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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop and rumor wrap: waiting for the green flag to drop

By Alan Carpenter

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Brantley #23 of the Cleveland Indians singles against the Chicago White Sox in the ninth inning at Progressive Field on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Indians 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Brantley #23 of the Cleveland Indians singles against the Chicago White Sox in the ninth inning at Progressive Field on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Indians 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Round-up, Part II

PITCHING – RELIEVERS

  • Raisel Iglesias.  You can forget about his availability, having signed a 3 year deal with Cincy.
  • Edwin Diaz.  Sure… he’s available… and pretty much by the same manner that Ronald Acuna is ‘available’.
  • Craig Kimbrel.  I have to believe that if wants to ‘come home’, he’ll have to take Atlanta’s price and not the other way ’round… and that could come only after the ‘major’ work is done.
  • Adam Ottavino.  Best improvement by a reliever of anyone not named ‘Edwin Diaz’… but can he repeat that in an age 33 season after a big jump in innings and appearances?  Also:  oddly enough, he did much better at home (Denver) than on the road.
  • There are quite a few relievers that could be had via trade – look for Atlanta to work on this much later in the off-season while targeting clubs that are overtly selling.

More from Tomahawk Take

OUTFIELDERS

  • Forget about Harper.
  • Forget about Haniger.
  • McCutchen, Brantley, Pollock… gotta think the Braves land one of these guys.  Pollock is problematic, though: he comes with draft pick compensation baggage (See also Grandall below)
  • Oh, and forget about Trout.

INFIELDERS

  • Forget about Machado
  • Forget about Goldschmidt

CATCHERS

  • Realmuto.  There are 3 problems here:
    • Problem 1:  Atlanta undoubtedly has a price that they’d prefer to pay for him.  The Marlins will be trying to ‘make up’ for lame deals they made last year for Ozuna and Yelich.   Nobody in the entire league will be interested in helping them do that… thus a game of chicken ensues.
    • Problem 2:  the Marlins are really hoping somebody blinks and accepts their asking price so that they don’t have to sell to Atlanta.  I remain of the opinion that the Braves (a) made an offer; and (b) that they are the leaders in the clubhouse.
    • Problem 3:  timing.  When is the point of no return?  The Nationals, for one, have already opted to go another direction (Suzuki).  The Astros, Dodgers, and Braves are sitting… and waiting.
  • Yasmani Grandall.  Would cost the Braves money and their 2nd round (3rd overall) draft pick next June.  It would have been a 3rd rounder had the Braves chosen (my term) to sign Carter Stewart.  Now that decision could bite.
  • Wilson Ramos.  Probably the Plan B guy.
  • Robinson Chirinos.  Probably the Plan C guy… Grandall is ‘D’.

dark. Next. Here's a guy worth rooting for

That is essentially a preview of the week to come… the fun part is going to be watching it all unfold as people are starting to actually get down to business now.

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