Offseason progress in the NL East: the Atlanta Braves
The Changes at <NewBankName> Park
Yes, the SunTrust name is going to have a visible change that will take some getting used to.
We’ve gotten used to ‘SunTrust Park’ already, yet now we will (almost certainly) have to endure ‘Truist Field’ or some such variation on that theme. But that’s about signage… let’s check the actual personnel moves:
DEPARTURES
- RHP Julio Teheran (to Angels)
- LHP Dallas Keuchel (to White Sox)
- LHP Jerry Blevins
- RHP Josh Tomlin
- C Francisco Cervelli (to Marlins)
- OF Matt Joyce
- 3B Josh Donaldson (so far)
- RHP Anthony Swarzak
- 2B Adeiny Hechavarria
- CF Billy Hamilton
- C John Ryan Murphy
- LF Rafael Ortega
RETIREMENTS
- C Brian McCann (he deserved his own category)
TRADES
- None
CLAIMS
- None
NOTABLE SIGNINGS
- LHSP Cole Hamels
- LHRP Will Smith (from Giants)
- C Travis d’Arnaud
COMEBACKERS
- RHRP Darren O’Day re-signed
- RHRP Chris Martin re-signed
- RHP Giomar Diaz (minor league deal)
- INF/OF/RHP Charlie Culberson (minor league re-sign; invite to Spring)
- LF Nick Markakis (technically re-signed after about 3 minutes of free agency)
- C Tyler Flowers (technically re-signed after about 3 minutes of free agency)
HEADLINERS
The media was bug-eyed at the pace Atlanta set for their early transactions, which re-upped every significant member of the prior bullpen and then fortified it with arguably the best available free agent arm.
After that, the catching position was filled with the best catcher not name Yasmani Grandall and Cole Hamels was inked on a 1-year deal after the Phillies insulted his intelligence via an offer that was half what the Braves set before him.
In doing all of this, Atlanta set the stage for getting almost every necessary hole filled excepting the difficult one – third base. That task was made even harder as Anthony Rendon was inked with the Angels and Mike Moustakas – the 3rd-best third baseman – signed with the Reds to play second base.
Since December 4th – the date Hamels’ signing was official – the Braves have been marking time… waiting to see what Josh wants to do. There have been no transactions since then.