Atlanta Braves success means managing a chaotic off-season

The Atlanta Braves have 144 days to finalize the actors and set the stage for their next division title; the clock starts now.

The Atlanta Braves off-season began when they lost the NLDS. The Braves have made several minor moves since then, but the most significant decisions lie ahead.

Early in my Air Force career, I learned nothing gets done without a suspense date. The ultimate baseball suspense date is opening day, but MLB’s off-season calendar is chocked full of events to manage the chaos until next season’s first pitch.

Here’s a primer on the important dates ahead from MLB Trade Rumors.

Monday looks busy

Today, November 6th, a plethora of baseball-related things happen. At the top of the list, free agents are officially free agents.

1. Eric provided a list of Atlanta Braves free agents last week, some are more important than others, but most agree the Dansby Swanson decision tops the list.
2. The same day, the Hall of Fame releases its candidates for the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.

As for November 7th:

1. The BBWAA releases the top three finalists for all of its awards.
2. The annual GM Meetings begin in Las Vegas. Title bloat means the duties of a GM now belong to a president of baseball operations. Nevertheless, Atlanta Braves PoBO Alex Anthopoulos joins his peers for three days where much is talked about but little finalized.

Tuesday through Friday

Three days after the Series ends, players and teams must finalize their decision on contract options. The only Brave who must make that decision is Jake Odorizzi, who holds a complicated player option for 2023.

The first five days after the Series is known as the quiet period. During that time, the Braves are the only team that may negotiate with their departing free agents. When the quiet period ends:

• Teams must make a Qualifying Offer (QO) to departing free agents or let them walk.
  • Swanson is the only Braves player who will definitely receive that one-year, $19.65M offer.
  • Players have seven days to accept or decline the QO.
• Free agents may sign with a team other than their former club.

Atlanta Braves rookie of the year announced?

Yes, I’m premature, but does anyone believe someone other than Michael Harris II or Spencer Strider in the name called with the BBWAA announces their Rookie of the Year on November 14?

The BBWAA follows that with the Manager of the Year announcement on November 15 and Cy Youngs winners on November 16. and MVP awards on November 16.

Roster decisions

November 18th is the last day to tender contracts to players under team control – with under six years of service time. Generally, we hear about nontenders because they become free agents. Tendered players may not actually sign their contract for as much as two months afterward.

In the same vein, the Atlanta Braves have until November 20 to finalize the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft.

On December 3rd, the Winter Meetings begin in San Diego. Meetings continue through December 5th and wrap up with the Rule 5 Draft on December 6th and 7th.

Happy New Year

Arbitration-eligible players tendered a contract on November 18 but haven’t agreed terms with the Atlanta Braves, exchange their final arbitration offers on January 18. The Braves are a file and trial team; any arbitration hearings required take place between February 1 and February 21 in Phoenix.

Pitchers and catchers typically report on Valentine’s Day, which falls in the second full week in February. Spring Training games officially begin on Friday, February 24.

Beginning on March 2, the Atlanta Braves can renew contracts of unsigned pre-arbitration eligible players.

That’s a wrap

For Atlanta Braves fans, the off-season seems to feature long periods of inactivity followed by a few days of frantic activity, but that’s not the case.

The Atlanta Braves front office went into overdrive as the playoffs ended and will remain in high gear until the 2023 season begins 144 days from today.

When things get interesting, we’ll let you know what’s happening here at The Take.