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The Opener: Royals, Lyles, Braves, MLBTR Chat

By Nick Deeds | December 20, 2022 at 8:30am CDT

With the holiday season upon us, here’s a few things we’ll be keeping an eye throughout the day today around baseball:

1. The Royals and Jordan Lyles

Last night, reports came through that Jordan Lyles was nearing a two-year deal with the Royals. With Kansas City also having inked Ryan Yarbrough to a one-year deal, it’s possible this Lyles signing could take them out of the pitching market if completed. If that’s indeed the case, it would leave likely Hall of Famer Zack Greinke looking for a new club to play for during his age-39 season. Brady Singer, Brad Keller, Kris Bubic, Daniel Lynch, and Jackson Kowar are among Kansas City’s current options to start alongside Yarbrough and Lyles. A Lyles deal would also take yet another veteran back-end arm off of the free agent market, which has been thinning rapidly for weeks.

2. Will the Braves add another bat?

The Braves signed Jordan Luplow yesterday to bolster their outfield mix, but coming off a 101-win season and a fifth consecutive NL East crown, it would surely behoove Atlanta to do more to address the holes in their lineup. With Dansby Swanson having departed for Chicago in free agency, the Braves look set to hand the keys to shortstop to youngster Vaughn Grissom, with Orlando Arcia available should he struggle. While another bat capable of playing short could help solidify the position, the most glaring holes in the lineup are left field and DH, even after the addition of Luplow. The trio of Luplow, Marcell Ozuna, and Eddie Rosario who figure to man left field and DH combined for a troubling -2.3 bWAR in 2022. While improvements from Ozuna and Rosario are certainly possible, both players are on the wrong side of 30 and haven’t been above average with the bat in a full season since 2019. Even with Travis d’Arnaud likely to pick up extra playing time at DH following the acquisition of Sean Murphy, it seems clear that Atlanta needs another bat for the outfield, whether that comes via free agency in the form of Jurickson Profar or David Peralta, or perhaps through trade, where a number of outfielders are reportedly available.

3. MLBTR Chat with Steve Adams at 1pm CT today

MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be hosting his weekly live chat today at 1pm CT. You can submit questions in advance if you like, and also use that link to check back at 1:00 and follow along live. If you can’t make it today, Anthony Franco will host a chat of his own later in the week, so keep an eye out for that one as well.

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View Comments (46)

Comments

  1. JockStrap

    1 month ago

    Is Zach Greinke a Hall of Famer? I mean he only has one career save!!!

    Happy See You Next Tuesday Everyone

    Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      1 month ago

      A career .225 hitter? LOL. I stay away from saberstats. His resume from my recollection seems to fall just short. Excellent pitcher and who says his career is done? His case is a reason why five years is waited before becoming eligible. Let’s see how his total package stacks up with say Schilling and Mussina.

      Reply
      • JockStrap

        1 month ago

        Better off to stack him with Mussina since he made it to the Hall. lol

        Reply
    • C-Daddy

      1 month ago

      He has 76.5 bWAR for his career, a Cy Young, two ERA titles, multiple Gold Gloves… he’s going in.

      Reply
      • JockStrap

        1 month ago

        Oh Daddy!

        Did you fully read the comment before responding? Oh Daddy of course, he gets in.

        Reply
      • Waymann

        1 month ago

        Hey now, don’t leave out his 2x Silver Slugger honors.

        Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      1 month ago

      Per the BRef HOF metrics, he’s walking the line of the average HOF pitcher. His JAWS scores are almost exactly average for HOF pitchers.

      It’s not only based on stats, but viewing his body of work statistically, I’d say he looks like a HOF pitcher.

      Reply
      • TrumboJumbo

        1 month ago

        Why the heck won’t the Halos sign Greinke Clip???

        Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          1 month ago

          I don’t know. You’d figure a bunch of teams would be in on him, right? I forgot he was still on the open market, honestly.

        • TrumboJumbo

          1 month ago

          Yes. I would think that he would be TALKED about at the very least.

        • Waymann

          1 month ago

          Grienke is kind of a specific-fit sort of dude at this point unfortunately . Some teams like the Halos might be being pragmatic and honestly telling themselves they don’t have the defense he’d need to be successful.

          At a glance, Yanks and Guardians seem like potential fits for Grienke. Strong defense up the middle and might be looking for some insurance/upgrades at the back of the rotation (like for Plesac underperforming again or Severino/Montas being injury prone).

    • RobM

      1 month ago

      Yes. He’s a HOFer. I’ll tune in just for his acceptance speech, which could be epic, or only two words.

      Reply
  2. TradeAcuna

    1 month ago

    The Braves don’t need a bat. Acuna will play all 162 games, hit 63 home runs to break the record and steal 100 bases.

    Reply
    • H E Pennypacker

      1 month ago

      With only two pickoffs and larger bases, the latter is a possibility.

      Reply
    • bhambrave

      1 month ago

      @TradeAcuna: It’s good to see you coming around. Up to now, you’ve been so bitter.

      Reply
  3. H E Pennypacker

    1 month ago

    AA will get a trade done. Somehow he’ll snag Reynolds, I can feel it! Giddy up

    Reply
    • H E Pennypacker

      1 month ago

      If they do sign a FA, my prediction is Michael Conforto.

      Reply
      • RunDMC

        1 month ago

        Conforto’s inability to throw will make Ozuna look like Bo Jackson.

        Reply
  4. bhambrave

    1 month ago

    With the Braves’ strong lineup elsewhere, they don’t need a traditional masher in LF. They just need someone who can play decent defense and keep the line moving on offense.

    Reply
    • highheat

      1 month ago

      Well, fortunately Luplow plays decent defense in the COF.

      Reply
    • Appalachian_Outlaw

      1 month ago

      I’d disagree there, bham. I think they could use another bat with some pop from the left-handed side of the plate for LF. That person doesn’t necessarily have to be a “masher”, but I think a bat with 20 HR capability would go a long way to rounding out the order.

      Reply
      • bhambrave

        1 month ago

        @Outlaw: That player isn’t available on the FA market, and would cost a lot in prospects.in a trade, that I’m not sure we have.

        Reply
  5. kripes-brewers

    1 month ago

    Wouldn’t mind seeing Greinke come back to the Crew for his victory lap. Decent dude and won’t cost a fortune for some quality innings.

    Reply
  6. Stormintazz

    1 month ago

    Christian Yelich would look amazing playing outfield in Atlanta.

    Reply
    • RunDMC

      1 month ago

      Pete Davidson would be cheaper. Just need help from a Real Housewife from ATL to recruit.

      Reply
      • Drew Waters Bat

        1 month ago

        This is an under-rated funny joke.

        Reply
  7. bravesnation nc

    1 month ago

    People forget that Albies didn’t play all that much last year. Had 30 and 100 in 21! They still need LF help. I’d love a really good “pure” hitter in this lineup because there is still a lot of swing and miss. If you want a power bat from the right side of the price is right just bring Duval back. I seriously think playing all that CF affected him at the plate.

    Reply
    • Coolbeans

      1 month ago

      You are right on. They definitely should have signed Michael Brantley. Also agree on Duvall. Give him a 1 yr contract and no CF duty. Corner OF and Platoon/PH. He could play RF well if needed.

      Reply
  8. j_butte

    1 month ago

    I think the Braves are going to roll with Rosario in left and try to find a platoon partner. Just like last year. I forget the bum they trotted out mercilessly at the beginning of last year but when he didn’t work out, we brought back Duvall and then Grossman. Probably what’s in store for Luplow. And I think Arcia has the upper hand on the shortstop position. When he came off the IL last year Grissom went to the bench.

    Reply
  9. bravesnation nc

    1 month ago

    Sure, Yeli wouldn’t have to be “ The Guy” like he is with the Brewers. Injuries crushed that guy though.

    Reply
  10. bravesnation nc

    1 month ago

    Remember Miguel Tejada? Wash made that dude a GGlover! Remember 2016 Dansby? Wash will have Grissom prepared. Look how much Riley has improved at 3rd. We need Grissom to make all the routine plays and use that athleticism to make some difficult ones. I can see 15 homers out of him and he has the hit tool. Sure we will see some ugly swings and he will get beat but so did Swanson earlier in his career too.

    Reply
    • RunDMC

      1 month ago

      They gave Swanson 5 full seasons to become a league-average hitter – I think we can give 1 to Grissom.

      Reply
      • NashvilleJeff

        1 month ago

        Swanson had a lot more to work with than Grissom brings—-especially defensively. Grissom’s size and poor footwork limits his range. Wash’s comments regarding Grissom’s improvement during their NO’s sessions are likely about his hands. Wash has no magic wand that’s going to gift Grissom w/the range that he doesn’t physically possess and probably can’t develop. Better chance he grows out of the position than into it. There are scouting reports available that were circulating during ST 2022 (and before) about his swing being limited due to a “lack of freedom” in it. After his initial hot start (54 ab’s) he turned into a slap hitter w/ab’s that consisted of weak, shortened swings as he fought just to stay alive in the box. The seasons they give Grissom should be at AAA Gwinnett or in another team’s uniform before he loses all trade value. Best bet for next season? Take the under on Fangraphs 3.2 WAR projection for him. This post was brought to you by the Committee of Concerned Braves Fans who fear for the Atlanta Braves pitching staff’s mental health if they have to watch Grissom butcher the SS position in 2023. All opinions in this post are only—-you know—–opinions!!!

        Reply
    • j_butte

      1 month ago

      Remember April/May 2022 Dansby? Batting 9th and setting a record strikeout rate early on…Dansby is what he is, reminds me of Javy Báez a little. Chicago is going to regret that contract by July.

      Reply
  11. hoof hearted

    1 month ago

    How does a guy with a career era of 5.10 and an era+ of 83 get a 2 year deal?

    Reply
    • enjoylindor

      1 month ago

      They need to eat up innings somehow

      Reply
    • Jacobpaul81

      1 month ago

      Low walk rate and high inning count. Royals had 2nd highest BB/9 rate last season. Hits aren’t a concern – they know teams will hit in Kauffmann – and they build a defense to stop it. But freebies negate their defense.

      Reply
  12. bravesnation nc

    1 month ago

    My point exactly DMC. I said if before, I like Dansby but not at 25 mil. For comparison, they don’t play same position I know but Freeman gets 27 mil Swanson just got 25. Overall, who is the better player?

    Reply
  13. bobsugar84

    1 month ago

    The Royals staff has to be the worst in baseball. These guys got so beat up last year, it was a BP session on a regular basis. Are they at least using a new pitching coach with some new philosophy’s for this season? Try anything to try and help these guys because it was ugly outside of Singer.

    Reply
    • Jacobpaul81

      1 month ago

      it’s an entirely new management team: Moore is gone. Matheny. Grifol. Eldred. Bradshaw. JJ Picollo took over as GM last year and he’s spent off-season filling the MLB staff with a new manager and coaches.

      Reply
  14. bravesnation nc

    1 month ago

    Luplow essentially is Heredia with pop minus the pink sword.

    Reply
    • RunDMC

      1 month ago

      Heredia was mostly a late-game def replacement with 0 offense. Luplow is almost the opposite, specializing in LHP, with enough defense to still be better than a putrid Ozuna in the field.

      Reply
  15. Smoltzy16

    1 month ago

    Is AA not gonna surprise us by trading someone nobody is expecting?
    Acuna, maybe D’arnaud or Albies? I just don’t see us being able to do much without sacrificing something. We can’t afford the FA we need, and don’t have the prospect capital to trade for what we need.
    Or…. we’re banking on Yates & Soroka to bounce back and just have a dominant pitching staff.

    Reply
    • H E Pennypacker

      1 month ago

      There’s no reason to do something… just to do something. If I’m AA, there is NO WAY I would give up Acuna or Albies off of sub-par years… if at all.

      Reply
  16. bravesnation nc

    1 month ago

    The trade Acuna posts are laughable. Dude is better on one and a half legs than some are with both. He is getting 17 mil this year to put up 30 homers 25 plus steals and drive 85-100. His defense and arm as well. If this kid bounces back a full year removed from the ACL it could be a 2023 statistically for him remember.

    Reply
  17. bravesfan

    1 month ago

    Braves better stay far away from profar…. Peralta is an interesting consideration though

    Reply

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