Atlanta Braves: The Problem With Signing Mike Moustakas

On the eve of Spring Training, our fearless Atlanta Braves begin with questions still about 3rd Base. Mike Moustakas could be an answer. But should he be?

Distillation. This is a process that many folks who imbibe beverages from time to time appreciate. It’s also something that can happen when having a conversation about a given subject, and one conversant says the thing that boils the topic down to the basic. Unlike most distilled beverages, it helps to sharpen focus. In conversation today regarding our Atlanta Braves, and the possible signing of 3rd Baseman Mike Moustakas, the distillation of this topic became clear.

This Spring Training is sure to hold the quick attention of many for a myriad of reasons. Primarily, because of all of the young talent that was the price a few years ago for unloading fan favorites in order to rebuild. This Spring we don’t have to wonder if it was worth it. That question begins to get answered tomorrow.

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But one of the persistent questions with the Braves is at 3rd Base. With Rio Ruiz pulling back-up duty at 1st, it looks like Johan Camargo will get his chance to start at 3rd. Dude is still young, and seems talented, but so far, doesn’t look like the long term solution there. Enter Free Agent Mike Moustakas.

Moustakas hit 37 bombs last year, and would immediately add pop to the lineup and protection for Freddie Freeman. Can you imagine what numbers he’d put up at the cracker jack box known as STP?

And while I love the game of baseball, I am not a baseball nerd. I played it competitively in High School, and still love everything about it, but I’m not an MLB nerd.

So, I called two MLB nerds I trust to discuss the whys and why nots of Mike Moustakas.

First, I called Cam. Dude and I work together at 104.1 FM and 101.3 FM in Tennessee. He has a savant like knowledge of the minor league systems of all 30 baseball clubs. In short, he said if we could throw off a 3 year deal and back date most of the money, it would be worth it. It seemed plausible.

Then I called my youngest brother (a former contributor here). He, too, has a detailed knowledge of the MLB, enjoys working with numbers, but also has this inculcate faith in himself that he could be a better GM than the ones we’ve had recently. Frankly, I wouldn’t disagree. In fact, I know I wouldn’t.

His was the comment that distilled everything down to the grain of it. The crux of the conversation was basically this (paraphrase):

"You never pay to lose. Most unsuccessful rebuilds pay money for something they think they need before they actually know what they need when they are truly ready to compete."

The point was Atlanta, while hopefully on the upswing, isn’t ready to compete yet, are probably a few years away from it, and so you don’t pay big money on a contract when the difference will be 72 wins versus 79 wins. Moustakas was reportedly wanting between 80-100 million dollars at the beginning of Free Agency.

The backdrop to all of this is the expiring Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2021, and all of the massive Free Agents who will enter the market next off-season.

So, there you have it. While, yes, on the face of it, one would think Mike Moustakas would be a great fit for our Atlanta Braves at 3rd Base. A true corner defender with power. Plus, with Anthopoulos and Markakis, we’d have the best Greek roster in all of MLB. That would be awesome.

But there are other considerations. ATL looks ready to spend big time next year, and will have a better idea after this year, about where all of these young players actually are in their development. A better timed decision with more information and more money to work with. Sounds good here.

Next: Atlanta Braves: What to Look For in Spring Training

This is why you should always have a couple of baseball nerds on speed dial.

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