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The Atlanta Braves are going to the old school in their quest to become champions of the National League East again. Ken Rosenthal, of Athletic, announced that the club had signed a $ 23 million one-year contract with third baseman, Josh Donaldson, while the Braves also accepted the terms contract to bring receiver Brian McCann to Atlanta, where he was seven times. All-Star.
Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are clearly at the head of the class, but there are many big names available beyond the duo of stars.
Your favorite team will probably not get Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. But another move – maybe for a big launcher – could make all the difference this winter.
Free agents willing to cash winnings at celebrity rumors throughout the winter, follow the news.
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Donaldson's signature is particularly interesting because Johan Camargo had a breakthrough in 2018 (his first full season in the majors) at the third goal for the Braves. He earned 0.22 / 0.39 / 0.47 and was 10th in the majors among the three WARs.
Donaldson, who will turn 33 in December, has had a difficult season due to injuries with the Blue Jays, missing every June, July and August because of a left calf problem. After an exchange with the Indians at the end of the season, he returned in September and played 16 games. He had a better appearance with a line of .280 / .400 / .520. Overall, he hit .246 / .352 / .449, but there is an obvious offensive potential on the part of a player who won the honors of the AHL MVP in 2015, who finished fourth in the 2016 vote and scored 33 home runs in 113 games in 2017 (lack of time with a right calf injury). In those three seasons, he was ahead of Mike Trout and Mookie Betts among the position players in WAR.
A one-year contract gives Donaldson the opportunity to prove he is in good health and is still one of the best players in the contest, then return to independent status after 2019. For the Braves a one-year contract is a bad option. risk agreement for a player who could provide a right-handed baton to support Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. in training. Even with the impressive season of 26 Acuna recruits, the Braves ranked 19th among the major tournaments on the right.
Where does this leave Camargo? This gives the Braves several options. He played in the courts and with the Braves (38 games in his two seasons), in order to replace Dansby Swanson, the former No. 1 pick who played a solid defense (more than 10 defensive innings saved), but must still become an average major league player with a .238 / .304 / .395 lineup in 2018. They could use Camargo as a public utility player and insurance if Donaldson's calf problems come up again, although he lacks experience in the external field. like a Ben Zobrist or Chris Taylor. On the other side, the Braves already have this type of player in Charlie Culberson, who had a great 2018 season in this role, reaching 0.270 / 0.36 / .466.
This could leave Camargo or Swanson as commercial bait, whether it's for a corner player replacing free agent Nick Markakis (though Adam Duvall remains on the list) or in a bigger package for a starting pitcher . Third baseman Austin Riley is one of the Braves' top prospects. He reached triple-A last season at 21 years old. If Camargo is traded, Riley would still be replacing as a third-base substitute in 2020.
The upgrade from Camargo to Donaldson is not necessarily huge. FanGraphs projects Donaldson at 4.6 WAR and Camargo at 2.2 WAR, although in a potentially narrow division, two or three wins could be vital. Donaldson's potential is even greater than 4.6 WAR, since he had more than 7.0 WARs each season from 2013 to 2016.
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Of course, signing Donaldson removes the Braves from the Manny Machado contest – and probably from the Bryce Harper lottery as well, as they choose the conservative path rather than a long-term contract for a young star. Although the Braves have the flexibility of the payroll and a list of young people to make this type of signature, you can not sit all winter and wait for Machado or Harper to make a decision. Betray Donaldson on a one – year deal is a strong decision, while retaining the flexibility to trade against a Corey Kluber or a Carlos Carrasco if Alex Anthopoulos wants to deal extensively in the major leagues and minor leagues. Totally inclines 2019.
McCann will turn 35 in February and he will probably not have much left in the tank after hitting .212 / .301 / .339 in the Astros. After struggling with his throws in 2017 (he caught only 13% of basic thieves), he was better in 2018 (32%). Kurt Suzuki signed with the Nationals, so McCann will share the tasks with Tyler Flowers.
The Braves finished fifth in the NL in 2018 and, with a full season of Acuna and a Donaldson in good health, this training could do even better:
Acuna LF
Ozzie Albies 2B
Freeman 1B
Donaldson 3B
Camargo SS
Adam Duvall RF
Ender Inciarte CF
Flowers c
Bench: Swanson, Culberson, McCann
Again, they are probably not finished. (How about Michael Brantley for the outside field?) But the Braves made the first big shot in the east of the NL. You are ready, National, Phillies and Mets.
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