I think we've got to reset our expectation for Braves Inc.'s motivations. Winning a World Series isn't the goal. Making the most money is as a publicly traded co. is. You do this by staying competitive for most of the season, but never paying more than to do just that. This is how you maximize profit. And this is AA's MO. Sorry Braves fans, winning it all is nice if it happens, but it isn't the goal.
We are not in the mood of competing for the Championship, we are in save money mood, I really don’t think the belief they can’t make this team good enough to compete for a World Series or even play offs for that matter!
From the times I've seen Burkhalter. He's got legit stuff. The fastball does have a little run and plays. He was up to 96-97. The cutter was definitely a good pitch, sitting 90-91 good late action. The change up had some fade. The few I seen him throw almost looked like splitters. All in all I don't know if he'll make it as a starter. If he doesn't he'll definitely be a top notch reliever.
The braves NEED outfield help. I think Ozuna should go outfield because he played there when he played for Cardinals. Pete Alonso will be a great replacement as a DH
So here is my 2 cents. Jake I agree that AA is probably trying to get some players in his comfort financial range BUT here is the issue with that, how much of a talent drop off is there between who he could have gotten and who is still available? Normally talent and consistency is what gets players paid, with some exceptions of owners recklessly spending money, so how much talent and consistency has been lost? We don't know what AA plans on doing but to be sure the clock is ticking. Thank you Jake for your content
First the people in the chat talking about all the “pitching” we have in the minors who exactly are we talking about? Anderson has been given opportunities, Elder is a bum, Smith-Schaver was given multiple opportunities to grab a spot and failed, the only pitching prospects are Caminiti who is a few yrs away due to his age and exp and Waldrup if he can figure out his command are it! Reason we don’t trade pitching depth is that we can’t identify WHO is going to be a good pitcher in the majors from their time in the minors a lot of the time! Also we can forget AA paying big money of any kind for a free agent as it goes against everything he and the Braves do! Just like the reason teams don’t wanna trade for minor league pitchers is because it’s a lotto ticket without any guarantees! What upsets me is we know Strider, Acuna, and Albies will NOT sign another contract with Atlanta if they continue to perform at their current numbers, especially Acuna, so we need to strike while we can unless we can agree the teams best success happened while Acuna was injured and when leadership for the team was still in place! Too many rumors of Acuna childishness and bumping heads with Freeman about the Braves way who’s gonna put him in his place now? His antics have gotten old even before his injuries he hasn’t “grown up”! I know I’m rambling but the Braves frustrate me to no end we continue to ship off leadership on this team and expect what exactly that someone steps up? Dansby, Freeman, and Travis all shipped out and replaced with guys that just have not or refuse to step into leadership roles for this team!
You obviously do not listen to the guys that are with the team and in the clubhouse! Even Jake has spoken about a lack of leadership on this team! Stop trying to be an ass and actually listen to guys like Jake and you may learn some things
But not one of them is a guarantee! Like scratch off lotto tickets not one of them is guaranteed to be anything but minor league fodder! And the fact that it seems most teams trading stars for minor leaguers want hitters not pitchers! Assuming that’s because of the crapshoot that is young arms? Maybe it’s time the Braves stopped with the always take pitchers drafting method especially if they can’t get good value trading from the WEALTH of talent we allegedly have in the minors
Yep. Swanson was looking to go to Chicago or at least as close as he could. It’s more than a coincidence that he ends up in the city where his wife plays. Also if the Cubs were willing to pay him that much they could have him. Baseball is also a business. It made no business sense to pay a player that much for what you got out of him on the field. Last year Swanson didn’t even come close to his performance of his walk year this past season.
Given age, level, prior experience, tj, and the amount of younger guys ahead of him I think burkhalter is best served to work out of the pen to try and get to Atlanta. His stuff reminds me of Kirby Yates and he could end up being that kind of closer down the road. He could be a big time pen piece for Gwinnett and be a phone call away or stuck down in Columbus in their rotation next year. I would prefer the first option but we all know Atlanta is going to give EVERYONE EVERY opportunity to start.
I can see the Braves going after Montgomery if AZ agrees to eat the majority of his salary. I could also see the Braves agreeing to pay a little more of his salary than expected in order to make sure they don't have to give up any real prospects. Also, Montgomery only has 1 year left on his deal and AA loves starting pitchers on 1 year deals even if he has to overpay a little bit to get it done. He's done it with Bartolo Colon, Cole Hamels and of course Charlie Morton. Even Chris Sale only had 1 guaranteed season left on his deal when AA traded for him. AA just (wisely) extended him to 2 guaranteed years to get a 3rd year team option after the trade. That was a great idea to get him locked up before he won the Cy Young. If AA hadn't done that Sale would likely be gone after next season because his price would likely skyrocket after winning the CY.
@LockedOnBraves Do you think AA might try to go after Scherzer or Verlander on 1 year deals? That's another option I could see right up his alley. Also maybe Nick Pivetta. I think Pivetta turning down that 1-year $21.05M qualifying offer was a big mistake by him. No one is going to want to pay Pivetta more than that and give up draft compensation. I could potentially see him turning into a situation like Dallas Keuchel was when he turned down the QO and then ended up having to sign with the Braves for less. Or maybe even going after someone like Jeff Hoffman in an attempt to convert him into a starter a la Reynaldo Lopez.
Would you feel better about Scott if they traded for Montgomery and half his salary? I think the only way signing Scott happens is if they aren't resetting their CBT. The other rumor floating around is Verlander, which I'm not a fan of, esp if it's going to cost 15m.
We screwed up not keeping freddie freeman and william Contreras. Even Swanson..hed be doing better if he was in the atl i feel. Then we give morton 22 million a year.
@@LockedOnBravesthere was a lot involved in each case. Freddie was one crazy situation. Dansby was always headed to Chicago bc of Mallory. Contreras was one I did hate.
When Contreras was here Braves fans were wanting to get rid of him. No one cared he was gone till he had the year he had last year. Swanson was going to walk bc he’s not worth the money he wanted… similar to Bellinger. Plus Swanson’s wife plays in Chicago. If Freeman and Swanson really wanted to stay in ATL they would be here. It’s time for Braves fans to get over it and move on.
@glynncrook9211 what are you talking about. AA was an idiot. It was dumb from the beginning..ive said it many times. The Olson and Murphy trades were dumb. We could've used those assets somewhere else..6 -7 players given up for two positions we already had with chemistry.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves have already seen the best of Acuña. I don’t think he’ll ever be the same after the injuries he’s had. With that said, I do agree that the prices for players is just too ridiculous. It’s even worse given the price for 1 yr rentals. Jake could the Braves be in the position the Dodgers were the offseason prior to signing Ohtani and Yamamoto? Given what will be available next offseason, they’re simply making room for moves next offseason? I don’t know just throwing that out there.
To be fair, 2023 was one of the greatest seasons ever so yea, that might be the best we ever see from Acuña. I doubt Braves will reset to then spend crazy money in free agency next year. That’s just not how they operate.
Jake I understand that you don't want another high paid reliever. But maybe the reliever is the one who took the money. Maybe these free agent hitters don't want the Braves money
I know Monty is your guy but I’d rather have Charlie at 1 year 12-15m than Monty at 2 years 40m (that’s 7.5covered by Ari.). We have a ton of starting pitching that is knocking on the door and will need starts in 25 and definitely in 26. If our overall philosophy of developing pitching first is going to work we need to be producing mlb arms every year. I don’t want to block them by overpaying a guy for the next 2 years to be average or worse. I would not be upset if did not add any starting pitching and go with our top 3 and strider soon after and let Ian, Bryce, ajss, Holmes, and even hackenberg, Braun, and Waldrep compete for some starts. Add one of the Kim’s to play short and Santander or Profar and stack that lineup again then a bullpen piece and we can let the young kids learn on the job in the next couple of years.
Or we can pull some magic and sign Roki sasaki and all of a sudden the billions that the Mets and dodgers have spent isn’t enough to make them favorites over us.
Free agents will be reluctant to come to the Braves based on how they treat their free agents. I know is I were a top tier free agent I wouldn't want to come there. You know in a year or two you are out of there.
The reds wouldn’t let go of India for yrs bc he was the “leader” in CIN. To think you would get Perdomo as essentially a throw in is craaaaaaaazy. Perdomo is the leader in az, hazens favorite player (stated publicly). The dbacks are a collection of awkward young guys without their leader in Perdomo. Crumble up that note bud and flush it. Never happening.
I still say ARCIA will improve his hitting this next yearl MARK IT BEST SS IN IN NAT LEAGUE FOR 25. TURN HIM LOOSE HE CAN STEAL. WAKE UP SNIT OR RETIRE.
I think we've got to reset our expectation for Braves Inc.'s motivations. Winning a World Series isn't the goal. Making the most money is as a publicly traded co. is. You do this by staying competitive for most of the season, but never paying more than to do just that. This is how you maximize profit. And this is AA's MO. Sorry Braves fans, winning it all is nice if it happens, but it isn't the goal.
Welcome to liberty media world
@@zackamania6534 Your right and I think this is the plan for most major sports teams.
We are not in the mood of competing for the Championship, we are in save money mood, I really don’t think the belief they can’t make this team good enough to compete for a World Series or even play offs for that matter!
Lol, they have lost money each of the past 2 seasons....
There is certainly a business side to it.
Watched Burkhalter several times as I live in Rome, potential to be a back end starter at most but needs to add variety in pitches
From the times I've seen Burkhalter. He's got legit stuff. The fastball does have a little run and plays. He was up to 96-97. The cutter was definitely a good pitch, sitting 90-91 good late action. The change up had some fade. The few I seen him throw almost looked like splitters. All in all I don't know if he'll make it as a starter. If he doesn't he'll definitely be a top notch reliever.
Thanks for the added assessment. And I agree, that change plays more like a split-change.
You know the comment algorithm brother
Thank you. And Happy New Year!
The braves NEED outfield help. I think Ozuna should go outfield because he played there when he played for Cardinals. Pete Alonso will be a great replacement as a DH
Not happening.
@@LockedOnBraves why not?
So here is my 2 cents. Jake I agree that AA is probably trying to get some players in his comfort financial range BUT here is the issue with that, how much of a talent drop off is there between who he could have gotten and who is still available? Normally talent and consistency is what gets players paid, with some exceptions of owners recklessly spending money, so how much talent and consistency has been lost? We don't know what AA plans on doing but to be sure the clock is ticking. Thank you Jake for your content
Dansby is an example that players can get paid for just a career year....Adames too.....both had been mediocre prior to their walk year
Certainly you risk getting lesser players, but he's done a good job of finding hidden talent for cheap before.
Who will ultimately replace Max Fried's innings? I don't think that player's on the roster yet
Possibly Strider.
First the people in the chat talking about all the “pitching” we have in the minors who exactly are we talking about? Anderson has been given opportunities, Elder is a bum, Smith-Schaver was given multiple opportunities to grab a spot and failed, the only pitching prospects are Caminiti who is a few yrs away due to his age and exp and Waldrup if he can figure out his command are it! Reason we don’t trade pitching depth is that we can’t identify WHO is going to be a good pitcher in the majors from their time in the minors a lot of the time! Also we can forget AA paying big money of any kind for a free agent as it goes against everything he and the Braves do! Just like the reason teams don’t wanna trade for minor league pitchers is because it’s a lotto ticket without any guarantees! What upsets me is we know Strider, Acuna, and Albies will NOT sign another contract with Atlanta if they continue to perform at their current numbers, especially Acuna, so we need to strike while we can unless we can agree the teams best success happened while Acuna was injured and when leadership for the team was still in place! Too many rumors of Acuna childishness and bumping heads with Freeman about the Braves way who’s gonna put him in his place now? His antics have gotten old even before his injuries he hasn’t “grown up”! I know I’m rambling but the Braves frustrate me to no end we continue to ship off leadership on this team and expect what exactly that someone steps up? Dansby, Freeman, and Travis all shipped out and replaced with guys that just have not or refuse to step into leadership roles for this team!
How do you know who is leading or not? Are you in the clubhouse?
There is certainly still valuable pitching depth in the minors. AJSS, Waldrep, Ritchie, Braun, Hackenberg, Lara, Fuentes, Reyes, Caminiti, etc.
You obviously do not listen to the guys that are with the team and in the clubhouse! Even Jake has spoken about a lack of leadership on this team! Stop trying to be an ass and actually listen to guys like Jake and you may learn some things
But not one of them is a guarantee! Like scratch off lotto tickets not one of them is guaranteed to be anything but minor league fodder! And the fact that it seems most teams trading stars for minor leaguers want hitters not pitchers! Assuming that’s because of the crapshoot that is young arms? Maybe it’s time the Braves stopped with the always take pitchers drafting method especially if they can’t get good value trading from the WEALTH of talent we allegedly have in the minors
Dansby was always going to Chicago bc of Mallory. Also, SP is the highest priority
Yep. Swanson was looking to go to Chicago or at least as close as he could. It’s more than a coincidence that he ends up in the city where his wife plays. Also if the Cubs were willing to pay him that much they could have him. Baseball is also a business. It made no business sense to pay a player that much for what you got out of him on the field. Last year Swanson didn’t even come close to his performance of his walk year this past season.
That’s not true. Dansby wanted to be in Atlanta. Was willing to take less money. But the gap was too big.
Given age, level, prior experience, tj, and the amount of younger guys ahead of him I think burkhalter is best served to work out of the pen to try and get to Atlanta. His stuff reminds me of Kirby Yates and he could end up being that kind of closer down the road. He could be a big time pen piece for Gwinnett and be a phone call away or stuck down in Columbus in their rotation next year. I would prefer the first option but we all know Atlanta is going to give EVERYONE EVERY opportunity to start.
Yes, they don't like to give up on guys as a starters.
I can see the Braves going after Montgomery if AZ agrees to eat the majority of his salary. I could also see the Braves agreeing to pay a little more of his salary than expected in order to make sure they don't have to give up any real prospects. Also, Montgomery only has 1 year left on his deal and AA loves starting pitchers on 1 year deals even if he has to overpay a little bit to get it done. He's done it with Bartolo Colon, Cole Hamels and of course Charlie Morton. Even Chris Sale only had 1 guaranteed season left on his deal when AA traded for him. AA just (wisely) extended him to 2 guaranteed years to get a 3rd year team option after the trade. That was a great idea to get him locked up before he won the Cy Young. If AA hadn't done that Sale would likely be gone after next season because his price would likely skyrocket after winning the CY.
Yea, Monty just feels like an AA move.
@LockedOnBraves Do you think AA might try to go after Scherzer or Verlander on 1 year deals? That's another option I could see right up his alley. Also maybe Nick Pivetta. I think Pivetta turning down that 1-year $21.05M qualifying offer was a big mistake by him. No one is going to want to pay Pivetta more than that and give up draft compensation. I could potentially see him turning into a situation like Dallas Keuchel was when he turned down the QO and then ended up having to sign with the Braves for less. Or maybe even going after someone like Jeff Hoffman in an attempt to convert him into a starter a la Reynaldo Lopez.
Whats the hold up with Ha-Seong Kim?
He had arm injury. Might need to just play 2B
Teams probably want to wait as long as possible to see how his shoulder heels up.
@LockedOnBraves oh ok
If you can get a top five reliever for the price of a number five starter you sign the reliever. Just more valuable in today’s game
I think that makes some sense. But you still need those innings.
Although, im genuinely curious of what you think ATL would send back for Domo/Monty or Thomas/Domo/Monty
Not sure what Arizona needs. I assume pitching. So maybe Ritchie and Hackenburg. I wouldn’t give up AJSS or Waldrep for them.
Like to see the Braves sign Finnegan
Could be a nice Jimenez repalcement.
Would you feel better about Scott if they traded for Montgomery and half his salary? I think the only way signing Scott happens is if they aren't resetting their CBT.
The other rumor floating around is Verlander, which I'm not a fan of, esp if it's going to cost 15m.
Yes, if they sign Scott and still get a veteran starter like Monty or Verlander I'll be happy. Gotta have that starter depth.
@@LockedOnBravesis Montgomery able to make it back to his old ways?
Tanner Scott is more valuable in the playoffs. The extra starter is more valuable in the regular season
True statement.
packaging perdomo with monty and still expecting the diamondbacks to eat any part of monty's salary is a prime example of the sin of Greed
Braves would have to give up a solid prospect in that scenario.
Had a chance for multiple championships but when the leader (Freddie Freeman) left I really think the window closed.
Won 101 and 104 games the next two years after he left.
We screwed up not keeping freddie freeman and william Contreras. Even Swanson..hed be doing better if he was in the atl i feel. Then we give morton 22 million a year.
I agreed I'd still like to have those guys.
@@LockedOnBravesthere was a lot involved in each case. Freddie was one crazy situation. Dansby was always headed to Chicago bc of Mallory. Contreras was one I did hate.
@LockedOnBraves I love how you actually reply to your viewers. Your amazing my guy! The best locked on Host of any sports teams hands down.
When Contreras was here Braves fans were wanting to get rid of him. No one cared he was gone till he had the year he had last year. Swanson was going to walk bc he’s not worth the money he wanted… similar to Bellinger. Plus Swanson’s wife plays in Chicago. If Freeman and Swanson really wanted to stay in ATL they would be here. It’s time for Braves fans to get over it and move on.
@glynncrook9211 what are you talking about. AA was an idiot. It was dumb from the beginning..ive said it many times. The Olson and Murphy trades were dumb. We could've used those assets somewhere else..6 -7 players given up for two positions we already had with chemistry.
Fooled me...thought Corbin Burnes signed with Atlanta.
Gotcha.
David Fletcher’s AAV is 7. Why not a straight up trade? Or maybe that with a prospect for a prospect. I don’t think they want to give Monty away.
I'm not sure other teams want to even entertain taking him on with his gambling investigation ongoing. I think the Braves are stuck.
@@LockedOnBravesperhaps Fletcher needs to change his name to Shohei Ohtani. That would get his investigation wrapped up.
I agree don’t trust Profar
I'm starting to believe a little bit more, but I'm not paying him for what he did in 2024.
@@LockedOnBravesonly one yr of good baseball is a big gamble
There’s not a chance they’re moving Perdomo. He means too much to AZ
I think it would be easier to get Fitzgerald or Marco Luciano from SF
Good to know. Wasn’t aware he meant that much to their clubhouse.
No Hackenburg.
Exactly. He will be good.
No on what? Trading him?
@LockedOnBraves Yep on trading him
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves have already seen the best of Acuña. I don’t think he’ll ever be the same after the injuries he’s had. With that said, I do agree that the prices for players is just too ridiculous. It’s even worse given the price for 1 yr rentals. Jake could the Braves be in the position the Dodgers were the offseason prior to signing Ohtani and Yamamoto? Given what will be available next offseason, they’re simply making room for moves next offseason? I don’t know just throwing that out there.
To be fair, 2023 was one of the greatest seasons ever so yea, that might be the best we ever see from Acuña.
I doubt Braves will reset to then spend crazy money in free agency next year. That’s just not how they operate.
Jake I understand that you don't want another high paid reliever. But maybe the reliever is the one who took the money. Maybe these free agent hitters don't want the Braves money
They would take it if the team offered enough.
@@LockedOnBraves we don't know that they have not been the highest bidder on some of these guys
I'd rather have Gray over Montgomery
cards aren’t trading him
@drewphillips2907 Not what I heard. They are willing to trade everyone else
Too expensive.
Sonny Gray's 2 years and around 50 million is what Atlanta is looking for, esp if St. Louis pays 10 million of that.
If they threw in that much then maybe. But then you might also have to give up a nice prospect or two.
@@LockedOnBravesno way unless St. Louis is willing to pony up
@@LockedOnBraves If they think Morton is worth 20 million you don't think Gray would be worth 20 or even 25?
I know Monty is your guy but I’d rather have Charlie at 1 year 12-15m than Monty at 2 years 40m (that’s 7.5covered by Ari.). We have a ton of starting pitching that is knocking on the door and will need starts in 25 and definitely in 26. If our overall philosophy of developing pitching first is going to work we need to be producing mlb arms every year. I don’t want to block them by overpaying a guy for the next 2 years to be average or worse. I would not be upset if did not add any starting pitching and go with our top 3 and strider soon after and let Ian, Bryce, ajss, Holmes, and even hackenberg, Braun, and Waldrep compete for some starts. Add one of the Kim’s to play short and Santander or Profar and stack that lineup again then a bullpen piece and we can let the young kids learn on the job in the next couple of years.
Or we can pull some magic and sign Roki sasaki and all of a sudden the billions that the Mets and dodgers have spent isn’t enough to make them favorites over us.
Monty only has one year left at $22.5. If you can get Arizona to chip in $5-$7M it's 1 year at $15-$17M.
@@LockedOnBraves I’m dumb I thought the option was for 26 not 25.
Alec Thomas value is centerfield defense. His bat sucks.
Yep.
Safe to say, at this point, AA isnt doing anything. All eyes focused on the 2025 trade deadline.
He'll do something.
@@LockedOnBravesexactly. I assume he’s letting it play out before he makes his move
Free agents will be reluctant to come to the Braves based on how they treat their free agents. I know is I were a top tier free agent I wouldn't want to come there. You know in a year or two you are out of there.
That's more about how they treat their internal guys, not free agents.
SF Giants spurned by Burnes... Giants fail again @ signing a top tier FA (I don't count Willy Adames as top tier- too many strikeouts in his game)
Yea, thought he was going there for sure.
I think the Braves will get 1 veteran for 1-2 years even if they get Morton
I'll think they'll get a vet on a 1 year deal.
The reds wouldn’t let go of India for yrs bc he was the “leader” in CIN. To think you would get Perdomo as essentially a throw in is craaaaaaaazy. Perdomo is the leader in az, hazens favorite player (stated publicly). The dbacks are a collection of awkward young guys without their leader in Perdomo. Crumble up that note bud and flush it. Never happening.
Wasn’t aware he was a leader over there. But I did note if they plan to go for it, which they obviously are now, they need him.
Braves should've gone after Devin Williams.
Would have been nice.
I still say ARCIA will improve his hitting this next yearl MARK IT BEST SS IN IN NAT LEAGUE FOR 25. TURN HIM LOOSE HE CAN STEAL. WAKE UP SNIT OR RETIRE.
Umm, I hope you're right but I'm not hopeful.
@@LockedOnBravesthey need everyone to improve. I think ‘24 was more of an anomaly than ‘23
Bring Morton back for 10 million
Feels like they would have already done it.
Do not want Jordan Montgomery not in a million years.
Why? Because he had 1 bad, injury filled season?