Braves 2014 FanSided Faux Winter Meetings Deadline Deals
By Fred Owens
The 2014 FanSided Faux Winter Meetings trade deadline passed but it wasn’t a quiet one..
2014 FanSided Faux Winter Meetings Deadline
It was extremely hectic here at 755 my Laptop Road in particular as my email and Internet started acting up about 10 minutes to deadline. We did get things done however; here’s todays final moves.
Extension
The Braves and Justin Upton agreed to a 10 year $220M extension. The contract includes a progressive annual increase in pay, a four year opt out clause and a no trade clause that covers four teams for the first four years. Here’s what the contract’s payroll commitments look like.
Trade
Just as we completed Justin’s extension we finalized a trade with the Baltimore Orioles sending B.J. Upton, Ross Detwiler (acquired for the Nationals yesterday for Todd Cunningham), Kent Emanuel ( acquired from San Diego a few days ago) and left handed reliever Dylan Stuart (Gulf Coast Braves) along with $3M for the next three years in exchange for RHP Ubaldo Jimenez.
The (sim) Braves released this statement following these announcements.
"A quick look around the market today will tell you how expensive a quality power bat can be and Justin is one of the finest power bats in the game. Since coming to the Braves Justin’s put up a .248/348/.478/.826 line with 56 homers, 61 doubles and 4 triples worth 5.4 rWAR. Justin and Freddie Freeman provide a solid three-four combination. The addition of Josh Reddick and Justin Ruggiano extend the lineup while Desmond Jennings adds a speedy defender in center field.The trade of B.J. Upton and others for Ubaldo Jimenez gives both men a chance for a fresh start. B.J. never found his stroke for us. We hope he has better success in Baltimore. We feel that Roger McDowell can Ubaldo get back on track. Just four years ago he won 19 games for the Rockies pitching to a 2.88 ERA and we hope he can find that sort of form for us."
Other Minor Moves
Prior to the deadline the Braves agreed to minor league contracts and spring training invitations for third baseman Juan Francisco, LHP Franklin Morales, RHP Alexi Ogando, and left hand pitcher Brad Mills.
That’s A Wrap
In the end we put together a roster that I believe is solid and deep. Our rotation may not have the big names some hoped for but underestimating Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Ian Kennedy, Alex Wood, Shelby Miller and Jimenez might be a mistake and our bullpen remains deep and strong as well. We also retain some payroll flexibility for any moves that might need to be made during the season.
I’m aware there will be a lot folks who will want to know why some moves were made and others were not. The easiest answer is that while this wasn’t the exact group we set out to put together Andrew and I are extremely satisfied with the result. A complete simulated roster along with projected payroll break down will be posted in the morning. Right now I need a beer. . .or three. . .