A fourth guaranteed year has been said to be the lynchpin in any potential deal for third baseman Josh Donaldson this winter, leaving interested teams in a precarious spot as they play chicken with the veteran’s representatives. The Braves, in particular, could be in something of a no-mans-land if they miss out on Donaldson, as they would lose their incumbent starter and potentially see a league rival (Nationals, Dodgers) strengthen their lineup at the same time. As David O’Brien of The Athletic sees it, the team’s two recourses in the event of a Donaldson departure may be the exploration of trades for either Kris Bryant of the Cubs or Nolan Arenado of the Rockies—and neither of those options is entirely realistic in the writer’s eyes. For Bryant, his ongoing grievance with the Cubs adds a fair bit of uncertainty for any interested trade partner. While the Cubs are, as O’Brien puts it, “widely expected” to win that grievance hearing and maintain two years of control on Bryant, it’s not impossible that the tide could swing in Bryant’s favor and leave him with just one year left.
When it comes to Arenado, O’Brien seems merely skeptical that Atlanta would be willing to swallow a contract of that magnitude, considering that the $35MM annual salaries in Arenado’s deal would more than double the highest salary that Braves star Ronald Acuna will make in the final years of the eight-year, $100MM extension he signed in April. Then again, Donaldson has reportedly given the Braves the right of last refusal on any potential deal, so it may well be that Atlanta ends up viewing a four-year Donaldson deal as the most reasonable course of action. Given that Washington and Minnesota have reportedly made four-year offers already, this may be a case of a player waiting for his preferred team to blink.
More from around the NL…
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post sees no such obstacle standing in the way of an Arenado-Mets pairing. As Sherman notes, the team’s ability to save as much as $23.5MM in the Yoenis Cespedes adjustment may give them some crucial breathing room to entertain a truly franchise-altering blockbuster. Additionally, the club may be well served to counter the Yankees Gerrit Cole addition with a headline-grabbing move of their own, and Steve Cohen’s continued negotiations with the Sterling partners to become the majority owner of the Mets may offer them some added financial backbone in the near future. Still, a deal for Arenado would realistically cost the team not just payroll space, but also a talented young player of the Jeff McNeil variety—not exactly an easy price to pay in its own right.
- Nationals organizational outfielder Yadiel Hernandez will be extended an invite to big league Spring Training in recognition of his excellent 2019 season in Triple-A, reports Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post. Dougherty adds that Hernandez will get at least a “small look” in camp, after a ’19 campaign in which the 32-year-old hit .323/.406/.604 with 33 home runs. It’s not exactly common to see 32-year-old rookies, but there does come a point where, juiced ball caveats aside, a player’s performance demands at least a trial run at the highest level. Plus, Hernandez did come over with a fair amount of recognition as an international signing out of Cuba in advance of the 2017 season. As things stand now, the champs will enter 2020 with Michael A. Taylor and Andrew Stevenson as bench outfielders.
The Braves have the prospects for Kris Bryant. The Braves have enough payroll space to sign three Kris Bryants to long contracts.
Greg Maffei says the Braves are broke.
“This is the third in a series of five articles, covering the top five highest paid CEOs in the U.S. Number three on the list is Gregory Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media Corp. (NASDAQ:FWONA), who made $391 million in fiscal 2012,”
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no one is saying they are broke, but they did just add a whole lot to the payroll this offseason.
No they did not.
they just signed Smith, Martin, Hamels, and D’arnaud. what more do you want at this point in the offseason, or rather, how much more do you expect any owner, much less Maffei, to spend?
Yes, they did. If they sign Donaldson they will be close to a 160M payroll.
This is getting exhausting, My mom’s maserati is going to need new tires after next year’s WS win burnout.
Sincerely,
JD’s wallet
What about a trade with the Yankees for Urshela who the Yankees might want to sell high on. Braves farm is deep and I’m thinking one very good prospect might be enough. Yankees then use that prospect as another piece in a trade for Lindor from Cleveland. Three way trade.
What Greg Maffei stops stealing the money of Braves fans?
160 mill still leaves them well below the luxury tax line. If they’re serious about competing now, they need a major move to get over that hump. They could’ve gone after Rendon, Cole or Grandal. They had the cap space. Except for Smith, Hamels and D’Arnaud are second tier signings. Are any of those moves game changers? Maybe, but probly not.
@ForestCobraAL: You seem either really unhappy or really unpleasant. I’m sorry your life hasn’t gone the way you wanted it to.
That’s a great two year fix. How long is Ursula under contract?
Most teams should be in the $130-170 payroll and if you can’t keep it around that and be competitive you need to find a different business.
A lot more considering they’re a contending team that lost payroll and starters and were still a couple of pieces short of winning it all
No. Keep urshela. Not worth it period. Would rather just trade strait up for kind or instead
*lindor*
He has never said they are broke. They spent over 40M on the bullpen for next year and they aren’t finished.
Liberty Media has no say over this. The Atlanta Braves are a separate entity that operates solely without input from the parent company. That’s the deal they have from Major League Baseball. That’s why they have to strictly operate within their budget since they have $X from their own operations. I mean the good part is there’s no profits since the money has to be reinvested into the franchise but it’s also bad in that they can exceed their budget even if they want to.
*cannot exceed
Thank you somebody that does their research and knows what they are talking about
I am so tired of hearing ppl on here that have no idea on how the Braves ownership works and spitting out how they are cheap & wont spend money
I’m tired of people like YOU that say you are a Braves fan and think YOU know everything.
If you truly think that every penny spent doesn’t get approved by LM, you’re kidding yourself. Of course they’re never gonna say that’s the case but this is the real world, where businesses do anything to save a buck and people lie constantly.
Nobody says they don’t approve it of course they approve/disapprove.
What he is saying is their ownership is unique they can not spend money they don’t have or didn’t come from the baseball operation.
If it was something as simple as LM owning the Braves it would be fine. They would have the 2nd richest ownership group in baseball. They could hit the luxury tax threshold on accident. That’s the point they can’t.
Don’t confuse him with facts. LM is very likely not going to risk SEC wrath by getting DTD Atl a third baseman. In the world of LM this is a small matter.
That’s a lie. The Braves GM has been quoted here saying that Greg Maffei was on board with what he’s doing.
Correct, and yet the LM is cheap argument gets raised again and again. I sense a rather unexpected trade coming than a blockbuster.
Let’s go over a corporations legal requirements again: to increase shareholder value!
They cannot knowingly contribute to deficit spending in any division of their company. No matter what the fans want!
Shareholder value can sometimes be enhanced by short-term deficit as…if they promote long-term value.
The franchise value of the Cubs in 2015 was 1.8 billion. After the World Series, it jumped to 2.2 billion. They’re now worth 3 billion. That same year the Braves went from 1.15 to 1.17 billion. Atlanta is a major market and should be competing to sign the Coles and Rendons- difference makers that they could afford that could put them over the hump and still be under the cap. They have a great farm system to bolster that kind of investment but won’t pull the trigger.. Smith is fine, but Rendon would’ve been a huge statement. Bottom line is, if you want to significantly increase shareholder value? Win a WS.
Atlanta is a mid-market, not a major market.
Sorry squeaky Ron^
Hopefully you’re not using that as an excuse? The Astros have a major market population like Atlanta, a major market payroll, like Atlanta, but not a mid market mindset, like Atlanta.
Sorry, misfits^
Atlanta is the same size media market as Boston.
Last I checked, Atlanta had the 16th largest Metro area population of the 30 MLB cities.
Atlanta also has the worst TV deal in MLB, that doesn’t expire until 2027.
//rowlandsoffice.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/details-of-braves-horrible-tv-contract-finally-emerge/
“Metro area”? Seriously? As if the millions in the surrounding areas doesn’t count?
They count, just like they count around every other city. Georgia isn’t any more dense than at least half of those cities, so it doesn’t change anything.
You’re in denial. You’re team’s not willing to make the big move and it doesn’t have anything to do with market size.
People like you who don’t understand basic economics will always baffle me.
It’s not basic economics
Liberty Media owns the Braves strictly for tax break reasonsthry have a separate subsidiary company set up run through only the profits of the Braves and can only use that money
Once the tax breaks run out then Liberty Media will sell the team and their profits will come from the sale of the team
Why dont you read a little but into the deal liberty media has with MLB genius.
I have read the deal countless times have you ???
MLB owners could limit ownership to those who are interested in investing in baseball and increasing the value of baseball franchises by fielding superior products. Congress could force owners to do this as a condition of their anti-trust exemptions as a way of reimbursing the public for giving up anti-trust protections.
I read that article. It didn’t mention the Braves at all.
What does the compensation paid to the corporate CEO have to do with anything
Trade Proposal..
NYM: 3B- Arenado (take on full contract)
COL: 2B- Lowrie, 3B- Davis, and prospects RHP- Jordan Humphreys & C- Ali Sanchez
yay or nay?
Colorado GM: this is an Arby’s
I love Arby’s! They have the meats!
Too bad the above trade proposal didn’t have any. Bad contract + a player who prior to last year showed nothing and could have been had by any club? Any trade between the two clubs starts with McNeil as suggested in the article.
That better be a non-starter. It’s not that Arenado isn’t talent…he is a top 3 3B between his glove and bat, it’s that he has $234m reasons why it’s a tough trade. If McNeil can be 75% of Arenado, that’s not worth taking on the extra $200m+ of Arenado over what McNeil will earn through arbitration. The Mets are faaaaaaar better off signing a FA for 3B. Given the Wilpons are in charge, that signing will likely need to wait until Cohen takes over during the next off-season….or so is the rumor.
Cohen not taking over for 5 years.
I just dont see him having that little value. even subtracting his home splits (which is unfair given you dont need to play at Coors to have better home splits) he’s still an elite player and well worth the money. No way they get just an expensive player, an unproven one with no defensive home, a big injury risk in Humphreys and Sanchez.
I think the biggest problem the Mets would have in acquiring Arenado is that I don’t think he would waive his no-trade in order to go there. They do not have a very good farm system, ownership (as it currently is) is horrible, and while the big league squad is better than Colorado it is not a surefire playoff team. I can picture this being something like the Stanton trade where trade destinations were nixed and the Marlins had to take what they could get, but in this case, I do not see the Rockies simply trading him as a salary dump.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha not only does the Colorado gm hang up but he goes into the contact and blocks the caller.
Mauricio, Beatty, Peterson, McNeil & Smith for Arenado
As a Mets fan…id love for this trade to work…but its no where near enough…
Id say McNeil would have to be involved for the Rockies to even consider it. And as much as i like McNeil…if he has to go in an Arrenado deal…so be it… The trade would probably have to look like this….
McNeil, Davis, Smith, Peterson and Sanchez for Arrenado and prospects
As a Mets fan I wouldn’t take on that contract unless Colorado is paying some of it plus a lil leary of Colorado players especially if they don’t as good as in other ballparks, besides that trade offer most likely doesn’t do it even thou I think Davis will hit more HR’s there.
Arenado has an opt out in 2 years, he isn’t fit for the Mets! The Mets couldn;t win with these players why would the Rockies want them.
That’s a stupid question.
They hang up laughing at the crank call…..
Not enough for Arenado IMO.
R u serious my guy that deal is bad
if the Mets say Arenado. the Rox will answer Alonso. And that would be the end of the conversation.
Agreed!
Or a third option, Hah! Seriously, a pile of broken bats for a perennial all-star and gold glover…
Time for stronger drugs ANGT.
The Mets are desperate to make a statement to their fans, not the Rockies.
According to Fred, the Mets priority is always to give the appearance that they are all in when all that they really want is to just miss.
the Braves can live without Donaldson. just the extra yeay experience and the playoff experience could alone make up for the loss of Donaldson, and Riley is probably on the verge of a great season.
I couldn’t disagree any more.
Riley wouldn’t come anywhere close to replicating Donaldson’s production this season. At best you’re hoping he matures into a 30 HR guy, realizing he’s going to strikeout a ton. He’s never going to have the same plate discipline. If the power doesn’t come because he struggles to connect, well then you’re in a world of hurt.
Just give Josh the fourth year. He wants to be in Atlanta, and it just makes sense. It doesn’t cost any prospect capital. Plus, if you deal, you’re paying the freight along with the contract for Arrenado (gamble outside of Coors) or Bryant, anyway.
Yup and save your prospect capital for a rental or difference maker at trade deadline. Riley very well could break out this year, as an outfielder. If that happens along with Jdon at 3rd we look good. Having prospects to call up in case of injury is super important as well. Couple that with the payroll flexibility they give you as arb players age and move on is monstrous!
Too many ifs.
Josh Donaldson cost next 4 years (80-90 million)
Austin Riley cost next four years (less than 5)
Economics…..if Riley is your future, play him…,,if not put him in the road!
Riley might be the future, or he might bust. Last season showed that the future isn’t now, though. For a team with World Series aspirations, you can’t just throw him in there and endure his growing pains.
Extra “yeay” experience?
What? You never had a typo?
I want what ur smoking dark side
You spend that kind of money on a bullpen and go get someone like Cole Hamels to hope that Riley somehow fixed the myriad of problems he has over night. Without Donaldson, that lineup only has 3 hitters that other managers have to plan for and your best hitter gets pitched around all yr because no one is there to protect him. Now, if a miracle happens and he somehow learns how to hit, Riley plays a good enough outfield that you start him on left, keep Acuna in Center, and let Ender play the role Billy Hamilton did last yr. No Donaldson, no playoffs.
Sherman wishes Arenado would go there,know way he would much rather go to the Dodgers
“We don’t want to commit a lot of money at this moment. We have to pay Acuna and Albies in the future.”
Still not spending after extensions.
“We have money to spend, Prospects to trade. We are ready to win.”
– still not spending money or prospects.
As I said before, bunch of empty words from this terrible organization.
Braves made huge additions already this offseason and look like a juggernaut now. they probably have at least the 4th best shot to win the WS now, ans I might even peg them over LAD and NYY at this point.
What did they do? add to the relief?
That is not enough at all. How about putting yourself at a position to win the championship, not be the 4th best (which is not true).
They should be all over Arenado or Bryant. None of their prospects will ever come close to their level. Either try to win or stop pretending you want to.
Everybody with a brain will tell you this team needs to be more aggressive.
see my above comment. they added two RP to a unit that they learned was needed last year. they also added Hamels and Darnaud. they have enough talented young players to fill in any other holes they have (which are pretty heavily exaggerated I would say)
Hamels is no better than DK. TD is not better much better than McCann. This team needs to do more. They are not good enough to win the division title, and if they do, thank the Marlins.
You cant just create what you need. There is a budget, availability along with a ton other circumstances. They made the team better and with JD I think it’s a playoff team. That’s all you can ask for considering…
They added hamels but lost keuchel and teheran. Little to no improvement there
Soroka & Fried are being counted on to take steps forward and Folty to build off of his last month of the season where he was impressive until the final game but even that wasn’t his fault. He made pitches to get out of that inning and the defense didn’t execute.
Newcomb’s stuff deserves another opportunity for the rotation you just don’t give up on an arm like that yet and stick it in the bullpen
Wright & Wilson are expected to take their next steps in development while Touki will be given every opportunity to win a some sort of role on this staff
Hamels is there to provide leadership and guidance to teach the young kids how to be professionals
I remember Tom Glavine saying the most important guy to come to the Braves for their early 90’s success was not Maddux. He would be great regardless but Charlie Liebrandt because he taught the young staff of 91 how to be professional and mentored them. That’s what Hamels is there for to be that role.
Smith will not be the closer. Not with the new 3 batter minimum which I feel is the stupidest rule I ever saw. He can get righties and lefties out so they will use him in crucial situations. More like an Andrew Miller.
Melancon will be the closer until he falls on his face. I still feel Greene is expendable if you can move him to get something of value but the end of last year may have costed him value.
The more I think about it they should sign Donaldson to a 4 yr deal. He is important to the clubhouse and brings more to the table than just production on the field.
But again if they don’t Seager & Hanigar in a package deal is where I would rather them go then get 2 yrs of Bryant.
They had the payroll to get Rendon and weren’t even close. That’s the kind of addition they needed. A couple of relievers, a #4 starter and a pretty good catcher with an injury history should have been just the supporting moves to a Rendon signing.
They are not committed to winning and if anybody thinks otherwise, they are delusional. They had (still have) lots of solid options to put themselves as a legit contender. Ultimately, they went cheap again with maybe Smith being an exception. Spending on the bullpen is nice, but the position is very volatile so it may not work out as planned.
They still have a hole at third and still have a bottom tier rotation. No one wiill ever convince me a rotation consisting of Fried, Faulty, and a prospect will ever be good enough to win a WS.
We won’t know until the season starts. I think it will be a big improvement.
They made good additions, yes. They added a lot of depth. Without a middle of the order bat though, they’re nowhere close to LA or NY though.
NY just added the best pitcher in the game, while we signed a #3. We upgraded slightly at catcher, and added a closer; which means little if they can’t plate runs.
Not without a cleanup hitter and gold glove defense at 3rd
Terrible? They won the entire 90’s, punted, came back after a rebuild and were really good, punted and now they’re good again. There are very few organizations in all of sports that since the 90’s have been this consistent.
See above corporate comment…..
Nobum your not very intelligent!
You’re letting your ignorance shine bright.
Find another team that you can whine about. Do you really call yourself an Atlanta supporter? Criticism where justified is ok, but you whine for whining sake. Why do you want to trade prospects, and then you call it a “terrible organisation”.
Come on Brewers! This is the opportunity! Splurge on that 4th year to get the deal done. Future payroll is open and the window is now and the next few years until Yelich is gone. Brewer fans will completely understand doing the rebuild when Yelich is gone but this year and the next 2 you need to be all in!!! Come on!!
They won’t do it
Unfortunately, as I’m sure the Brewers front office sees it just as much as everyone else; they won’t invest in a contract that they know won’t align with where they are in two years.
Milwaukee is probably a year behind where Cleveland is this year. At this point their best bet is to milk whatever you can out of the current team and try to strike gold on a few bargain bin players before beginning a rebuild within 12-18 months.
I agree that Bryant is right in his belief that it’s trash how he was kept down, but I also can’t see an arbitrator opening that can of worms, the amount of players who could competently argue that they were in the same boat and treated the same way would be insane, every team would have to deal with so many of these similar grievances…I just don’t see how the tide could realistically turn in Bryant’s favor without drastically altering the current service time situation for 100 other players
This 4th year thing is utterly ridiculous. 4 years is not a long term contract. The Braves really need this guy to make the offense work so just spring for the money. If money is an issue this year then trade Inciarte and or Folty. That would free up nearly $15 million right there.
History of injuries and he isnt getting any younger.
1 injury filled yr doesn’t make someone injury prone.
Go back and see how many times the term “setback” was used. Anything comes back up with that calf and it could mean huge losses of games. Hopefully not…but the risk is high.
It sounds disheartening but if you’re trading Arenado, you’re not going to get equal value. While he’s in his prime now, he’s older than Bryant, count in how some teams will give pause to his skewed home/road splits, the $35M annual salary number and his ability to opt out, any trade partner would have to give pause.
If anything, if someone is trading for Arenado only, you can expect some package of what the Yankees gave up for Stanton as being the closest precedent for trade value of a player like Arenado. If someone is taking on Arenado’s deal they will probably want to renegotiate the opt-out and some return for Arenado would resemble what the Marlins got for Stanton. A current MLB contributor maybe on a 1 year deal with a high AAV to offset the first year salary and then two prospects. One that’s a lower top 10 prospect and a top 10-15 prospect that has some higher upside. Then any additional pieces could be haggled on but someone like Jeff MacNeill has far more trade value than Arenado.
You are so right Jett. Most of the rest of these dummies just don’t get it. They think we should give up 3 or 4 good young players including McNeill. Fat chance. Colorado would have to take on a couple of contracts like Lowrie and Familia with a couple lower 10-20 prospects for us to take on Arenado’s massive contract that they want to rid themselves of.
Is Arrenado a straight salary dump though is the question that needs to be asked?
In Colorado, he’s a star, and the face of that franchise. He’s paid as such, too. It’s really a fair market deal there, though. He neither has any negative, or probably any surplus value. So if you’re the Rockies, I can’t imagine you see this as a chance to dump salary. If you trade him, you probably want one nice piece in return, and an opportunity to reallocate resources.
If you’re trading for him, on the other hand, you’ve got to wonder about the Coors effect. I can’t imagine he turns into garbage. If he drops off closer to his road splits however, all of a sudden that contract doesn’t look so great.
It’s going to be an incredibly risky, and complex negotiation. He probably doesn’t get dealt because of it.
Mc.Neil better be a non-starter. It’s not that Arenado isn’t talent…he is a top 3 3B between his glove and bat, it’s that he has $234m reasons why it’s a tough trade. If McNeil can be 75% of Arenado, that’s not worth taking on the extra $200m+ of Arenado over what McNeil will earn through arbitration AND additional prospects. The Mets are faaaaaaar better off signing a FA for 3B. Given the Wilpons are in charge, that signing will likely need to wait until Cohen takes over during the next off-season.
From the outside looking in, the braves have done a lot to load up. At some point, Riley needs his chance. At the deadline, maybe you make a move. But you have to have the capitol to do so. Add smaller pieces and see where you stand in July.
Riley isnt ready to replace Donaldson’s production.
Riley gets his shot to prove himself in left field, just like last yr.
The time for people to prove themselves is gone. This is a time for contending not try outs. The Braves have the money and prospect capital to pull off anything. Wasting a lot of prospects value by holding them and wasting away their talents while you give them shots. 1 more shot. He screws it up, dont let the door hit you on the way out.
If Riley gets another shot to correct it he should be sent back to AAA to figure it out. He should be treated like every other baseball player who cant work it out. Wasting a 26 man spot to do research.
If Riley falls on his face, they could be 10 games back at the deadline. Then that move you’re referring to might be selling off a pen piece or two, and a few guys like Duvall and Markakis.
You can’t just play the kids when you’re competing. Riley isn’t entitled to a chance, he needs to go to AAA and earn it. This is more than just the Braves needing a 3B. This is the Braves needing a proven middle of the order bat, when they’re really two short in that area to be considered an on paper favorite.
The story might be different if the order was loaded, and they just needed someone to play 3B and hit 7th. Not the case, however.
You make absolutely no sense……read what you just wrote….can’t play the kids when competing……I guess Pache and Waters shouldn’t play next year if we are competing. The fact that Atlanta has a prospect at a position of need is fortuitous to say the least. I’m glad you are not GM….
You can’t JUST play the kids, was my statement- the “just” in that statement meaning if they’re not ready.
If Pache and Waters prove ready, they should play. If not, you season them in the minors until they are; just as they need to do with Riley.
If the Braves miss out on Donaldson I hope they pivot and try for a package deal of Seager & Hanigar from Seattle.
If he were traded, Seager seems expensive for 3 more years.
Both together are Cheaper than what Donaldson is looking for
Until next year.
And that year you will have Melancon, Greene, Markakis, Duvall & Hamels off the books
That’s a lot to lose…
We both know Atlanta is never gonna let go of Markakis.
This is why the NL must never be allowed to have a DH. 73 year old Nick Markakis would STILL be collecting 500 ABs.
It’s funny cause it’s true. I maintain he is a robot. He will still collect 500 abs as long as Snit is the manager. I feel AA needs to do what Billy Beane did. If I get you a player and you dont play him, I start trading off your options. Til Snit gets it.
I see Seager’s name floated a lot. To me, he’s just not that good. If you can get him and Hanigar together though, I’d be a little more onboard with that being a plan B.
4 years seems too much considering his injury history and age…
Then who are you trading for to bat 4th, and how many years of prospect control are you giving up for him?
Who are you signing to replace those prospects down the road, and what’s that cost burden? The lower minors is thinning out some.
I think JD is worth 4 years. If the 4th year ends up a sunk cost though, it’s still cheaper to eat it and keep the pipeline flowing, versus trading significant pieces you’ll later need to replace at higher rates anyway.
I don’t mind a 4 th year and paying it if he doesn’t play because of injury that 4th year
It guys who fall off the face of the earth & just stink that cripples teams
I feel they should go 4 years. Front load the contract so the majority paid before the freeman contract comes up. With the payout for years 3 and 4 reduced they have a better. Chance of trading him if need be as his salary would be less those years. Maybe even give him an opt out after years 2 and 3.
@mpmks:
I think you’ve got it right. Maybe $30M in 2020 and 2021, $15M in 2022 and 2023, with an opt-out after 2021 and 2022.
Besides needing to re-sign Freddie after 2021, Acuna’s pay jumps from $5M to $15M.
Please get Donaldson, not Bryant. It’s better to gamble on the 4th year for Donaldson than give up players for Bryant. Go and get Ryu as well.
I agree. So who do you think will get Bryant?
As a Mets fan, outside of the obvious pitchers and one hitter, we have nothing Colorado would accept in a trade for Nolan Arenado. It’s a pipe dream. The farm is depleted and the roster is not desirable. The 3 pitchers and The Polar Bear aren’t going anywhere. I love McNeil, Conforto and Nimmo but I’d only be willing to give up 2 of them. They won’t sweeten the pot.
I would empty what little farm we (mets) have for Arenado.
Rockies would have to eat some money too
I’d say Arenado and $15-20 a year (plus restructure of opt out to none or 2023) for JD Davis, gimenez, baty, Peterson + one more…
or lets go crazy and go blockbuster style…
arenado + 15 mill a year, Story & McGee
for
jd davis, cespedes, gimenez, rosario, baty, dom smith, lowrie, Peterson
I dont believe either will happen or anything similar for that matter
Wow…just wow
agreed
Love how McNeil is in none of these met proposals wake up package would start with McNeil
it wouldn’t.
Does Brodie have a “force trade” button? How can Anthopolous get one? I’d like him to swap Ender for Trout, with LA eating all of the money. Lol.
If Colorado pays $15M-$20M per year and the opt-out is eliminated/moved back, then the conversation starts with Davis, McNeil, Conforto and Smith and goes from there.
davis mcneil conforto smith have way more value than Arenado and are all younger. I said I dont think either scenario happens
Why hasn’t Hernandez been given a “look” before now. He came over from Cuba where he was a very good player in the CNS and has played decently well in AA then AAA the past 3 seasons. Other than last year he hasn’t exactly dominated but why bring a guy over from Cuba if you’re not even going to give him a chance — even when he performs at a decent clip in the minors?
I’m hoping Donaldson departs as a FA. I’d much rather swing a trade with the Cubs and bring in Bryant. He’s cheaper, and he doesn’t totally block Riley since he only has two years of protection.
It’s time for Atlanta to stop hoarding prospects. We’ve got everything the Cubs would want for Bryant. Atlanta needs Bryant to step in as the new 3B & cleanup hitter. It’s a perfect match for both clubs.
Alex Anthopolous should be 100% focused on pulling a trade for Bryant.
Stay in the mix, drive his price and commitment up, make D.C. overextend, wait on Bryant’s grievance outcome to become official, and then go directly after Bryant and get it done.
I’ll take two years of Bryant at $40-45MM over paying $25MM/season to Donaldson through 37 years of age.
What’s it gonna cost Atlanta? A rookie prospect SP? We have them in droves. The Cubs will likely want Christian Pache? Fine, we have Drew Watters coming up at mid-season. What else…maybe a bullpen arm? Jacob Webb?
None of that is too much for two years of Bryant at 29 years old. I’ll pull the trigger in a blink.
**wince**
Theo, is that you?
kingbong, if any Braves outfield prospect is traded it won’t be Pache, it will be Waters.
Trade our future away for 2 years, NO THANKS. The Cubs are trading Bryant away because they won’t be able to afford him in 1-2 years. The Braves will be in that same boat, even worse because they don’t spend the money the Cubs do. The Braves have Freeman, Swanson, Soroka, Fried, Folty and a few more players in the near future to try and sign long term. Like they did Albies and Acuna.
Unless Swanson breaks out, he won’t cost much.
Braves just need to pull the trigger for JD, 4 years 100-110 mil. Even if the price is higher than that…. make it happen ! It’s just not gonna cripple us financially
I’d say give Donaldson his 3- 4 yrs. for 90- 100 million. If that doesn’t happen the Braves will be fine anyway.
Arenado outside of COL is nowhere near what Nolan in Denver is. Strikingly different offensive player at home vs. on road, where he had a sub.800 OPS lifetime. Unless NYM are going to be playing home games in Colorado, what it will cost financially and personnel wise to get Nolan to NY isn’t worth it, IMO.
The Mets wouldn’t take on all of Arenados contract and give up McNeil at the same time.
Then Rockies won’t trade him there
Agree mcneil # improves in coors and arenado suffers at citi. Look at arenado home road split or any rockie hitter
If the Mets suddenly have extra $$$, they shouldn’t use it to trade away McNeil, who is currently making $0, only to take on Arenado’s contract. Use that $$$ to sure up the bullpen, which is currently nowhere near post season caliber
Amazing how many Mets fans absolutely love Jeff McNeil. He is a very good ball player but he is nowhere the player Arenado is. If the 2nd fiddle NY team has a chance to bring in a star to compliment the star ol they already have in Alonso they need to do it. Unless they plan on a full court press for Betts next winter and if that is the case that is fine.
Amazing that Mets fans love the player who lead the league in hitting for most of the year?
Yes, but keep it in perspective. He’s had one full very good season. Arenado’s had five,
No doubt. But why would they want to take on Arenado’s contract when the $$$ could be spent elsewhere? And why trade a guy who may be the best value in the game – making 1/2 million a year & not arbitration eligible until 2022?
Here is a stats comparison:
Career slash lines:
Player A: .321BAA, 383 OBP 513SLG 896OPS 142 OPS+
Player B: .295 BAA,.351 OBP, .546SLG, .897OPS 122 OPS+
Home slash lines:
Player A: .332 BAA, .400 OBP, .500SLG, .900 OPS 102 tOPS+
Player B: .324BAA, .380 OBP, .615 SLG, .995OPS 121 tOPS+
Away slash lines:
Player A: .311 BAA, .369 OBP, .406SLG, .893 OPS, 98 tOPS+
Player B: .265BAA, .323 OBP, .476 SLG .799 OPS, 79 tOPS+
Player A is McNeil.
Player B is Arenado.
Arenado’s last 2 years he’s OPS+ 133 and 129. He has never gotten higher than 133 in a season. McNeil has OPS+ of 138 & 144. As for defense, Arenado clearly has an advantage, but McNeil at 3B or LF is average to above average, he’s just not elite like Arenado.
BTW…I include tOPS+ which is an interesting stat that looks at the split difference with 100 being equal. Arenado’s split of 121 and 79 should scare the crap out of any team looking to acquire Arenado bc the Coors effect is real in this case.
Just a few things to consider….
Yadiel Hernandez might just be a great pick for a team to trade for if they need a starting capable outfielder
Lindor will be the next major player of the offseason to change teams and I think it will be a suprise team nobody is or has talked about getting him.
I also feel Betts will be moved soon where I feel it will be the Dodgers that get him.
dawg, it’s a linchpin with an “I”
The Braves should try to trade for Charlie Morton.
Rays are not selling
Maybe they should. It would fit their M.O.
there is zero chance the mets deal Mcneil and rightfully so hes been one of the top hitters in MLB past 2 seasons as well as under control. if they include him in a deal for him him thats just idiotic
1.5 seasons. 74 hits, 162 hits. Let’s keep it in perspective.
Just give Donaldson the 4th year and be done with it! He’ll be 38 but who really cares? Wasn’t Chipper Jones 39 or 40 his last season and was still productive?! I don’t remember Braves fans up in arms about having him at 3rd base at that age (and yes I’m aware the difference b/w having Chipper at 3rd vs Donaldson before the naysayers come out)…
Actually, JD will only be 37 in the 4th year. Even more reason to go for it.
Never forget that the Braves have to dig deep to pay Freeman after 2020.
What these so-called Braves fans seem to keep forgetting, the Braves are cheap. Whether that is good or bad. Whether they have the money or don’t have the money. It is still how the Braves operate, they have been that way for many years. The Braves don’t need to trade our future away { prospects } for a couple of years of Bryant or Lindor. The Braves need to use that money either will cost in 2 years on the young guys we have and the ones coming. For the next 8 to 10 years. If they don’t sign Josh, Riley will do fine, he could hit 35-40 Hrs. in a full year. Duval will have a good year in the outfield. The Braves young guys will have one more year of experience.
What do you mean by “..these so-called Braves fans…”?
Just that ” these so-called Braves fans “. People that say they are Braves fans, but yet know nothing about the Braves, how they operate or do business. The Braves have never been a big spender. Why trade for someone like a Lindor that will be making 200+ million dollars in 2 yrs.? The Braves can’t/won’t pay that, same reason Cleveland is getting rid of him. Hopefully, some of these young prospects will be good in a couple of years. The Braves will have control over them for a while, after that, they will have to let them go because they can’t/won’t be able to afford them.
This is all so stupid, either you wana win or you don’t. As an organization you are only a not-so substantial signing away for a 3b that wants to be here and a trade away from a starter to push numbers 2-4 down in the rotation to be favorites to appear in the WS, wake up.
When you don’t have the money or whether you don’t want to spend the money, make a big difference. I have got to hand-it to AA, he hasn’t traded away our prospects. I don’t see paying a player 30+ million a year for 8-10 yrs. Look.at clubs in the past that have done that and look at how it handcuffs them in 5 years. That’s clubs with a lot of money. I say stay the course with the young guys. We could already have a Cole, Verlander, Maddox, Smoltz or Glavine and cheaper than 30- 36 million a year. I do hope they sign Josh back, but that won’t make or break the team if they don’t. You never know when one of the young pitchers will take a big leap forward. Look at Soroka and Fried last year. Hopefully, Folty has his head on straight. Same with Newk. All the young guys, one more year of experience. Going to be a very interesting spring, especially the pitching.
Mets: Don’t trade NcNeil, Davis, Mauricio, Baty, Allan, Sanchez (or deGrom or Alonso, of course).
It does not matter.
The Mets have not addressed their potentially abominable BP nor have they addressed another big bat in the order.
As things stand they will most likely finish in fourth place.
It’s interesting that anyone thinks Davis is anything special. A 1 win player last year, his lucky year at the plate going by his unsustainable BAbip. He’s a platoon guy with no real position, who has to fake LF–and Mets fans think he’s a good quality regular, at least.
Where can the human race go if the average person can’t even figure out what JD Davis is? smh
I was impressed that AA didn’t just go nuts with trades his first year. Still, I know eventually we can’t use all our prospects and will need to make trades. I had hoped for a mix of acquiring a catcher who can catch the ball and throw and get a better mix of prospects that fill holes for future. After the pitching, some outfield prospects and Ball, we look kind of thin.
IMO, the Wentz trade to Detroit for a good reliever on a year and half rental – will go down as one of the classic bombs of all time. It will make the Adam Wainwright deal look like we skinned the Cards. Given their age and potential – the other two reliever “deals” may not be much better.
I’d rather have a good team with a chance for years than blow our wad on a one or 2 year window with rentals.
Pitching “rebuild” – so far it looks like the pitching rebuild was mostly finished about the second month of the rebuild after we acquired Fried and Newcomb and with Soroka in house. All else blocked.
By some suggestions we’re supposed to trade off the rest of our seed corn for a short term rental 3rd basemen who can’t play defense or one who would take a major bite out of the seed corn the Braves have stored and still break the bank.
I’d like to see the Braves at a point where they have a solid starting staff – so solid and with good prospects in the minors that we can trade a proven starter like Folty for some real quality position player or more prospects and keep the pipeline moving. Looks like we are set up to be first come – first serve for prospects as far as getting shots at the rotation.
Simple suggestion/answer – cash for coaching coaching coaching and more coaching.
Seitzer & Co are hardworking and in general do a very good job – but why not use a few million to hire a batting instructor who can take stab at teaching Riley how to lay off the outside slider? So far, Seitz doesn’t seem to have answer for that and it would be the best answer. Save tons of money and prospects and get a good fielder who can hit bombs and who is under control. I still liked what I saw from Johan late – maybe the hitting coach at Gwinnett should augment Seitz’s staff?
AA has a tough job juggling 40 man rosters and figuring out what to do with pitching prospects lining up on the runway in the minors but I pray he can do better than trades like Wentz for year and half rental relievers – that was a mistake. If you trade someone like Wentz, then get more than a reliever rental.
Some of you people or at least one person needs to get off the, who owns the Braves and how the ownership works. No-one really cares. The Atlanta Braves have never been a big spender, period. Whether that is good or bad, that’s the way it has always been. That is why the Braves made the trades, rebuilt and got good young prospects because they are cheaper and controllable for a few years. It is no-need to trade those prospects off for a player that is going to make 200+ million dollars in 2 years because they can’t afford that or won’t pay the price.
Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukah Happy Yule
to each and every fanatic fool
who thinks they know where players go
Pen in hand, when it starts to snow
Happy Holidaze 1 & all
“…a deal for Arenado would realistically cost the team not just payroll space, but also a talented young player of the Jeff McNeil variety.”
—This would be nonsensical. The Mets are supposed to give up something like 20 cheap wins for the right to pay Arenado $33.5m a year for the next 7 years?
The real question is, should a canny GM take Arenado for nothing but salary? He’s a terrific player but he hasn’t cracked 6 wins in either of the last two years and now he’s going into his decline phase. A reasonable projection has him as worth roughly 25-26 wins over the duration. That’s fine, but can you insure him, for example? One good aspect of the contract is that Arenado’s good enough that you can hope he’ll be a useful if modest regular at the end of the deal.
So, 20% of your budget it you’re the Mets for a 2ndary defensive position that hasn’t been that difficult to fill over the last 5 years in the NL? I wouldn’t–particularly if I had to give up something substantial for the privilege. Why not go for Betts or lindor when they hit FA? Higher upside, but similar AAVs, most likely. And as they decline they can be moved to several less demanding positions, whereas Arenado can only go to 1B.