1 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: Hello everyone, this episode one eight of a Hambor Territory podcast. 2 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Brad Roland, coming to you on a 3 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:29,280 Speaker 1: Sunday afternoon like a warm blanket and our usual time slot, 4 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 1: and I am joined by Scott Coleman. Scott, Hello, are 5 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:34,200 Speaker 1: you hey, Brad? 6 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 2: I'm doing well. We have almost officially hit the start 7 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 2: of free agency in Major League Baseball. Maybe by the 8 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 2: time people listen to the show, we will have officially 9 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 2: begun free agency. But here we are, and hopefully we 10 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,199 Speaker 2: have a very busy and impactful offseason ahead for the 11 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 2: Atlanta Braves. 12 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, as we're recording this, it's like, you know, four 13 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: or five pm Easter Time on Sunday, we are pretty 14 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: much exactly twenty four hours from the start a free agency, 15 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 1: which is five pm Eastern Time on Monday the fourth. 16 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 1: We should also set it off the show as we 17 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:08,759 Speaker 1: always do that. We are part of the Fault Territory 18 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:11,800 Speaker 1: network of podcasts. Please go ahead and check us out 19 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: in the entire network earlier, but especially Hammer Territory, which 20 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 1: is this podcast. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms. 21 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 1: We're on Apple, We're on Spotify, We're on YouTube. Like 22 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: the video there et cetera. Out ratings and reviews appreciated 23 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 1: and it's kind of a big time although we're not 24 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: quite all the way in that. It's kind of a 25 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,960 Speaker 1: look ahead on this podcast. But first, there were a 26 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 1: couple of transactions in the last couple of days, one 27 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:33,600 Speaker 1: of which I did an emergency podcast on with our 28 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:37,040 Speaker 1: colleague Stephen Tolbert, and that was the train of for Hyesilayer. 29 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:39,039 Speaker 1: So I've already offered my opinion, but I have to 30 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: just see you up here, Scott. Do you have a 31 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: blazing hot take on more haesel Laier situation or was 32 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 1: this kind of what we said with Stephen and I? 33 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, I thought you and Steven did a nice job 34 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 2: outlining the deal a couple of days ago, and you know, 35 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 2: as it became more and more apparent to me and 36 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 2: I think most fans that it was going to be 37 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 2: really difficult to carry solaire Ozona and Ronald Acunya junior 38 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:08,239 Speaker 2: next year, coming off his second knee surgery in three years, 39 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 2: pretty much. 40 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: And it's a. 41 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,919 Speaker 2: Shame that Jorge could not play a more serviceable outfield 42 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 2: because the guy can still really hit man. 43 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: Yep. 44 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 2: The idea of having solaire in the middle of the 45 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 2: Braves lineup next year with a healthy Acunya and Riley 46 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:27,079 Speaker 2: and Olsen and Ozuna and Harris the guy can still 47 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 2: really hit, unfortunately, as we all kind of were surprised 48 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:36,079 Speaker 2: by when they said, yeah, he's gonna play outfield every night. Yeah, 49 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 2: Jorge Hilaire is a DH and it's just you couldn't 50 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:44,600 Speaker 2: make the puzzle pieces fit with Ozuna especially. It was 51 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:48,080 Speaker 2: tough to It was tough to piece everything together with 52 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 2: Jorge in Atlanta. Still, and hey, the Braves saved a 53 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 2: few dollars in the process, not even a few dollars, 54 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 2: quite a few dollars. And we'll see if they have 55 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:59,959 Speaker 2: Griffin Canning and their long term plans, but I think 56 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 2: there might be something there, And now the Braves have 57 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,760 Speaker 2: some real more flexibility with the DH and the outfield 58 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 2: now as the off season really gets going over the 59 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 2: next couple of weeks. 60 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: We did that show in the afternoon pretty quickly, trying 61 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: to react as fast as possible. So we didn't know 62 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 1: at the time. We still don't know, but we thought 63 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 1: there might have been a chance that the Braves might 64 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 1: just kind of announce that they were going to move 65 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 1: on from Griffin canning at some point and they didn't 66 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:25,920 Speaker 1: do that. They still could, but we'll see. And the 67 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 1: one thing I did want to say about the deal 68 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: that we didn't get to mention quite in specific turn, 69 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:31,359 Speaker 1: because I think you're right about all of that. You know, 70 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: I saw a lot of fan reaction, but you know, 71 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 1: a reasonable fan reaction that was like, look, this lineup 72 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: is way better with Horayce Hilaire in it, and I 73 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 1: know you said the same. I don't think Steven and 74 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: Loaugh were disagree with that at all. Like I think 75 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 1: it's honestly pretty I don't know if it's likely, but 76 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: certainly possible that whoever plays starting left field on opening 77 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: day for the Braves in April is not going to 78 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 1: be a better hitter than Horayce Hilaire. So if you 79 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: just list the players in order, which people love to 80 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: do with their lineups. People love to just list the lineup, 81 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 1: it might look worse, but you have to take it 82 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 1: into account, Like his defense was at the point where 83 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: we don't like to look. Hitting is more important for 84 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 1: ninety five percent of vision players in my opinion, honestly, 85 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 1: at least at least non catchers and non shortstops maybe, 86 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 1: but it was so bad that we kind of agree 87 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: it could he couldn't be the full time outfitter. So 88 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 1: Jerry's out on the deal, but certainly understandable of nothing else. 89 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 1: You don't have to love it. It was I saw 90 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 1: the other thing that I saw that was in response, 91 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 1: and we want program the show with with fan feedback. 92 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 1: But it was like, well, this is just a cheap 93 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 1: move by the Braves. It's like, not really, I don't 94 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 1: think that's going to be the case. And we'll talk 95 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,159 Speaker 1: about this again later on in this show actually, as 96 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: we talk about for agency. But I think my operating assumption, Scott, 97 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: and I'll ask you this, it feels to me that 98 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: the Braves are opening up flexibility, not trying to save money. 99 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:49,840 Speaker 1: And Alex said very plainly on his exit interview, and yes, 100 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:53,160 Speaker 1: I understand he's he could potentially be misleading people with 101 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 1: us with those comments, but he was basically he didn't 102 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:59,159 Speaker 1: even try to equivocate. He was essentially saying payroll is 103 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 1: going to go up next. He didn't say flat, he 104 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:02,920 Speaker 1: didn't say it might go up. He was like, payroll 105 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: is going to be up, and that maybe maybe it's 106 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: maybe it won't. That will come to pass, but for 107 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 1: now I have to kind of take that out as war, 108 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:10,919 Speaker 1: which means, yes, you saved money on so layer, but 109 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,160 Speaker 1: it wasn't just to save money. This is not the pirates, 110 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: like you're trying to use that money else, right. 111 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean there's this weird notion that the Braves 112 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:23,040 Speaker 2: are cheap where the Braves don't spend, and I mean 113 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 2: pretty consistently they have been in the top five, top 114 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 2: ten in payroll the last couple of years. And man, 115 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 2: this was more about figuring out a way to piece 116 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,479 Speaker 2: together a roster, especially in the outfield where there is 117 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 2: some legitimate uncertainty with Akunya. It wasn't about salary dumping. 118 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,719 Speaker 2: It wasn't about it wasn't a one for one talent 119 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:49,159 Speaker 2: proposition with Griffin Canning because obviously Jorge Slayer is a 120 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:53,360 Speaker 2: better baseball player than Griffin Canning is. But again, I 121 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 2: would encourage folks if you didn't listen to that episode 122 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 2: about the DH and the outfield a couple of weeks ago. 123 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 2: I think you and I and Steve and just kind 124 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 2: of talked through it quite honestly, and just kind of 125 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:07,159 Speaker 2: came to different conclusions about what they should do. But 126 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 2: now I think the big question is does Alex feel 127 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 2: like internally they have a good enough outfield with Jared 128 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 2: Kelnick and potentially Ramon Loreano and Ronald Acuna Junior whenever 129 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 2: he's ready to go, and of course Michael Harris or 130 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 2: is he going to go out and add an impact 131 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,040 Speaker 2: outfielder of some kind to help fill the gap and 132 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 2: left field? Are they going to tender Loreano? This was 133 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 2: kind of the first domino that needed to follow by 134 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,359 Speaker 2: trading sol Air, and now it's really to see what 135 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 2: the second domino is in terms of what the front office. 136 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 1: Is thinking with the outfield. Yeah, and we won't put 137 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: that in full on this show, but you're right, there's 138 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 1: a decision to be made there. And even if they 139 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:50,919 Speaker 1: tender Loreano, they could still try to upgrade the outfield 140 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: in some way, Like they could try to turn around 141 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 1: and trade them if they wanted to, Like you could 142 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:55,279 Speaker 1: do that if they think that they could be positive 143 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: trade value there. You could maybe be bought from Jared Keelnick. 144 00:06:57,400 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: There's things they can do if they want to do that. 145 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 1: But there is some uncertainty and there there was always 146 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:03,359 Speaker 1: going to be and now it's just kind of different 147 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: uncertainty after they've moved on from Oresler and that deal 148 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: again I talked about with Steven. You and I and 149 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 1: Steven talked about the situation. So those are still in 150 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 1: the archive. If you're a new listener, police go head 151 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,239 Speaker 1: subscribe to the show and also listened to the back catalog, 152 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: as they are very relevant discussions at this point in time. Scott, 153 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 1: I also want to get into the headline grabbing moves 154 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 1: from Saturday. We normally would honestly spring into action with 155 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 1: the Mergency podcast, but it was Saturday afternoon, and these 156 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 1: two players are also on the team, and they were 157 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 1: already going to be on the team, so it's not 158 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: like a huge splash, but it is very newsy and 159 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 1: interesting that the Braves essentially came to two different agreements 160 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 1: here with Aaron Bummer and then also with Real Lopez. 161 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: Bummer is polarizing, We'll say. When Alex said that they 162 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 1: were planning on picking up his option, you and I 163 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: kind of immediately came to his defense on that decision, 164 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: because Bumber was quite good in our opinion and by 165 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 1: the stats last year, and Brace fans don't love Aaron 166 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: Bumber for whatever reason. But even putting that to the 167 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:01,160 Speaker 1: side and just talking about the logistics here on Aaron Bummer. 168 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: He gets a deal that's two years and thirteen million 169 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: dollars guaranteed. The big thing is that it's cheap this year, 170 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 1: which we'll come back to, but it's three and a 171 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 1: half million and year one, and then nine and a 172 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 1: half million in twenty twenty six. Previously he had club 173 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: options for a little bit over seven million this year 174 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 1: and a little bit over seven million again next year. 175 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: Both those are club options, so they're not guaranteed at all. 176 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: So the basically what happens here is that Bummer took 177 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 1: the security of thirteen million dollars guaranteed, which probably was 178 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 1: smart of him, I think, and the team gets flexibility 179 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 1: where they can pay him less this year, which helps 180 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: with the books and also you know, basically saving overall 181 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 1: over two years if they were to keep Bummer for 182 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,080 Speaker 1: two years. So all of this kind of goes in 183 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: on each other. So we'll come back to this second 184 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 1: a second with Ronald of Lopez, but Bummer on its own, 185 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:52,719 Speaker 1: what do you make of this trend of this part 186 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:54,680 Speaker 1: of the transaction, because it was probably the one that 187 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: was like not cover as much because it was kind 188 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 1: of the least amount of change. But Aaron Mummer two 189 00:08:59,320 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: years guaranteed. We like Aaron Bummer. 190 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:05,319 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean we like Aaron Bummer. The front office 191 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 2: likes Aaron Bummer clearly by guaranteeing him thirteen million dollars. 192 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 2: The only person I'm not sure who loves Aaron Bummer 193 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 2: and his opinion really matters is Brian Snitker. Yep, because 194 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 2: snitt never went to Aaron Bummer in high leverage this 195 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 2: past season, and that was a little weird. Now, I 196 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 2: get it. Bummer had a couple of blow ups early 197 00:09:28,679 --> 00:09:31,960 Speaker 2: in the year, but guess what, No reliever is perfect. 198 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 2: You're not going to have eight Mariano Riveraz or prime 199 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 2: Craig Kimbrel in your bullpen. And on the whole, Bummer 200 00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 2: was one of the best left handed relievers in all 201 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 2: of baseball. And that's just not you know, my opinion 202 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,040 Speaker 2: or your opinion. I mean, statistically speaking, Bummer was one 203 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 2: of the better lefty relievers in the game last year, 204 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 2: and he's had a track record of being successful in 205 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 2: the past with the Chicago White Sox. So really, it 206 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 2: was pretty clear that the Braves are going to pick 207 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 2: up Bummer's option. Alexanthopoulos said as much in his end 208 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 2: of year interview, and by guaranteeing these two years, I 209 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:12,079 Speaker 2: think it just kind of reinforces that the club obviously 210 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 2: likes Bummer. And really the most interesting thing on this 211 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 2: and on the Renaldo Lopez deal, is how they have 212 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:22,679 Speaker 2: seemingly pushed some of the money back where they are 213 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 2: trimming payroll in twenty twenty five. By just the three 214 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 2: and a half million this year for Bummer and then 215 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 2: eight million for Lopez as well, they've they've cleared some 216 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 2: of the deck, if you will, and we'll of course 217 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 2: see what that means. But it's interesting that only what 218 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 2: two days into the offseason after the World Series, the 219 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 2: Braves have cleared anywhere from fifteen to twenty million dollars 220 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:48,320 Speaker 2: off the books for next season. That tells me that 221 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 2: they're going to be aggressive and try to go out 222 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 2: and bid on some really good players. I totally agree, 223 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 2: and something that Alex has been very aggressive and doing. 224 00:10:55,559 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 2: I mean, something we've almost forgotten about now. But even 225 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 2: with Chris Sale, like they turn an option into geararanteed money, 226 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 2: like he's not afraid of guaranteeing dollars to move money 227 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 2: around and get creative. And we won't go crazy deep 228 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 2: into the payroll situation right now, but there are guys 229 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,960 Speaker 2: this coming season on the books who will be making 230 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 2: more and I would say notably more than they were 231 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 2: making last season. Chris Sale is one of them, Schechter 232 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 2: Strider is one of them. Sean Murphy's one of them. 233 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 2: They all get bumps from their previous last year's salary. 234 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 2: They were already baked in, so you got that, you 235 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 2: got some big salary coming off the books potentially with 236 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 2: Max Freed and Charlie Morton TVD on, both those guys, 237 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 2: but they if they leave, that's thirty five million dollars 238 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:33,839 Speaker 2: right there that they were spending last year. And then 239 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 2: both of these moves for Bummer and Lopez were clearly 240 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 2: at least partially motivated by getting their number of cash 241 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 2: spending down this year, because Lopez gets the exact same 242 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 2: in some respects deal that he already had. He was 243 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 2: already owed quote unquote his remaining years were three years 244 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 2: and thirty million. But in the previous iteration, the last 245 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 2: year was it was a team option for seven million dollars, 246 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 2: sorry eight million. And then it was eleven million dollars 247 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 2: this year and next year, and then eight on the 248 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:07,160 Speaker 2: end as a team option. Now all thirty is guaranteed, 249 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:11,079 Speaker 2: so similar to Bummer, they guaranteed him more, but they 250 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 2: get less this year. So this year Lopez is making 251 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 2: eight versus making eleven, and that might be a game changer. 252 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 2: But that could be the difference between between a player 253 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,719 Speaker 2: or something that Alex is trying to make work. And 254 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 2: you know, obviously Lopez was awesome this year. When they 255 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 2: signed him, we weren't sure what that was going to 256 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 2: look like. We liked the deal, we liked the pitcher, 257 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,800 Speaker 2: but he had been a reliever. People kind of almost 258 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:33,560 Speaker 2: forgotten this now, like he had been a reliever and 259 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 2: that was some question, Like people were surprised that the 260 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 2: Braids were going to start him. 261 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 1: It worked out great. Obviously, he was awesome this year, 262 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:40,599 Speaker 1: and then he got hurt at the end of the 263 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 1: year a little bit. This also could be seen as 264 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 1: a bout of confidence for that. What did you make 265 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: of that aspect of just like further investing in some 266 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 1: respects in Ronald of Lopez. 267 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I think that was my real takeaway 268 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 2: from the deal, other than the money was that the 269 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:58,479 Speaker 2: Braves must be confident that after elbow and shoulder concerns, 270 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:03,080 Speaker 2: down the stretch to guarantee that third year on the 271 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:06,320 Speaker 2: deal was encouraging. We of course, are not privy to 272 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:09,839 Speaker 2: the medical room in the trainer's room, but I think 273 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 2: it's only a good sign that they said, okay, we 274 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 2: can guarantee this picture three more years on top of 275 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 2: what he just gave us, and there's apparently no concern 276 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 2: about the elbow or the shoulder. And similar to Bummer, 277 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 2: the fact that they have kind of backloaded the deal 278 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 2: was interesting for all the reasons we just outlined. It 279 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 2: does give Alex some flexibility financially. He has talked on 280 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:36,199 Speaker 2: the record in the past about payroll that when the 281 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 2: Braves are doing their budget, it's an all encompassing budget. 282 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 2: So it's not just what's the salary, what's the luxury tax, 283 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 2: what's the signing bonus. It's all one number. And in 284 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 2: my interpretation of that, that means that he has cleared 285 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 2: roughly seven million dollars between these two arms. If they 286 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:56,200 Speaker 2: would have picked up Bummer's option as was, and if 287 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 2: they would have just paid Rinaldo as it was, I 288 00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 2: think it was going to be eighteen and a half 289 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 2: million instead, Now it's what twelve eleven? Yeah, eleven, I believe, 290 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 2: So again not world changing money. That doesn't mean they're 291 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 2: now gonna go get one Sodo tomorrow, but it does again, 292 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:16,840 Speaker 2: it leads me to believe they are trying to free 293 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:19,480 Speaker 2: up some cash to make some splashes. Is they think 294 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 2: we're all in agreement that this team, while very good, 295 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 2: has some legitimate holes this winter that need to be filled. 296 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,480 Speaker 2: And every dollar that's freed up, I mean, all the better. 297 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 2: It's going to give you a better chance to win 298 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:32,680 Speaker 2: a bidding war, a better chance to take on a contract, 299 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 2: whatever it might ultimately be. 300 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 1: Yeah. One of the reasons I wanted to open with 301 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,680 Speaker 1: these three moves in tandem, even we already did the 302 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 1: reaction on Solare was that that also saved money too. 303 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 1: So you put them all all three together. It's to 304 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 1: your point, and you're right, it's like a said million 305 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 1: dollar savings with just Blumber and Lopez. It's TPD. On 306 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: Gryffin Canning, it's either gonna be five million, probably in 307 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: that range, or zero. We don't know yet. But even 308 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: if they keep Gryffin Canning, they will have saved fifteen 309 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:03,280 Speaker 1: ish million dollars in about two or three days from 310 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 1: on next year salary just from these three transactions, the 311 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: trade and the two restructures and again Max and Charlie TVD. 312 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:13,680 Speaker 1: But they're gonna they have money to spend because even 313 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 1: even the guys who I mentioned before are gonna get 314 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 1: raised this year, they're not giant raises. They still are 315 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,240 Speaker 1: gonna spend more. And again Alex that they're gonna spend more. So, uh, 316 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 1: we don't know who it's gonna be yet. One reason 317 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:25,800 Speaker 1: we're gonna do this kind of tea up podcast because 318 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 1: creativey does begin on Monday. And outside of Soto, who 319 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 1: I think the praise, we would love if they signed 320 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,840 Speaker 1: one So too, he's the only player that's like very 321 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:38,400 Speaker 1: clearly out of the price range. I feel like if 322 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: even even in a shocking move, they could sign some 323 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 1: other guys that are free agents that we're not expecting 324 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 1: them to sign. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't project 325 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:46,240 Speaker 1: them to be in on the top guys other and 326 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 1: Sodo So is the only one where it's like I 327 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,720 Speaker 1: wouldn't stop breathing if they signed one So because it 328 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:53,600 Speaker 1: would be it's gonna be so much money. But they 329 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:55,600 Speaker 1: can they can uh to you to use an old 330 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 1: throwback term, Scott, they can now shop on any aisle. 331 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:00,920 Speaker 2: Get that, babe, of that that. 332 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: I love it. 333 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 2: That was like Alex's go to line, like three or 334 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:08,640 Speaker 2: four winters ago, like every least single media availability, that 335 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:11,960 Speaker 2: was his line. Yeah, I agree as much as I 336 00:16:11,960 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 2: would love one SODA's bat in the middle of this lineup, 337 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 2: he's he's not coming to Atlanta, but pretty much anybody else. 338 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 2: I could at least see the Braves being interested in 339 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 2: you know, do I think they're gonna go and go 340 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 2: overpay for Corbyn Burns, who's arguably the best arm on 341 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:32,560 Speaker 2: the market. Probably not, but I'm sure they'll make a 342 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:33,000 Speaker 2: phone call. 343 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: And I mean they were too to that point. They 344 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 1: ran on Aaron Aaron Nola last year. They were the 345 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: runner up for Aaron Nola, Like if you could demand 346 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 1: how close they got. But they were in that to 347 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 1: the end. And that's gonna be kind of this. That's 348 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: the price range that Corbin Burns is going to be in, 349 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 1: you would think, So that's at least plausible to me. 350 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 1: It's not likely, but it's plausible. 351 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, Yeah, it's uh. I think other than one sodo, 352 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 2: everybody at least will get a phone call from Alex, 353 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 2: and you never know. Sometimes things break down. Sometimes you 354 00:16:57,840 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 2: think there's a half dozen teams ahead of you and 355 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 2: bidding war, and five of those teams decided to pivot elsewhere, 356 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,200 Speaker 2: and all of a sudden, it's like, oh, okay, maybe 357 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 2: this can come together. Same story for Max Freed. You know, 358 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 2: I don't think Max is likely to return to the 359 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:17,199 Speaker 2: Braves at this point, but if things break down or 360 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 2: maybe his market isn't quite what he thought it was 361 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 2: going to be. Obviously there's a good relationship there, years 362 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 2: and years of you know, good relations between the player 363 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:30,240 Speaker 2: and the organization. So we'll see. But I do think again, 364 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:33,119 Speaker 2: the fact that Braves and Anthopolis are clearing out some 365 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 2: money here so early in the winter tells me that 366 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:39,399 Speaker 2: as they've had basically a month to outline their off 367 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 2: season plans, they obviously wanted to have some more cash 368 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,440 Speaker 2: freed up to go and make deals, and that makes 369 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,200 Speaker 2: for an hopefully exciting off season on the horizon. 370 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:53,240 Speaker 1: Monday's a really a big day in baseball. It may 371 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 1: not mean that there's gonna be giant transactions in free agency, 372 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: but it's the day that it begins number one. And 373 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:01,639 Speaker 1: also and again that's five o'clock PM Eastern time. There 374 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: are already allowed to talk to their own for agents. 375 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,639 Speaker 1: Like we saw actually today, Michael Walker resigned with the 376 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: Royals because he could. He was allowed to. He couldn't 377 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:09,959 Speaker 1: go somewhere else, but he could stay with the Ryals. 378 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 2: Fun story. I know Michael Walker's wife from college. 379 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:15,440 Speaker 1: Yeah. 380 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 2: Man, it wouldn't suck for the whole husband to bring 381 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 2: home a fifty one million dollar paycheck that that wouldn't 382 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 2: be terrible. 383 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:23,359 Speaker 1: Yeah, like, yes, sir, I'll take that. Three years, he 384 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,399 Speaker 1: was the we have we'll share our kind of a 385 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 1: bunch of names list. He was on my list. Originally 386 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: I had to I had to go in and to 387 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:31,359 Speaker 1: de leet Michael Walkers day because he was like maybe 388 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 1: an interesting guy for the Braves and now he just 389 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 1: went away, but just to say you could sign it. 390 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:37,879 Speaker 1: So the Braves could have been talking to Max Freed 391 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 1: and Charlie Morton the next the last several days post 392 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 1: World series, they could have been doing that. Maybe they 393 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:45,719 Speaker 1: actually did. But now you can talk to extra free agents. 394 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: Obviously Max is the big one. Will come out to 395 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 1: that in a second. Monday is also the deadline to 396 00:18:50,280 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 1: decide on club options. Alex has already said they're playing 397 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:57,600 Speaker 1: to pick up Ozuna and Darnault's club option. No surprise 398 00:18:57,640 --> 00:18:59,760 Speaker 1: there if they do that, we already discussed that and depth. 399 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 1: Luke Jackson is a We think it pretty easy to 400 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:04,440 Speaker 1: cline at seven million dollars. But that's when they have 401 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:06,439 Speaker 1: to decide on by tomorrow as well, and then they 402 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:09,520 Speaker 1: also have to decide whey to tender a qualifying offer 403 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:12,639 Speaker 1: to Max Freed, which seems like an absolute no brainer. 404 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:16,360 Speaker 1: It's just basically put procedural, one year and twenty one 405 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: million is the qualifying offer. You do that. If you 406 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:21,400 Speaker 1: don't know what that is, to go ahead, and if 407 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 1: he leaves, you get a comp pick back for him. 408 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:25,240 Speaker 1: It will be it will not be a great compick 409 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:27,639 Speaker 1: because the Braids are on the tax and that lessens that. 410 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 1: But it's one of those things where hey, if Max 411 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,679 Speaker 1: wants to sign that one year tender, he's free to 412 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:34,919 Speaker 1: do so. The Brads would definitely be very excited if 413 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:37,560 Speaker 1: he wanted to do that. He won't, but you offer 414 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:39,440 Speaker 1: it and then he has two weeks to decide those 415 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:41,239 Speaker 1: are all the deadlines on Monday. There's a lot going on, 416 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:42,720 Speaker 1: but the big one, of course, is free to see. 417 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:47,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I'm not expecting any necessarily fireworks in 418 00:19:47,560 --> 00:19:49,600 Speaker 2: the next twenty four hours. I don't. I don't think 419 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 2: you are, either, Brad. 420 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:52,960 Speaker 1: But well, the Brads are already made a trade and 421 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:56,000 Speaker 1: two signings before they even opened. Yeah, it was. 422 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 2: Really I mean, I don't let me say this. I 423 00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 2: don't see them doing anything crazy with Marcelo Zuna. I 424 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:04,639 Speaker 2: think they'll just pick up the deal that, you know, 425 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:09,639 Speaker 2: the sixteen or eighteen million dollar option. I guess Travis 426 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 2: Darnaut could decide to retire, but unless that happens, I 427 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:15,920 Speaker 2: think Travis will be back with the team next year. 428 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:20,120 Speaker 2: And then Luke Jackson just not worth seven million bucks. 429 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 2: I you know, that's a pretty easy decline, and so sure, 430 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:26,719 Speaker 2: maybe it's not a guarantee that there's no drama on 431 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,200 Speaker 2: Monday when these deadlines hit, but I think it'll be 432 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:32,640 Speaker 2: a relatively procedural day for the team. 433 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:34,439 Speaker 1: And Alex does like to work quickly. I mean, we 434 00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:36,680 Speaker 1: joke about this last these three moves already, but even 435 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: in previous years, like he has done stuff where he'll 436 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:42,199 Speaker 1: make two moves on a Monday in November and then 437 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:45,120 Speaker 1: he'll do nothing for two months. Like this is he's 438 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:47,200 Speaker 1: He's definitely an early in the off season kind of guy. 439 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,439 Speaker 1: So they could make a splash. But when you're signing 440 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:53,200 Speaker 1: external free agents, most guys don't want to wait. I'm sorry, 441 00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:54,320 Speaker 1: they do want to wait. They don't want to go 442 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:56,399 Speaker 1: early because they want to make sure there's a market 443 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: all these things. But hey, could the nick on Monday? 444 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:01,360 Speaker 1: Sure they could, but I think it probably will be probably, 445 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 1: not definitely, probably will be picking up those those options, 446 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 1: tendering Max and then figuring it out from there. There 447 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:12,199 Speaker 1: was actually, before we get to the external guys, we 448 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,000 Speaker 1: have to do it, Scott, there was a rumbling from 449 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:19,640 Speaker 1: Mark Bowman. Yeah, Mark wrote the following Mark bowmanson Mark 450 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 1: himark quote. There was also an assumption that Charlie Morton 451 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:26,479 Speaker 1: would retire. But the hurler who will return, sorry, who 452 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 1: will turn forty one on November twelfth, quote, is leaning 453 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:37,360 Speaker 1: toward pitching at least one more season end quote. Okay, Scott, 454 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: I'm gonna let you talk about this because I've my 455 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: feelings are well known here, but uh, this is kind 456 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:43,920 Speaker 1: of surprising now doesn't mean that he's definitely going to pitch. 457 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:46,399 Speaker 1: And Mark's been the only one I think that's been 458 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 1: banging this drum. But he's seemingly got a source. So 459 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,080 Speaker 1: we'll see what's going on there. But Charlie pitching again, 460 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:54,320 Speaker 1: could be pitching in Atlanta again, Let's just say. 461 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, it's interesting because I mean, not just 462 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 2: one time, but Mark Bowman has mentioned this numerous times 463 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:04,920 Speaker 2: over the last ten days or so. Clearly, bo He's 464 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:07,439 Speaker 2: been doing it for twenty twenty five years now, he 465 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:10,119 Speaker 2: has his sources. He's not just pulling this out of 466 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 2: thin air. Charlie Morton, it's an interesting case. If it's 467 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 2: anywhere close to twenty million dollars, forget it, he's he's 468 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:20,880 Speaker 2: just not worth that at forty one years old. 469 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:24,399 Speaker 1: Even I would not pitch always twenty million dollars next season, 470 00:22:24,440 --> 00:22:27,159 Speaker 1: even I famous defender Charlie Morton. And I think that 471 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:29,680 Speaker 1: Alex probably will agree with us on that. I would guess. 472 00:22:30,440 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 2: But but but if and this is what Bowman also suggested, 473 00:22:35,880 --> 00:22:38,680 Speaker 2: if Charlie is open to pitching for somewhere in the 474 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:42,960 Speaker 2: neighborhood of ten to fifteen million dollars, next year. It's 475 00:22:42,960 --> 00:22:46,840 Speaker 2: at least interesting the last three years they pulled Charlie's numbers. 476 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:52,000 Speaker 2: The last three seasons combined Charlie's ERA, FIP and next 477 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:55,720 Speaker 2: FIP all are about four And clearly he's not a 478 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:58,760 Speaker 2: front line or an ace anymore. But a four ERA 479 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:02,080 Speaker 2: for a pitcher who is made thirty starts the last 480 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 2: three seasons, those don't grow on trees. And of course 481 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:09,560 Speaker 2: it's a one year deal. You're not committing yourself to 482 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 2: seven years to a pitcher where you worry that in 483 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 2: year two if his shoulder blows out, you're screwed for 484 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 2: five seasons. So it's interesting. I still think Charlie's going 485 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:23,399 Speaker 2: to retire at the end of the day, just based 486 00:23:23,440 --> 00:23:26,040 Speaker 2: on his comments at the end of the season. But 487 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 2: according to Mark Bowman, it feels like the door is open. 488 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 2: And if Charlie's back for ten million twelve million next season, 489 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:36,879 Speaker 2: I maybe won't be like super thrilled, but it'd be fine. 490 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 2: And it brings depth to the back end of the rotation. 491 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:42,920 Speaker 2: It provides some insurance in case Strider needs more time, 492 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 2: in case Sale gets hurt. There's a lot of questions 493 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:49,640 Speaker 2: with the s hrotation next year, but it is interesting 494 00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:52,119 Speaker 2: that that Bowman seems to think that Charlie could be 495 00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:54,400 Speaker 2: back for yet another season next year. 496 00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, you brought up last three years. And look, it's 497 00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 1: fair to note the age, of course, like he's it's 498 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 1: very possible Charlie could just be bad next year. That's 499 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:06,080 Speaker 1: that's just it's sports, just saying that out loud. At 500 00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:08,679 Speaker 1: his age, it could happen in any moment. I do 501 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 1: think that his demise has been overstated by some because 502 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:14,240 Speaker 1: he was not bad this year. He was no matter 503 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 1: how bad people thought he was, he actually wasn't. He'd 504 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 1: look at the numbers, he just wasn't. He was a 505 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 1: perfectly fine fourth fifth starter this year for the Braves, 506 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 1: and over the last three years, I believe I will 507 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,240 Speaker 1: give this up now. He was tied for twenty fourth 508 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:28,320 Speaker 1: in the National League in fangrafts war him one pitchers. 509 00:24:29,080 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: That's really good over three year period for your fourth starter, 510 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:35,359 Speaker 1: fifth starter, Like he's useful. But yeah, and also we 511 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:37,120 Speaker 1: all know this, but Alex loves the one year deal, 512 00:24:37,480 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 1: loves it. Loves one year deal, the lack of commitments 513 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:43,880 Speaker 1: to that, the flexibility of it. And yeah, I could 514 00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:45,879 Speaker 1: already tell we already we fight this battle every winter 515 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,479 Speaker 1: with some fans. But you just have to have more 516 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 1: than five starters. And I've already seen people listing the 517 00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:53,000 Speaker 1: starters like why would they keep Granted Griffin kN And 518 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 1: obviously Grifin Canning is not as good as Charlie Morton, 519 00:24:55,040 --> 00:24:57,119 Speaker 1: but it's similar, like what do they have? What you use? 520 00:24:57,160 --> 00:24:59,680 Speaker 1: Do they have? I'm like, guys, we saw this year, 521 00:24:59,680 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 1: we see every year. There's always a time during the 522 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 1: season where we're like, man, the Braves need to know 523 00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 1: a pitcher because everyone has that problem during the season. 524 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 1: So stacking depth. Alex is big on that. And yeah, 525 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:11,399 Speaker 1: if it's one year and ten million, I know what 526 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:14,280 Speaker 1: the reaction will be. It'll be very negative. I understand that, 527 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:16,920 Speaker 1: but it would for me. I know, I'm the Morton guy, 528 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:19,120 Speaker 1: but it'd be perfectly reasonable to do that for one year. 529 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, you 530 00:25:21,600 --> 00:25:25,280 Speaker 2: play one hundred and sixty two baseball games, nine innings 531 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:28,520 Speaker 2: a game. What's that math? Like fourteen hundred and something 532 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 2: throw in extra innings. You have to cover fifteen hundred 533 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:39,240 Speaker 2: innings of regular season baseball every single year, and without fail, 534 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:41,800 Speaker 2: you feel good about your pitching depth and then by 535 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,919 Speaker 2: June you're calling on the third arm in Gwinnett to 536 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:47,959 Speaker 2: make a couple of starts. You know, you're alan Winan types, 537 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 2: and there is a way to prevent those starts from 538 00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:56,920 Speaker 2: happening where just puts the Braves at such a large disadvantage. 539 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:01,080 Speaker 2: You know, for ten million dollars, that is a reasonable 540 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 2: amount to pay Charlie Morton in the year twenty twenty five. Again, man, 541 00:26:05,040 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 2: no one's gonna come on and say Charlie's gonna win 542 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:09,600 Speaker 2: Cy Young, or he's going to strike out two hundred 543 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 2: and fifty batters next year, or have an era in 544 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 2: the low twos. But you're not going to have five 545 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:20,399 Speaker 2: rock solid aces in your rotation in a season. And again, 546 00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:22,840 Speaker 2: for the many questions that are in this rotation, the 547 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:26,480 Speaker 2: idea of having some stability with Charlie or a similar 548 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:29,360 Speaker 2: veteran on a one year deal is something I think 549 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:32,280 Speaker 2: the Braves are going to do whether or not Morton retires. 550 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:36,439 Speaker 1: Every single year, I feel like we argue for another 551 00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:39,280 Speaker 1: veteran arm to be at it, and they do it 552 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:42,480 Speaker 1: usually or sometimes one more thing on this and Appross 553 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 1: will move on. The Braves got a god send from 554 00:26:45,560 --> 00:26:48,639 Speaker 1: Special Swallenbach this last year that no one could have projected, 555 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:50,760 Speaker 1: even if you were as high on him as humanly possible, 556 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:53,119 Speaker 1: you could not have projected that as a rookie this 557 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:57,120 Speaker 1: year and they still had the following guys make starts 558 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:02,760 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty four, Bryce Elder Grant Holmes made seven starts. 559 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:05,640 Speaker 1: Ray Kerr made two starts for the Braves this year. 560 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,200 Speaker 1: Darius Fonce made two starts for the Braves this year. 561 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:10,000 Speaker 1: Alan Wyans made two starts with the Braves this year. 562 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:13,160 Speaker 1: Hirston Waldrip made two starts. Smith shav made it made 563 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 1: a playoff start for the Braves this year. Like guys, 564 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 1: it's very evident every year. I believe the final tally 565 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 1: was thirteen guys made starts for the Braves this year. 566 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 2: Wow, yep it Even the best rotations get injured. It's 567 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:33,400 Speaker 2: you can never have too much starting pitching. And guess 568 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:36,720 Speaker 2: what once the season gets started. Unless you strike gold 569 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:40,000 Speaker 2: with the Schwellenbach in the minor leagues, you're basically have 570 00:27:40,119 --> 00:27:42,639 Speaker 2: your hands tied until the end of July at the 571 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:46,639 Speaker 2: trade deadline to get starting pitching help. You know, again, 572 00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 2: there is some interesting internal options with a j Smith Shavor, 573 00:27:52,480 --> 00:27:52,919 Speaker 2: I think. 574 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,080 Speaker 1: And Waldrip, and there's all kinds of I mean, they 575 00:27:55,119 --> 00:27:58,639 Speaker 1: do have honestly, the price have better than average depth 576 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:03,440 Speaker 1: in the high miners, but you cannot always expect next year. 577 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:06,880 Speaker 1: There is a pretty strong chance that neither Smith Shov 578 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:09,480 Speaker 1: or Waldrip is going to be awesome. Maybe they will be, 579 00:28:09,960 --> 00:28:12,359 Speaker 1: but you don't know that right now. Oh good chance. 580 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:16,119 Speaker 1: I mean, Smith Shaver still needs time, if you you know. 581 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:18,359 Speaker 1: I always try to listen to the prospect team at 582 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 1: Battery Power. They were all pretty much in unison even 583 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:24,960 Speaker 1: at the end of the season that Smith Shauver needs 584 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:30,800 Speaker 1: more time. He's still working on pitch sequencing, finishing off hitters, location, 585 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:34,560 Speaker 1: how to attack a second and third time through. It 586 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:36,720 Speaker 1: was kind of a lost year of development, I thought 587 00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 1: for Hurston Waldrip, especially the second half when he had 588 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:42,080 Speaker 1: the shoulder issue and then just really never found it. 589 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:46,640 Speaker 1: Bryce Elder, sure, if it's a Sunday afternoon start against 590 00:28:46,680 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 1: the Miami Marlins, it's probably fine. But against anyone better 591 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:54,000 Speaker 1: than that, unless Bryce magically adds five miles an hour 592 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 1: to his fastball or develops just an absurd slider, it's 593 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:00,120 Speaker 1: just not going to happen. He is who he is 594 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:05,080 Speaker 1: is Ian Anderson is similarly a lot of questions about him. 595 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:08,640 Speaker 1: Schwellenbach as great as he was, just blew past his 596 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 1: professional innings high. We're in all the Lopez shoulder elbow 597 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:16,200 Speaker 1: concerns this last year, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Yeah, 598 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:19,800 Speaker 1: we could talk for twenty minutes about the risk that 599 00:29:19,880 --> 00:29:22,520 Speaker 1: all these starting pitchers have, and that's not exclusive to 600 00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:25,640 Speaker 1: the Braves by any means. Pitchers get hurt at a 601 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:29,640 Speaker 1: very high rate in every single team in baseball. And 602 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:31,920 Speaker 1: if you can err on the side. 603 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 2: Of more depth and more reliability and not having to 604 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:38,400 Speaker 2: pray that one of your minor league guys step up, 605 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:41,840 Speaker 2: I think it's a worthwhile proposition as long as you 606 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:45,120 Speaker 2: can do it while addressing the other holes on your roster. 607 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:50,360 Speaker 1: All right, let's go to some external free agents. We're 608 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 1: not gonna dive deep on these guys, but it's a 609 00:29:52,120 --> 00:29:54,240 Speaker 1: good time to kind of just say hi, here's what's available, 610 00:29:55,360 --> 00:29:57,360 Speaker 1: et cetera, et cetera, and people can kind of pick 611 00:29:57,400 --> 00:30:00,240 Speaker 1: their favorites. We always have guys that we like, I 612 00:30:00,280 --> 00:30:03,480 Speaker 1: know Scott always has his guys famously, Zach Wheeler. We 613 00:30:03,480 --> 00:30:04,960 Speaker 1: would have knowed that one, Scott, you're all over that 614 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:07,520 Speaker 1: one you would have but would have been a great one. 615 00:30:07,760 --> 00:30:10,440 Speaker 1: So anyway, and Tonny Gray too is my guy. I 616 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:11,080 Speaker 1: am Sonny. 617 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:15,200 Speaker 2: Hear me out, Brad the same little the same as 618 00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:18,760 Speaker 2: Cardinals are supposedly gonna cut money and try to get younger. 619 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:20,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, it could use a starter. 620 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:24,960 Speaker 2: Sonny Gray only two years fifty million on his contract, 621 00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:27,200 Speaker 2: Like all right, hear me out, hear. 622 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:29,640 Speaker 1: Me No, I'm one hundred percent with you. And like, look, 623 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:31,520 Speaker 1: we get questions about this all the time, about trade 624 00:30:31,520 --> 00:30:35,440 Speaker 1: candidates too, and it's impossible. Maybe we could try one 625 00:30:35,480 --> 00:30:37,840 Speaker 1: day to kind of lay out all the trade candidates. 626 00:30:37,840 --> 00:30:39,800 Speaker 1: Like that's a much harder task than just say he 627 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:41,600 Speaker 1: here are the free agents. But that's a good point 628 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:43,840 Speaker 1: you made. It Beyond Sonny Gray being a proactive which 629 00:30:43,840 --> 00:30:47,880 Speaker 1: I agree with, is that Alex could also address issues 630 00:30:47,920 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 1: with with trades, like he's very willing to do that. 631 00:30:50,480 --> 00:30:52,440 Speaker 1: I think Shortza's one that we talked about a lot already, 632 00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:54,320 Speaker 1: and we'll talk about even more in a second, where 633 00:30:54,360 --> 00:30:56,480 Speaker 1: like it could be a trade, could be a trade 634 00:30:56,520 --> 00:30:58,280 Speaker 1: for an outfitter, could be a trade for a starting pitcher. 635 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:00,480 Speaker 1: We just we don't know, but that is always a 636 00:31:00,760 --> 00:31:04,480 Speaker 1: I would say undervalued pathway to plug holes or better 637 00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:05,960 Speaker 1: than that, is that you could trade for you guys, 638 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:08,000 Speaker 1: And Sunny Gray is a good name to keep an 639 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:11,960 Speaker 1: eye on. I would say, let's start with the pictures 640 00:31:11,960 --> 00:31:15,080 Speaker 1: while we're on Sunny Gray. So all I'm starting pitching. 641 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:17,560 Speaker 1: We just did a whole primer about this about how look, 642 00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:20,480 Speaker 1: the Brais don't have to sign a huge dollar arm. 643 00:31:21,440 --> 00:31:23,600 Speaker 1: They may not. I could say, maybe maybe they probably 644 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:28,520 Speaker 1: won't even but if they're so in theory, if they 645 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 1: were in play for Max Freed, why would they also 646 00:31:31,480 --> 00:31:35,000 Speaker 1: not be in play for Corbyn Burns or Blake Snell 647 00:31:35,720 --> 00:31:40,280 Speaker 1: Rookie or Rookie Sasaki or Nathany Evaldi or Sean Manaia. 648 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:43,360 Speaker 1: These guys are all like those are varying degrees. But 649 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 1: if you lose Max, it's not exactly a hard cell 650 00:31:47,040 --> 00:31:49,160 Speaker 1: to say, hey, we'd like to get another, even if 651 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:51,280 Speaker 1: it's number two versus number one, Like Max kind of 652 00:31:51,280 --> 00:31:53,800 Speaker 1: has been guy. So those are all the names that 653 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:55,560 Speaker 1: are kind of on the top level, along maybe like 654 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:57,880 Speaker 1: Jack Flaherty. But those are five or six names that 655 00:31:57,920 --> 00:32:00,240 Speaker 1: are really interesting top of the rotation guys and they're 656 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:00,640 Speaker 1: all built. 657 00:32:02,120 --> 00:32:04,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, it's going to be very interesting to 658 00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:08,440 Speaker 2: see what the starting pitching free agent market is because 659 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:12,400 Speaker 2: last winter, some guys like Aaron Nola found a lot 660 00:32:12,440 --> 00:32:15,920 Speaker 2: of money right away, like Nola assigned I think before 661 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:19,280 Speaker 2: Thanksgiving and for seven years one hundred and seventy some 662 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:23,280 Speaker 2: odd million dollars. But then you had your Blake Snells 663 00:32:23,320 --> 00:32:29,200 Speaker 2: and your Eduardo Rodriguez and your Jordan Montgomery's who all 664 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:32,400 Speaker 2: really struggled to find a market that really developed for them. 665 00:32:33,280 --> 00:32:36,640 Speaker 2: They ultimately landed pretty good money on like an annual basis, 666 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:39,840 Speaker 2: but they were not able to necessarily command the six 667 00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:42,200 Speaker 2: year deal that I'm sure they were all looking to 668 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:45,200 Speaker 2: command at the start of the winter. So we'll see. 669 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:46,680 Speaker 1: I think the big. 670 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:51,960 Speaker 2: Three is pretty clearly Burns, Snell, and Freed in some order. 671 00:32:53,440 --> 00:32:57,720 Speaker 1: Well, and Garrett Garrett Cole opted out yep, and I 672 00:32:57,760 --> 00:32:59,959 Speaker 1: think he might resign with the Yankees. There's some interesting 673 00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:02,200 Speaker 1: language there the will not dive into, but he would 674 00:33:02,200 --> 00:33:03,760 Speaker 1: be up there as well if he's actually a free agent, 675 00:33:03,800 --> 00:33:05,960 Speaker 1: and he wasn't great this year. But Garrick Cole is 676 00:33:06,000 --> 00:33:07,760 Speaker 1: a capital letter's name, like Greck Cole is a big 677 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:09,720 Speaker 1: name is obviously for a reason, the big name. 678 00:33:10,160 --> 00:33:13,520 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah. And you know, in that second tier of 679 00:33:13,840 --> 00:33:17,720 Speaker 2: free agent arms, there's some some interesting and like legitimately 680 00:33:17,760 --> 00:33:22,400 Speaker 2: good options in there too, right like Nadi of Aaldi. 681 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:24,520 Speaker 2: I've been a fan of you of all these for years, 682 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:28,800 Speaker 2: Manayah who you mentioned? Jack Flaherty just came off the 683 00:33:28,800 --> 00:33:32,520 Speaker 2: World Series. Luis Severino had a really nice bounce back 684 00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:36,200 Speaker 2: year with the New York Mets. So there's some good 685 00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:39,600 Speaker 2: kind of second tier free agents. I'm curious to see 686 00:33:39,600 --> 00:33:42,640 Speaker 2: if the second tier kind of waits on those big 687 00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:46,480 Speaker 2: three to kind of establish the market. And let's say 688 00:33:46,520 --> 00:33:49,120 Speaker 2: the Braves or let's say the Texas Rangers, who were 689 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:51,720 Speaker 2: expected to go out and be active in free agency, 690 00:33:52,080 --> 00:33:54,880 Speaker 2: say that those teams maybe miss out on the top three, 691 00:33:55,640 --> 00:33:59,000 Speaker 2: then do you know talks intensify with the second tier 692 00:33:59,080 --> 00:34:02,880 Speaker 2: free agents. If you asked me today the first weekend 693 00:34:02,920 --> 00:34:05,640 Speaker 2: of November, I would think the Braves would be more 694 00:34:05,760 --> 00:34:08,520 Speaker 2: likely to be in that second tier of starting pitchers. 695 00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:11,720 Speaker 2: Maybe then you won't have to go five or six years, 696 00:34:12,080 --> 00:34:14,879 Speaker 2: probably get him for anywhere from fifteen to twenty two 697 00:34:15,040 --> 00:34:18,279 Speaker 2: million dollars a year. I think that's more of the game, 698 00:34:18,400 --> 00:34:21,560 Speaker 2: Alex is going to be looking to play. Because we 699 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:23,200 Speaker 2: said it a couple nights ago on the show, We'll 700 00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:26,040 Speaker 2: say it one more time. Paying starting pitchers who are 701 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:29,879 Speaker 2: on the wrong side of thirty is a very risky proposition, 702 00:34:30,760 --> 00:34:33,640 Speaker 2: and I think Alex has shown us he's generally pretty 703 00:34:33,719 --> 00:34:38,280 Speaker 2: risk averse whenever he can be. And sure, Corbyn Burns 704 00:34:38,360 --> 00:34:40,960 Speaker 2: is awesome, he'd be really good for this team right now. 705 00:34:42,040 --> 00:34:44,360 Speaker 2: But the idea of committing yourself to a Corbyn Burns 706 00:34:44,400 --> 00:34:47,920 Speaker 2: until twenty thirty one or whatever it's going to require, 707 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:52,520 Speaker 2: is mildly terrifying for a team that is not completely 708 00:34:52,560 --> 00:34:54,080 Speaker 2: desperate in the starting rotation. 709 00:34:55,360 --> 00:34:57,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think that if they were to sign one 710 00:34:58,000 --> 00:35:00,680 Speaker 1: of those big, big, big names, it's probably to be Max. 711 00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:02,000 Speaker 2: Agree. 712 00:35:02,040 --> 00:35:04,800 Speaker 1: That's my best guess. That's my best guess. Again, I 713 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:07,440 Speaker 1: still think, and you can disagree if you want to. 714 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:09,200 Speaker 1: I still think that Max is more likely than not 715 00:35:09,680 --> 00:35:12,160 Speaker 1: going to be gone based on what we've just heard 716 00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:13,080 Speaker 1: from everybody for months. 717 00:35:13,080 --> 00:35:13,200 Speaker 2: Now. 718 00:35:13,239 --> 00:35:15,080 Speaker 1: Do you agree with me on that one so far? Scott? 719 00:35:15,239 --> 00:35:16,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, I do. 720 00:35:16,280 --> 00:35:21,160 Speaker 1: I mean, not definitely or anything. He could come back, yeah, 721 00:35:21,360 --> 00:35:23,080 Speaker 1: but just more likely than not, I would say, based 722 00:35:23,080 --> 00:35:26,640 Speaker 1: on the email. I think that's fair. So there's that, 723 00:35:26,719 --> 00:35:28,000 Speaker 1: and I think if there is a big name, it 724 00:35:28,040 --> 00:35:30,360 Speaker 1: apply to be Max, which is great. Max Reed is 725 00:35:30,360 --> 00:35:33,280 Speaker 1: really good. There were there were three or four guys 726 00:35:33,280 --> 00:35:36,600 Speaker 1: that want I wanted to highlight that are for whatever reason, 727 00:35:36,680 --> 00:35:39,600 Speaker 1: maybe available for a more modest price tag, either in 728 00:35:39,719 --> 00:35:41,719 Speaker 1: years or dollars, that I think would be kind of 729 00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:45,880 Speaker 1: up Alex's alley in a historical sense. Alex likes to 730 00:35:45,960 --> 00:35:48,279 Speaker 1: do these deals where he's either buying low or trying 731 00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:51,759 Speaker 1: to fix somebody or whatever. Uh like. He like short 732 00:35:51,800 --> 00:35:56,080 Speaker 1: term deals. So one of them is Walker Buehler. Walker 733 00:35:56,120 --> 00:35:58,319 Speaker 1: Buler had a rough yew this year in LA. He 734 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:01,040 Speaker 1: has a high pedigree guy. Alex loves the first round pick, 735 00:36:01,080 --> 00:36:05,000 Speaker 1: a former first round pick, loves that Dueler has been great. 736 00:36:05,120 --> 00:36:07,560 Speaker 1: He's been banged up at times. He found it sometimes 737 00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:10,040 Speaker 1: this year. Of course he wasn't terrible terrible, but could 738 00:36:10,040 --> 00:36:12,960 Speaker 1: be a reclamation project on a high level. One is 739 00:36:13,000 --> 00:36:15,719 Speaker 1: also Max Scherzer. That might sound crazy. Max Scherzer is 740 00:36:15,719 --> 00:36:18,200 Speaker 1: one hundred years old, but if you didn't sign Charlie 741 00:36:18,239 --> 00:36:21,560 Speaker 1: what you probably wouldn't sign Charlie and Max Scherzer. But 742 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:25,240 Speaker 1: if you didn't sign Charlie. He is Charlie adjacent. Obviously 743 00:36:25,320 --> 00:36:28,520 Speaker 1: he was better than Charlie at his peak. But Scherzer 744 00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:31,080 Speaker 1: is on the wrong side of forty, not even the 745 00:36:31,120 --> 00:36:33,200 Speaker 1: wrong side of thirty's gott wrong stete of forty. But 746 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:36,359 Speaker 1: seems to why I pitch one year deal maybe. And 747 00:36:36,400 --> 00:36:39,080 Speaker 1: then a guy that honestly forgot was a free agent 748 00:36:40,440 --> 00:36:44,439 Speaker 1: Shane Bieber, a say, young winner from a few years ago, 749 00:36:44,680 --> 00:36:47,160 Speaker 1: currently coming off of Tommy John. So he's gonna be 750 00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:50,440 Speaker 1: out till the summer, probably, but that might brain is 751 00:36:50,480 --> 00:36:52,960 Speaker 1: price tag down. Maybe he signs a two year deal 752 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:54,680 Speaker 1: as a result of something like that to kind of 753 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:56,879 Speaker 1: get back on the market. That's a guy. And again 754 00:36:56,960 --> 00:36:59,640 Speaker 1: you're dealing with TJ. It's not an exact science. You'd 755 00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:01,759 Speaker 1: be guessed a little bit. But if for a team 756 00:37:01,800 --> 00:37:04,880 Speaker 1: that doesn't to your point, Scott have this urgent, urgent need, 757 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:08,319 Speaker 1: if you can somehow get Shane Bieber and say, hey, Shane, 758 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:11,920 Speaker 1: take your ton we'll see in July, that's pretty intrigued. 759 00:37:11,960 --> 00:37:13,799 Speaker 1: So those are all three different players, but they're all 760 00:37:13,920 --> 00:37:17,839 Speaker 1: kind of to me anyway, kind of alexy to vary 761 00:37:17,880 --> 00:37:18,360 Speaker 1: in degrees. 762 00:37:19,360 --> 00:37:21,799 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I think you said it perfectly man Like, 763 00:37:22,320 --> 00:37:25,640 Speaker 2: we have learned that Alex very rarely gets the player 764 00:37:25,719 --> 00:37:28,000 Speaker 2: that everybody has circled on the whiteboard. 765 00:37:28,600 --> 00:37:28,880 Speaker 1: Yep. 766 00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:31,440 Speaker 2: I mean it's he he thinks outside of the box. 767 00:37:31,520 --> 00:37:33,640 Speaker 2: I don't think in all of the podcasts we did 768 00:37:33,640 --> 00:37:36,160 Speaker 2: a year ago, did any of the four of us 769 00:37:36,239 --> 00:37:39,279 Speaker 2: ever say Chris Sales name. No. 770 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:42,640 Speaker 1: I mean the only time, the only time Alex has 771 00:37:42,680 --> 00:37:46,320 Speaker 1: made a move that we all were like, hey, he 772 00:37:46,360 --> 00:37:48,360 Speaker 1: can he can go, he can go do this was 773 00:37:48,360 --> 00:37:52,279 Speaker 1: Matt Olson. If Freddy left, Madelson was the logical guy. 774 00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:54,959 Speaker 1: If Freddie left. We all knew that. But even that 775 00:37:55,120 --> 00:37:57,560 Speaker 1: move happened in a way that we didn't expect. He 776 00:37:57,600 --> 00:37:59,480 Speaker 1: did it before Freddy even signed. There was this whole 777 00:37:59,520 --> 00:38:01,040 Speaker 1: back and forth. I think we want we relegate now 778 00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:03,799 Speaker 1: about Freddy's agent. That's still driving me crazy. People get that, 779 00:38:04,040 --> 00:38:07,080 Speaker 1: But that's the only that's the only time he's made 780 00:38:07,080 --> 00:38:08,960 Speaker 1: a move that we were like, okay, that was kind 781 00:38:08,960 --> 00:38:11,799 Speaker 1: of foreseeable was if Freddy left. Matt Olsen was the guy. 782 00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:14,479 Speaker 1: Every other thing that he's done basically has been either 783 00:38:14,719 --> 00:38:16,919 Speaker 1: you know, once it happens, it's like, okay, that makes sense. 784 00:38:17,120 --> 00:38:19,160 Speaker 1: But to your point, it's never the guy you expect, 785 00:38:19,560 --> 00:38:21,319 Speaker 1: and if it's a free agent, it's almost never the 786 00:38:21,320 --> 00:38:25,279 Speaker 1: price you expect, like he's not gonna pay it. Maybe 787 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:28,040 Speaker 1: I'm wrong about the Scott. Has he ever paid sticker 788 00:38:28,080 --> 00:38:30,719 Speaker 1: price for a guy that was like ap at the 789 00:38:30,719 --> 00:38:32,439 Speaker 1: top of the market. I feel like he's never done 790 00:38:32,440 --> 00:38:35,160 Speaker 1: that on any position anywhere, Like it's either an extension 791 00:38:35,160 --> 00:38:37,400 Speaker 1: on a guy we already have, or he trades for 792 00:38:37,440 --> 00:38:40,080 Speaker 1: an expensive player like Chris Sale and reworks the contra 793 00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:41,719 Speaker 1: or whatever. But he doesn't go out and sign for 794 00:38:41,800 --> 00:38:43,680 Speaker 1: agents for the top dollar like that are external. Has 795 00:38:43,680 --> 00:38:44,839 Speaker 1: he ever done that even once? 796 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:48,359 Speaker 2: No? I mean, I think let's think this through. I mean, 797 00:38:48,680 --> 00:38:51,879 Speaker 2: Josh Donaldson was a one year deal, one year deal, 798 00:38:52,600 --> 00:38:57,480 Speaker 2: Hanials one year deal deal, you know, Marcelo Zuna originally 799 00:38:57,760 --> 00:39:00,359 Speaker 2: one year deal when you're deal, he did do a 800 00:39:00,560 --> 00:39:04,200 Speaker 2: you know, a four year deal, you know, not an extension, 801 00:39:04,239 --> 00:39:08,000 Speaker 2: but a clean new four year deal with Marcel. Is 802 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:10,520 Speaker 2: that the biggest free agent deal? I feel like I'm 803 00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:13,520 Speaker 2: missing somebody obvious, but is whether we should have prepped this? 804 00:39:13,719 --> 00:39:15,640 Speaker 1: But no, we didn't, and that's and that's fine. I 805 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:17,239 Speaker 1: just think that the point it's more than even in 806 00:39:17,239 --> 00:39:19,600 Speaker 1: specifics like the point stands like he doesn't. He either 807 00:39:19,680 --> 00:39:23,600 Speaker 1: does these creative trades or short term free agent deals 808 00:39:23,640 --> 00:39:25,239 Speaker 1: or whatever. And it doesn't mean he can't sign a 809 00:39:25,239 --> 00:39:28,399 Speaker 1: big free agent for market price. He just hasn't. And 810 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:31,160 Speaker 1: so that's why I wanted to circle these three guys. 811 00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:33,120 Speaker 1: Or even if you want to go to like Matthew Boyd, 812 00:39:33,239 --> 00:39:35,920 Speaker 1: or you say Acouci is like an older guy that 813 00:39:36,080 --> 00:39:38,520 Speaker 1: might be Alex, like on a short term deal, there's 814 00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:40,879 Speaker 1: other guys that are interesting that if you say, hey, 815 00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:44,399 Speaker 1: is Matthew boy better than Charlie Morton? Maybe I don't 816 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:45,799 Speaker 1: know if he is for sure, but he's younger than 817 00:39:45,840 --> 00:39:48,560 Speaker 1: Charlie and Morton. I don't know. There's interesting like it 818 00:39:48,600 --> 00:39:51,000 Speaker 1: aust It all comes down on the pitching side, to 819 00:39:51,200 --> 00:39:54,560 Speaker 1: urgency level. How much? What is Alex's urgency level? Because 820 00:39:54,560 --> 00:39:56,960 Speaker 1: they know the guys Strutter coming back, but Strata may 821 00:39:56,960 --> 00:39:58,920 Speaker 1: not be back until May or June. We don't. We 822 00:39:59,000 --> 00:40:01,920 Speaker 1: just don't know, right And if you lose Max, if 823 00:40:01,960 --> 00:40:04,839 Speaker 1: you lose Max and you don't know when Shriyer's coming back, 824 00:40:05,280 --> 00:40:08,880 Speaker 1: you're suddenly very very very reliant on guys that were 825 00:40:08,920 --> 00:40:12,040 Speaker 1: Austin this year. But an old guy in Sale, a 826 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:15,640 Speaker 1: first time breakout guy in swallow back of convert reliever, 827 00:40:15,719 --> 00:40:18,720 Speaker 1: and Lopez like suddenly you got some there's some fragility 828 00:40:18,760 --> 00:40:19,440 Speaker 1: there without Max. 829 00:40:19,520 --> 00:40:23,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, let's just say, yeah, there is. And that's a 830 00:40:23,640 --> 00:40:27,080 Speaker 2: big question. I mean, clearly the three questions this winter, 831 00:40:27,360 --> 00:40:32,759 Speaker 2: or maybe the three top questions the rotation, shortstop, the outfield. 832 00:40:33,320 --> 00:40:35,440 Speaker 2: What do they do? Do they make moves on the 833 00:40:35,480 --> 00:40:38,920 Speaker 2: margins or does Alex plant his flag and make a 834 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:43,279 Speaker 2: blockbuster deal or a blockbuster signing. You know, he has 835 00:40:43,320 --> 00:40:45,960 Speaker 2: been There was a chart that was circulating the other day. 836 00:40:46,520 --> 00:40:49,399 Speaker 2: I think since he has taken over, Alex Nthopolis has 837 00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:53,960 Speaker 2: the best trade record of any general manager in baseball 838 00:40:54,400 --> 00:40:59,279 Speaker 2: in terms of war received versus war given up. And 839 00:40:59,360 --> 00:41:02,120 Speaker 2: you look at the the Metelsen deal, the Sean Murphy deal, 840 00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:05,799 Speaker 2: the Chris Sale deal. There are there. Alex has been 841 00:41:05,800 --> 00:41:08,960 Speaker 2: a very good trader. You know, free agency, he has 842 00:41:09,000 --> 00:41:11,920 Speaker 2: not dipped his toe into that water quite as much 843 00:41:12,040 --> 00:41:15,000 Speaker 2: on a high, high level basis. But that doesn't mean 844 00:41:15,080 --> 00:41:17,439 Speaker 2: that just because he has not engaged in the big 845 00:41:17,480 --> 00:41:20,040 Speaker 2: dollar free agents in the past, that he won't do 846 00:41:20,120 --> 00:41:23,399 Speaker 2: it this upcoming winter. So very interested to see how 847 00:41:23,440 --> 00:41:28,240 Speaker 2: the rotation ultimately shakes out if Max Freed goes elsewhere. 848 00:41:28,560 --> 00:41:30,399 Speaker 2: I think you really do need to try to add 849 00:41:30,440 --> 00:41:34,160 Speaker 2: at least like a number three starter to help balance, 850 00:41:35,280 --> 00:41:39,440 Speaker 2: because yes, if Spencer Streider comes back and he's Spencer Schreider, awesome, 851 00:41:39,960 --> 00:41:45,040 Speaker 2: he's just that. You're right, But man, there's there are 852 00:41:45,080 --> 00:41:47,560 Speaker 2: some real questions for a guy who has undergone now 853 00:41:47,600 --> 00:41:52,120 Speaker 2: two elbow surgeries and he's twenty five twenty six years old. 854 00:41:52,560 --> 00:41:54,120 Speaker 1: And yeah, and even to your point, even if he 855 00:41:54,200 --> 00:41:55,719 Speaker 1: is himself and we'll go off, this is this is 856 00:41:55,719 --> 00:42:00,120 Speaker 1: a different topic in some some respects. But uh, how 857 00:42:00,160 --> 00:42:04,160 Speaker 1: do I say this without it's sounding negative. They didn't 858 00:42:04,160 --> 00:42:08,400 Speaker 1: get lucky unnecessarily, but they got very high end outcomes 859 00:42:08,920 --> 00:42:14,560 Speaker 1: on all three of Sale, Lopez and and Schwellenbuck. Yeah. Yeah, like, 860 00:42:14,840 --> 00:42:17,160 Speaker 1: very very very high level outcomes on all three of 861 00:42:17,200 --> 00:42:20,279 Speaker 1: those guys. They could do it again, but I am 862 00:42:20,360 --> 00:42:24,640 Speaker 1: always reticent to expect that on the pitching side in particular. 863 00:42:25,040 --> 00:42:28,520 Speaker 1: So adding to that, I'm with you, and if Max leaves, 864 00:42:29,120 --> 00:42:30,440 Speaker 1: they will have to figure something. Then it will have 865 00:42:30,520 --> 00:42:33,480 Speaker 1: to I guess they could with straight face say we'll 866 00:42:33,520 --> 00:42:36,080 Speaker 1: make moves on the margins, and I hope special comes back. 867 00:42:36,320 --> 00:42:37,800 Speaker 1: But I'm going to be on your side of that. 868 00:42:37,920 --> 00:42:40,160 Speaker 1: On that comment, I think if you lose Max, you 869 00:42:40,239 --> 00:42:43,160 Speaker 1: need to be a little bit more than on the 870 00:42:43,239 --> 00:42:47,520 Speaker 1: Margins pitching watch. Maybe it is we're gonna re sign 871 00:42:48,000 --> 00:42:49,920 Speaker 1: Charlie and we're gonna get one more guy who's a 872 00:42:49,960 --> 00:42:52,000 Speaker 1: fourth starter and pieces together that way. That wouldn't be 873 00:42:52,040 --> 00:42:53,520 Speaker 1: crazy if you got two of those kind of late 874 00:42:53,600 --> 00:42:56,600 Speaker 1: rotation guys versus the number versus one one guy who's 875 00:42:56,600 --> 00:42:58,400 Speaker 1: a little bit better. But no matter what you do, 876 00:42:58,520 --> 00:43:00,600 Speaker 1: you got to add if you lose Ma, I think 877 00:43:00,680 --> 00:43:05,080 Speaker 1: pretty clearly anyway. On the position player side, we talked 878 00:43:05,080 --> 00:43:09,040 Speaker 1: about Soto before sign me up. Man, it's not gonna happen, 879 00:43:09,120 --> 00:43:12,239 Speaker 1: but sign me up. Then there's a shortstop position where 880 00:43:12,280 --> 00:43:14,040 Speaker 1: we talked Actually, I think we did a podcast about 881 00:43:14,040 --> 00:43:17,080 Speaker 1: this like three or four weeks ago, about William Thomas. 882 00:43:17,200 --> 00:43:18,880 Speaker 1: There was a rumor there. We talked about that for 883 00:43:19,320 --> 00:43:22,279 Speaker 1: an hour almost and then Hassan Kim there would be 884 00:43:22,320 --> 00:43:26,560 Speaker 1: too clear upgrades the shortstop available as free agents. There 885 00:43:26,600 --> 00:43:28,279 Speaker 1: are trade guys too. I know Nico Horner has been 886 00:43:28,280 --> 00:43:30,640 Speaker 1: a popular name of the Cubs. There's been names out there, 887 00:43:30,880 --> 00:43:34,040 Speaker 1: but there are only two free agent shortstops who are 888 00:43:34,160 --> 00:43:37,200 Speaker 1: like notably better than Arcia, and it's a Damas and 889 00:43:37,320 --> 00:43:40,799 Speaker 1: Kim Now much to add there, Like those guys would 890 00:43:40,840 --> 00:43:42,120 Speaker 1: be great. I don't know if they're gonna pay him. 891 00:43:42,520 --> 00:43:46,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, you know. I'm curious to see MLB Trade 892 00:43:46,960 --> 00:43:51,000 Speaker 2: Rumors does their annual piece on contracts for all of 893 00:43:51,080 --> 00:43:54,240 Speaker 2: the free agents and what they think they're going to receive. 894 00:43:55,080 --> 00:43:58,720 Speaker 2: But there's been some reporting that the thought is Willia 895 00:43:58,800 --> 00:44:02,040 Speaker 2: Domas is going to get something in the neighborhood of 896 00:44:02,239 --> 00:44:06,520 Speaker 2: Dansby Swanson's seven year, one hundred and seventy seven million 897 00:44:06,640 --> 00:44:07,200 Speaker 2: dollar deal. 898 00:44:07,760 --> 00:44:10,520 Speaker 1: We used that cup on the show, Yes we did, 899 00:44:10,680 --> 00:44:13,160 Speaker 1: because they we were ahead of our time on that one. Scott, 900 00:44:13,440 --> 00:44:13,800 Speaker 1: there we go. 901 00:44:14,200 --> 00:44:20,160 Speaker 2: Yes, please please please credit the Hammer Territory podcast. You know, 902 00:44:20,360 --> 00:44:23,560 Speaker 2: on the whole they are similar players. Dansby better glove, 903 00:44:23,800 --> 00:44:28,080 Speaker 2: adamis better bat. But do I see the Braves going 904 00:44:28,160 --> 00:44:31,400 Speaker 2: out and giving Willie Adamas a seven year, one hundred 905 00:44:31,440 --> 00:44:33,120 Speaker 2: and seventy five million dollar deal. 906 00:44:34,200 --> 00:44:36,920 Speaker 1: No, I don't. I would love it. 907 00:44:37,239 --> 00:44:39,560 Speaker 2: I would be excited for him because he's a terrific 908 00:44:39,600 --> 00:44:42,520 Speaker 2: baseball player, But they just don't think that's going to 909 00:44:42,600 --> 00:44:47,120 Speaker 2: be the Braves' solution at shortstop, Hawsong Kim is a 910 00:44:47,440 --> 00:44:50,840 Speaker 2: really good baseball player. I know Braves fans may not 911 00:44:50,960 --> 00:44:53,440 Speaker 2: be super familiar with Kim because he's been out in 912 00:44:53,520 --> 00:44:57,400 Speaker 2: San Diego, but he is a very well rounded shortstop. 913 00:44:57,840 --> 00:45:02,120 Speaker 2: Great defensively runs the bases, gets on base draws, walks, 914 00:45:02,440 --> 00:45:06,000 Speaker 2: hits for a little bit of power. The concern with 915 00:45:06,200 --> 00:45:10,480 Speaker 2: Kim is one he's a Scott Boris client, which I 916 00:45:10,560 --> 00:45:13,360 Speaker 2: think the only time Alex has acquired a Scott Boris 917 00:45:13,600 --> 00:45:16,680 Speaker 2: player was No, it wasn't even Alex. I was gonna 918 00:45:16,680 --> 00:45:18,920 Speaker 2: say Tuki Toussaint was a Scott Boris player, but that was, 919 00:45:19,000 --> 00:45:22,880 Speaker 2: of course John Coppolola. So Alex really has not entertained 920 00:45:22,960 --> 00:45:25,520 Speaker 2: much in the way of Scott Boris. The other concern 921 00:45:25,640 --> 00:45:29,600 Speaker 2: with Kim is they just underwent shoulder surgery and there's 922 00:45:29,640 --> 00:45:31,840 Speaker 2: a real chance he will not be ready for a 923 00:45:31,960 --> 00:45:35,759 Speaker 2: month or two or three next season. I don't know 924 00:45:35,840 --> 00:45:38,360 Speaker 2: if you can necessarily sign that kind of player. I 925 00:45:38,680 --> 00:45:41,520 Speaker 2: guess you could and then have Orlando orci Hi Beer 926 00:45:41,560 --> 00:45:44,360 Speaker 2: starting shortstop for a month or two and then go 927 00:45:44,480 --> 00:45:47,520 Speaker 2: to Kim. So we'll see on those two. But I 928 00:45:47,640 --> 00:45:49,720 Speaker 2: do think if they are going to make an improvement 929 00:45:49,760 --> 00:45:52,399 Speaker 2: at shortstop, I tend to think it would be more 930 00:45:52,480 --> 00:45:55,200 Speaker 2: of the trade route than the free agency route. 931 00:45:56,239 --> 00:45:58,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, I am with you and everything you said there. 932 00:45:58,520 --> 00:46:02,160 Speaker 1: I think that if a domin Is price tag is 933 00:46:02,280 --> 00:46:04,920 Speaker 1: that I don't think it's gonna be the bravest uh. 934 00:46:05,200 --> 00:46:07,600 Speaker 1: And then Kim, we just don't know about the injury, 935 00:46:07,640 --> 00:46:09,399 Speaker 1: but I would I would like either one. We'll see 936 00:46:09,760 --> 00:46:11,919 Speaker 1: Trey could be a possibility there. And then the other spot, 937 00:46:11,960 --> 00:46:14,400 Speaker 1: of course is corner outfield. I'm not even gonna bring 938 00:46:14,480 --> 00:46:16,480 Speaker 1: up anybody else. It's like they don't have a free 939 00:46:16,480 --> 00:46:19,120 Speaker 1: agent need anywhere else. It's just that's yeah, they have 940 00:46:19,200 --> 00:46:21,359 Speaker 1: there's some really interesting players a free agents, but they're 941 00:46:21,400 --> 00:46:22,960 Speaker 1: not gonna sign up first baseman, like you know what 942 00:46:22,960 --> 00:46:24,480 Speaker 1: I mean, like third or third basement. It's just not 943 00:46:24,560 --> 00:46:29,560 Speaker 1: gonna happen. So or catcher. So you know, corn Field's interesting. 944 00:46:29,600 --> 00:46:32,479 Speaker 1: There's some depth there this time around, beyond Soto, who's 945 00:46:32,520 --> 00:46:35,240 Speaker 1: the headliner, but in no order this is you know, Taskar, 946 00:46:35,280 --> 00:46:40,440 Speaker 1: her Endez Anthony Anthony sent tender from the Orioles Jerson. 947 00:46:40,440 --> 00:46:42,440 Speaker 1: Profar had a great year, former top prospect that kind 948 00:46:42,440 --> 00:46:45,560 Speaker 1: of has now found himself. Tyler O'Neill is interesting player 949 00:46:45,640 --> 00:46:47,480 Speaker 1: that's been like an injury guy, but it's been great 950 00:46:47,480 --> 00:46:49,719 Speaker 1: when he plays. And then uh, I think for like 951 00:46:49,760 --> 00:46:52,440 Speaker 1: the fifty year in a row, we'll discuss Michael Conforto 952 00:46:52,640 --> 00:46:55,680 Speaker 1: on this podcast, another favorite of the free agency of 953 00:46:55,760 --> 00:46:58,040 Speaker 1: options because he's a left he's a righty. Masher and 954 00:46:58,719 --> 00:47:00,759 Speaker 1: our colleague Steven Tolbert talk about this all the time. 955 00:47:00,760 --> 00:47:02,279 Speaker 1: The Braves just don't have enough of those, so that 956 00:47:02,320 --> 00:47:04,040 Speaker 1: would be a way to go ahead and get like that, 957 00:47:04,280 --> 00:47:06,239 Speaker 1: not a great defender, but a bat. So that's not 958 00:47:06,320 --> 00:47:09,440 Speaker 1: even a full list. But there are a bunch of 959 00:47:09,560 --> 00:47:14,560 Speaker 1: corner outfielders that I think are reasonable starting corner outfielders 960 00:47:14,680 --> 00:47:16,719 Speaker 1: that are available, And doesn't mean that they're going to 961 00:47:16,719 --> 00:47:19,000 Speaker 1: sign any of them. They could just keep Loreano and 962 00:47:19,239 --> 00:47:21,800 Speaker 1: have Loreano and Keelnick again and roll with that. That 963 00:47:21,920 --> 00:47:23,719 Speaker 1: is not exciting to me because I think as good 964 00:47:23,719 --> 00:47:25,520 Speaker 1: as Loreano was, he probably is not going to be 965 00:47:25,600 --> 00:47:27,880 Speaker 1: that good again based on his underlying metrics from this 966 00:47:28,080 --> 00:47:31,480 Speaker 1: last year. But that wouldn't be completely insane. What I 967 00:47:31,520 --> 00:47:33,560 Speaker 1: will say this on this front, Scott and we talked 968 00:47:33,600 --> 00:47:37,200 Speaker 1: of this before, but would it trigger you like It 969 00:47:37,239 --> 00:47:40,560 Speaker 1: would trigger me if the Braves rolled into the season 970 00:47:41,000 --> 00:47:45,480 Speaker 1: with both Arcia at shortstop and these corner out filters, 971 00:47:45,480 --> 00:47:47,919 Speaker 1: because that's that's the one scenario I can't handle. Isn't 972 00:47:47,920 --> 00:47:50,080 Speaker 1: the going of the year with Arcia at shortstop and 973 00:47:50,160 --> 00:47:53,200 Speaker 1: then the Loreano Kelnick duo in leftfield at the same time. 974 00:47:54,440 --> 00:47:58,040 Speaker 2: Yes, I would say it is a failed off season. 975 00:47:58,640 --> 00:48:02,280 Speaker 2: If opening day rolls around and you have a platoon 976 00:48:02,640 --> 00:48:06,840 Speaker 2: with Kelnick and whoever could be Loreano, it could be 977 00:48:06,920 --> 00:48:11,239 Speaker 2: another right handed outfielder and Arcia, that would be a 978 00:48:11,480 --> 00:48:13,040 Speaker 2: failure of an offseason to me. 979 00:48:14,440 --> 00:48:17,040 Speaker 1: On Kim because then he just wouldn't be actually wouldn't 980 00:48:17,040 --> 00:48:19,960 Speaker 1: be there. But other than that, yes, yeah, yeah. 981 00:48:19,920 --> 00:48:22,960 Speaker 2: So one of those two positions needs to be upgraded. 982 00:48:23,040 --> 00:48:23,399 Speaker 1: For sure. 983 00:48:23,960 --> 00:48:27,760 Speaker 2: I would love for both of them to be upgraded. Frankly, 984 00:48:27,960 --> 00:48:31,040 Speaker 2: I think the Braves need to add an outfielder because 985 00:48:31,080 --> 00:48:34,840 Speaker 2: we just don't know about Ron Dacuna Junior's knees. And 986 00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:38,160 Speaker 2: we have seen now in two years Michael Harris has 987 00:48:38,239 --> 00:48:41,960 Speaker 2: missed significant time with he had the back issue last year, 988 00:48:42,360 --> 00:48:45,400 Speaker 2: he had the two month hamstring issue this past season, 989 00:48:46,120 --> 00:48:49,080 Speaker 2: and you know Kelnick, it was a mixed bag more 990 00:48:49,320 --> 00:48:51,759 Speaker 2: bad than good. But I don't think you can give 991 00:48:51,840 --> 00:48:55,400 Speaker 2: up on him. But I also don't think that you 992 00:48:55,520 --> 00:48:59,200 Speaker 2: can count on him, if that makes sense. So I 993 00:48:59,440 --> 00:49:03,120 Speaker 2: think they need to add an outfielder of some kind shortstop. 994 00:49:03,400 --> 00:49:06,080 Speaker 2: I would love for them to move on from Orlando Arcia. 995 00:49:06,920 --> 00:49:10,440 Speaker 2: Shortstops are really hard to acquire. It's not as if 996 00:49:10,520 --> 00:49:14,480 Speaker 2: there are ten really good available shortstops in free agency 997 00:49:14,680 --> 00:49:17,239 Speaker 2: and trade. It's going to be a little trickier to 998 00:49:17,320 --> 00:49:19,799 Speaker 2: upgrade that position. But I would like to see them 999 00:49:19,840 --> 00:49:22,759 Speaker 2: add a corner outfielder of some kind for all of 1000 00:49:22,840 --> 00:49:25,920 Speaker 2: those reasons. You just you'd be putting a lot on 1001 00:49:26,320 --> 00:49:29,560 Speaker 2: in the baskets of a healthy Ocunya and count of 1002 00:49:29,680 --> 00:49:33,120 Speaker 2: taking a step forward and Michael Harris staying healthy all 1003 00:49:33,200 --> 00:49:35,960 Speaker 2: year long. I just don't know if you can really 1004 00:49:36,040 --> 00:49:37,520 Speaker 2: bank on all of those happening. 1005 00:49:38,520 --> 00:49:41,120 Speaker 1: Yep, we are in agreement there, and again we're sitting 1006 00:49:41,120 --> 00:49:42,520 Speaker 1: on the table a little bit here. We'll have more 1007 00:49:42,600 --> 00:49:44,920 Speaker 1: depth when rumors start if there's anybody tied to the 1008 00:49:44,920 --> 00:49:46,640 Speaker 1: braid that we'll talk about it in more depth. But 1009 00:49:46,960 --> 00:49:49,560 Speaker 1: that is kind of the primer, at least for things 1010 00:49:49,640 --> 00:49:53,560 Speaker 1: opening up on Monday. Scott let me the Breds did 1011 00:49:53,680 --> 00:49:56,440 Speaker 1: actually reclaim an old friend I believe, is it Roy Baer. 1012 00:49:56,680 --> 00:49:59,000 Speaker 1: I don't want to say his name. Selenas who's in 1013 00:49:59,120 --> 00:50:01,919 Speaker 1: the Shawan mark? What's Oakland? In the shaw Murphy trade? 1014 00:50:02,080 --> 00:50:04,560 Speaker 1: He got hurt last year, but a Battery Power Minor 1015 00:50:04,640 --> 00:50:07,440 Speaker 1: League favorites. He is now back with the Brapes. Interesting arm, 1016 00:50:07,960 --> 00:50:09,239 Speaker 1: more of a shot in the dark if anything else. 1017 00:50:09,360 --> 00:50:10,799 Speaker 1: Just want to always note that it was a Newsy 1018 00:50:10,800 --> 00:50:12,759 Speaker 1: item of the weekend. Wait on the list. This is 1019 00:50:12,840 --> 00:50:14,960 Speaker 1: minute fifty of the podcast, so obviously that tells you 1020 00:50:15,080 --> 00:50:16,080 Speaker 1: the impact of that move. 1021 00:50:16,160 --> 00:50:20,040 Speaker 2: But hey, another arm, Yeah, yeah, I know the Battery 1022 00:50:20,120 --> 00:50:23,640 Speaker 2: Power guys were excited to have Selenas back in the organization. 1023 00:50:24,200 --> 00:50:27,760 Speaker 2: He has had some health issues, really kind of unclear 1024 00:50:27,920 --> 00:50:31,239 Speaker 2: when he will pitch again, but a live arm, A 1025 00:50:31,400 --> 00:50:34,080 Speaker 2: player who once upon a time, I think, looking back 1026 00:50:34,120 --> 00:50:36,719 Speaker 2: on the Sean Murphy deal, I think Selenas was like 1027 00:50:36,800 --> 00:50:39,799 Speaker 2: the one player in that deal that the prospect guys 1028 00:50:39,840 --> 00:50:42,399 Speaker 2: for the Braves were a little concerned that he could 1029 00:50:42,400 --> 00:50:46,240 Speaker 2: turn into something really good. Like so many young pitchers, 1030 00:50:46,360 --> 00:50:49,680 Speaker 2: it's impossible to predict. It's impossible to guess who's going 1031 00:50:49,760 --> 00:50:52,000 Speaker 2: to stay healthy, who's going to figure it out who's 1032 00:50:52,040 --> 00:50:54,239 Speaker 2: going to take that next step, But we did want 1033 00:50:54,280 --> 00:50:57,600 Speaker 2: to quickly mention they did add selenas back to the organization, 1034 00:50:57,760 --> 00:50:59,879 Speaker 2: and who knows, maybe he gets a call up sometime 1035 00:51:00,080 --> 00:51:03,120 Speaker 2: in the summer to provide a live arm to the team. 1036 00:51:03,640 --> 00:51:06,279 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it could be a bullpen piece too, from 1037 00:51:06,320 --> 00:51:08,560 Speaker 1: what we've been told on what his profile looks like, 1038 00:51:08,600 --> 00:51:10,440 Speaker 1: could be in it could be a open guy. So 1039 00:51:10,600 --> 00:51:12,719 Speaker 1: TVD on that, but at least one more name to 1040 00:51:12,840 --> 00:51:15,120 Speaker 1: throw out there, Scott. At some point this week we 1041 00:51:15,160 --> 00:51:17,520 Speaker 1: might have an emergency podcast or something crazy happens or 1042 00:51:17,600 --> 00:51:19,520 Speaker 1: whatever Max sign somewhere else. You know, any of those 1043 00:51:19,560 --> 00:51:22,880 Speaker 1: things would inspire us to talk again. But in the meantime, 1044 00:51:23,040 --> 00:51:25,200 Speaker 1: working folks, find all your work. As we sign off 1045 00:51:25,239 --> 00:51:26,560 Speaker 1: here on a Sunday evening. 1046 00:51:26,680 --> 00:51:28,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I was going to say, if listeners 1047 00:51:28,640 --> 00:51:30,920 Speaker 2: are new, if they jumped on board now that we're 1048 00:51:30,960 --> 00:51:34,120 Speaker 2: Hammer territory, but maybe didn't listen back during the Battery 1049 00:51:34,200 --> 00:51:36,240 Speaker 2: Power days. You know, we do a lot of shows 1050 00:51:36,360 --> 00:51:40,040 Speaker 2: during the off season, and especially the emergency shows are 1051 00:51:40,360 --> 00:51:42,080 Speaker 2: I mean, some of the most fun shows we do 1052 00:51:42,239 --> 00:51:45,640 Speaker 2: all year are the off season reaction shows. Whenever the 1053 00:51:45,680 --> 00:51:48,640 Speaker 2: Braves make a trade or signing, so we will have those. 1054 00:51:48,960 --> 00:51:51,040 Speaker 2: You are absolutely right. We are now in the part 1055 00:51:51,120 --> 00:51:53,360 Speaker 2: of the calendar where we could do a podcast at 1056 00:51:53,400 --> 00:51:56,960 Speaker 2: literally any moment. We'll also do some player review and then, 1057 00:51:57,000 --> 00:51:59,080 Speaker 2: of course, once we get closer to the spring, some 1058 00:51:59,239 --> 00:52:03,200 Speaker 2: look ahead stuff, some predictions, some roster breakdown. But I'm 1059 00:52:03,239 --> 00:52:06,080 Speaker 2: at Scott Coleman at fifty five on x if you 1060 00:52:06,120 --> 00:52:08,200 Speaker 2: want to follow me there. And a big thank you 1061 00:52:08,280 --> 00:52:10,160 Speaker 2: to everybody who is stuck with us even as the 1062 00:52:10,200 --> 00:52:13,080 Speaker 2: Braves regular season wrapped up. We really do appreciate you 1063 00:52:13,120 --> 00:52:15,480 Speaker 2: all being twelve month listeners as we are a twelve 1064 00:52:15,520 --> 00:52:15,960 Speaker 2: months show. 1065 00:52:17,000 --> 00:52:18,799 Speaker 1: Yes, thank you for saying that, Scott. If you're finding 1066 00:52:18,880 --> 00:52:20,600 Speaker 1: us on YouTube for the first time as well, just 1067 00:52:20,760 --> 00:52:23,560 Speaker 1: searching or whatever, join us. Please subscribe to the podcast. 1068 00:52:23,600 --> 00:52:25,279 Speaker 1: We do not go away, Alison at all. Some place, 1069 00:52:25,360 --> 00:52:27,120 Speaker 1: some places go dark. We do not do that. We 1070 00:52:27,239 --> 00:52:30,080 Speaker 1: go pretty much wall to wall pretty much every week 1071 00:52:30,120 --> 00:52:31,839 Speaker 1: of the year. We'll have stuffing, maybe not Christmas week 1072 00:52:32,160 --> 00:52:33,800 Speaker 1: if nothing happens, but that'll be the only time that 1073 00:52:33,840 --> 00:52:35,799 Speaker 1: we might skip at least more than a few days 1074 00:52:36,120 --> 00:52:38,040 Speaker 1: on the show. So please stay tuned. Please subscribe to 1075 00:52:38,080 --> 00:52:40,400 Speaker 1: the show. Tell your friends about the podcast. Follow us 1076 00:52:40,960 --> 00:52:44,760 Speaker 1: as a podcast on at Hammer Territory on Twitter, slash 1077 00:52:45,000 --> 00:52:47,359 Speaker 1: x on Instagram, on Facebook, et cetera. If you want 1078 00:52:47,360 --> 00:52:49,520 Speaker 1: to follow me, just hold on hold on side. There's 1079 00:52:49,520 --> 00:52:50,960 Speaker 1: lots of basketball stuff right now, but it is what 1080 00:52:51,040 --> 00:52:53,360 Speaker 1: it is. I'm at BT Roland Scott. Thank you for 1081 00:52:53,480 --> 00:52:54,399 Speaker 1: being here as always, my friend. 1082 00:52:54,600 --> 00:52:58,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, brat you as well, buddy, Take care, stay stay sane. 1083 00:52:58,280 --> 00:53:02,520 Speaker 2: With baseball off season, Atlanta Hawks in full swing, NFL 1084 00:53:02,760 --> 00:53:06,600 Speaker 2: college football, it's a NHL. I think soccer is going on. 1085 00:53:06,680 --> 00:53:09,799 Speaker 2: I'm not a soccer guy. It is a great time 1086 00:53:09,880 --> 00:53:13,520 Speaker 2: of the year for sports fans and hopefully you get 1087 00:53:13,600 --> 00:53:15,680 Speaker 2: some sleep. My friend, you're a very busy man this 1088 00:53:15,800 --> 00:53:18,359 Speaker 2: time of year. I have a Hawks game right after 1089 00:53:18,440 --> 00:53:20,960 Speaker 2: this podcast, so things never stop. But hey, thank you 1090 00:53:21,000 --> 00:53:23,720 Speaker 2: for being here everybody. I appreciate it. Without any further delay, 1091 00:53:23,800 --> 00:53:25,600 Speaker 2: we'll sign off now, say to you for more later 1092 00:53:25,640 --> 00:53:26,080 Speaker 2: on this week. 1093 00:53:26,440 --> 00:53:27,560 Speaker 1: We'll see you all next time.