12:00 last night was the deadline to tender contracts, and all of the players below became free agents last night. In no order, here are some significant names.
P Neftali Feliz, Detroit
1B Ike Davis, Oakland
C Tyler Flowers, Chicago White Sox
P Jacob Turner, Chicago White Sox
P Steve Cishek, St. Louis
C Cody Stanley, St. Louis
P Greg Holland, Kansas City
P Yusmeiro Petit, San Francisco
P Henderson Alvarez, Miami
P Aaron Crow, Miami
3B Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh
P Ryan Cook, Chicago Cubs
1B Chris Carter, Houston
3B Will Middlebrooks, San Diego
P Craig Stammen, Washington
Pitchers Of Interest For The Braves:
1. Henderson Alvarez
Alvarez was the former standout for Miami, and I’m confused as to why they let him go. His medicals surrounding his shoulder must be alarming if they let him go so soon, but the Braves clearly have not shied away from young arms that are considered “damaged goods” in the past. He would make an excellent addition to our rotation for the right price, and if he will likely have to rehab for the majority of this season, a backloaded agreement could be sufficient. Alvarez had a rough 2015 in a small sample size, but he has pitched a no hitter and had a 2.65 ERA in 2014, a year in which he cracked the All-Star team. A guy who needs a fresh start could find it with the Braves, and he’s still just 25.
Career Stats: 27-34, 3.80 ERA, 296 Ks.
2. Greg Holland
Holland was the former Kansas City closer, and was always a force in the AL. He could be Atlanta’s closer of the future if Coppy is looking to spend on one. His ERA for 2013-2014 was under 1.50.
Career Stats: 18-12, 2.42 ERA, 145 SVs, 430 Ks.
3. Steve Cishek
The former Marlins sinkerballer and closer had a strange fall from grace, and would be an excellent righty in our pen. Cishek has good career stats, and is still a quality MLB setup man.
Career Stats: 17-20, 2.82 ERA, 95 SVs, 332 Ks.
4. Aaron Crow
I’m glad Crow was let go, and Atlanta should move on the former 12th overall pick. Crow has had great success in the pen, and posted a 3.34 Career ERA. He was part of Kansas City’s elite pen before being dealt to the Marlins.
Career Stats: 20-11, 3.34 ERA, 6 SV, 208 Ks.
5. Cesar Ramos
The Braves look to have a much improved bullpen in 2016, but it’s no secret that the team is in dire need of a southpaw reliever. Bring in Cesar Ramos. He’s been a dependable arm out of the Rays’ and the Angels’ bullpens for nearly a half decade and surely won’t break the bank. Ramos joins Fernando Abad and Matt Thornton on my wishlist for lefty free agents.
Career Stats: 7-12, 3.70 ERA, 241 Ks
6. Domingo German
The Yankees non-tendered the talented young arm last evening, who was acquired in the Martin Prado trade. He has built up serious hype for himself as a prospect, but underwent Tommy John Surgery and did not pitch in 2015. Sounds like a match made in heaven for the Braves front office. He has a 2.33 ERA in the minors.
Bats Of Interest For The Braves:
1. Cody Stanley, C
The 26 year old was not re-signed by the Cards. He has only a small sample size in the bigs, but he had a solid 2015 in the minors, and we need a long-term catcher. Stanley will command essentially nothing as he has to serve an 80 game suspension, but this could leave time for Christian Bethancourt to perhaps prove he is capable of keeping a roster spot. Kid is running out of time. Could be a nice buy-low.
Career Stats: .400, 3 RBI.
2. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
Alvarez is a solid power hitter who has experience at 3B, and could be a viable option there for 2016 for the right price. Having Alvarez and Olivera behind Freddie Freeman in the lineup could change the whole entire dynamic of our offense. He is prone to high strikeout totals, however, and was shifted away from third base this past season. Was an All-Star in 2013 when he hit .233 hit 36 homers and 100 RBI.
Career Stats: .236, 131 HRs, 401 RBIs.
3. Tyler Flowers, C
The former Brave who was part of the Javier Vasquez deal can return to Atlanta. Not impressive numbers, but I’d be willing to give him a one year deal.
Career Stats: .223, 46 HRs, 142 RBIs
4. Ike Davis, 1B
I would only be willing to sign Davis as a bench player to back up Freeman. He lives and dies by the home run.
Career Stats: .239, 81 HRs, 290 RBIs.
5. Rosell Herrera, SS
Erick Aybar will be the Braves’ shortstop on Opening Day, but the future at the position is cloudy past 2016. Rosell Herrera was a top 100 prospect heading into the 2014 campaign, but has hit a little bit of a speed bump in A+ ball. Nevertheless, I think the kid has potential and being able to add him to our farm system would be a steal.