I didn’t think the Braves would be massive spenders this offseason. They didn’t have too many holes to fill, and without making a single move, they already are spending more money than they ever have before entering a season. Still, I thought Dansby Swanson was a possibility, and if not, they would use some of that money they were planning to allocate on Swanson elsewhere — like left field.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. The Braves have spent just north of $2 million on free agents, essentially ignoring their two most glaring holes at shortstop and in the outfield. As things stand right now, I’m not sure how anyone associated with the organization can be pleased with how this offseason has panned out. The Braves have gotten worse, while the Mets and Phillies have thrown cash at seemingly every name that has hit the open market.
Good for them, but for the first time in years, I’m not going into the season expecting to cruise to an NL East title. It’s going to be a dogfight, one that I’m not sure the Braves are currently prepared for. There remains a few more months before the start of the season, so there’s time for Alex Anthopolous to tweak things, but with every day that passes, the list of worthwhile free agents dwindles.
Following the signings of Michael Conforto and Wil Myers in recent days — two guys I would have loved to have on the Braves — only six players from MLB Trade Rumors Top 50 MLB Free Agents List remain unsigned:
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- #23 Nathan Eovaldi
- #33 Jurickson Profar
- #39 Andrew Chafin
- #40 Jean Segura
- #41 Michael Wacha
- #48 Corey Kluber
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Yeah, that list is… bleak, and it tells me the Braves might be done this offseason. Perhaps they could turn to the trade market, but they don’t have many prospects to fetch another high-level talent.
Of the remaining free agents on MLB Trade Rumors’ Top 50 List, none of them really interest me. Profar could be a decent add to the outfield mix, but I wouldn’t be thrilled about it. Segura has some value if he could still play shortstop, but I don’t think that’s a realistic scenario. Eovaldi is intriguing, but I don’t see the Braves shelling out that kind of cash on another starting pitcher, which is already arguably their biggest strength heading into 2023.
I’m beginning to believe there’s a very good chance the Braves go into the season as currently constructed, which fans have every right to be upset about. This is a team that has locked up their entire core to team friendly deals and is in the heart of their championship window. Not shelling out an extra $150 million on Dansby Swanson is one thing, but to punt the offseason and spend no money when there are clear and obvious holes is a slap in the face to an entire fan base that has shown nothing but their unwavering support at Truist Park and the surrounding Battery area.
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Photo: Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sports
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