There’s been plenty written about potential deals between the Blue Jays and Braves recently, but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (subscription required) that Atlanta’s trade talks with Toronto center around a different target than most would expect: right-handed reliever Joe Biagini.
That Biagini would be a trade candidate isn’t exactly a surprise. He’s controlled through the 2022 season via arbitration, and the Blue Jays are likely to willing to deal from anywhere outside their emerging core of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and other young, pre-arbitration players. Still, for an Atlanta club eyeing bullpen help, a higher-end target like Ken Giles is likely the name that most would expect to hear when discussing potential deals with Toronto.
Biagini, 29, has been with the Blue Jays since he was selected out of the Giants organization in the 2015 Rule 5 Draft. Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos had already left the Toronto organization by the time Biagini was selected, but two of his assistant GMs with the Braves, Perry Minasian and Jason Pare, were with the Jays when that selection was made.
During the 2016 season, Biagini enjoyed one of the more successful Rule 5 seasons in recent memory. His rookie campaign featured 67 2/3 innings of 3.06 ERA ball with 8.2 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 0.40 HR/9 and a 52.2 percent ground-ball rate. However, the Blue Jays’ subsequent attempt to move Biagini into the rotation in 2017 proved an ill-fated mistake, and his 2018 season spent mostly back in the bullpen didn’t yield quality results, either (6.00 ERA in 72 innings).
The 2019 season has seen Biagini bounce back to the tune of a 3.75 ERA over the life of 48 innings. He’s been homer-prone — like most of the league — but is sporting a career-high 9.0 K/9 against an even 3.0 BB/9 with a 45.3 percent ground-ball rate. There’s reason to be optimistic about further improvement, too; Biagini’s 13.7 percent swinging-strike rate is easily a career-best, as is his 36.1 percent opponents’ chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone. The spin rate on his breaking ball is elite as well, ranking 21st of 399 big league pitchers to throw the pitch at least 100 times dating back to 2016.
Biagini avoided arbitration as a Super Two player this past offseason, settling on a $900K salary that’d be affordable for any interested party. He’ll go through arbitration another three times before reaching free agency in the 2022-23 offseason, but as a non-closing reliever, he won’t receive exorbitant raises through the arbitration process.
Braves must be looking forward to 2020 if they are unwilling to get other pieces. Not that there isn’t anything wrong with that, just weird when I believe their current team is in a really good spot.
Nowhere does it state though, that they aren’t looking at other pieces
This is true, but until they prove they are I believe my statement holds true.
Well if their rebuild didnt prove anything I’m not sure a deadline trade would either
Not really true, just your .02. Not everything they’re considering is printed.
Braves will win the division.
Nats Phillies and Mets won’t make the playoffs
Perditions
Doyuers, cubs, brewers, cardinals, braves in the nl
Not sure why they want Biagini. They have plenty of young pitching that have this guys same potential. I don’t even think he helps right now.
I’m sure this will be met with the typical “Braves are being cheap” comments.
The Braves need more then 1 bullpen piece! I dont think this is the only move they are looking to make.
There is also the possibility it is a package deal including Giles
Exactly. But you’ve seen other Braves fans crying on here. They don’t understand that this is in all likelihood, a complimentary piece.
All fans from all teams cry on here not just Braves fans.
I’m fine with that. Most of the expensive RPs being signed have blown up already with Kimbrel looking as rusty as you’d expect. ATL looking for value and finally using their knowledge of a system where AA brought over multiple former TOR execs.
Its really a 2 team race between the braves and dodgers as to who will represent the NL in the ws.
They both have identical issues mainly relief help.
Any target the braves want dodgers most likely want as well.
Yeah players like yates giles diaz iglesias vazquez might be expensive but would you rather them pitch for you on the NLCS or face them?
The other issue is no august waiver claims so any help outside the organization has to be acquired by wednesday.
Why shouldn’t it…. guy makes 900K will be free agent in 2020.
us MLBTR commentors be like:…We should trade players A, B & C for players 1, 2 &3
PLEASE tell me you’re joking, why would they do that?!
And the players for the commenter’s favorite team are all the one’s not helping if they they are on the current 40 man and are no better than the 25th best ranked prospect. in the system. They expect to get the 3 players in other organizations that everyone wants. Laughable.
dumbest thing I’ve seen all day, just stop troll
good thing you’re not the GM…you’re not even a good ‘arm chair gm’
you’re an idiot
hey as a ______ fan, I like it!
well that’s because you’re an idiot too
Dude you just commented back to back for like 5 min… did I miss something or are you seriously arguing with no one?
I think it’s hilarious. He’s not arguing with himself. Rather he’s just mocking how 90% of the conversations on MLBTR unfold.
exactly lol….I might be arguing with myself just a tad tho ha!
Haha, nice.
given how little it took to get Stroman…
…even if you don’t believe the conspiracy of bad blood between AA and Toronto – I can’t think they would have traded him for a similar haul to ATL, while I also expect to see rumors of NYM flipping Stroman. This is just too weird.
I am just miserable because if they get him even if he comes in and shuts teams down for the rest of the season all I am going to do is complain that we didn’t get Stroman…..
I have it in my mind the reason we didn’t get Stroman was because the Blue Jays sabotaged him and refuse to make any deals with him.
Right wrong or indifferent that is the logic I found to help me get thru lol
If we wind up making this deal all I will do is be mad at the Stroman deal all over again. And I don’t or didn’t even want Stroman I want Greinke.
But for the weak price the Mets paid it woulda changed my mind.
Miserable man I am
Come down off the ledge. It’s ok, we didn’t get him. There are other fish in the sea.
Cheer up. The Steelers paid Artie Burns his $800K roster bonus. So….that’s….something.
Yeah only 1 more year to see him get toasted down the sideline
At least having Nelson it won’t be as frequent
The one good thing about the Stroman trade is that it set the market low. Now GMs wont be able to ask for a top 50 player for a rental reliever.
They might have actually done what Stroman wanted most .. to play for his hometown team. I do believe they could have gotten more, but who knows.
I do not think it’s a flip situation, nor do I really think they are going to trade Thor. I really believe that the Mets are planning for 2020 with that move. They are stuck with some of their aging contracts, so blowing things up is difficult. Maybe they are hoping those vets come through next year. If you think about it that way, they just got a jump on the offseason. They may have thought Stroman would go before the deadline to someone else and not be available for the offseason. From that viewpoint, they made a savvy deal.
With how competitive he is – Stroman wants to play fall ball for NYY. The likelihood of that happening for NYM is slightly better than with TOR.
Sabotage is the word here. Or mean. The Jays FO is mean and vindictive (eg, cut Tulo rather than keep him till he broke a hip, or whatever, after three weeks). They dealt Stroman to the laughing stock Mets—Stro who boasted that the NL is where pitchers “go to hide.” The lil guy with such a heavy chip on his shoulder will have to eat crow.
Not only would Shatkins be dealing with a pissed off Alex but they are also not very good at deals in general. They would get fleeced by Anthopous and they know it so they have already stated that they would be charging a premium to deal with Atlanta.
True they’d get totally fleeced by AA but not bc of some personal history. He couldn’t care less about the past
I’m sure Robles/Ramirez/Bedrosian are available as well. Robles has the distinction of performing well in high leverage situations
It’s moves like this that will surely get us past the Dodgers.
Lol this is good. Nice and subtle. Well said
We have to get past the Nationals first.
Couldn’t be more true as I’m not comfortable at all. Nationals getting us all banged up, struggles in the rotation, and Luke jackson still as the closer. Imho, if a solid move or 2 were to be done, it should be before this all important series. Just sayin..go bravos!
and yet, Jackson is top 10 for Cy Young prediction. He’ll be fine.
Lol somethings flawed and scares me when that’s the case. Lack of competition I suppose.
Biagini is quality. Not elite but quality and he has years of control.
If the Jays trade him they’d better get a good return.
Honestly the Jays should just keep him. I just can’t see them netting a return that would be more valuable then what he already provides.
You say that like they got a good return for the best available asset in Stroman.
He’s a solid piece for sure. Arb raises shouldn’t be too bad for him either as a middle reliever.
I wasn’t super excited about the return on the Stroman trade… but it did net two 50FV prospects. According to MLB Rangers are the only team with more prospects 50FV or higher than the Jays now. And Woods-Robinson, Pardinho, Kloffenstein and Kendall Williams are all very high upside young prospects that could climb quickly.
Jays system isn’t as top heavy as it was… but it’s getting to be pretty deep.
I’m now convinced the Braves are not going to trade for any significant player. The players the Mets gave up for Stroman would have been the Braves 10th to 15th best prospect. I don’t see them getting in a bidding war (prospect wise) for Bauer or Syndergaard
Yes, I agree with an earlier post that the Braves hope to be relevant for the next 6-8 years with the current group of players. To that end, they are still cheap and unwilling to spend.
They will do something. Owner has already approved more money for payroll. It’s the prospects that they will be stingy with.
Can we stop this narrative that they are unwilling to spend? They spent $13 million on Keuchel, and they spent $23 million on Donaldson. Their payroll may not be that high, but they have spent money.
Currently almost $3m more than last year, so they are increasing that payroll as needed.
Exactly
Now spend some more & get Greinke
Greinke & his multiple years is not similar to the 1-year sweetheart deals for Keuchel/Donaldson. I don’t see those setting a precedent that foreshadow a Greinke deal. Yes, he has looked good, but I’d imagine it would cost premium prospects & money, whereas other controllable (top-of-rotation) starters may only cost 1 of the 2 (Thor, etc.) – depending on how they view them.
I don’t think BVW will trade Thor in the division.
I don’t think Giants will move MadBum.
Stroman has already been dealt.
Also think bout the FA class next year and the TOR arms available.
Do you want to sign MadBum or Cole to the years it’s gonna take ???
Greinke would basically be like the Donaldson signing paying big money for a shorter commitment. Still allows the young guys to develop in the minors where they should.
I know the prospect cost is another variable but look at his no trade list
Who not on that list can afford the money owed ????
And look what Stroman costed if it costs anything similar AA should jump on it. You get an ACE for the rest of this year & 2 more years.
I wonder if Red Sox would make Price available ????
I know they want to shed some salary to fill some holes
Who cares? The Braves DON’T need Price. NO TO PRICE.
Switch out David Price for Chris Sale and we might have something cooking.
Greinke is owed around 80-85 million or close this and the next 2 yrs. If the Braves take all the money they could probably get him for maybe a low top 30 prospect or two. Trade Folty and try to get AZ. to pay some of Greinke’s money, if anything else. Maybe throw in a Touki or Allard or Gohara. Greinke would be great for Soroka, Freid and the other young pitchers the next 2 yrs. How much would that be worth?.
I have a sneaking suspicion a Folty call up is just a few days away. His last couple of starts have been very promising. they will have to call him up soon anyway as they surely will want to trim innings on Fried and Soroka.
The big question I have is whether the Braves will sit Fried and Soroka for the rest of the season at some point, or if they are going to get them some rest ahead of the postseason .. and risk not even getting to the postseason in doing so.
So yeah, pretty soon I think we will see Folty and probably even Newcomb back in the rotation. I see the Braves going after a reliever or two first .. then sliding Newcomb back in and telling him .. pitch the exact same and just get us to the fifth. Honestly, Folty and Newcomb are just as enticing as most of the starters that are available. I would love to get Grienke, and it is doable, if the DBacks are willing to admit they need to eat salary to enhance their rebuild.
From the calculations discussed in these threads it’s closer to $70 million for the 2 years
It was a long discussion I am sure you can find them in former Brave threads.
I have no problem with that amount at all.
Throw in Gausman & O’Day in the trade and that lowers that number a bit. I think the prospect return will not be anything crazy. Kuechel will more than likely be leaving after this year possibly Donaldson as well. There will be money to afford him for those 2 years.
I believe Arizona would want to clear that financial commitment first and prospect return second. Either way Atlanta has the pockets and the assets to get it done.
Shouldn’t cost a Top 10 organizational prospect and I wouldn’t be opposed to giving 2 11-20
I just don’t see a better match for the Braves. Please if anybody else does let me know.
I like Newk in his bullpen role I don’t want to move him back to the rotation. To many other options in development
He had an opportunity wasn’t good and has been very good in the bullpen.
Could be our Andrew Miller
He’s already said that their likeliest trade partners in a deal for Thor are the Braves and Yankees.
What bout Padres cause that’s all I hear bout on ny sports radio
Considering they had 50 million available going into free agency and ownership withheld 15+ million dollars from the Braves, it’s accurate to say Liberty Media is cheap.
According to MLB.com they would have been Atlanta’s 6th to 12th best prospect at 50 scouting grade. Kay was valued at a 55 grade until it was updated a day ago and he dropped to 50.
A genie he is not. All he does is cough up runs every time he comes in.
The way I see it is that the Braves can score a boatload of runs. Their relievers are ho hum. They need an arm to go with Swarzak and they need a true closer. Jackson can barely close an umbrella.
Last line made me chuckle out loud!!
I hope this isn’t the biggest splash the Braves make.
Braves DON’T need to make too big of a splash anyway. Not for a lot of top prospects. I would like to see them get Greinke if they can take on most of his money and then they wouldn’t have to give up top prospects. Minor would be my 2nd. choice then Giles. Use Folty as our trade chip for any of those 3.
Braves don’t seem like a match to trade with the Blue Jays, as none of their prospects are the large adult sons of former big leaguers, which is an non-negotiable prerequisite for entering the Jays’ farm system.
Lol
Solid point!
I’d go after Greinke and maybe Robbie Ray.
Robbie Ray is too wild for the price point. I feel like he’d be in the same boat as a few of our top prospects (elite K-levels at the expense of horrid K:BB ratios).
Run, don’t walk to get rid of Biagini, one of the most irratic arms in the Jay’s bull-pen. Up and down like a yo yo, in fact, give him to Atlanta free of charge because that’s what he is worth.
Considering what Atkins got for Stroman, that’s likely what the ask is for Biagini. I agree with you that he’s awful.
I think lost in this trade deadline hoopla for SP/RP is do the Braves have an adequate replacement for Markakis. At this point, Riley has become relegated to the bench. Inciarte has no bat. I’m not drinking the koolaid on Duval yet. I personally would like to see the Braves swing a deal with the Reds for Inglesias and Puig. Though Puig is an enigma, he does bring power, speed, and plus defensive ability. He is not afraid of the Postseason. The Braves made their run this year with the bat. If SP is not available at the deadline, then scoring runs and solidifying the backend is a must. Of all teams in playoff contention, RF is low on most teams wish list. Puig would lengthen the lineup and could be a better #5 hitter than Markaksis. When and if Markakis comes back, the bench is deeper and you could match up better against LHP. I’d rather have Puig against Corbin, Ryu, Hamels, Kershaw, and Lester than I would Markakis. In the event the Braves make the World Series they would have an adequate DH. Additionally, the Braves would have no long term commitment to Puig and would have additional control of Inglesias.
NO-WAY in H*LL do the Braves need Puig.
Corey Dickerson for one of the pitchers the Braves have soured on.
Some combo of Riley/Camargo/Culbertson/Duvall/Joyce will be just fine to cover for Markakis. It’s not like he is exactly setting the world on fire anyways.
Absolutely no way would I want Puig around Ozzie or Acuna. The braves position player depth is not as big a priority as their pitching needs.
Puig doesn’t fit the braves standards also he doesn’t hit well against LHP
Just say no to Puig.
I totally agree with going after Puig
Let me guess: Reds fan, right?
Too bad that the history laden Braves have not considered using the “Opener” approach that brought Tampa through the exact situation the Braves have with many pitchers capable of multiple innings, the need to limit innings on transitioning pitchers and lack of frontline rotation. Trying something new could propel the team to the WS.
If the Braves abandoned the pursuit of pitchers, they could focus on a great outfielder to generate offense.
leave that opener stuff alone
Not interested in it at all
Who need Thor, or Bauer, or Iglesias, or Diaz when you can have Biagini? This is the kind of move World Series champs make!
The “centerpiece” would be a 24-year-old 3B hitting .230 in AA. Very Mets deal.
Biagini would be hard pressed to make the postseason roster. Not a guarantee by any means. Atlanta probably has an arm or two within their organization that can fulfill and outperform a Joe Biagini.
Braves seen how the Mets got Stroman for very little and figured they can pry Biagini away for even cheaper….duh
I’d say they gave up quite a bit to get him, albeit not a ton. Definitely wouldn’t call you’re 4th and 6th best prospects very little
Weak farm….both outside of top 100
I know he’s doing ok this year and had one other really good year…. but I’d rather see a much better resume to go after for controllable years than going after this guy.
This is such a terrible idea I hope this is a joke
We now need an outfielder. The Yankees need pitching, so what about some combination including Folty/Newcomb for Fraizer?
That could be an offseason move
Braves walk 10 ?? This team need a big moves
2 good SP.. Another 2 RP.. Maybe another bat.
and because it only changes with Toronto .. I think it’s time to move, 10 prospects only 2 or 3 will be good. let’s leave this marlins theory of playing with prospects, let’s abandon this because it doesn’t help us. The braves have always changed for the best in the market, the gm from Atlanta 3 has already left 1 stroman, 2 bauer, 3 puig and in the end he won’t do anything with the same excuse IT WAS TRIED, BUT I DIDN’T if the correct changes are not made, we will lose again in the playoffs