While it’s still pretty early in Spring Training, the Braves have already been hit with a notable number of players battling injury issues. Jeff Schultz of The Athletic (links to Twitter) has a rundown of today’s updates, including the worrisome news that A.J. Minter left today’s outing after just one batter due to shoulder tightness. Beyond Minter, Dansby Swanson was scratched from today’s lineup due to continued soreness in his left wrist. The Braves also continue to ease Josh Donaldson into action after Donaldson missed much of the 2018 season due to a calf injury. Donaldson’s spring debut may still be at least “a couple of more days” away, as Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told reporters, though Snitker admitted “I don’t even know when he’s gonna play.”
The Braves already have Mike Soroka, Kevin Gausman, and Luiz Gohara dealing with shoulder soreness, while Mike Foltynewicz missed a recent start due to a sore elbow. With the possible exception of Soroka, none of these maladies seem overly concerning yet, though the sheer volume leads to inevitable speculation about how the Braves could make additions to bolster their roster of arms. Minter’s injury could be of particular import, given how the back end of Atlanta’s bullpen already has closer Arodys Vizcaino trying to bounce back from an injury-marred 2018. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman writes that the Braves have yet to have “any serious discussions” with former closer Craig Kimbrel, who is still focused on landing a long-term contract while the team has only thus far been open to signing Kimbrel to a shorter-term pact.
The latest from around the NL East…
- Speaking of Kimbrel, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (Twitter link) hears from rival evaluators who wonder if the Nationals could make a play for the star closer. Washington is no stranger to high-profile bullpen signings, and while Sean Doolittle has pitched very well as the team’s closer, Doolittle has had his share of injury problems over the years. Inking Kimbrel would put the Nationals over the luxury tax threshold for the third straight season, and if ownership had reluctance over paying a higher tax bill, the Nats might have to move some salary in order to fit Kimbrel into the mix. Signing a free agent who rejected the qualifying offer (as Kimbrel did) would also cost the Nats its third- and sixth-highest picks in the 2019 draft. As Olney notes, the Nationals might not mind surrendering even more picks in order to make a real splurge, as the team has already lost its second- and fifth-highest draft selections (plus $1MM of international draft pool money) by signing another QO free agent in Patrick Corbin.
- Deferred money has long been a staple of the Nationals’ contract negotiations, as several notable players (i.e. Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Corbin, Anibal Sanchez, Brian Dozier) in recent years have signed deals with the team that include significant amounts of salary to be paid out over long stretches of time. Scherzer’s deal contains $105MM in deferred money, for example, while Strasburg’s $175MM extension with the Nats contained $70MM in deferrals that will be paid out to Strasburg from 2024-30. While Scherzer, Strasburg, and Bryce Harper are all represented by Scott Boras, Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post wonders if the Nationals’ deferral-heavy strategy might have cost them a chance at Harper. Roughly a third of Washington’s reported ten-year, $300MM offer to Harper last fall was reportedly set to be paid out in deferred money for decades to come, possibly until Harper was close to 60 years old. This type of long-term payment isn’t something that appeals to every player, making Svrluga wonder if Anthony Rendon would be comfortable with deferred money as the star third baseman continues his own extension talks with the Nationals.
- The Mets have hired Rafael Perez the team’s director of international operations and Luis Marquez as their new director of international scouting, Jacob Resnick and Michael Mayer of @Metsmerized report (via Twitter). Perez is a familiar name in New York’s front office, as he is returning to the same position he previously filled from 2005-11. Marquez also previously worked for the Mets as an international scout from 2008-11.
Braves sign Kimbrel… on Sweet deal, too good to pass
Thay’s my guess, this dude’s market is non-existent.
I really hope you’re right
The better question is, are the Marlins good enough to beat out the Braves for fourth place?!
The Marlins would finish below the Mississippi Braves. They’d totally school Danville though.
Hey Sking—your team will be fighting the Marlins to stay out of last place. Good luck keeping a straight face with Robbie Cano’s slow defense.
Heard that same talk last year. Talk to me in September or better yet, October!
The Braves are two starting pitchers from being in the playoffs. The Marlins are about five position players and three starters from being in the playoffs. You could give the Marlins Keuchel, Kimbrel and throw in Trout and they would be on the outside looking in.
You are probably right MannyBeingMVP.
With a rotation consisting of Teheran and Newcomb, it is really laughable how people actually think this team can compete. No ace, just a bunch of 3s and rookies who have proven absolutely nothing.
What’s laughable is the fact that you can never muster up any comment without some sort of negativity in it. I used to see your a$s all over cbssports forum boards back in the day and you were the same way. No surprise you haven’t changed!
So the same rotation that won the division last year? Is laughable that people think they can compete? Looks like they competed last year and uh won the division. You want to see something laughable look in the mirror
“I used to see your a$s all over cbssports forum boards back in the day and you were the same way. No surprise you haven’t changed!”
haha what?
“So the same rotation that won the division last year? Is laughable that people think they can compete? Looks like they competed last year and uh won the division. ”
this is the exact complacency the Braves owners have, along with their inherit cheap trait.
They got smacked in the postseason for a reason.
Acuna, Freeman, Albies, Donaldson, Vizcaino, Minter all exciting stuff. I think Keuchel and Gio could be the difference between third place and division winner. I think Acuna has MVP talent if he stays healthy.
They won the division cause the Phils blew it down the stretch and the Nats and Mets were hurt and underachieved. That pitching staff is far inferior to the Nats and Mets pitching. The Phillies have a better overall team. Fact is it’s a 4 team race with the Braves most likely finishing 4th. Then again no one can predict injuries either, so we shall see.
Really?? Bored huh?
Nats just full of Bobby Bonillas. When will they get to a point where deferred money exceeds the lowest MLB payroll?
HOF SP in rotation, but Nats seldom spend on star RP.
I see them as a dark horse for Kimbrel!
Both reading comments, and posting comments are not as fun without the downvotes. Just saying.
Speak for yourself!!
Well, if you use the smartphone app you don’t see the votes. Nice plus.
X was the reason downvotes were removed. Lol
You’re right. It was x
I don’t have any power or pull with this site.
The other day, I think Jeff threatened to ban me…
Admittedly, it’s cool they left “like” feature.
Quite crying, folks. You’re lucky theres voting at all. Grateful, trolls didnt force them to get rid of votes altogether More importantly, glad mlbtr didn’t get rid of posts like many are today (Espn one of many)
I’ll take posts turned off for controversial topics, that don’t lead anywhere. — Every now and then
We all know who gives mlbtr problems; At least I try on-topic — key word: try talk baseball, only to get ridiculed for dv’s probably made by one person.
worst part is bad posts, deserve dv, but u know “bad” from “good” posts from the # likes. least if no-life trolls, (reason for dv deletion, NOT ME) l mult. acc —they cant bully or “bring down” other users, they can only bring themselves up.
Are you on Medications?
To be fair his posts are getting better every day, and he at least tries to give an honest opinion
Lately he’s even successfully bated a few into no win arguments. Troll catchin! Proof X is a positive contributor not a negative
I’m surprised your comment hasn’t been deleted.
As a Phillies fan its astonishing to think the Jason Worth free agent signing by the Nats, has come full circle, deferrals or not the Phillies are back, Natitude has been taken down a notch, thanks to 330 mil and the best owner in baseball John Middleton’s wallet.
….. on paper
cscd1111: How can you call yourself a Phillies phan when you don’t even know that the player’s name is JAYSON WERTH? Lame, very lame.
The spelling error is not worth all caps.
The Reverse Werth!
I don’t see what’s wrong with deferring money if you do it right. Bonilla turned 5.9 million into almost 30 million. And after a certain point, how many extra millions do you need each year to pay the bills? And deferring keeps you from blowing your money all at once, which athletes are known for.
Just sayin’…..
Would you like your paychecks deferred to your 60th birthday when your 26?
If it’s extra millions I don’t need right away, why not?
The trick is to forecast inflation. The 2nd trick is to forecast the long term fiscal health of your employer. I don’t think MLB is going away but who knows? WW3 way change things. Hope it doesn’t.
middle class income vs multi millionaire income isn’t comparing apples to apples. we don’t want our middle class income deferred because we have to pay for a mortgage with that money….. if everything else is paid, what you can do with the EXTRA money is an entirely different conversation
Yeah the changes in comments is definitely a poor choice. The Larry Baer story is closed for commenting. MLBTR has to realize that there’s no way to make this perfect, and that these changes are going to cost them a ton of site hits. Many times I log in just to check comments and replies to my post. I know there’s a lot of arguing and crap, but it just something that you can’t control and have to deal with. Love MLBTR but very poorly calculated decisions on the commenting changes.
Definitely one of the downvoting burner accs.
“Poorly calculated”? Nah. More like emotional.
Your post was all fluff, no substance.
My only “complaint” wish they fixed this sooner
Thank you!
X is the reason this site is petty 99% of the time. Jeff knows this.
Can’t wait until his momma kicks him out
Nah I rarely downvote posts unless they’re totally stupid. And X, as much crap as you get, and as much of a homer as you are, I don’t mind your posts. When I say poorly calculated, sites sell advertising based on site hits. That’s what drives the price. Loss of downvotes doesn’t hurt that as much as closing posts off for comment, but it appears that they’ve closed off things that are drawing people to their website.
Actually, I like that the Larry Baer story is closed to commenting. I come here to read baseball. Baseball has performance history and personal observation and there are times when the comments elevate the article.
I don’t really want to hear people’s opinions about a domestic disagree that they cannot possibly know the entire story about.
That’s the beauty of having working thumbs, You can use them to flip past ANYTHING you don’t want to see, without it upsetting you.
Closing downvotes was an absolute joke. If someone downvoted your posts and it ruined your day you need to reconsider what’s important in your life. No one lives in a bubble. People are going to disagree with you throughout life.
Look, braves need kimbrell … with or without these injuries! BULLPEN WAS OUR #1 NEED THIS OFFSEASON AND WE DID NOTHING TO IMPROVE IT!
Why are posts not allowed regarding the alleged domestic violence by Giants’ CEO Larry Baer? Would they be allowed if it was a player? Respectfully, it makes trade rumors, a great product, seem less independent.
Cause he’s a rich billionaire caught on video, but we should reserve judgment? I could be wrong.
I speak for the MLBTR community when I say we don’t need faceless trolls talking about domestic violence on here, or anywhere. Talk about the game, not the off-field stuff like this please.
Thank you for attempting speak for people who DON’T want you to speak for them. People are allowed to talk about whatever they want to talk about, so you can try again, Mr MLBTR police.
Dear Strike Four,
I respect and value your opinion. But the whole #MeToo movement is predicated on ordinary people supporting victims, especially when the alleged perp is wealthy and powerful. You note that I did not address the allegations in detail, but rather wondered if the allegations would deny posts if it was a player too. Say Roberto Osuna, Addison Russell or Jose Reyes. Were posts allowed? If not, then there is a track history. Otherwise, there is a double-standard. Holding owners and management to the same standards as players is very much a part of baseball in the modern era.
They did the same thing with Addison Russell articles.
Thanks gizmo22, that is what I had wondered. Because Baer should be treated like Reyes, Russell and Osuna. It should not be about Baer being the Giants CEO, wealthy and white. I am finished on this topic unless someone tells me that comments were allowed when players were the alleged perp.
Reyes, Chapman, Osuna articles had comments available. Plus, not all Russell DV articles were closed.
Thanks troll_smasher. Yes, there were Osuna comments.
mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/mlb-expected-to-issue-d…
mlbtraderumors.com/2016/05/jose-reyes-suspended-th…
Sometimes the two worlds (mlb & domestic violence) collide. Heated emotions are easy enough to scroll past. The worry is that these issues get swept under the rug when we can’t talk about them.
Simplest solution would be for men to understand you can’t swing at anyone, especially not a female. It’s no longer acceptable and people should be called out for it
Soap box aside, we have no idea if this latest situation warrants outrage or not. So maybe it’s a good idea to mute the first article and wait for more information to come out before opening it up to a forum. Some people get too heated…I don’t blame them for blacking this one out
Just keeps getting better and better…good thing they prepared with depth like the rest of the division that obviously wants to win.
Who are we kidding anybody wanna bet before spring is over Folty will be shelved for the inevitable TJ
The fact that there’s a HOFer in his prime out there and has no market when EVERY single contender could probably take the lead in their division by getting him, but all these teams owners are too penny pinching and refuse to share their abundant profits with the people who make them, is infuriating. Kimbrel deserves 5/90, any contender who gets him might get to the World Series. As fans, we need to be able to publicly pressure the owners more somehow.
Three of the past four years his era was 2.58 or higher. At age 30, I think he is worth 3 years and $54 million.
But it is just silly season to say that any contender who gets him might get to the World Series any more so than adding say Keuchel, Pollock, Moose, etc. All good players add value to contenders. But if the Indians sign Kimbrel, the Red Sox, Yankees and Astros would still be favorites over the Indians.
How do you know that any player has no market? Twenty teams could offer every free agent just hundreds less than what they actually sign for. An unsigned player does not mean no offers, it means no offers that the player chose to accept.
Kimbrel should be signed by now.
How is Donaldson still battling through injuries? Dude has been nursing his legs for the better part of two years.
Market Value has been marketly declining for awhile, but it is saber math telling management to not look favorably on relief pitchers. If a bullpen loses 15 games and wins 15 is that a net of zero? The offense helped in picking up 15 wins, the bullpen still responsable for 15 blown saves. So a relief pitcher who is consistant year after year you would surmise would be valuable. I think Kimbrel should sign a one year deal with a team and wait one more year for better. Hard to understand 15mil a year but not 8 to 10 mil a year. BTW you should be able to live on that or switch to starting. I would like Kimbrel to sign with the Angels.
Wow, we snuck up and won the division last year and its got all us Braves fans hoping for glory. It’s not AA fault…Terry please beg your bosses to sell the team…PLEASE!!!
Baseball should have learned a lesson from dealing with Disney
Not entirely sure why players are taking IOUs from baseball teams, as payment for services rendered.
it’s like Dumb & Dumberer….”these I.O.U.s are totally guaranteed
Or Dumb And Dumber.
I’m torn on deferred money. Why is it this board hates it so much? Serious question
Bobby Bo seems to have greatly benefited from it. In a perfect world all your investments would be safe and yield good returns… This seems as fail safe as it gets
big difference between bonilla and the current deferrals:
no interest (bonilla’s was at like 8 percent annually, while the ones mentioned above have no interest attached. i’m guessing the nats argument for it is this: “if you take it, you can get out of paying d.c. income tax on it*”)
* or possibly any state income tax, if you do what max did and become a resident of florida (which, by deferring the way he did, gets to avoid paying something like 11 percent annually in d.c. income tax).
Thanks
Wow, no wonder Harper wasn’t too interested in resigning with the Nationals especially since their total offer wasn’t all that enticing to begin with and then finding out he wouldn’t see all of it until after he was well into retirement which he should’ve taken as insulting!
Kimbrell is a great player. The obvious reason teams aren’t lining up for his services are 1) very costly money and year demands 2) signing costs draft pick compensation. Hate to say it but the player and his agent have very little leverage here to even start a bidding war. Blame the system but I would not be surprised to see him sign a very short / lower than market value deal. It’s the reality of the situation.
To repeat Jimmy Rollins’ quote in the spring of 2008, “We are the team to beat!”. Gonna win 90+ games this year; sweep through the NL playoffs and dismantle the Red Sox in the World Series. CBP will be rockin’ this summer like the good old days with fans knowing a parade up Broad St. is ours is in the offing. GO PHILLIES!
.
May be a good time to make an attempt at Seuly Matias from the Royals. The AL Central is weak and ripe for a team to make strides to the top. If Perez is going to miss significant time a catcher and rotation arm could propel Kansas City as the team to beat. How about sending Bryce Wilson or Kolby Allard and Tyler Flowers to Kansas City for Matias and either Jorge Soler or Brett Phillips. Matias launched 31 last year and has a cannon with higher upside than Pache or Waters. Braves can pair Lopez or Jackson with McCann since they have given up on 2019.
Kimbrel going to Yankees, will bust.