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Atlanta Braves Rumors: Marlins want Ian Anderson or Austin Riley

By Alan Carpenter

NAGOYA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 15: Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves is welcomed by Manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Miami Marlins and Deesignated hitter J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins as he is introduced prior to the game six between Japan and MLB All Stars at Nagoya Dome on November 15, 2018 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
NAGOYA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 15: Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves is welcomed by Manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Miami Marlins and Deesignated hitter J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins as he is introduced prior to the game six between Japan and MLB All Stars at Nagoya Dome on November 15, 2018 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Adam Conley #61 of the Miami Marlins is congratulated by J.T. Realmuto #11 after defeating the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on September 17, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Adam Conley #61 of the Miami Marlins is congratulated by J.T. Realmuto #11 after defeating the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on September 17, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Miami isn’t being stupid

In the shoes of Alex Anthopoulos, this is a tough call, no doubt.  Let’s lay out the new information first and then discuss the implications.

Okay, let me first interpret what I’m getting from Craig Mish, who has been essentially the sole source of rumors on this subject since late November.  The Atlanta beat writers are getting some information on background, but none of them are disclosing anything (nor should they under those circumstances).

  • The Marlins want either Ian Anderson or Austin Riley.  Other pieces would be involved, of course, but these are the players (1 of them) they covet the most… understandably.
  • The Braves are reluctant on both… understandably.
  • If the Braves had either one on the table, this would already be a done deal and Atlanta would schedule the press conference for the day after that odd-numbered game with the oblong ball.
  • For what it’s worth, I *think* the Marlins are not asking for both players… certainly, that would be a total show-stopper.
  • It does appears that the 2 sides are still talking – this is not a case of ‘Anderson or Riley?? Heck no!’  (sound of line going dead)
  • I read that as there being a chance that other options might be considered, but for the moment, that’s the ask from the Marlins side.
  • The ‘going dark’ thing suggests strongly that this is finally working toward a conclusion.
  • Finally:  while we’re talking about the Braves here, there are other teams still involved to some level.  There is still serious competition.

Basically, my read on all of this is as follows (which hasn’t changed since December):  if another team jumps up and trumps the current Atlanta offer, then the Braves will increase their bid to get the catcher.  I don’t know that for a fact, but it’s my best guess based on the fact that the braves have been working on this for over a year now.

It seems that Miami wants to end this, but it struggling mightily to get some team – any team – to move off of their offer to get a little more back.

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