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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Vizzy, Visions, Visitations

By Alan Carpenter

Sep 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) delivers a pitch to a Washington Nationals batter in the ninth inning of their game at Turner Field. The Braves won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) delivers a pitch to a Washington Nationals batter in the ninth inning of their game at Turner Field. The Braves won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) delivers a pitch to a Washington Nationals batter in the ninth inning of their game at Turner Field. The Braves won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) delivers a pitch to a Washington Nationals batter in the ninth inning of their game at Turner Field. The Braves won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Salary Arbitration Filing Deadline Looms – Arodys Vizcaino Lone Remaining Brave

In less than 3 hours from now, the arbitration filing deadline arrives.  That’s the time at which player and club file the salary offers they wish to defend at an arbitration hearing.  The Atlanta Braves have a club policy:  once you file, negotiations are done – we’re going to court.  Thus the time is getting short.

One player remains without an arbitration-avoiding agreement after Atlanta settled with Chris Withrow last night.

MLBTR’s impressive estimation tool has pegged Arodys Vizcaino for a $1.1 million salary for 2016 in this, his first arbitration season (of 3).  Despite being at the end of his 3rd year of major league service time, Vizcaino still has just 56 total innings pitched, which challenges their estimation numbers quite a bit.  Being a reliever as well (but part-time closer with 9 lifetime saves) also confuses the models.

Jason Grilli is the closer of record with the Braves, and he will undoubtedly enter the season with that role.  Vizcaino is his backup for that task, but it does surprise me that the two sides haven’t yet gotten together on figures.  We won’t know until after 1pm ET what the numbers are, but it could be that the Braves are relying on his lack of innings experience (and injury history) while Vizzy’s representatives are pointing to the potential – with closing experience.

This is an important contract to both sides, though, as it establishes the first “base” from which to grow his future salaries.  So if there is indeed a significant difference of opinions, I would not be surprised to see this go to trial.

The Braves lost an arbitration hearing with Mike Minor in 2015 – their first foray there in well over a decade.  Barring a last minute compromise, it could be two years in a row.

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