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A deeper look at the coming Atlanta Braves arbitration numbers for 2020

By Alan Carpenter

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves puts water on his face during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves puts water on his face during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – APRIL 25: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 25, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – APRIL 25: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 25, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

JOHAN CAMARGO

  • 2019 ML Salary:  $575,000
  • 2020 ARB 1 (First year) Estimate:  $1.6 million
  • Increase:  $1.025 million
  • Age 25 (26 in mid-December)
  • 2019 numbers:  98 games, 248 PA, .233/.663 OPS

That December 2nd date for tendering contracts could be an interesting one for Johan Camargo.  The Braves should know by then how things pan out with Josh Donaldson and whether they have any traction going for obtaining a 3rd baseman if Donaldson opts not to return.

Camargo still has excellent upside, though 2019 was a bad year for him – whether due to lack of playing time or annoyance at losing a regular job… that’s not really known.  If the Braves choose to bring him back, I would expect an argument to lower that $1.6 million estimate… particularly given Charlie Culberson’s numbers.

EXPECTATION:  offer tendered; re-signs at $1.4 million.  DIFFERENCE:  +$825K

CHARLIE CULBERSON

  • 2019 ML Salary:  $1.395 million
  • 2020 ARB 2 (2nd year) Estimate:  $1.8 million
  • Increase:  $405K
  • AGE:  30 (turns 31 in mid-April)
  • 2019 numbers:  108 games, 144 PA, .259/.731 OPS

Charlie Culberson started out looking “clutch” again in 2019 (.317 in the first half), though fell apart in August and September – and an injury didn’t exactly help.

That result is probably factored into his estimate, and the Braves should certainly be eager to pick that up for a player that can step in at virtually any position… including both ends of the battery if necessary.

If there’s reason to sign a guy for something above the estimated value, this would be it, though I think the Braves will try and hold him to that $1.8 million figure.

EXPECTATION:  offer tendered; re-signs at $1.8 million.  DIFFERENCE:  +$405K

GRANT DAYTON

  • 2019 ML Salary:  $585,000
  • 2020 ARB 1 (First year) Estimate:  $800K
  • Increase:  $215K
  • AGE:  31 (will turn 32 around Thanksgiving)
  • 2019 ATL numbers:  14 games, 12 innings, 14K, 4 walks, 3.00 ERA, 1.333 WHIP
  • 2019 Gwinnett numbers:  22 games, 26.2 innings, 41K, 4 walks, 3.04 ERA, 0.90 WHIP

Grant Dayton was only recently activated after missing all of 2018 (Tommy John surgery) and some of 2019 with a broken toe (while playing catch with Chad Sobotka!).

He is showing flashes of why the Braves picked him up from the Dodgers in the first place – lots of strikeouts; not too many walks.

His age is working against him, but at $800K… the Braves would definitely take the odds that he’s really back into form for 2020.

EXPECTATION:  offer tendered; re-signs at $900K.  DIFFERENCE:  $315K.

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