Atlanta Braves Nightmare Continues; Is Organization Being Labeled as Toxic?

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tells in an article that the Kansas City Royals denied permission to the Atlanta Braves to talk with Dayton Moore.

Does this move, by one of the most respected owners in the game, elicit an aroma of toxicity to what used to be an otherwise pristine organization in the Atlanta Braves?

Maybe, maybe not.

Yet, you can’t help but think, if only for a second … SON OF A …

Or, is this a move by the Glass family to spare Moore the awkwardness or trouble of actually having to say “no” to the Braves himself.

The fact that Glass said no to requests takes the decision out of Moore’s hands. If owners aren’t granting permission, the upheaval maybe turning people off to a degree.

Now that I think about it, and I could be wrong, but Moore I believe has an Opt-Out in his contract. So, Mr. Glass saying basically no dice to the Braves is moot.

Who’s at Risk?

We know Drew Waters was named as at least one prospective possibility to be gone. If they dig deeper, guys like Ian Anderson, Joey Wentz, Kyle Wright, Kyle Muller, and others, are at risk. Kevin Maitan is one guy.

If top-tier prospects are eventually released, the Braves will be essentially given the death penalty and starting the rebuild over could be a real possibility. Of course, this is worst case scenario type stuff.

We really don’t know the possible force in which MLB’s hammer will strike with until the investigation comes to a close. As we know, the announcement is slated to be made once the World Series is over.

Re-Buliding the Re-Build …

For myself, I get that the International Free Agent signings are what most seem to be concern about. However, if what Crasnick suggests is true, where does that leave our most recent draftees.

Guys like Brett Cumberland, Bryse Wilson, Tyler Neslony,  … my point is, if these young fast-tracking studs get caught in the cross-hairs, we may be in for a much longer wait to October baseball in Atlanta.

If you thought 2018-19 was going to be the year … you might reconsider that timeline. It could be closer to 2022-23.

Again, this is the worst case scenario playing out in my head. It could be a lot more different.

Next: M. Johnson Claimed, Investigation Update

The Fallout

Well, that’s obviously left to be determined. But if Major League Baseball is out to make a statement, and squash these practices once and for all, the Braves will become the rule, not the exception.

If that’s the case, get used to last place.