The Braves are displaying their hosting of the All-Star Game front and center on the field. Meanwhile, we look at what it could take for Drake Baldwin to make the Opening Day Roster.
As we near the end of the offseason, the Braves did make one impact addition in Jurickson Profar, but also didn’t really make the splash we expected after Alex Anthopoulos said payroll would go up (it hasn’t yet) and they made some cost-saving decisions early in the offseason (namely with Travis d’Arnaud and Griffin Canning). I have two theories about this that are not necessarily mutually exclusive (assuming Anthopoulos wasn’t blatantly lying at that press conference). One is that something legitimately happened like a mandate from above or a change in finances (perhaps an accelerated timeline on a potential future sale of the franchise that incentivizes some cutting of expenses) that actually changed the offseason outlook after Anthopoulos indicated that payroll would go up and options would be picked up. Another theory is the front office simply did not get deals they liked to the finish-line for a variety of reasons, leaving open the possibility that one or more could still happen. There is good reporting that they nearly completed a deal with Jeff Hoffman, which could back up that second theory, although we don’t know that they would have still done another deal like Profar’s if that had gotten across the finish line.
I will say however, I think that the rotation is at least plausible as is, with Sale, Schwellenbach, and Lopez written in pen, Strider hopefully coming back full force, and Grant Holmes as a viable fifth starter option that I probably like more than many. The bullpen is the really obvious place that seems a bit light, but it is always possible for relievers to appear out of nowhere if you shake enough trees to find one and that is also a spot where a notable addition could still be made fairly easily.
Braves News
The Braves will be wearing 2025 All-Star Game logos on their hats this season, as they prepare to host the event in the Summer, among other uniform tweaks.
ABsinceWayBack took a look at what Drake Baldwin might have to do to make his way onto the Opening Day roster.
MLB News
Starting pitcher Kutter Crawford is behind as the Red Sox start Spring Training, as he deals with a knee issue dating back to last season.
Shohei Ohtani threw his first bullpen off the mound Saturday, as he continues his journey back to being a two-way player.
The Red Sox are noncommittal on their infield alignment plans, as they added Alex Bregman with Rafael Devers as their incumbent third baseman.
The Dodgers signed Braves’ legend Eddie Rosario to a minor league deal, as they hope to rekindle his past success at their stadium.
Brewers’ star Christian Yelich expects to be ready to play Opening Day, as he returns from back surgery.