Reactions to the Atlanta Braves at the Winter Meetings: podcast episode 3
Did Atlanta do anything of significance in San Diego? Not a lot, but that doesn’t mean that there was nothing accomplished, either.
To the podcast! The Atlanta Braves already had shamed the league into getting down to business this off-season thanks to a flurry of early bullpen moves, but it was Scott Boras who really got the ball rolling by foregoing his usual practice of having his clients wait out the market.
With the 3 biggest free agents now off the board, the biggest one left standing right now is… Josh Donaldson.
He is clearly in the enviable position of being able to make his own timetable between now and Christmas, but the betting here is that he will decide on a new team – hopefully the Atlanta Braves – at some point in the next few days.
In podcast episode 3, we explore the fallout from the Winter Meetings, the competition for Donaldson’s services, and the possible Plans B/C/D that the Braves will have to turn to if he ultimately opts to go elsewhere.
Alex Anthopoulos certainly did a lot of talking in San Diego, which should lay some ground for what would almost have to be trade discussions if Donaldson spurns Atlanta’s overtures.
Continue to keep in mind these watch words: ‘certainty’ and ‘clarity’ about third base. The Braves are poised to win and to win now. The effort to land a quality, proven third baseman is all about these 2 words.
Yes – there is the potential that Austin Riley and/or Johan Camargo could be excellent options at the position in 2020 and beyond. Right now, there is no certainty about that… and this is – unfortunately for both of them – a team not positioned to allow them the opportunity to grow at the major level level in a full-time job.
That’s the reason behind Anthopoulos’ quest, and that’s the bulk of where our far-and-wide discussion went in this episode. Give a listen!
Of note: we are now having these pushed out to iTunes, so if that is a convenient forum for you, then please look us up there and subscribe!
Thanks for listening!