Earlier this month, Braves chairman Terry McGuirk and president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos both said the club would increase payroll relative to 2023, but it’s unclear exactly how much it will go up.
Since that time, the club has added some salary by signing right-hander Reynaldo López and acquiring left-hander Aaron Bummer from the White Sox. However, they also scrubbed money off the ledger by subtracting a larger number of players. The Bummer deal sent arbitration-eligible players Michael Soroka and Nicky Lopez to the Sox, as well as three others. Kyle Wright and Nick Anderson, both arb-eligible as well, were flipped to the Royals in separate deals, while Yonny Chirinos, Michael Tonkin and Kolby Allard were non-tendered. When MLBTR released arbitration projections in early October, the club had a class of 13 players in their arb years. Subsequent transactions have reduced that to just three: Max Fried, A.J. Minter and Huascar Ynoa.
All clubs do some roster trimming at this time of year but the extent of it from Atlanta has been notable, leaving them with just 31 players on their 40-man roster. The moves cut about $16MM in projected salaries, though the club added some money back on. López got $30MM over three years but backloaded fashion, as he’ll make just $4MM next year, followed by $11MM salaries in the two following seasons and a $4MM buyout on a club option. Bummer is making $5.5MM next year and then has a $1.25MM buyout on a $7.25MM club option for 2025, with another option after that.
Is all this typical shuffling? Or is Anthopoulos clearing payroll space for a big move? The club has been connected to some high-profile free agents like Aaron Nola and Sonny Gray, so perhaps the money saved by sweeping out those arbitration salaries can be repurposed there. Nola has since re-signed with the Phillies but Gray is still out there, along with many other pitchers.
David O’Brien of The Athletic recently looked at the possibility of the club pursuing Gray and seemed to throw some cold water on it due to the competitive balance tax implications. The club was over the base threshold in 2023 and seems set to be a tax payor again in 2024, which comes with increasing penalties. Roster Resource currently has their 2024 payroll at $207MM but their CBT, which is based on the average annual value of contracts, is at $242MM. The base threshold is going to be $237MM next year, meaning the club is already over, before any theoretical deal for another starting pitcher. As a second-time payor, they will see their base tax rate go up from 20% to 30%, while every $20MM over the line comes with escalating surcharges.
RR has last year’s payroll at $205MM, so the 2024 figure seems to have technically increased already, even though this year’s CBT number is a bit of a drop from last year’s $246MM. If that is what the club had in mind when they planned on a payroll increase, that would likely disappoint fans who have dreamed of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto or other big free agents. Perhaps Anthopoulos still has a big move up his sleeve but O’Brien’s reporting seems to cast doubt on the resources he has to work with. If he is working under constraints, the club could always shed some more salary in order to pursue a big name free agent, perhaps by trading someone like Marcell Ozuna or Raisel Iglesias. The former will make $18MM next year with a $1MM buyout on a 2025 club option while Iglesias will make $16MM in each of the next two seasons. Ozuna has plenty of off-field issues that might limit his market, but for clubs willing to overlook those, he is coming off a strong season on the field.
Perhaps O’Brien’s reading of the situation is incorrect and the club actually has plenty of powder dry, but the apparent tight funds would correspond with some recent comments from Wright. He spoke with Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week, talking about the emotions he went through when he found out about the deal. He also relayed what Anthopoulos said to him when he called Wright to tell him that he had been traded.
“Pretty much that he had a number that he was given from up top, and that’s what he had to work with,” Wright said. “I definitely wasn’t the only one. There were a lot of guys that were moved on from. That was the main thing, at least from what he told me, was just trying to clear out as much cap space as possible to get that number. He’s gotta do a job, too, try to improve the team however he can. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a part of it. But it is what it is sometimes.”
It’s entirely possible that Anthopoulos was just being polite in using the financials to explain the deal. Wright is set to miss all of 2024 due to shoulder surgery and perhaps the club is leery about his chances of recovering from that procedure but he didn’t want to say that. Though it’s also possible that the planned payroll increase isn’t massive and still requires the club to do some penny pinching.
So, is the club clearing out space for a big splash at Gray or some other pitcher? Or will there be more marginal moves from here? The club raised some eyebrows this week when it announced that López would be stretched out to start, a curious plan as he’s been so much better since moving to the bullpen in recent years. Perhaps that is their rotation addition for this offseason and Gray isn’t coming to Atlanta. Toscano asked Wright if he thought the club was just trying to cut its CBT number down or clear payroll space for a big splash. “I hope (it’s) the second,” Wright said. “I think that’s what the Braves should be doing, is trying to go make some big additions. I hope it’s the latter. I don’t know exactly which one. Only Alex knows that. Obviously, we’ll find that out more as the offseason goes along.”
Hate to say it but the Braves need to trade Ozuna & more disappointingly Max Fried.
Fried could really pull in some much needed young cheap talent.
Ozuna would free up some salary & more importantly open up the DH to a rotating basis to keep guys fresh.
I know I will get hate on here from Max lovers & I do like him but he is obviously not signing an extension & if we can replace him with a Sonny Gray & say Seth Lugo and getting a young LFer & a couple low level arms it’s a win in my eyes.
Trade Ozuna for another young arm & a utility infielder.
Name a team that will trade a young arm and a utility infielder for one year of a 33-year-old DH-only player who’s had two arrests in three years and being paid $16M next year? As good as Ozuna (finally) was this year, he’s a PR headache at the very least and he’s not a very valuable archetype.
As for Fried, the Braves are squarely in their contention window. They value an ace at $15M more than anyone does; there’s no need to try to squeeze a prospect return from him and downgrade via signing someone like Gray (who, by the way, would cost two draft picks).
Max has been one of the absolute best pitchers in all of baseball, and a bona-fide Ace for the Braves; however, if the Braves don’t think they can re-sign him, they pretty much have to trade him at some point this year.
I’d hate to see him go, but the return could be a very solid one. Obviously, in a perfect world, I’d much rather the Braves trade Ozuna and clear some payroll that way, but his return won’t really move the needle very much. The Braves are most likely just better off keeping Ozuna.
While I would hate trading Max, as he’s one of my favorite players and one of the game’s very best, they could get a young, cost-controlled pitching prospect in return as well as a near ML ready quality outfielder.
Even so, I just cannot see AA pulling the trigger and trading Fried, so idk what’s going to happen.
I cannot imagine with the repeater tax starting to really hit the Braves this year and especially next year that they’ll sign anyone to a huge deal, but Gray could, in theory, just replace Morton’s money for next season and he would be the veteran mentor this staff needs moving forward.
2024
Fried
Strider
Gray
Morton
Elder
Long relief: Reynaldo Lopez
Depth: AJ Smith-Shawver, Alan Winans, Darius Vines, Ian Anderson, Dylan Dodd, Jackson Kowar, Huascar Ynoa, etc.
2025 rotation looks pretty empty as of now without Morton and with Fried being a question mark.
They’d only have Strider, Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, and potentially Reynaldo Lopez among some of the previously listed depth options IF he stayed as a starter, but I highly doubt that.
Even still, it is possible by the time 2025 hits that pitching prospects like Waldrep, Kuehler, Schwellenbach, Hackenburg could be ready and available with each one possibly having big time 2024 seasons.
With that being said, it only makes sense for the Braves to add another starting pitcher this offseason. It will significantly strengthen their depth for this year, giving them one of the deepest rotations in baseball ( having Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Winans, Anderson, Dodd, Vines, and R. Lopez possibly battling it out for the 5th spot), but most importantly it will set their rotation up to give then some veteran insurance once Morton leaves and in case they have to trade or end up losing Max Fried.
These are just my opinions, but to anyone who managed to read my entire novel, congrats you are one of the few remaining these days that doesn’t have the attention span of a squirrel…lol
they pretty much have to trade him at some point this year.
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Theoretically, if they HAVE to trade Fried if they can’t sign him, wouldn’t that mean that no one should trade for him?
If the Braves have to get rid of him, then by default every team has to get rid of him, which means no one will trade for him.
In theory, what you’re saying makes sense, but teams do get desperate.
It depends, there will always be teams that will trade to solely make a post-season/title run.
I could see the Mariners, Rangers, Dodgers, Yankees, Astros, etc. all trading for him to try and capitalize on the chance at a title…If there contending and in the hunt.
There could also be a team that’s willing to meet his extension price, so maybe a team like the Angels or Giants take a swing at him with an extension already agreed upon.
History has shown teams will always trade for rentals if they think it can put them over the top for a title run.
You don’t think the Braves won’t be contending for a title as well? No clue why Atlanta would make themselves worse and a possible playoff opponent better by trading Fried.
@Richard, MLB Texas are bit allowed to discuss extensions before or contingent on a trade.
Even if the team gives Fried and another team permission??
I know it happens quite frequently in football and basketball…
I’m genuinely asking, I’m ignorant to MLBs policy on the matter. I’m not trying to be sarcastic or anything…
It is not allowed per MLB. Teams on either side do not have the right to give permission.
I’m pretty sure they can as long as the team that controls the player gives the acquiring team permission.
If the acquiring team reaches out to the player or his agent without permission than a tampering grievance can be filed by the controlling team.
@Stealing Sigs, no they can not per MLB rules and MLBPA contract, the teams have no say. Teams are in no way allowed to make trades contingent on extensions or contracts. Nor can any team hold any type of negotiations except teams holding the rights to the player. And if a player signs a deal worth longer than 3 years and/or with an increase of pay of 5% or more they can not be traded for 6 months.
It is simply not allowed and they have even taken measures to prevent teams from attempting to manipulate the rule.
Maybe they’ve changed the CBA, but teams used to have the option to give a prospective trade partner up to a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with a player they wanted to trade for.
It’s a moot point. Braves will be in playoff hunt so will keep their players.
I was thinking the Braves could target someone like Soto and negotiate an extension, not that they’d let another team do it.
I imagine they will hedge their bets until the trade deadline. If some of the young guns like AJSS, Ynoa and Waldrop come out on fire, maybe they do look to get a return for Fried at the deadline, but most likely they are all in on 2024.
Can’t see trading Fried at deadline. Clubhouse will love one of their best pitchers and long time teammates being traded right when it matters most. Would have to really win a trade to trade him this winter spring and would have to replace him. Still won’t be a popular move. Ozuna would need replaced as well. DH only has so much value and he isn’t cheap. Anything’s possible but highly likely both stay put. Getting home playoff games will easily be more valuable than any prospect return. Don’t upset the fans and players.
Lopez as the new Tonkin is a bit too much I think.
Morton is a question mark to get through 24. I love Morton. Morton is the 4 in 24. He was supposed to be the 4 in 23 but with what happened to Freid and Wright he was the default no 2. I believe very strongly the Braves have to get someone for the 3 spot this offseason.
In 25: Strider, No 3 pitcher picked up this year, Waldrep, AJSS, (Elder, Vines, Dodd, Ynoa, Ian Anderson)
Waldrep pitched 130 innings last year between college and being drafted and getting thrust into the Braves system. So next year in AAA he could easily get to 150/160 innings setting him up for 25. AJSS (turned 21 4 days ago!!!) has only been pitching for 3.5 years and has already gotten to the mlb because of sheer arm talent. He has a full year in AAA and he will be ready in 25. Between these two they will help soften the blow of the loss of Fried.
The 3rd starter this year has to be better than Morton. In free agency there are only 5/6 pitchers better than Morton and all will cost a tremendous amount. A trade from a bottom 5 farm to get someone better than Morton would cost AJSS or Waldrep.
It will be fun to watch.
No way Fried gets traded while their World Series favorites.
Trade fried and they’ll be baked.
They’re not gonna trade fried. They’re in their competitive window, they don’t really need young pieces because of all the extensions, and they wouldn’t even get all that much back for one season of control. They’ll offer him a QO and get the compensatory pick
“they don’t really need young pieces”
Umm, have you seen how low the Braves farm is ranked?
AA is certainly not worried about farm rankings, he is trying to win another championship. And they are not trading Fried.
Alternatively, if they want Gray, just sign Gray. Then if they can move Ozuna, move him, but if not, oh well. So they’d pay the tax a second year. There’s always next year to reset it. Presuming they didn’t resign Fried, and it could be rather doubtful that they do, they’d have his salary, Morton’s salary and Ozuna’s all off the books next year. And could obviously trim another salary off if needed. They’re not a team that NEEDS to trim payroll, they likely spend right around the levels they should be. They have young talent in their pitching pool. So trading Fried isn’t all that necessary. They could sign Gray so that they have that stop gap veteran stability there for 4 years while discovering their new ace, all while just enjoying some insane depth this year.
But as others have said, there probably aren’t going to be a lot of offers for Ozuna. Especially necessarily that would even take the full pay. It’d likely be that the Braves got basically nothing back in prospects, or that they had to eat some salary. Besides his off the field issues, it’s not like he’s exactly been consistent as a performer. That wouldn’t have been much of an issue if it weren’t for the off the field stuff. But coupled together, another team may be wary to give up both any kind of decent prospect and take on his full salary.
Steeler Brave nation – Makes perfect sense.
Acuna and Elder to the Dodgers for Outman, Sheehan, Pepiot, Pages and their two biggest 18 year old international arms. Then sign Gray.
That’s idiotic. No one is trading Acuna. Lay off the MLB The Show.
Why do they need to trade ozuna? So they can have a need at DH? lol. He was very productive in ‘23 over 30 homers and 100 rbi
> Why do they need to trade ozuna?
Save money
Use it on other things (SP)
The idea is a bat only DH is easier to find
I wish they kept Nick Anderson. Always thought he had great stuff.
Ozuna is non-tradeable unless Atlanta pays 80-90% of his contract and would not get any MLB or top 100 prospect.
Not even close to accurate after the season he just had. The Braves should not have to pay any portion of the remaining contract after a 3.3 WAR season as a bat first player. The bigger question should be who do they replace him with if they do trade him?
Well, there’s also the off the field stuff, and he’s been very streaky at best.
Even for a bat first player coming off an excellent two-thirds of a season, that doesn’t exactly scream any type of return prospect wise.
I don’t think they’d be able to get fair value for the impact he has for the Braves, and that’s why I say trading him would be a waste of time.
Ozuna just put up 3.3 WAR, yes, but over the last three years he’s averaged 0.8 per year.
No way anybody would pay him $19M for next year (including his buyout for 2025) to be a DH only.
Fried to the White Sox. Old mentor Ethan Katz can fix what ails him and after some crucial wax on wax off Mr Miyagj stuff can pair him with ole Harvard Westlake buddy pals Lucas and Jack. If the Braves are looking for bodies the Sox have five guys they can send them – just got them in a recent swap for some journeyman. Perhaps you’ve heard of them?
lol: You said “wax off Mr Miyagi”.
@steelerbravenation: If you hate to say something, then why did you say it?
I guess having the lowest career ERA as MLB starter under age 35 or less is disappointing.
Braves crying broke again. What a shame.
It is more that they are concerned about not getting that 100 million from Bally’s.
This team is printing money right now. So that doesn’t make sense. Battery is making huge $ year around, already a super competitive team, have had two back to back 100+ win seasons and still getting eliminated in the first round. This team has zero excuse not to spend. Only team in baseball disclosing financials and quarter after quarter profit margins have gone up. Not to mention liberty media and upper management have said we would have a top 5 payroll this season.
They are already paying luxury tax. They are owned by a for profit corporation. Every dime of profit will not be spent on free agents nor should it be.
Exactly. Lead the league in attendance and the battery is making money hand in fist. They are 2 SP from being unstoppable.
Again Liberty Media doesn’t set the payroll for the team. They can neither add to it or subtract from it. Now that the team has been split off from Liberty to it’s own Holding group with it’s own publicly traded stock, McGuirk sets the payroll that AA has to work with. Depending on the player(s) that AA wants to target, will depend on how much flexibility AA is given financially.
It still amazes me the number of people that don’t get that personal wealth, or in this case the parent’s corporate wealth, has nothing to do with the baseball team that they own.
Actually all the profits go right back into the team. It should be that way because of the way the corporate structure is set up. They can only spend what they have. The money does not go back and forth between Liberty Media and the Braves. The Braves and revenue act as a separate entity from Liberty Media. In other words—every dime of profit will be spent on the team as it should be.
This is 100% true, Liberty has divested itself from the club financially and their books are entirely separate.
One thing the business does have, though, is debts. Not just the normal debts, they have the stadium debts and all the real estate surrounding the stadium. We have no clue what’s been paid off, what hasn’t, and the structure of those loans.
We don’t know how the current state of interest rates work with that debt, whether the team is having to pay greater amounts of interest on huge sums of money borrowed, etc. If any of the debt was created through variable rate loans, the club could be in a real pinch currently, even with the success of the Atlanta Braves and The Battery real estate venture.
The club could also be using their substantial gains to pay off debts faster, especially if they do involve higher interest rates. That could put the team in a rosier place down the road, even if it pinches the wallet today.
Fact is, we don’t know. But, you’re right, we do know that the money stays with the organization rather than lining the pockets of Liberty or its shareholders (I have the stock, no dividends are paid on it).
Liberty biberty. Look, a bemu
The battery made their first profits in 2022. They are not printing money.
Unstoppable? Lol
And they didn’t lead the league in attendance.
Didn’t lead the league but was Top 5
Unless you consider Fisher of the Oakland/Las Vegas franchise.
They’re one of the few teams still getting paid by Bally. Once that ends tho they can have MLB broadcast games or do it themselves.
@AG7 – Serious question: if MLB takes over broadcasts (like they did for AZ/SD in ’23), would there still be local blackouts? I know there was talk of MLB looking at doing away with those, but didn’t know if that’d move the needle. Thanks!
MLB lifted the blackouts for AZ and SD area viewers when MLB TV took over the broadcasts last year, IIRC. The only reason blackouts exist is bc the RSNs and cable companies. If they aren’t broadcasting the games anymore, then the blackouts should be gone.
What better way to grow the game than remove the single biggest obstacle preventing fans from watching games more often? The occasional national broadcasts on ESPN, Apple and Peacock would be the only issues then.
That’ll never happen. Quit making sense, this is MLB.
I don’t mind using my VPN to watch local games via MLB.tv. If they want to bury their heads in the sand while counting bucks from regional deals, don’t be surprised when that well dries up as World Series continue ascending in ratings.
worth noting – David O’Brien is about as connected to the organization when it comes to payroll as you are. He insisted to fans all of last season that the Braves weren’t going to pay the luxury tax and mocked anyone who suggested that they were in fact right on the verge of that threshold. . . until the Braves extended Sean Murphy and entered the tax (at which point DOB insisted that they were barely into the tax) … until the Braves took on another ~10 million of salary and finished the season just shy of the second tax threshold.
Not saying the Braves are going to trade for Glasnow or sign Gray, and maybe they don’t make a significant acquisition at SP (beyond the apparent interest in trying out Lopez) or LF at all, though that would be disappointing. But it won’t be because DOB had accurate information on how probably the most tightly sealed front office in the sport is operating.
It’s really tacky when fans make posts like this telling everyone about how much money their team has to spend.
This is sports. It’s supposed to be about fair competition. Not this.
That is one insane thing about AA and the Braves the past few seasons, ESPECIALLY in today’s media filled with leaks,etc.
The Braves run one of the most tight-lipped franchises in MLB. It is crazy, rarely ever does one of their moves get leaked. You normally only hear about a signing or a trade once it has already been completed.
I don’t buy anything David O’Brien says, either. Logically, I think they’ll go up to the point where they start incurring draft penalties for exceeding the tax threshold. Next year, with the money coming off, they’ll probably reset the penalties. Then I think they’ll spend as needed as long as the window is open.
Lol I pointed this out on Twitter the other day. It’s amazing how he manages to NEVER break any Braves news – he just repeats info from others. They run a tight ship but even Bowman and Tuscano seem to have sources unlike him.
Iglesias would be a nice closer to grab
yes, but I wonder how many teams would be willing to take him on at $16M a year though
Edwin Diaz is getting $19 million, Kenley Jansen $16 mil, Ryan Pressly $14 and Josh Hader is likely to get something in the $16-20 mil per season range. $32 mil over two years isn’t that bad. Seattle needs to fix the backend of their bullpen. The Orioles are going to be without Bautista for the next year+. The Padres need a Closer. There is a market for him if the Braves want to explore it
Interesting. Would the O’s give up someone like Dean Kremer for Iglesias, or is that too much you think?
Unfortunately, the O’s need starting pitching too so Kremer may be off the table. Kyle Gibson is gone and Cole Irvin has been a bust. I don’t expect them to bring back Jack Flaherty so Kremer, along with Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez and John Means will anchor the rotation. Only way Kremer is traded would be if they signed Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery or another big arm for the rotation
Completely agree!
If they wanted to get rid of Iglesias, they’d have SEVERAL contenders willing to pay that price for 2 years of an excellent closer.
O’s are a perfect fit for Cease. They match up well with the White Sox. With their farm system they match up well with anybody actually.
Hello
This article is pure speculation. The Braves front office always surprises and all they’ve said about payroll is that it is going up. So, if the speculation is that the Braves’ payroll increase will be minimal, then chances are it will go up $50 M or more.
yeah the article’s thesis is “the Braves will dump a contract to sign a SP or the Braves will not sign a SP or the Braves will sign a SP and pay a higher tax rate on some small marginal amount of money”. Those are logically the only options; it’s not exactly a scoop.
This article is pure speculation.
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They should really put the name “Rumors” in the website.
They should really put the name “Rumors” in the website
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Guess we should never believe anything we read on this site. They are not professionals and are just click bait artists.
It’s lame as a fan to get defensive about how much the team spends. It just comes off bad.
As much as they want?
The more I think about it the more I see the Braves sayin screw the luxury tax this year & go balls to the wall for a WS title.
I feel like they know Morton is gone, Ozuna is gone & Fried are all gone after this year & that frees up a lot of money to get under the tax next year.
AS-S should be ready for a rotation spot. Possibly Waldrop as well.
I tend to agree with exactly what you’re saying.
I also think they go after Gray to make sure they have a veteran presence in their rotation come 2025, if/when Fried is gone.
Strider
Gray
AJ Smith-Shawver
Elder
Waldrep/Lopez/Winans/Vines/Anderson/Ynoa
That really isn’t a bad starting 5, then they can let the rest of their depth/prospects fight it out for the 5th spot.
As long as they maintain an electric and deep bullpen, they’ll be just fine with their lineup and ability to score runs in bunches. Now, winning in the playoffs might be a different story, but it’s really a crapshoot anyways. It’s just all about who is hot at the right time.
How the playoffs are set up now, I’d rather they didn’t get a top 2 spot anyways..lol
Gray fits perfectly bc of him reportedly seeking a shorter deal than others, regardless of the QO penalties. If their FA choices fall through, I wouldn’t rule out a trade for a starter. Glasnow would probably be the easiest to acquire but his injuries worry me and they’d be right back in the situation next year.
Maybe that’s why they got Lopez and are planning on stretching him out. To soften the blow if Glasgow were acquired & gets his usual injuries.
lol not a bad starting 5??
The Braves have literally come out of Left Field the past two offseasons making huge trades for Matt Olson and Sean Murphy and then signing them to team friendly extensions. Ozuna is off the books next winter and Morton probably will be too. The Braves getting the All Star game in ’25 will also be a boost to team finances. The Braves just spend smarter than many teams so they are hard to handicap. If AA needs the money for Sonny Gray or Shohei Ohtani it will be there
Unfortunately for the Braves, the A’s don’t have any more young stud talent that they’ll unload for practically no return. So they’ll need to spend if they want to improve this offseason. I agree they could shift some things and sign Gray but I think Ohtani is out of their price range.
Those two contracts weren’t that team friendly. About market value.
@Rsox — don’t forget about the end of the current TV deal (2027) and the profits a new, updated TV deal would mean. IMHO, that alone in a few years could justify a Ohtani expenditure. Imagine having increased TV ratings for 3 years (with Ohtani) and what that would mean at the negotiating table.
@steeler. I agree. If Lopez is the only addition I would like to see done young guys get extended looks. Might as well go all in though. I don’t see Fried giving a discount either and he seems to be frequently hurt these days. Hopefully Bummer gets back to his old form as well. Only thing I can think AA is building a super bullpen and only expecting the SP to go 4-5 innings in 2024.
This pretty much lines up with the Braves every off-season. They throw the Braves around in every big name starting pitcher, then they settle with disappointment.
Your name is TradeAcuna and you have a picture of Trump as your avatar.
Dude….
Triggered much?….Dude?…lol
Triggered? Who says that?
Yup, doubling down on dumb.
Trump doing the tomahawk it would seem. On brand
A more accurate title could be, “What are the Braves Willing to Spend”. None of these franchises are poor. They can spend as much as they like.
With that said, after it seemed like Nola didn’t want to leave Philly and he re-signed there. It probably threw cold water on the FAs in the top of the market. If they signed a FA, I could see it being a Giolito type where he signs a 1 year prove yourself type deal.
Atlanta probably doesn’t want to pay the money Fried is looking for in an extension (especially given the money Nola got and Snell will probably get). So, I could see them going for it this year and not dealing Fried. Plus I think some Braves fans that feel like they need to trade Fried need to realize that he’s not at his peak value. Spending time injured last year and his lack of postseason success the last 2 year (recency bias is a thing). The Braves would be selling him at probably 80% or his peak value.
If they sign a Giolito type and it doesn’t work out next year. They still have Fried, Morton, and Giolito’s money off the books. They can recoup picks by extending a QO to Fried. Then they could dive into the FA market next year. Which is going to be rich in quality starting pitching. And then they can complement Strider, Elder, AJSS, etc. with a veteran #1/#2 type. Similar to how the Phillies took Wheeler from the Mets in 2019-2020.
Maybe this is: ” Wright you did not really pitch for us this year. Average shoulders surgeries require 18-24 months. You will be gone for 24 and 25, probably. If you had told us more about your shoulder at the beginning of the year we might have you have the surgery earlier.” Kyle Wright will be 31 starting the 26 season. AA decides to say it is a numbers thing.and move on.
Most of the moves to clear out space on the 40 were players when replaced will not be saving much money. Lopez and Soroka were gonna make 4 and 3 but the rest were all gonna make maybe 1 or 1.5—so no real saving there when a new player making the minimum is on the roster.
People speaking about trading Ozuna and Iggy.
Is someone will trade for a 40/100 dh for 1 year at 18 with an option for a year 2? Yeah absolutely.
A closer like Iggy for 2 years? Yes
Fried for 1 year at 15? Whoever said no is…..
I don’t think AA can get that same quality back at those same numbers. Besides creating new holes to fill. So, I believe no.
Sign Ohtani
Hes a TOR arm and DH = $45m
we can do it, put up with ohtani or Ozuna in LF next year save $15m
next year he replace Morton $20m and Ozuna $18m
then trade Iglessias to save $16m – the bullpen is stacked even without him
we’ve cleared enough to have the two best players on the planet as Braves.
Go AA.
The Braves going all in on RPs is bizarre. None of the guys they brought in are that great anyway. The rotation has nowhere near the pieces to win in October and the lineup can’t be expected to have a repeat of last season. Get all sorts of flexibility by having their core locked up at a discount and then never use the savings.
Makes sense to me. The relievers they brought it all look pretty good, if not elite, and they didn’t spend a ton on them. Relieves are notoriously fickle, so it makes sense to build a bullpen around a lot of guys with upside
They didn’t bring in any elite RP. I agree, RP are fickle and upside is key and they have a lot of it, but they don’t have an elite pen.
You don’t think Fried ad Strider are no where near the pieces to win in the post season? Last year both were hurt. This year the bats didn’t hit–they pitched well enough.
So how much payroll space do the Braves have left?
How much do they really need to spend? They are already the best team in baseball and it might not really be close.
Atl is one of the teams not getting paid their TV money because of the Bally’s bankruptcy. They might be cutting payroll because of that lost revenue not for a big splash.
I’m still confused… are the Braves racist still or are we over that now?
Three things in life are certain…death, taxes, and DOB being wrong about everything.
Braves racist, Albies, Arcia, Rosario, Harris, Acuña, Iglesias, Jimenez, Washington, and Young all would like to differ. Maybe whoever thinks that is the real racist.
MLB moved the All Star game a few years ago… they felt they were racist.
Besides, they pay all those people less than Olson and Riley… much less.
Melchez17
Seroquel.
“ MLB moved the All Star game a few years ago… they felt they were racist.”
And MLB is always right? MLB caved to BLM. Moving the game actually hurt the welfare of blacks in Atlanta, unlike the voting law, which didn’t.
Not a Braves fan, but looking at projections on Fangraphs Depth Charts, the expectation that the Braves were going to (or needed to) sign a top of the rotation guy never made sense to me. Fangraphs projects then to have the second best rotation in baseball right now, largely because of the 1-2 punch of Strider/Fried. A mid-to-backend starter makes a lot more sense, because it falls off quite a bit after Morton
True, 100%. Time will tell.
POLL: An Atlanta sports radio station tossed out the idea of Fried for Soto, in exchange for two last-year contract players. There were some interesting perspectives for a deal and not a deal. Let’s bring that discussion to the boards…
The Braves need pitching more than they need a LF.
Braves look like they’ll be very active on the waiver wire this winter. Left themselves way more space than they’re gonna fill in FA.
Name on Front of the Jersey Y’all. One reason why my custom jerseys will be Hank,Chipper,Murphy! I know Murph played on other teams but upon retirement He’s a Brave! We will be good in 24 just pull for the guys with the tomahawk! Go Braves!
I kind of thought the Braves would shy away from any of the big names after all the money spent on the pen. I don’t have the numbers, but I would be shocked if they don’t have the most expensive bullpen in baseball, and that’s not even counting Lopez.
It’s not a bad strategy though. The way baseball has gone recently, you are better off having a super strong bullpen with one or two decent starters than the opposite. With the BRaves lineup, they could likely make the postseason as currently constructed, using young arms to fill out the rotation like last year. Only difference is that this year their pen has the ‘potential’ to be more of the swing and miss type than last year.
I do believe the Braves are ‘in’ on many of these free agents, but my take is that they are bidding low enough to avoid actually signing anyone while pushing the price up on competitors.
So, if the Braves do sign a big name I will be happy, but if not, I still don’t mind the direction.
Perhaps I’m gullible but I truly don’t think they would get their fans expectations up after another quick playoff exit, if they were not serious. I don’t necessarily expect a Sonny Gray signing but I expect more. Perhaps many 3-10 mil/year deals. I think O’Briens words come from covering the braves for so long and knowing how they usually do things but it is totally unpredictable as they are in uncharted territory now financially.
Braves are for sure going to sign Ohtani this off season, make another trade or four, and lock up another solid SP. Signing Ohtani and making his payroll should be easy as Ozuna and Morton come off the books after the 2023 season.
YardGoatsFan, Love your optimism. No shade, but I doubt they will sign Ohtani. I honestly think they will try to out mash opponents in 2024. They will add another Starter but it will come out of “Left Field”. JMHO.
Hey Melchez, players are paid based on their performance and value not the color of their skin. You are an idiot.
Can’t see the Braves trading either of Fried or Ozuna for most of the reasons given by commenters here, but imo, they could (and should) be shopping Iglesias. Dealing off his $16M salary (for 24/25) would pay for the additions of Bummer and Lopez. Still have a very good pen w/room for lower salaried arms from the farm (Daysbel Hernandez, Brooks Wilson, etc.) or ST waiver claims added to the mix. Any/all of Minter, Lopez, Bummer, P. Johnson, or Jimenez could be utilized as the “closer.” No real need to have one guy designated to finish games w/a pen as strong as the Braves.
No one is going to trade for Iglesias and his $32 Million contract. I think Ozuna is more tradable than Iglesias
You’re entitled to that opinion. Imo, Ozuna’s $16M contract and recent off the field issues make him untradable unless the Braves eat most of his contract. Nobody’s giving up anything of value while taking on that salary in trade for a DH only player w/2 recent arrests. Every pitcher on the Braves staff probably has more trade value than Ozuna—-just because they’re pitchers. Braves might have to pay down some of Iggy’s contract to deal him, but imo they could get out of 75% or more of his contract. Might not get much back, but the salary relief would be worth it. The Braves have plenty of arms in the pen w/out Iglesias.
AA should package ozuna and Fried to the BlueJays for Manoah, Romano and Espinal.
A new start could revitalize manoah and Romano is a premier closer.
Why would we give up 4 years of Manoah & include Romano for one year of Fried & Ozuna? Not a chance Atkins does that.
Atkins won’t take on Ozuna LOL
5 dollar
i’m definitely not a braves fan but it sucks seeing a team do this bc the CBT tax threshold is too low and teams that actually are trying to win for their fans are forced to do things like this
Come on Warren Buffett open up the wallet and invest
$576 million in revenue. They could spend $300 million and not break a sweat.
They’re not looking to break even the stock needs to show profit and no profit is enough.
Changed my mind yet again. I think I want Glasnow & a top prospect & Margot for Ozuna.
Hear me out.
We get Glasnow on a 1 yr deal pitching for a contract next year.
If he needs to spend any time on the DL you got Lopez to be able to fill the void.
Margot comes in plays LF
We gain a prospect to strengthen the farm a bit & be a piece for the future.
If Glasnow has a good/great year they offer him the QO & either get him for another year or get a Comp pick for him.
We also lose Ozuna and his bat was big this year don’t get me wrong but it could free up the DH spot so it gives guys rest days without having to take their bats out of the lineup. Even carry a 3rd catcher so TDA could get even more at bats.
Is this a joke mate?
Your a joke mate
Pretty sure Grissom will be the opening day left fielder. That is of course if he isn’t traded.
Looking that way to me too
At least through ST to see if he can handle it defensively
Fried is gone ( huge union guy and will want the bag). Trade him for Soto.. go get YAmamoto and Shota. Let our young guys Rp for a year to get some MLB reps and then they will be ready 2025 when Morton is gone. i trust o’brien about as much as mexican drinking water. the cool thing is braves get a huge tv contract come 2027. That and morton and ozuna are off the books. yes Liberty owns the team but the contract was braves can only spend money that they generate from games, battery and the real estate…People thought the harper contract was stupid but marketing and jersey sales and sold out stadium was worth that alone.. spend money to make money.. go get it braves.
The Padres have zero interest in Max Fried. They are looking for pitchers with control. To get Soto from them would require AJSS. BTV says it would take AJSS and Vines, but Fried does not have enough value by himself, especially to the Padres.
sorry i couldnt edit when i posted it, i forgot to add ozuna…..Pitchers with control? fried is in top 5-10 pitchers in the game, you add ozuna to that and its just a contract swap. noone is giving up top prospects for a 1 year rental. and both teams get what they need. considering all are in FA at the end of the year
I don’t think AA needs to do any spendy top tier FA starter moves. I’d save as much $ as possible for the mid-point deadline when a number of losing teams will be unloading the salaries of next yrs free agents. Who knows what the Braves might need for the final push for the post season next year.
For now, I would just do one or two low priced 1 yr “prove it” deals on guys like Paxton, Ryu, Mahle or Severino. i like Paxton and Ryu the most since both got in their post TJ seasons last yr and they’re starting ’24 healthy. Put them in the #4 and #5 role and keep them at 4 innings to start with Lopez and Elder to finish the game. That gives you 4 guys stretched out to start in case of injury..
The rotation doesn’t have to be perfect to start the yr. The goal is simply to have a team good enough make the post season while being healthy and hitting on all cylinders in September. The sad fact is the “last team in” has made it to the WS the last 2 yrs.
Let’s try this: You’re AA from Atlanta and you really, really want to add a top flight starter to get you over the postseason hump. You won the NL East by 14 games and you figure you rate to do something like that again in 2024, You’d also rather go in with a serious ace to head your postseason rotation, but the only way you can afford it is to lose $34m in 2024 salary.
You’re at the bar and Steve Cohen walks in. A light bulb goes on and you offer Steve both Ozuna (18m, 3.3 rWAR in 2023) and Iglesias (16m, 1.1 rWAR in 2023) for two bags of balls, figuring you’ll still win the division by 10 games but now that you can afford to go into the postseason with Yamamoto or Snell as your #1 and Strider as your #2, the WS you’re so desperate to return to is a much better shot. After all, who’s going to remember in five years that you won the East by 14 games in 2023? What fans will remember is that the Phillies had your number, again, and sent you packing.
Thoughts?
I’m on board w/dealing Iglesias. Braves don’t need him. Ok w/dumping Ozuna too. Just can’t see the Mets taking on those salaries. Haven’t they been upfront about wanting to go younger this season? Wouldn’t want to see the Braves sign Snell though. He’s prime for big regression. Probably not something to worry about, but I wonder if Yamamoto will have trouble throwing the larger MLB baseball. He’s a small guy. Just wonder if his hands can adapt to the size difference.
@NashvilleJeff The Mets might take them to aim for .500 since they need to improve somewhere—unless they’re content to go for 75 wins. The problem is they don’t have anyone in the minors ready to promote that they didn’t already bring up in 2023 so they have to add some talent somewhere–and they desperately need another big arm in the bullpen. Baty, Vientos, and Mauricio are likely to struggle for a lot of 2024 given their dismal 2023 performances, though it’s true that Ozuna would block one of the first two, at either of DH or LF, the only positions either is suited for.
How about you keep those players and still sign that ace pitcher? The Braves will clear more than $60M after 2024 when Ozuna, Fried and Morton leave.
Keeping those 2 and signing Yamamoto would push the Braves into the 3rd luxury tax tier. Still feel like they won’t miss Iggy if they can shed his salary. Pen will still be strong w/out him. Ozuna’s probably untradable but like you said, he’s gone after 24 anyway. I don’t trust Yamamoto to be as effective in MLB as he is in Japan. The difference in the size of the balls makes me doubt him. Probably not anything to worry about, but………….
@bhambrave The spec was just that the Braves seemed bent on not adding another $25m to 32m in 2024 on top of other additions, so it seemed like the simplest way to clear enough salary to add an ace.