Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: the possible impact of top free agents
Yesterday, we looked at the ‘worst case’ scenario for the Atlanta Braves – a world in which free agents spurn the team for greener pastures and GM’s decide that trade offers aren’t enough. But what if the opposite happens?
The Atlanta Braves – and indeed much of the MLB – has to be looking at teams like the Astros and Nationals and asking that “what if?” question.
The Washington Nationals drafted Stephen Strasburg first overall in 2009. Several others on their squad were home-grown, high-pick draftees or key International signings: Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, and Victor Robles among them.
They did manage to fleece a couple of teams along the way, too: the deal getting them Trea Turner and Joe Ross was chief among them.
Along the way have been 3 significant signings as well: free agents Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin along with keeping Strasburg.
In short, they built their team from within, and then punctuated their lineup cards with key, high-end free agents.
The Houston Astros were built in a manner very much the same: numerous high draft picks (Carlos Correa, George Springer, Alex Bregman) along with International signings (Jose Altuve, Yuli Gurriel), a train robbery trade (Gerrit Cole), and 2 big-money trade deals (Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke).
You can draw a parallel to the Atlanta Braves based on their models:
- The top picks:
- Freddie Freeman
- Mike Soroka
- Kyle Wright
- Austin Riley (picked via trade)
- The International signings:
- The fleeced trade(s):
- Additional trades of note:
- Key high-dollar free agent signing
While the results haven’t been quite to the level that the Astros and now Nationals have enjoyed this season, it’s arguable that Atlanta is certainly within shouting distance of that kind of performance.
Now the trick is whether they will be content to continue adding their top prospects to the mix or to truly “go for it” this off-season to mimic a formula that appears to be working for others.