This 2019 version of the atlanta braves still feels like a team waiting for both emergence and transition – even while they are highly competitive. Here are some thoughts on possible transitions elsewhere for 2020.
A winner is being built in Atlanta – yet not without some speed bumps along the way. Many of the “Kids” are playing very well, and it’s obvious that some will be playing for this Atlanta Braves squad for the long haul:
- Freddie Freeman: signed through 2021, and likely will sign almost anything put in front of him to stick around longer.
- Ronald Acuna Jr.: signed through 2026 with additional option years available
- Ozzie Albies: signed through 2025 with additional option years available
Yet change happens on a constant basis… typically, close to 1/3rd of an active roster will be changed out from one calendar year to the next.
That’s relatively normal regardless of the team or how well the team performs from one year to the next. For 2019, here’s a (partial) list of Braves that have departed:
- Brad Brach
- Kurt Suzuki
- Brandon McCarthy
- Anibal Sanchez
- Ryan Flaherty
- Peter Moylan
- Lucas Duda
- Matt Wisler
- Lane Adams
- Adam Duvall (kinda)
For the 2020 Atlanta Braves, I could go for the obvious (Arodys Vizcaino – his control years will be done) or at least one of the current catching tandem or a veteran like Matt Joyce, but that’s too easy.
Each of those named here has a story that could lead to a reason for no extended tenure with Atlanta.
Let’s do a little forecasting, then: 4 players that have a good chance to be gone when 2020 comes around.