Alex Anthoooulos never sleeps and on day one of the offseason, the Braves made a deal, sending Jorge Soler to the Angels for Griffin Canning. Some of you may be wondering why AA would act so early, as it feels hasty to make a trade this early without gauging the market. While that might be true, AA had reasons. Teams have 5 days after the World Series to, for lack of better terms, sort out their 2024 payroll and Jorge Soler was the victim. Ridding Soler’s contract allows the Braves to go below the 3rd tier tax, thus far saving millions of dollars that can go to improving the team in 2025.
However, let’s be real here. Jorge Soler in the oufield was an absolute dumpster fire and his bat was just not good enough to justify his defense.
The Return
Griffin Canning was a 2nd round draft pick back in 2017 who’s carried a pretty strong track record in the minors, but hasn’t really put it together in the bigs. His statcast page leaves a lot to be desired so all indications are that this was a luxury tax deal, not a Griffin Canning deal.
Braves That Elected Free Agency
Day 1 of the offseason is also the day that players can elect free agency. Here’s the Braves list:
- Adam Duvall
- Charlie Morton
- Max Fried
- A.J. Minter
- Jesse Chavez
- Gio Urshela
- John Brebbia
- Whit Merrifield
Thoughts: Of the 8, the most likely to return are Charlie Morton (who’s still debating whether to retire or pitch one more year), Whit Merrifield, and Gio Urshela. Alex Anthopoulos has always looked a free agency for his players that have spent their entire careers in one org as “earning their right” to test the market and I’m guessing he’ll let both Fried and Minter go.
Everyone seems to think Canning will be non-tendered. Not saying they’re wrong–they always seem to have their finger on the pulse of ownership more than I do–but I think Canning is a useful player for 5 million, and you can do a lot worse with that money. That is especially true if he could be an effective middle or long reliever who can spot start in a pinch. With the luxury tax thresholds being what they are, $5 million can be make or break, so I’m sure that will be the greatest factor.
Agreed. Could he really be worse than some of the dudes we have rolled out there in the last few years like Milone, Kerr, Vines, Elder, Winans, Chirinos and Shuster? I don’t know anything about Canning’s stuff, but he couldn’t be worse than some of those guys listed above for $5 million.
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I think they bring Minter back on a cheap prove it deal
I00% okay with dealing Soler. Would love to see Fried next week but that’s not likely.
Not happening
Long term money on a pitcher is extremely risky. If Freddie and Dansby didn’t get it from us, I don’t expect Max will.
I don’t think it’s likely that the Braves will resign Merrifield or Urshela. They have never wanted to spend money on a utility infielder.
I think they will sign one of them
Merrifield is more likely than Urshela. I think Atlanta would pay Merrifield a couple million, nothing more. And Merrifield probably played his way into getting more money elsewhere. Atlanta’s probably better off running it back, hoping for health, and if they don’t, go get the 2025 versions of Laureano, Merrifield, and Urshela off the waiver wire.
Braves claimed Royber Salinas from the A’s ; he was a former braves minor league pitcher who was sent there in the Sean Murphy trade, I think.
He’s coming off shoulder surgery, but I remember him having crazy K numbers in the minors due to a great slider.
We really do have a thing for trading prospects and players away, then scooping them back up once they’re released. It’s like AA’s fetish.
lets grab Kyle Muller while we are at it. 🙂
Braves reworked Reynaldo Lopez and Aaron Bummer’s contracts to free up more payroll for next season.
Braves did NOT pick up Travis D’Arnaud’s option. I guess Drake Baldwin will have a spot on the major league team next season.