Atlanta Braves attend the FanSided Faux Winter Meetings
By Fred Owens
Atlanta Braves Simulated addition of a catcher
On the first day of discussions, I contacted the Indian’s sim-GM and negotiated a simulated deal sending A.J. Minter, Jeremy Walker, and Huascar Ynoa to the tribe for Roberto Perez.
Baseball Prospectus ranked Perez Baseball’s (This may be behind a paywall) number two defensive catcher in 2019 with a Catcher Defensive Adjustment (CDAA) of 25.6. CDA is their new name for adjusted fielding runs above average and a lot easier to say.
He ranked third in Called Strikes Above Average (CSAA) formerly called framing runs, first in Errant Pitches Above Average (EPAA) or blocking runs and threw out 29 of 49 base stealers.
I like Perez back in 2015 because he defended well and looked like he’d hit at least league average for a catcher. Last season he batted .239/.321/.452/.774 and 24 homers, finishing with 98 wRC+ and a .326 wOBA. I don’t expect him to repeat that, but I do expect league average catcher performance.
Related Story. Catching up on the real world . . .. light
I prefer my best offense behind the pitcher and the best defense I can find in front of the pitcher. I acquired Perez in the simulation because of his defense, and his handling of a young rotation in Cleveland over the last two years. His defense makes the pitchers better, and better pitchers make the team better.
From experience in past simulations, I knew the feeding frenzy of an auction would drive the price for Yasmani Grandal beyond my projection of his future worth. Catchers take a heck of a beating behind the plate, and as they age, injury and the nature of the position causes their bat to decline.
Grandal’s deal in the simulation finished with four years and $88M. Perez earns $3.5M this year and has two team-option years of $5M and $7.5M.