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Braves Outlook '23
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Anthony Franco
2:34
But the point is to execute better when the games matter most, and the Phillies did that better
rbj
2:35
Ozuna has value again. Time to trade him? Who would be a good fit and care to suggest a reasonable deal?
Anthony Franco
2:36
Still don't think there's much trade value at one year and $19MM. Some teams are probably still out on him because of the arrest as well. I'd guess they just hold onto him for another year and plug him back into the middle of the order
Guest
2:36
disappointed for 18-20 seasons
Minnie Mouse
2:36
Don't forget playoff struggles in 2019 and 2020.
Anthony Franco
2:37
Sure, but I don't want to gloss over the fact that they won a World Series in between. Even if you're the best team in MLB seven or eight years in a row, you'd be hard-pressed to win more than once or twice
Feeling Good
2:38
So the season didn't end the way we wanted. But what a fun year! I think it is obvious that this team will be making tweaks on the margins and will bring back a loaded offense. What are some of the more realistic options for the rotation and bullpen?
Anthony Franco
2:39
Mentioned a few relievers and rotation trade candidates already. As far as free agent starters go, a Seth Lugo or Michael Wacha type makes sense. Should be reasonably affordable on a three-year deal
Braves fan
2:39
I don’t really want to call it a mistake but do you think we could of just kept hold of Contreras at catcher and traded for a starter instead?
Anthony Franco
2:40
They probably underestimated Contreras a little bit but I don't think they have any regrets. Sean Murphy's a really good player
2:41
He finished horribly but he had one of his best seasons overall and they signed to a six-year extension at a really team-friendly price. I'd make both moves again pretty easily
Chris
2:41
Do you see the front office searching for velocity in its bullpen acquisitions? It feels like having multiple flamethrowers is more and more common in pens
Anthony Franco
2:42
Yeah I think adding a high-velo reliever, especially from the right side, makes sense
airwhick09
2:42
Are the Braves over-committed to their offense? Seems like they don't have too much room for spending in other areas, but at least they hit dingers.
Anthony Franco
2:43
No, I don't think so. They have the lineup locked in, but it's the best lineup in baseball and they're essentially all on below-market deals
2:45
Ozuna at $18MM is borderline. $8MM on d'Arnaud is maybe a touch above what you'd want for a 1-b type of catcher. They're not horrible, though, and everything else is very team-friendly
Alex Anthopoulos
2:45
I have to be looking at getting starting pitching right?  Someone like Sonny Gray, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, someone like that right?  Also need to strengthen the bullpen as well.  The lineup aside from LF seems set for years to come.
Anthony Franco
2:46
Those guys are above where I expect them to go in free agency, largely because that hasn't really been this front office's plan of attack. I can kind of see three or four years on Sonny Gray. Tougher to envision them dropping $150-200MM on Monty or Snell
2:47
If that's in the budget, I'd rather set it aside for Fried
Jesse Chavez for Prez
2:47
Will Jesse Chavez stay with the Braves or go on to another team and return to the Braves at the deadline after struggling af
Anthony Franco
2:48
Haha I'll never bet against Jesse Chavez's ability to succeed in Atlanta specifically
Marcell
2:48
Does Arcia have trade value if the Braves chose to keep Grissom?
Anthony Franco
2:49
I don't think this is especially likely but yeah, they could definitely find a deal for Arcia on successive $2MM salaries for two years
Ash
2:49
Alex Anthopolous always seems to make a move that surprises the pundits. Can you give a few realistic “surprise” scenarios concerning players not yet mentioned?
Anthony Franco
2:50
Ha, well if I saw it coming it wouldn't be much of a surprise
2:51
To indulge the question, though, I guess I'll throw about the (slim, to be clear) possibility that the Rays dangle Randy Arozarena this winter and the Braves jump in
GM
2:51
If you’re in AA’s shoes, and you can only make one move this off-season, what is it? (Let’s exclude a Max Fried extension from this).
Anthony Franco
2:53
It'd be signing a starting pitcher. Which one depends on the prices but if I've only got one move for the winter, I'll sign Eduardo Rodriguez at like 4/80
Joc
2:53
I feel like Joc was the secret ingredient to get them over the hump in 2021. Gave them an intensity and swagger. I think what makes the Braves great is the regular season—consistency, never getting too high or low—is not necessarily what you want in playoffs where there is a sense of urgency needed.  Feel like they need to replicate what Joc brought somehow. Thoughts
Anthony Franco
2:55
A few people have suggested this. I wouldn't say that bringing in an energy guy meaningfully moves their chances of a deep playoff run. But if they like what Joc brings to the clubhouse and wanted to throw him $8MM to take some left field/DH at-bats against right-handed pitching, it's fine
Robert
2:55
Do you see a scenario in which Waldrep breaks camp on the MLB roster? Maybe in a relief role a la Strider in 2022?
Anthony Franco
2:56
Breaking camp feels like a reach, even for an org that pushes prospects quicker than anyone aside from the Angels. I do think he could get to the big leagues by May if he's pitching well in Gwinnett, though
I guess that'd be more of the Smith-Shawver path than Strider
Kevin
2:57
Grissom to Detroit for Manning. Who says no?
Anthony Franco
2:57
I'd rather have Grissom
‘24 Braves
2:57
Any thoughts on Stanek or Maton from Houston to join Atlanta? Both FAs this year
Anthony Franco
2:57
Sure, I could see either one. Stanek's more a hard-throwing wild card. Maton's a lower-velocity guy who leans more heavily on a breaking ball but gets decent results
2:58
Tim Dierkes compared Maton to pre-2022 McHugh in our Slack conversations this morning, which feels right
Eston
2:58
Does Jimenez return?
Anthony Franco
2:59
I'd be surprised if he's back. Mentioned this in the outlook but the way they used him suggests the coaching staff never really had a ton of faith even though the results were very good
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