Can Braves actually do some good offseason signing this year?

Question

With Tex, Hampton gone, Smoltz’s option does not look likely to be picked. Even Braves resign Tom and John, they won’t be expensive. They have estimated 35 millions can be spared for next year.

Can they afford both Ben Sheet and CC during this offseason with that kind of money? If they do that, the line will look really bad but if Jeff can start hitting. They should have enough offense to support the rotation look like CC, Ben Sheet, JJ and Jorge and second half, Hudson. If that happens, they will win WS next year.

Answer 1

Not going to happen, Sheets and CC will combined for close to 40 million per season.  The Braves will not be big spenders this off-season even with salaries coming off the books, they are in the mid range spending category, they may go after one of the two you mentioned but that will not fix the Bullpen or get more hitting out of the outfield.  IF Sheets and CC could provide the links to a Championship then why is Milwaukee folding like a chair at this point?

CC is going to command near 25 million per this offseason so that would leave Sheets with at least 15 million per year.  History has shown that making a big splash with big name pitching rarely pays off, Colon to Anahiem worked for a year, the Rockies over paid for "talent" for years and it never worked out...Texas likes to overpay for pitchers and get little success.

Answer 2

They can't afford both Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia but they should get CC Sabathia because he is a great starting pitcher and the Braves had given up this year and the reason why they let go Andrew Jones was because they couldn't afford both him and Chipper so they let him go. They can't get many good players in the offseason because they can't afford them from paying players who aren't hall of fame marterial except for Chipper Jones and John Smoltz and maybe Tim Hudson.

Answer 3

Someone should send the Braves' GM this list of players:

http://www.bofads.com/stories/sports.htm

That's gotta be better than what he's doing.

Answer 4

I think they will do some big offseason signings this year, im not sure of the amount of money they have to spend( i know its a ton though, 30-40 million?).  Their bullpen has the same problem as the cardinals bullpen.  the starters are only going 5 innings, and so 3/4 of our pen has to pitch every night, and it takes its toll.  The cardinals have basically the same pen as last year(which led the majors in era) but this year they are c**p b/c they are way overworked(that and they have izzy closing games, which is an abomination, but i wont go there)  Anywho, i definitely think the braves will get a few big name starters, and maybe one more big bat.  I think that they will be serious contenders next year with Francoeur, kotchmann, and their free agent signings.  They have never really had a young team, and I think their "rebuilding process" only lasted 1 year, they are going to be on top of the NL East again next year