Michael Harris II took a walk 🤗

AA on Braves on Radio

-Drake isn’t playing LF, not even considered internally
-Guys coming back will be a help to struggling parts of the team and current guys should improve
-Thinks they are “fine” with a light bat at SS if defense is great
-Monitoring trade market but teams aren’t trading yet

I think the notes in here on Fried and his development are spot on. While Max was developed well in Atlanta, the Braves didn’t maximize his pitches to optimize for the best outcome. The Yankees have sharpened the tools that he developed in Atlanta.

Jackson Merrill’s swing reminds me of Freddie5. Easy pokes out over the shortstop. #braves

Biggest thing about the Profar signing is that he is a Switch-Hitter. Adds platoon advantage against RHP in a largely RH lineup

Are the Braves cornering Curaçao like Dodgers cornered Japan?

People are talking!!!!

LAD non-deferred CBT payroll would be 90% higher than the Braves payroll of $217m

Both MLB and MLBPA need to agree to count AAV as stated instead of deferred value, during the next CBA negotiation period.

LAD CBT payroll would go to $412m from $370m. $412m is 34% higher than the #2 PHI CBT payroll

AA said on 680 the fan that he has the ability to “fire a big bullet” for the right deal. But also mentioned that additions to the roster could stretch all the way to spring training given the slower moving offseason

(once Acuña and Strider are healthy)

RAJ RF
Albies 2B
Riley 3B
Olson 1B
Ozuna DH
Harris CF
Murphy C
Kelenic/Castro LF
Arcia SS

Sale
Strider
P. López
R. López
Schwellenbach

Braves shouldn’t have paid this price for essentially 2 playoff wins, when they could get Morton for 1 year and $15 mm

With Bowman putting out this article and Max Kepler/Michael Conforto off the board, it’s likely that Braves don’t get an outfielder in Free Agency. They probably try for a trade or just focus on starting pitching which could be disappointing when lineup depth is so thin
www.mlb.com/news/braves-...

From @jaysonst.bsky.social on the other site, it seems as if Charlie Morton may not be coming back to the Braves

If the Braves trade for Correa, I would be very ecstatic

Dan Campbell had balls of steel going for that 4th down… and Goff had balls of steel to finish that handoff

The OAK no-hitter guys were harder to remember

Interesting note that AA said that payroll would be up in 2025 but didn’t specify CBT or Cash Payroll. Braves actually spent $247mm in 2024 ($232mm cash payroll per FG plus $15mm in CBT penalties).

So Braves have about $45mm in payroll flexibility, and need 1 outfielder, 2 SPs and 1 relief arm.

Thought that Kikuchi really fit the Braves. Lefty veteran pitcher to replace Fried. Cheaper than Sean Manaea. And a pitch mix change that made his second half ERA feel more sustainable.