ATLANTA — Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos and supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned quite a lot of subjects whereas holding their end-of-season Zoom media session on Friday morning, two days after Atlanta was eradicated by the Padres within the Nationwide League Wild Card Sequence.
A few of the subjects included:
Sale’s again grew to become problematic throughout his Sept. 19 begin in Cincinnati, and it prevented him from being obtainable down the stretch and into the WC Sequence. However the high NL Cy Younger Award candidate improved sufficient earlier this week for Anthopoulos to inform Sale he’d be on the NL Division Sequence roster. The Braves didn’t advance that far, however Sale calmed fears a few lingering challenge, throwing a pain-free aspect session on Friday at Truist Park. He can now go into the offseason with peace of thoughts.
Max FriedThe expectation over the previous couple of years has been that Fried would exit as a free agent as soon as he turns into eligible. Properly, the time has arrived. What are the Braves’ ideas concerning the veteran left-hander, who’s the membership’s second-longest-tenured participant behind solely Ozzie Albies, who debuted seven days earlier in 2017?
“We’d like to have him again, however 30 groups would like to have Max Fried, proper?” Anthoploulos stated. “We’ll see the place that goes. These guys that develop into nice gamers, rightfully so, they’ve earned the prospect [to be a free agent]. They develop into actually wanted. However with Max, I’m an enormous fan.”
“I believe each of them might be Opening Day, might be center of April, might be starting of Could, might be center of Could, might be starting of June,” Anthopoulos stated. “That might most likely be on the lengthy finish, and that’s to not elevate alarm bells. I don’t need, ‘They’re not prepared Opening Day, perhaps that they had a setback?’ No, perhaps the best factor is that if we’re giving them relaxation, the start of Could. Perhaps the best factor if we’re giving them extra time is the start of June. We’re simply that far off. You ask me this query in February or March, and we’re going to know a ton.”
Ozuna’s $16 million possibility might make him one of many sport’s high bargains if he performs like he has the previous two seasons. It appears just like the Braves might additionally train Aaron Bummer’s $7.25 million possibility and Travis d’Arnaud’s $8 million possibility for the 2025 season. Bummer’s 2 2/3 scoreless innings in Recreation 1 of the WC Sequence confirmed his potential for use in additional high-leverage conditions subsequent season. d’Arnaud’s worth within the clubhouse and to the whole pitching workers makes him price the price, even when he’s serving as a backup at 36 years outdated subsequent 12 months.
“These guys had nice years,” Anthopoulos stated, “so that they’ve put themselves in nice spots [to return].”
Arcia earned an All-Star choice final season, however he has hit .225 with a .653 OPS since July 1, 2023. He ranked tenth amongst MLB shortstops with a +3 Fielding Run Worth. With the expectation that wholesome variations of Acuña, Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies will make the offense extra productive, ought to the Braves proceed to make use of Arcia as their beginning shortstop, assuming his glove stays above common?
“Getting a few of these guys again can solely assist, after which we’ll see what else is offered,” Anthopoulos stated. “Everybody that we now have on this roster proper now that is in a task, you are not going to listen to me say we’re making a change. The primary individual that might ever hear that might be the participant. However proper now, barring any adjustments, the blokes that we now have are the blokes that we now have in place, and that is Orlando and all the opposite gamers. As soon as we get to the winter, you by no means know what occurs.”
Teaching staffBefore the season began, it was recognized how onerous it might be to switch Ron Washington’s vitality and talent to maintain gamers accountable. His expertise and aggressiveness as a third-base coach was additionally missed at occasions. However it seems like his substitute, Matt Tuiasosopo, and the remainder of Atlanta’s teaching workers will return for the 2025 season.
“The expectation is that they’re all again,” Anthopoulos stated.
