The ATL Thread Offseason

I’m so disappointed in Freddie. Mr Reliable, one of the most consistent, slump-proof players in the bigs just hit the skids at the worst time. It will take a while to get over this one. And I wasn’t even all that disappointed by the beating in game 5. The series was lost in game 4.

Very, very interesting offseason ahead.

I have made the following projections, most are easy calls but a few could go the other way.

I projected the Braves will tender a contract to all arbitration eligible players except John Ryan Murphy. Dayton and Duvall could be non tendered but I would be surprised.

I also projected the Braves will decline the team option on all players except Tyler Flowers. Markakis and Teheran are close calls but declining those options saves the Braves $15M. The Braves could theoretically decline Flowers' $6M option as well but it would be surprising to see neither catcher back with a young staff.

Assuming those things are true they would enter the season with the following players under contract

1B Freeman
2B Albies
SS Swanson
3B
LF
CF Inciarte
RF Acuña
C Flowers

Culberson
Camargo
Riley
Duvall


1. Soroka
2. Fried
3. Foltynewicz
4. Wright
5.

Melancon
Greene
Newcomb
Webb
Minter
Dayton
Toussaint
Sobotka

Bullpen isn't going to look like that obviously but all those guys will definitely be in play. Probably need to add 2-3 legit guys and let the bottom of that list fight it out for the last few spots.

AA indicated today that Riley is going to start the season in Gwinnett or on the bench in Atlanta and obviously he could be traded as well.

Trading Inciarte seems to be the biggest no brainer of the offseason. I would be shocked if they don't do it. It would free up $7 million and also free up a spot for Waters/Pache at some point later in the year next year. An every day outfielder definitely needs to be added though. Someone like Starling Marte seems to be a perfect fit, as he and Acuña can both handle CF until Pache arrives. Duvall/Riley/LH platoon guy should be able to handle the 3rd spot until Pache or Waters are ready in the summer.

My guess is they bring back Donaldson at 3B but you never know how the market will look for him. Seems to be looking at something like 3/70 right now based on what people are saying throughout the game, but that is a wild guess.

If the OF is filled by trade (could also be filled by someone like Ozuna), that would leave catcher and a starter as the two main holes along with the possibility of a backend guy or two.

They have ~$82M committed ($75 if they can unload Inciarte) and the OD payroll this season was between $115 and $120 but they added almost $20M in season and had a total payroll approaching $140M by September. They should have between $45 and $55M to spend this offseason so they really could get anyone they want but there will need to be decisions made as you can't fill 3B, C, OF and SP with high end guys. You can mix and match and add a $10M guy at every spot or go huge (Rendon) one place and really try and find stop gaps everywhere else and rely on young guys to supplement things. I seriously doubt they're going to be in play for Rendon or Cole. Donaldson and Grandal would be my guess for the top guys they would be in the market for. To fill every gap they are going to have to trade for some guys who are making below market value like Marte or others which would allow them to spend on others.

I think some prospects will be dealt as well. I am anticipating a much busier offseason than last year.

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I’m so disappointed in Freddie. Mr Reliable, one of the most consistent, slump-proof players in the bigs just hit the skids at the worst time.

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He's been terrible in post-season four separate times now. I'm not so sure you can blame that on a "slump" unless you are saying its a permanent (as of now) post-season slump.

Freddie Freeman, career post-season:

14 games

61 plate appearances.

2 RBI

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volfan30

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We have got to find a vet starter via signing or trade AND a legit closer.

That and a corner outfielder.

We’re pretty far off but not so far at the same time.

How are we prioritizing SP, 3B, C, corner OF, CL?

Closer is pretty clearly going to be last imo whether it should be or not. I would be pretty surprised if they made a play (via $$$ or legitimate prospects) for an expensive closer.

I think of the everyday positions it's C, 3B, corner OF in that order but I don't know where starting pitcher falls.

If they could add Grandal, Donaldson, Marte, Gio Gonzalez or something like that I think that would be incredible.

Hypothetically gives you
Acuña
Albies
Freeman
Donaldson
Grandal
Marte
Swanson
Pache

by next October

Need at least one of the rebuild arms like Wright, Wilson, Anderson, Muller, etc. to really take a big step forward if you roll the dice and don't get a big time arm again. Wright looked very good towards the end of the year and Anderson is the best pitching prospect the rebuild has produced aside from Soroka.

We pretty much said the same thing. Only difference in numbers was I projected they bring back Flowers. I think all the team options except Hamilton could go either way to be honest depending on what they value in the FO. Teheran for $12M is defensible it just limits flexibility a lot. Flowers is not my favorite player but they really like his framing and he provides continuity for the pitching staff. $6M is pretty pricey for a backup though. Markakis is fine in a very limited role but that is never going to happen with Snit so he simply cannot be brought back imo.

I don't think so. That contract isn't underwater at all. He's a useful player and the Braves would not trade him if the makeup of the roster was different. You can probably pencil him in for 2-3 WAR and great CF defense if healthy. He would easily get 2/$15 from somebody like the Reds if he was a FA.

Yeah I could see Flowers back. I'm just scared at $6M, he'd be getting more playing time than he needs to get. Would absolutely LOVE Grandal. If we miss out on him, it would likely be another year of platoon with Flowers and another cheap option. Not much else out there in FA worth a darn and any team with a legit C isn't moving him.

I really hope they don't bring Teheran back. He's probably worth $12M for one more year but if you can't count on him for the 2 playoffs in a row, I just see the org losing faith in him, rightfully so. I think we MUST get a different vet arm, whether FA or trade.

OF agree that it likely comes from a trade but I would absolutely throw my hat in the ring for Ozuna or Puig.