The hits keep on coming, and this past month the Atlanta Braves have continued to lose members of their elite circle of Hall of Famers. Last month Phil Niekro. Earlier this week, it was Don Sutton. Yesterday, Henry Aaron.
This week’s podcast takes a moment to remember Sutton’s time with the Braves family — after having spent a career beating up on us!
Atlanta Braves podcast reflects on Don Sutton and considers the J.T. Realmuto rumor from this week.
Then there’s the Realmuto situation – if it’s even really a thing. But with separate information that the Braves were “in it to the end” (Dave O’Brien) on George Springer, that does lend more credence to the notion that they could be after Realmuto now.
Mind you, such a move would be significantly different from a more routine free agent signing. It would almost certainly require the Braves to part ways — via trade — with Travis d’Arnaud. But in turn, that would permit Atlanta to pursue a full-time left fielder, which would complement a lineup that would be outstanding in defense and still formidable in offense.
The topic we more-or-less glossed over in this discussion is that of Marcel Ozuna. There’s a reason that he hasn’t been pursued more vigorously by the Braves this Winter, and that’s because of an expectation that he is a defensive liability… and that subtracts mightily from any anticipated offensive contribution he would be expected to provide.
Still… he’s an option, though probably the last gasp option as the Braves attempt to find a big bat to protect the reigning NL MVP in the lineup.
So here’s our humble attempt to talk about these things. Feel free to use the player below or download via this link to listen later at your leisure.
This week has been pretty rough for Braves fans. Next week… that might be another story altogether as the roster could take on a new shape over the next several days.
Thanks for listening. We sincerely appreciate the time you spend to do so.