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, Dansby Swanson, 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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Kershaw versus the Padres tonight has that Obi-Wan versus Darth Vader vibe – must see tv!
Which one is Obi-Wan?
The old guy :-). Though the Dodgers seem more like the Empire…
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.
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.
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.
Jacob Amaya is available. Buy low!
Bo bichette fits right in