The Braves today announced five new front office hires as well as a promotion. According to a press release, the Braves have hired D’Backs assistant GM Billy Ryan as director of baseball operations; Red Sox scout Tom Batista as a national crosschecker (marking his second stint with the organization); Astros international crosschecker Marc Russo as director of international operations; Mets international crosschecker Mike Silvestri as director of Latin American scouting; and Angels scout Lebi Ochoa as a senior adviser to the player development department. Additionally, Dixie Keller has been promoted from scouting coordinator to manager of scouting operations after 14 years with the organization.
More on the Braves…
- CEO Terry McGuirk tells David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the team’s payroll won’t be going down in 2015 (Twitter link). O’Brien expects that payroll will remain around the same $112MM mark that the team saw in 2014. That’s not an insignificant amount, as the Braves stretched their payroll considerably in Spring Training in order to add Ervin Santana on a one-year $14.1MM contract after they learned that both Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy would require second Tommy John surgeries. Atlanta’s Opening Day figure of $112MM was the highest in franchise history. The Braves currently have about $79.6MM committed to eight players (plus Dan Uggla) in 2015, and their arbitration class projects to earn $21.4MM (that number would drop by $1.6MM if Jonny Venters is non-tendered). Factoring in the necessary league-minimum players to round out the roster, Atlanta would be looking at a payroll around $106MM by my calculations, so they don’t have a significant amount of flexibility without subtracting from the current roster or receiving an unexpected payroll boost from ownership.
- O’Brien also points out that Jason Heyward’s 2015 salary has increased from $7.8MM to $8.3MM, as he received $500K in bonuses for winning a Gold Glove and surpassing 502 plate appearances in 2014 (Twitter links). Additionally, Heyward can earn another $250K for finishing 11th through 20th in the upcoming National League MVP voting. Based on the points-based incentives system outlined on Cot’s Contracts, that number would rise to $375K were he to finish in the 6-10 range.
- The trade market figures to be a greater focus for president of baseball operations John Hart and assistant GM John Coppolella than the free agent market this offseason, writes MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. Hart and Coppolella figure to spend some of their time at next week’s GM Meetings getting a feel for what type of return they could attain were they to trade Heyward, Justin Upton or Evan Gattis. Additionally, they’ll likely once again try to determine if there’s a creative way to rid themselves of B.J. Upton’s contract.
Gattis + BJ Upton for PTBNL is about the only way I see the braves ridding themselves of BJ Upton’s contract.
Where do I sign?
BJ + to whomever for some kind of salary relief (if only just 4 or 5 million of it).
Sign Peavy or Volquez …
Trade Gattis, Terdoslavich, Minor & Prospect to Tigers for Price & JD Martinez …
Extend Jason or Justin and trade other for prospects.
Re-Sign Bonifacio for everyday CF.
gattis terdoslavich and minor prospect would just get JD martinez not JD martinez and price
That would be a gross overpay for just JD to be fair.
The suggested trade is fair for both teams to be fair.
just because you say “fair” twice doesn’t mean it’s fair… Wow that word is contagious!
It would be a gross overpay but I’m not sure the Tigers would pull on that trade since to me it seems to be unfair for them, especially given the Tigers title dreams.
I agree that a trade has to be “fair’ but it also has to contain pieces needed or sought after by both teams. Tigers don’t need a catcher, right handed leftfielder, #5 starter, or rookie utility man. To get a former Cy Young winner you need to give up established ML players. I agree that Heyward , Teheran and/or J. Upton needs to be in the mix.
I think you read it wrong
I most definitely did not. We are talking value here and more would have to be given to Detroit if Price gets included in the deal
I think you read it as a minor prospect, and not Mike minor & a prospect..but maybe I’m wrong
This is ridiculous, and it would never happen. You’re talking about an Ace Plus Detroit’s #5 hitter. Tigers just gave up their future #3 SP Starting CF and top SS prospect for Price. He alone would command more than this
JD Martinez has much more value than a prospect, and he will cost under $3 MM this season. They have 0 intent on moving him. Heyward and Teheran would need to be in any discussion involving David Price. It’s not happening with Scherzer leaving as a FA this winter.
then take Evan Gattis out from the trade proposal! to take out JD
Minor longer control than Price. Gattis longer control and helps the lineup in case Martinez doesn’t re-sign and virtually replaces JD Martinez. Terdoslavich would be a decent bench piece. The prospect could be Hursh or Sims, which would be a sweetener to the deal.
It is a fair deal to be fair.
Besides, Detroit didn’t give that much at all for Price in first place.
Price with only 1 year left on deal will not gain a kings ransom by any means.
Braves need to sign Heyward and Alex Wood long term this winter.
Build around pitching and defense. I like the core players they have like Heyward, Simmons, Freeman, Wood, Teheran and Kimbrel, those are the guys they need to keep at all cost.
I hope Bethancourt, and Peraza(at some point next year) can have a solid years so they can become part of that strong Braves core going forward.
I would trade either Gattis or Justin Upton (or both) this winter if they can get a strong return. Going forward I they’re pretty thin on pitching depth, the pipeline isn’t exactly fruitful right now. Just keep the core and build around, try to find complementary pieces to help out in positions of need like 3B and CF, and at catcher I would think a platoon with Bethancourt could be a very good idea.
The problem with building around pitching is that you’re building around the most fragile commodity possible. It’s one reason that, like clockwork, ATL has consistently seen their team wrecked by injuries about every 3 years.
This team needs to focus on bats right now. They’ll be ok with their pitching for the time being and they can always make a move once they’re closer to contending.
I’m really excited about Peraza, though! Can’t wait to watch that guy next season.
Braves still need a 2b and bullpen relief. I think the players who had a down year offensively should rebound for 2015. Trade bj upton or have the 4th platoon on this roster along with Gattis since he has some trade value.
You would have to take on most of BJ’s salary just to get a fringe top 20 organizational prospect. So around a 15-20, who probably has a limited upside
You would be lucky to a 15-20 organizational prospect for BJ Upton. And if you do the guy probably does not have a high ceiling.
mets trade: Kevin Pleweki, Dillon Gee, Rafael Montero
Braves trade: Justin Upton
Not going to happen. The mets would hang up in a heart beat. That is way too much because there is no chance that Upton signs a new deal with the Mets. Also I don’t want to forget the fact that the Mets would not want Montero destroying them for the next 10-15 years.
I’m a mets fan who proposed this trade and why wouldn’t upton resign if the mets gave him a solid offer?
Because he won’t get a solid offer from the Mets. The only top guy they signed to a reasonable deal was Wright. Other than that what star players have they signed in the last 5 years or so. And I think he would test the market because young guys with power are hard to come by.
yeah but in the past 5 years they were rebuilding. If they get upton they are in win now mode and upton is young enough to justify a long term contract.
He will test the market trust me. Especially should Heyward get signed at any point during the season. Those 2 are the best hitters available in FA market next season. Also the Wilpon’s don’t seem to want to spend any money, they didn’t re-sign Reyes who was pretty good for them. And don’t forget the whole division thing when it comes to trades. They are a rare occurrence for players of Upton’s caliber. I can’t think of any off the top of my head.
hey u could definitely be right but with murphy and colon coming off the books after next year, they will have a lot of money to spend.
I’d love to see the Braves go get Masterson on a one year deal.
as a cards fan I can assure you will regret that decision.
If either Heyward or Upton are available, the Cards need to jump on that.
John Hart’s doing the restructuring of the FO, whuch was needed. John has a great track record in finding quality baseball people. The next few years going into the new park should be interesting.
BJ for Josh Hamilton in a bad-contract swap. Hamilton’s is longer-term and more money, but worth it to get Upton off the roster. Throw in Hale to sweeten the deal as Halos need starting pitching.
Wacha in Jay for justin upton …..gattis in a prospect for brett gardner in prado
lol ok and where does Gattis play? He’s not very good at first, he’s worse in left and McCann + Cervelli? are backstop. A-Rod + McCann + Texiera are going to share DH duties…. So pray tell where will Gattis go?
I like that thinking.
Wacha/Jay for JUp (and a prospect or Hale)
Gattis/BJ & Cash/Prospect/Chris Johnson for Gardner/Prado.
Buddy, do you mean “and” not “in”. LOL!!!!!