Not long ago, everything seemed to be working for the Braves. They were a player development factory not only churning out quality big leaguer after quality big leaguer -- but frequently signing those players to long-term extensions. As recently as 2022, Atlanta had nearly an entirely homegrown roster full of stars who'd penned long-term deals. Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider burst onto the scene in '22, and Atlanta had Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr. all signed long-term. Harris and Strider joined the group midway through their rookie seasons.
There were some exceptions. Freddie Freeman had walked in free agency. By the end of the 2022 season, it increasingly seemed as though Swanson and Max Fried would follow suit. They eventually did, but with young infielders like Vaughn Grissom and Nacho Alvarez Jr. impressing in the minors, there was some hope on the horizon.
Much of that core remains in place, but there are far more questions on the roster now. There's no area where that's more true than in the middle infield. With the Braves seemingly facing a budget crunch this past offseason, they made a low-cost addition of defensive standout Nick Allen to hold things down at shortstop while hoping for a rebound from Albies after a pedestrian 2024 showing. It hasn't worked out all that well, particularly at second base, where Albies' struggles have mounted to the point that many fans would prefer to move on entirely -- despite what once appeared a pair of extraordinarily affordable $7MM club options on Albies' 2026 and 2027 seasons.
How will the Braves handle their middle infield situation moving forward? Let's look ahead to the offseason.
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What happened to Albies and Riley? Couple years ago looked like superstars. Now they’re always hurt and putting up underwhelming stats.
In 2024, Riley got his hand broken by an Angels rookie who had no business pitching in the ML much less throwing his uncontrolled fb at max speed inside to MLB hitters. Riley missed 52 games because of it. Freak injury out of his control. This year’s different. He’s missed a month plus this year w/a strained abdominal muscle. Also had a a strained oblique that cost him 10 plus days on the IL earlier in the season. Still has a slightly above average wRC+ but he has had a sub-par year by his standards. Albies broke his wrist a year ago and hasn’t been the same since. The Braves —and Albies—haven’t used the injury as an excuse for his struggles this season, but you have to wonder whether the wrist has sapped his power. Btw, a “couple of years ago” (2023 season) many MLB players had career years w/power because of the famously juiced ball that season. The Braves tied a long standing NL record for homers in 2023. Power numbers for most players have been down by comparison to their 2023 numbers. Lot of talk this season that the ball has been significantly deadened.
Good comment until the last sentence. Several players with 40 HRs, or very near that this year.
Maybe Nashville will get a team soon and I won’t have to travel as far to watch the Braves.
Riley’s wRC+ has declined for 3 straight years. Currently at a career low of 113. So far he’s played only 8 less games than last season but his WAR has dropped by more than half from 2.9 to 1.4. His WAR also dropped significantly last year after 3 straight years of a WAR above 6. S0—WAR cut in half last year and again this year. Significant decline, He has the same players around him as last year. No change except the addition of Baldwin. That’s a plus. Claiming he doesn’t get lineup protection? Laughable. I also didn’t say he wasn’t “still good.” Said he’s having a sub-par year by his standards. Your screen name change hasn’t stopped you from misconstruing intent and twisting words to suit your narrative.
@NashvilleJeff
“Claiming he doesn’t get lineup protection? Laughable.”
Yes, he has the same “names” in the lineup around him. However, I wouldn’t say he has the same lineup.
1. Acuna was still out of the lineup a lot early in the season when Riley was healthy
2. Ozuna, until recently, has not been the same hitter as he was the last couple years.
3. Albies is not the same hitter he was in 2023 and before.
4. Micheal Harris has not been the same hitter most of the season.
Even with the same names, most of the lineup is underperforming, which would suggest Riley hasn’t had the same protection as he has had in the past. However, this same thing could be used for the whole Braves lineup. None of them, until recently, have really been able to protect each other in the lineup. The last 7+plus games that has kind of changed though.
Profar .296/.424/.794 in his last 7 games
Olson .400/.531/1.171 last 7 games
Acuna – back in the lineup last night
Ozuna .277/.407/1.067 last 15 games
Harris .387/.387/1.048 last 15 but .517/.517/1.448 his last 7.
Baldwin.308/.333/.871 last 7
Albies .276/.276/.724 (Not great, but improving)
Hopefully by adding Riley into that lineup today or tomorrow, he can show improvement over the next few weeks as well.
@braves 25: Acuna and Riley only played in the same lineup 49 times in 2024. Some interesting reading available by Tom Tango on the “myth of lineup protection.” His premise is that it doesn’t exist. Not sure I’m totally on board w/that, but to suggest that Acuna was “protecting” Riley in the lineup from the lead off spot while Riley mostly hit 3rd last season is a reach. Ozuna had 39 homers, 104 rbi, .924 OPS, 154 wRC+. If you really believe in protection, Ozuna was the player who hit behind Riley the most in the 2024 lineup. Despite having MVP level “protection” from Ozuna behind him, Riley’s WAR and wRC+ dropped from 2023’s 6.0 WAR and 127 wRC+ to 2024’s 2,9 WAR and wRC+ 116. This year is even worse—–WAR 1.4 and wRC+ 103. Imo, Riley’s decline since 2022 (career high 6.4 WAR and 143 wRC+) has little to do w/who hits behind him—or how others in the lineup are hitting. Your points on missed time are valid, and I’m not trying to diss your opinion here. You often make good points on the site. Thanks for the conversation!
You’re right. Acuna doesn’t directly “protect” Riley, Olson, or Ozuna hitting in the leadoff spot, but if Acuna is on base, he directly effects the way guys pitch to the hitters behind him. That is the point I was getting at.
I don’t think I agree with Mr. Tango and the “myth of lineup protection”. You have to pitch to someone to get outs. You can’t intentionally walk someone when the guy behind him is also a 40 HR guy
If the Rangers miss the playoffs does anyone think they might take a look at Seager’s contract and try to get out of it while they still can? I don’t know if the Braves have the stomach for it, but it’s the kind of move that might push this core back to the World Series.
No, but I’m sure the Rangers would send them Semien with a bag of cash attached.
The Braves might take on Semien’s contract if you add in Walcott LOL
I could see Atlanta being interested if the Rangers were willing to pay a portion of the 6 years 189m left on the contract. I just don’t see Atl taking on that whole contract,
I was thinking maybe Murphy goes to Texas in the trade to offset some of the money.
Sadly, this is the gamble you take when you invest everything on the MLB roster and develop no depth.
I think Sesger’s contract is too high for the Braves even if Texas eats a good chunk of it. Besides other than some decent pitching prospects what does Atlanta have to offer in a trade? I think the Braves need more high batting average great plate discipline guys than Seager.
Seager does have great plate discipline. And power. Despite all the injuries, his bat hasn’t really slowed down at all.
If he continues hitting for a few more years he is up for consideration for HOF.
Or conversely, Kyle Seager was out of the league after his age 33 season.
If they Braves took on most of his remaining salary they would not have to give up too much in terms of top prospects. Maybe middle of the pack somewhere. That would be a big gamble with the number of years remaining.
Jacob Amaya is available. Buy low!
Bo bichette fits right in
Will be overpriced and not very good defensively.
I like Bichette for the right price. Not 200M though.
Bichette could hold down SS for a couple years and then move to 2nd when the next guy is ready to take over.
Shewmake and Vaughan Grissom trades!