Atlanta Braves Market for Starting Pitching in 2017
Sep 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (45) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
As the 2016 season wraps up…the seemingly never-ending conundrum of “wait ‘til next year” might actually come to fruition in 2017…if Atlanta can find some reliable pitching.
Our beloved GM John “Coppy” Coppolella has let Atlanta Braves fans know that there will be bucketloads of cash – upwards of $50 million – that can be spent on the free agent market and/or in trades this upcoming off-season.
Adding on to that, it’s not hard to look at this team and see a competitor. With the lineup looking solid as of late combined with talent a-plenty in our relief staff between 3-4 on the team now, a few on the DL, and an elite arm like A.J. Minter chomping at the bits, and last but not least, our young impact starting pitching staff in the Majors (Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz, Matt Wisler) combined with up and coming guys such as Sean Newcomb and Patrick Weigel, there’s reason to believe that the rebuild really is coming to a close and that as soon as next year the Braves can compete for a playoff position.
But there’s an elephant in the room. It’s big. Everyone who follows closely to MLB news knows the stench that is the 2017 free agent market. On the latest #AskCoppy, Braves GM stated they’re in the market for 2 starting pitchers and that learning on the job isn’t going to happen at the MLB level anymore. It’s poop, or get off the pot for the Braves starting staff!
Potential Free Agents Atlanta Brave could Entice
So 2 Starting pitchers, eh? Welp…here’s the list via MLBTradeRumors (with ages):
Brett Anderson (29)
Clay Buchholz (32) — $13.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Andrew Cashner (30)
Jhoulys Chacin (29)
Bartolo Colon (43)
Jorge De La Rosa (36)
R.A. Dickey (42)
Doug Fister (33)
Jaime Garcia (30) — $12MM club option with a $500K buyout
Gio Gonzalez (31) — $12MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jason Hammel (34) — $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Jeremy Hellickson (30)
Rich Hill (37)
Derek Holland (30) — $11MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Scott Kazmir (33) — can opt out of remaining two years, $32MM on current contract
Mat Latos (29)
Colby Lewis (37)
Kris Medlen (31) — $10MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Charlie Morton (33) — $9.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Jon Niese (30) — $10MM club option with a $500K buyout
Ivan Nova (30)
Jake Peavy (36)
CC Sabathia (36) — $25MM vesting option with a $5MM buyout
James Shields (35) — can opt out of remaining two years, $44MM on current contract
Alfredo Simon (36)
Edinson Volquez (33) — $10MM mutual option with a $3MM buyout
Jered Weaver (34)
C.J. Wilson (36)
Now the nitty-gritty…
Who’s likely to get a Qualifying offer?
Due to the poor quality of this market, anyone that’s resembled a halfway respectable pitcher will no doubt get a qualified offer (unless traded midseason of which a qualifying offer cannot be made). Hart has stated that the Braves are reluctant to give up a draft pick so pursuing qualifying offers are likely off the table. In my opinion, that takes away Rich Hill and Bartolo Colon. Scratch ‘em off.
Who’s likely to have an option picked up?
As you can see, many on the above list have 2017 options and due to the poor market and the extreme overpay that happened in last year’s market for starting pitching, some of those options will be picked up.
Gio Gonzalez and Jason Hammel are no-brainers, and Jaime Garcia is also a likely candidate to have his option picked up. Guys like Charlie Morton and Edinson Volquez are fence-straddlers and could go either way, but for the sake of finality, let’s pretend those 2 hit the free agent market in 2017. So scratch off Gio Gonzalez, Jason Hammel, and Jaime Garcia.
Minus those 5 and what do you get? Mostly a group of has-beens, never wuzzes, injury-riddled reserves, or under-performers. Hardly the stuff of legends, for sure. So back to the money that Braves have burning a huge hole in their pockets this winter. Where does it go? Well, there’s another route they can take…
Aug 30, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Pitcher Trade Candidates for the Atlanta Braves
Coppy and Hart have been heard saying that in trades “they don’t want to pay on both ends”. What this means is they don’t want to take on salary and lose real prospects at the same time. If they’re going to make a trade, they’re either going to take on salary and trade no prospects, or trade prospects for a player under team control for many years. The latter of those 2 scenarios is way too big of a concept to speculate on as that’s an open field that I just don’t have the time to dive into right now, but let’s look at the first.
Is there a pitcher out there that’s costly but could provide some solid innings for a team in need of a veteran #3 starter? Let’s take a look at the criteria first:
The List:
Anibal Sanchez 1/16.8MM w/option
Ubaldo Jimenez-1/13.5MM
Yovani Gallardo-1/11MM w/option
Francisco Liriano– 1/13.7MM
Matt Garza– 1/12.5MM w/option
Matt Harrison– 1/13.2MM w/option
Scott Kazmir– 2/35.3MM
Brandon McCarthy– 2/23MM
Matt Cain– 1/20.8MM w/option
Most of these guys have had down years, or have been injured in 2017. This would be an attractive list if it were 2013, but it’s not. I’d guess that most of these guys could be had, and some could even be traded for a guy like Nick Markakis straight up (match pending).
Know what cliché comes to mind right now? Pick your poison. None of these options seem very appealing. It’s like going to a gross grocery store named “Linda’s Low-Priced Picking’s” (yes, don’t pretend there wouldn’t be a grammatically incorrect apostrophe inserted right there behind the “g”), and having to choose between the slimy deli turkey or the slimy deli ham.
Picking my poison for the Atlanta Braves
If I were given this scenario and I had to pick between these 2 scenarios, I’d go with 1 of each. Don’t lay into me too hard:
Wrapping it up with an Atlanta Braves Red and Blue ribbon.
The Braves find themselves in an interesting situation. They have money to spend, but nowhere to really spend it as they don’t want to sacrifice draft picks, and likely don’t want to commit a ton of money and years to a player. They could use 2017’s money by picking up a few guys on 1-2 year deals, then enter the market again in 2018, when the team will likely show more of what is needed long-term to be a competitor, and the 2018 free agent class is frickin’ LOADED.
Or, they could take a completely alternative route and sign Japan’s Babe Ruth!
SHOHEI OHTANIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!
GET IT DONE, COPPY!!!
Let’s say it together! 1, 2, 3…
Go Braves!!
More from Tomahawk Take
,
Sep 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (45) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
As the 2016 season wraps up…the seemingly never-ending conundrum of “wait ‘til next year” might actually come to fruition in 2017…if Atlanta can find some reliable pitching.
Our beloved GM John “Coppy” Coppolella has let Atlanta Braves fans know that there will be bucketloads of cash – upwards of $50 million – that can be spent on the free agent market and/or in trades this upcoming off-season.
Adding on to that, it’s not hard to look at this team and see a competitor. With the lineup looking solid as of late combined with talent a-plenty in our relief staff between 3-4 on the team now, a few on the DL, and an elite arm like A.J. Minter chomping at the bits, and last but not least, our young impact starting pitching staff in the Majors (Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz, Matt Wisler) combined with up and coming guys such as Sean Newcomb and Patrick Weigel, there’s reason to believe that the rebuild really is coming to a close and that as soon as next year the Braves can compete for a playoff position.
But there’s an elephant in the room. It’s big. Everyone who follows closely to MLB news knows the stench that is the 2017 free agent market. On the latest #AskCoppy, Braves GM stated they’re in the market for 2 starting pitchers and that learning on the job isn’t going to happen at the MLB level anymore. It’s poop, or get off the pot for the Braves starting staff!
Potential Free Agents Atlanta Brave could Entice
So 2 Starting pitchers, eh? Welp…here’s the list via MLBTradeRumors (with ages):
Brett Anderson (29)
Clay Buchholz (32) — $13.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Andrew Cashner (30)
Jhoulys Chacin (29)
Bartolo Colon (43)
Jorge De La Rosa (36)
R.A. Dickey (42)
Doug Fister (33)
Jaime Garcia (30) — $12MM club option with a $500K buyout
Gio Gonzalez (31) — $12MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jason Hammel (34) — $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Jeremy Hellickson (30)
Rich Hill (37)
Derek Holland (30) — $11MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Scott Kazmir (33) — can opt out of remaining two years, $32MM on current contract
Mat Latos (29)
Colby Lewis (37)
Kris Medlen (31) — $10MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Charlie Morton (33) — $9.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Jon Niese (30) — $10MM club option with a $500K buyout
Ivan Nova (30)
Jake Peavy (36)
CC Sabathia (36) — $25MM vesting option with a $5MM buyout
James Shields (35) — can opt out of remaining two years, $44MM on current contract
Alfredo Simon (36)
Edinson Volquez (33) — $10MM mutual option with a $3MM buyout
Jered Weaver (34)
C.J. Wilson (36)
Now the nitty-gritty…
Who’s likely to get a Qualifying offer?
Due to the poor quality of this market, anyone that’s resembled a halfway respectable pitcher will no doubt get a qualified offer (unless traded midseason of which a qualifying offer cannot be made). Hart has stated that the Braves are reluctant to give up a draft pick so pursuing qualifying offers are likely off the table. In my opinion, that takes away Rich Hill and Bartolo Colon. Scratch ‘em off.
Who’s likely to have an option picked up?
As you can see, many on the above list have 2017 options and due to the poor market and the extreme overpay that happened in last year’s market for starting pitching, some of those options will be picked up.
Gio Gonzalez and Jason Hammel are no-brainers, and Jaime Garcia is also a likely candidate to have his option picked up. Guys like Charlie Morton and Edinson Volquez are fence-straddlers and could go either way, but for the sake of finality, let’s pretend those 2 hit the free agent market in 2017. So scratch off Gio Gonzalez, Jason Hammel, and Jaime Garcia.
Minus those 5 and what do you get? Mostly a group of has-beens, never wuzzes, injury-riddled reserves, or under-performers. Hardly the stuff of legends, for sure. So back to the money that Braves have burning a huge hole in their pockets this winter. Where does it go? Well, there’s another route they can take…
Aug 30, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Pitcher Trade Candidates for the Atlanta Braves
Coppy and Hart have been heard saying that in trades “they don’t want to pay on both ends”. What this means is they don’t want to take on salary and lose real prospects at the same time. If they’re going to make a trade, they’re either going to take on salary and trade no prospects, or trade prospects for a player under team control for many years. The latter of those 2 scenarios is way too big of a concept to speculate on as that’s an open field that I just don’t have the time to dive into right now, but let’s look at the first.
Is there a pitcher out there that’s costly but could provide some solid innings for a team in need of a veteran #3 starter? Let’s take a look at the criteria first:
The List:
Anibal Sanchez 1/16.8MM w/option
Ubaldo Jimenez-1/13.5MM
Yovani Gallardo-1/11MM w/option
Francisco Liriano– 1/13.7MM
Matt Garza– 1/12.5MM w/option
Matt Harrison– 1/13.2MM w/option
Scott Kazmir– 2/35.3MM
Brandon McCarthy– 2/23MM
Matt Cain– 1/20.8MM w/option
Most of these guys have had down years, or have been injured in 2017. This would be an attractive list if it were 2013, but it’s not. I’d guess that most of these guys could be had, and some could even be traded for a guy like Nick Markakis straight up (match pending).
Know what cliché comes to mind right now? Pick your poison. None of these options seem very appealing. It’s like going to a gross grocery store named “Linda’s Low-Priced Picking’s” (yes, don’t pretend there wouldn’t be a grammatically incorrect apostrophe inserted right there behind the “g”), and having to choose between the slimy deli turkey or the slimy deli ham.
Picking my poison for the Atlanta Braves
If I were given this scenario and I had to pick between these 2 scenarios, I’d go with 1 of each. Don’t lay into me too hard:
Wrapping it up with an Atlanta Braves Red and Blue ribbon.
The Braves find themselves in an interesting situation. They have money to spend, but nowhere to really spend it as they don’t want to sacrifice draft picks, and likely don’t want to commit a ton of money and years to a player. They could use 2017’s money by picking up a few guys on 1-2 year deals, then enter the market again in 2018, when the team will likely show more of what is needed long-term to be a competitor, and the 2018 free agent class is frickin’ LOADED.
Or, they could take a completely alternative route and sign Japan’s Babe Ruth!
SHOHEI OHTANIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!
GET IT DONE, COPPY!!!
Let’s say it together! 1, 2, 3…
Go Braves!!
More from Tomahawk Take
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