During last year’s World Series run, the Braves found themselves mixing and matching at the back of the rotation behind Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson. Atlanta hasn’t done much to solidify that group this winter, leaving themselves to again count on a handful of less-proven arms at the back end.
Manager Brian Snitker told reporters (including Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) over the weekend that righties Kyle Wright and Huascar Ynoa look like the favorites for the fourth and fifth spots. Ynoa always seemed to have a leg up after posting a 4.05 ERA/3.62 SIERA in 18 appearances last season. Wright, on the other hand, made just two regular season starts in the majors. The 26-year-0ld had a nice showing at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he worked 137 frames of 3.02 ERA ball. A former top five pick and highly-regarded prospect, Wright hasn’t yet had a ton of MLB success, but his minor league production and the quality of his arsenal still offer reason for Atlanta brass to believe in him as a long-term option.
The Braves are scheduled to play every day from their April 7 opener through April 20. With that heavy workload to start the year, Toscano writes the club could lean on a six-man starting staff early on. If that bears out, rookie Spencer Strider — who climbed four minor league levels last season to reach the majors in September — could assume the final spot, Toscano writes, with lefties Tucker Davidson and Kyle Muller also in that mix.
All those pitchers outside the Braves top three starters have minor league option years remaining, so any of that group could be sent back to Gwinnett throughout the season. They could also spill over into a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. Atlanta has one of the league’s strongest relief units on paper, but a key member has yet to pitch this spring.
Luke Jackson has been dealing with some forearm tightness, the team told reporters (including David O’Brien of the Athletic). The 30-year-old has been throwing on the side, so the Braves clearly aren’t concerned he’s facing a significant absence, but it’s not known whether he’ll have time to get into regular season game shape by next week. Jackson has been in the Atlanta bullpen for the past five years, but he had a particularly successful showing in 2021, pitching to a 1.98 ERA/3.75 SIERA in 63 2/3 frames.
While the Braves rotation looks much the same as it did last season, their position player shakeup was one of the stories of the offseason. Atlanta acquired Matt Olson and let Freddie Freeman walk in free agency. General manager Alex Anthopoulos and the front office were no doubt aware that decision would be a divisive one among the fanbase, and Freeman himself suggested in the immediate aftermath he was taken aback by the Olson trade. At his introductory press conference with the Dodgers, Freeman suggested Braves brass wasn’t as communicative as he’d expected they’d be throughout his stint on the open market. He also seemed to dismiss Anthopoulos’ assertion the Olson trade was the most difficult move of his executive career.
Chatting with the Journal-Constitution’s Gabriel Burns over the weekend, Freeman walked back those comments and took a brighter tone. The five-time All-Star said he chatted with the Braves baseball ops head last week and apologized for the comments he’d made at his introductory presser. “It helped to hear his side of things,” Freeman told Burns. “I won’t divulge what we talked about. But you can imagine what we talked about in three hours. It was good for us to now be good again. Now, when we see each other, we can just hug. I asked him to come to LA (for the series in April). I don’t think he was going to come to the LA series when they came out. I said, ‘Please, I want to see you and give you a hug because we did so many good things together.’”
Regardless of whether the fences are mended, the Braves and Dodgers figure to have plenty of memorable clashes over the coming seasons. The pair met in last year’s NL Championship Series, and they again look to be two of the top teams in the Senior Circuit. FanGraphs’ projections indeed forecast Los Angeles and Atlanta as the NL’s top two clubs heading into the year.
Luke may be down but he will return to destroy the Sith (LA). Freddie Freeman has turned to the Dark Side.
NERD ALERT
Eat my sith.
Star wars is so overrated
Thank you.
@Stefan Arkansas
I guess the Dodgers fit this conversation perfectly then since they’re constantly picked to win championships and don’t.
If anything the braves are the dark side because they dipped on hometown hero and brought in someone else.
The Braves didn’t. Freddie’s agents screwed him over.
@vtncsc
So you’re saying that Freddie’s agent is the Emperor?
After his meltdown against the Dodgers in the nlcs Id keep Luke away from the Dodgers as much as possible, thank God for Tyler Matzek bailing him out.
How many jokes could people come up with when it comes to Strider?
He is nothing but depth
Well, since Strider was Aregorn’s alias in the Lord of the Rings, I suppose we could keep the mythology theme going after 48-team’s Star Wars reference.
Or not.
2
It’s a shame that a supposed miscommunication led to Freeman taking the same money to go to LAD. I do wonder how that happens in today’s negotiations but it’s plausible he simply trusted too much in his agent without asking for details of their negotiations.
Anyway, how about that Olson guy, uh?
Did Atlanta really offer him the same money in total as the Dodgers did? I never heard that. Maybe it was the same over the 6 years Freddie is signed for but LA gave him a ton of deferred money as well. Did Atlanta really offer the same amount of cash (in total) that LA did? If so, I’m surprised this hasn’t been a bigger story.
Technically, the Dodgers offered more money. The Dodgers paid Freddie $162 million for 6 years of work at an AAV of $27 million a year. The Dodgers also deferred $57 million of that over a span of 18 years. The Braves technically offered less at $145 million but none of it was deferred and it was an AAV of $29 million per year and that $145 million only came from 5 years of work. Once you consider the loss of money due to inflation, Freeman is only making $148 million over 6 years with the Dodgers as opposed to $145 million over 5 years for the Braves. Meaning, Freeman is only making about $3 million for that 6th year he would have been a free agent for the Braves. Then, once you consider the massive state tax rate difference between California and Georgia, Freeman is probably taking him less from the Dodgers over 6 years than he would have been taking home from the Braves over 5 years. He got his sixth year but he is actually paying for his 6th year instead of getting paid for it. Then, once you consider staying with the Braves would have kept Freeman’s 10 & 5 rights intact and he would have had a full no trade clause but now has zero no trade clause with the Dodgers it becomes a loss for Freeman. Freeman is now going to take home less money over 6 years playing with the Dodgers than he would have over 5 years with the Braves with a full no trade clause. Like I said, the Dodgers technically paid more, but that’s only technically. If The Dodgers had agreed to sign Freeman to a 6 year $146 million contract deferred by 100 years they would have technically paid more. Freeman would still be taking home less in that situation just like he is now. You have to draw the line somewhere. $3 million for the 6th year before a massive tax increase and losing a full no trade clause is well past that line. The difference between California state taxes and Georgia state taxes is going to be well over $3 million over those years. The fact that he has to work an extra year and lose his no trade clause to even get that makes it far worse. If the Dodgers had deferred his money over a billion years they would have technically paid more. It doesn’t change the fact that Freddie Freeman is taking home less to work an extra year and lose his no trade clause.
You have a point, but the deferred money is not a bad idea and it gives him and his family peace of mind for 18 years after he retires from baseball, granted inflation will make that number less than what it is today, but its income for 18 years. I’m all for baseball deferring money so players can have some income when their playing days are over. I understand that it would be better to get the money up front and invest it, but few do that. This is something that the NFL and NBA should implement. How many stars have left these two leagues only to be broke 5-10 years later.
When you make as much as FF has, you shouldn’t need to worry about having deferred money.
…but at zero interest…?
Even mom and dad wouldn’t do that. That interest is the difference between a 5 and 7 series for them.
Hi, Clipper.
I just don’t buy the mis-communication spin.
I think both Atlanta and Freddie got what they wanted. Both sides just have to make it look like they tried for the fans.
I think this means that the Dodgers will not spend $350+ million to try to retain Trea Turner. Next year they can have Freeman at 1B, Muncy at 2B, Lux at SS, and Vargas at 3B. Betts in RF, Pollock in LF, Taylor in CF. Or slot Taylor at SS and Bellinger in CF if Bellinger is retained for 2023, which is looking unlikely. Lux could dh, or if they re-sign Justin turner, he could dh for one more year. Signing Freeman for six years for $160 million actually sounds much better than signing Trea Turner for 12 years and $360 million. So the Dodgers just saved $200 million for a comparable bat!
The main question left for the Dodgers is will Bauer be coming back and he will he respond if he does. They have Buehler, Urias, Kershaw, an injured Dustin May (sub Gonsolin or Anderson and Heaney.
I sure did not see Trevor Story to the Red Sox, was sure that it would be the Yankees or Phillies. I did not see Philadelphia signing two defensively challenged mega-bats either.
@Manny I agree, I think both parties got what their heart wanted.
Even Chipper was upset w/ Freeman over how the negotiations were handled. We are not on the inside or in the know, but this one is on Boras!
Boras isn’t Freeman’s agent…So, how is it on him again!?!
Because blaming Boras isn’t about sound critical reasoning.
But it’s NOT the same money. There’s articles out there about it, but when factoring in CA taxes (compared to GA’s) and interest-free (?!?!) deferrals until 2040, the present-day value is 6/$140M. ATL offered 5/$140M, reportedly.
He’s giving LAD a hometown discount, giving them a year free.
LA gave Freddie a lifeline. I think he was shocked at how quickly AA pivoted. LA could have gotten him for less, but they framed the contract in such a way as to make it look like more on the surface, while getting great value.
Agreed, but it’s hard for me to believe Freeman was shocked. Did he not know ATL has been inquiring all offseason on an available ATL-native All-Star 1B…? He’s shocked ATL would go for the less expensive choice regardless how deep his roots run in the organization?
I mean, I want to give FF the benefit of doubt, but his post-trade spinning wreaks of naïvete.
Maybe surprised is a better word. Maybe he expected talks to continue, but AA had to make a decision quickly. If not for the lockout, I think the Braves would have re-signed him.
He received an offer from the Braves last year, countered, then never heard back. The lack of communication from the team is why he was so floored by the Olson trade.
Saw Strider pitch for the Greenjackets last May. You could tell he was much better than the other guys. He didn’t stay here in Augusta long.
Walked back his comments? LA bailed the dude out after his agency got ahead of themselves by trying to squeeze the organization by giving ultimatum’s. They patched things up when he got the full story of how Excel screwed the pooch. Freddie would have gotten 5/ 140 plus and the team would have resigned him if he wanted to play the age 37 season.
This must be true. Look at how Freeman fired his agent.
Or, not.
Freeman already signed — his agent(s) are getting their commission. IF this is his last contract, what motivation does Freeman have in getting a new agent other than optics? Casey Close will still get paid (even if it’s not until 2040, when the deferrals are done). Throwing his agent(s) under the bus would do little but damage his reputation and possibly the agency’s reputation, which could also hurt friends (Dansby Swanson is going into.a contract year with the same agency…).
The argument was Freeman was somehow shafted by his representation. I’ve seen this nonsense several times, and some continue to insist this is true despite what the player has said to the contrary.
Your implication that just because Freeman has not said anything publicly bad about his representation (that just secured him a large deal) somehow vindicates them and only implies that you don’t know Freeman. He’s not Will Smith. He’s not going to air out his grievances for the world to see.
I’m sure those in the industry will find out eventually, if it was his representation, similar to how we found out the conversation of that same agent (Casey Close) with NYY brass when representing another aging legacy player biding for his last contract (Jeter), and how their agency was supposedly trying to get NYY to bid against themselves, eventually taking a 3/51M. Either you don’t believe that ATL was given a hour-long ultimatum on Sat night before the Mon trade by Freeman’s reps or you believe that Freeman would take a worse deal (when factoring in deferrals, years, taxes) to not play for the team he has stated he wanted to return to.
I don’t need to imply anything, because I’ve only reported what Freeman actually said. It’s all in the article above, so what’s the argument? You’ve created an alternative scenario based entirely on how you feel, and what you want to believe. Why escapes me, but there it is.
Freeman has talked about how this all came down publicly. He described how he was mystified by the lack of a response to his counteroffer, and blindsided by the Olson trade. He was surprisingly candid about his feelings. The only part he has sort of taken back is the implication that Anthopoulos was shedding crocodile tears over his decision to let him walk. So you would appear to be flat wrong about that part too.
It seems as if you have not read the Buster Olney ESPN article that sheds light onto the negotiations and presents four sources that after ATL got up to 5/140M, FF’s team countered with an one-hour ultimatum on Saturday night that led to ATL pulling their offer and trading for Olson less than 48 hours later. Freeman was not candid about that part — or maybe he didn’t know about it. Freeman also didn’t acknowledge the offers made during ST 2021 (5/125M) or subsequent offers (5/140M).
Between this handling and the Derek Jeter “tense negotiations” also involving the same agent (Close) — this has nothing to do with how I feel. This is what is being reported.
Chipper spilled the beans. Freeman walks back his comments. Now all there is to do is kick their a** each time the meet and in the playoffs.
Yeah, I’m sick of this story. FF is gone. Now to repeat.
Freddie is home and primed for an MVP-type season. The Braves won’t top 84 wins – BOOK IT.
Sounds like California Dreamin to me!!
Yup! For Freddie that is. From the wretched South to SoCal. Life is sweet.
@ You Can Put It In The Books;
I’m having trouble with a few of my stocks. Do you do those as well?
How ’bout the ponies?
I do, actually. But not for smug clowns.
Lol.
For you guys that have been around here for awhile. This books reminds me of xaibal.
Oh god, I hated that guy.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the smuggest clown of all? Huh? Manfred?
What a bad reflection on baseball.
{puts on sincere face while typing sincerely}
What about the rest of us that are not smug clowns, @Books? Ya know: like myself. I can always use a stock tip.
I can always use a sirloin tip @Books, can you meat me halfway?
@You Can Put It In The Books
The NL East is immensely stronger than the NL West by absolute miles. You’re going to beat up on Rockies and Arizona again and then talk about how many games you won to win your division – that is if you do so. If you win your division it’s no use telling everyone that the “Dodgers won 100 games so they’re the best team’-the Braves proved they weren’t. The Braves won 88 games and won their division, the lower win total is due to there being more depth in the NL East , these are facts that are not up for debate.
It’s no use talking about how many games you win in the regular season if you don’t go on with it. World Series are not won by the team that wins 100+ games in their division, in the end it doesn’t mean that much, it depends on the quality & depth of roster in your respective division as to how many games your team will win. Last but not least, put the Dodgers into the NL East, do you think you’re going to win the division ‘easily’?
I agree. The Braves were the best team last year.
I don’t agree that winning one 7 game series shows which team is better.
That’s the whole point of a 7 game series
@flamingbag
The Braves won three consecutive postseason series without facing elimination a single time. That’s not luck. “Luck” is the Vikings beating the Saints on the “Minnesota Miracle” play regardless of how funny it was to see it.
@flamingbagofpoop
I am not sure who you’re talking to but that’s not what I said.
You don’t just win the World Series by winning one 7 game series. First you have to qualify, then win your division play-off best of 5, then win a best of 7 game play-off championship, and then win a world series, so it’s not just “winning one 7 game series”. As far as I am concerned, the Dodgers and the Astros were two of the better teams, and the Braves beat them both fair and square.
You are angry, because you make no sense. They have a solid offense and solid pitching staff, this team will top 84 wins. Get a pacifier and relax, the Braves did the right thing by getting Olson who is younger and will probably be better offensively for the Braves. It was a startling and effective move by the Braves front office.
I’ll take the bet! Also wretched south? Wtf wants to live in California?
That’s why I love baseball. No matter what it looks like on paper YOU STILL HAVE TO PLAY THE GAMES.
Absolutely right. I know they have a close relationship with Fangraphs, but every year many of their projections turn out to be total crap and therefore shouldn’t be promoted here IMO.
For the last few years, it’s always fun to see the experts preseason division winner picks and how every year, it’s not ATL. I wouldn’t know how to act if they pick ATL. Look forward to the Mets pick, but it’s clear they don’t have a copy of the Gray Sports Almanac.
Very cool of Freeman to apologize. You don’t see many people willing to do that these days.
Freddie is already angling for his one year Pujols deal in Atlanta once his LA contract is up.
Tom Glavine and Brian McCann both did that as well. Obviously McCann never won or even played in a World Series with Atlanta though.
@48-team MLB multiple user names
He did win a World Series with a Brave/s heart.
@48-team MLB = ChunkyMonkey
Wretched South? You got to be kidding me right? Living in Cali is like taking your kids to Disney, walking up to it it seems like a grand place. But once you get in you have to put on your mask, then take out a loan for all the cheap crap you end up buying. I’ll remain down here where we show up on time for the game and it doesn’t take 18 hours to get back home.
TBH I’m holding out hope that a super earthquake separates California from the U.S. and leaves it floating out in the Pacific somewhere for eternity. That place is a straight up pit.
I’ve lived in the south since high school. Place is kind of a dump. Also, I wouldn’t make jokes about traffic. Have you driven in Atlanta?
Oh and yes, I lived in Cali before.
Great analogy. I live on the NC OBX. Give me the wretched south any time!!!
Freddie uses his mitt to field, his bat to hit, his bike cup to protect his balls, but he forgot how to use a pen when it was required. NO excuses.
Huascar Ynoa is a breakout candidate as much as he is to flop. I don’t see anything special about Tucker Davidson or Kyle Muller. However, I believe that ATL has several MiLB pitchers who could be ready. IMO, Kyle Wright is 5th on my list after Bryce Elder, Spencer Strider, Alan Rangel and Brooks Wilson (RP) to make an impact.
Ynoa needs to learn how to get through the lineup for a 3rd time before he can be more than a 5th starter. IMHO, Wright looks like he’s turned a corner (holding my breath). A combo of Ynoa & Strider looks nice.
I wouldn’t sleep on Wright or Muller for a second.. Their command is spotty but both flash multiple plus pitches on the mound it’s simply a matter of developing command and learning how to pitch. They may never accomplish that feat but make no mistake none of the others have the pure talent those 2 do.
Comparing Atl traffic to LA is laughable. People and companies are leaving Cali in droves. Taxes, Cost of living, and so on. That state is asking it’s residents to turn off their electricity for a period of time and to not use its water because they can’t sustain themselves. Don’t get me wrong it’s nice to visit but to live there? I’d rather suck start a shotgun.
Wouldn’t people leaving Cali in droves be good for alleviating traffic…?
FWIW, it’s a lot easier to sit in traffic when you’re in beautiful sunny, dry air — and not summer heat with humidity forcing the windows up and the A/C full blast.
This coming from someone in NYC where we’re dealing with comparable (but worse) transit times, and if taking public transit, you’re dealing with a Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome environment.
Not that this matters at all, but having lived both places, ATL traffic is more frustrating. Because it’s surface streets that get backed up you have zero alternatives to getting places. In LA if you use waze you can get almost anywhere in under half an hour.
That said, I vastly prefer atlanta. Cooler neighborhoods, houses have bigger lots, etc. Both have their drawbacks, though.
Go braves.
Well said Crime dog, the East is a Beast! Once again, No gives the Braves a chance. Every year they aren’t good enough. It’s ok with me. Those boys just need to come out and grind like they do everyday and im good with that. What I want to see is a pissed off Ronald Acuna when he gets back take all that frustration that’s built up over the year and just smash these pitchers
With the surprising Olsen trade, the Braves brass seems to be saying they like deep playoff runs. They have three star grade 20 somethings on board for years. With Riley learning his craft so quickly, hopefully they’ll sign him long-term as well for another star quality 20 something on board. I imagine they’ll resign Dansby as a long-term serviceable shortstop. Michael Harris peers to be the real thing and will be up next year probably. I think Waters will also end up being a serviceable OF. Pitching has a very good young base with more to come. Sooner or later the DH will be a way to keep starters legs fresh. They probably need to sign a catcher and eventually free agency will take its toll, but the next five years are going to be absolutely awesome for Braves fans.
Glad to see Freeman make his peace with the Braves, but it was just business. Players and owners alike should never take things personally. Professional sports is money driven. This was a business deal and that should have been the end of it. The old days of loyalty and true respect have been long gone for quite some time. Freeman got his money, so he should be satisfied and the Braves got a good replacement and they are satisfied with that.
Acuña better not expect a good offer from the Braves when he reaches free agency. Braves have a history of lowballing their “franchise” players or letting them go without an offer.
No team offered Freeman significantly more money than the Braves did.
Freddie’s market cratered when the Braves pivoted and the Yankees re-signed Rizzo.
Not matter that they Acuña’s contract set a record at the time of signing. Who made Acuña sign for $100M ($124M with 2 affordable options are exercised) as 21 y/o?
Guess you’re choosing to not believe ATL offered him multiple times up to 5/140M, which was pulled when his agent gave an ultimatum.