NASHVILLE – The Braves added approximately $4 million to their available funds with Tuesday's trade that sent Shelby Miller to the Diamondbacks, and the additional money increased the likelihood of another free-agent signing.
The Braves could look to add a piece or two from a list of possibilities including right-handed hitting center fielder, versatile infielder, corner infielder or outfielder, lefty reliever, and veteran starter for a youthful rotation that got even younger with Miller’s departure.
They could try to fill any of those needs via trade but are also better positioned to consider modest-priced free agents now, which would let them avoid trading valued prospects to fill less-than-urgent needs at this time. They won’t say how much they have to spend, but it’s believed the Braves have about $18 million left to divvy up as they see fit.
“It could (happen), there may or not be a strike somewhere,” said Hart, referring to possibly signing another free agent. “We’ve got to look at, say, we could use a corner bat but we’ve got (outfielders Nick) Markakis, (Ender) Inciarte, (Hector) Olivera… You could move Olivera (back to third base), then do you go get a corner bat? Does one of the (young starting pitchers) fall through the cracks (if another is added)?
“Who knows what’s going to happen? But guess what: We’re on it. So we’ve got a little bit more cache, and that puts us into a different spot on trades, that puts us into a little different spot on free agents. And as I said, obviously we have garnered and guarded our cash.”
Hart revealed this week that the Braves, whose current projected payroll is below $100 million, are dipping into one allocation of money, one “pot” if you will, to cover player payroll, foreign signings and draft-pick bonuses.
Since they plan to spend more than ever this year on foreign free agents – usually 16-17 year olds from the Dominican Republic or Venezuela – and will spend more on the draft because their No. 3 pick is higher than in recent years, it’s possible they could have a payroll as low or even lower than last season while spending more on players in total.
“We’re in one bucket,” Hart said, “and who’s to say if it doesn’t work (in free agency), we might internationally make a splash that you guys won’t be talking about for four or five years (when those players reach the major leagues). But it’s about building something that has a chance to sustain. I’m big on that.”
