House That Hank Built
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The Atlanta Braves and their imminent contract decisions

By James Kunkle

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: The Atlanta Braves celebrate after clinching the NL East Division against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: The Atlanta Braves celebrate after clinching the NL East Division against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 30: Tyler Flowers #25 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base after hitting a three-run homer in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at SunTrust Park on August 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 30: Tyler Flowers #25 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base after hitting a three-run homer in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at SunTrust Park on August 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Julio Teheran

The first player we are going to discuss is one we have already put a whole piece out on asking if he will be back. Of course we are talking about Julio Teheran.

Just to be reminded, the Braves hold a $12 million option to retain Julio or they will have to pay him $1 million to not pitch for them next year. As I said in that earlier article I wrote, I think the Braves will elect to save $11 million and let another pitcher take his place. Although, I fully understand the other side of the argument that says pick it up and let him give the Braves much needed innings pitched.

I truly believe this is a toss up decision and its about a 50-50 chance he returns. It should be a close call that will obviously be worth following in the upcoming weeks. The Braves could also look to pick up the option and try and trade Julio?

Tyler Flowers

I have been very vocal on here about my belief the Braves can do better than Tyler Flowers for a backup catcher. I don’t see any part of his game that didn’t regress throughout 2019.

Here is the problem though, when Brian McCann retired after the NLDS game 5, it all but insured that Flowers $6 million option would be picked up and he will at worst, be the backup catcher for the Braves in 2020 again.

In all honesty though, I believe the Atlanta Braves were going to pick up this option even if McCann had decided to try to give it another shot with the Braves.

It would be a complete challenge for Anthopoulos and company to set out and try and get TWO catchers this Winter.

Nick Markakis

Another tricky call that I don’t think anyone has a real answer to yet is will the Braves pick up Nick Markakis?  I suppose it depends on which Markakis the Braves would expect to get. Is it the pre-injured Nick or the Nick that couldn’t get anything going in the postseason?

I would lean toward the Braves exercising the $6 million option, especially since it would be $2 million just to buy him out.

I think the Braves will pay $4 million more to let Markakis go one more round in 2020. I feel strongly in saying that they might choose to platoon him and his days of playing 160 games a season might be over though.

Billy Hamilton

The easiest decision of these 4 (and really any of these decisions) is in the case of Billy Hamilton. I don’t see any way the Braves pay him $7.5 million, instead they will opt to pay him the $1 million buyout that is included with his trade.

Yes, his speed and defense is extremely good, but he is too inconsistent with the bat to be relied upon at really any point in a game. Perhaps the Braves will opt to try and bring Hamilton back on a lesser salary?

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