Outfielder George Springer, arguably the premier position player on this winter’s open market, came off the free-agent board when he agreed to a six-year, $150MM contract with the Blue Jays earlier this week. Unsurprisingly, though, other teams made a serious push to sign the three-time All-Star. The Astros were not one of those clubs, however, as Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle suggests they made no real attempt to re-sign Springer after he turned down their $18.9MM qualifying offer.
The Mets, who were considered one of the front-runners to ink Springer during his stay on the market, offered a six-year deal worth $120MM to $125MM, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Springer would have made for yet another significant addition under new owner Steve Cohen, who has already overseen the acquisitions of Francisco Lindor, James McCann, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor May in the past couple months.
Whether the Mets will continue shopping for a starting-caliber outfielder after falling short in the Springer derby remains to be seen, as they already have Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith as their top three right now. But Marcell Ozuna, who received interest from the Mets earlier this winter, remains available in free agency. The Mets have also discussed third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant with the Cubs, while Jackie Bradley Jr. leads the remaining class of free-agent center fielders in the wake of the Springer deal.
One of the Mets’ NL East rivals – Atlanta – also vied for Springer, who would have replaced Ozuna in its outfield. The Braves were “in on Springer until the end,” David O’Brien of The Athletic writes. Ultimately, though, the Braves were unwilling to go to the lengths the Jays did to sign Springer. Indeed, it would have been out of the norm for general manager Alex Anthopoulos to make that type of commitment to a free agent, even though the Braves could use another established star in their outfield to team with Ronald Acuna Jr.
If Anthopolous would go that length for Springer maybe he will for JTR. Maybe all the Mets activity had caused AA to awaken from a slumber.
I wouldn’t listen to all these armchair GM’s who say Atlanta wouldn’t do this or that.
They don’t know.
I mean, they never really had a shot. ATL is so far from his home in Connecticut.
Closer than Toronto
Time to consult a map.
Aside from DMC’s comment being a joke… you ever look at a map man? It astounds me how clueless Americans are about Canada
Atlanta is over twice as far from Connecticut as Toronto
Maybe we should get you a map? Toronto is 367 miles from Hartford, CT. Atlanta is 845. Doesn’t sound like Atlanta is closer.
It astounds me how clueless Americans are about Canada
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I assume you are referring to our unincorporated northern territories?
FWIW, this could just as easily be a lack of knowledge of US geography. I think people know exactly how far away FL is, but have more a problem estimated the distance of the states in-between.
It could also be a spatial-perception thing. For example, Georgia is on the coast, while Tennessee is inland, but NYC to Atlanta is about the same as NYC to Nashville.
Really? Closer?
It could also be stupidity.
To be fair…we are clueless about *a lot* of things….
Problem is it doesn’t follow the Braves pattern on free agency. There on the tight side year wise, and always have been
The Braves are smart about limiting the length of their contracts, they are basically the Anti-Anaheim of contracts.
Not sure if serious
This is standard Braves PR
“Yeah guys we did everything we could and we’re in until the end just fell a little short.”
In fairness they don’t really need Springer. Bringing back Ozuna works just fine. But I’m sure the front office will have excuses after Ozuna signs too.
Sounds exactly like the Josh Donaldson re-signing huh?!… Braves say: “we were in discussions until the end”…Donaldson was like: “Nah they didn’t
come in until the end of negotiations”…..I’m betting one side is completely full of crap and its NOT the players side…
Atlamta isn’t signing any catcher longterm…They have Contreras and Langeliers who are both almost ready to take over as the Braves future catching tandem…
They could sign the proven commodity that plays elite defense and hits at the top of the order and trade the question marks. Any position have more top tier prospects flop than catcher?
Exactly.
Realmuto is not even close to the same player as Springer offensively. He wants way too much money.
I don’t know why Atlanta would even consider Springer or Realmuto. They’ve been successful for several years and hardly ever have a terrible contract. And yet the fans want to change that and get them away from what’s made them successful and take a huge unnecessary risk and probably sign a terrible 6 year deal like most 6 year deals are. I don’t get it.
@Iverbure I agree I don’t think giving Springer that deal is smart at all. To me this screams ‘Oh s#&t we better get one these names on the market or our fan base is gonna want blood’. It seems desperate honestly. They’re another team that needs pitching yet spends huge on a bat. The Buffalo Blue Jays of Toronto.
Well said, Iverbure. But, to be fair the Braves did agree to an 8 year contract with FF.. And probably will be asked for another long term deal, next off-season.
I only hope my Tigers are taking notes on the Braves business model.
D’Arnaud is a fantastic backup catcher, I’m just not sold on him for full time duty.
I would love to see the Braves make a deal for older Contreras.. or, sign JTR to a short term high AAV
Maybe sign Joc Pederson.
The Jays have lots of money left to spend and plenty of trade chips. Their payroll is still just slightly over $100M and their not finished yet.
Also, they will be playing in Dunedin to start the season not Buffalo.
I agree, he’s not an elite catcher like Mauer, Fisk, Bench, Pudge, Piazza, Posada, even Javier Lopez was a tick better. I fully understand that from a defensive standpoint, the catcher and pitcher are the ones who work the most on the team, but he is not an elite catcher, however, he is a very good catcher over 30.
Mid-30s outfielders are a far, far better bet than mid-30s catchers.
It pays to cheat. Don’t forget to tell your kids cheating is okay and you’ll face no consequences!!!!
I doubt they will be players for JT unless they have a taker for D’Arnaud. Catcher isn’t an area of weakness for the Braves. Personally, I think they are just trying to force Philly to pay more for him.
I really don’t think it would be hard for them to move D’Arnaud. There’s so many teams out there looking for a competent ML catcher, such as D’Arnaud.
IMO, I just question a “serious contender” when he’s their full time guy. I was surprised the WSox didn’t move McCann before deadline last season. Albeit, it’s a very fragile position; so it’s hard to argue against standing pat.
JTR is clearly the best catcher currently, but the $$ he wants and the years…it’s a pipedream…by him. I can’t see ATL realistically making a run at him bc their FO isn’t stupid. a mid to late 30’s catcher making $$$…hard pass.
Why not keep riding Travis D’Arnaud? He was a steal for ATL. Of course the Mets dump a guy and they go on to rake…that’s basically the formula. Travis is a former elite prospect who seems to have pulled it together at the plate. With the Mets he was showing glimpses, but never could do it enough. His catching skills are nothing to write home about, but in today’s game, he is definitely a pretty nice piece to have on a cheap deal. Any kind of bat w. passable defense will be a starter and most teams need 2 semi-regular catchers anyway. I’d be happy for the mets to take him back if ATL wants to dump him, but their FO is too smart for that.
Braves linked to Realmuto and now Springer, maybe they’re ready to make a big move..
For everyone saying AA won’t give out a big contract so Ozuna is as good as gone…here you go
that last paragraph literally sounds like just a copy and paste from last season and the season before, etc….all you gotta do is edit the player and position. Same crap, different year….
Same crap, different year…
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But it is a good strategy. He is picking up guys on a one-year prove-it contract, getting a big season out of them, and then moving on and letting someone pick up the dinner tab.
@JoeBrady if we’re going to give him credit for Ozuna and Donaldson, he deserves criticism for Hamels.
The good thing about one-year deals is if they don’t work out, you can cut your losses and be done. The bad thing is, you’re always going to have the same needs a year from now. While there’s almost always going to be starting pitchers available on one-year deals, championship-caliber power bats (JD and Ozuna) are rare and largely circumstantial (injuries, age, too high an ask, defensively limited, etc.) that carry their own risk.
There’s reasons guys settle for one-year deals. We got too great seasons from JD and Ozuna, but it’s hubris to expect a one-year power bat ready for the taking every year.
There’s literally 5-10 big time bats readily available and available deep into the offseason every single year. It’s why the collusion cry babies come up with this ridiculous like every single year now. YoU CoUlD mAkE a PlAyOfF tEaM oUt Of ThE cUrReNt FrEe AgEnTs! AA is running that team in Atlanta perfectly. Of course the fans don’t like it though they’re a sustainable winner who never stupidly go all in costing themselves in the future to give them no better chance now despite whatever the fans think.
@brandons. Yes we can say Hamels was a bad deal, terrible deal even. But at the time we didn’t know that the season was going to be 60 games. Had it been a normal length he might have come back and paid off for a playoff push. We will never know but we can’t hold too much against AA on that deal. IMO
he didn’t give out a big contract. We have no idea what he was offering Springer and I don’t think you can really just compare a willingness to make an offer to Springer to making one to Ozuna. Different players.
You’re not in it til the end unless you’re close. 5 yrs was most likely the max he would go. The point is the narrative is wrong.
Could be in it with offering 30M for a one year contract so he could be a free agent again at 32 after a massive payday…
If Springer received 3 offers, technically a 1 dollar offer would have been in it until the end.
No, because his camp would’ve never entertained that offer. They made a serious enough offer that the conversations continued until the end. How is that difficult to understand?
You really think Springer would accept a one yr deal? C’mon. Use a little common sense here.
@DTDATL Don’t get me wrong. I’m a huge AA fan. I just tend to take these articles with a grain of salt so I’m poking fun. I have no problems with how the Braves have been spending or not spending; they’ve been the best in the division for a reason.
@DTDATL – Whether the offer is entertained doesn’t mean that the offer didn’t exist.
It’s like ignoring your taxes. Yeah, nobody want’s to pay them, but if we don’t entertain them, they’re still there.
lol I’m just realizing what DTD is saying…’we were all wrong to expect AA wouldn’t hand out a big contract according to this report’…..Yet he didn’t hand out any big contract… I’m so confused on the reasoning smh lol ♂️
I can’t help that you’re confused by basic conversation
its cool…just let me know when AA hands out an ‘Actual’ big contract; not a ‘Metaphorical’ one
Probably not a good thing to follow a rumors site if you want to know only of the actual contacts. Good time to advertise the site’s notification features.
So AA didn’t give long term extensions to Acuna and Albies?
…nothing happened…
Nothing happened with all but one team, what’s your point?
But the current execs on other teams have all handed out big contracts in prior years. AA is literally the only one not to.
So the Acuna and Albies extensions weren’t big contracts? You have to realize in ATL, he can only spend what liberty media allows.
I’m a braves fan and i’m on your side here, DTD…but NO, the Acuna and Albies deals were absolitely not “big contracts.” They both took steep hometown discounts to stay with the only team they’ve known. If Acuna continues on his current trajectory, he could have gotten (close to) Mike Trout money. Instead, he pretty much got Nick Castellanos money. And Albies is arguably a top three 2B in MLB now and he’s making pennies (ok, maybe nickels) on the dollar compared to what he could’ve potentially gotten in free agency. Don’t get me wrong, I’m REALLY GLAD they both signed on longterm, but both have already being discussed as possibly the best/worst contracts in decades, depending on which side you’re arguing.
Acuna and albies need to be rewarded by the org building around them, those boys gave up some HUGE money. Division championships aren’t enough.
Whats YOUR point DTD? This is a rumor at best. How does a rumor prove the Braves will actually *do* anything with a big, long term commitment at actual market rate?
So, “here we go” what? AA made a phone call to see what the price is..or worse, JTR called the Braves then leaks “there’s been a convo”
That now means AA is breaking his habit he’s established in every year he’s been at the helm of the Braves? Sure sounds like wishful thinking on your part
No. Albies and Acuna are two of the ugliest contracts in baseball. They took advantage of horrible agents and screwed them both easily out of 50M++ in future earnings
They prove nothing. If anything, it supports AA is only looking for bargains. They each should have gotten 2-3x the total money they got. If you can’t admit that, you’re a joke
Nobody held a gun to either players head. And made them sign the deal. If the Padres were smart enough they should’ve told Tatis to sit in AAA for another season but they didn’t and they’re window will be shorter because of it. Because they aren’t a smartly ran franchise.
They were long term deals. How is it AA fault they took discounts?
You say it’s wishful thinking on my part, I say it’s pretty denial on yours.
Don’t change the narrative. We’re all saying that they were definitely not “big contracts,” as you claimed. They are both prime examples of how the Braves spend. Again, I’m a Braves fan but these were the 2 worst examples you could have used to support your case.
Ozuma had a career year….and he is still a DH. I think he can rake, but he is the kind of guy who may need to take a 1yr deal and try again in 2022 when the DH is sorted in the NL. I’d love for him to go to the AL West or basically anywhere out of the NL East bc that guy crushes the mets…at least that is how it feels.
AA and Beeston rule was they didnt sign free agents beyond 5 years. If he carried the same rule it would explain why Springer didn’t sign with Atlanta.
Beeston’s rule only applied to starting pitchers
It was for players at all positions. But thanks.
AA also spent a few years with the Dodgers, who have been very very selective with long term deals. While AA was there, nothing longer than 5 years was signed I can recall
There’s a lot of reasons in his past to expect AA to maintain that course
We can throw the LA stint out for a couple reasons. One, he wasn’t the guy running the show. Second, when he arrived in LA the Dodgers were still in the compete but drop payroll phase because they were way over the luxury at one point.
AA started in the Expos organization. Obviously they ran things different. For better or worse he has taken some of that with him. AA landed in a great spot in Atlanta after the shenanigans from a couple years ago. Most of that organization’s player personnel structure wasn’t done by him.
Every GM should adopt that rule. For every good 5 year deals there’s 10 that were god awful. 5 year deals would be better for the top players too. The AAV for a top player would be way above 40 million years ago if all gms put a ban on themselves for 5 year deals.
Two things strike me as odd here. First, AA is usually very tightlipped about everything. Now the Braves are being reported about everywhere. Secondly, at this point, why not just bring Ozuna back?
The DH is the main concern for NL teams. Ozuna is that kind of player, so his market is more of a wait-and-see one
They’re waiting to see how low his price gets in my opinion
Why is a Braves fan arguing the value of Realmuto to a Phillies phan? Does he not rewind? Poop and not flush? What am I missing??
why not just bring Ozuna back?
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Before last year, he had a career .784 OPS. Combine that with injuries, slowing down, and being 30, I don’t see a big Ozuna contract ending well.
He would have been a good addition to the Mets at 20 per year but honestly I prefer the Mets pay Conforto
Find it very difficult to believe braves were in it for springer. Braves are cheap club
I think smart auto corrected to cheap on your phone. Easy edit though.
Springer was way overpaid
To win the bidding on a good player you have to overpay at least a little bit.
That’s a good way to never win. Overpay a bit. A bit means like 50 million probably. And two extra years.
Lol a Phillies fan with the most overpaid outfielder in baseball history is talking about overpaying
^^ this
I don’t think Harper is overpaid, particularly because the AAV is spread out over a long period of time, but I agree that Phillies fans shouldn’t be talking about Springer’s contract.
Both are bad signings, and the ill advised Harper signing has forced the Phillies into more ill advised signings for a team that should have rebuilt properly.
@snoo48 I don’t buy this at all. The Phillies were rebuilding for the majority of the 80s and 90s. They were rebuilding from 2012-2018. They can’t rebuild. They stink at it. The Phillies money woes now are related to the pandemic, which no saw coming.
The Phillies did rebuilt and Harper/wheeler were the finishing touches. Unfortunately, all they have to show for it is Nola and Kingsley. Guys like Franco and Cesar are long gone.
Anyone who says Harper isnt overpaid loses all credibility
I agree, they’ve been horrible at rebuilding. They should have hired better upper management and scouting instead of trying to win a championship the way no team ever has..
That Harper contract is already an anchor around the Phillies neck.
@Lol Trumpets mad You can’t judge contracts in a vacuum. The Phillies are a big market team and they were primed to spend for years to come (pre-pandemic). 25 mil a year from a big market, for a real good player who also happens to be one of the faces of the game (whether we like it or not, he is) is more than reasonable in my mind. Sorry I completely disagree with you here.
The contract isn’t bad because of the AAV. It’s bad because they signed him until 2040 and they weren’t a Harper away. They have very limited money now and have to resign or replace key player plus get better. They jumped the gun like the reds. Instead having sixto ready and a ton of money to spend they are fighting for 3rd
The money issues now are related to the pandemic. Even with that they offered JT 110. So obviously Harper isn’t sime albatross preventing them from spending. Don’t forget they gave Wheeler a huge contract post Harper as well.
JT is a neutral move it doesn’t make the team better from last year. It just doesn’t make them worse. They should have money to resign him after losing his contract and didi. The question is do they have money to spend after they sign realamuto? Are they going to be better than 2020? It just looks like they are headed for a bloated payroll and the window may of already closed.
Anyone who says harper is overpaid loses all credibility. Excellent signing for them.
I’d love for you to be a GM of a team. You obviously have no idea what budget means and you would absolutely cripple a franchise in a week. Then say the owner is cheap. Dreaming is what you need to do less of and get back to reality. Harper is overpaid and it’s not debatable.
It is debatable. We’re literally debating it. Also, Harper received a higher offer. So multiple teams were willing to give Harper a mega contract.
@Lol Trumpets – The later portion of Ryan Howard’s contract was also another one of those “overpays”.
pointless article for those who are not blue jays…
You realize the blue Jays weren’t mentioned after the first sentence in the write up, until the last paragraph, and then just as a comparison, right?
These are my favorite articles. It’s interesting to see who else was bidding and how much.
Completely agree. I really wish we could find out the runner up and such in all contract negotiations.
I agree. Even if it’s after like 5 years. To show you how bored I have been in this pandemic. I watched the entire 2003 post season on YouTube. All the games I could find anyway. After I finished I went through baseball reference and looked up all the big signings and trades and researched articles on them. Orioles came up short on pudge and vladdy.
for those who are not blue jays… another pointless article
I remember the AA days in Toronto where we couldn’t sign major free agents because of AA’s refusal to go above 5 years on a contract. Shatkins appear to have a little bigger stones.
And that’s why Toronto won’t win. Just as they’re ready to win hopefully Springers contract is the albatross. Look good on you people that say it’s good to overpay to get these bums to Toronto.
DO SOMETHING BRAVES!! DO SOMETHING! Cant be happy with mediocre! Eventually this franchise needs to take the next step to greatness! It’s soooooooo close!!
You used the word “mediocre” incorrectly here. The Braves are always winning and making the playoffs, if they were “mediocre” they’d make the playoffs as often as the actually-mediocre Mariners and Blue Jays do.
Splitting hairs honestly
No it isn’t.
Braves made their moves. Now they are waiting on market clear out to add a hitter. Same thing they do every other season. How have u (or the writer) not figured that out by now.
“Braves not willing to go that far” that’s anything over 2 years
I wonder about the timing of the Mets’ offer to Springer. Was it before or after the Lindor deal? If the Mets were interested in laying out $20+ million a year for Springer even after the Lindor deal, I would be a little surprised. Next offseason will be a brutal one as far as adding salary goes because they have four big impending free agents.
So, if they were willing to add that much salary even with that in mind, I could see them ponying up for whatever JBJ is asking for.
However, if the Springer offer was pre-Lindor, then I wouldn’t expect them to spend for JBJ.
The Mets won’t really need to add anything next year. Just re keep their players. But they will because we don’t have a luxury tax line.
Yes, that’s why I wrote ‘because they have four impending free agents’. All of them will see their salary rise, which is why they will be adding salary if they simply just keep their players. If they only re-signed Stroman, Lindor, Conforto, and Thor, their payroll could still go up $50 million easily.
Don’t forget Cano’s salary comes back, too.
Good point.
And I’m telling you that won’t matter. Also stroman will probably have less of an avg salary.
The Mutts are garbage. I bet they have a firesale in July, their roster is that bad.
MikeYankee is that you?
Their final offer to Springer was apparently made last weekend. The reporting I’ve read definitely points to them thinking about the possible extensions for Lindor, Conforto, etc. in not going higher than $120MM
According to Joel Sherman, they’ve also apparently focused more on bench and bullpen additions in talks with other teams, which meshes with the guys they’ve been linked to over the past few days. My hunch is that they’ll end up signing Almora, not JBJ.
Thanks for the info. I agree on Almora or someone else cheaper than JBJ. imo, the outfield is a solid one (albeit defensively limited). Never understood the big interest in Springer and I’m glad, with next year’s FAs in mind, that they passed on him.
Outfield defense has been a huge problem for the Mets for years, IMO it’s one of the less talked about issues that has held them back from going anywhere since 2015. A big piece is playing guys like Conforto and Nimmo in center field, when they really don’t have any business there on a good team. Having Smith in LF just compounds the problem.
So I think it’s a situation where they might have to live with the subpar production they’d get from Almora or someone in that mold, not to mention the potential playing time complications with Nimmo and Smith if they don’t have a DH slot to stash Dom.
Is there anything new in this article?
Every off season:
Braves will interested but were not willing to meet the demands.
Guess that explains why they cant meet the demands of winning in the postseason either.
Isn’t that the same thing for every team interested in a player that ends up signing somewhere else?
Weren’t the braves a base running mistake from taking out the dodgers? Spending 20,30 or 40 million more probably doesn’t improve a team like the braves all that much.
For example if the braves and dodgers play in a shorter 7 game series. If either team adds a 4 win player the projection system adds about a tenth of % to the team that gets that player. So in other words it doesn’t make a difference and it’s a crapshoot despite whatever some fan who is clearly ignorant about how spending doesn’t equal winning in the playoffs.
Very low ball offer from the Mets, oddly. I expected a pretty high offer with less years, but I guess they really didn’t want to spend that much money on a future corner outfielder.
Or they let Conforto walk and a prospect takes CF when ready.
I don’t see them letting Conforto walk without a fight. They don’t really have another CF prospect who will be ready in the next year or two. The closest I see is Adrian Hernandez who isn’t going to be MLB ready until 2022, potentially 2023 or even 2024 because he barely played any games in 2019 and ovbisosuly there was no minor league season last year.
Yeah, their system is pretty thin in terms of outfielders (well, in terms of everything), certainly beyond there being a guy they could immediately stick out there for 2022. Their best OF prospect hasn’t even played a pro game yet.
If only they had a certain CF prospect who got traded away….
They also might want to save so they can keep some of their core pieces. Next off season, Lindor, Conforto, Syndergaard and Stroman are all hitting free agency. It’s not like Springer was the only CF option on the market. I still see them getting either JBJ and/or Kevin Pillar. Even if worse comes to worse, they’ll stick Nimmo back in center and put Smith back at LF.
I actually thought that the Almora idea was a good one because this team definitely needs shoring up on defense. Very cheap, and it allows them to fill their real need right now which is the bullpen.
The same could be said about you, lolzmuts.
Springer has similar sabermetrics and algorithms that Vernon Wells did when he signed his extension, which means the Jays will be desperate to trade him in a couple of seasons.
Springer has been a much better hitter and has been worth more overall than Wells compared through their age 30-seasons.
I’m glad I don’t have to waste time watching the games now. Thank you.
I know this is your schtick, but I’m pretty sure all of the sabermetrics types (correctly) predicted that the Wells extension would be a bust.
People need to stop looking at sabermetrics much. Springer will be different to Wells.
So you want all the current gms and therefore all the smart people out of baseball? You realize if a gm from now the worst one, was a gm in whichever time period you enjoyed the most they would have a dynasty during to the very thing you hate?
Vernon Wells was an every other year kind of player — good some years, terrible other years. Never had Springer’s consistency. Anyway, the Wells trade worked out very nicely (though I wish the Jays hadn’t flipped Napoli) and they still have Arte Moreno’s phone number.
Springer is a better hitter than Wells was and still has elite sprint speed even in his early 30’s, which Vernon likely didn’t have even in his prime. Even then, Springer’s defense isn’t heavily reliant on his speed, which is why ZiPS projects that he’ll remain a solid CFer for several years yet even as his speed is likely to decline.
Vernon was similar in that he didn’t rely as much on speed as on good instincts and routes in the outfield (he was brilliant at tracking down balls over his head in CF in his prime), but his range became so limited that his fielding fell off a cliff. Springer has a completely different body type and much better agility. He could probably play the outfield until he’s 40 without his range ever deteriorating to the level Wells’ had by his early 30’s.
The Braves desperately need an outfield bat, and if there is a DH in the national league this year they need two bats. As their roster is currently constructed, if Austin Riley starts at third, their starting outfield will likely be Ronald Acuna Jr. in right, Ender Inciarte (career OPS of 720) in left, and Cristian Pache in center (four total regular season at bats). Other outfield options on the roster include Abraham Almonte (668 career OPS), Johan Camargo, and Drew Waters (no major league at bats). AA doesn’t want to overpay for Ozuna. Ozuna’s 2020 OPS (1067) in a 60-game season was 265 points higher than his 802 career OPS. In only two of his eight major league seasons (2017 and 2020) has Ozuna’s OPS been above 900. Adam Duvall? Kris Bryant or Jose Ramirez trade?
Bring back Duvall.
Kris Bryant seems like the perfect fit for Toronto rn. He can play 3rd or the outfield. How much would it take to pry him away from the Cubs ?
Shouldn’t take much considering his salary, recent production, and what the Padres gave up to get Darvish.
Bryant/Kimbrell for Grichuk/Thornton or Kay
Kay is mentioned in every Toronto fans trade scenarios. I honestly don’t know much about him but in his limited mlb experience he has been atrocious.
Book is still out on Kay. A lefty- normally a starter in the minors but he was used out of the pen last year. He had a really good mid 2 era season going till he had a couple bad outings at the end.
Every arm chair GM here seems to have one player they want so badly for their team to get rid of they believe that the 29 other teams are lining up for the chance to gift an all star for garbage. Frankly, i blame Derek Jeter because of the Stanton trade. Only taking Starlin Castro and a pair of lottery tickets while also throwing in cash has made many people here believe that “Cash for Clunkers” works in MLB
Your highest ranked 17 year old.
Am I the only one tired of seeing a gold seal next to the names of whomever paid a subscription fee for this website dropping proclamations on every thread as though Pat Gillick learned it all from them…….we get it, your celibate
Just use the internet version on your phone. I don’t see any gold seals
Atlanta is in on everyone for one year. They have no desire to push it all in and win a championship. They are their new ball park. Screw the fans.
If the Braves were quietly in on Springer, I find it hard to believe the recent reports that they may be “unlikely” for Ozuna. If they were bidding high on Springer, then Marcell would seem like an option still.
I’m not sure why the Mets were looking at Springer. Signing Springer would’ve forced either Nimmo, Smith, and Conforto to the bench. It’s a bad alignment, with three corner OFs, but imho, they’d be better off trading one of their corner OFs for a true CF.
I do understand your reasoning but I think the Mets were in on Springer for the simple reason that he was available and he would have improved their lineup. Also, if there’s a DH in the NL, having Springer would give them lots of options with the 3 guys you mentioned. But I’ve always felt that they should have been concentrating more on improving the pitching staff. And if they wind up getting Bauer, that would be amazing. If they don’t, I still think they should go for another starter and/or reliever.
Pillar would cost (I am guessing) about $5m and is an upgrade defensively and has a consistent right handed bat. Mets can afford him and need the defensive upgrade in CF. JBJ is too streaky and will probably get more than $5m per. With Freddie in the division I would want more LHP in the pen for matchups. Hopefully Stro has a good year then goes away as I sinuses him as an $18m per year pitcher.
The Mets had to choose between giving Springer 150M letting Lindor and Conforto walk or Letting Springer go and resign Lindor and Conforto.
Guess Cohen isn’t going to be as stupid with his money as so many Met fans pretend he will
You’re making them sound like equivalents. Springer = $30M, while Lindor + Conforto will be more like $48M.
If MLB would wake up & decide on DH this season in NL then teams & players like Osuna will start signing fast. Help the Mets make critical decisions for free agents & trades.
If the Braves land Realmuto, then they should also resign Duvall.
Braves should bring back Ozuna on a 3 year deal. The DH will be there no later than 2022 and they can get by with Ozuna in LF for 2021 if the DH is not adopted. Duvall is a decent fallback option but Ozuna is the superior choice by far. No need for Atlanta to sign JTL. Travis is well above average behind the plate and they have great young catching talent ready to join their major league club shortly as well.
“Weren’t the braves a base running mistake from taking out the dodgers? Spending 20,30 or 40 million more probably doesn’t improve a team like the braves all that much.
For example if the braves and dodgers play in a shorter 7 game series. If either team adds a 4 win player the projection system adds about a tenth of % to the team that gets that player. So in other words it doesn’t make a difference and it’s a crapshoot despite whatever some fan who is clearly ignorant about how spending doesn’t equal winning in the playoffs.?”
Last off season, the Braves did not improve their rotation and just signed Ozuna.
Guess what hurt them in 2020?
This offseason, they improved the rotation, but the offense is lacking. Still need to address LF and 3rd base.
I bet I know what the end result will be if they don’t address it.
They take half steps forward.