The Braves are likely to retain injured lefty Mike Minor for the 2016 season, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (links to Twitter). He cautions that it’s not yet certain how the team will proceed.
Minor, 27, can be controlled through arbitration for two more years. Since agreeing to a $5.6MM salary for the present season, a figure which was elevated by his prior Super Two qualification, Minor has accrued a full year of service time on the DL after undergoing shoulder surgery. Even before his lost 2015, Minor had followed up an outstanding 2013 campaign (204 2/3 innings, 3.21 ERA) with an injury-shortened disappointment last year (145 1/3, 4.77).
While Atlanta would undoubtedly prefer to keep the rights to the talented southpaw, and will have the benefit of watching him begin to throw in the coming weeks in assessing its position, that high salary starting point poses an issue. The CBA provides that teams “may not tender, sign or renew a Player under reserve to the Club” to a contract with a salary “that constitutes a reduction in excess of 20% of his salary for Major League service in the previous season.”
Salaries are rarely reduced through arbitration regardless, but that rule creates a firm $4.48MM floor if Atlanta tenders Minor a contract.  The very same consideration led Atlanta to non-tender pitchers Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy last offseason. But in Minor’s case, O’Brien suggests on Twitter, there may be greater team interest in trying to strike a deal in that range if one can be had.
Of course, tendering a contract would not only make for a firm commitment but would open up the possibility of being forced to pay more money. The Braves could instead look to work something out before the non-tender deadline in early December. Particularly given that Minor will still be a full season away from qualifying for free agency through accumulation of service time, he could presumably also be approached with some kind of multi-year arrangement (as both Medlen and Beachy ultimately landed as free agents) that provides him with some guaranteed money while giving the club a chance to participate in the upside through cheap future guarantees and/or option years.
It will certainly be interesting to see how things proceed, given that the Braves have been actively investing in fairly risky pitching talent. On the other side of the equation, as Minor and his representatives will be well aware, clubs around the league have shown a good deal of willingness to spend on injured pitching on the free agent market in recent campaigns.
Medlen and Beachy had their 2nd Tomm John surgeries last year.. Other than Capuano no other pitchers have come back from a second surgery to have lasting careers.. I think that had something to do with them being non tendered.. That being said it should be interesting to see how this situation plays out.. I doubt he would take much of a reduction in salary seeing as how he would still have another year of arbitration ahead of him and taking a big reduction next year will hurt his potential raise for 2017.. I agree that they will probably agree to a 2 year contract in the $10-$11 million range that will give him a guaranteed salary for 2017 as well.. Who knows he might take less since it will be guaranteed money..
Daniel hudson, jason frasor and joakim soria. Relievers though.
Has Minor had TJ surgery before? He had shoulder surgery but I dont believe he has had TJ. I think if they can sign a reasonable contract to cover is arbitration years, im for it.
Give him one year to impress if not cut ties with him. He deserves it, but I don’t see him doing anything. Braves fan also
Oh good, they’re already planning their first bad offseason signing. I do not like this because I feel that Minor covered up the fact that his shoulder was causing great deals of pain and he probably knew he would not throw much this year. But he beat the Braves in arbitration and then when he finally got to camp after taking care of other medical issues, his arm started falling off. I have no problem with athletes getting paid but I hate guaranteed contracts and Minor’s situation is exactly why. I am glad that they try to be ultimate competitors but he knew his arm was just as bad or worse than last year, he just wanted more money.
I don’t disagree cause most athletes would do that given the chance but remember he had to have exploratory surgery to find the problem. All test came back fine. So maybe he thought he was okay
So you would prefer if guys get hurt, they can be cut and their contracts voided?
Has a salary EVER been reduced through arbitration?
Its usually pre tender deadline because the team might just release them.
So lets see the rotation and bullpen for the Braves in 2016 will be :
1. S. Miller
2. Wisler
3. Teheran
4. W. Perez
5. Foltynewicz
With possibilities of:
E. Jackson
Minor
Banuelos
T. Jenkins
Bullpen possibilities: Vizcaino, McKirahan, S.Simmons, P.Rodriquez, Aardsma, Cunniff, Marksberry,Moylan, Caberra, Winkler
Not to mention Grilli, Frasor, Marimon, Kohn, Kelly, Brigham
i see PereZ being long relief and Banuelos working out of the rotation
I disagree. I see Folty out and Banuelos in.
Banuelos is going to be in rotation, IMO. Jenkins wont be ready, more of a Sept. And i would expect a random veteran getting a chance at the rotation too.
Someone needs to replace Perez in the rotation. No hope there for him. Folty needs to learn how to pitch, instead of throwing. He “threw” at the game against the Giants and they ate him up.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a veteran brought in for the 4th or 5th rotation spot, too. Perez has been a placeholder. I thought Folty would be an ideal closer, but the team clearly wants to see if he can command his stuff well enough to start. Minor? If his shoulder is OK, sign him for two years, incentive-heavy, with the second as a club option.
Teheran may the guy dealt this offseason, even if they’d be selling low.
I really don’t see them getting rid of him, or, WHY they would. Obviously they’d be selling low, and he’s still remained somewhat worthy of a spot this year – especially at home. He’s just got a few hiccups to work through. Nothing that to me, would cause me to explore a trade for him.
If they do trade him, they’ll get fleeced, IMO.
I’d turn Folty into the next Kimbrel. He’s cheap, he’s got a power-arm and he doesn’t pitch well, but he throw’s great.
In 5 years, when his cost rises, flip him. I’ve always sort of hoped Minor would put it together, as said above, give him a year and go from there. If he blows, cut him lose. We have enough pitching.
they trade him if they can get an impact bat, simple as that. Everybody knows JT is a really good pitcher signed to a team-friendly deal. They won’t let that dissuade them.