Winter Meetings Live Thread: All Transactions, Atlanta Braves Perspective
Dec 7, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; MLB Hall of Fame member Phil Niekro talks with the media following the MLB Hall of Fame Pre-Integration announcements at Gaylord Opryland Resort . Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Baseball Winter Meetings – Monday Afternoon Scuttlebutt
1PM EST
- Rosenthal reports that Tigers outbid Athletics for Mark Lowe. Believes his deal to be around $6.5 million each year for 2 years (he corrected the original tweet).
- The rumors about Cubs/Rays discussing Javier Baez continues to have legs. Rosenthal now reporting it.
- Now this is funny: Steve Gilbert re-tweeted the Diamondbacks’ “Stand Up to Cancer” fund-raising quest. In that announcement, potential donors are asked “Anyone interested in climbing Camelback Mountain with AJ Pollock?” Buster Olney responds: “The Braves are“.
PAYROLL NOTE FOR THE BRAVES
In response to a question about ‘why there’s only $15 million to spend?’, Dave O’Brien says this:
Will let you know when we get an explanation. It wasn't originally supposed to be that low. https://t.co/1oNuHU9MHj
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 7, 2015
My spreadsheet shows a projection of $83.275 million. If the budget was indeed ‘up to $120 million’ as previously reported, then this $15 million figure is way off. It is possible that the Braves have chosen to re-allocate some of their major league payroll budget to bolster International Spending in 2016 – which could be off-the-chart high.
I’ll be curious to see that answer… won’t be expecting it soon, but we’ll watch for it.
HAVE ANSWER – It IS as conjectured above… Braves are apparently allocating about $20 million to the draft and International market budgets – taking that directly out of the major league team.
1:30PM EST
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- Rosenthal suggests Cubs “surely” talking to multiple clubs about Javy Baez – not just the Rays. Suggests they are looking for a young, controllable starter in return.
- Mark Bowman: “Interested clubs indicate the
#Braves have made every indication they will not alter their significant demands for Shelby Miller.”
2:00PM EST
- Bruce Levine: Cubs and Braves still talking.
- Edwin Encarnacion is willing to talk about an extension with the Blue Jays…until he arrives in Dunedin for Spring Training.
- Roch Kubatko of MASN says that the Orioles are still showing some interest in getting Neil Walker – 1B/DH, perhaps.
- ESPN’s Enrique Rojas says (translated) “Source : #Cubs wants back with Dexter Fowler , but are separated in total years . Fowler could get 3-4 years in the market”. Apparently, the Cubs don’t wish to go that far. Bruce Levine confirms.
- Mariners and Red Sox “making progress” on talks for Sox’ pitcher Miley (Rosenthal).
- Rays and Cubs, re: Baez… Rays definitely targeting Javy Baez; some offers involve a starter, some offers involve a reliever. Cubs weighing various options.
- Rangers and Pirates talking about Mitch Moreland in a deal that could involve major leaguers only (Cotillo).
How crazy have prices jumped – especially for pitching, which seems to be the focus of everyone so far?
A person familiar with Mike Leake's talks thinks he could land a 5-yr deal for $75-80M. His market value appears to have spiked.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 7, 2015
Yes, Leake is just 28 years old, but has a career ERA+ of just 101 (3.88). Exceeded 190 innings 3 times (2013-15). That’s the price for young-innings-eating average now. Wow… practically Qualifying offer levels.
- Howard Berger of Canada’s The FAN reports that Chris Davis and the Blue Jays are “in a serious contract dance”. Think about that lineup with him included. Oh my. Who needs pitching if they’re just gonna bludgeon the entire league to death? Robert Murry of BaseballEssential seems to confirm.
- Lots of rumors, but truly not a lot of action right now. That could be due to the Winter Meetings Luncheon and awards presentations that are in progress. From the tweets I’m seeing on this, the luncheon should be wrapping up soon. Besides, it’s only Monday and many of the deals will get made in the afternoon/evening hours.
- Per Dave O’Brien: the brother of Braves’ Director of Player Development Dave Trembley passed away over the weekend; Dave is understandably not in Nashville as a result. We convey our condolences to the Trembley family for their loss.
3:00pm EST
- Ken Davidoff of the New York Post is breaking the news that Red Sox LHP Wade Miley has been traded to the Mariners.
- Jon Heyman adds the return to the Red Sox: setup man Carson Smith and backend starter Roenis Elias. Joel Sherman adds that reliever Jonathan Aro is also going to Seattle. Looks like a good deal for the Sox to give them depth and a better bullpen.
- Mets talking to Zobrist’s reps today.
Okay… this just got interesting…
Sources saying no deal done yet for #reds and #dodgers on Chapman. I'm hearing multiple teams could be involved.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) December 7, 2015
You know what happened the last time we heard that “multiple teams” could be involved with a trade involving the Dodgers? The Braves ended up with Hector Olivera.
Next: At this rate it's gonna take 4 or 5 pages today: here's #3