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MLB Offseason: The Day Following The Classic World Series Bout…Braves Stayed — Kinda — Quiet

By Jeff Schafer

Aug 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallace (black jacket) talks with catcher Matt Wieters (32) and starting pitcher Wade Miley (38) during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallace (black jacket) talks with catcher Matt Wieters (32) and starting pitcher Wade Miley (38) during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports /
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Day One Was Hectic, But Braves Stayed — Kinda — Quiet

As Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant made the throw across the diamond to record the final out of the 2016 season, a new season started.  It’s the MLB offseason, BABY!!

Your Atlanta Braves will be busy over the next three months to prepare for the 2017 season, but we didn’t see any action on the player side.  I saw on social media that some fans were wondering where the heck General Manager John Coppolella was today?…(joking, no need to rush anything)

However, we didn’t stay completely silent.  The Braves signed Dom Chiti and Dave Wallace to a two-year deal to bolster our pitching coaching staff.

Chiti will serve as the Braves director of pitching and Wallace will be the new special assistant working with the pitchers at both the Major and Minor League teams.

If the names ring a bell, both coaches were previously with the Braves.  From 2010-2013, Wallace was the Braves Minor League pitching coordinator and Chiti was the Special assistant.  They both left in 2014 to coach at Baltimore.  Chiti was the bullpen coach in with the Orioles.

Everything I read so far is that this was a fantastic sign by Atlanta.  They should have fun with all our young guys and coaching them to the majors.

Did You Stay Up?

Missed last night’s classic World Series game seven?  If you did, you missed a fantastic game.  I really didn’t think I could stay up for the entire game, especially with the rain delay, but thanks to co-editor Alan Carpenter’s impression of Jason Heyward in the locker room, I was able to stay up.

Here is a great recap of last night’s game told from Jon Morosi in his own words

Signings/Trades/Walkers

Not many moves today around the league, but there were a few that hit the headlines.

-Red Sox decline option on Ryan Hanigan

More from Braves News

-Marlins decline option on Fernando Rodney

-Mets decline option on Jon Niese

-Phillies decline option on Ryan Howard and Charlie Morton

-Mariners decline option on Chris Iannetta

-Cardinals decline option on Matt Holliday and Jordan Walden

-Nationals decline option on Yusmeiro Petit

-Royals pick up options for Wade Davis and Alcides Escobar

-Red Sox pick up Clay Buchholz $13.5M option

-Rangers pick up option for Jonathan Lucroy

-Mariners pick up option for Seth Smith

-Cardinals pick up option for Jaime Garcia

-Mets pick up options for Jose Reyes and Jay Bruce – Yoenis Cespedes did opt out of contract

-Indians pick up option for Carlos Santana

Trade Alert: the Tigers traded Cameron Maybin to the Angels for right-handed pitching prospect Victor Alcantara.  The Tigers picked up Maybin’s option of $9M.

-Chris Cotillo is reporting that Steve Clevenger will elect free agency rather than resigning with the team.  Chris mention the insensitive tweets at the end of the season by the team as the reasoning.

What Does This Mean?

For the Braves and Coppy, I’m not seeing much here that isn’t just some other teams leftovers.  But hey, we’ve said that before about a few pitchers that we thought careers were over.

I think the Braves take a look at Morton, Niese and bringing back Walden.  Morton was drafted by the Braves in the 3rd round of the 2002 MLB Draft.  We traded him to Pittsburg in 2009 for Nick McLouth.  Niese hasn’t pitched well for a few years, but like Morton if he’s available late in January, Braves should look at giving him a shot.

Next: Keep Your Eye on Braves RHP Matt Custred

Two other names come from Seattle…Clevenger and Iannetta.  Both catchers can’t hit, but are MLB veterans that have been around plenty of good, young pitchers.  It’s not the sexiest choice for our platoon catching position, but it may be two names to keep your eye on if nothing else prospers.

Day one was fun, day two and behind should be more fun!  Bring it on offseason!!

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