The Atlanta Braves finally start playing spring training games this weekend and for fans, it feels long overdue. The stink of the 2024 season has lingered all offseason and basically everyone is looking to turn the page. When Chris Sale takes the mound, it will be a first step towards doing just that.
For a few days, things have been relatively quiet from Braves' camp as the guys just get their work in before the spring schedule starts up. While that in itself is good news as it has meant that no one has had any setbacks or injuries, there are a few nuggets of news from outside of Atlanta's camp that are of interest.
Braves just reached deal on multi-year sponsorship with RJ Young
Team sponsorship deals are all the rage these days as teams look to find new revenue streams wherever they can. While the Braves' partnerships with Truist as well as Quikrete are the most visible existing sponsors, a new name has been added to the mixe starting in 2025.
In a press release, the Braves announced a partnership with RJ Young that will span the next two seasons. RJ Young is a company that provides technology (printers, etc.) and technology services to businesses and their branding will be on signs and events at Truist Park through 2026 according to the release. As of now, the financial terms of the deal are not known.
Braves hosting free Chris Tomlin postgame concert in July
The Braves have worked very hard to make Truist Park and The Battery as more than just a place to watch baseball games. The real estate development they have done has the expressed goal of making the area hub of activity that extends beyond baseball and the team is looking to leverage their brand to cross over into many different markets.
That will continue in 2025 with the word that the Braves will host a free Chris Tomlin concert on July 5 after their game against the Orioles. Tomlin is an extremely popular Christian artist and the event is being put on with support from Chick-fil-A. That last bit is important as given Chick-fil-A's size and importance in the Atlanta area, the Braves working directly with the company could pay big financial dividends down the road.
Bleacher Report seems to think that a Sonny Gray trade for the Braves is still in the cards
Last offseason, the free agent that seems to make the most sense for the Braves to target at the start was Sonny Gray. The veteran starter was coming off a great year with the Twins after finishing second in the AL Cy Young race and wasn't likely to be looking to sign some crazy long-term deal. Unfortunately, Gray had his heart set on St. Louis and he ended up signing with the Cardinals.
That connection still seems to be lingering as Bleacher Report floated Gray as a Braves trade target before the start of the season. While Gray wasn't amazing last season, Atlanta would still likely be interested given his pedigree on the mound. Unfortunately, the Cardinals seem to no idea what they want and Gray has said he wants to stay, so this idea seems more like wishful thinking than an actual possibility.