Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Winter Meeting rumor, news roundup
![NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 17: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after giving up a three run home run to Neil Walker of the New York Yankees in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium on August 17, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 17: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after giving up a three run home run to Neil Walker of the New York Yankees in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium on August 17, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftomahawktake-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F1018386850-850x560-b7777cea1381861072811ec167d28770.jpg)
As the 2018 edition of baseball’s Winter Meetings begin, let’s take stock of where things stand with the Braves… and with a few rivals.
The Atlanta Braves and 29 of their closest Front Office friends have now gathered in the desert to talk about the business of baseball this week in an annual pilgrimage known colloquially as ‘The Winter Meetings.’
The ‘desert’, of course, isn’t some sand dune someplace – it’s being held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, of course. Far be it for a convention among an industry whose leaders are millionaires to be held in less accommodating accommodations.
The Winter Meetings is/are a trade show, a job fair, a series of seminars, awards presentations, topical breakout sessions, workshops, league meetings for the various minor leagues, charity events, and… a chance for General Managers to meet again in face-to-face sessions to talk about how they want to configure their teams for the upcoming season(s).
Already we have some news on a few topics, so it’s time for a round-up of that news… before the any of the ‘real’ news starts – which could begin be late on Monday and run through late Wednesday.
Anything else would probably wait until next week as players interested in getting matters settled before Christmas choose their new locations for 2019.
So with that as an introduction, here’s what we know as of Sunday night…
New Hall Walkers
Harold Baines and Lee Smith have been elected to the Hall of Fame.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 10, 2018
This is choice of 2018 the veterans’ committee, which should be a boon for Fred McGriff… meaning that if Baines and his career 38.7 bWAR and 384 homers is Hall-worthy, then certainly McGriff (56.2/493) might at least find favor with the committee… in a few years.
But perhaps the Crime Dog might need someone in his corner once that opportunity arises (and Andruw JOnes as well):
White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf was very influential to get Harold Baines into the Hall of Fame
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 10, 2018
Lou Pinella missed out by a single vote among the 16-member commission. Baines made it by that extra vote… 75% on the nose.
Watch Out for the Padres
I have no idea what they will end up doing, but at the moment, they’re into… everything:
#Padres and #Yankees remain in contact regarding possible Sonny Gray trade, source confirms. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
#Yankees aren’t seriously discussing J.T. Realmuto with the #Marlins, one source said today. However, the #Padres are among the teams with genuine interest in Realmuto, sources say. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
Padres, the most rumored team for a Syndergaard trade, as of this moment “don’t look like a great fit.” Mets want 2019 impact so it’s no surprise they seek Fernando Tatis Jr.; SD has made him untouchable.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2018
Well, there’s no way they are getting any of those players without at least considering SS Tatis Jr. But we’ll have to watch this play out… though mind you, I have no idea what they’d do with players having 2 years or less of team control (Realmuto, Gray).
The Braves and the Outfield
This from new AJC beat writer Burns via MLBTR on Saturday:
"The Braves, who are seeking outfield help, contacted the Mariners about Mitch Haniger and the Diamondbacks regarding David Peralta, Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. However, Atlanta was turned away in both cases, per Burns."
I’m still sticking with the thought expressed on Saturday that Atlanta should at least explore tying Peralta to Zack Greinke, but at the moment, there’s no indication such a thing is even being contemplated by the team.
Meanwhile, Michael Brantley is looking for something in the 3 or 4 year range at $20 million annually. That’s going to have to come down a lot to allow the Braves to even engage. 3x$15 might be more to their liking.
So with 3 top choices looking unattainable right now, the Braves are ‘still in touch’ with Nick Markakis. We haven’t heard much about what Andrew McCutchen is looking for, but he’s clearly another viable option.
There might be another avenue, though:
Considering the #Dodgers are letting teams know that Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson are available, if they're able to move one or two of the outfielders, they'll certainly have plenty of room for Bryce Harper.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 10, 2018
I cannot imagine that Matt Kemp would be among those that the Braves would entertain for a corner OF spot in 2019… but Puig or Pederson? Price will be a factor.
The Braves and Starting Pitching
Bowman said Braves said no to Pache, Wright and Toussaint for 3 years of Kluber. Think they send that package to Seattle for Haniger?
— Efrim Dragovic (@efdrag) December 4, 2018
If Atlanta can get Cleveland off of Pache and Toussaint, then a deal might be available; but it seems that nothing is imminent, because…
As #Indians discuss Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer with other clubs, sources say Cleveland’s likely approach is to wait until one (or more) of Corbin, Keuchel and Eovaldi sign before trading a starter. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 3, 2018
Well, that was December 3rd and Corbin and Eovaldi are both off the market. The intent – I guess – is to get more teams interested in talking with them after not signing one of the top free agents.
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Cleveland will trade one of Bauer or Kluber… they just don’t know which one right now.
Meanwhile, are other things being held up by another domino?
J.A. Happ is viewed as the next key domino in the pitching marketplace. One agent of a fellow free agent pitcher said some teams are waiting on Happ’s decision before moving on other starters. #Yankees or #Phillies are best positioned to land him. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
That unknown ‘fellow free agent pitcher’ kind of screams ‘Keuchel’. Speaking of him…
Braves seem to have Keuchel atop their wish list. Seek 1 starter, 1 reliever and 1 outfielder.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2018
Would the Braves sacrifice a draft pick to get Keuchel? Sounds like it’s plausible.
So maybe there’s some movement this week? Would a package of Wright, Anderson and Inciarte work to get Kluber, perhaps? If the Braves are willing to give up that much, I’d actually shop those players to either of Miami or Seattle first and see if that buys anything.
Here’s one more development…
Sources: #BlueJays interested in Mike Fiers and Kendall Graveman, among other free-agent pitchers, to build depth in case Marcus Stroman or Aaron Sanchez are dealt. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
Okay, this could be the actual newsflash of the entire weekend – the notion that either or both pitchers could be made available by the Jays. So pay close attention to that bit.
Chuck is Re-employed
Mets are about to name Chili Davis hitting coach, Chuck Hernandez bullpen coach and Luis Rojas Quality Control coach. Rojas was the Mets’ double-a manager last year.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2018
The former Braves pitching coach is now a member of the Mets organization. Good for him.
More on Realmuto
Not sure what the Marlins precise trade request is from Mets for Realmuto. But heard Mets do not want to do Conforto-Nimmo combo, and they don’t want to trade Rosario at all.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2018
The Mets prospect list isn’t exactly robust, so if Conforto and Nimmo are being held onto (reportedly 1 of them could be dangled), then they are going to find difficulty getting traction in trade talks for the All-Star catcher.
Finally, this
APNewsBreak: Sunday night MLB games will be an hour earlier in 2019. https://t.co/lFRhxaCK9C pic.twitter.com/eQ5VOQmt7l
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) December 10, 2018
That’s actually a pleasant surprise… now all of the Red Sox/Yankee games won’t drone on past midnight… at least not on a routine basis.
Next. New Braves who you might have missed. dark
It’s still tough to say whether the Braves will come away with any deals at all this week, but there are a lot of balls in the air… no doubt.