A few National League East-themed rumblings…
- The Braves reunited with catcher Brian McCann in free agency Wednesday, giving them a decent behind-the-plate tandem with him and Tyler Flowers. Atlanta’s not necessarily out of the sweepstakes for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, though, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported this week (subscription link). It appears Miami would need to significantly lower its asking price in order for Realmuto to join the NL East rival Braves, however. Per Rosenthal, the Marlins requested second baseman Ozzie Albies and more from the Braves in the teams’ discussions. Unsurprisingly, the Braves haven’t been willing to part with the 21-year-old Albies, who turned in a 3.8-fWAR rookie campaign in 2018 and is under wraps for the foreseeable future, for two seasons of control over Realmuto, 27.
- Sticking with the Braves, free-agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel is “high on their wish list,” Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes. Keuchel rejected a qualifying offer from the Astros in favor of reaching the open market, but because the Braves received revenue sharing and didn’t exceed the competitive balance tax in 2018, they’d only lose their third-highest draft pick in signing him. While Keuchel does figure to ink one of the richest contracts in this winter’s free-agent class, the Braves may have the money to reel him in, even after committing a combined $25MM to McCann and Josh Donaldson this week. Atlanta has plenty of young starting pitching on hand, but it’s arguably in need of a quality veteran starter like the soon-to-be 31-year-old Keuchel – especially with integral 2018 contributor Anibal Sanchez now a free agent and Julio Teheran looking like a potential trade chip.
- More from Rosenthal, who tweets that the Mariners have shown interest in Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford in the clubs’ talks centering on Seattle’s Jean Segura. Acquiring Segura wouldn’t take the Phillies out of the running for free-agent shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado, Rosenthal adds. If the Phillies were to land both, they’d use Segura at short and Machado at third, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Although, considering Machado has made it known he prefers shortstop, Salisbury notes that it’s unclear whether Philadelphia would be able to sell him on the hot corner – where he has spent the majority of his career. As for Crawford, he’s young (24 in January), affordable and controllable for a while, making him a fit for the rebuilding Mariners in those respects. Crawford hasn’t lived up to the elite prospect billing he once had, however. Across 138 major league plate appearances last season, Crawford turned in a passable batting line (.214/.319/.393 – good for a 96 wRC+), though he also posted subpar defensive numbers (minus-6 DRS, minus-3.4 UZR) in 229 innings at short.
mrnatewalter
Albies for Realmuto?
Yeah, if you’re an NL East team, it’s best to find your catcher elsewhere.
wadlez
Nats found two after a year of Jeters nonsense.
yogineely
Ha, kinda.
yogineely
Both whatever players and not an upgrade. Plus nats are losers, it’s proven after being the team to beat for seasons and failing to make playoffs for two of those seasons
Erie4312
And they want others with albies
Ridiculous
bhambrave
The Nats catchers last year were so bad that this does represent an upgrade. They are now probably about League-average or a little better.
petrie000
Honestly, if realmuto had another year or two of control, that straight up would not be a bad deal
2bs are a lot easier to find that catchers who can hit worth anything
TradeAcuna
Except catchers decline far faster and in todays game, don’t require to be offense first. The Braves would be stupid to trade Albies for any catcher.
justin-turner overdrive
I agree, but only because the talent pool is so bad, most teams are just eating it, offense-wise at C right now. Realmuto is good but he’s not really even in the MVP conversation yet, so thats the bar right now for catchers. MLB could use a talent injection at the spot for sure. Where’s the next Piazza or Bench?
Mjm117
Or maybe it’s one of the most grueling positions in baseball to be really good at.
ColossusOfClout
Would have been interesting if Harper had remained a catcher after going pro.
MrStealYoBase
Nat’s would have had to give him another year or two to develop his defense. Would have been cool in hindsight but there’s a reason why you don’t see many HS catchers get drafted and stick there as pros.
JKB 2
Harper was not drafted out of HS. He graduated and went to a Junior College where he was then drafted from.
phnxdark23
Neat. How is this relevant to the discussion in any way? No one claimed he was drafted out of high school.
Samuel
justin-turner overdrive;
You attack me and others, and this is what you write?
With every post you show you know absolutely nothing about the sport of professional baseball.
Hey, you know what’s wrong with NL pitchers? They hardly steal any bases.
callingoutdummies247
Well, I’ll spell it out for you. Colossus of clout said Harper staying at catcher would have been interesting. Mr Steal made a good comment about him needing time to develop because he was a C in high school. Then he went on to say it’s why not a lot of HS catchers get drafted and stick. So basically, no one said he was drafted in high school, a comment was made about HS catchers in general. Bryce was a catcher prior to the draft. So in a convo about good offensive catchers his comment was pretty valid. Hope my explanation was good for you.
mikeyst13
It takes time for catchers to develop in the minors. They have to learn the ins and outs of calling a game and controlling a pitching staff. Because of that a lot of times great hitting catchers get moved to other positions in order to rush their bats to the majors as well as to keep them healthy and in the lineup as C have more wear and tear on their bodies, are more prone to injury, and need more days off. Most good offensive catchers in the league were later developing offensive guys.
sname_james
I was about to say the same thing. Most offensively talented players move from catcher early. In the long run the wear and tear on the knees and legs will cut years and productivity off of a talented player’s career.
southi
@JKB:
Harper never graduated. He left high school immediately after his sophomore year, then got his GED so he could go early to JUCO.
bhambrave
It’s too late to be drinking Espresso.
baseball1600
JTO, what are you talking about? Posey and Molina have been the “next piazza or bench” type players for the past 8 years. Both are HOF worthy and top-10 at their position.
davidcoonce74
In today’s game? Catchers have never hit. It’s always been a defense-first position, with a few good offensive catchers sprinkled in every year. You should go back and look at catchers in the 1950s and 60s sometime. Or, really, any era. In the deadball era most catchers would put up lines like 180/212/196 regularly. What makes Realmusto so valuable is his outstanding defense combined with well above-average offense.
steelerbravenation
It would be when Albies is Acuna’s best friend on the team.
southi
Some of the reports said that the Marlins were asking for Acuna last off season and that their price had supposedly “went up” despite the fact Realmuto had one less season of control. While I wouldn’t consider that Albies would be higher than Acuna but that is far too high to be realistic for Atlanta.
bucketbrew35
Remember they asked for an unproven Scuba at the time.
mj-2
Yep this. I would say asking for Albies is an increased price once you consider this
Tomahawktake
Marlins are trying to make-up from last year’s trades with Realmuto. Braves and Nats are not biting and have found other options. Marlins need prospects and have blown it again. Yankees have now also traded Sheffield so Marlins are now limited. Jeter you were fine shortstop but a fantasy owner.
chound
Braves can’t go for JTR. but any “once” ace is probably fine. That youthful pitching needs a leader in the clubhouse.
Rebuild it
No Braves, No. Keuchel is a declining, aging pitcher thatll require a lengthy contract. Dont tie up these dumb contracts then have to trade stars when they reach arb eligibility because of these types of dead in the water contracts
baseball1600
Trading for Segura is one of those underrated moves that improves a team a lot more than people expect. Segura hitting in front of Hoskins and Machado is going to make one of the best lineups in baseball.
JKB 2
Except neither Segura nor Machado play for the Phillies
yogineely
Haha
yogineely
It’s also a pretty weak hitting combo honestly
AndyMeyer
Segura Hoskins Machado “weak hitting”
Do you watch baseball?
24TheKid
Santana(all of contract), Crawford, Romero or Medina, and Sixto for Segura and James Pazos.
adshadbolt
I’m not sure who’s fan u are because take all of Santana’s contract but also included sixto in the deal?
24TheKid
Not sure what your confused about…
Mjm117
If M’s require to get Sixto for all of Santana’s contract, I’d prefer to keep Sixto.
24TheKid
If you want to get out of Santana’s entire contract your going to need to include at least Sanchez, and by receiving an all star SS, you need to include top prospects.
PhanaticDuck26
somewhat agree; yes, the Phils will have to give up pieces that we really don’t want to, but that’s the price to pay for the instant upgrade in Segura. This can be done without Sanchez who, in my opinion, should only be on the move if a Kluber deal presents itself.
Santana’s contract is not such an albatross that the Phils would have to include Sixto to off-set it (like Cano-Diaz). I think the Phils and Rockies will work out a deal that sends Santana to COL and the Phils will get a Jake McGee/Bryan Shaw in return. Not exactly the best situation as a Phillies fan, but hey, the Santana project didn’t quite work and this seems like the best way out of it without giving up top prospect talent.
Coast1
The Phillies aren’t looking to get out of Santana’s contract. They are about $95 million under budget right now WITH Santana’s contract. If someone is taking on salary in the deal it’ll be the Phillies.. If the Phillies trade Santana it won’t be in this deal. It’ll be to someone like the Twins and they’ll probably put in $20 million to increase their return.
if the Mariners are demanding Sanchez in a deal, the Phillies will move on. Matt Klentak hasn’t made a major deal in three years, so he’s not quick to do anything.
jerrytek
“The Phillies aren’t looking to get out of Santana’s contract.”
That’s almost definitely not true. Santana wasn’t that good last year, and he’s blocking Hoskins’ natural position. If the Phillies want to spend this year, moving him certainly won’t hurt. They can always eat the money or take back another bad contract that fits better on their roster. But having him on the books would be ideal if they want to really go for it this year. Having an extra $17.5 million to spend is the difference between signing Machado and Kimbrel versus Marchado, Kimbrel, AND Corbin.
Including him in the deal makes also some sense for the M’s, as they can use him at 1B/DH. Especially if it helps bolster the prospect return in a Segura trade. As a prototype for the “C the Z’ approach that the M’s are trying to promote in the organization, I could see them wanting to add a guy like that. And his contract would run out by the time the young players in the organization are likely ready to contribute.
I doubt the Phillies would move Sixto Sanchez in such a deal, but including Santana could help the M’s add young talent. Bohm, Medina, etc could be in the mix. Depends on how much the Phillies want to push things.
Coast1
Yes, Santana is blocking Hoskins natural position but no that extra $17.5 million isn’t going to help them sign another player. MLB Trade Rumors predicts those three will get around $69 million a year combined. Adding $69 million to the Phillies payroll will put them at roughly $175 million.
The Phillies are willing to spend at least to the luxury tax and that’s $206 million. So they’ll still have another $30 million to spend without subtracting Santana. And that assumes that Hernandez, Franco, and Herrera will be back. All three could be traded..
The Phillies are the team that gave the Rangers $30 million and took Harrison back in the Hamels deal. They paid all of Chase Utley’s contract when they traded him to the Dodgers. The Dodgers aren’t ones looking for salary relief. They may trade Santana to clear 1B for Hoskins but when they do they’re probably still going to pay half of Santana’s contract. They don’t need another team to take Santana’s contract off their hands.
AndyMeyer
Santana was not the problem. The Rhys Hoskins project in left field was
AndyMeyer
Jerrytek
“Santana wasn’t that good last year”
Wrong. His numbers were right in line with his norms. His batting average was down. His walks were up
Santana is not the problem. Hoskins failed miserably i left field. I’ll take a Carlos Santana in my lineup any day. Just unfortunate it turns out this way
ayrbhoy
24thekid- I’d like Sixto Sanchez but I’m curious, aren’t you the least bit concerned the Ms will replace an A-S SS with a prospect who’s not lived up to elite prospect status and described above as having passable numbers and below avg. defensive metrics? I assume Segura has reached a point of no return w Ms management but that’s hardly an exciting replacement
Marc (Phillies Phan)
Santana is not Cano. We can absorb his contract. We just need to trade him. Sixto should not be in the same sentence as Santana.
holecamels35
I don’t understand why now the Phils want to get out of Santana’s contract? He’s exactly who we thought he was. Low average, good eye first baseman yet they brought him in anyways and forced a better version of that player (Hoskins) to a position he’s struggling with.
bhambrave
I think they were hopeful that Hoskins could adapt to the outfield. That didn’t work out.
jdgoat
Exactly. Burying Hoskins in the least important position was a gamble that was worthwhile taking but it turned out terribly since he was worse than expected and Santana had one of his worst seasons in years.
bhambrave
There are so many decent 1B/DH types out there that are cheaper and/or better than Santana (as reported on MLBTR), that the Phillies will need to either send money with him or trade him for another big contract (eg Greinke).
khopper10
I’d do this as a Mariners fan. Bruce and Santana come off the books after 2020 and in the meantime we’ve acquired 4/5 of our future starting rotation in less than a month.
Coast1
Of course you’ll do it. It’s a one-sided deal.
WsuMojo
Never seen JP Crawford play, but based on his stats (including minors too, not much with the stick) and above saying he was subpar defensively, I really hope Ms go for someone else. Segura worth more than a likely future utility IF that can’t hit.
ayrbhoy
I hope so too because we don’t have any quality SS’s that are knocking on the door in our minor leagues. Wasn’t that long ago where we had a glut of SS’s! Not exactly quality SS’s but plenty who played the position
Coast1
His 2018 stats weren’t consistent with his minor league performance. He had an amazing glove all through the minors and was great in 2017 when called up. If you’re going for Crawford it’s due to his glove.
bhambrave
Sometimes when young players struggle in one aspect of their game, they stress out and it affects the other half. That could be happening with Crawford. IIRC, the Phillies don’t have a strong record of handling young players (Domonic?). That might be the case with Crawford.
brian214
Ugh, please don’t bring up Dom Brown. Unfortunately I have a feeling Moniak may be a bigger disappointment. Oh well, at least they were smart enough to give Kingery all that money before he did anything at the big league level. smh
bhambrave
Kingery is another example. Waiting so long to bring Howard up is another. Not a good history.
Coast1
That’s a good theory. Crawford was the shortstop for 21 games in April and he struggled offensively. It may have carried over. He got hurt and came back in June. He spent two weeks as the starting 3B. Kapler figured that’d work since Crawford had looked so good there in 2017. But he still struggled defensively and then got hurt again. Then he came back in September but really didn’t play.
The sample size was small. Either you believe in the player he was before 2018 or you don’t, but I find it hard to dismiss his defense based on 27 starts at short.
Bald Vinny
Look at Jeter trying to sit at the big boys table.
BrandonBrave91
Are you kidding me? Itd take realmuto plus some to get albies. Not albies plus some to get realmuto. That’s insane.
Mjm117
Bc Realmuto >> Albies
Bald Vinny
2 years Realmuto < 6 years Albies
Mjm117
Excellent point!
Realmuto still > Albies.
simschifan
Yes exactly, people forget it’s only 2 years of Realmuto
Bald Vinny
Nope.
7 projected fWAR vs 22 projected fWAR.
I’m not sure which I’d take. How bout you?
fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-trade-value-21-to-30/
Syndergaarden Cop
mjmoron
bastros88
idiot sandwich
jdgoat
That’s a flawed way of evaluating trades. Would Atlanta turn down Trout for Albies? Albies has his projected 22 fWar while Trout would realistically put up 16 at most over his two years. But there’s no way Atlanta turns that down.
bhambrave
Realmuto isn’t Trout.
bhambrave
I’d be willing to trade Albies for Realmuto if we got a negotiating window before the trade was final.
No I wouldn’t. Nevermind.
HaloShane
Exactly! And why trade your organization away for Trout when he will be a FA in 2yrs. The Angels are a lost organization with 0 direction. No way Trout stays on this garbage of an organization, unless he just does not care to win.
olereb
Right on Brandon, you tell them. Jeter still upset about getting beat last year on his trades
davidcoonce74
Derek Jeter isn’t the GM of the Marlins. He’s a minority owner, from what I understand, with a very tiny stake in the franchise. He has some fancy and meaningless title, but there is a director of baseball operations and a GM that I assume do most of the heavy lifting.
User 589131137
The Marlins need to be contracted.
Mjm117
100% true!!!
good thing, however, is that they never will.
ColossusOfClout
The Braves, with a brand new stadium built by the suckers, I mean people of Cobb Country, are a revenue sharing team? That’s like the neighbors driving a Mercedes to the store to spend their food stamps.
BamaBraves
Diamondbacks, Braves, Orioles, Reds, Indians, Rockies, Astros, Royals, Marlins, Brewers, Twins, Athletics, Pirates, Padres, Mariners, Rays are currently revenue sharing teams but the Braves Astros and As are in the process of being removed from the revenue sharing group because their Market scores have exceeded 100. Even though they recieve revenue sharing now they will loose larger chunks each year starting with this one until 2022 when they will be completely removed per the MLBPA CBA.
yogineely
Those same people still do the racist chop so you can call them suckers all you want. I’m sure they prefer that to racists anyways
ffjsisk
Nothing racist about the chop. You must be a visitor #fearthechop
Samuel
Doubt that they’re doing it because they’re “racist” (is a player adjusting his jock on the field “sexist? “A sign he’s a “sexual predator”?).
That rumbling chant by Atlanta fans is so stupid and irritating that I will not watch a Braves game from Atlanta. Only watch their away games. Always listen to the other teams announcers. Cannot stomach a minute of Chip Caray…….for the exact same reasons I refuse to put up with The Tomahawk Chop.
bhambrave
There are times when the chop is fun, but I think they overdo it. If I could listen to the radio broadcast instead of the TV broadcast I would, but the delay won’t let that happen. Out of sync.
RunDMC
Joe Simpson, is that you? I know you more free time now but surely you could find better ways rain on society’s parade and tell everyone to get off your lawn.
baseball1600
I think the chop in the playoffs was amazing. It felt like postseason baseball. Especially the prelude to Acunas grand slam against the Dodgers.
petfoodfella
You should prob take a step back in life and woosah a a bit. You’re uptight about the stupidest things.
Samuel
Maybe it was koooalll 25 years ago. But can’t the fans come up with something new?
bhambrave
Sweet Caroline is a really old song. Maybe Boston should come up with something new.
Youtube.com/@PINGTR1P
You sound miserable. Have you tried Twitter? You’d fit right in with the other sissy’s that love to whine and complain about things they don’t like.
mmarinersfan
Phillies rushed Crawford. He still has the potential to be very good.
Marc (Phillies Phan)
I agree and disagree. We played him out of necessity. I think he has potential and I think his injuries hurt his value. But that said there is an upside to him. But in 2019, he belongs on a retooling or re building team only because of the injuries to see what he is made of.
jerrytek
Yeah, I’m an M’s fan, and I agree 100%. Segura for Crawford + makes sense for both clubs. I think this is extremely likely to happen in the next few days.
Ry.the.Stunner
Albies wasn’t a rookie in 2018.
throwinched10
I would rather see the Mariners target Kingery to play 2b instead of Crawford as a SS. I can’t see what all the fuss is about with Crawford. Kingery has hit well at every level in the minors and draws comparisons to Pedroia – not just because of height either.
BraveLou
What do you think a package for Zack Greinke looks like?
What about including Teheran or O’Day ?
angler
A lot of $$$ coming back to Braves. More than Diamondbacks want to send but needed if they are going to get anything back for him. They are about to embark on a rebuild so Id say Teheran and young prospect(s).
RBI
Teheran and Gohara for Greinke and $10 million a yr for 3 yrs? Sub Allard for Gohara in similar deal?
bhambrave
Not enough cash back, unless that’s $10M per year or the D’Backs pay all deferrals and bonuses.
BraveLou
I’d much rather the Braves over spend for three years of Greinke as oppose to some of the other names currently on the market.
The big name free agent pitchers will want more than three years.
I also don’t want them emptying the farm via trade unless it’s for a truly young, elite arm…
Also, I don’t see any of them performing significantly better than Greinke over the next few seasons.
olereb
Teheran for Greinke and 20 million
Rebuild it
A bag of baseballs for greinke and 20 mil and teheran for somebody that might be useful
I honestly hope they stay away from greinke completely
olereb
I agree, he’s lost too much of his fastball
mj-2
Good luck with your draft pick add when Realmuto exits via free agency in two years Miami!!!
hoof hearted
What’s a “passable batting line”??
mj-2
Hard pass on Keuchel. And I mean a very hard pass.
Charlie Morton really might make a lot of sense if they want something short term if he’s willing to come back to Atlanta. I think that’s the only option I like from Free Agency.
So if no trade can be done and no deal with Morton swung just let the kids pitch
ffjsisk
Everybody was hard passing on Arietta last year and he was okay. Not perfect but worth his contract.
mj-2
Do the Braves really need a 4.00 ERA pitcher like Arrieta?
It’s not like they have an open spot that needs filled. Braves are specifically looking to add an ace, not a guy worth his contract who pitches ok. If we signed Keuchel and he pitches like Arrieta did last year this was a failure.
Just keep Teheran if that’s the goal. There’s a reason Teheran is being moved, there’s no spots for him.
bhambrave
I haven’t heard that Teheran is being moved, but I think a lot of fans wouldn’t mind it. He’s a good candidate for the famous “change of scenery”.
mj-2
AA hasn’t outright said it but what do you think the intention is with Teheran when they’ve talked extensively about bringing in an ace?
Unless you think their plan is to not let any of their prospects pitch and go with a rotation of added ace, Folty, Newcomb, Gausman, Teheran
Otherwise there’s clearly no spot for him and putting him in the bullpen is a waste of $12 mil when someone else would likely take on that contract to get him
It’s not hard to read between the lines Teheran will be/is being shopped
bhambrave
We don’t know they’re going to add an ace, we just hope they are. If they don’t, then Julio is an adequate #4 for the money. I wouldn’t be suprised if they traded Newcomb.
mj-2
Even if they don’t it’s long been speculated he’s not even a fit for the rotation as it stands now
amp.mlb.com/300175376-braves-inbox-chances-at-sign…
AA won’t outright say it because sure there’s a chance he’ll be a part of the team, but it’s a small chance if anything. Much better chance he’s dealt than wins a rotation spot next year
bhambrave
Arrieta was basically Teheran but got paid almost three times as much.
bhambrave
Teheran and O’Day for Greinke and $30M. That makes Greinke about a $20M per year pitcher. I think he’s worth that.
Houston We Have A Solution
If Diamondbacks are kicking in $30 mill they aren’t gonna take back an overpriced Teheran and a 1 year rental reliever who’s 36.
Itll cost prospects. More money Diamondbacks kick in, better prospects they will receive.
If they trade Greinke and no money to the Braves, they’d probably have to give up guys like Beck, Weigel, and Demeritte.
angler
No money? If no money it be for a bag of balls rather than prospects. Not a $32M player .. just not. Contract was paid out based on past performance rather than anticipated future performance trying to one-up the Dodgers for him. At best he is a $20M pitcher. $36M would need to be put into the deal. If that is put in something like a Bryce Wilson and 2 of the 3 names noted above. Honestly – not sure he is a match for Braves. I could see the Mets stretching here as they are trying to make a push – possibly after they trade one of their pitchers to address other needs with the line up.
Houston We Have A Solution
Greinke posted 4.8 WAR last season. If you use the 1 war is 7 mill model Greinke would be making roughly what he’s making now- 33.6 mill.
The only difference is hes making 30+ mill which isnt cheap or a steal by any means.
Arizona could unload the contract whicb is right around market value for a slim return like above.
If they include money they are getting better prospects.
bhambrave
Most teams won’t want to pay a pitcher that much. If Arizona agrees to pay the signing bonus, deferred money, and the trade bonus, then they could probably get some good prospects.
mj-2
If they’re not kicking in money they’re including prospects themselves, not getting them in return
bhambrave
According to Baseball-Reference, Teheran was a 2.2 WAR player last year. $11M isn’t over-priced. O’Day can go or not go. He’s not a deal-breaker either way. If the D’Backs want any prospects worth anything from the Braves, they’d need to send back a ton of money.
Houston We Have A Solution
Teheran 2.2 Greinke 4.8. They send any money youre looking at top 15 prospects. They chip in 30 mill at 20 mill he’s making far 10 ish mill below what hed earn. That in of itself would demand a better package than players outside your top 20.
bhambrave
Braves can spend that money far better than committing it all to Greinke, with or without prospects. It was a bad contract, and no one will take it without some meaningful compensation.
bhambrave
I could see a Phillies trade, Carlos Santana for Greinke straight up. Philly gets rid of Santana and moves Rhys to first. Arizona plays Santana at first and trades Goldy for prospects. They get prospects and free up $80M.
PhanaticDuck26
i like it, but will greinke waive his no-trade to PHL? dude seems to prefer smaller markets if you look at his 15 team no-trade list
bhambrave
Good point. I believe he has/had a social anxiety disorder. That might or might not explain the aversion to large markets. Although, I noticed he left the Mets off the list, so maybe there’s more to it than market size.
brian214
NTC in contracts is almost always a way for players to get a big market team to agree to pick up team option years in the contract and other clauses that are written in to their contracts. It’s not necessarily a list of teams the player does not want to play for (although when it comes to the Phils I wouldn’t doubt it, and I’m a Philly fan…LOL).
bhambrave
Good point. I hadn’t thought of the contract manipulation/negotiation aspect.
Erie4312
Brave trade 25 snicker bars and a signed Acuna baseball jersey to Miami for Realmuto
bhambrave
Make that the Snickers, the Acuna jersey and Sam Freeman and you’ve got a deal.
Erie4312
ATL should make Camargo LF so they can invest more heavily in pitching, he can do it prob
All these talks about utility, why do we need him and Culberson doing it
Sign some big free agent arms for the pen and make a big trade for a starter
bhambrave
I like not committing Camargo to the outfield in case Swansby continues to struggle. There are several worthwhile outfielders available for not too much money. I agree that the BP and a #1 starter are priorities.
I wonder what Anibal is asking for? Based on his salary history, probably a lot. If he can be had for not too much, I’d like to see him return.
Erie4312
we really dont need two utilitys though especially one of them hitting 270 and having the most RBI’s since like july
Does Bham mean birmingham
bhambrave
Two utilities are OK, if they are cheap. Better than one utility and one non-utility. As a super-utility, Camargo would get a lot of at-bats, almost like a starter. Bham does mean Birmingham.
Erie4312
im from birmingham too
throwinched10
Segura to Philly for Scott Kingery, Cole Irvin, and a lower level prospect.
SoCalBrave
Kingery has no trade value right now, the Ms will probably ask for someone like JoJo Romero and Franco instead.
throwinched10
Kingery struggled in his big league debut season but was also moved all around the diamond. He hit well and increased his OBP at every level in the minors. Debuting in the big leagues is tough enough as a hitter without being moved all over the diamond. He is already very cheap for 5 more years. I’m sure the Mariners could get more than the 2 players I mentioned but I think it’s a solid start.
SoCalBrave
I’m not saying Kingery is a bust, or that he won’t be a valuable asset in the future. But right now, his value is way down. He needs to play and show he can hit MLB pitching first.
Backatitagain
Makes no sense to give up Albies for jtr just let it go. Swanson, maybe.
bhambrave
I thought last off-season that the Braves should have made a deal sending all of their international signing allotment, a couple of pitching prospects and Alex Jackson for Realmuto. They couldn’t use the int’l money anyway. Jackson had a pretty good 2017.
SoCalBrave
Last off season the Fish asked for Acuña and more when the Braves inquired about Realmuto.
bhambrave
Maybe it was this spring. I don’t remember exactly. I thought keeping that money allotment made no sense, unless it carries over. I think we had close to $5M that we really couldn’t use, since we were capped at $300k per player.
steelerbravenation
Why would they look to sign Keuchel ? Why did the Braves stack so many pitchers up in the minors and then look to sign a guy that will be looking for a 4-5 year deal ? I don’t understand. The more & more I look at it the Braves should have out bid the Yankees for Paxton. I would rather get Greinke & $$$ or MadBum for a year than Keuchel. All these young arms are gonna need to have somewhere to move up to soon.
bhambrave
I agree with you about Keuchel. I think the only FA candidates would be Corbin and Eovaldi, and they’ll cost too much. We should trade for one of the Cleveland pitchers (I like Kluber). I’m concerned about Bumgarner’s health.
ck420
With the Cano deal official now Segura’s days are counting down, clean house Jerry
BraveLou
I’d much rather the Braves over spend for three years of Greinke as oppose to some of the other names currently on the market.
The big name free agent pitchers will want more than three years.
I also don’t want them emptying the farm via trade unless it’s for a truly young, elite arm…
Also, I don’t see any of them performing significantly better than Greinke over the next few seasons.
What would it take to get him?
Trade O’Day and agree to pay the rest of his contract?
How far off is that?
Sid Bream
Of course ‘baseball is a business’, but two players the Braves should have & keep for the life of their careers are Acuna & Albies, they are two of the most talented young players in all of MLB.
atlho
jesus, the Marlins are delusional
bjupton100
Big trade. How many on 40 man roster for Seattle now?
jleve618
How are Crawfords defensive numbers that bad, I thought that was supposed to be his forte.
Knowthemarket
Most any contending team will turn down trades that involve currently contributing major league assets. But then, this is what happens when you try and pursue players that are “unavailable”. You get prices that you’d be stupid to pay.
Tomahawktake
Marlins are trying to make-up from last year’s trades with Realmuto. Braves and Nats are not biting and have found other options. Marlins need prospects and have blown it again. Yankees have now also traded Sheffield so Marlins are now limited. Jeter you were fine shortstop but a fantasy owner.
Mjm117
Very original post Tomahawk
Doing great!
Chipperjoneshof
The only thing right the Marlins have done is get a new logo.
Albies is not going anywhere. Dumb stuff.
bhambrave
I wouldn’t mind a Swanson for JT deal. We’d need to send prospects too.
jdolan74
The Braves need to trade Julio Teheran. He is not a fit at Suntrust and has two years of control at a reasonable price. Send Teheran, Gohara and Allard to Arizona for Greinke and $30MM. I would rather have 3 years of Zack for $25MM than 4 or 5 years of Keuchel for whatever he is going to cost. The D’Backs can flip Teheran for more prospects if they want. Then the Braves can sign a journeyman for their 5th slot and go with a primary rotation of Greinke, Folty, Newcomb and Gausman.
bravesfan
What a joke from the marlins. At least make a reasonable offer in this day. We have the prospects and y’all are rebuilding. We aren’t trading one of the foundation of our rebuild for JT. Braves need to move on and go after pitching anyways