Newly acquired catcher J.T. Realmuto and the Phillies have yet to discuss a contract extension, agent Jeff Berry said at this week’s news conference to introduce Realmuto to his new team (link via Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia). That doesn’t mean that the two sides won’t eventually sit down and try to work out a long-term arrangement, but Realmuto said at his introduction that he’s scarcely even had time to think about contractual matters on the heels of such a hectic week. “I’ve heard nothing but amazing things,” Realmuto said of the Phillies organization, “so we’ll see about that in the future.” The Phillies control the All-Star for another two seasons.
Here’s more from the division…
- The Marlins are open to signing another veteran position player, writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, who calls longtime Rockies outfielder and South Florida resident Carlos Gonzalez a “possible pick-up” for the team. The 33-year-old Gonzalez has seen his offensive numbers drop in recent seasons; while his combined .269/.334/.445 slash and 30 homers over his past 1038 plate appearances are solid at first glance, park-adjusted metrics like OPS+ and wRC+ feel his bat has been a bit below the league average when factoring in the positive effect of Coors Field. CarGo was an NL All-Star as recently as 2016 and ripped 40 homers for the Rockies in 2015. Lewis Brinson, Brian Anderson, Magneuris Sierra and Austin Dean are among Miami’s current outfield options on the 40-man roster, and the Marlins also recently inked Curtis Granderson to a minor league contract.
- Although the Braves have been quiet in terms of roster additions since signing Josh Donaldson and Brian McCann early in the offseason, David O’Brien of The Athletic tweets that the team expects payroll to increase over its year-end mark of $126MM, be it via spring additions or in-season player acquisition. Atlanta currently has a projected payroll of about $118MM, which would suggest there’s room for at least another $8-9MM to be added, though O’Brien notes that the organization is (unsurprisingly) not divulging a target number for the 2019 payroll. At the time of Nick Markakis’ return to the organization last month, general manager Alex Anthopoulos spoke about how the relatively low guarantee on that contract could provide some additional flexibility down the line, though that has yet to manifest in the form of a roster move.
- Mets fans hoping for their club to add another starting pitcher don’t appear likely to have that wish granted, as skipper Mickey Callaway declared lefty Jason Vargas the team’s fifth starter yesterday (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo). Further, that proclamation indicates that there won’t be a competition for the final rotation spot, which could’ve otherwise included apparently bullpen-bound righties such as Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman or any of the team’s arms in the upper minors (e.g. Corey Oswalt). Certainly, a spring injury or two could change that reality, but for the time being, it appears the Mets are content not only with the arms they have on the 40-man roster but also with the expected roles for each of those pitchers.
As a Braves fan, Liberty Media is trash. They’ve always been tightwads.
The real bad guy in this is Terry McGuirk. That’s where the blame needs to fall.
Really? Not Ted Turner and his TV deal? Seriously asking.
Ted Turner had nothing to do with that TV Deal.
Owners should all cut payroll all fans are ungreatful. Owner raises payroll and signs a guy, fans say finally. Deal obviously turns badly because all muti yr contacts do and the fans yet again say just spend some money all they need is just this one piece, until the next winter. And the process repeats.
This is possibly the most factually false and incoherent comment I’ve seen on this site ever
So we’re not talking about the Washington shortstop and his cable deal with Comcast?
You’re just smarter than everyone iver? Not sure if you’re talking about the Braves but I’m going to assume you are. Their opening day payroll is 8 mil under last years. It says so right in the article. For a team who could use an upgrade at quite a few slots (rp, C, RF, maybe a #1 starter even) it’s a legitimate gripe. Is it your money they aren’t spending? Owners have been cutting payroll as a function of revenue. That’s been happening right under your nose. You don’t want anymore long term deals, that’s fine. Then start handing out more deals like Donaldson’s for 1/23. Not giving owners a pass for keeping more cash because “long term deals don’t work.”
Liberty Media literally has nothing to do with the Braves outside of owning them. The only time they have ever interacted is when they let the Braves sign Ervin Santana after their budget was maxed. Braves budget comes from profits and as a publicly traded company every year they post their spendings and profits.
I have been trying to tell Braves fans for years about how the ownership works. Only a handful of fans understand it.
Not that surprising since even the local Atlanta writers don’t know how it works. David O’Brien proves that every time he writes an article that talks about the budget.
I’d love it if mlbtr would do an article on it.
Do you really think MLBTR can figure it out as well? Read all their gripes and complaints about teams not spending $300m each year and they’re suddenly not trying to win.
Like the Orioles for example. They’re so far away from contention right now, does signing $50m/yr really bring them into contention? No, they need time to retool, draft well & be smart.
But, suddenly they’re anti-win because they don’t spend that much.
You’re very naive if you think Liberty Media isn’t controlling spending. If they didn’t set some type of cap, AA would’ve already spent more money.
They had a $140 million increase in revenue last year. So, where is the mutual increase to payroll?
For Braves fans:
mlb.nbcsports.com/2019/02/14/braves-think-their-fa…
Great Read!! all facts
Why? Why are they trash? because they required operations to run on an established budget? We all know Atlanta is not the greatest sports town (I”m a braves fan, btw) and we all know that attendance at Turner wasn’t great. Yes, STP is better and there’s more to do – but those loans need to be paid, the expenses grow – and $14m this year goes to player benefits alone.
They haven’t balked at someone bc of the cost – except to those who think Cutch actually deserved $50m for 3 years.
I’d rather they be smart w/ their money. Bullpen is the biggest need in Atlanta. Still time to make some moves, still time to see what you’ve got – and finish out the roster when you know more.
Maybe Viz & Minter perform lights out for 8th & 9th innings, and O’Day locks down the 7th.
I don’t get why Braves fans are SO pissed off this year.
Until Harper signs, it’s a waiting game, bc if you have any chance of signing him (The Braves do) you wait until he’s not on your team, to see where the value lies, and who can help Atlanta.
It’s like there’s all of a sudden a bunch of new Braves fans who think they should be spending $200m a year in the terrible market of Atlanta.
It’s more the fact they were led to believe one thing last year and yet we have the exact same payroll.
Check the link I posted above. Most of the anger from Braves fans likely wouldn’t have manifested at all if the organization hadn’t lied about expectations for this offseason.
They’ve treated the fan base like we’re idiots, plain and simple.
But here’s the thing, there’s still 4 major FA’s holding up the process. Blame Boras and the other agents for waiting out this long.
If I were Atlanta, I wouldn’t make a move on Plan B until I know for sure that I can’t have Plan A. Atlanta hasn’t even reported yet, so no loss of time just yet.
Again, it’s not like we’re finishing up the 2019 season with a payroll around $110m – we’re in the beginning of Spring Training.
What if they make a move in July for a #1 pitcher to solidify a playoff run? Signing a wasteful amount (say, Kimbrel right now) prevents that.
The problem is, fans operate on SHORT-TERM sight, not even the length of the season. They see the comments and they see what’s been signed so far, and they are mad… But there’s still moves that can be made through July 31st.
And the move of Grandal? We had a clear need at catcher and Grandal’s market literally fell all the way to one year deal.
For a team that claims they have financial flexibility and as much to spend as anybody, how do you not sign Grandal?
Even if you didn’t think he’s the guy you really want long term we’re talking a 1 year deal, we couldn’t outbid the Brewers in that?
I really don’t know how you sell that one to be honest. What…. we didn’t want to commit to Grandal because something maybe sort of might potentially come along possibly in July? So let’s just skip a huge upgrade now to preserve that “flexibility”.
So when July 15th rolls around and there’s an ace on the market maybe we pass on that too. Who knows what treasures July 31st could hold if we pass… that right? Don’t want to lose that flexibility for the always better future option.
Riiiiight.
One things for sure, they got at least one Braves fan fooled
The fact you really think the Braves have a chance to sign Harper really says all that needs to be said about you though. We don’t even have plans to meet with Harper, let alone sign him. Time to wake up to reality bro
Very VERY well said, Mack.
It’s about freaking time this all came to a national HEAD. Us diehard fans have waited for this offseason in excitement of fixing the few holes on this roster and turning the corner to greatness only to see lackluster signings to say the very least.
We don’t care about if “so and so” is a good clubhouse leader, we CARE about the competition fearing our lineup, rotation, and bullpen on a nightly basis.. (While we’re in that position to do so and not a rebuilding or sub-par team.) We’ve lived up to our end of the deal and WAITED only to see the same ole wheel spin AGAIN.
If your boss keeps telling you a raise is coming your way and that you just have to be patient; eventually that patience wears thin over time. (Esp after they keep allocating your promised money into questionable future products.)
If we all agreed, it’d be boring.. Its sports, if you care enough you’re on a site such as this and theres guna be competitive banter.
Go Marlins!
Go to Charlotte, Marlins!
Fixed it for you
I’m ten minutes from Charlotte…bring it on
I think Magneuris Sierra needs to go to AAA and learn how to hit. The Fish came out and said Brinson is the only OF that for sure has a spot on the MLB roster (before grandy signing). But I also think Brinson needs to go down to AAA if his bat doesn’t come around during the first month of the season. Anderson is the 3B now, and wisely so, there’s nothing in the system at third. An OF of Granderson, Gonzales, Prado, Brinson, Herrera/Dean sounds fine. Trade Granderson and Gonzalez mid season and bring up Sierra and Monte Harrison. Prado should be released though, give Herrera a shot as the utility guy.
Would love to see the Mets bring back Bartolo Colon as a NRI, maybe pitch out of the bullpen as a long reliever / 6th starter.
If they were to go that route, I’d rather see a R.A. Dickey comeback for that role.
Braves are not spending money. The have perfected “kicking the can down the road”. If they do sign or trade for anyone in season, it’ll be a low impact move like a Duda of last year. All I can say is Braves, prove me wrong!!
Donaldson will be making more in 2019 than any other Brave ever. Talk to Rangers fans about not spending.
The Braves will spend when it makes sense for them. They won’t spend just for the sake of spending. Remember BJ Upton? The Braves have learned their lesson. Even the Phillies with their stupid money are not willing to commit 400 Million for 10 years of Harper.
The problem with spending and the Braves is their inability to accept sunk cost. Look back at BJ Upton, Derek Lowe and Dan Uggla. All three should’ve just been cut loose when it was clear (and it was clear early on) that they were no longer effective players. Instead the Braves kept running them out there hoping to get some value for their money spent. So you’re saying you want more of that?
Why Harper is not the RF and cleanup hitter for the Braves is infuriating. Makes too much sense on paper. Let’s sign a player who’s always injured for a position we already have filled. Let’s sign a couple of 35 year olds for catcher and RF and call it an offseason. If it wasn’t so sad it would be comical.
I’m absolutely fine with the Braves not signing Harper to a ridiculously long expensive contract.
They have 2 players on the books next year! Why would I care about who they spend the money on. The money will be spent. Harper is a generational talent to pair with Freeman and Acuna for the next 4 years minimum. But the front office and ownership never put the best product on the field. Let’s spend that money on an injured 3B that we didn’t need for 1 year and a backup catcher! Woo hoo. Let’s not address the lack of top of the rotation options, bullpen or closer. The Nationals, Mets and Phillies have improved so much in my opinion that I’ll be shocked if the Braves finish better than 4th place.
“Why would I care about who they spend the money on.” Hey look another clueless fan. Thankfully you’re not the GM.
So what is your fool proof plan of defending the NL East Crown? You can’t honestly think they are better than any team in the division sans Marlins at this point.
The “money” will be spent anyway. You’d rather have McCann, Markakis and Donaldson for 1 year? The money was spent on a 1 year middle aged bandaid. It’s not a long term solution. The Braves are stock full of pitching talent and Riley in the infield. Pache isn’t going to be a 4 hole hitter. You should want the absolute best product on the field for 2019. As the roster currently is constructed, it’s not.
I’m siding with realgone on this one. Even if Harper were a “generational talent” that’s no reason to sign him to a contract that lasts a whole generation. Signing Harper for 10 years to make your 2019 lineup better is a great way to ensure you have no room to improve your team in 2020 and beyond.
The least intelligent hyperbolic fans always fail to account for improvement from young players already on the team.
Exactly. And at some point Acuna needs to get paid or he’ll be gone as soon as he can be. I’d rather afford to pay Ronald at 28 than be paying Hooper over 30MM still at 34
We all know these armchair GM’s would do it differently, because it’s not their money and it’s easy to type out your fantasy team on MLBTR.
I’m find w/ Donaldson/McCann and Nick for 2019. If Nick flounders in 2019, there’s FA options and trades to be made.
Pitching wins championships, you don’t trade it all away just to satisfy a fan base who wants daily changes to the lineup.
They have two guaranteed contracts for 2020. They have more on the roster. They’re around $31m for 2020, but is it smart to throw Harper in there w/ $35m knowing Acuna is going to need to be paid down the road, Folty, all the pitchers?
Long-term visions.
I don’t think we can keep assuming Harper is going to get that “rediculously long expensive contract” anymore. Those figures that we started the off-season with, 10yr/$400 mil+ are fiction so using this as a reason not to sign him is no longer legitemate. It might be interesting to see the Braves throw out a contract offer of 7yrs/$250mil and see if Harper bites.
It is reported that the Phillies and Giants have made offers to Harper. The Giants offer is 5/180. The Phillies offer is unknown. The Braves are worried that they could get stuck with a bad contract, if they sign Harper.
Why? Why are they trash? because they required operations to run on an established budget? We all know Atlanta is not the greatest sports town (I”m a braves fan, btw) and we all know that attendance at Turner wasn’t great. Yes, STP is better and there’s more to do – but those loans need to be paid, the expenses grow – and $14m this year goes to player benefits alone.
They haven’t balked at someone bc of the cost – except to those who think Cutch actually deserved $50m for 3 years.
I’d rather they be smart w/ their money. Bullpen is the biggest need in Atlanta. Still time to make some moves, still time to see what you’ve got – and finish out the roster when you know more.
Maybe Viz & Minter perform lights out for 8th & 9th innings, and O’Day locks down the 7th.
I don’t get why Braves fans are SO pissed off this year.
Until Harper signs, it’s a waiting game, bc if you have any chance of signing him (The Braves do) you wait until he’s not on your team, to see where the value lies, and who can help Atlanta.
It’s like there’s all of a sudden a bunch of new Braves fans who think they should be spending $200m a year in the terrible market of Atlanta.
Did you ever think maybe Harper doesn’t want to play in Atlanta?
Thank god your not running the braves! An injured 3rd baseman? No one is dumb enough to sign an overrated Harper for 10 years and 400 million! He is all hype. 4th? Maybe they do but what great moves have the other teams did that confirms your 4th place prediction?
Sorry my comment is for atlbraves 1029!
The Wilpons don’t believe in sunk cost so Vargas has got to be in the rotation over Lugo or just signing Gio Gonzalez, which would make the team better.
Typical Wilpon non-move….give the guy who was the 2nd worst starting pitcher in MLB last year a guaranteed spot in the rotation. Even a small market team would want some depth, but not the Mets. Not only should the Mets not rely upon Vargas, but their next 3-4 pitchers all are AAA-fodder and will get smoked in the majors. Santiago is the only chance (and an outside one) who could be decent. Payroll when adjusted for insurance paybacks of Wright and Ces (for at least half of the season, but likely more)….is pathetic. Having Cano for 5 years and $100m was just kicking the can down the road, so holding onto young talent like Conforto now looks dicey at best.
I hate this ownership group. Just when I thought they couldn’t be any worse…they lower the bar further.
Totally agree. The only silver lining is Vargas pitched to a 2.62 ERA in his last 8 starts of 2018. Crazy that he’s making $8 million this year, especially in this brave new world of not paying anyone anything ever..
As a marlins fan I’d love to see cargo in Miami the right field porch in Miami is short and he still has power even as a platoon player
If those baseballs stay “juiced” then leave the fence. But if they change the baseball again, they need to move the fence in 5-10 feet. Huge OF
When are the mets signing bryce
Prolly in 15 years
Bryce Brentz? That’s the only Bryce the Mets can afford, but he’s signed with Boston.
They used to have Bruce. That’s kinda close. Four out of five letters.
They will just say they were close again to say Kimbrel or someone. Just hope the pitching holds up or the Braves won’t see the playoffs in 2019.
The Braves have more money to spend, AA just isn’t spending it.
Even if they didn’t go all in for Harper, there’s another $20MM they could spend, it just doesn’t seem like Kuechel/Kimbrel is where they wanna put it, I can’t say I blame them.
I just wish they’d grab Harper. He would be a terrific grab. Take him from D.C. and weaken them, and block Philly from getting him. With not much in future commitments and with that $23MM from Donaldson coming off the books next year, the money to sign Bryce is there. I assume they just view Acuna as their version of Trout/Harper and would rather spend on a legit Ace. They have the money to cover Kluber, I assume the haul Cleveland wants is too steep, paired with Kluber’s pay rate.
Eventually they’ll have to pay to lock up the rising stars. Paying a Hooper 30MM+ would take from that
While I dislike Harper, I’d cheer for him if he were to come to Atlanta. I agree w/ your saying weaken DC and Philly by signing him, open up the marketing possibilities of Harper in Atlanta.
I really think that’s why Atlanta hasn’t made another move yet, a big $$ move, because they’re waiting on Harper. I think they have a shot. But why waste your chance at Harper by signing say, Kimbrel for $15-20/m a year.
I’d rather have Harper than Kimbrel, especially long-term if the DH is coming to the NL.
Agreed. I’d rather them roll the money over to next year than just spend it on Kimbrel for the sake of making a move.
I believe badgers always try hard and succumb to rainstorms.
very insightful
hey, the man knows his badgers.
I would subscribe to your Badger Newsletter.
The Braves player acquisition issue is not the budget or spending capability. The issue is organization decision making capability. AA has analysis paralysis and is afraid to take risk or make a mistake. There are training programs to teach executive how to not be risk adverse and make appropriate decisions. The current path is one to mediocrity.
Seriously? C’mon! You can’t really believe your view from the couch makes you smarter than actual GMs? The height of naïveté is sitting in the bleachers thinking you know more than people who are actually in the game.
Everybody talks up how much the NL East has upgraded…but have they? Sure, Philly brought in Robertson & Segura as solid upgrades, but that’s nothing phenomenal. NY really only upgraded at catcher & Closer. D.C. basically just plugged holes, their main upgrade was also behind the plate. Honestly, Atlanta hasn’t been pressed to spend big…but they should, anyway. Now, if Philly lands more…Harper/Machado and then Kuechel/Kimbrel…that could spell some trouble.
Failed to mention Philly picking up the best catcher in the league…
Yeah, I did leave that out. That was a good upgrade.
DC also added Corbin who was probably too 1 or 2 available FA SP
I think you’re underestimating the Mets. They added Cano who is still a great hitter, they have syndergaard and degrom. They may not make the playoffs, but I think they’ll be in contention.
“D.C. basically just plugged holes, their main upgrade was also behind the plate.” Corbin says hi.
That Corbin contract is going to be an albatross within a couple of years. He is a solid #3 with #2 upside. He has had one solid season as a TOR. I read an article somewhere that had Corbin’s career stats most similar to Jon freaking Niese at the same amount of MLB time. Uhm…good luck with that.
Gee let’s see… Braves TOP OF THE ROTATION PITCHER….a lollipop with blinders on could see or figure that one out!
The Braves starters were #4 in MLB in ERA last year, wtf more do you want?
A healthy Soroka and a traded Julio..lol
Out of the contenders, only the Brewers and Braves have no legit ace. When’s the last time a team w/o a legit ace won the WS?!
Kansas City Royals 2015 ? I dont think i would consider any of the guys they throughout there as starters were really aces.
They were one of the worst teams to win a WS in the past 20-30 years. Too bad the Mets gave away the WS…ugh, it was bad.
I’d still like to see the braves make a move for Greinke. Diamondbacks pay the deferred cost, and the braves cover $60-70 million of his contract.
Overall trade:
Diamondbacks get:
Two of Demeritte/Izzy Wilson/Derain Cruz
Braves get Greinke and cover $60-$70 million on the remainder of his deal.
It is reported that the D’Backs want the team to pay all of Grienke’s contract and give up 2 top prospects
Then nevermind, no team will ever do that.
Terry McGurk is to blame for not raising payroll.. Liberty media has never turned down what has been asked of them. Love AA, but the man is gun shy after the tulo deal blew up in his face. We have band aides for sure. And any brave fan that doesn’t like the harper deal needs help. BorASS has stated harper will take a long term contract or a short term contract with the same money attached. IF im harper I take a 2yr/65 mill deal and wait for the market when trout is a FA. Braves fans worried about Acuna lol Good luck bc we don’t have the money its going to take to keep him bc he will want trout money. Win now!!
Chopping 2Oct. You made that up.
Let me guess, If you were Terry, you’d:
Sign Harper to 10-350, Sign Dallas to 5-120 & Kimbrel to 7-140. Because it’s only money right? Not YOUR money, not YOUR job on the line.
lol. Dallas will be lucky to get 3/$51m, Kimbrel will probably settle for 4/$60m-$64m with maybe a team option to bump it up 5/$76m-$80m so it looks like a bigger deal than it will end up being. As for Harper 10/$320m…bc Philly will overpay.
Didn’t the Braves just get a new stadium? Why are they still being cheap?
They’re not. They’re being responsible. Debt has to paid on the loans/construction, they’re still building parts of it, and they’re spending in line w/ the revenue streams the stadium and surrounding area’s provide. They’re just not blowing their whole load on someone for the sake of spending.
I get it though, it’s why there’s so much credit card debt in America. Just spend, figure it out later, apparently is the motto preferred.
Marlins are using Andrerson at 3rd. He’s not in outfield mix
When signed to a new team the Big name, big $$ free agents become the ‘face of the franchise’ – on and off the field. Braves won’t sign Harper or Machado because they don’t see either player successfully fulfilling the responsibilities associated with such a label.
MLBTR has been polling about getting rid of ads and subscription based. You can make the same case as they’ve made against MLB teams (being cheap apparently) if they don’t in turn, update the site, the chat features and so on. They’d be taking money from “fans” and not improving the product. I love the site, but it’s been the same since I can remember.
It’s a two-way street, but I don’t think MLBTR will take all the income from subscriptions and blow it all on features for us “fans”.
If the Mets don’t pickup Gio than I guess Vargas or even Hector Santiago can be the 5th starter, I wish they would trade Frazier and put Alonso at 1b, trade Vargas and sign Gio or put Santiago there he did ok for the white sox and trade Lagares.
I love the braves so much, but it hurts to watch them be on the brink of something good and refuse to spend what is ultimately not a lot, comparatively speaking. What’s gonna happen when all these young players possibly become stars and require bigger contracts? Even if they gave us a home town discount we wouldn’t stroke a check to make the deal happen. Just so annoying.
Exactly, couldn’t agree more. So many on here defend not spending money, or justify and rationalize why the Braves can’t spend money…or if we could actually spend the money why it would be dumb to do so. Same conversations all Braves fans have been having for years and will keep having for years to come….Enjoy your favorite Braves players for the 4 or 5 years they’re controllable and then just move on is probably the best way to be a Braves fan
Bleacher report ranks Braves as 7th best MLB team. They got that high building solid long-term value, and their trajectory with this model is still rising. If this kind of stable, sustainable success is annoying to you, rest assured your “bet the farm on long-term contracts to try to win it all in 2019” is even more annoying to those of us who remember 14 straight division titles achieved primarily with home-grown pitching, smart prospect acquisitions, and RARE big signings for REAL long-term value, a la Greg Maddox.
Rest assured that’s what’s annoying to everyone else are the Braves fans who still hold on to 14 straight division titles and Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine era and bring it up every argument. Let it go! That’s not coming back and will never happen again!….Like I said enjoy your favorite Braves players for 4-5 controllable years or maybe the 1-2 years they’re signed as free agents is the best way to be a Braves fan and keep your sanity. Again, same convo Braves fans been having for years and years to come.
Doesn’t every team have this same issue? If the farm excels and you wind up with a young, talented roster, you can’t keep them all. The Braves seem to be extending guys like Freeman. The kept Chipper his whole career. I’m not looking to return to glory days of old, just looking to stay away from big contracts and set reasonable expectations for what a mid-market team like the Braves can actually do. There’s got to be some reasonable landing zone between signing Harper and being an incompetent FO. I’m not trying to be difficult, it just seems like the FO is getting slammed for not just going out and buying everything they need, like it was easy and any of us could do it.
Nearly everybody here is talking about the Braves. This is a very hot topic.
Sign Machado then trade for OF, and Closer, as promised and as the tactic that makes the most sense. Braves can afford it. Use those pitching prospects now or devalue them for the future.
There is no need for Machado. Dansby Swanson is still a very young player. He is still developing. He was so hyped, I think prople just expect him to be Barry Larkin in one year.
With Donaldson manning 3B and Austin Riley taking over next year, with Camargo still in the fold backing up both spots, Machado makes zero sense. Another thing…his attitude WILL NOT fly in Atlanta. His “Johnny Hustle” stuff and dirty plays, that won’t play in Atlanta.
I will agree it’s time we move some prospects. But only for real value (Haniger?) Other than Haniger, what OF’ers are available? None, that will make a big impact.
No, it would make more sense to just sign Harper. Markakis would make a fine #4 OF’er and likely our #1 pinch hitter.
What if AA is waiting to see if a mega deal emerges before he goes to see what he will need in free agency. I bet AA is watching other teams players figuring out who is great but doesn’t have a chance of resigning, say the team wouldn’t be able to afford them but the Braves possibly could.
As a Braves fan, I’ve lost AA as being credible, he’s fine nothing but lied and lied, he’s done absolutely nothing but overpay his buddy from Toronto to a position cams r go, Riley, or even Culbertson could have filledwith ease..we needed a TOR, Relief pitching and a closer, along with RF..he’s filled notone single hole…I personally hate Harper, but at least I’d secretly be excited…Bringing back Nick was beyond Stupid, we lost the best RF in FAmine after another…what happened RoSA’s 70% done deal huh? Nothing..he’s a liar just towing the party line for the Liberty Media cheap skates…he surely won’t bite at Harper, not Kimbrel,…apparently not anybody..starting with Payton AA has lost out on every single TOR and every capable reliever…usually to our finals in the NL East…
I’ve lost all confidence in AA, all I see is a cheap, incompetent, party line toting idiot…it’s beyond pathetic after we fought our hearts out last year..it’s a slap in the face to the team and the fansbase..
For me this offseason has been a complete nightmare … All the other teams got vastly better, while we spun or wheels in the mud.
Hope my boy Dansby is healthy and lives up to his potential, hope Ozzie has his 2018 first half and not his second when he couldn’t hit a beachball..hope Nick comes out on fire and all our young pitchers come out and show what they learned last year..I’m just glad we didn’t trade Ian Anderson, Bryse, Wright, Soroka, Went, Muller, or Touki…..all are studs…Allard showed me he was all hype..I also hope Weigel has healed up and ready to go..he was on the cusp of being called up when his elbow went..
All I can add is God help us, because we’re gonna have our hands full and AA didn’t do a single thing to help us..he just overpayed a 3B we had no need for
Good grief. List the “lies”—that’s a pretty strong word, so surely you have evidence to back your claims. And name the deals you would have done that AA “lost” so we can evaluate and criticize your work. It’s so simplistic to believe that AA (or ANY GM) can just go out and buy whatever he needs like the MLBPA was Walmart and 29 other teams weren’t trying to find the same magic he’s after. All this whining makes us Braves fans look so ignorant. Ease up, please.
Typical..criticize the GM and this is like an automated response dude..have you been watching the hot stove at all..where’s AA’s 70% done deal? Lie #1…passing last years payroll #2, improving the team #3…how we lost the top outfielder to Houston although the offers were the same reportedly? AA couldn’t have bumped it up a couple million dollars to snag him..? really?..I’m not just saying I could’ve gotten us Ottavino or Peterson to solidify the bullpen..I dare sayanyone on this board could have done a better job this winter..cmon dude these generic responses don’t make YOU look ignorant..just stating everything that’s been reported..get your head out of the sand and quit drinking AA’s kool-aid
google.com/amp/s/tomahawktake.com/2019/02/15/atlan…
Simple enough?
google.com/amp/s/sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/braves-t…
Do I still look ignorant?
google.com/amp/s/www.talkingchop.com/platform/amp/…
How many lies you want proof of dude?
These links (which don’t work in the app, so I had to log into the site from my laptop to get to them) are opinion pieces by guys who clearly don’t like what the Braves front office is doing. They aren’t evidence of malicious falsehood, evil intent to defraud millions, or illicit greed. At worst, AA seems guilty of not having the good sense to set reasonable expectations. You seem to have bought into a narrative that he is evil, that he willfully and maliciously is out to deceive, demean, and derail the organization because doing so will somehow line the pockets of the parent corporation. If you really think that, nothing I can say will change your mind, and you’ll interpret every article you read as “evidence” that the conspiracy is real. All I’m asking is for you to ease up on words like “lie” and descriptors like “beyond stupid” for moves that got generally decent grades from a lot of experts. Criticize the GM all you want, it just seems like the world would be a better place if you would reel in the vitriol a little. I was just asking for a little civility, but I’ll stay out of your way from now on.
AA goes and spends $6,000,000 on a hack outfielder instead of saving the money for a difference maker. Plus Josh Donaldson for $23,000,000 someone needs to go to jail over that deal. Al Capone would be proud. Then he brings back McCant he is DONE. Oh hey we will run away with the division. Bahahaha
It’s incredible that someone so informed about how players will perform in 2019 is commenting here rather than handicapping for Vegas. I think any reasonable student of MLB would wait until later in the season to criticize deals that maybe, just maybe, you don’t fully understand. Just sayin’.
^^^Bulletin Board Hall Monitor…Just sayin’
Idiot comment! U know zero about baseball!! Go away
The Mets are dooming themselves with Vargas at the #5 bc after him is a wasteland of AAA suck. Even if everyone in the top 5 pitches 25 games, they still will need a #6, #7, and possibly a #8 to make some spot starts. The Mets have NO ONE to step in and give them a remote chance at winning those games. Typical Mets….being tight with money and the money they do spend is doneso poorly. They should have pushed hard to lock up deGrom and Wheeler last year, but now the cost will keep going up. They are always two days late and many dollars short. They got to the WS in 2015 DESPITE ownership, not because of it.
The Braves should just sign Keuchel(3yrs. 44mil. with option year at 14mil. and 5mil. buyout) plus Kimbrel(3yrs, 45mil. with option year at 15mil. and 5mil buyout), That would increase payroll 29.7mil. in 2019 and make it 139mil. 2018 was 131mil. If FO can’t raise payroll 8mil. then they don’t deserve a WS, These 2 additions should help them win the EAST.