With few needs, Braves keep options open for Winter Meetings
ATLANTA — Dansby Swanson may want to attend a little bit longer to study the place he may play subsequent yr. But his identify will likely be talked about fairly regularly because the baseball world makes an attempt to get a greater really feel for the Braves’ plans throughout this yr’s Winter Meetings, which open Sunday in San Diego.
Swanson and the Braves haven’t made any progress throughout the offseason, so there’s purpose to wonder if the shortstop will keep together with his hometown membership. His exit would create a major void defensively and might pressure the Braves to interchange his offensive worth by buying a high quality left fielder.
But Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has to find out extra than simply who may be his shortstop subsequent yr. Along with probably strengthening the bullpen and including a left fielder this offseason, Anthopoulos might try to discover a staff prepared to take at the least a portion of Marcell Ozuna’s wage.
The Braves don’t have an abundance of wants, however they are going to stay busy whereas seeking to keep on the prime of what has develop into a really aggressive National League East.
Club wants
The Braves want a shortstop and a left fielder. It doesn’t really feel like they would be the prime bidder for Swanson, who’s on the lookout for a six-year deal value at the least $20 million a yr. But there’s an opportunity Swanson may go away some cash on the desk to proceed taking part in in his dwelling metropolis.
Eddie Rosario struggled final yr and Ozuna shouldn’t be thought of an everyday defensive choice if he’s nonetheless round. So there’s an opportunity the Braves may pursue a left fielder to deal with a bulk of the taking part in time in left subject.
Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander’s names have been linked to the Braves, however until some prices are faraway from the payroll it appears unlikely Atlanta would bid for both of these aces.
Potential commerce candidates
The Braves would like to swap dangerous contracts as an alternative of doubtless consuming the $37 million nonetheless owed Marcell Ozuna. If the membership makes an attempt to achieve worth through commerce, Atlanta might should lean into its beginning pitching depth by dealing Kyle Muller, Bryce Elder or Freddy Tarnok. With William Contreras having emerged from the fold this previous yr, the Braves might also try to maneuver veteran backup catcher Manny Piña. But in the event that they’re on the lookout for extra vital worth, Contreras might be considered as a key commerce piece.
Prospects to know
OF/3B Justyn-Henry Malloy
Malloy struggled at Vanderbilt (2019), thrived throughout his solely season at Georgia Tech (’21) and spent this previous summer time tasting success at three completely different ranges throughout the Braves’ group. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound prospect hit 17 homers with a .862 OPS over 591 mixed plate appearances between High-A Rome, Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett this yr. He can play third base, however was used solely as a left fielder throughout this yr’s Arizona Fall League. He ranks because the Braves No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline.
RHP AJ Smith-Shawver
Any present dialog concerning the Braves’ farm system has to begin with Smith-Shawver, a 19-year-old prospect who didn’t begin pitching recurrently till his 2020 summer time season. Still, the Braves took him within the seventh spherical of the 2021 Draft and gave him a $997,500 signing bonus, which was $795,900 over slot worth.
Smith-Shawver endured some rising pains and he posted a 5.11 ERA for Single-A Augusta this yr, however he struck out 34.4 % of the batters he confronted and had a 13 % stroll price throughout his first full skilled season. Those are encouraging numbers for the younger pitcher, who ranks because the Braves’ No. 8 prospect. Smith-Shawver has been prolonged past the fifth inning simply as soon as and he was shut down in early August. So whereas he garnered consideration this yr, he’s nonetheless very early in his growth.
Rule 5 Draft
Right-handed pitcher Victor Vodnik has struggled to remain wholesome, however has made impression whereas pitching in large league video games throughout the previous two Spring Trainings. He seems to be the most certainly Braves participant to be chosen by a membership that must be prepared to hold him on its energetic roster all yr or supply him again to Atlanta.
Burning query
It’s all about Swanson, however there’s purpose to surprise if he’ll signal earlier than the 2 costliest free agent shortstops — Trea Turner and Carlos Correa — signal. Swanson might be a helpful comfort prize for whoever doesn’t find yourself with Turner or Correa. There’s little doubt Swanson want to return to the Braves. But on the similar time, he’s not going to cross on an incredible amount of cash to stay dwelling. The subsequent few weeks and months will give us a greater really feel for the way a lot the Braves actually need Swanson again subsequent yr and the way a lot he actually needs to remain.
