SB Nation User Blog: scstrato

Soriano trade eligibility if he accepts arb (clarification)

scstrato — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:08:44 -0000

Lots of mis-information floating around out there, so I thought I'd try and clarify. The MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement can be found here (in case you want to read it for yourself).

The CBA, Article (XX) Section (B) Paragraph (3) entited "Rights of Club" states:

If the Player accepts the offer to arbitrate, he shall be a signed player for the next season and the parties will conduct a salary arbitration proceeding under Article VI; provided, however, that the rules concerning maximum salary reduction set forth in Article VI shall be inapplicable and the parties shall be required to exchange figures on the last day established for the exchange of salary arbitration figures under Article VI. The Club shall be deemed not to have signed a free agent for purposes of paragraph (5) of this Section B when a Player accepts salary arbitration pursuant to this paragraph (3).

The key point here being that the player is not considered a free agent signing.

Article (XX) Section (B) Paragraph (6) entitled "Miscellaneous" sub-paragraph(a) states:

Any Club signing a contract after the expiration of the election period with a Player under this Section B may not assign his contract until after the next June 15. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, such contract may be assigned for other Player contracts and/or cash consideration of $50,000 or less prior to the next June 16 if the Player gives written consent to such transaction.

The first sentence does not apply to our case since it refers to Free Agent signings, or the signing of a contract after arbitration expiration. The second paragraph, however, does apply. I read this as to mean that a player who has agreed to arbitration can be traded but only with his written consent.

So, in summary, I was initially wrong by saying that Soriano can be traded immediately upon completion of his contract (and I have posted that in more than one thread so please ignore it). Gondeee's 12/7 11am update on the Soriano thread is accurate with the exception of the date, which is actually June 16.

Rumor Mill opinion poll

scstrato — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:05:05 -0000

First let me preface this by saying I am usually fairly tough on journalists. I get extra-ordinarily aggravated at them when they say things like "Garrett Anderson is a good fit for Atlanta" when every piece of evidence available says otherwise. Having said that, I have to say that I have been very pleased with Mark Bowman's recent performance. The guy has been spot on getting out quality information and busting rumors, that is until today. Not sure if this is Bowman's opinion or if he is getting his information from "team sources" but his article suggests that a Marlon Byrd signing would give us reason to trade Jordan Schafer.

Marlon Byrd: Coming off a season during which he hit .283 with 20 homers, Byrd will be attractive to a number of clubs looking for an affordable option to fill their outfield. If the Braves were able to grab him off the free-agent market, they would find themselves with more reason to explore the possibility of trading former top prospect Jordan Schafer.

So rather than go on a long, stat filled, rant about how ridiculous this suggestion is I thought I'd see how the Talking Chop community felt about it.

Poll

Who is the better option for the 2010 Atlanta Braves?

Marlon Byrd is what we need in 2010?

55 votes

Jordan Schafer will be more valueable than Byrd in 2010?

236 votes

291 votes | Poll has closed

Frank Wren was interviewed this morning by MLB on XMRadio. Thought everyone might like to hear...

scstrato — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:08:28 -0000

Frank Wren was interviewed this morning by MLB on XMRadio.

Thought everyone might like to hear some of his responses:

On if there is money left to sign an impact bat: "... Yes, there is money left."

He briefly addressed Andruw Jones saying that is something the team will internalize and discuss quite a bit over the next few days. Basically nothing new here except it's clear that Andruw coming back is not a "lock" as some have proposed.

He also talked about trade options for acquiring a bat indicating there were 3 or 4 really good players that are available that he is interested in. He also made it very clear the team is going to take their sweet time before making a move. I'm speculating here but obviously Swisher and Nady come to mind, anyone want to guess at the other two?

Cafardo on Lowe, Dunn and Sheets

scstrato — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:31:29 -0000

Cafardo on Lowe, Dunn and Sheets

The Braves appear to be an "emerging" suitor for Adam Dunn. Granted it's from a Boston sportswriter, so take it with a grain of salt.

Ben Sheets is also mentioned, the writer speculating that he and his agents are realizing there is no "big" deal out there for him. Whether this means he's actually on the Braves radar or not I don't know, but I am liking the fact that Sheets name is being linked much more often with the Braves recently. Maybe this will get Frank to at least make a phone call.

You will have to back track to page four for the update on Lowe, granted it's not much. He's speculating that all three NL East teams are still in the running, which I can guarantee you is exactly what Boras wanted in the first place. Honestly I wouldn't care if the Braves passed on Lowe and went straight to Sheets considering the potential difference in cost/terms.

Jordan Schafer profiled at Fangraphs

scstrato — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:36:40 -0000

Jordan Schafer profiled at Fangraphs

Peter Bendix compares Jordan Schafer to Grady Sizemore though he does note some differences as well. Nice read, does a good job of putting Schafers '08 stats in perspective. Love the closing paragraph ...

"Schafer is still young and may struggle in his first taste of the big leagues. Don’t expect him to storm into the majors like Jay Bruce did last year. However, if Schafer gets 300 at bats, he could hit 10 homers and steal 10 bases, while scoring and driving in a fair amount of runs and hitting .250 or so. There is some value in a player like that, especially a mid-season waiver-wire pickup. Schafer’s long-term star is very, very bright, but his 2009 may be somewhat of a disappointment."

Pettitte over Sheets?

scstrato — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:16:38 -0000

Pettitte over Sheets?

River Ave. Blues has a new entry that agrees with a Newsday article (full article) on why Cashman and Co. now prefer to sign Pettitte over Ben Sheets.

It seems Sheets and his agent just lost a bunch of negotiating leverage. The poster wonders what this will do to the market for Sheets. It leaves me wondering IF there is a market for Sheets now.

Note to FW - would it really hurt to offer a low-ball type contract? If the market really has disappeared maybe he might accept. There is always the possibility that the Brewers pony up the cash, but we have no chance if you don't try!

Axelrod pissed, Peavy Dismayed

scstrato — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:28:32 -0000

Axelrod pissed, Peavy Dismayed

Absolutely love this article. This proves that Towers totally botched it, Peavy has no clue and Axelrod is a whiner!

My guess is Peavy gets stuck with SD and falls deeper into depression (if only he and his agent had played along instead of trying to control things). Axelrod will continue his whining, at least until the trading deadline. AND Towers will now have a permanent scar (Moores boot half way up his ass!).

A month ago the Braves were willing to provide the Padres with a package highlighted by Escobar. ...

scstrato — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:39:09 -0000

A month ago the Braves were willing to provide the Padres with a package highlighted by Escobar. But because they used Brent Lillibridge to acquire Javier Vazquez last week, they no longer are willing to entertain thoughts of dealing Escobar, who one veteran Braves player considers, "the best shortstop in the National League."

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/braves_still_not_ready_to_revi.html

Bowman basically says the Padres would have to initiate talks in order for them to even consider trading for Peavy. Even then they would not be willing to include Escobar. If this is true I'm back on the "Get Peavy" bandwagon.

CC Sabathia is not going to play on the West Coast. He is not going to play in the National League....

scstrato — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:03:43 -0000

CC Sabathia is not going to play on the West Coast. He is not going to play in the National League. CC Sabathia is going to be a Yankee, The Post has learned exclusively.

Joel Sherman | New York Post

This may be good news or bad news depending upon your desire for A.J. Burnett to pitch for the Braves. Either way, I believe this will keep the Yankees from over bidding for his services.

What if the dominos fall just right?

scstrato — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:05:57 -0000

Fangraphs has an article up regarding a potential 2009 Braves rotation. Marc Hulet does a lot of speculating, the signing of Burnett / Smoltz returning to the rotation / Glavine not being re-signed, but it's a good read none the less.

I've said it before but I'm one that agrees with the prediction that Smoltz will return to the rotation if at all possible. I'm also hopeful we cut ties with Glavine. Love the guy, but I feel he's lost a little too much to be competitive. Another question mark is whether Burnett could throw 190 IP's. I'm sure that one will spur a lot of debate.

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