Atlanta Braves can afford to waiting on further roster additions

Not all Cheesesteaks

The Phillies are in worse shape than the others, for they are trying to figure out how to offer J.T. Realmuto a big extension deal while Realmuto is already trying to push the envelope of tradition by filing a $12.4 million salary request via arbitration.

Seems he and his agent believe that Catchers are underpaid in this process and wants to use this arbitration case as a test of that theory… to the possible detriment of the Phillies.

That case might be settled by the end of this week.

So that Phillies could have their $202.4m ‘cap number’ increased by $2.1m if they lose; pushing their payroll estimate to $204.5 million (Spotrac used MLBTR’s $10.3m estimation for the payroll number they generated).

This could really put Philadelphia in a bind… both now and at the trade deadline.

Regardless of their plight, the numbers still don’t work for the Nationals or the Mets any better than they do for the Phillies.

Atlanta’s Angle

The Atlanta Braves, as noted, did at least get Ozuna in an attempt to replace Donaldson’s offensive contribution, so to that extent they are already ahead of this game.

They are hoping for a big bounce back from Johan Camargo (or Austin Riley).  If that happens, then all of what follows is moot, for the Braves would have enough offense and they could turn their attentions this Summer to pitching upgrades.

But if third base remains an issue, the current financial plights of their NL East brethren do give Atlanta some time and space to evaluate their roster carefully.  The Braves do have more money to spend and they do have more space under the luxury tax threshold.

Come July, roughly 55% of the season will be done and so will 55% of the contracts costs for players like Bryant and Arenado.

At that point, the Braves could take on either player without fear of hitting the $208 million barrier (right now, they’d breach it with Arenado and his $35 million salary).  Hopefully they could get someone cheaper, but if it comes down to it… they can.

While the other NL East clubs could take on Bryant by then… maybe not the Phillies if they continue to avoid going over the threshold… there’s a risk that Chicago refuses to deal him away if the Cubs are still strongly competitive in their own divisional race.

In other words:  if the Braves need a boost then, they could be one of the very few with the ability to grab Arenado or anyone else made available.  So with prospects and money… Atlanta is well positioned to deal.

The rest of the East has boxed itself into a financial corner… the Braves will have the best opportunity to move about the market freely.