The Braves have signed closer Will Smith to a three-year contract, the team announced. The three guaranteed years will pay Smith $39MM, and Atlanta has a $13MM club option for 2023. That option contains a $1MM buyout, as per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link), bringing the total value of the deal to $40MM. Smith will earn $13MM in each year of the contract, which doesn’t include any no-trade protection, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter links). Smith is represented by CAA Sports.
The Braves’ early splash into the free agent pool gives them the top closer on the market this offseason, and the 13th-ranked player on MLBTR’s list of the winter’s top 50 free agents. Smith’s contract fell just a touch short of our prediction of a three-year, $42MM deal, though he stands to soundly beat that projected number if the Braves exercise their club option in three years’ time. Smith will also now get to suit up for his hometown team, as the Georgia native still lives in Atlanta.
Though there hadn’t yet been any official word about Smith’s rejection of the Giants’ qualifying offer, he turned down the one-year, $17.8MM QO for the longer-term pact with the Braves. Rosenthal reports that Jeff Berry, Smith’s agent, told interested teams that Smith would accept the qualifying offer and remain in San Francisco unless an acceptable multi-year proposal came together.
2019 marked Smith’s first season as a full-time closer, and the left-hander responded with one of his finest seasons. Smith posted a 2.76 ERA, 4.57 K/BB rate, and 13.2 K/9 over 65 1/3 innings for San Francisco, recording 34 saves in the process. That 13.2 K/9 marks a new single-season best for Smith, who has a healthy 10.8 K/9 over 410 2/3 career innings. The 30-year-old had previously established himself as a quality setup man with the Brewers and Giants, and came back strong with a big 2018 season after missing all of 2017 due to Tommy John surgery.
While Smith was one of the sport’s better closers last season, he might not continue in that role, as David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that the Braves are temporarily still planning to use Mark Melancon as their primary closer. Ironically, Smith’s elevation to closer in 2018 came as a result of Melancon’s injury-related struggles when the two relievers were teammates in San Francisco. Melancon did look good during a healthy 2019, however, both with the Giants and after he was dealt to Atlanta at the trade deadline.
However the Braves choose to deploy their relievers, Smith represents a major addition to an Atlanta bullpen that generally posted middle-of-the-pack numbers amidst an inconsistent season. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos added Melancon, Chris Martin, and Shane Greene at the trade deadline in an attempt to bolster his pen for both 2019 and the future (Melancon and Greene are still under team control), though more reinforcements were needed with Martin, Anthony Swarzak, and Jerry Blevins headed for free agency.
Smith fills a particular need for left-handed relief for the Braves, who have already checked off several boxes off their winter to-do list though the offseason only officially began less than two weeks ago. Nick Markakis, Tyler Flowers, and Darren O’Day have all been re-signed on one-year deals for a total of $10.25MM, allowing Anthopoulos the payroll space for a bigger strike to sign Smith.
There was widespread speculation that Smith was going to be changing teams last July, though the Giants’ surprising surge into wild card contention inspired president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi to hold onto some of his most prized trade assets. While Melancon and Sam Dyson were dealt, such players as Smith, Madison Bumgarner, and Tony Watson were all retained, leaving Zaidi in line for some criticism when the Giants faded to a 77-85 record.
San Francisco will still receive some compensation for Smith, however, as his rejection of the qualifying offer will net the club a bonus draft pick that will fall between Competitive Balance Round B and the third round of the 2020 draft. The Giants will get a pick in that same area should Bumgarner (who also declined the QO) sign elsewhere. The extra draft capital could make Zaidi more open to surrendering a draft pick to sign a QO free agent himself, though it remains to be seen if the Giants will be big spenders this winter.
As a revenue-sharing recipient, the Braves will only have to give their third-highest pick in the 2020 draft as compensation for signing Smith. This is currently Atlanta’s third-round selection, though it could end up being the team’s own compensatory pick (between Comp Balance Round B and the third round) if the qualifying offer-declining Josh Donaldson signs with a team besides Atlanta.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Hopefully this sparks some signings
And if it doesn’t?
Then I guess…it doesn’t.
The old Air Force motto..hurry up and wait.
Berry is a smart agent.
So much for all the crying about how the qualifying offers hurt the free agents. Those guys just overvalued themselves.
welp i was wrong af on that one. my predictions are going to start looking like my accounting exams in college. ill be getting 4/50 i bet haha
@ CrewBrew . . . . we are all gonna be in the same boat LOL
Not me. I don’t make predictions.
you’re the guy that goes to the party, and judges others for drinking beer dont you?
Wow, do you want a medal?
I don’t go to parties where alcohol is served. Yep, I’m one of them.
What a loser hahahahaha
lol
Might want to rethink that comment …since you wound up in the same place
😉
Back to the poll: I must have misinterpreted the A when I had the “vision” that told me where Will Smith was going. Had Astros for some reason …doesn’t make sense …I got the other three right!
If it makes you feel any better, I had him going to Atlanta…. then changed it, because I didn’t believe AA would sacrifice a draft pick for a reliever.
whelp still batting .667
I whiffed on Smith as well, but fortunately guessed right on Abreu & Odorizzi
Or not…1/3 for me…but good start for you
I thought he might want to go home to Atlanta and when they released Teheran they were announcing their willingness to spend. For what it’s worth, I have them signing Wheeler and Bumgarner, Since they already are paying the signing an Arb offered player penalty, it lessens the effect of taking the hit on Zack and Madison. Plus they could probably get hometown discounts on both of them like $85M/5 years for Wheeler and $80M/5 years for Bumgarner. Also hit on Abreu, Odorizzi, and Wainwright. 4 for 4! Here’s hoping Rendon and Keuchel go to the Rangers as their big name signings!
Don’t think they are going to give hometown discounts Smith sure didn’t
He absolutely did – especially without insisting on upon the NTC.
wow didn’t expect that to happen – or happen so quick
Holy wasn’t expecting this so quick. Great fit, nice to see the Braves not go cheap this offseason on the bullpen.
Mark what was the contest percentage for the Braves?
Seems like a bit too much money, too long a contract for a barely above average pitcher who’s over 30.
replace “barely above average” with “potential injury risk”
He’s for sure better than “barely above average”. Great fit for the Braves.
Agreed but clearly they see something we don’t
yeah barely above average lol. that’s why the Braves gave him 3 years 40 million.
Investing in free agent relief pitching is always sketchy
Sketchy, yes, but that doesn’t make him “barely above average.” He’s a top 15 reliever for crying out loud.
Above average as in not elite but not joe smoe. So yes I’d qualify him as b level or second tier of relief pitcher probably even on the high end of the second tier.
I’m literally sitting here thinking “WHAT?” Not a bad signing but we need starting pitching, we don’t have a proven third basemen and we literally have zero starting catchers. Earlier today I brought up the fact that Will Smith should definitely accept his QO because no team would give up the picks and pay him considering that is what happened to Kimbrel and Keuchel. I figured he was a tier below where they were going into last off season. I thought that after the O’Day resigning our bullpen didn’t looks terrible with Melancon (even though he is overpaid) and Shane Greene all in there. AA seems very heavily focused on the bullpen for a team that is missing several major parts but had a relatively solid bullpen after the trade deadline last season. I figure this definitely means AA is going to back up his claim that Sean “Duke” Newcomb is going back to the rotation next season. (Yes, I am trying to give him the nickname “Duke” now as in Duke Nuke ’em so we will see if it goes viral and people start calling him Duke next season. If someone else has come up with that before I don’t know about it and let me know please. I want the credit when it happens! It is such an obvious badazz nickname for him.)
When the Braves restructured Markakis’ and Flowers’ contracts to still pay them the same but reduce potential for a luxury tax hit I mentioned that paying those guys a millions of dollars early would make zero sense unless the Braves were planning on possibly approaching the luxury tax next season. I have to think after this they are actually going to spend more than we thought. Starting pitching and catching are much bigger holes than the bullpen and the Braves known this. I am guessing they are going to consider spending at least as much money to plug those holes as they did for Smith. Even third base was a bigger question mark than the bullpen. Let’s hope my prophecy comes true and Liberty Media and AA see that now is the time with back to back division championships and they really open up the check book. I don’t need Cole or Rendon or even Strasburg. Grandal and at least one very solid starting pitcher would make me happy. I think those positions are more important considering both Camargo and Riley could advance their skills and abilities and both can play third base. Welcome to Atlanta, Fresh Prince. I just hope you aren’t our biggest off season acquisition. To be honest, I hope Will Smith isn’t even the Braves second biggest off season acquisition. We need starting pitchers, a catcher and maybe a third basemen more than we needed a closer. Those positions need to be filled with players that have at least as much talent at their skillset as Will Smith does at closing.
I think you should switch to decaf. #slammed
All of that and you say hopefully Liberty Media opens the checkbook.
For God’s sake I am tired of hearing these so called Brave fans that have no idea how the Brave ownership stipulations work. Liberty Media has nothing to do with how much money can be spent. Any payroll or any spending at all for that matter involving the Atlanta Braves has to come from the money made thru the team. And on the other side Liberty Media can not profit off of anything involving the Braves other than the tax breaks they get until they sell the team then they get the profit from the sale.
I really wish people would do their homework before they open their mouths.
Like your comment. I agree that this is surprising and hints at the possibility that the Braves might be planning some big moves and spending some money. But I’d like to offer another possible take. They could be shoring up the pen with an eye to letting young arms get starts to begin the season. In that scenario, the now strong pen doesn’t squander any wins when our better pitchers make starts, and can be used to try and bail out bad starts by youngsters. If that’s the thinking, I’d expect them to let JD walk to recoup the lost draft pick and sign Moose, which I like. If that happens, would like to see trade involving Ender and prospects for RH big bat OFer. Then you let the kids work it out 1st half of the season, and pick up the TOR guy at the ASB. Whataya think about that?
I was thinking it’s a little late in the day to be drinking espresso.
Agreed. I’m right there with you. However that being said… It is up to Liberty to dictate where the funds go. They appear to be reinvesting their money into infrastructure such as paying off their loans for the Suntrust development and now their brand new spring training facility. Can they at least siphon off $10-$20 million to make the Braves a little more competitive ?? They could be in a much better position if they had a $150m payroll. $130m is a little too limiting for a World Series contender.
Your ideas are sound. I was thinking the same thing when I saw this signing. Likely they aren’t going to bring Donaldson back and go for a cheaper option instead. I could be wrong but the Braves have a limited budget with several needs so it makes sense to spread out the dollars. Inciarte really needs to get traded to free up $7.7 million. Not sure what AA is going to do the rest of the way since I’ve been mildly surprised so far.
I hear what you’re saying PowBam. My only question is what are they going to do about catching next season? That has to be considered a bigger need and bigger hole than another bullpen arm. If they have an extra $13 mill to drop on Will Smith next year then they better spend more money than that to acquire a catcher for next year. They have young starting pictures and Carmargo/Riley at third. People can make the argument that the Braves are hoping those guys turn the corner next season. No such thing can be said about any catcher in the organization. Contreras isn’t anywhere near ready and Langoliers is even further away.
Dude, seriously?? First off, no one here is trying to read a novel, so shorten that stuff up next time. 2nd, the offseason is just getting started, who said that AA was done? You need to chill out and take a xanax or something.
I didn’t say he was done. He signed Donaldson and MacCann early on the same day last season and was pretty much dine after that. I was just saying I hope he isn’t done. We definitely needed left handed relief pitching so this signing does make sense. The only thing I meant was that the Braves usually spend around $120 mill a year and this Smith signing puts us up over $100 mill. Starting pitching, third base, and especially catching are all bigger needs for the Braves than the bullpen is. If he is willing to throw another $13 mill a year on one player to help our bullpen I hope he does at least as much if not more for our even bigger needs. If he actually does that then he will break the Braves previous payroll by at least $30 million. If you follow this site you know that most people seriously doubt that will happen. I am just saying I hope their doubts are wrong. Spending $13 mill a year on Smith only makes sense if it doesn’t prevent them from being able to sign Grandal. Grandal can likely be had for $20 mill a year and the Braves need him much more than Smith + $7 mill.
Didnt know you were a GM. AA has proven he knows what he is doing
Malancon probably persuaded Smith a little I’m sure. The Braves aren’t afraid to spend and that’s good, I mean look, they took on all of malancons money probably not the best move there but hey, they aren’t afraid to spend! Good for the Braves. Be willing to bet Madbum heads that way too, shoot, take Posey while you’re at it! Lol
Barely above average? He’s one of the best relievers in the game today.
You’re an idiot.
Big pick up
I am beginning to believe Donaldson will not be back & Moose will be the 3B. Thinking Castro catching & MadBum for the rotation.
Moose will not be the 3rd baseman for the Braves unless they also sign/trade for an outfielder with pop that hits from the right side. Last off-season the entire focus was a RH bat with pop. That focus is still the same this year and even more so now that we know Acuña will be the leadoff man. Zero chance we go into the season with a projected lineup of a lefty hitting behind Freeman.
So…. like a mookie betts for christmas?
I could see that, they need to shed payroll badly. Ender and a prospect for 1 year of Mooky at $27M? I say yeah.
That would definitely work.
Could be a switch hitting catcher hitting behind Freddie, then Moose hitting behind him.
Would love this lineup.on opening day.
Acuna
Albies
Freeman
Grandal
Moose
Markakis/Duvall
Swanson
Inciarte
Bumgarner.
OR, if the Braves can somehow swing a trade for Lindor and Kluber, that would be even better.
Wouldn’t be too bad but I don’t like having a catcher hitting 1-4 on a regular basis as they take so many days off. Means at least every 5th game you have to plug someone else into an important spot in the order.
In my heart of hearts, I was hoping they would sign smith. Maybe this is the beginning of some quality signings from the Braves.
Why are you crediting Rosenthal when the Braves’ Twitter feed is the one who announced the signing? No one had this before it was done.
Had him for the Cardinals…there goes my first wrong guess
Cardinals do not want a lefty that could be another Brett Cecil.
Will Smith was two times better in 2019 than Brett Cecil was at any point in his career.
AND SO IT BEGINS
Well right now I’m 2/3 for free agent signings, I thought Smith would take the qualifying offer, and I knew Odirizzi would
Odorizzi*
my thoughts as well. granted, as much as $18 million is a lot for a RP, getting the extra $22 million with his injury history and getting to play for his hometown team is a pretty good compensation. i feel more and more like this was the pick to make in hindsight.
I wonder if Green gets moved now.
I would hope Melancon, but that’s not gonna happen.
I don’t think so, they got him for another year and he was good last year. They’ll probably use him as a 7th or 8th guy
Green is a solid late inning guy who could close. He is insurance – and darn good insurance at that.
Greenie has his moments, but kind of iffie as a closer. Smith should do a much better and more consistent job…for a price!
Most of his moments were in the beginning. He did well as the season wore on.
You can never have too many late inning options
Liked twice.
I forgot what I guessed
That was outta nowhere.
probably has something to do with being from Georgia. otherwise id imagine he’d wait a bit longer to sign, especially for that dollar ammount.
Braves strike first again.
Are they also done for the winter again?
No tomorrow they will sign a catcher then they will be done
i had them on for re-upping Keuchel as well. id imagine those are the only moves they make, though i wonder if they make a trade for a catcher after the JT situation last offseason.
no cardinals was first to resign wainwright
0-1
Nope… 0-2
Everybody should of had the Wainwright signing unless you pick he will retire.
Ahhh… that’s who it was… had an internal battle for a decent minute trying to figure that out after seeing other post. Good looking out!
Very surprised by this signing. The team, the timing, and the term/amount.
Smith’s people must have told the Braves to ink it or else he was taking the QO.
That being said, I’m really shocked to see Atlanta drop that kind of cash on a reliever. I think it’s a great deal for them too, as they only had to guarantee 3 years and less than 15mil per.
As a Phillies fan, I can only hope this signing will prevent them from investing in one of the top 3B and SP’s.
Lol shocked he got a deal, let alone thing quick but a lot less money
AA jumps the market again, he knows what he wants and got his man in Smith. He did the same thing last year with Donaldson.
now we have 2 relievers making 13 million apiece
go braves richest bullpen in baseball
sources say green is out martain is signed
Greene is out of what? You think that they aren’t going to tender him for 7 million bucks? After trading Joey Wentz a few months ago? I find that hard to believe.
Braves don’t got nothing on what the Rockies have to pay
2/3. That happened quickly.
Edwin Diaz had elite numbers pitching for a non-contender too!
Good thing you have that example. What would have had to cast doubt on otherwise?
I just hope this means there’s an increase in budget. This is weird because it seems to show doubling down on Newcomb going back to the rotation but the Braves are also interested in Bumgarner. Would they put 3 lefties in the rotation? I don’t think it’s a bad idea just not a very Atlanta Braves idea.
What is the big de about having 3 lefties in the rotation? What is so different about that and having 3 righties?
The Braves just got a lot better. He was awesome to watch in SF. Wish him all the best in Atl.
A signing this early? Awesome. I wonder if there might be a little run on non-Boras guys as front offices want to actually get stuff accomplished rather than being drug along forever.
as a giants fan I am glad that they made the QO now.
donaldson signs with texas 3/75
I think ATL would match that or be really close anyway but I’m hoping for Rendon or a trade for Bryant
Well good thing LA didn’t sign him. They definitely need to focus on signing another infielder that’s out of his prime and not strengthen their weak bullpen. Oh wait…
Drew Pomeranz is now the best lefty available on the market. He figures to get himself a nice pay day with his toughest competition now signed.
I agree. He has good splits and teams are using pitchers in multiple innings more often. That trend will only continue with the 3 batter rule. Drew gonna get paid
It’s good for the Jays. Giles may now be in greater demand. I would extend him but who knows what will happen.
Well, see ya Chris Martin
He was a FA anyway
Jackpot!
Is there anyway you can look at your picks after you submit them?
You should have gotten an email that lists your picks.
He saw who the Giants hired as manager and got out as quickly as possible
More likely it had to do with Smith being able to to go home to Georgia and get a good contract to go along with it then it had to do with the Giants choice of manager
Braves getting jiggy with it. I like the signing, and it’s good to see the Braves being aggressive.
Seattle is now on the clock…
Good Job Braves!
Chickens!
I love the signing. That gives the Braves a legit back end of the bullpen. I still think they sign Donaldson and a backup catcher but they stay out of the FA market on starting pitching. I believe they will go the trade route on a starter and move Newk back to the rotation.
I doubt JD comes back. I think they sign Bumgarner. I’ve read they have about 30 million to spend
Didn’t expect this outcome. Thought he might take the QO.
Astros suck again
This is the kind of move a contender makes.
The Braves 25 man payroll is at 100 million right now, how much more are they willing to spend now that they’ve signaled their window of contention is open?
They need a catcher a RHH outfielder or third basemen and a veteran starter.That will cost them 50-60 million on the free agent market at least, so I think we’ll see some trades.
Sign madbum trade for Bryant and I’m not guessing on catcher
Way to go Braves! Good signing
Just looked at his bio. I teach at his alma mater (if you want to call it that being a community college). How cool!
Kinda makes the Cardinals looking at an in-house option to bridge to Hicks’ retirn a bigger likelyhood…..Miller? Gallegos? Keep Martinez there? I don’t think they will add salary in the pen when they need to solve their OF situation….
Braves and Moose a pretty good possibility as they work Riley into some semblance of pitch recognition. MadBum is a nice idea, but it may be Keuchel and Newcombe instead.
Makes me think they are looking at Moose and Grandal
I can’t imagine Keuchel returning for even an underpay. Rejecting a decent option-year from innings-eater, Teheran, is more evidence of the same. They clearly need an upgrade and that’s what they’re going after. There were less RP upgrade options available outside of Will Smith, a clear closer, with more options in the SP market. Moose/Grandal are definitely in their scope, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see ATL go more towards Jason Castro.
Kimbrel and Keuchel: “Free agency is awful, steer clear if you can, future free agents. Sign an extension if you can.”
Will Smith: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
LOL
I wrote about Kimbrel and the Braves last night.
Remember the crying and whining here all last off-season and even into the season when AA wouldn’t sign Kimbrel? The Cubs messed up signing him in 2019. They may well now have yet another bad contract on the books. AA just got a better (and a year younger) pitcher for almost 20% less. Plus Will is healthy; and can be used as a closer or at anytime in the late innings, starting with facing a LH batter in a clutch situation.
AA continues to put pieces around the core. Attention! – Padres, Phillies, and White Sox fans!!….this is how a rebuild and subsequent rollout are done.
Smith was the best relief pitcher available at a time when all teams are looking for bullpen help. He changes the entire Braves bullpen, and allows Newcomb to take another shot at starting.
no way he has a year like he just had with SF
Classic overpay for a one-year record. He’s certainly far from bad, but he’s also not 2019 Giants good. If this means Braves can’t replace or resign Donaldson, it’s a net negative.
Pretty good in 2014,2015,2016 and 2018 also. Would’ve been a challenge for him to be good in 2017 considering he missed the season w injury.
One year record? Get outta here. Will Smith actually had a lower ERA, FIP, and WHIP in 2018 than he did in 2019.
You do realise he had a fip around 2.00 the two years prior to last? This one year wonder narrative is wrong. You also dont accidentally strike out over 13 per 9.
At worse he’s an elite lefty specialist, not unlike Hader, that’s become so sexy nowadays. ATL has a lot of young pitching prospects that could slot into the closer’s role anytime in the next 2 years, including Jacob Webb, the most likely candidate. They just need some consistent, elite IPs from guys to allow them to build around the pen.
Hey man, you talking about lefty specialist made me think. Isn’t 2020 starting the rule where you have to face a minimum of 3 batters unless the inning ends first?
One-year record? You must not follow baseball very closely.
Solid move by the Braves. Good for them.. When Alex Anthopoulos likes a guy, he goes after him quick. Braves needed a closer, and Smith signed for a fairly reasonable amount. Good for you, Braves. Solid move to start it all off.
ya gotta think that Will Smith reached out to Bumgarner almost immediately after signing on with the Braves
I seriously doubt that Bumgarner requires “reaching out” from anyone LOL
MadBum is a smart and savvy guy. He knows exactly what he wants to do.
What HE wants and want HE gets, are two different things. Just ask Craig Kimbrel.
MadBum is a smart and savvy guy. I don’t think he requires “reaching out” from anyone. Smith included.
He knows exactly what he wants to do.
NL East will be fun in ’20. Girardi will get the Phillies going. Tough division.
@ oakdale dude . . . . none of which precludes guys that are former teammates and possibly buddies from encouraging him to come to Atlanta.
You’re right.
It doesn’t preclude anything.
I’m just doubtful it happened and if it did, it was probably futile.
Bumgarner more than likely already had his ducks in a row a row before Smith even thought about signing with ATL
So what happens if the Braves sign Bumgarner now? They already lose a pick for signing Smith. Where/when would the pick be if they also signed him?
The next round so if Smith is the 3rd rd then if they also sign madbum he would be a 4th rd and on
I think the chances that they sign Madbum are low now. The problem with Bumgarner is that he wants to be paid as a #1 or #2, but he’s closer to a #3 starter now.
Depends on how much the Braves are going to spend they did have a lot of money come off the books and if he is around $18 mil per then that’s not much higher than what Teheran would have made at $12 mil
Brentg55 it’s not the money, it’s the draft picks that now make it unlikely that they’ll sign MadBum
Good signing. Maybe a little bit of an overpay, but I’m sure Will is gettin’ jiggy wit it
Thanks again Andy Friedman! You snooze, we lose.
I’m wondering if SF is re-thinking the trade deadline and holding onto Smith and MadBum..
Relievers are hit or miss but I respect the signing. Too bad it is the wrong Giant. Now get the other Giant.
Well, I was wrong on all of Smith (Twins), Odorizzi (Padres), and Abreu (Blue Jays) so far.
What a waste ! I’d hoped Will Smith would be “Going to Miami”.
Please read the buyer beware out on MadBum if you keep shopping in San Francisco.
Two good moves so-far for the Braves. O”Day and Smith are going to help the pen. I can see them maybe bringing in an injured player and cheap, like Vizzy trying to make a comeback. Boy, if we could get Ken Giles somehow without giving up a lot, if not the pen is pretty much set now just with these two signings. I think a couple of the young guys will step-up like Wilson as a reliever, because there is no spot for them to start. I think Newk will win a starting spot back. If we can sign Donaldson back great, if not maybe sign Moose, if not that will be fine, the Braves have Riley. The Braves are young and maybe with 1 more yr. of experience, they will continue to get better. The addition of Smith moves everyone down like Jackson and Minter.
I like this, though the Braves now have a very expensive bullpen.
This also reduces the cost to the Braves if they sign another QO guy. They would only lose their third highest remaining pick (4th or 5th round depending on if they sign Donaldson back or receive a pick for him, in reverse order). At least I think that is how it works. If they sign two more QO guys I don’t think they lose anything for the third. Regardless, I know it is some sort of reduced cost and that makes one of those other QO guys even more likely.
I posted on it before. I think the Braves are going to open up this off-season. I think inking Markakis and Flowers to low cost contracts, as well as Day was a sign they are willing to go with average players at a couple of positions. The only reason they do that is to go after a couple of big splashes.
I really hope I am correct. The Braves have proven with back to back division titles that their young core is close. They need to act now. Last year I was ok with what they did. This year, they need to be going after it. And don’t spend on crappy old vets. Go after the prime guys.
I don’t think it is a must that the Braves get a starter. If nothing else maybe try and bring Julio back for 6-8 million, no big deal if that doesn’t happen. I think Newk will be a starter. I think Wright, Wilson or Anderson will be ready. I can see Cervelli coming back, really don’t see a catcher out there that the Braves sign. I don’t think they pay 15+ million a year for what’s out there. People are talking about Willson Contr., didn’t the Braves have a fight last year because of him? But, in that trade scenario, what if. I like Ender and Acuna isn’t the CF Ender is, yet, but maybe trade Ender for Willson and Kimbrel. Maybe Chicago throws in Jason Heyward and eats some of his money, maybe coming back to Atlanta helps him. Maybe he can hit 25-30 HRS.
Assuming Greene isn’t let go, our bullpen went from being awful and costing us a ton of games, to arguably one of the best in the league. This puts Luke Jackson on the potential worse in the pen which is where he belongs. Honestly, be nice to trade Luke Jackson for whatever we can get (even random minor leaguers or straight cash) and sign Chris Martin to really strengthen that bullpen.
Now the Braves can’t rest! Would love the pocket book to open a little and bring home some hometown kids like Smith. Bring back Donaldson, go get Wheeler, and gosh if we are lucky get grandal also. If you have to save some money, put Moose in place of Donaldson, but I think we all know the energy Donaldson has on that clubhouse which is tough to put a price tag on
Braves have enough pitching to get TO the post-season.
Now, they need a lead-horse FOR the post-season. Based on history, and who’s available, a MadBum …. or a Cole ….
Jackson is absolutely find as a 7th inning guy or even setup. He actually wasn’t that bad as a closer when you look at just how awful closers in baseball were across the board last year. But yeah, he certainly made watching games painful.
Wheeler though is an absolute no go for me. Over-hyped from day one due to New York media. Is he worth all that money to gamble that he might finally put it together? Not for me.
Donaldson is the same. He had a great year and was good for the clubhouse, but I would not put my money on him repeating due to his injury history. Not to mention, he is an absolute liability on the bases. We rolled the dice on a single year and it worked out well. I would only go back to that well if other options didn’t pan out. The Moose idea works for me .. if the Braves are staying with their typical habits.
Jackson was bad at times last year. That is the reason he was DFA 2 or 3 times and no-one picked him up. 95-96 mph. and a great slider at times is why he is with the Braves. People forget he is kinda young, not much experience. With Smith, O’Day, Greene that moves him down to the 6th., same with Minter.
Wait… I thought the Braves were listed as “The Other Clubs” when the Revenue Sharing listings came out so they’d be losing their 2nd highest pick, not their third. Am I missing something?
In addition to $500K of International bonus pool money
Wait… I thought the Braves were listed under “All Other Clubs” when the Revenue Sharing listings came out — which would indicate they’re not a revenue sharing recipient, and they’d lose their 2nd highest draft pick, right? Am I missing something?
Didnt know he grew up in Newman GA. Only.40 mins from atlanta. If that was motivation to go to the Braves. I’d say it was a good fit