Are the Mets capable of fielding a team without finding overpriced hitters that are past their prime?
Just met with the president of the M Braves as part of my job. He said he was super excited about jenista. Told me that AA is so tight lipped about trades that no one else in the organization even really knows what he’s going to do. He seemed really high on Riley as well and told me that Dansby was going through some last year that held him back at the plate but should have a better year this year.
Heyman... Atlanta Braves — Nick Markakis remains a candidate to return to the Braves. They don’t see A.J. Pollock as a likely signee, not because they don’t like him but because they already have Gold Glover Ender Inciarte in center field (plus Ronald Acuna can also play center) and figure that a team that needs a center fielder will be more motivated to sign him. They see Markakis as a more likely fit than Michael Brantley as well … — It shouldn’t have come as such a surprise the Braves got Josh Donaldson considering the connection with GM Alex Anthpolous who made the trade to acquire him for Toronto that turned out to be a home run. The reason they liked Dondaldson beyond the obvious that he is a major talent is that he was willing to sign a one-year deal off two years with injuries, and the $23 million salary – while high – basically replaced the $21.5 million they “saved” by unloading Matt Kemp last year and moving money forward … — The plan is for Donaldson to bat second. Ronald Acuna Jr. will either return to lead off or move to the cleanup spot … — They will not be in the market for Manny Machado or Bryce Harper. Their priority is to make sure they can keep their own future superstar Acuna … — Though the Braves made huge money since moving into a new stadium, they haven’t exactly been quick to spend all the profits … — A big starter would be nice, too. Though they haven’t been connected to Patrick Corbin or Dallas Keuchel yet, either would make a nice complement to Mike Foltyniewicz at the top of the rotation, and if Mike Soroka comes back strong (the workouts have been encouraging, they say), that would be a formidable rotation to go along with a strong lineup. They are both in their 20s and would fit the young roster. They are already seen here as a favorite to repeat (though the Nats are better than they showed, and a big winter is expected for Philadelphia) … — They also like an old friend, Craig Kimbrel, but don’t want to go near the Wade Davis $17.3 million record salary even for him … — It was nice to see the return of yet another old friend, Brian McCann, the Georgia native and former Braves great. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic wrote that McCann had bigger offers elsewhere but decided to return to the Braves on a $2-million salary
I'd love to have him in Left, and that will still afford us to let our bench get some ABs while he plays 120-130 games
Idk man. I like to be told that my baseball players give a fuck rather than them actually showing it.
Doesn’t really cost them anything but roster spots at this point. Gives them some options more than anything else.
Hunter Strickland was bad last year, but he's a guy we could probably bring in for pretty cheap and see if he has anything left.
That is hard for me to believe, on Harper. His body language all season was that of a guy on his way out the door.
Wish we could pull off a deal sending JT and some middling prospects off for a Corner OF and Stud prospect
Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe 5. Dallas Keuchel, LHP, free agent — Keuchel, according to our executive sources, will be the third-most popular pitcher on the free agent market behind Patrick Corbin and Eovaldi. Keuchel isn’t a flame-thrower, but his stuff still works. Keuchel could be a target of teams such as the Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, and Rangers. The Braves, looking for a veteran leader, also have Keuchel high on their wish list.