2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

That's kind of a contradictory report...how could they have gotten both if the Mets weren't going to deal both of them?


Aside from that, trying to wrap my head around this Simmons deal. It really depends on how much of a gap in value you believe there is between a legendary defender at SS and a merely above average one. If you feel Sean Newcomb isn't worth as much as that gap, then I can see why Braves fans don't like it. Aybar and Simmons are nearly a wash from an offensive standpoint, although Aybar being a switch-hitter makes him a bit more useful there. It's a tough pill to swallow, though, for a once-proud fanbase of a team continually kicking itself in the balls to make a brighter future.

It's a tough deal, but I get it. I've liked Newcomb for a while...kid is suddenly the jewel of a stocked system, but at some point we need bats. BTW, Simmons contract becomes less friendly in 2017 and I think they are banking on Oz being ready (our top position prospect...a SS).

[Master Live 013]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Keith Law summarized it as:

Instead, the Los Angeles Angels sent back a return that seems fair, rather than lopsided in Atlanta's favor, so it's a good baseball deal but not the kind of home run Simmons' many fans in Georgia were hoping to see.

[ShowTyme15]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Report: Angels now shifting their focus to Chris Davis.

[rdnk]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

No. We traded him away too.

At least you guys got a bat for him. The return feels underwhelming.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

It's a tough deal, but I get it. I've liked Newcomb for a while...kid is suddenly the jewel of a stocked system, but at some point we need bats. BTW, Simmons contract becomes less friendly in 2017 and I think they are banking on Oz being ready (our top position prospect...a SS).

Totally agree that you need bats. Out of the 30 top prospects on MLB.com for the Braves, only 9 are position players and really none of them are slam dunks, but more like wild cards.

I am interested to see what the Braves' offense looks like next year. With what they have now, it could be the worst in all of baseball like it is in my MLB The Show Marlins franchise.

[redsox4evur]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

@Bernie Pleskoff (former scout for HOU and SEA)







Newcomb is the #37 ranked prospect according baseball america last year; Ellis was drafted in the 3rd round of 2014.

Aybar has an expiring contract that ends in 2016.

Newcomb according to MLB.com is #19. Here's the scouting report:

Newcomb finished his college career as Hartford's career strikeouts leader with 243 whiffs. He also became the highest-drafted player in school history when the Angels selected him 15th overall in 2014. The only other player in school history to be drafted in the first 10 rounds is Jeff Bagwell, who was picked in the fourth round in 1989. Newcomb pitched across three levels, reaching Double-A in his first full season and threw well in the Futures Game. He was the key prospect sent to the Braves in the Andrelton Simmons trade.

Listed at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Newcomb is physically imposing on the mound. He generates easy velocity, consistently throwing his fastball in the low to mid 90s and touching 98 mph. His breaking ball has made strides in the last year, and his changeup gives him a third average-or-better pitch.

Newcomb has a bit more upside than a typical college pitcher after matriculating at a small, Northeastern school. His size and arm strength are uncommon for a left-hander, and he has a chance to become a frontline starter in time, though he'll need to refine his command to get there.

Ready for the new stadium.

Also I read earlier that they are going to listen on Teheran as well.

[rdnk]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

I still don't really understand the move from Atlanta's perspective. They have buttloads of high end pitching prospects. Simmons won't give you much offensively, if you're lucky he'll be a league average bat at SS. However, he's worth 3-4 WAR just on his defense alone. Here is his remaining contract:

2016: $6M
2017: $8M
2018: $11M
2019: $13M
2020: $15M

Unless his defense regresses or his bat craters, Simmons will provide surplus value each year for the rest of his contract. I just don't understand why any team would move such a surplus value player except for a large overpay. He is 26, but he still would have been good when the Braves are ready to be good.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

I still don't really understand the move from Atlanta's perspective. They have buttloads of high end pitching prospects. Simmons won't give you much offensively, if you're lucky he'll be a league average bat at SS. However, he's worth 3-4 WAR just on his defense alone. Here is his remaining contract:

2016: $6M
2017: $8M
2018: $11M
2019: $13M
2020: $15M

Unless his defense regresses or his bat craters, Simmons will provide surplus value each year for the rest of his contract. I just don't understand why any team would move such a surplus value player except for a large overpay. He is 26, but he still would have been good when the Braves are ready to be good.

I've read a few things on this:

1) defense is one of the skills (along with speed) that declines the earliest. I think there were concerns that once he begins to decline it becomes a really bad contract since his offense hasn't developed like they hoped it would.

2) I believe they are banking on Albies to be ready to assume the position by late 2017/early 2018, right about the time Simmons contract jumps. This frees up money to go towards other pieces.

All that makes sense...but I have just two thoughts:

1) where is Freeman going now?

and...

2) WTH did we sign Nick Markakis!? With every deal the FO makes it makes that one look more and more like a head scratcher.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Saw on Twitter that Copp said in the two hours since the trade was finalized he has fielded calls from teams wanting to trade for Aybar. Go ahead...lets flip him for more pitching...you know you want to!

[Majingir]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Jays closing in on 2 year deal with Marco Estrada. Should be around 24-29M(so 12-14.5M per year).

So they'll be saving around 1-4M this year on this deal vs the 15.8M qualifying offer,maybe even more if it gets backloaded.

Once this gets done, they can go and focus on the bigger picture. Estrada will give them 3 for sure starters in rotation leaving 1-2 empty spots to be filled by Hutchison,Sanchez or some other pitcher(s) acquired through FA or trade. Not to mention fixing up bullpen too(about 3-4 guys need to be added to it)

1-2SP and 3-4RP, shouldn't be too hard, right.......

[kehlis]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

It's often times hard to see the forest through the trees.

[Knight165]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

It's often times hard to see the forest through the trees.

"You can't see the forest FOR the trees".
(sorry)

M.K.
Knight165

[SPTO]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

If Estrada accepts that 2 yr deal that would be great for the Jays. There's talk that the Jays may very well be aggressive on the free agent pitching market as well.

[AC]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Trade for Jose Quintanaaaaaaa

[Majingir]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Trade for Jose Quintanaaaaaaa

If the price is good, then for sure,go after someone like him. They need a lefty starter in there, and market in free agency for lefty starters is real weak.

Quintana or Gio Gonzalez would be good trade targets.