The Marlins activated righty Dan Straily yesterday, meaning he and fellow starter Wei-Yin Chen are each now officially back in the team’s rotation. The initial results were somewhat mixed, unsurprisingly. Straily managed just one strikeout while allowing four earned runs on six hits and four walks in four frames; Chen was much more effective, limiting the damage to one earned on four hits and two free passes, though he retired only three batters by strikeout in his 5 1/3 innings. From a health perspective, though, the returns are quite promising. Both hurlers worked in their typical velocity ranges and will have several months to build value in advance of the trade deadline. Whether either will be moved remains to be seen, but both could be interesting chips in their own ways. Straily could be an appealingly affordable plug-in for the right contender, perhaps returning some young talent to the rebuilding Miami org. As for Chen, the $42MM guarantee left on his contract beyond the present season remains a major impediment to any trade. But if he can show he’s effective and healthy, perhaps the Marlins can find a taker for some of that cash.
Here’s more from the NL East, which is shaping up to be quite a bit more interesting than most anticipated at the outset of the season:
- Though the Mets continue to pace the division, the race is only just getting started. Managing a roster all season long, particularly in the pitching department, could be a key to determining how things shake out. MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo addresses a host of reader questions, focusing on the club’s variety of swingmen. He suggests that Matt Harvey, Robert Gsellman, and Seth Lugo will likely continue working from the pen unless and until there’s a need for more than a spot start in the rotation. At that point, it seems, the organization could choose among them when the time comes.
- Likewise, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman answers some queries from Braves fans. Of particular interest, he provides a gauge on what kind of cash the organization may have to spend in the coming winter. Bowman says he has been told there’ll be at least $50MM in payroll capacity to work with for 2019, which is certainly a rather hefty sum for a team that is not among the bigger spenders around the game. Just how much is ultimately utilized, and how it’s allocated, is obviously far from being clear. As Bowman notes, the team will be gather information on its assets and needs all season long, even as it tries to extend a promising start to the year.
- Meanwhile, the Nationals continue to try to hold things together with several key cogs still on the mend. Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com has the latest on the injury front. Second baseman Daniel Murphy, who’s recovering from offseason knee surgery, made an appearance at Nats Park, but his status remains unclear at present. He’s set to be evaluated by the team’s medical staff before the next steps are determined. It’d be a surprise if a return is imminent for Murphy; fellow infielder Anthony Rendon, though, is likely not far from making it back from a toe injury. He may require a brief rehab stint but is expected to head back to the active roster in relatively short order. In other Nats news, the club has dipped into its farm to add another fresh arm. Righty Wander Suero will come up for his first MLB action, with Austin Voth optioned back to Triple-A without having made an appearance.
Whoever claimed the Braves had $80 million or even $60 million was out of their minds (payroll is published info in baseball reference). If they have $40–$50 million to spend that means picking from RF, catcher, 3B, and maybe a pitcher. Two $20 million players or four $10 million players ?? Clearly they aren’t signing any big names.
I disagree there, they can sign a big name and use assets to trade for a pitcher. What if they sign Donalson ( if healthy), sign 2 bull pen pieces, and trade for a starter. They will still spend close to the $35 million. So they could sign a big name if they want.
Why would they need a RFer? Acuña Jr. has been a CFer. A LFer won’t cost 10 million next year. Pitcher is an area of want, but not need. Riley/Camargo can man 3B. Not beautifully but serviceably. Their biggest hole is C, if they can’t get Suzuki or Flowers to re-sign. They can easily sign a big name and then fill out the other spots with lesser names. I personally don’t want them to, because I feel all big name signings are a waste of money.
Pitcher is an area of need. There is no TOR starter in atlanta’s Rotation. You guys have some potential top starters but they aren’t there yet. Teheran isn’t one.
How many TOR’s are in baseball right now? The Braves don’t need a TOR, they need pitching depth. Yes a TOR would be nice, but if they sign a Donaldson they won’t really need a shut down guy pitching to win games.
Not really. If you go by who is signed for 2019…
$119m this year, take out Freeman, Teheran & Inciarte and you have around $80m.
Now that’s not all available for FA’s, as the article mentioned. But they’ll have a good bit of money to play with in 2019.
Personally I’d love to see them make a run at Kershaw if he opts out.
The Braves have come out and said they have 60 million. I don’t know where the 20-30 million otherwise is going to, but they won’t be available for free agents.
They’re saying at least 50M, not only 50M. IMO they have about 60-70 millions to spend. But unless they get the right players, they’ll only use about 40M of it. So that means no Harper, no Kershaw, no Machado, no Donaldson. We don’t need outfielders, 3B is ok until Riley is ready, we need a catcher and I’d like to see the Braves make Grandal their #1 target, maybe give him a 4/50 deal and maybe also sign a starter like Gio Gonzalez to a 3/54 deal. But these are the type of moves I see the Braves doing.
Greg Maffei – the Braves owner – looted $391 million in fiscal 2012.
That’s more than three years of Braves payroll in just one year.
Google: Greg Maffei Highest paid CEO
Liberty Media owns the Braves, Maffei is the CEO of Liberty Media. Not how that works.
Learn how a corporation works.
looted $391 million sounds alot more sinister than “sold his stock options for $321 million”.. it was also 2012.. He is currently listed at #14 on CEO salary list for 2017. I am not a finance major but am pretty certain whether he holds his stocks or sells his stocks has very little to do with cash flow for the Braves.
*this guy Bro CP
No disrespect Jeff but why nitpick with the “only three strikeouts” by Chen? I didn’t see the game but 5 1/3rd? As long as he didn’t complain of injuries afterwards, how could the team be anything but pleased?
Great comment. Just the fact that Chen was on the mound for 5 1/3, didn’t suffer a setback, and was effective is a bonus for MIA. One step at a time, and so far so good. It’s a bit much to expect any team will pursue Chen this summer regardless of his performance. Better to have him in the rotation as a serviceable SP than to have him occupy the DL perpetually.
Agreed. Chen isn’t and never was a strikeout pitcher either. 3 in 5 isn’t ideal but it’s start number one. if he can soak up innings that’ll be huge.
I’m not nitpicking or criticizing, just stating what happened. I said he was generally effective and agree that they were probably quite glad to see him give some solid innings like a normal MLB starter. The lack of K’s isn’t surprising or concerning, but if we’re looking at a one-game sample, it bears mention along with the rest of the typical stats.
Good afternoon. Longtime Braves fan. Be great if Bumgardner came home since he is from NC. I read he was talking about it a while back.
Anyone else heard that.
“Which is certainly a rather hefty sum for a team in the Atlanta tax bracket.” Not sure what exactly is trying to be said here, but the Atlanta Braves, as far as I’m aware, are in a different city and county these days. The city of Atlanta in the team name is literally only in name now, they play over in Cumberland, Cobb county, which probably gave them some sweetheart tax deals for moving the team there. If anyone can elaborate please do. I believe I also just saw a story about Cobb County having to shut down a number of public libraries because of budget shortfalls related to stadium construction. Oops.
It was just a poorly phrased reference to their spending levels. Nothing to do with geography.
I am going to assume Mark Bowman knows what he’s talking and believe his statements of what the Braves will have available. They won’t necessarily spend it on player improvements though.
The biggest needs for the Braves are pitching, catching and third base. If the Braves are seeking the playoffs these are needs and bot wants. Problem with 2018-19 free agency is the pitching. If and that’s a big if Kershaw does indeed opt out, he would demand a large salary. I don’t see him beating the $65 million he’s owed for the next two years though and I certainly don’t want to see the Braves try it. Are his injuries in 2016 and to a lesser extent 2017 a sign of things to come?
How about Patrick Corbin? Is he really emerging because his history makes him risky. There’s also Keuschel but then, I don’t know, I guess finding a good, FA starter under 30 is SUPPOSED to be difficult and even the few there are, there are a few teams that can outbid the Braves by a lot.
Another week spot in the 2018-19 FA line up is the catchers spot. There really isn’t a lot to be had. When I looked at that list Flowers was the most appealing one.
Can the Braves open up there wallet so wide as to pick up Machado? It’s tough to believe they will. They haven’t done that for a long time.