<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Cincinnati Reds" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GsIsU3tpHgWVdzydMGn9ftQZS3E=/0x1:2928x1953/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73737474/2173178573.0.jpg">
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Atlanta Braves news and notes from Wednesday I have been wondering recently if this will be the year that the Alex Anthopoulos Braves will make a big free agent splash. Under his tenure, the biggest splashes he has made in free agency for multiple years have been Will Smith and bringing Marcell Ozuna back on $64 million plus a team option. They reportedly came close last year, with Aaron Nola, who eventually got 7 years for $172 million. That would display a willingness to shell out big money on the open market that we simply have not yet seen in action yet from this front office. There have been some quiet rumors through the years of them being involved in the likes of Anthony Rendon, Carlos Correa, and Shohei Ohtani, but those are much less substantiated than the Nola saga which was hinted at by Anthopoulos himself.
If some of those more questionable rumors are true, then a run at the white whale of Juan Soto perhaps isn’t entirely possible, and he would make a ton of sense with his age, talent, and position. More realistically, however, is Willy Adames, who may land a contract in the range of what Nola got at a hugely valuable position that the Braves have an opening in, at shortstop. It will be fascinating to see if this is finally the year that the Anthopoulos Braves shell out a big long term market value contract in free agency, or continue to prefer shorter term deals on the open market and longer term extensions with lower AAV for homegrown and trade-acquired players to fill out what has become one of the league’s heftier payrolls.
Braves News
We got confirmation of what we were already nearly certain of, that Chris Sale won the NL Cy Young award, somehow his career first.
Chris Sale talked to the media about his big career achievement and praised the Braves’ organization.
Demetrius reviewed David Fletcher’s disappointing, intriguing, and eventful 2024 season in the Braves’ organization.
Matt reviewed former 3rd round pick Jesse Franklin’s 2024 season in the minors (or lack thereof).
MLB News
Manfred discussed the ballpark situation of the A’s and Rays, league expansion plans, and the automatic ball/strike system at the owners meetings.
Rob Manfred also shared that he expects Roki Sasaki to be signed in the 2025 international signing period, opening the possibility of him signing for more money with many more teams, but also potential conflicts with pre-agreed bonuses with other prospects.
Tarik Skubal won the AL Cy Young, while closer Emmanuel Clase impressively finished third after a ridiculous 0.61 ERA year in Cleveland.
The Cubs traded for veteran reliever Eli Morgan from the Guardians, DFAing Patrick Wisdom.
<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Cincinnati Reds" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GsIsU3tpHgWVdzydMGn9ftQZS3E=/0x1:2928x1953/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73737474/2173178573.0.jpg">
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Atlanta Braves news and notes from Wednesday I have been wondering recently if this will be the year that the Alex Anthopoulos Braves will make a big free agent splash. Under his tenure, the biggest splashes he has made in free agency for multiple years have been Will Smith and bringing Marcell Ozuna back on $64 million plus a team option. They reportedly came close last year, with Aaron Nola, who eventually got 7 years for $172 million. That would display a willingness to shell out big money on the open market that we simply have not yet seen in action yet from this front office. There have been some quiet rumors through the years of them being involved in the likes of Anthony Rendon, Carlos Correa, and Shohei Ohtani, but those are much less substantiated than the Nola saga which was hinted at by Anthopoulos himself.
If some of those more questionable rumors are true, then a run at the white whale of Juan Soto perhaps isn’t entirely possible, and he would make a ton of sense with his age, talent, and position. More realistically, however, is Willy Adames, who may land a contract in the range of what Nola got at a hugely valuable position that the Braves have an opening in, at shortstop. It will be fascinating to see if this is finally the year that the Anthopoulos Braves shell out a big long term market value contract in free agency, or continue to prefer shorter term deals on the open market and longer term extensions with lower AAV for homegrown and trade-acquired players to fill out what has become one of the league’s heftier payrolls.
Braves News
We got confirmation of what we were already nearly certain of, that Chris Sale won the NL Cy Young award, somehow his career first.
Chris Sale talked to the media about his big career achievement and praised the Braves’ organization.
Demetrius reviewed David Fletcher’s disappointing, intriguing, and eventful 2024 season in the Braves’ organization.
Matt reviewed former 3rd round pick Jesse Franklin’s 2024 season in the minors (or lack thereof).
MLB News
Manfred discussed the ballpark situation of the A’s and Rays, league expansion plans, and the automatic ball/strike system at the owners meetings.
Rob Manfred also shared that he expects Roki Sasaki to be signed in the 2025 international signing period, opening the possibility of him signing for more money with many more teams, but also potential conflicts with pre-agreed bonuses with other prospects.
Tarik Skubal won the AL Cy Young, while closer Emmanuel Clase impressively finished third after a ridiculous 0.61 ERA year in Cleveland.
The Cubs traded for veteran reliever Eli Morgan from the Guardians, DFAing Patrick Wisdom.
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