then maybe he should have had his agent press for an extension that would have bought out his arb years — or not attend the hearings at all.
I agree. My only point is that his comments indicate he won’t be looking to stay in ATL longterm. I would like to know if more senior front office staff do typically attend these hearings. If not — maybe someone should have told him. Or maybe he didn’t know anyone because the Braves front office was gutted 2 weeks ago ;)
Sounds like his agent didn’t do his job and prep his client for what was about to happen. Anyone going into a courtroom should be doing that, especially if money is at stake – but hey, not everyone studies for a test.
If he explodes at random people in a Chick-fil-A why are we are surprised he’s pissed about the arbitration case lol..they should have just given him the money however, it’s such a small amount and keeps from dividing front office and player. Seems trivial to me
Folty is a guy I really like. He shows flashes of ace material and then he shows flashes of AAAA type. This is a big year for him if he wants to stay in the braves rotation with guys like gohara, Newcomb, sims, wright, soroka, Allard, etc. coming up. Hope he does well.
dont sleep on Matt Strahm…coming back from injury. We got him from KC, I think. Very hard throwing leftie..reminds me of Sale, a little. And believe it or not, I think Tyson Ross is going to surprise, if he can stay off the DL this season.