After posting an MLB-best 104-58 record during the regular season this year, the Braves were once again vanquished in four games by the Phillies during the NLDS. With the club’s 2023 campaign now officially in the rearview, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulous conducted Atlanta’s end-of-season press conference yesterday. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman and David O’Brien of The Athletic were among those to relay Anthopoulous’s comments during the presser.
One item Anthopoulous quickly addressed was that of the manager’s seat. The club’s GM quickly made clear that manager Brian Snitker would return to helm the team from the dugout in 2024. The move is hardly a surprise, even as the club found itself exiting the playoffs after just one series for the second year in a row. After all, the Braves have won a combined 205 games the past two seasons, won the World Series in 2021 under Snitker’s leadership, and extended the soon to be 68-year-old with a contract that runs through the 2025 campaign back in January. Since Snitker took over the manager’s chair in Atlanta back in 2016, the club has posted a 646-509 record under his guidance while making the postseason in six consecutive seasons.
Another topic of discussion was the starting rotation. Righties Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder, and lefty Max Fried all figure to return to the club’s rotation in 2024, though Kyle Wright will miss next season after undergoing shoulder surgery. That leaves two spots in the rotation to be filled out, though the club holds a $20MM club option on the services of veteran righty Charlie Morton for next year, which could round out the rotation. Anthopoulous spoke positively of Morton during the presser, noting that his addition ahead of the 2021 season have the club a “frontline starter” for their World Series run. Morton will turn 40 next month, and Bowman suggests that the club could look to work out a different contract with the righty even if they ultimately turn down his option for next season.
Speaking of the rotation more generally, Anthopoulous wouldn’t get into specific offseason plans but acknowledged the club’s struggles with injuries in that area of the roster this season. Morton missed the NLDS this year with an index finger issue, while Fried and Wright followed up excellent seasons in 2022 by combining to make just 21 regular season starts this year as both battled injuries throughout much of the season. Though Morton, Elder, and Strider each made thirty start or more, the absences at the front of the rotation forced the club to rely on depth options like Jared Shuster, Dylan Dodd, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Michael Soroka to cover the club’s last two rotation spots.
16 pitchers ultimately drew starts for Atlanta this season, with the aforementioned quartet combining for 6.10 ERA in 144 2/3 innings of work across 29 starts. Though it’s certainly feasible one of the club’s young arms could take a step forward in 2024, it seems reasonable to expect the Braves to consider potential rotation upgrades this offseason regardless of whether or not Morton remains in the fold for next season. The upcoming class of free agents figures to be flush with mid-rotation or better arms, giving Atlanta plenty of options if they do seek an addition to their current mix of starters.
Looking toward the club’s position player corps, there figures to be little in the way of change this coming offseason. The club’s entire infield mix is locked up for the 2024 campaign and beyond except for utility player Nicky Lopez, who is controlled via arbitration for two more seasons. In the outfield, each of Marcell Ozuna, Michael Harris II, and Ronald Acuna Jr. are under contract for 2024, though Kevin Pillar is a pending free agent and the club holds a $9MM club option on left fielder Eddie Rosario, which seems likely to be declined after he slashed just .240/.289/.408 in 786 trips to the plate the last two seasons.
With Pillar and Rosario both potentially headed to the open market, the club could have a hole to fill in left field next season. The crop of free agent corner outfielders this offseason is headlined by Teoscar Hernandez, though former Braves Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, and Jorge Soler could all be available as well. One other option for the club’s left field mix could be youngster Vaughn Grissom, who spent much of the season at the Triple-A level after losing out on the starting shortstop job to Orlando Arcia.
Though Grissom hit just .280/.313/.347 in 80 trips to the plate with the big league club this year, Anthopoulous spoke glowingly of the 22-year-old, referencing his strong slash line of .330/.419/.501 in 102 Triple-A games this year. Grissom played exclusively up the middle in the minor leagues this year, mostly playing shortstop with occasional reps at second base. That being said, the youngster has previous experience at third base and could see time in a utility role next year, per Anthopolous. Though he hasn’t played the position previously in his career, it’s at least conceivable such a role could include time in left field. After all, Austin Riley appeared in the outfield just nine times during his minor league career, but wound up getting occasional reps at both outfield corners early in his big league career before ultimately settling in at third base.
Need a LF (Bellinger?) and at least 2 SP. Maybe Gray, Snell, Montgomery? Would be nice to get a SS and move Arcia to a utility role.
I agree about Arcia and a replacement.
There’s no way they get Snell, unfortunately. I think Gray is probably a longshot. They’ll go middle of the road, nothing expensive or flashy.
I would like them to get an OF who gets on base a lot and can hit leadoff. Someone who creates opportunities for other kinds of offense than homeruns. Move Acuna down further in the order like #3.
Welcome to the off-season, folks, when you have first comment of “move Acuña from leadoff” after having a historic season there, where he was the most valuable offensive weapon. But sure, change it up. All we need now is a trade for Jo Adell trade scenario and we are deep in off-season.
Ah yes, complain about someone’s comment and don’t add any constructive thoughts of your own. You fit right in around here.
No, you’re right—let’s run the exact same team back so that they get wiped out of the playoffs again next year. How ignorant of me to suggest changing up the losing formula!
If the mid 90s Braves, with three Hall of Fame pitchers, plus a couple in the lineup and several others you could at least have a discussion about could only get you one ring, I’m afraid there’s no such thing as a surefire formula.
And that was before this 12 team garbage to make it even more random.
The only thing I can say with certainty is the only way the Phillies can beat the Braves is to have them coming off a playoff series win, and the Braves having sat around for a couple days.
Yes, change a historic lineup just bc they didn’t perform like that during their last 4 games. Every year it’s the same “move Acuña” silliness and still that when he had one of the best leadoff seasons ever. More evidence that he can do nothing to change opinions. Focus on anything else and don’t bring that up first during your interview for the AGM position.
The Braves won the WS in 2021 on 4 days rest. That’s just 1 less day than they had with the bye.
Hopefully, the nearly week break for the top teams goes away (from a random LAD fan).
“Losing formula”?! They got beat in a short series with one of their top starters missing. If they play the Phillies another best of 5 starting today, it could easily go the other way. They win more games than any other team, and that’s how you describe them! Ludicrous!
Your #1 pitcher Strider started 2 of the four games, both loses. Your #2 pitched a game. Realistically the Braves could have been swept.
New policy…I’m going to be cherry picking moments and stats to prove that my favorite teams are better than the Phillies.
September 28th, at the height of the Phillies powers. Pirates 3-2 winners. The Phillies just flat out buckled under the pressure, and couldn’t compete. Pathetic choke job.
We’ll see you for game 1 of the NLCS here in Pittsburgh on Monday, Arizona.
That’s what you people actually sound like.
Didn’t seem to hurt the Astros!
Or the Yankees last year.
I’m a braves fan but making excuses by saying the week off hurt them is absurd. Stop complaining, the Phillies by far had the better pitching. Even if they didn’t, anything can happen in a playoff series, that’s just baseball folks major props to the the Phillies for capitalizing. Please don’t go and get swept by the Diamondbacks and make this even more embarrassing. I do agree that moving Acuna in the lineup is insane though when he just had his best year of his career in a spot he is comfortable in. Hopefully the Braves spend this Off-season and actually bring in 1 or 2 mid rotation arms and maybe a Teoscar Hernandez. Oh, and bring back Chavez and Jimenez.
David Justice, who actually played the game, says it’s a problem, but I’m sure he’s just making excuses too.
youtu.be/tw6gKRcMgp0?si=imD0dQubooGTH75S
When the Braves won it all in 21, they started with 4 days off, 1 less than they had in 23.
thanks for that link!
#1 SP is healthy Fried. When he was in there, he pitched better than Strider. Not sure where ppl started thinking Strider overtook a healthy Fried on the depth chart.
Interesting but cherry picking. Look at the success rate of bye teams in 2 years of new playoff format and the competitiveness of those games. Top offenses getting cold all at the same time while top performing playoff offenses had minimal layoff? What a coincidence!
Phillies have the formula to beat the Braves and it has nothing to do with the Braves taking a few days off.
Yankees and Astros crushed it with the bye in 22. Astros crushed it again in 23. I’m going to see a larger sample size before we make any significant conclusions. WC teams are traditionally hot and lead to upsets. This was true before the new format. I dislike the extra WC. I’m not a huge fan of the bye. But I’m also not seeing conclusive evidence of anything yet. Small sample size.
It won’t. Why? Its a benefit. Teams with the bye have won 65% of the games played since MLB went to that format.
Doesn’t matter what Justice who never played with teams having a bye thinks about the bye.
The facts are since MLB went to there being a bye, the teams that got more rest have gotten more wins.
Stop making excuses for the Braves continued poor play in the postseason.
@hemlock:
In the past Acuna has expressed a strong preference for the lead off spot. Add to that the fact that by some experts lineup construction should give the most atbats to the teams best hitters, it isn’t surprising that guys like Acuna and Betts are put in the lead off spot.
And they’ve used the new format exactly twice. What if next season all the bye teams win? If we saw a higher rate of success, I may agree with you. 65% in 2 attempts is not conclusive.
SP 1’s are guys that make their starts. Quality innings and a lot of them. Strider was the ace in 2023. He anchored the rotation. His metrics support the claim.
Strider, Morton, and Elder held that rotation down for the 12 starts Fried made to matter.
Southi
Fair enough, thanks for the explanation unlike the other commenter.
let’s face it purple, the hot teams win the WS not the best ones.
The Braves weren’t the best team in 2021, but they rode the crest of the wave all the way in.
I agree there, but I think that is almost always the case.
Once again another false premise.
What did the Braves do in the previous 4 days before they won the World Series? They actually played an on the line series against another team attempting to make it to the world series, and if they lost that series they were out, the Braves didn’t play game 162 in an inconsequential outcome with less pressure, intensity, adrenaline, and atmosphere prior to a winner takes all.
Hence they played, they had at bats in meaningful contests that counted for something. You clearly do not understand the difference, but you have a responsibility to defend the Phillies at all costs and trying to find false narratives that will suit your script.. You can take both named teams out of the equation and insert whichever team you like, it is an unequal unfair playing field for one team to be seated for 5 days whilst another plays and then play a winner takes all.
Last but not least, it’s odd how the Braves managed to beat the Phillies in the regular season match ups 2 years in a row on equal rest time/playing time, but when the Braves were forced to sit for 5 days and come into a winner advances loser goes home scenario whilst the opponent was playing and getting reps, they were ‘off’/cold. I’m sure coming into such an important play off game sitting on your bum for 5 days has nothing at all to do with those results, and I am sure the Phillies had zero advantage in the aforementioned scenario, none at all.
When the Phillies play the Braves on a level playing field, and that is the Braves playing at the same time in the post season before an NLDS, and you manage to beat the Braves, then i’ll acknowledge it was fair, until then MLB can stick their lucky dip wild cards and participation prizes for all format (6 of them-a farce) for teams that did not win their divisions right up their khyber pass, it’s soft. As far as I am concerned, there should be 2 wildcards at best, 1 from AL 1 from NL, you take care of business in 162 to get to the post, not get into the post through lucky dips, and wildcard teams should get zero home games in the post season, that is also a farce. What did they do to earn any homefield games? Nothing.
Being the best through 162 is now irrelevant, it has been cheapened and weakened by Manfred & co, that is a fact
So you think the Braves lost because they had 5 days off? lol. That’s a good one.
Played the Twins, do you really believe that is a valid comparison, the Twins hardly have a burgeoning offense.
NO disrespect to the Twins but comparing the Astros v Twins to a Braves v Phillies match up in the relevant scenario is not even close. Over the past three seasons it’s 31-28 Braves, over the past two season the Phillies did not beat the Braves in the regular season series, that shows you how one little advantage(Phillies playing, Braves sitting down for 5 days) can be a major factor between winning or losing a series when the abilities are very even. For casuals, they just don’t comprehend it.
It’s “absurd” because you don’t understand about momentum, pressure, atmosphere, swinging a bat, timing, hitting mechanics, getting reps. It’s so absurd that baseball teams play 162 games in a row, then you’re asking one side to sit down for 5 days whilst another team plays, that’s how ‘absurd’ it is. No disrespect, but you can’t have ever played any sport, especially not baseball, as you can’t distinguish the difference between having ab’s and sitting around cold and then coming into a play off environment with the disadvantage of not playing for 5 days. I agree, ‘absurd’ after playing 162 day in day out-then not playing for 5. ‘Nothing to see here’.
Because it’s not a level playing field to begin with. That is what you clearly do not understand.
Well I’ll give you a little info about me never playing baseball. I started on varsity as a freshman in high school and pitched against SteveKarsay which I won 2-1. Then my junior year I won a national championship which I pitched a complete game shutout with 14 k’s. I think I know a thing or two about baseball. How about you? Did you play or did you play video game versions?
3 times, but it is still a small sample size. Another reason why no changes will be made until expansion.
That is BS and other great teams have proven that already.
That’s an easy fix. Expand the playoffs to 8 teams in each league, first and second rounds expand to 5 games, CS and WS stay at 7 games. Braves would have played the Padres and the Dodgers would have played the Cubs this year in the first round.
I could care less about the Braves and Philllies. Honestly, I hate them both.
Clearly you’re the one who’s desperate to prove that somehow the Phillies are better. You’re like the guy who would point out “well, the Phillies may have lost the season series, but they do much better when it’s over 75 degrees, and overcast, and a full moon out”
As for the bye point, you’re clearly manipulating the facts. We’ve only had two years of the current format, which is the format that’s causing all this. But good try.
I saw the Flyers lost yesterday. What do they do in the City of Participation Trophies? Take the team out for ice cream now?
Fried is never healthy, get your cholesterol checked!
The top 3 records in baseball this year all were bounced in their 1st series and went a combined 1-9. This is not rocket science. Baseball is about repetition and timing. Nobody will ever convince me that if those 3 series started right after the season that all 3 would’ve went that way. Not a chance. The other issue is the Braves and Dodgers were basically on cruise control for 3 weeks because they ran away with their divisions which adds to the problem. They basically went a full month without playing a meaningful baseball game and then you’re in the fire against a team that has already played playoff baseball. It just doesn’t work.
FrankT
Ask Ortiz, Jeter, Martinez & Smoltz about it, 4 hall of famers, and also ask Rollins, to name 5 superb ex players. Indeed, it is a very “good one” and they said exactly what I am saying, to name a few. It goes to demonstrate that randoms like you on these boards that have more than likely never swung a baseball bat in your life or has any clue about the sport, nor about hitting, momentum, pressure, staying in the zone. As I said, clueless. “lol”.
FrankT
You patently know little about the game , because you ‘think’ that sitting on your bum for 5 days after playing 162 prepares you for an elimination series at the highest levels of baseball, where the side you’re facing just played a series fighting for their lives gaining momentum, whilst the team who won the most games playing 162 day in day out were forced to sit down and had no competitive at bats in those 5 days, so based on that you have no clue about hitting or timing..
So one major league (who played for the braves btw) says the playoff schedule is a problem it’s the word of God?
That will happen after expansion.
He messed up at the deadline. Needed a SP and did nothing. Clear they need starters given the injuries. Fried is gone after this year. He will head to california like Freeman. Trade for Burnes. Sign montgomery. Then get one high velocity bullpen arm. The lineup is fine other than pillar. Get duvall or pham gor platoon with rosario or merrifield if want contact guy to hit second.
Brewers probably won’t be trading Burnes now that Woodruff is possibly out for the season.
Too many playoff games, it’s become dull. Simply put, the best need to play the best.
The hottest teams can improve next year to become the best teams, earning a spot in the WS..
I’ll go with the same old Braves. They choke under the big lights. Same thing happened in the 90’s and early 2000’s when the had Glavine Smoltz Maddox and Avery. They only won once. Are they a good team, yes absolutely. Are they made for the big lights. Nope!
Or, has the playoff format almost always had an element of randomness to it? The last WS winners are all different. I would argue that only the 22 Astros and 20 Dodgers were the best teams in those years. Great teams get bounced all the time. We have extra Wild Cards now. Of course that adds more chaos. I’m not saying the bye has no effect, but I think people are exaggerating its impact. And really, it’s no surprise to see Texas and the Phillies were they are. Despite not winning the division, they’re both juggernauts full of stars. The DBacks are the only real surprise, and baseball has a magic team like that every single season.
> when the had Glavine Smoltz
> Maddox and Avery
MADDUX
Spell the guy’s last name right at least.
St. Nick,
You arent wrong but there is a long list of good or better teams that need 2 SPs for 2024.
The price tag will be unusually high for SPs this year I fear and while they will have to go somewhere, some teams are going to overpay and may not be happy with what they end up with.
I don’t see Atlanta (or a lot of other needy teams) putting the necessary contracts on the table to get 2 of the top 5 names.
Trying to get a little lucky on a bounce back guy may be a wiser financial move. You can always look to acquire at trade deadline.
I think they need to acquire SP in free agency. They don’t have a lot to make trades anymore, at the deadline or otherwise. The farm system is not what it used to be.
They’ve always liked Sonny Gray and he’s from TN which is close to ATL. A fan can dream right? They really need to do what it takes to get multiple SP where they don’t end up in the same situation as this season. They made it through most of the season with 3 SP and a revolving door of guys who just aren’t major league caliber. Right now they have Fried and Strider. They really need a #2 guy to slot between them and cheaper backend guy.
Sonny Gray is my dream as well. Take the 20 mil that is due to Morton and use that towards Gray. Yes you would have to pay over probably 4 years but I think he would be a great fit. Then maybe Morton can come back as the #4 pitcher for a more reasonable amount.
Bring back John Rocker!
Why would Morton, who is arguably the 4th best starting pitcher on the market, on a one year deal, come back for an amount much less than his option?
It’s not his option. It’s the Braves’ option.
Yes, and if the Braves decline it he becomes a free agent.
So, why would a guy that is a top five option in Free Agency, only looking for a one year deal, take less money when he’s already considering going home in the first place?
Probably will wind up back in Tampa on a one year and retire a Ray.
Why is there no mention of Ian Anderson anywhere when talking about the Braves? Is see injury reports with players missing 2023 and expected back in 2024 but never Ian Anderson
That’s an excellent point, he has had success in the past (although he’s been inconsistent as well) and is definitely someone to watch.
He had TJ mid-April. If he returns before the All Star Break, that would be aggressive.
Just run it back and hope you don’t play the Phillies in the playoffs.
Be careful putting bad mojo out there. PHI needs all the luck they can get.
I’m not even talking trash. I’m serious. They drew a bad matchup. Braves will absolutely win the division again in 24.
So am I. ATL will figure it out, they did vs. LAD, they will vs. PHI that they’re more familiar with and maybe eventually they have the pitching depth they need in Oct not to rely on rookies pitching games of their lives.
Sure. Philly won’t beat them forever. My point was that the Braves don’t need to do much. They’re poised to be great again. Their starting putching depth issues were injury related. Everyone can use an extra starter.
Yes luck, something the Braves could use a bit of.
@von: Truth. There’s not a whole lot that needs fixing on the Braves. Pick up Morton’s option, tweak the bullpen slightly, and cobble something together for the #5 spot in the rotation and this is still a 90+ win, playoff team next year.
small issue but as a Greek guy it drives me crazy they spelled his name wrong throughout this entire article
If only he had a BR link, they would have caught it when it didn’t properly link.
haha the funny part is his name is spelled right in the article tag at the bottom
Sucks to be you. Petty take
Spelling someone’s name is more about respect than a petty take.
Unless you just want everyone to refer to you as side piece. Cause spelling your name correctly doesn’t matter apparently.
I acknowledged it’s a small complaint in the sentence. don’t really see how I’m being petty. people just give up on spelling Greek last names even though most are phonetic and not really that hard to spell. people can spell “confidentiality” like it’s not an issue but when they have to spell Anthopoulos they freeze up
I cant wait to see the Braves win over 100 games again and score over 800 runs and then see them fail in the playoffs yet again!!
Maybe they will play the Dodgers in the 2024 playoffs and have a shot at winning the series.
Braves have the HR or bust disease of the Yankees that fails in the post-season when there is better pitching.
“HR or bust” yet left MLB in team AVG and OBP. Just bc they were that way in the 4 DS games doesn’t mean they were that way in the other 162 where they were completely different, which is what makes the DS so infuriating.
@rundmc1981
Given that they scored 505 RBIs of their total 947 runs from HRs, that’s a 53% clip, meaning they relied on the HR about 50% of the time to score runs.
In 2023, the Yankees sat at a 51% clip. Phillies only relied upon the HR to bring runners in at a 44% clip.
That’s the Phillies, not the Braves.
Honestly, if I had to sit through an entire season of three true outcomes games, I don’t think I could deal with it.
It’s not the Phillies either. Sorry they don’t fit your narrative, but the Phillies won with good starting pitching and excellent relief. They also stole more bases than anyone in the playoffs so far. How is that HR or bust? It’s not, but it doesn’t fit your story.
Philly did most things better in that short series. The things you mentioned AND hitting home runs. Just straight outplayed Atl. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Phillies are a team filled with grinders. They have a leader in Harper that every team wants. Phillies proved to everyone you don’t have to win the division. Means noting. Just make sure you’re built for the postseason and show up. Something the Braves have a problem doing.
@njbirdsfan,
I must admit, you being both an Eagles fan and a Phillies troll is an interesting combination.
I’d love the Braves to get Montgomery and Gray if Morton retires. Getting Matzek back in the pen next year will help tremendously. Eddie’s 2 year slash is misleading…he was blind last year. I think his option gets picked up unless the A’s have a stud left fielder they wanna give us. More likely Eddie stays and a better platoon option like Duvall is signed. I love Arcia on this team, but if an opportunity to upgrade is out there I don’t hate that idea. The Braves aren’t going to spend more than they did last year so unless some trades happen they’ll probably run it back pretty close to what they did this year.
Every starting pitcher that will become a free agent creates a need for a starting pitcher. There weren’t enough to begin with with so many teams, even play off teams, not having enough. Starting pitching is going to be very expensive this year because there are few bats worth paying for in FA. Expect teams to use there budgets there, if they wish to add.
Grissom hit “just” .280? What exactly was the expectation?
.281
. 281
@solaris: I think the “just” referred to the rest of his weak stats. .313/.347/.659 w/a 78 OPS+ is subpar. Only 5 homers in 216 career ML at bats and none in 80 this season. Very little power and no first step on defense. Not sure why some believe he’s a huge trade piece that’s going to bring back a ML quality starting pitcher.
Because the Braves have traded for more with less in the past.
@Howiedoin: not sure the A’s have anything else for the Braves to fleece them out of.
I am guessing…it’s the lake of walks and power…in 80 whole a.b’s 😉
Only one off-season transaction needed
Sign Cody Bellinger
1) Acuna RF. RH
2) Albies 2B. SH
3) Riley 3B. RH
4) Olson 1B LH
5) Ozuna or Grissom DH RH
6) Bellinger LF LH
7) Murphy C RH
8) Harris CF LH
9) Arcia. SS RH
It’s all a matter of getting hot at the right time. No need to pinch hit or pinch run with that lineup.
Great IF Defense & The best OF defense
Bench: Pillar, Grissom, Lopez, Travis D
What do you think it would take (Years/$$$) to sign him?
@Hemlock: Think Bellinger’s out of the Braves price range. I’ve seen projections for him @7 years between 160-200 mill. I’d be very surprised if the Braves are in play for that kind of position player contract when they have needs in the rotation and pen. Wouldn’t be shocked to see them move Grissom to lf and give Jesse Franklin V a chance as the left handed platoon option. Decline Rosario’s 9 mill option to play minimum salaries in left field w/Grissom and Franklin V. Use the 9 mill savings for pen upgrades or a bounce back starter. Might be totally wrong, but I think they’re going to give Soroka, AJSS and Waldrep chances in the rotation early next year. Spencer Schwellenbach’s my sleeper to claim a rotation spot by June. Still think Morton’s coming back too. Please no more Dodd or Shuster………..
Bellinger is 28 years old. In an offseason with just 2 good bats available in FA, Bellinger is going to get 8-10 years, maybe more, and his AAV will be $28-30 million.
People seem to forget that he won the MVP and that his 2 bad seasons were the result of injuries that required a major surgery.
Belli is going to get paid.
Just 280? How is that bad?
The .280 was fine. The .313/.347 were a problem.
Because he doesn’t walk or hit for power. Four extra base hits in 80 PAs. A 78 OPS+ doesn’t cut it unless you’re playing stellar defense.
The Athletic writer’s first name is David, not Daniel.
Is he using his fingers as scissors in this image?
.
AA is the model for GM’s, but this team fell short again. Wondering why Harris didn’t start the last game, and Philly definitely looked like the better team. The Phiilies and Astros just look like they have the confidence and drive to win more. Braves have to be thinking about the old Braves teams with Maddox, Glavine, and Smoltz. who only one 1 world series.
Harris did start the last game. He got pinch hit for in the 8th inning.
Your right, but why pinch hit for him?
Because he doesn’t hit lefties well. It was a matchup play.
> Wondering why Harris
He was 0-14 and is now 1-27 in his post season career. .037/.037/.037
Awesome.
Good point, Poison. It’s almost like you need to build two teams – one for the long 162 gamer and another for the postseason. There are guys who seem to get hot at the right time, but maybe you don’t even get there with some of them. It’s quite a challenge to be a GM in the game today with so many teams in the post.
I don’t know what the answer is but don’t suggest moving Acuna in the lineup because he is 16,000 year old Jomon pottery that might crumble if you move him or suggest such an idea. At least the 14-year-olds with wireless keyboards in these comments would have you believe.
What the Braves did in the playoffs last year and this year failed. It’s not working. Let’s do nothing, though! It’s bound to work eventually! I remember the 1990s Braves doing the same despite obvious flaws, which is a trend that is beginning once again.
In the 90’s there was no 5 days off in between game 162 and a play off game where the losing team was finished, and there was no 12 team play off format.
And the Braves got eliminated without people making excuses for them.
I’m sure he wasn’t the only one, sometimes that effects team chemistry. Changing the norm always effects people in every job!
Why is AA a model GM? He had 5 years as GM of the Blue Jays and another 6 with the Braves. 11 years one WS Title. I get it that one is better than none but it’s not like his teams won 3 or 4 WS. Just one.
Seattle seems like an obvious trade partner. They have a glut of SP’s and really need a 2B (Grissom?).
It’s going to take a lot more than Grissom to land a SP.
Agreed. But it’s a start.
That’s who I keep circling back to. Use Grissom and some of their young pitching prospects to entice a trade. They could even try Arcia instead of Grissom and let Lopez play SS and bat 9th, esp if they think Grissom can play LF.
> They could even try Arcia instead
AG7,
Please make that happen.
Tell them I will drive Arcia to Seattle as part of the deal.
Can I ride w/you Hemlock? I’ll buy the gas……….
LOL
sure
I’ve got an empty trunk for hostages…
Sorry, “extra junk”, if there’s anyone you want to dump in the Pacific.
“Anthopoulous spoke positively of Morton during the presser, noting that his addition ahead of the 2021 season have the club a “frontline starter” for their World Series run”
this is not a proper sentence, and makes zero sense
Dude. They don’t have English degrees. It’s the hardest language to speak, read, and write in the WORLD. You’ll be okay.
have = gave
Lol. Imagine obsessing over one misplaced letter in a sentence. You’re right bham. The intent was obvious.
I mean, not much on offense to address. Yes, LF and honestly, SS needs to be address but I wouldn’t lose my mind if not much is done. Arcia is prob fine although I’m kinda through with him. Would like Lopez to come back and fight for a spot. LF, if it’s me, I have VG training in the outfield like crazy. Surely he can improve but the defense and offense out there.
The real focus is 100% pitching. We need to get guys with the “it” factor both in the rotation and bullpen. So flame throwing striker throwing dudes in that bullpen. I’d love to get Burnes in the rotation somehow, lock up fried… get one more elite arm (all wishful thinking, I’m aware). But in an ideal world, those are sorta realistic objectives id focus on as a fan lol.
I’d be tempted to trade Grissom and a couple pitching prospects for a controllable OF or SP. I love Grissom, just don’t know if he’ll hit enough to be an everyday corner OF. And Albies and Riley are locked down for a while. Don’t see him as an everyday SS. He’d make a good young 2B for a rebuilding team.
The Atlanta ball club is fine as is for batting just add a cheap corner bat to replace Rosario.
Trade Vaughn Grissom for either one to two years of a number two quality starting pitcher or multiple years of a number 4-5 starting pitcher.
Do not tamper with lineup or order.
Fried is an underrated number one Strider is an overrated number two. Just like Greg Maddux was way better than Nolan Ryan, strikeouts are overrated.
Atlanta ball club probably should reduce Strider’s innings, no team was close in regular season division standings and Dodgers and Atlanta ball club should not strain their pitching for a home field advantage against one another that does not even occur.
It isn’t broke. Don’t fix it. Give the Phillies their due but I will take Atlanta ball club over Phillies in 2024.
> Trade Vaughn Grissom for either one
> to two years of a number two quality
> starting pitcher
Thanks for the laugh.
Hemlo
Laugh? Do you think that is too large or too small a return for Vaughn Grissom? There are posters who think both.
> Laugh? Do you think that is too large
> … for Vaughn Grissom?
> There are posters who think both.
Yes, too big of an ask.
Vaughn is worth a bad MLB reliever at best, in my opinion.
He has shown that he can hit okay but no power or speed, and he cannot play good defense.
Having seen Grissom play, I still believe speed and power are there. Concur that infield defense is weak.
Perhaps you are correct that he cannot be swapped for as much as I think, but it only takes one team
Yeah. Well, I don’t run a MLB team (surprise) so I have no idea how highly he is regarded aside from how “experts” rank him. At last check he is ranked 12th in a very thin ATL farm system.
He has no opportunity with ATL unless they choose to play him in LF. He’s probably worth more than I think but a #12 prospect in a thin system isn’t too valuable, either.
It’s ok. You can call them the Braves.
It’s ok, I prefer to call the indigenous people First Citizens and Atlanta is the Atlanta ball park at least until they tell fans that if you do the chop you will be asked to leave the ballpark
Would you be ok with a team called the Jews, the Muslims or the Asians!
No, but I would be if a team was called the Zionists, Islamic Jihadist, or the Buddhists.
Hey just a heads up
Braves – Native American men who were well trained and prepared to fight to defend their homeland.
Not sure how that’s comparable to Jews Muslims or Arabs.
Also. Why are we keeping caucasian mascots like vikings fighting Irish Celtics Angels and getting rid of minority mascots exactly?
And how come padres haven’t been eliminated after what happened during the Spanish invasion down in south America converting natives to catholicism?
Sure, if they teamed up with the ADL, the MAS or an equivalent Asian-American society.
“Trade Vaughn Grissom for either one to two years of a number two quality starting”
lmao he’s not worth anywhere near that much. He’s worth one year of a back end starter.
Question if the Braves gamble again on relying on bounce back seasons from inured ynoa, Anderson and sorotka to fill the rotation or add two starters.
If this was an east cost team, snitker would be replaced. I don’t think it’s the layoff, it’s just beating all teams. They beat the 1st place dodgers and astors but lose to the wild card Phillies. Add a OF bat at the trade deadline like before, ie Rosario and soler. Acunna and Albies just didn’t hit or they were kept off base during the series.
Braves ran into the 2nd best team in the NL and should have drawn Arizona. Best record in baseball should mean something and it isn’t. And yes, Philly is/was a better team than the Dodgers.
Too much rest in-between for the top 2 seeds. Either go back to the two WC, one game format or make the current format a Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday and play immediately Thursday. Give wild card teams no rest.
Atlanta needs to do something with Vaugh Grissom either give him the left field job or trade him. He has nothing really more to prove in the minor leagues.
If your trust him enough for the at bat with your season on the line Atlanta should trust him enough for 40-50 games in left field see how he does
I’d rather learn to trust him in LF in AAA before he comes to the majors. Sometimes a new defensive position messes with a player’s offense.
@Benjamin. Grissom could prove he has a first step on defense that will allow him to play passable ML defense. He could prove that he can hit for more power than 8 lousy homers in 468 PA in AAA. He might someday, but he certainly hasn’t done so in the minors. Don’t see why you keep claiming that he has. The Braves didn’t “trust him enough for the at bat with your season on the line,” They were simply playing matchup against a lh pitcher w/the only rh bat they had left on the bench. 8 homers in 468 AAA plate appearances doesn’t scream “Play me at DH or LF!” next season in Atlanta.
I really want to see the Braves bring Joc Pederson back to Atlanta. I think he’s a big reason they won the World Series when he was there. I have no idea what you call it -or how you quantity it- but that team just felt like it played more free and easy, and I feel like Joc brought that.
Give me Pederson and a quality mid-rotation arm in Atlanta next year, I’m happy.
As Christopher Mad Dog Russo so aptly states, “the regular season is a marathon, while the playoffs is a sprint.”
MLB should consider creating a regular season championship trophy for the team who has the best record. Hell, call it the Bobby Cox trophy.
The benefit of this idea is it forces teams like the Braves, Orioles, and Dodgers to keep playing hard long after they’ve clinched their postseason berth.
I’m not suggesting this trophy is on the level of the piece of metal currently being handed out by Manfred. More like the Hank Aaron best hitter award compared to an MVP trophy.
Sounds like a slap in the face. Participation trophies aren’t a thing for most of us.
I get it. But it kinda sounds like the Premier League Championship and Champions League championship to me.
Winning over 6 months seems a whole lot more valuable than how it’s perceived to me.
People talking about the Braves losing because of the bye, but I think the bigger issue was that they were so far ahead that they had nothing meaningful to play for, sleepwalked through September and were flat in the playoffs.
I think good pitching is all that needs to be added. If they need to trade away some of the unreliable prospects to get another ace then he should go for it. I wouldn’t do too much changing the batting order or position changes.
@tn_volsfan: No disrespect intended, but “trad(ing) away some of the unreliable prospects to get another ace” probably isn’t a viable plan. Seems a bit of the “I’ll give you my junk for your awesome stuff” concept. Oakland doesn’t have any more awesome stuff the Braves need. Might be tougher for AA to find someone to fleece this winter.