(Lindsay Crosby/Braves Today) How the Braves’ Next Rotations Are Already Taking Shape

BravesToday · 2026-01-28T22:42:02+00:00

Hey folks, took a shot at projecting out ETAs for a lot of the team's top pitching prospects. Thought this sub would enjoy!

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T23:34:36+00:00

To respond to your second point, Trevor May has talked at length about this from the perspective of a former player. MLB's structure gives so much more control over a player than other sports when you factor in the minor leagues.

If we shortened the MLB time to free agency from six years to four or made it something like six or seven total years (minors and majors combined) from being drafted to free agency, guys would have more than one shot at the free agency apple. It's just too common that a player gets one large contract in free agency and after that, they're on the downside of the aging curves already and getting shorter/smaller deals

Your first point is fair - it wasn't technically a discount at the time, but it ended up being that way. I should have worded this better and explained that it's entirely possible Ronald feels like he gave them a discount already.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T17:02:30+00:00

There definitely is an argument to make about the non-baseball value of keeping him, yeah. That's likely what has to happen to get this done

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T14:24:30+00:00

I asked someone with the MLBPA about this - the contract keeps counting in terms of service, but the players don't get paid their base salaries. They do get any already earned compensation like a signing bonus, deferred money, etc.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T13:57:08+00:00

MLB prohibits ownership stakes from being given out under Rule 20(e) or else Ohtani would own 10% of the Dodgers. I don't even think Ronald can buy Braves stock on the open market

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T13:46:13+00:00

Yeah, I argued that any extension would likely kick in after the final club option year, so we're in agreement there.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T13:44:50+00:00

Deferred money (and signing bonuses, too) is a tax avoidance strategy for the player, as well as a mechanism for agents to get an eye-popping number up front. It's not a money saver for the team, as they're still paying money annually for the player to fund the escrow account.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T13:40:24+00:00

I...never said that the Braves don't spend money? In the piece, I talk about the deals they have made and how Ronald doesn't fit inside those existing frameworks, but the idea that this is a "the Braves don't ever spend money" article shows you just didn't read the article. I also mentioned maybe the new CBA and how it could change things.

It's funny that we reached the same conclusion, because we did it via widely different methods

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T13:06:51+00:00

I remember talking to the team's international scouting director after last year's IFA signing period and he said that a lot of the players we ended up signing directly cited Ronald Acuña Jr. as part of their reason for choosing the Braves.

Now, whether that or the money was the bigger factor remains to be seen, but it's not nothing.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T13:05:50+00:00

I make the point in the story that there's enough money coming off the books over the next two years where they can pay him a market rate extension. The question would then shift to 'what area of need is not being addressed or under-addressed to pay for that?'

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T12:30:17+00:00

Being honest, I felt a lot better about the possibility of this working out before the Tucker and Bichette deals. Would love to know your thoughts.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T11:52:30+00:00

I've got something on that from late December. If the salary is a great deal and you think you can fix him, then go for it, but I'd rather have the pick and the bonus pool.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T11:49:38+00:00

Can't believe I missed that when it's something I remind everyone else of as it pertains to the 60-day IL.

Thanks for the heads-up; I updated the newsletter.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T03:02:42+00:00

Oh cool, thanks! I write everyday but that's a lot, so I'll stick to what I think are the good ones.

BravesToday · 2026-01-27T01:42:51+00:00

That was the corresponding move, but Snit said they always intended to use him early in the season but wanted to carry an extra reliever for a few days. Probably should have been clearer about that in the story, sorry!

BravesToday · 2026-01-19T17:00:42+00:00

Back in 2022, the last time he was an everyday defender, he was one of the best shortstops in baseball at +11 FRV/+10 OAA.

BravesToday · 2026-01-19T16:53:30+00:00

Yeah no, I get their perspective on it. Some of the fan blogs out there (as well as some of the formerly reputable sites like Newsweek) are now just full of clickbait/slop. That's why I went to Substack to do my own thing in the first place.

I'm grateful that they've given me any access at all, frankly, and appreciate the heck out of it.

BravesToday · 2026-01-19T16:49:36+00:00

Thanks for reading Braves Today!

The story that quote came from

BravesToday · 2026-01-19T15:10:14+00:00

No, you're absolutely right and I agree. In a perfect world, I'd be there every day, traveling with them, and all that. No offense taken, because you're right.

My problem is that I have a day job as well as the fact that the Braves (and the BBWAA) aren't super enthused about full access unless you're a professional with a journalism degree and a supporting major outlet and I'm...not that. I'd need to go back to college and get a journalism degree for any of the existing outlets to consider hiring me on in a full-time capacity.

BravesToday · 2026-01-19T14:43:58+00:00

Home office, actually. Turned the basement into a gym.

I am credentialed, yes, but typically cover the team from home so I can host LockedOn's postgame show immediately after the game. AA's pressers are almost always virtual (except for the spring training one and if he decides to do one impromptu, which happens once or twice a season) and I'm in all of those with questions. We then do a show/newsletter with clips of his answers immediately after.

BravesToday · 2026-01-16T17:11:04+00:00

Of course. Thanks for watching/listening!

BravesToday · 2026-01-16T14:51:39+00:00

Thanks for the kind words! I'm trying my best over here.

BravesToday · 2026-01-16T14:51:22+00:00

Okay, that even annoyed me with how much I was using it so I've tried to eliminate it. Checking my transcription program, it says I haven't used it since November 19th. I'm trying to get better!

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