Atlanta Braves Armchair GM #9 and a VOTE!

Sep 9, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman

(28) rounds the bases after hitting the game winning solo home run against the New York Yankees in the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles defeated the Yankees 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves Armchair GM East Mississippi Brave

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As an Armchair GM, East Mississippi Brave is as old school as they come!  He wants his scouts using pencil and paper, his players gritty, his lover…well, he might not be old school in that department as he’s been seen with women (yes multiple!) half his age out at the hottest spots in East Mississip. At the mere mention of advanced stats he immediately covers his ears and yells, “NOOOOOOO!” In a world where advanced metrics reign supreme, maybe EMB is playing his own form of Moneyball, but please, for the sake of all of us, don’t tell him that.

I kept a few players on each Tier but wanted to try out different scenarios. Realistically I do not see the Braves organization anywhere close to Tier 4 in 2016. Tier 2 or maybe Tier 3 level of spending is possible. I know little of WAR or sabermetrics and do not care to learn. To me this is a fun exercise. Sitting back to read the differing reactions to my choices is what I enjoy. I think most players I pick and the ones we would like to have will not be in a Braves uniform this season. The Braves FO will more than likely go in a direction never mentioned by anyone on here. But here goes:

Tier 1- Budget of 15 MM to spend. Yikes!!

• C   A. J. Pierzynski           1 yr Contract    3 MM
• SP  J.A.Happ                     1 yr Contract     5 MM
• RP   Antonio Bastardo   1 yr Contract     3 MM
• RP  Neal Cotts                   1 yr Contract     1.5 MM
• LF  Ryan Rayburn           1 yr  Contract    2.5 MM

Total Spent:                                         15 MM

Brought everyone in on 1 yr Contracts. This Tier and FA players here are mainly a bridge to 2017. The Braves farm system and the “international” market will be the primary source to the Braves success.

Tier 2: Budget of 25 MM to spend.  I like!!

• SP  Brett Anderson         2 yr Contract     7 MM/yr
• RP  Antonio Bastardo    2 yr Contract     3 MM/yr
• RP  Neal Cotts                   1 yr Contract      1.5 MM
• LF  Ryan Rayburn           1 yr Contract      4 MM
• C Jarrod Saltalamacchia 2 yr Deal           5.5 MM/yr 
• 2nd   Steve Pearce           2 yr Contract      4 MM/yr

Total Spent:                                                 25 MM

In this Tier expanded the contracts a bit and changed up the players. I think a platoon of Pearce/ Peterson at 2nd might be a boost offensively. And of course Pearce can play the outfield too. I think Salty could be the catcher the Braves need at this time. Bring him back into the fold as it were. Also like Brett Anderson here and I think in all my tiers the Braves need another left handed starter.

Tier 3: Budget of 35 MM to spend. Much Better!!

• SP Brett Anderson            2 yr Contract          7 MM/ yr
• RP Antonio Bastardo       1 yr Contract          3 MM
• RP Tony Sipp                       2 yr Contract         4 MM/yr
• LF  Colby Rasmus               3 yr Contract       11.5 MM/yr
• C Jarrod Saltalamacchia 2 yr Deal                  5.5 MM/yr
• 2nd  Steve Pearce               2 yr Contract          4 MM/yr

Total Spent:                                              35 MM

At  this level I hope the Braves spend to get the best they need. I added Tony Sipp and took away Neal Cotts for obvious reasons. Sipp is a Mississippi kid and I’m sure a Braves fan in his youth. Rasmus could be a real good get or a bust. I’m not sure but figured a 3 yr Deal would be the best way to go. Maybe some back loaded deal or incentives or whatever. I am not going in on structured deals at all in any Tier. I’ll leave that to smarter folk.

Tier 4:  Budget of 58 MM to spend.  Dreamy!!!!!

• SP  Wei Chen                     3 yr Contract        15 MM/yr
• RP Antonio Bastardo     1 yr Contract          3 MM
• RP Tony Sipp                     2 Yr Contract        4 MM
• LF Colby Rasmus             3 yr Contract        11.5 MM/yr
• C Matt Wieters                  2 yr Contract        17 MM/ yr
• 2nd  Steve Pearce             2 yr Contract          4 MM/yr

Total Spent:                                               54. 5 MM

Still in Budget:                                              3.5 MM

Well there you go. Hopefully I spelled everything correctly and my math is on point. It is a fun exercise to dream of rosters and who is right or wrong. I know I overspent on a few players but even with WAR and whatever metrics the FA market is an expensive way to go. Hopefully the Braves will come to a point where they need few FA’ S and have more homegrown/ farm system players. Whatever the Braves do, will always follow, no matter how maddening the FO is or crazy knuckle headed manager they have. Go Braves!!!!!!!

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