Maybe encouraging the Braves to commit more than $20 million (of $35 million owed, plus a $5 million 2027 buyout) to Sonny Gray will tempt some to wonder about their own expenses in the $6/mo. range. (Think of your competition as, e.g. BritBox and their deep content library.)
Besides, isn't it better for baseball if dangerous rivals who throw crazy money at players get no help escaping from the graves they dig?
Even with Schwelly and Lopez not yet proven sound to start plus Waldrep facing a heavier innings load, there are still Elder, Wentz, Holmes, and Suarez on the roster with Ritchie and Fuentes awaiting a midseason shot, all at minimal expense. Plus some of that money could help us keep Iggy in our pen. I'm not against adding another arm, but better to scout marked down merchandise with options or bullpen versatility.
I agree with your points. The Braves opening day starting 5 have started 43% of this year’s games. If you substitute Strider for Lopez, that increases to 56%. We can hope that percentage increases in 2026. But with the prevalence of pitcher injuries, rotation depth and flexibility is crucial. Adding expensive and older starters doesn’t seem wise. Morton is a great case study (btw… love the guy). But signing him for 2025 would obviously have been a mistake. Besides being a fraction of the cost, Elder’s performance and options made him a far better option. We need 2-4 minor league SPs ready to bring up and send down during the season. Easier said than done.
I have concerns about many of the pitchers whom everyone seems to assume will be as good as ever next spring. 1) Sale: he's been the team's bell cow but to continue to be a great power pitcher at 37 is asking a lot. 2) Schwellenbach: the fractured small bone in his elbow was kind of freakish. I bet even his orthopedist will be holding his breath when he starts to ramp it up next year. 3) Lopez has a recurring shoulder problem that has been treated ONLY with REST on 3 separate lay offs (the surgery was merely diagnostic - nothing was 'fixed'). I hope he's great but we shouldn't be shocked if he's shut down again. 4) Holmes: attempting to treat his 'partial UCL tear' with rehab - again, I hope it works, but if it doesn't he's done for next year.
My concern is, with the above questions, to sign another 36y/o at the tail end of his career (Gray) with complicated financials as Lindsay has documented, seems foolish. I would vote for going after someone like Cease - more money, yes, but probably a better investment. But, of course, AA and McGuirk aren't particularly known for wisdom. Jarred Kelenic and Ramon Laureano come to mind.
Oh yeah, there's another article coming on the high end and low end for the Braves rotation, but I'm generally in favor of stockpiling as much rotation depth as possible because we've seen you usually need ten-thirteen or more starters for a full season
I'm for it, given the potential return. I'd have already written about it, but I've got a friend getting me the Triple-A data file for all his outings and I probably won't get my hands on it until tomorrow. Expect that coming soon
I agree with 'stockpiling rotation depth' but for AA and McGuirk that seems to mean loading up on DFA'd guys. I'd just like to see the signing of at least one really good starter less than 32years old.
Maybe encouraging the Braves to commit more than $20 million (of $35 million owed, plus a $5 million 2027 buyout) to Sonny Gray will tempt some to wonder about their own expenses in the $6/mo. range. (Think of your competition as, e.g. BritBox and their deep content library.)
Besides, isn't it better for baseball if dangerous rivals who throw crazy money at players get no help escaping from the graves they dig?
Even with Schwelly and Lopez not yet proven sound to start plus Waldrep facing a heavier innings load, there are still Elder, Wentz, Holmes, and Suarez on the roster with Ritchie and Fuentes awaiting a midseason shot, all at minimal expense. Plus some of that money could help us keep Iggy in our pen. I'm not against adding another arm, but better to scout marked down merchandise with options or bullpen versatility.
I agree with your points. The Braves opening day starting 5 have started 43% of this year’s games. If you substitute Strider for Lopez, that increases to 56%. We can hope that percentage increases in 2026. But with the prevalence of pitcher injuries, rotation depth and flexibility is crucial. Adding expensive and older starters doesn’t seem wise. Morton is a great case study (btw… love the guy). But signing him for 2025 would obviously have been a mistake. Besides being a fraction of the cost, Elder’s performance and options made him a far better option. We need 2-4 minor league SPs ready to bring up and send down during the season. Easier said than done.
I have concerns about many of the pitchers whom everyone seems to assume will be as good as ever next spring. 1) Sale: he's been the team's bell cow but to continue to be a great power pitcher at 37 is asking a lot. 2) Schwellenbach: the fractured small bone in his elbow was kind of freakish. I bet even his orthopedist will be holding his breath when he starts to ramp it up next year. 3) Lopez has a recurring shoulder problem that has been treated ONLY with REST on 3 separate lay offs (the surgery was merely diagnostic - nothing was 'fixed'). I hope he's great but we shouldn't be shocked if he's shut down again. 4) Holmes: attempting to treat his 'partial UCL tear' with rehab - again, I hope it works, but if it doesn't he's done for next year.
My concern is, with the above questions, to sign another 36y/o at the tail end of his career (Gray) with complicated financials as Lindsay has documented, seems foolish. I would vote for going after someone like Cease - more money, yes, but probably a better investment. But, of course, AA and McGuirk aren't particularly known for wisdom. Jarred Kelenic and Ramon Laureano come to mind.
Oh yeah, there's another article coming on the high end and low end for the Braves rotation, but I'm generally in favor of stockpiling as much rotation depth as possible because we've seen you usually need ten-thirteen or more starters for a full season
Thoughts on Manoah?
I'm for it, given the potential return. I'd have already written about it, but I've got a friend getting me the Triple-A data file for all his outings and I probably won't get my hands on it until tomorrow. Expect that coming soon
I agree with 'stockpiling rotation depth' but for AA and McGuirk that seems to mean loading up on DFA'd guys. I'd just like to see the signing of at least one really good starter less than 32years old.
You can have Alek Manoah and you will like it
When you read the transaction log I recommend listening to Thrift Shop