The Braves announced Tuesday that they’ve re-signed right-hander Chris Martin to a two-year contract. The deal is worth a guaranteed $14MM and will be evenly distributed at $7MM per season, according to the team. Martin is represented by ISE Baseball.
It’s the third notable relief pickup of the past week for the Braves, who already snagged arguably the top reliever on the market last Thursday when signing Will Smith to a three-year, $40MM contract. Atlanta also re-signed veteran righty Darren O’Day to a one-year, $2.25MM deal in the early stages of the offseason. Between Smith, Martin, O’Day, Mark Melancon and Shane Greene, the Atlanta bullpen will head into the 2020 season as both a much more established and much more expensive collective unit than it did in 2019.
Martin, 33, enjoyed the finest season of his professional career in 2019, pitching to a combined 3.40 ERA with a masterful 65-to-5 K/BB ratio in 55 2/3 innings of relief between the Rangers and Braves. The towering righty, listed at 6’8″, opened the season in Texas but found himself pitching for the Braves down the stretch after Atlanta traded former first-rounder and top prospect Kolby Allard to the Rangers to acquire him on July 30. He was set to make his postseason debut against the Cardinals in the NLDS when an oblique injury cropped up and forced him out of the game before throwing a pitch in what proved to be a pivotal moment in the Braves’ postseason loss.
This past season, Martin posted a career-high 95.7 mph average fastball and logged career-high marks in swinging-strike rate (12.4 percent) and opponents’ chase rate (38.3 percent). The only pitcher in baseball (min. 50 innings pitched) who boasted a lower walk percentage than Martin’s 2.3 percent mark was Atlanta teammate Josh Tomlin (2.2 percent), but Martin’s 30.1 percent strikeout rate was nearly double that of Tomlin. The extent to which he can replicate his enormous gains in swinging-strike, chase and walk rates will determine Martin’s success in his second stint with the Braves, but there’s little denying that he was among the most appealing arms available on the market this winter.
Prior to landing far and away the largest contract of his professional career, Martin, has had one of the most fascinating odysseys in all of baseball (as most recently chronicled by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Tim Tucker). Drafted out of high school in ’04 and junior college in ’05, Martin opted not to sign in either instance and ultimately went undrafted in 2006 after undergoing shoulder surgery that he believed would end his baseball aspirations. Years later, after working as a UPS driver and working at Lowe’s, a game of catch with a friend brought about the realization that his surgically repaired shoulder no longer caused him pain.
A second indie ball stint was parlayed into a minor league deal with the Red Sox, who traded Martin to the Rockies in 2013. Just four years removed from delivering packages and driving a forklift, Martin made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2014. Brief stints with the Rox and Yankees didn’t yield favorable results, and Martin ultimately found his first seven-figure contract pitching overseas for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan. His dominance in NPB led to a two-year, $4MM deal with the Rangers. Prior to today’s announcement, Martin’s career earnings between MLB and NPB checked in south of $7MM. The two-year, $14MM agreement matches the prediction included in MLBTR’s Top 50 free agent list, where Martin ranked 27th.
Early in the season the Braves will continue to deploy Melancon as the club’s closer, general manager Alex Anthopoulos suggested following the signing of Smith (link via Matthew Leach of MLB.com). That should lead to a primary setup corps of Smith, Martin, Greene and O’Day, with a number of the Braves’ young arms combining to round out the bullpen mixture. Luke Jackson, Grant Dayton, A.J. Minter, Chad Sobotka and Jacob Webb will be among the names considered by the Atlanta brass, barring additional bullpen acquisitions and or roster moves that send some of those incumbent options elsewhere.
DANG IT I had him for the Twins
I also picked the Twins. Wow.
Good. At least they didn’t just get rid of Allan’s for nothing then.
“When you try your best but you don’t succeed…..”
Had him going to the Nats.
Damn, Braves aren’t fooling around
AA found the governor.
Only someone from braves country could understand that analogy. Love it. Raise hell praise dale
I’m from Braves country but I didn’t know exactly what that meant. I’m assuming based on your dale reference that it’s an analogy to removing the governor on a car? Like AA found a way to break the limits?
Braves aren’t playing games with their bullpen this season. I’d say easily top 3 in the NL right now
Thats basically where they finished last season. To stay there they have to bring Donaldson back or another impact.
I think he meant top 3 bullpens.
So Rendon it is.
Went from trash to great in about 5 months.
Bullpens are tricky. I really liked the Mets and Phillies pens before the start of the season last year.
But yes, I do think the Braves pen looks great on paper.
Anyone remember that show MARTIN starring Martin Lawerence DAYUMMM GINA
What about that movie where he steals the blue diamond and has to pretend to be a cop to get it back?
Blue Streak
Blue Streak. Still not better than Momma’s House with the beautiful Nia Long.
That’s right! Blue Streak! Freaking loved that movie as a kid
Big momma’s house was good too. I hate Lawrence has fallen off as an actor
blue streak
House Party
Boomerang, anyone? THAT was a great movie!
Hmmm. There are other areas to address. I’m betting they’re shoring up the pen because they are gonna move newcomb to a starter again. I don’t see them signing any FA starters now. We’ll see…..
I feel the same way. I figured they would go with something like Moustakis/Wheeler/one of the better catchers on the market. After seeing the bullpen eat up their money, I see it being Teheran/internal guys at 3rd/ and any catcher they can get to pair with Flowers.
AA has already stated that the Braves are going into Spring Training with Newcomb as a starter. He basically said that its his job to lose. Unless another pitcher like Wilson, Wright or Anderson step up in the spring and take over the last starting role the Braves still have to sign another starter. I guess a #5 starter rotation of Wilson, Wright and Anderson wouldn’t be the worst #5 starter situation in the league? Right? I mean none of them are totally ready but they are all uber talented and if you play the hottest arm every time that could work out good I guess. Something tells me the Braves aren’t done spending.
That’s a lot of money set for the bullpen. Curious if Greene gets nontendered or mm gets trade. Sure seems now newcomb will be give. A chance to start
I highly doubt Melancon gets traded unless the braves eat most of that cash.
Anybody that’s suggesting non tendering Greene, has no idea about what they are talking about. You have a legit closer with filthy command and you want to non tender him because he costs 6 million. Oh just kick him, we don’t need him. Meanwhile every single team including I bet the Tigers, would love a chance to get him back. They would all be holding 6 million dreaming to sign him. It’s a joke. What you suggest.
You dont understand. This offseason is gonna be the best in 20 years for the Braves. Just getting started.
Oh man the genius is back
Have you read up on Liberty Media yet or you still ignorant to the team you root for ???
He made valid points Greene is a solid relief pitcher at a fair cost. I think the Braves would be nuts to non tender him. I’d rather have the elite bullpen
This is the difference between looking at surface stats and peripherals. Greene is not that great of a pitcher. He lucked into all of those saves with Detroit. So no, he’s not a “legit closer.” $6 mil. is right on border line. Could be non-tendered if they need the money to spend on SP or another bat.
Have you seen how he moves a baseball? You have a distorted version for the word Luck. It’s called Command. It’s a fun one.
Of course Steeler, I like you. You entertain me. Nothing bad to you. Who’s your fav steeler any how? Hines Ward? Bettis?
I agree that he’s not a “legit closer,” but even 7th inning guys are getting 10m. If they don’t want him, they’d have bo trouble getting SOMETHING for him.
Everytime a fan says 6 million is too much for a legit closer, or playoff caliber setup man, like Greene you can easily identify the people who think they know what they are talking about and dont. I guess they prefer the Mets or Phillies getting him for 7 m a year instead for 3 years like he would get on the open market, because muh liberty media. One year contract premium for Greene at 6 mil or 9 mil even is a steal. Calling Greene lucky is embarrassing. Greene has elite command, and gets weak contact.
Obviuosly we are going with young guys in the rotation and a strong, slightly expensive relief core to prop them up. But they would say (OmG just PaY Cole InSTEad!) or something else impossible .
Rod Woodson
BravesNebraska is right. The chances that the Braves non tender Greene are exactly zero percent. I know his peripherals aren’t great and he may not be our closer but I’m pretty sure his ERA was in the low 1’s when we acquired him. He was our biggest trade deadline acquisition. Not Melancon and not Martin. At the deadline people thought Melancon was untradeable and Martin wasn’t even considered a big name. I’m not saying they won’t trade Greene but I am saying AA would look like a complete idiot if he non tendered him. I think AA is focusing on the new rule change that everyone seems to forget takes place next year. Every single pitcher must face at least 3 batters unless they get injured during the outing. Teams basically have to have a dominant bullpen now filled with guys that can face Lefties and Righties every single outing. Starting opening day 2020 the LOOGY will be a thing of the past. If there is such thing as a ROOGY that will be a thing of the past too. The rule changes just made versatile relievers at least twice as valuable as they were last year.
3/5
When will the Braves give Austin Riley the go ahead at 3b? He had a solid season last year.
He had a solid few weeks then was god awful the rest of the year. He ain’t ready for prime time if ever.
I’d like them to give Riley the position from the start of the season as well his upside makes it worth it. And not every prospect comes out of the gates like acuna contrary to realgone2’s thoughts.
Or let him earn it by learning to lay off outside breaking balls, much like Acuna/Swanson had to do. Riley hasn’t earned anything, which is from the mouth of the GM. I’d really question him as starting 3B on a playoff-caliber team until he proves otherwise.
Completely agree. I’m still a fan of Riley and still think he has a lot of potential to be a great part of the Braves roster but if we gave it to him in 2020, the line up would suffer for it. He has to take the next step first.
I would put Camargo at third to start the season and make Riley prove he can hit at triple A. We sent him down last year but he didn’t hit at all while he was down. Then we brought him up and he still didn’t hit at all. I still think he is an amazing talent that could have an incredible future but he has some learning to do. A playoff caliber club can’t give him learn on the job training like that when Camargo has proven capable of being a solid starter when he plays every day. Maybe Camargo is the band aid that gets us to Riley. If Riley couldn’t hit triple A late last season there’s no reason to think he can start hitting in the Majors at the beginning of next season. Major league pitchers figured him out. They realized he couldn’t hit the slider and that he would frequently swing at garbage. He needs to GI through his growing pains at triple A. After we sent him down for weeks he still didn’t hit a single homer. Low batting average too. I have faith that he may figure it out before the end of next season but if he is going to hit like garbage in triple A then he is going to do the same in the majors.
This is amazing. Makes you a little concerned they might non-tender Shane Greene. But this bullpen is getting so solid that Braves fans might allow themselves to dream of luke Jackson getting traded or cut. I mean, I kinda joke, but assuming we keep SG, Luke Jackson might get us some cash back or is good enough to package with someone in a trade….
Quick… what would an Ender Luke Jackson package bring back —- not a ton but got to think something ok…
Cash relief
Not much.
Greene will be nontendered
This is a lot of money tied up in the bullpen now
Yea I’m scared Greene will be nontendered also. But if we keep him through the spring, I think we can cut him and only owe like $1mil … so we might hold on to him a while. I’d rather see Luke Jackson cut and Braves use whatever saved money to keep Greene. Idk
Big thing is, we have a need at roughly 3-4 other positions. All this money in the bullpen better not stop us from getting more and filling the gaps
I think the writing on the wall is saying Donaldson is moving out of AA’s price range.
Also with the money that has been spent on the bullpen I can see a focus on a mid to lower level SP now. If it’s not MadBum I want Cole Hamels.
Catcher will be the next position to be filled.
Yeah I don’t think JD is coming back. If they sign any FA pitcher it’s a cheap deal to Teheran or someone similar. So the rotation will be Soroka, Folty, Fried, Newcomb, and Teheran/otherguy. Then they sign a cheap catcher to pair with flowers. I do wonder if they try to get Moustakas or they give Camargo a shot. I think they platoon Duvall with markakis. Nick is too old to play 158 to 162 games.
I think the bullpen is being shored up because they plan to start Kyle Wright or other young arms to start the season. Probably also will boost the offense with strong catcher and or third base. Let the offense and the bullpen get the wins we need while the young arms are getting seasoned. I’m not expecting any big splash starting pitchers now.
You guys dont understand what the Braves are transferring to. Like legit your blind for this. They have already blown threw last years spending of major additions. Keuchel at 13 million and Donaldson at 23 million. They passed that with the Will Smith signing.
These running of a free agency gauntlet of relievers tells me one thing. AA is making a push and a solid one at that for a superstar. It has to be a draw to say that every game you pitch. You should always expect to win that game. Its Atlanta slamming the door on doubt that they arent legit world series threats.
Plus the one of the single best draws that Atlanta has going for them to attempt to lure a mega-star, if they go about their business as usual they can expect to pitch in their own home ballpark for the 2021 All-Star game. Why does nobody mention that as a draw? I’m dumbfounded by this.
They are gonna get either Strasburg or Cole. Mark it. The ring is there.
We are watching a dynasty take place before our eyes.
Take this rotation
Cole/Strasburg
Soroka
Folty
Fried
Hamels
Bullpen
O’Day
Martin
Greene
Melancon
Smith
Jackson-his stats for the year overall are better than anyone will admit.
Webb- will be back by spring. Might see him command even more respect. Fire there.
Atlanta’s not done spending.
Besides Folty, because he as we know can be lethal but erratic. I see no question marks with the squad. They would be the next goon squad.
Seriously though, all Braves fans need to start a movement to get AA to somehow get Tiger Woods to throw out the first pitch for the opener of the 2020 season. Wearing a Atlanta Braves hat I might add.
Twitter would explode if he threw out the first pitch wearing that hat.
I legitimately hope that your take is correct, but I don’t think we have that payroll for it.
Where is Newcombe?
I actually agree with most of your assement Nebraska. I posted about it when they restructured Flowers and Markakis’ contract. They paid them the buy out and then extended them for the exact same amount of money they would have paid if they just picked up the option. AA himself said that the entire reason for that was to put more money on last years books. It only makes sense to do that is you are trying to avoid going to the next level of luxury tax. People speculated it was to trick Liberty Media into thinking they had a lower payroll for next year. I highly doubt the board members are that stupid. They aren’t going to forget that they paid Markakis and Flowers a combined $4 million in one day right before the new payroll season kicked in. It has to be because they are trying to avoid a tax penalty or revenue sharing penalty or even draft pick penalty. That being said, I don’t think the Braves are going to sign Cole, Stars or Rendon. I think they will either sign a lower starting pitcher or maybe (hopefully not) just keep Teheran at a reduced rate. I can’t be positive but my guess is the Donaldson shipnhas sailed. They signed Will Smith which means they have to give up a second round pick. Brian McCann and Freddie Freeman were second round picks. If the Braves let Donaldson walk they can just give up his draft compensation instead. That would mean Smith only costs them a 3rd or 4th round pick instead of a 2nd round pick. One thing we ABSOLUTELY have to focus on is catching. We desperately need someone like Grandal. I don’t know that we will get him but for the 22.25 mill we are going to pay O’Day, Smith and Martin next year I’m sure we could have had him. It is a much bigger need because right now Tyler Flowers is our starting catcher. And Flowers is coming off a bad year even by back up standards. Maybe we get darnaud instead of Grandal but man… We really need Grandal. I think we acquire a solid starting pitcher as well as a catcher. Maybe an outfielder too. I agree with you though Nebraska. I think this is going to be the biggest off season in terms of payroll the Braves have ever had.
Greene will not be non tendered that is just stupid
I will bet you any amount of money that Greene will be tendered. They didn’t trade Wentz and Demeritte for ~ 1.5 years of control to give up on him after a half year. They believe in his talent, and he’s one of the most affordable options in the pen.
Trade him or Melancon? Yeah possibly. But 0 chance he is non-tendered.
It creeps in the back of your mind when you spend this much money on the bullpen.
Braves get some good starting pitchers, it’s their year.
Right. If the braves get say Dallas and Bum, rotate a young guy in there like Wright or Wilson for some start spots, and assume our 3 returners pitch to their abilities…. this could be a scary good team without the addition of a JD at 3rd or an elite catcher. My situation is definitely a dream, but that’s how close we are from possibly taking the next step
I’d be scared of both Greene & Melancon though, just saying.
That’s an overpay
Ain’t our money. Who cares.
I’d care if that 2-3 million that I feel they overpaid by prevents them from adding elsewhere or at the deadline. Obviously with a bottomless budget I wouldn’t but not many teams operate that.
The guy had an elite K to walk ratio and cut out the homeruns when he came to Atlanta. I was skeptical when they acquired him about HRs being an issue but he should be good. I don’t think this is an overpay at all.
That 4 ERA in ATL was mostly due to a small sample size bias. He pitched better than that.
Who cares? Then why not sign all the top free agents then.
Agreed.
Not really. Good relief pitching comes at a big price these days.
It’s a tad high, but it was by far our biggest weakness this year and I just don’t think the Braves want to hear fans complain about not fixing a glaring need that cost us a lot of games in the regular season and some in the post season.
No, that’s was a contract looks like when the player isn’t born in Georgia.
I’ll say this, you give up an borderline rite prospect to get Martin (Allard) you sorta owe the fans more out of Martin from what he gave us last year. Cost is high, sure … but in my opinion, it’s only high if we don’t go get more bodies to fill positions of need like 3rd, Catching , SP
Total overpay for a guy who was AAAA prior to 2019.
With this bullpen looks like the braves are going to fill the rotation with the youngsters.
Agreed. I think that’s exactly what they’ll do. Also think they’ll get a solid catcher, and bring back Donaldson.
I have 3/5, I had C-Mart going back to the rangers.
Does he come with a fresh oblique?
don’t quit your day job
Mostly a question in jest (even though he did injure his oblique in the playoffs) but i could see why boomers would yell at the clouds over it
I think the next move will be a catcher to share time with Flowers.
How is Austine Romine defensively?
2 sets of writing on the wall here, Greene will be non tendered and Newk is headed back to the rotation. I see Donaldson and Avila heading to ATL next. I think they’ll address the final rotation spot via trade.
I’m predicting (assuming we don’t trade for anyone) we sign moose, Castro, and bum or Dallas. I wouldn’t be shocked if we get Tehran back on a cheaper deal. Calling it now
Moose and Cervelli trade for marte from Pittsburgh and either Hamels or Dallas back
You’re saying they sign two FA and then trade them to the Pirates? Or are you saying sign Moose and Cervelli and either Hamels or Dallas and trade for Marte?
The second one
Moose would be fine at third but you need someone like marte to break up all the lefties in the lineup
The Braves are not waiting around for the prices to drop this year.
I love to see a team be aggressive and make moves right away. Hopefully this kickstarts the market
For everyone predicting Greene gets non-tendered: Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just tender the younger/more durable/arguably better Greene than to sign Martin for 2 years? I don’t see why they would non-tender him when he clearly has value, came off a great season and could be a trade chip.
I don’t see it either. possibly in a trade or trade package, but not a straight non tender.
Good point
Overrated
A little bit of an overpay
seems like he did pretty well for himself with a limited major league track record and entering his age 34 season.
This probably means we won’t sign a free agent SP. I’m sure Donaldson is still in play at 3yr/75M or less. Catcher and SP will come from trades.
I think that’s exactly what it means. I think the plan is to let the four and five spots in the rotation go to young arms. I would not be surprised to see Donaldson back now, or at the very least moose. Then probably a strong catcher and possibly a right RH outfielder.
Let’s give AA some credit. While other teams’ GMs are likely fighting over sushi or their Pelotons with their Player Development staff tonight (about who to protect), AA (1) settles on his roster (along with the obligatory last-minuet moves) and (2) signs an under-the radar, but likely significant free agent.
Smart guy, Alex……
I honestly think it was perfect hire for a perfect situation. I’ve watched his moves and listened to his interviews from his time in Toronto to now and he really comes across as someone whose learned from his mistakes and is experienced to make sound decisions. As someone who gave the Braves strife for their inactivity at times, I’m glad he’s Atlanta’s GM.
The lone exception I have is him inheriting Snitker, who I think is a ‘meh’ manager. I feel if the Braves fail to advance this year, it’ll be time for AA to select his own manager.
This is all really strange for me to watch as a Braves fan. Sports writers from the AJC and The Athletic have already been commenting about how the Braves might have gone over budget before this. I would have thought that until now. Picking up Martin looks more like a splurge than a need.
Or maybe the Braves are getting ready to either move Newcomb back to the rotation or trade him. This could all be in lieu of another move.
I think this signals that Newcomb is taking Tehran’s spot in the rotation, which is fine by me
I’ve got all except will Smith now right.
So you picked them all to stay put I’m assuming. And will Smith is the only one who did not.
If he pitches well, “this could be paradise” for the Braves…
Braves showing up early in FA… good for them. They have a great young roster and a top 10 farm system. LOTS to like about them BUT I’d be a little weary handing a reliever $7M per year after only 1 a little better than average season.
I think Martin is a steal. 30% K rate and 2% BB rate. I was really hoping that the White Sox would sign him.
A steal? off your rocker! $14 million for middle relief.. give me the checkbook
Either build a top flight pen or sign a top flight starting pitcher (if you cannot do both). Braves appear to have chosen the former.
Yes and I’m fine with newk going back to the rotation people forget just how good he was
Newcomb will get a chance to be in the rotation from what I’ve read. Soroka, Fried and Folty are probably locks. That leaves 2 open rotation spots with several options besides Newcomb, including Touki, Wright, Wilson. Julio could even be re-signed if he agrees to less cash.
Martin pitched very well down the stretch for Atlanta. His injury while warming up for his first postseason appearance was a loss Braves did not recover from. They went on to lose that game (the first postseason game) after leading late.
Also, Martin was traded for a young starting pitcher named Kolby Allard who pitched pretty well for the Rangers. Resigning Martin makes that trade look better than it would have been for a couple months Martin rental.
Theo talks the talk. AA walks the walk!
Breaking News!! This just in!!
You have to have a great bullpen to win the World Series.
What!!!!???!!!!
Just over $100m and rising..hopefully
You can add another 30 mil for Donaldson and a backup catcher. My guess is they operate 150 mil this yr.
Got that 1!
What an odd way to spell Madison Bumgarner.
The bullpen has been strengthened substantially since the off season started (and not to be overlooked is the fact that the other NL teams did not land O’day, Smith or Martin).
Newcomb will almost assuredly be given every opportunity to win a rotation spot.
That means that the Braves will probably look to add one more starter. They could go all out and sign Cole, which would be highly unlikely, but the most “all in”. They could sign either Wheeler or Bumgarner (who I think for multiple reasons is the most logical). They could go with either Hamels or a lesser option like Gibson. Unlike others, I don’t expect Teheran to be signed. Or the Braves could surprise and spend prospect capital on a starting pitcher that no one has suspected yet. But they WILL acquire another starter someway.
The Braves still probably add a big bat for the outfield. My guess is a trade for Marte. It just seems like a great match.
Third base is still a question. I don’t expect Rendon or Donaldson. I think Moustakas is the most feasible player to add. It isn’t out of the realm of possibilities that either Camargo or Riley start the season at third.
I’d love to add Grandal, but I expect that Chirinos or Castro are much more likely fits for the likely budget (especially if Marte and Moustakas are added).
The big thing is that it seems very likely that there will be several roster changes in the near future. Hopefully that spells success for Atlanta in 2020.
Risky endeavor indeed! Last year’s Blake Trienen could be this year’s Liam Hendricks…its a crapshoot at best and a scary way to spend money…A fact and enough said
Don’t beat me up because I get he’s not on the market but the name I keep thinking of is Matt Chapman. He and his four years of control would be worth the king’s ransom it would take to land him, Lindor, Betts, or an ace. That’s the guy I’d target. It would set a Braves up with a core five of Acuna, Albies, Chapman, Freeman, and Swanson for a few years at a pretty cheap rate. It would save handing Donaldson $70+ and with the $30 million or so coming off the books after next year (Melancon, Flowers, Markakis, Greene, etc.) this would be the best time since Maddux for the Braves to do the totally un-Braves thing and splurge on Cole or Strasburg. I get it’s all further than a pipe dream and they won’t ever spend on a $200+ guy, but if there ever was a snowball’s chance in hell it’d be those things going into motion.
From singer Jason Isbell (a Braves fan) on twitter:
So the Braves signed Will Smith and Chris Martin this week they’re about to drop a mixtape that is soothing but fire
My first incorrect response so far. Maybe if the Astros weren’t dealing with MLB penalty issues, they could have gotten off their asses and made him a better offer..
Does this mean he won’t be putting out anymore of that awful music?
I feel AA was slightly pressured into re-signing Martin since Allard was traded for him. The trade now is not a total waste from a Braves standpoint.
Pretty stupid logic. Overpaying for a guy in cash as a FA doesn’t justify overpaying for him in prospects at the deadline unless the Braves HAD to trade for him first to be able to sign him. If anything this makes the trade look worse. Could have had both Chris Martin and Kolby Allard. Now they only have Martin.
I find the lack of Coldplay comments disturbing…
I’m not sure why all the concern over signing a reliever for $7MM. The bullpen was a travesty last year. Something needed to be done as to not give away games. The payroll is at about $100MM. The Braves likely have another $50MM they can spend. That’s enough to take care of 3B and nail down a SP like Mads. We may have to go cheap on a catcher, but it’s just gonna be someone to pair with Flowers, that should be fine. The payroll should be somewhere between $150-$165MM. We should be fine.