Besides the Aroldis Chapman news that broke (or didn't break) tonight, we've also got some other rumor tidbits coming from the ol' beat writers.
Mark Bowman and David O'Brien both agree that the Braves will likely allow Adam LaRoche to walk, with Bowman adding that Soriano and Gonzalez are also likely to go elsewhere this winter.
Bowman and O'Brien also discuss the possibility of the Braves trading for Matt Capps of the Pirates; Bowman seems to buy the rumor more than DOB does. O'Brien thinks the Braves are more likely to chase Billy Wagner this winter.
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Wow is all I can say. Do the Braves presently have a better candidate than Adam LaRoche to play first base………I don’t think so. I’ll believe it when I read it.
The trouble with Capps and Wagner is that they’re both Proven Closers. As Tom has written, there’s a high enough attrition rate for relievers that you rarely know what you’re getting. Guys who have been used to close games tend to cost more than guys who don’t, even at the same talent level. I wouldn’t want the Braves to overpay for a guy just because he’s accumulated saves. I’d rather get a guy with stuff and no saves than a guy with saves and no stuff.
Also, Billy Wagner can be a real jerk, but I don’t mind that if it drives down his price — assuming he can still play. He had a mid-90s fastball this fall, which I liked, but I’m sure a lot of other teams did too. We’ll see if his price is reasonable.
Coach: I just can’t see how the Braves sign Adam LaRoche, regardless of whether or not they have a better solution. They just really can’t afford to give Roachy the three-year deal he’ll likely command on the open market, and he appears to want the stability of a longer-term deal. There are other options that might be had for a shorter term (Nick Johnson, perhaps?).
I don’t think either Capps or Wagner really carries that “Proven Closer” tag fully. Capps had a godawful year last year, and I’d think his trade value is pretty low. Can’t say I’m really that excited about him: Jim Tracy left him in for three innings at one point in 2008 and he really hasn’t been the same since. Lots of people are worried that there’s something seriously wrong with his arm, and his performance bears that out. Not sure how keen I am on taking him.
As for Wagner, he did miss a ton of time having Tommy John surgery, and as a veteran he may not be in it just to see how much cash he can get. Rumor has it he’s always wanted to play for the Braves and that Bobby Cox has always liked him. That might be a very real factor. I think if you give him a one year deal with about $8 million guaranteed ($6M in salary and then a $2M buyout on a 2011 option, maybe?) he’ll be in the bag. That might be too much for your liking, but I’m not sure the price will get exorbitant either.