NEW POD: There might be a lot less starters available via trade than we expected, but the Braves still might be able to not only get one, but make it a package deal with a bat

The Atlanta Braves might have a tougher time trading for a starting pitcher than we expected, based on news out of the GM meetings

NEW POD: CJ Nitkowski joins the show to deep dive into the biggest storylines of Atlanta's offseason, like how to upgrade at shortstop, whether or not Sean Murphy gets traded, and his thoughts on the new coaching staff.

Prospect notebook: How do the Atlanta Braves have such a bad farm system, yet keep churning Rookies of the Year? open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

Happy Birthday to former Atlanta Braves DH and 2021 World Series champion Marcell Ozuna, who turns 35 today. Alex Anthopoulos did not rule out a return, saying "We haven’t closed the door on guys like Ozuna, but we just don’t know. We’ll see what opportunities present themselves in the winter."

NEW POD: Alex Anthopoulos spoke yesterday at the GM Meetings, and his current roster focus just might overlap with a Braves trade target that just said he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause. youtu.be/_N-iWxUb8nY

If the Braves don't sign a qualifying offer player this winter, it's more important than ever to make some good trades, especially at starting pitcher.

Atlanta Braves prospect and certified 6'8" giant Luke Sinnard has had an impressive debut season in professional baseball, capped off by a Fall Stars nod in the Arizona Fall League. open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

NEW POD: The Atlanta Braves just got an extra draft pick for Drake Baldwin's Rookie of the Year win. Do they sacrifice it to sign a Qualifying Offer player? youtu.be/h2xWFYD94q0

INBOX: Odds sheet from a sportsbook on MLB free agent signings. Of relevance to Atlanta: Cease: Favorites at 2/1 Diaz: 7th at 12/1 (LAD 5/2 fav) Valdez: 4th at 6/1 (NYM 2/1 fav) King: Not in T12 Ranger Suarez: 2nd at 4/1 (BOS 3/1 fav) Gallen: 9th at 14/1 (BAL 3/1 fav)

The Atlanta Braves now have an additional Top 30 pick in next summer's MLB Draft. Do they sacrifice it for a Qualifying Offer player, or use the extra money to dominate the draft? open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has WON NL Rookie of the Year. He received 21 of the 30 first place votes

NEWS: Atlanta Braves are hiring Tommy Watkins to an yet-undisclosed coaching role. He went from minor league manager (Double-A) to first base coach in 2019, the same year Jeremy Hefner became assistant pitching coach, before eventually moving from 1st to 3rd in 2022

AFL dispatch: Atlanta Braves prospect Pat Clohisy, who stole 79 bases in the regular season, has added power and loft to his swing this fall in the Arizona Fall League. open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

NEW POD: The Atlanta Braves can't realistically fill ALL of their roster needs in free agency. Our Lindsay Crosby breaks down what it would look like if the Braves cut a corner, complete with scenarios and sample contracts youtu.be/pvzgk4PlYag

NEWS: Braves pitcher Nathan Wiles has signed with the KBO. Went 6-8 with a 3.04 ERA in 25 Triple-A appearances (19 starts), striking out 105 in 112.2 innings. Got one single inning with the Braves, allowing three runs on four hits against St. Louis in April He'll be playing for the Kiwoom Heroes

Despite Terry McGuirk's stated goal of being a Top 5 payroll, it feels increasing unlikely the Braves are going to fill every roster hole in free agency. What's the likely corner they'll have to cut? open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

Nacho Alvarez Jr. is no longer a prospect, but he went to the Arizona Fall League anyway and is performing well. open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

BASEBALL!

Braves outfield prospect Patrick Clohisy won the AFL's NL Final Vote and gives Atlanta a third Fall Star for this season's AFL slate. He'll join 3B Nacho Alvarez Jr. and RHP Luke Sinnard in Sunday night's game

NEWS: The Atlanta Braves have re-signed Carlos Carrasco and Darius Vines to minor league deals

Per Baseball America, the Atlanta Braves having a long list of minor league free agents: Pitchers: RHP Ian Anderson RHP Davis Daniel RHP Enoli Paredes RHP Joel Payamps RHP Amos Willingham LHP Austin Cox LHP Brian Moran

More coach hires for the #Braves: Tony Mansolino comes over from Baltimore as the third base coach. Was their 3B coach for five seasons before taking over as interim manager J.P. Martinez is the bullpen coach after being the San Francisco Giants pitching coach last year Still need a bench coach

NEW POD: The Atlanta Braves made two surprising option decisions yesterday, freeing up money for this winter. What will they spend it on? youtu.be/7OajctwRDcY

Atlanta surprised us all on Thursday by declining to pick up the club options of relievers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley. Here's why they did that, as well as how much money they have to spend this winter. open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

NEWS: The Atlanta Braves have claimed Michael Siani off waivers from the Cardinals Defensive whiz in centerfield (96th percentile FRV in 2024) but struggled at the plate in his half-season of run that year The 40-man roster is now at 35

#Braves outfielder Jake Fraley was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays. Was projected for a $3.6M salary in his finl arbitration year and I really didn't think the Braves would want to go for that, and they clearly didn't.

NEWS: The Braves have outrighted Joel Payamps, Austin Cox, Chuckie Robinson, and Carlos Rodríguez to Gwinnett. The 40-man roster is now at 35.

So, to recap today's reports for the #Braves: Declined options: Tyler Kinley ($5.5M, will pay 750k buyout), Pierce Johnson ($7M, no buyout) The 40-man roster now has enough spots to restore everyone off the 60-day IL without any cuts, as that'll be 39 total players

The Atlanta Braves are also declining the $7M option of reliever Pierce Johnson, so there's clearly a need to add multiple bullpen arms this winter

Per a report from MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Atlanta Braves have declined the $5.5M club option on trade deadline Tyler Kinley, who they acquired from the Colorado Rockies.

NEW POD: Adding Jeremy Hefner and Antoan Richardson to the coaching staff is a big deal, and signals a change in the way the team operates. youtu.be/FDWRdR2L1o8

And as someone who was given a layoff notice last month and has until December to find a job, the market is AWFUL right now and I can't even get interviews for the same job I currently have Doesn't help that my area of expertise involves a shutdown government agency in the SBA

#Braves have some Fall Stars in the AFL: 3B Nacho Alvarez Jr. SP Luke Sinnard (I'm told he won't pitch) Additionally, OF Patrick Clohisy is in the Final 2 vote, where voting is open now through Friday evening

NEWS: Braves made some promotions in the baseball operations department -Michael Schwartze promoted to Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel. He came over to Atlanta from SFG with Pete Putila - Adam Sonabend promoted to Assistant General Manager, Major League Operations

The Atlanta Braves hiring Jeremy Hefner as pitching coach is a massive win, and that's not a slight on Rick Kranitz. open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

Coaching changes for Atlanta: Pitching coach: Rick Kranitz is out, Jeremy Hefner is in First base coach: Tom Goodwin is out, Antoan Richardson is in Third base coach: Fredi Gonzalez is out, no replacement named yet

NEWS: Atlanta Braves 3B coach Fredi Gonzalez confirmed to MLB Network Radio today that he will not be back to coach for the team in 2026 "10 minutes before Walt (Weiss) was announced, Alex called me and said I wasn't going to come back (in 2026)"

Spring training this year includes Braves prospects @ Yankees prospects for the Spring Breakout on March 21st Only one split-squad game is scheduled, as of now. No broadcast/TV info yet

The Atlanta Braves saw lower attendance in quarter three, but made more money than the same time last year and have committed to spending those funds on players this offseason open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

Hell yeah let's go Love the graphic they put straight onto the ballot measure, too

Got advanced word on Atlanta Braves Holdings (BATRA, BATRK) earnings for Q3 ahead of this morning's investor call. Total revenue in Q3 up 7%, baseball revenue up 4%. Mixed-use development revenue (aka The Battery Atlanta) up 56%. The All-Star Game was very kind to the Braves

NEWS: The Braves have released Nathan Wiles, bringing the 40-man roster down to 41 players

New Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss nailed today's introductory press conference, balancing an appreciation and understanding of the legacy in Atlanta with the need to do things his way, including a better embrace of analytics. open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

If the Atlanta Braves can't re-sign Ha-Seong Kim, should they trade for a shortstop? youtu.be/PqDXadWTAhg

New Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss sounds like he's might be using analytics a bit more than Brian Snitker. He mentioned it was both "an art and a science" to get the info and correctly apply it

New Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss is being introduced at a press conference by Alex Anthopoulos, president of baseball operations. Here are some notes and observations:

Mike, let's add a cutter in there, ramp up that curveball usage some more, and throw you in Atlanta's rotation. You'll love it here, we have some great coffee shops

The Atlanta Braves want to add to their rotation this winter. Former San Diego Padres starter Michael King might hit that sweet spot between cost and performance. open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

BREAKING: The Atlanta Braves have named Walt Weiss the team's new manager