Around Baseball 2025

[Orgfiller]

10 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

They need to add a shortstop, otherwise, not sure what else they really need to add? Bench and bullpen depth, which they have already added. They're probably content at rotating Baldwin and Murphy between C and DH. Rest of the lineup outside of shortstop is fine. They just need their big bats like Acuna, Olson, Riley to stay healthy and they need their top arms to stay healthy as well. 

They probably need another starter, someone like a Bassitt or someone durable who can eat innings. Not sure they're in the market for any of the top SP arms remaining, but we'll see after spending $40M between Iglesias, Suarez and Y, makes it unlikely. 

Aside from what you brought up, some issues for them are depth, which AA has always struggled with. Some of their core building blocks like Riley, Albies and Harris have been trending down since 2023 to the point where two of those guys are below average, and Riley is average but being paid like a star. The projections are still positive, so they might not be totally screwed, but it's a dangerous spot to be in. SS has been a total black hole ever since they lost Dansby Swanson.

On the pitching side of things, there's upside but the rotation is completely filled with ticking time bombs. Strider broke and then came back looking pretty bad, he should hopefully be better in his second season of return. Sale is going on 37 and hasn't been dependably healthy in quite some time. Schwellenbach looks potentially special but lost half the season with elbow troubles. Reynaldo Lopez is a total unknown, was great after converting back to starting, and then broke.

Their best case scenario is one of the better teams in the league, but the 50th percentile case is a bunch of injuries and little depth to tread water when their big pieces are predictably out, or struggling from playing through nagging injuries.

[Terminator]

4 hours ago, BTS said:

So 40M in CBT hit for two relievers and a 4th OF this offseason for Atlanta.

When teams do this you almost wonder if they should just sign one big FA and then dumpster dive for the rest in February.

• Bo for 26 mil AAV to start at SS
• Hand out guaranteed MLB deals to some relievers and bench players

OR

• Iglesias - very mid
• Suarez - good but old
• Yaz - old platoon bat
• Still need to add others, possibly Kim?

The first group of players is probably better and the AAV will be much lower.

[BTS]

32 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

They need to add a shortstop, otherwise, not sure what else they really need to add? Bench and bullpen depth, which they have already added. They're probably content at rotating Baldwin and Murphy between C and DH. Rest of the lineup outside of shortstop is fine. They just need their big bats like Acuna, Olson, Riley to stay healthy and they need their top arms to stay healthy as well. 

They probably need another starter, someone like a Bassitt or someone durable who can eat innings. Not sure they're in the market for any of the top SP arms remaining, but we'll see after spending $40M between Iglesias, Suarez and Y, makes it unlikely. 

They really could have used a Cease or Valdez. A 3-4 WAR horse to anchor their rotation. I like all 5 of their projected opening day starters in isolation, but all of them have questions heading into the season. As you say, they need a shortstop. And most of a bench, with the exception of a second catcher. 

[BTS]

2 minutes ago, Terminator said:

When teams do this you almost wonder if they should just sign one big FA and then dumpster dive for the rest in February.

• Bo for 26 mil AAV to start at SS
• Hand out guaranteed MLB deals to some relievers and bench players

OR

• Iglesias - very mid
• Suarez - good but old
• Yaz - old platoon bat
• Still need to add others, possibly Kim?

The first group of players is probably better and the AAV will be much lower.

Looks like what Baltimore did last offseason. It ended disastrously. 

[Laika]

The Braves probably project well, but it's such a risky team. They need to get positive regression from numerous players + have some injury prone guys stay healthy + keep Sale/Schwellenbach/Strider/Reynaldo healthy and productive. Strider got destroyed last year and Schwellenbach had a piece of bone fall off his elbow lol. 

[BTS]

How does a major league GM just not a address a glaring hole on a team built to win? They've received 3 fWAR combined from the shortstop position since the start of 2023, and 1.9 of that was Arcia in 2023. The solution this year seems to be Mauricio Dubon? Like, what are they even doing? 

[Ball4Life]

7 minutes ago, BTS said:

How does a major league GM just not a address a glaring hole on a team built to win? They've received 3 fWAR combined from the shortstop position since the start of 2023, and 1.9 of that was Arcia in 2023. The solution this year seems to be Mauricio Dubon? Like, what are they even doing? 

That’s Anthopoulos. Remember heading into seasons with Ryan “Shitbag” Goins anointed the starting 2B?

[John_Havok]

11 hours ago, jaysblue said:

I'm not that crazy about Alonso's contract and term for the Orioles. Could end up being really bad from years 3/4-5. 

In the short term however, he gives them a legit middle-of-the-order power bat who likely will thrive in that ballpark and in that lineup. Also, Orioles needed to make a big move so from a PR and optics perspective if they want to convince other MLB free agents, especially some of the top starters, to sign in Baltimore. 

Orioles need to compliment this signing however by either signing a top rotation arm or trading for one. If they don't address their pitching, this move likely won't move the needle much in the big picture. All they'll have is a very scary lineup.

Orioles LF fence is being moved in to where it was 10 years ago as we speak im sure.

[L54]

2 hours ago, Bob_Gratton said:

A decent reliever like Fairbanks will cost around 10m annualy, a premium like Suarez 15m. So do this worth it to save 5m to sign someone like Brad Keller? The problem jays have is the 9 inning, no 6-8. We have the guys to pitch the 6-8 innings, but to close the game, we don't have someone 100% reliable. 

At this point you aren’t going to sign anyone who is 100% reliable or someone you’re going to hand the reigns to and say the 9th inning is yours 

Better to just find someone who can get both righties and lefties out and lengthen the pen and acquire in July if it’s an issue 

Im pretty confident in the pen arms honestly

[Jimcanuck]

Every year there is considerable churn in closers.  Like half the guys that start out as a teams closer lose the job by mid season.

Relievers are volatile.  AA and the Braves are stupid.

[Bob_Gratton]

2 minutes ago, L54 said:

At this point you aren’t going to sign anyone who is 100% reliable or someone you’re going to hand the reigns to and say the 9th inning is yours 

Better to just find someone who can get both righties and lefties out and lengthen the pen and acquire in July if it’s an issue 

Im pretty confident in the pen arms honestly

I am not. We didn't replaced  Anthony, because Yimi will replace Rodriguez, and we all know that Hoffman isn't a #1 closer. he failed with the Phillies, he cost us a world series. So we need a premium closer and someone to replace Anthony.

[Spanky__99]

6 hours ago, Orgfiller said:

Too bad, I would've been okay with him at that price, but I also don't know what kind of budget we're playing with, especially if we're still in on Bo/Tucker. Likely couldn't have done the big bats and added a Suarez.

Yeah, Boss said the other day that an impact bat and a closer would be difficult. Makes sense.

[max silver]

2 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

Yeah, Boss said the other day that an impact bat and a closer would be difficult. Makes sense.

If it's a choice between an impact bat and a proven closer the bat is the easy choice all day long.

[Spanky__99]

4 minutes ago, max silver said:

If it's a choice between an impact bat and a proven closer the bat is the easy choice all day long.

Yeah, obviously, that becomes a deadline frenzy, lol.

[jaysblue]

2 hours ago, BTS said:

They really could have used a Cease or Valdez. A 3-4 WAR horse to anchor their rotation. I like all 5 of their projected opening day starters in isolation, but all of them have questions heading into the season. As you say, they need a shortstop. And most of a bench, with the exception of a second catcher. 

Yeah agreed and it would have been better to use that $40M towards an elite SP, and have the rest fall into place in terms of BP arms and bench depth, especially since those are areas they could have addressed later in the offseason. We'll see if that hinders their ability to go after a big FA arm or a shortstop like Bichette. 

[Perfect Game]

👀

 

[jaysblue]

2 hours ago, Orgfiller said:

Aside from what you brought up, some issues for them are depth, which AA has always struggled with. Some of their core building blocks like Riley, Albies and Harris have been trending down since 2023 to the point where two of those guys are below average, and Riley is average but being paid like a star. The projections are still positive, so they might not be totally screwed, but it's a dangerous spot to be in. SS has been a total black hole ever since they lost Dansby Swanson.

On the pitching side of things, there's upside but the rotation is completely filled with ticking time bombs. Strider broke and then came back looking pretty bad, he should hopefully be better in his second season of return. Sale is going on 37 and hasn't been dependably healthy in quite some time. Schwellenbach looks potentially special but lost half the season with elbow troubles. Reynaldo Lopez is a total unknown, was great after converting back to starting, and then broke.

Their best case scenario is one of the better teams in the league, but the 50th percentile case is a bunch of injuries and little depth to tread water when their big pieces are predictably out, or struggling from playing through nagging injuries.

Yeah Riley the last two seasons has been a disappointment. He's supposed be a 5-6 WAR guy, not a 2 WAR guy.  At least Harris showed some encouraging signs in the second half of last season. Still crazy to believe he's just 24. Having a healthy Acuna will help and go a long way over a full season. 

They need an upgrade at shortstop, and like you said has been a total black hole since they lost Dansby Swanson. Whether they bring back Kim, sign Bichette or make a trade, shortstop needs to be addressed. 

Rotation looks fragile, but hopefully Strider bounces back in his second season of return. Sale when healthy is still an elite SP, but they need him to make at least 25-30 starts. Schwellenbach looks legit and hopefully he can stay healthy. Hurston Waldrep looks like he could be special. Not sure what to expect from Reynaldo. Worst case, would put him back in the pen, especially if they brought in another starter. 

If they stay relatively healthy and some of their stars bounce back, I think the Braves should be up there as one of the top teams in the NL. Though like you said, they could also just be a .500 team if they battle injuries again to some key guys and if guys like Riley, Harris and Strider don't live up to expectation. 

[jaysblue]

2 hours ago, BTS said:

How does a major league GM just not a address a glaring hole on a team built to win? They've received 3 fWAR combined from the shortstop position since the start of 2023, and 1.9 of that was Arcia in 2023. The solution this year seems to be Mauricio Dubon? Like, what are they even doing? 

Arcia in 2023 still put together a solid year: 2.4 WAR. Regardless, they should have upgraded the position given their window and realized he wasn't a long term solution, especially after the 2024 season.

When you look at their 2023 lineup, it was quite incredible:

Acuna: 9.2 WAR

Olson: 6.6 WAR

Riley: 5.2 WAR

Murphy: 5 WAR

Albies: 4.1 WAR

Harris: 4.1 WAR

Ozuna: 3.2 WAR

They were able to get by with Arcia at short and Eddie Rosario in LF that season when you have 7 of your starting 9 putting up those numbers above over 162 games lol. When you have your star players injured for extended periods of time and regression from some of your other core guys, definitely makes a difference as we saw in 2024 and especially in 2025. 

I think Dubon was brought in as a versatility guy. Still time in the offseason to address shortstop. Hopefully he's not in the plans to be their starting shortstop on Opening Day lol. 

[Spanky__99]

38 minutes ago, Perfect Game said:

👀

 

Wow... welcome to the '27 lockout folks.

[Spanky__99]

Atlanta and AA suxxxxxxxx... behind the curve.

[L54]

1 hour ago, Bob_Gratton said:

I am not. We didn't replaced  Anthony, because Yimi will replace Rodriguez, and we all know that Hoffman isn't a #1 closer. he failed with the Phillies, he cost us a world series. So we need a premium closer and someone to replace Anthony.

I don’t look at it the same way you do. Im not concerned about replacing people in a hierarchical sense, my concern is maximizing what is available. I don’t think spending 15M+ on a 32 year old reliever is particularly efficient, especially when you consider guys who sign for like 4M are capable of producing the same 

[jaysblue]

39 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

Atlanta and AA suxxxxxxxx... behind the curve.

They have a World Series ring during AA's tenure, but sure AA and the Braves suck. 

Braves could go back to being one of the top teams in the NL again if they stay relatively healthy and if some guys bounce back. 

[John_Havok]

2 hours ago, Perfect Game said:

👀

 

LOL

This is a ridiculous ask - but really well written to convince mouth breathers that billionaires are poor and dont make money. 

"The days of owning and operating an MLB team for profit or as a business - is over"

Really? 

LMAO

[John_Havok]

1 hour ago, L54 said:

I don’t look at it the same way you do. Im not concerned about replacing people in a hierarchical sense, my concern is maximizing what is available. I don’t think spending 15M+ on a 32 year old reliever is particularly efficient, especially when you consider guys who sign for like 4M are capable of producing the same 

I tend to agree. But, there's something to be said for having a top tier closer vs some guy you just decided to try there when the team in expecting to be in the thick of the WS race. 

I'm also okay with the backend of the pen being a trade-deadline fix rather than a pre-season FA signing fix now that Diaz is off the board. 

[L54]

Just now, John_Havok said:

I tend to agree. But, there's something to be said for having a top tier closer vs some guy you just decided to try there when the team in expecting to be in the thick of the WS race. 

I'm also okay with the backend of the pen being a trade-deadline fix rather than a pre-season FA signing fix now that Diaz is off the board. 

Cant have your cake and eat it too

Ill prioritize the guy who plays 150 games over the guy whose value hinges on a ligament 

Some people wanna pay 23M/year for 60 innings. To each their own 

 

[Spanky__99]

4 hours ago, jaysblue said:

They have a World Series ring during AA's tenure, but sure AA and the Braves suck. 

Braves could go back to being one of the top teams in the NL again if they stay relatively healthy and if some guys bounce back. 

UUUUUuuuuuuuuu... Suxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...

[mphenhef]

11 hours ago, Perfect Game said:

👀

 

zero chance this is legit

[mphenhef]

8 hours ago, John_Havok said:

LOL

This is a ridiculous ask - but really well written to convince mouth breathers that billionaires are poor and dont make money. 

"The days of owning and operating an MLB team for profit or as a business - is over"

Really? 

LMAO

The smart teams are making it look like their MLB teams are losing money while raking in profits through ownership stakes in TV networks and restaurants, bars, casinos and development deals near their stadiums.  

[Olerud363.354]

17 hours ago, Ball4Life said:

That’s Anthopoulos. Remember heading into seasons with Ryan “Shitbag” Goins anointed the starting 2B?

Didn't Ryan Goins also help win the AL East the next year?  I think he started the season at second in 2014 then they pivoted eventually to Devon Travis who got injured and back to Goins who played well in the second half of 2015.  

 

[Orgfiller]

Royals extend Maikel Garcia for 5/$57.5M guarantee with a club option for a 6th season that could bring the total value to ~6/85. This buys out one FA year and a potential second for his ages 30-31 seasons. The Royals are generally pretty good about retaining their guys, and now have an enviable young left side of the infield locked up at very reasonable prices for the next half decade+.

Garcia is only 25, just put up a 5.6 WAR season, has excellent exit velos and plays good to elite defense all over the diamond - he'd probably be an everyday SS in any other team that didn't have Bobby Witt Jr. Tidy little extension for the Royals, nice to see a low-mid market team actually retain their good talent.