One of the most exciting events of the offseason is set to kick off in less than a week. MLB's annual Winter Meetings is scheduled to take place December 9-12 in Dallas, TX. There will be coverage on all the transactions during the week, as well as developments on the market for the biggest free agent stars in the sport. For the Atlanta Braves, this is a massive opportunity to make a splash on a huge stage.
Alex Anthopoulos has the ability to make a splash move for the Braves and really jumpstart their offseason. The month of November was a lot of payroll crunch and roster trimming to set the Braves up for success heading into these Winter Meetings. If they want to make the move that catches the most headlines in Dallas, acquiring one name on the trade block could help them accomplish just that.
Braves trading for Garrett Crochet would make them big winners at Winter Meetings especially if they follow-through afterwards
There has been buzz around Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet since last years trade deadline. Crochet comes with a plethora of suitors, but the Braves have the ammo to win the sweepstakes for the talented lefty.
Crochet racked up over 200 strikeouts in less than 150 innings last season so he won't come cheap, but the Braves could be able to pull off a deal if they headline a prospect package with the likes of Drake Baldwin.
Garrett Crochet, Disgusting 92mph Cutter. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/Q1JXrtDnY6
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 1, 2024
It's already been reported by MLB.com's Braves beat writer Mark Bowman that teams have checked in on 2023 first round pick Hurston Waldrep, but the Braves aren't likely to move him. Pivoting to Baldwin and others could be enough to acquire the 25 year-old ace from Chicago.
Outside of Juan Soto signing during the week you'd be hard pressed to see a bigger move than that. Anthopoulos has been hesitant during his Braves tenure to make a massive free agent signing, but the trade market has been a different story. He's already traded for the likes of Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, and Chris Sale. Could Garrett Crochet be the next star on Anthopoulos' radar?
Crochet also comes at such a low cost in payroll that the Braves would have money to spend more aggressively on their other roster holes. Perhaps then Anthopoulos does throw his hat in the ring on the Willy Adames sweepstakes, seeks out an impact corner outfield bat, or makes a bid at an impact reliever. That combination of moves would certainly put Atlanta in a great spot for the 2025 season, and perhaps make them the biggest winner of this year's Winter Meetings.