According to a source close to the negotiations the Braves will not sign 18th-round selection Zach Alvord, and will instead reroute that money to a possible run at a waiver claim on Aramis Ramirez. The Braves had an agreement in place to sign Alvord, and have had an agreement for weeks since just after the draft.
While Alvord's bonus demands were high, they were not outrageous, and he had even agreed to a lower bonus in the form of a hometown discount in order to sign with Atlanta. He was asking for just under seven figures, a number that would have been less than first round money, but more than Matt Lipka received as a supplemental pick by Atlanta. The deal was simply being held until today due to its over-slot nature.
According to the source the Braves pulled the deal after the injury to Chipper Jones in order to save money for a run at a higher priced waiver claim. The source indicated that the Braves are in talks with the Cubs to try and acquire third baseman Aramis Ramirez in a waiver deal if he is able to get through. If Ramirez gets blocked, then the Braves may go after another high-priced waiver claim.
As was reported earlier, Stefan Sabol, the Braves 17th-round pick, will also not be signed by Atlanta. Though there is no indication that he had a deal on the table as well, there is a strong possibility that there was a potential for a deal and for the same reasons the Alvord deal fell apart, Sabol's did too.
0 recs | 178 comments
Oh boy
Hope it is worth it, if this is true
UltimaParadox - August 16, 2010
Interesting news. I was really hoping we’d sign one or both of those guys. Anybody know how many years does Ramirez have left on his contract? I’m more than a little concerned we’d be stuck with another stinker of a contract.
chopc - August 16, 2010
He has one year for $14.5 million...
..but then a club option for more the following year with a $2 million or so buyout, so it really is $16.5 for one more year.
cavebird - August 16, 2010
I’d love this if it happens. Why in the heck is an 18th rounder asking for 2nd round money, anyway?
Bobby Cocks - August 16, 2010 via mobile
Because he has 1st round talent, lasted to the 18th because he was considered a tough sign.
bighop - August 16, 2010
I’d rather have Alvord, we keep going for these low OB% guys, Ramirez is at .290 this year.
bighop - August 16, 2010
yea
its kind of weird. going for seemingly all power and no OBP.
drumzalicious - August 16, 2010
Ramirez is actually capable of hitting for a high average though whereas Gonzalez and Ankiel are not so much.
chopc - August 16, 2010
Average and OBP
are two different things
drumzalicious - August 16, 2010
Absolutely, Ramirez has been .100 points higher until this year (OB%)
bighop - August 16, 2010
Have you seen our team and its offensive production?
The other way around doesn’t seem to result in consistent offense, exactly.
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
I don’t understand what Wren is trying to do here. He should have stayed with the successful philosophy of high OBP guys.
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
Because our offense this year=
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
So forget about obp & got for guys w/ no obp skills a & slight pop? That’s sounds like a winar also…not.
FitzFan - August 16, 2010
Half and Half might be greater then the sum of its parts.
Broccoman - August 17, 2010
I'm not suggesting it throughout the lineup.
But a player here and there for THIS team that fit that profile might well improve us.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
Uh, yeah it pretty much was, we were first in OBP in the first half and 13th in SLG and we were 6th in the NL in Runs.
Now were 5th in SLG and have dropped to 7th in OBP, and have dropped to 9th in the league in runs scored since the break.
Lennox - August 17, 2010
So, umm...
If you’re in the bottom half of the league in doing what you need to do to win (scoring runs), shouldn’t you probably work on that?
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
If I’m Alvord though this has got to suck. You had agreed to a deal months ago with your hometown team which you were thrilled to play for and now its being taken off the table at the deadline. Probably not the best way to do business if you are the braves.
chopc - August 16, 2010
I wish they could decide today and if the deal doesn’t happen go back to Alvord.
bighop - August 16, 2010
…or do a deferred money thing, perhaps.
carpengui - August 17, 2010
not sure how i feel about this
about the nixing the deal and the going after ramirez.
only if they are taking lowe lol
drumzalicious - August 16, 2010
this
Braves24 - August 16, 2010
Ramirez!
According to COTS next year is for 14.6 million with a 2012 club option, that is automatically picked up if he’s traded and picks up the 2011 player option, which is worth 16 million! I really wonder how the Braves would play that out though next year if Chipper proves he can come back? I know thats the least of their worries now but if they want to go after a higher price contract they might want someone who doesn’t have a limited flexibility like Aramis. I dno it’s just my opinion! However I think for the Braves they need to make a deal to preserve the bench in case another injury occurs, and that would basically be the only reason to make a deal other than adding more pop to the middle of the lineup.
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
i didnt know
it was automatially picked up if he’s traded. in that case there is no way we do this.
drumzalicious - August 16, 2010
we’ll probably DH Chipper.
VivaLosBravos - August 16, 2010
Source???
kauf67 - August 17, 2010
For what?
If you’re talking about the contracts, just search cots and the team you want to see a deal for.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
I call BS on this. Keith Law has already said on Twitter this is absolutely not true.
NCBraves - August 16, 2010
Yeah, I saw that
I’m still optimistic for Alvord, less so for Sabol
eaheckman10 - August 16, 2010
WHY?!
why don’t we just move prado to 3rd and infante perm at 2nd?! Infante is killing the ball and at this rate, will win the batting title. If you had A Ram, you destroy that chance and take away a really good hitter out of the lineup.
BronxBraveFan - August 16, 2010
Infante will never get the PAs to qualify.
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
If we go for a Ramirez, it better be of the Manny variety.
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
i would like Manny even with the attitude problems
TS BOBCAT - August 16, 2010
Just like you want AI for the Bobcats?
C’mon mannn
MikeTrain - August 16, 2010
Manny?
But where does Manny fix the situation on the infield? Has he ever played 3rd?
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
move Hinske
to 3B???
drumzalicious - August 16, 2010
agh
VivaLosBravos - August 16, 2010
No, but it does fix out middle of the order. Leave Infante at 2nd and Prado at 3rd. We don’t necessarily have a hole in the infield. We have a hole in our middle of the order. You can also move Hinske to 1st with a platoon with Glaus.
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
yeah there isn’t a problem with the infield, but there is no offense whatsoever right now. we need a bat and if that bat is being used for power and from the right side of the plate it adds even more value
JKowalek - August 16, 2010
great idea
let’s just trot 9 left fielders out and see what happens.
VivaLosBravos - August 16, 2010
What are you talking about??? Hinske is an improvement defensively over Glaus at 1st. Who are the 9 left fielders?
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
my bad. I misread your comment.
VivaLosBravos - August 17, 2010
That would leave quite a hole on the right side of the field, would it not?
UMDBHIK - August 17, 2010
Just don’t see it from the Braves perspective. A guy who has proven he quits on his team and teammates is not the typical ballplayer the Braves want or like, can you recall Yunel Escobar? Don’t see that happening at all!
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
Try the reply. We’re not signing him long term. It’s just for the rest of the season and Manny is playing for another contract. He should be motivated.
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
WON'T HAPPEN
It doesn’t matter, Braves don’t like the attitude. He’s not worth it at all!
If they wanted that kind of salary, Aramis is better option, and can fill the void at third and keep the bench strong with Infante, Conrad, Diaz and Hinske.
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
Aramis’ salary is ALOT more than Manny’s. Manny’s commitment would be around $3mil for this season. Aramis would be around 2 plus $16 mill for next season with buyout!!!! No Thank You!
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
But what if Chipper can’t come back they have another option. Still like Aramis better than Manny!
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
What if Chipper does come back as he intends to, what do you do with Aramis and his $16 mill salary?
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
Move it. I’m sure someone will pick it up if you make the right offers. I am not saying I am for the Aramis deal, due to the fact the Braves won’t want to be in that exact position, but I don’t think Manny is on their radar at all either he just doesn’t fit the mold for a Braves player. If we got Manny and he hit hard then ya I’d like it. I am just not so sure about how well he’d perform for the Braves!
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
will Aramis hit any better?
TS BOBCAT - August 16, 2010
Get it done Frank!!
at this point in the year you need to play for this year. It will be worth it if he falls through.
JKowalek - August 16, 2010
Bowman
Bowman agrees with the part that the Braves are saving for a deal but not necessarily for Aramis with his Options it would cause more problems come next year if Chipper does come back. If he doesn’t though It would be a great deal. Nearly the same salaries.
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
Infante
Infante leads off with a triple and Heyward cleans it up with a RBI Sac Fly! Braves and Dodgers tied at 1 in the sixth!
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
MLBTR says Clint Barmes
JKowalek - August 16, 2010
F_ck Barmes.....
He doesn’t improve this team in the slightest.
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
hey im just the messenger
JKowalek - August 16, 2010
Outside of immediately becoming our best backup at 2B and SS.
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
Meh, Hicks can equal his production....
…and he’s cheaper.
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
no
JKowalek - August 16, 2010
yes
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
he is not worse than hicks
JKowalek - August 16, 2010
No way in hell he has a 734 OPS by the end of the year.
That’s Barmes’ three year track record. Hicks can’t even do that in AAA.
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
That does show that Barmes is better than Hicks.
It also shows that Barmes is useless. When you have a three year track record of a .734 OPS at Coors, you just aren’t any good. Remember, while it is better than what Hicks can do, .734 is bad OPS.
cavebird - August 17, 2010
Out of a backup MI?
You could do way, WAY worse.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
Barmes is just bad.
I have a bet with a guy in my fantasy league—-I spot the guy .025 OPS points and it is Barmes vs. .200 hitting Andruw Jones. I am winning easily. That just about says it all.
cavebird - August 16, 2010
That was just speculation
GoBravesNY - August 16, 2010
And DOB saying they're interested...
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
All I can say is...
I really hope this doesn’t come back to bite us in the a*s down the road! I don’t know much about these kids, but I have heard alot of good about them and have had hope that they would be in the minors soon!
UpstateNyBravesFan - August 16, 2010
+12,000
Wren should be signing these young guys, Infante, Prado and Conrad bring as much to the stadium as this waste of money.
bighop - August 16, 2010
...and Conrad doubles in that very stadium
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
Conrad may not be the best player on the field, but he tries hard, hustles and has won us a few games this year. It doesn’t bug me at all to see him playing 3rd.
bighop - August 16, 2010
Me either....
…..at least until Prado returns. Don’t want to take AB’s away from a guy hitting .340
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
I’m stupid I guess, I’d play Prado at 2nd, Infante at SS and Conrad at 3rd.
bighop - August 16, 2010
And now Conrad with an error.....
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
I was fixing a drink and missed it, so it never happened LOL
bighop - August 16, 2010
That one I saw
bighop - August 16, 2010
make that two…
UpstateNyBravesFan - August 16, 2010
You certainly don't care about MI defense.
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
I wish I had an ignore button that voided your posts
bighop - August 16, 2010
I wish you knew anything about baseball.
To each their own, I say.
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
Are you freaking blind dude, I prefaced the post with “I’m stupid I guess”, you jumping on it is very Richard-like
bighop - August 16, 2010
The reply button seemed to work.
No sense in whining about it.
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
I know this is Bobby’s last ride but we still have to think about our future… Maybe I don’t know much about this stuff!
UpstateNyBravesFan - August 16, 2010
I agree. He should have stopped before he got Ankiel and Farnsworth.
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
That was just a depth move....
….it’s not like they gave up much for them.
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
They gave up a promising 20 yr old lefty reliever and took on unnecessary salary. I really believe those two guys actually make the team worse if that’s possible.
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
Was never big on Collins....
….and with the Braves pitching depth, they were just hoping to catch lightening in a bottle with Ankiel. He’s not all that bad against righties….
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
Just because you didn't like him doesn't mean he wasn't a very good prospect, witch he is.
His #’s are great & he has good stuff. FarnsworthLess & RA are not good players.
FitzFan - August 16, 2010
They didn't have to be.
They came in to replace shitty players, Chavez and McLouth respectively. Any improvement over shitty is an upgrade.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
Only because Cox insists on playing Ankiel every game for some reason.
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
Yeah, that's getting old quickly.....
……especially considering that Melky has been hitting pretty well over the past month or so.
Undocorkscrew - August 16, 2010
I don't know about worse!
I know Rick has not set the world on fire but he has not been the Mcblackhole.
UpstateNyBravesFan - August 16, 2010
He has an OPS in the .500s in 14 games with the Braves. That’s pretty McLouthian if you ask me.
BravesFan - August 16, 2010
We have plenty of bullpen arms
Braves24 - August 16, 2010
Then why bother getting Farns & adding salary? They might as well have called up Marek.
FitzFan - August 16, 2010
yea
They probably wanted a proven ML pitcher that could pitch in a playoff race
Braves24 - August 16, 2010
More importantly
someone Bobby would actually use…though he’s been in no hurry with Farnsy
Bronn - August 16, 2010
yep
I just hope Venters and Moylan aren’t used as much now but that probably won’t happen
Braves24 - August 17, 2010
And not only CAN...
But who has done it. Here.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
Promising , but you got O’Flaherty and Dunn so we’re fine on the LOOGY front.
Broccoman - August 17, 2010
Conrad
Conrad might have cost the Braves a game this time two errors by Conrad leave the Braves down 3-1.
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
There IS a problem with playing two journeyman bench players as starters.
Particularly when you’re trying to win a division.
MichaelProcton - August 16, 2010
Conrad is a journeyman, but who else is?
Braves24 - August 16, 2010
Infante….
Swo12bv - August 17, 2010
not really. Infante has been a bench player just about all of his career
Braves24 - August 17, 2010
What's your point?
He’s been a decent bench player who’s bounced around the league. That kinda defines journeyman.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
no then your definiton of journeyman different then mine. Conrad played eight years in the minors before reaching the majors
Braves24 - August 17, 2010
That's a AAAA player to me.
You have to at least make it to the bigs to be a journeyman.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
This only makes sense money wise if the Cubs are taking KK/McLouth from us …
Lennox - August 16, 2010
Just had the very same thought, I would love to get Aramis though he would be huge for this team this year and beyond what is contract length after this season ?? Anyone know ?
Holty_Panthers_Fan - August 16, 2010
ARAMIS
2011 player option for 14.6 million
2012 club option vests is he picks up the 2011 option and is traded. Option worth 16 million!
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
Or a 2 Million buyout if the 2012 option isn’t picked up
AdamDM07 - August 16, 2010
can we dump KK in and have them pay 5 mil or so next year?
NJoverNY - August 16, 2010
I wonder who is another big money guy to plug in there..
UpstateNyBravesFan - August 16, 2010
I would rather have Kelly Johnson, Sabol, and Alvord then Aramis Ramirez or Barmes. Better bat, same lousy glove plus he can be offered arbitration, traded, or released at seasons end.
heapofoatmeal - August 16, 2010
Kelly is way to streaky...
UpstateNyBravesFan - August 16, 2010
"Lousy glove?"
His defense is ten times better than Prado. His range is farther than a step and a half in either direction.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
Aramis Ramirez has an 387 OBP and 593 SLG since he came back from the disabled list in June. Since 2004 his worst wOBA and wRC have been in 2006 (.381 and 128) That’s an elite bat. The glove is below average, but the bat will make up for it in excess.
He’ll be a hell of an acquisition. He’ll be better than Chipper Jones. That also would move Chipper to 1st next year and give Freeman another year of development, which he needs.
The question is, Do the Braves have the money to do this?
Alvaro Andres Pizza Varela - August 16, 2010
Have you seen his home/away splits?
They are terrible, for many years also. He’s not good away from wrigley field.
traderchris - August 16, 2010 via mobile
FF is not looking like he needs that at all. Chipper at 1st is a bad idea.
FitzFan - August 16, 2010
Ok, two things: What makes you think Chipper would play 1st? And what makes you think Freeman needs another year of development?
cbwilk - August 16, 2010
Chipper has played first before, when he was much younger. That said you cockblock Freeman again.
Broccoman - August 17, 2010
Chipper has never played first base as a professional. So unless “much younger” means high school, I don’t know where you getting that.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
Money?
They will if they keep pack’n them in…well over 30k in the seats tonight..on a Monday when most K-12 schools starting….it had to be more than tourists in the seats! Am I on the right track or is this gate money not spent for a while?
bravestatoo - August 16, 2010
No way dude, move Chipper to SS and we’ll have a left side that can fucking MASH.
Chipper’s played there before… it wouldn’t a thing.
get swoll yunel - August 16, 2010
I pray to god we don’t.
Scott Coleman - August 17, 2010
Jones has already said he won't (or maybe can't) play first.
There is more delicate footwork there, which will be bad for his bad feet and knee. Also, why do you think Freeman needs another year? He’s tearing the cover off the ball as a 20-year-old in AAA.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
Shot in the Dark Question
Anyone know if Chipper’s contract might be insured at all against a season ending type of injury? I can see why it wouldn’t be given the age at which he signed it and past injury history, especially on this knee, but just curious. Reason it pops in my head is that it feels really frustrating to be potentially so tight on money that we’d have to cancel a 6 figure contract to make a move. Seems like we should have a little more payroll flexibility than that this year, and it doesn’t feel great to lost a first round type talent who had agreed to a deal. Signs seem to point to payroll being on a steady decline under the facade of holding steady.
That said, I think that Aramis Ramirez would be a strong addition if we are able to make that move.
Sir Stealth - August 16, 2010
they all are
Jaymin Patel - August 16, 2010
There's stipulations and things
Like, if it’s an existing condition that the team knows about when they sign a player (like if he’s coming off of surgery, or if he has chronic knee problems) the insurance people won’t sign off on it. But Chipper’s deal should cover the time that he’s missing. That doesn’t justify paying $16 million to Aramis NEXT year, though, since Chipper will be back.
Bronn - August 16, 2010
The odds of Chipper's contract being insured are almost nill.
Given his injury history, nobody would have insured that one.
cavebird - August 17, 2010
You really think so?
We had insurance on Hampton’s deal, for christ’s sake.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
To give everyone an update:
In a G-Braves win, McLouth goes goes 2-4 with a HR and 6 RBI. Prado, batting third (with defensive innings at second and third), goes 1-4. Barbaro had another HR (10) and Freeman had another hit to extend his hitting streak. Redmond got roughed up, but Proctor got the win and Kimbrel got the save.
I wouldn’t mind all of those names coming up in September.
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 16, 2010
When is the last date for a player to be in the roster
to be eligible to play in the postseason?
rubbles88 - August 17, 2010
This year
it would be Tuesday, August 31.
UMDBHIK - August 17, 2010
Which is true…to an extent… The reality is that a player only has to be in your organization by August 31, he doesn’t necessarily have to have been on your Major League roster. The loophole is that any player on the disabled list can be replaced with a player who was in your organization by that deadline. And this means any player on the DL, even if the guy has been there all year. A great example of a guy who was on a post season roster because of this loophole: David Price. He didn’t make his debut until September 14th, but because the Rays had players on the DL he was able to be put on the roster to take one of their spots.
So while the Braves couldn’t pick up a player from a different organization after August 31sth and have him on the post season roster, a guy like Freeman could end up not making his debut until after September 1st and still find his way onto a post season roster.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
Did not know that. Thought it was 8/31 for everybody.
UMDBHIK - August 17, 2010
Almost everyone thinks that.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
wow
thanks
Braves24 - August 17, 2010
While yes getting Ramirez is a good move
Changing your mind about signing Alvord reeks of bad ethics. If a deal was in place, this is no better than a college coach pulling a scholarship.
Richie Grogan - August 16, 2010
or that damned Fookie-fuck-over.
Wren_and_Stimpy - August 16, 2010
It was the MLB who was taking so long
Not the Braves fault
KJDH2154 - August 17, 2010
The Braves are the ones taking back the deal they had agreed upon, not MLB. It’s pretty classless, but what else do you expect from Frank Wren?
Lennox - August 17, 2010
I’m sorry, do we have such a track record that I’ve never heard of? If anything, the Braves have been the victims of a couple of agents that shopped their clients after a deal was made (Furcal), but that a pretty strong off-handed comment to make.
carpengui - August 17, 2010
not really
FW has a long history of assholery. look it up.
kbertling353 - August 17, 2010
Based on?
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
of classless?
letting tom glavine go after telling him he would come back to the bigs after his last rehab start…then talking about how he was garbage for the next week…that was pretty classless…
forgotten_glory - August 17, 2010
Glavine was so offended that he came back to work with the team less than a year later. I saw him sitting at a game with Wren.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
As did Smoltzie...
While I wasn’t terribly happy with the Glavine situation, it speaks volumes that both players who left unceremoniously returned to the Braves promptly.
As an aside, I don’t want a lovey-dovey GM…He has to make tough decisions, so sometimes it takes a heart of coal to make moves one needs to make…
Jman781 - August 17, 2010
I’m sure John Schuerholz was a dick all the time. Heck, David Justice still won’t have anything to do with the Braves because Shuerholz is around.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
A: He told him no such thing.
B: He said no such thing.
Glavine was on track to be called up, then hurt his shoulder. By the time he finally was healthy, Hanson was a better option. No fault of Wren’s, and Glavine (who made nearly $130 million(!!!) over the course of his career) surely got his puny mil back in salary as special assistant or whatever he is.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
I don’t believe this for a second.
UMDBHIK - August 17, 2010
Intriguing....
My first reaction is to say no way. There are several contradicting posts on this thread with his contract terms/stipulations, but can anyone post exactly what the clauses are with a legitimate source?
kauf67 - August 17, 2010
From Cot's
Aramis Ramirez 3b
5 years/$75M (2007-11), plus 2012 club option
re-signed by Cubs as a free agent 11/06
$5M signing bonus
07:$8M, 08:$14M, 09:$15.65M, 10:$15.75M, 11:$14.6M player option, 12:$16M club option ($2M buyout)
full no-trade clause 2007-10, $1M assignment bonus if traded
Ramirez has right to void contract after 2010 & become a free agent
award bonuses: $75,000 each for Gold Glove or All Star selection, $0.25M for LCS MVP, $0.3M for MVP,$0.35M for WS MVP
Ramirez may void 2012 option, but doing so forfeits $2M buyout
2012 option becomes guaranteed if Ramirez:
wins one MVP in 2007-11, or
places 2nd or 3rd in MVP vote twice in 2007-11*, or
wins LCS MVP once in 2007-11, or
is an All Star 3 times in 2007-11*, or
is traded & Ramirez exercises 2011 option
*=not possible
Here’s your link.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
WHAT. THE. FUCK?
apoxonbothyourhouses - August 17, 2010
people don't understand that it is completely possible
for an idiot to run a multimillion dollar franchise
kbertling353 - August 17, 2010
My first reaction was this...
Why on earth would anyone telegraph to the entire league “HEY: WE WANT RAMIREZ FROM THE CUBS — PLEASE BLOCK OUR WAIVER CLAIM!” ??? (especially the Cards). Granted, everybody knows that we could use a 3rd sackman, but sheesh.
Second reaction: surely the front office has enough budgeted for the separate purposes of draftee signings and late-season add-ons (especially expecting that Chipper’s salary is likely insured). Therefore, a lot of this story doesn’t really pass the smell test… not the Ramirez part — that actually makes reasonable sense to me: a lot could be done with that kind of a deal. But the money part seems too odd — and way too public.
The only way it might make sense is because so many signees have been inked this year, and maybe that budget has been spent… but even that would seem to be a reach., IMHO.
carpengui - August 17, 2010
Blocking Ramirez through waivers isn’t that simple. The team would have to be willing to take on his contract, which is substantial. The Cardinals need a third baseman anyway and would possibly have been inclined to claim Ramirez regardless of the Braves’ interest.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
Ramirez
has ALREADY passed through waviers.
IIRC, he’s cleared them. nobody wants to take on that option for next year and, possibly, the 2012. IF we have to take on that $, we’re either:
trading the Cubs crap (I’m talking Cody Johnson and that’s about it)
or
the Cubs are taking back an equally crappy contract (see KK or, could we be so lucky, Lowe)
apoxonbothyourhouses - August 17, 2010
Can't find a source on this anywhere...
So I doubt he’s cleared waivers yet.
They don’t list out everyone that gets put on waivers, but they certainly report the people that clear.
-C
cthabeerman - August 17, 2010
Incorrect.
He has not even been placed on waivers.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
The sad thing is, that if this ridiculous report hadn’t come out, and the Braves didn’t sign these 2 players anyway, there could be all kinds of reasons, the money wasn’t right, they’d rather go to college, the Braves weren’t sold on them (at least not for a lot of money), that the deals didn’t go down. Now, because of this story brought about by an unnamed source, who may or may not be reliable, and may or may not exist, everyone will say the reason they didn’t sign Alvord and Sabol was because of Aramis Ramirez. Which is probably not the truth.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
Agreed 100%
Aramis Ramirez for 17 million is pretty fucking retarded.
I’m assuming this report is not true because it doesn’t make any sense. Or at least that’s what I’m hoping.
I really wanted Alvord and Sabol, though. If we’re only going to have an 85 million dollar payroll, at least spend some money in the draft. It’s the best way to keep a franchise healthy.
kbertling353 - August 17, 2010
They spent plenty of money in the draft. They signed their first 16 picks. The final numbers aren’t in yet, but I’m betting that no other team can say that.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
Did they sign anyone for overslot money? They didn’t have a 1st rounder and their supplemental signed for slot money. I wouldn’t be surprised if they spent close to the least of any team of this year’s draft. Any way to verify this?
BravesFan - August 17, 2010
Yes, but it’s going to take a little while for all the numbers to come through.
cbwilk - August 17, 2010
the number won’t tell you anything…When the Nationals spend 10M on a the first pick its hard to gauge the numbers apppropriately
Swo12bv - August 17, 2010
This. Also when a team like the Blue Jays has 5 picks in the first and supplemental round and they sign them all.
cbwilk - August 18, 2010
ya so there’s no objective way to compare teams across the draft.
Also, there were a couple teams, who won’t admit it but Im convinced this wen through their mind, thought this was a weak class and would rather have two draft picks next year than overpay for a guy this year. so those kind of considerations are also in play
Swo12bv - August 18, 2010
FW
needs to come out and clear this up
drumzalicious - August 17, 2010
This...
A report based purely on conjecture has our fan base in a tizzy. Let’s just bring back Vinny Castilla and call it a day.
Jman781 - August 17, 2010
Reporting info from a theorietically reliable souce (and you have no way to discredit it) is certainly more than conjecture.
MichaelProcton - August 17, 2010
And if a trade doesn't go down...
it’ll still be blamed.
Mr. Sanchez - August 17, 2010
only way
we could take on Aramis Ramirez for 2 seasons at that salary is if they took Lowe back in a deal. No other player on our team is making that much money
Also what do we do with Aramis in 2011 and 2012?
drumzalicious - August 17, 2010
The Cubs aren't going to take Lowe.
Remember, they only do the deal for salary relief. If we give them Lowe, they get no salary relief. It just wouldn’t happen. Now, the Cubs will probably eat some salary (say Kawakami or McLouth, not both), but for the Cubs to do it without any salary relief would require us giving up a good prospect or two.
cavebird - August 17, 2010
Maybe Kawakami and McLouth in return?
Broccoman - August 17, 2010
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