Atlanta Braves direction as the Winter Meetings begin isn’t a secret
Braves beat reporters asked Alex Anthopoulos the same questions they've asked in the past at the start of the Winter Meetings, and he answered, but we know no more now than we did yesterday.
By Fred Owens
The Winter Meetings draw every beat reporter, national correspondent, talk show host, and sports network in the hope of getting an inside track on the goings-on.
The networks have to fill air time while meeting to decide the internal workings of the game which means: Outlets interview every GM, player, manager, coach, and retired player to get their share of air time, and Scott Boras always manages to turn up and pontificate on TV and radio,
Rarely are these interviews more than churn.
As proof, here’s a look at some of the tweets after Alex Anthopoulos spoke to reporters today.
What follows isn’t a criticism of the writers; I’ve followed David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) for over a decade and Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) since he took over at the AJC. Both do their job well.
The Atlanta Braves won’t trade core players
First out of the box is a question about a ridiculous rumor linking Ozzie Albies or Ronald Acuña Jr. to a proposed trade.
Alex Anthopoulos said the Braves are extremely unlikely to move any player they’ve signed to a long-term extension - Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, etc. He wanted to make it clear that barring a drop in performance or an off-field incident, those guys won’t be moved.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) December 3, 2023
It shouldn’t surprise anyone who follows the Atlanta Braves to hear that the team isn’t trading players they signed as the core of the team unless the player's performance craters. Other players might well move but the core isn't going anywhere.
What are those guys smoking? Why would anyone – except an Athletics, Marlins, or Rays fan, I guess - expect their team to do that?
Atlanta Braves if the season started today
If-the-season-started-today (ITSST) rumors are more funny than disappointing. Someone asked if Grissom would get a look in left field.
If the season started today, Vaughn Grissom would "get a look" in left field, #Braves' Alex Anthopoulos said. Grissom will play LF in Puerto Rico this winter. In other words, unless Braves add another LF, he'll go to spring as the primary. Said Forrest Wall is another LF option.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 3, 2023
The current depth chart shows Vaugh Grissom as the team’s left fielder, with Forrest Wall as the fourth outfielder. So, yes, if the first game were today, Grissom would play left because there is no one else aside from Ozuna.
Ozuna is a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency left fielder. The Braves would need a new DH that isn’t their backup catcher. Using your backup catcher as your everyday DH isn’t a great idea.