Yesterday was a surprisingly busy day for Atlanta Braves news with some a nice wide range of stories that help contextualize the offseason a bit. We first heard that the Braves did, in fact, make an offer to Dansby Swanson on an extension during the 2022 season. While we don’t know how many years the Braves were offering, we do know that the amount was in the $100 million range. It is hardly surprising that that offer didn’t get the deal done, but at least we know roughly where the Braves’ started these negotiations.
As for how much the Braves COULD pay Dansby, Braves fans were likely heartened to see that the team continues to print money thanks to the pennant race, The Battery, and the afterglow of the World Series run. The AJC reported yesterday that the Braves raked in a cool $252 million in the third quarter of 2022 (that is July through September). How the Braves will spend that money very much remains to be seen, although it can’t really hurt their chances of being able to re-sign Dansby.
More Braves News
Ronald Acuña Jr. was in the news as well yesterday and all of it was positive. First, it was reported that after the Braves initially only wanted him to work out, and not play, with a Venezuelan Winter League team, the Braves compromised a bit and are going to let him DH for five games down there. The good news for Ronnie continued later in the evening when it was announced as the winner of the Player’s Choice Award for National League Comeback Player of the Year. Spencer Strider also won the PCA for National League Outstanding Rookie of the Year, so hats off to both Ronnie and Spencer.
We also had Braves prospects Justyn-Henry Malloy and Austin Smith being selected for the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game. Malloy was the winner of the NL side of the fan vote to get his spot. Our staff also took a look at Ian Anderson’s lost season as well as a dive into who we should expect to be the Braves’ primary closer in 2023.
MLB News
The World Series had an off day on Friday as the action heads back to Houston. However, the fine folks at MLB did put together a lovely look at five key storylines heading into Game Six. The Astros currently have a 3-2 series lead and are heading back home. It is hardly a surprise that the Astros are heavy favorites to win according to the oddsmakers at FiveThirtyEight.