Well, we finally have an answer as to what the Atlanta Braves were going to do with Jake Odorizzi in 2023. Odorizzi’s player option posed some problems for the Braves as it was a $12.5 million option and while he did have a $6.25 million buyout, there was always the concern that Odorizzi, who was very much not guaranteed to even get playing time with the Braves next year, would exercise that option anyways and occupy a roster spot.
As it turns out, Odorizzi did exercise that option and Alex Anthopoulos acted quickly by making the Braves’ second trade of the offseason. They sent Odorizzi and $10 million (total savings for the Braves being $2.5 million) in exchange for former Brave Kolby Allard. This move is more about saving a little bit of money and having that roster spot again, but it would have been nice if the Braves could have saved a little more money.
More Braves News
The offseason preview content continued here with a look at Carlos Correa as a potential free agent option at shortstop. He will be the most expensive of the options at SS and Dansby coming back still seems like the most likely outcome, but people forget how good Correa…although he does come with some baggage.
We also took a look back at the extension that the Atlanta Braves gave Charlie Morton for the 2023 season and whether or not that was wise. Charlie has had a great career and has done good things for the Braves, but one wonders if that money could have been better spent elsewhere.
Finally, our season review series continued with Vaughn Grissom. Vaughn was not expected to contribute in 2022, but he stepped up in a big way when Ozzie Albies went down with an injury and the Braves needed him.
MLB News
This is a busy time of year as teams are trying to clean up their rosters not only to make space for upcoming free agent signings, but also to prepare for the Rule 5 draft by figuring out who they need to protect. As a result, we are seeing waiver claims happen on the regular with the Giants claiming Dom Nunez and the Pirates claiming Ryan Vilade. Vilade in particular is interesting given that he was a highly regarded prospect in the Rockies system before his development with the bat plateaued in the high minors.
Also, Yankees GM Brian Cashman confirmed that the Yankees plan on extending both Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo the qualifying offer before the Thursday deadline to do so.