Welcome to the first post bag of 2025! This time we get into what the Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, and Mariners are, the future of first basemen. Spencer Torkelson again Pete AlonsoAstros outfield options, various Alex Bregman destinations, and much more.
John asks:
A Braves fan here is wondering if the Braves will re-sign AJ Minter?
Bill asks:
With options on the market dwindling, who could Atlanta pursue in the pitcher/outfield categories? Or will they rely on younger pitching prospects and current pitching options?
Phillip asks:
What do you see the Atlanta Braves doing? We need another outfielder, starting pitcher, and 2 relief pitchers. Shall we save or seek quality?
Bruce asks:
Can you predict what the unlikely Alex Anthopolous will get to play LF and SS and SP down the stretch for the 2025 Atlanta Braves?
In trying to predict how the rest of the Braves’ season will play out, it might help to start with their payroll. President of baseball operations and GM Alex Anthopoulos said in October the payroll will increase.
The Braves’ actions so far this offseason aren’t typical of a team that plans to raise salary: they’re declining. Travis d’Arnaudoption, discard Jorge Solerto send money through Reynaldo Lopez and Aaron Bummer extensions (although not in a way that helps their CBT payments), non-tender Ramon Laureano, and most importantly, failing to sign any notable free agents. It’s also true that Anthopoulos’ October comments came before the Braves learned more information about the timelines. Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strideragain Joe Jimenez. I could see how that would affect labor allocation, but not why it would affect payroll.
The Braves appear to have a $220MM cap hit for CBT right now, and on December 11th David O’Brien of The Athletic wrote that the Braves “do not appear inclined to exceed that $241 million. [luxury tax] limit.” That’s after applying a $276MM CBT payroll through 2024. Perhaps in his October “payroll is going up” comment, Anthopoulos was threading the needle on where the team’s actual 26-man Opening Day salary will increase, but their salary for -CBT will not .Last year’s opening salary was $222MM and the team is currently at $197MM like to keep the powder dry to add during the season.
Given O’Brien’s comments, we probably shouldn’t generate more than $25MM in additional AAV to add this offseason. A second tax cap of $261MM would be a ceiling on CBT fees. So how can Anthopoulos improve a team with so many big names now off the board?
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