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Braves 2020 Opening Day roster early prediction

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 4: First base is adorned with an Opening Day logo for the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 4, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 4: First base is adorned with an Opening Day logo for the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 4, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves Austin Riley
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Austin Riley #27 reacts to a sacrifice fly that scored Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning of a game against the San Diego Padresat PETCO Park on July 13, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Infielders

I’m going to break some hearts here because the more I think about it, the more I think the Braves aren’t going to re-sign Josh Donaldson.

Related Story. Don't re-sign JD. light

I just think Donaldson is going to get a better offer elsewhere than what the Braves SHOULD be willing to offer … and I’m OK with that.

There are some solid internal options for third base in Austin Riley and Johan Camargo.

And depending on how things shake out, I wouldn’t be against them signing Mike Moustakas to a two-year deal.

The rest of the infield is set with Dansby Swanson at shortstop, Ozzie Albies at second base, and Freddie Freeman at first base.

In the end, I think Riley gets a chance at the start of 2020 to be the man at third base.

My hope is that he works on things in the offseason, has a great Spring, and takes over that third base job.

That’s certainly been the hope for a few years now, and I don’t want to let a lousy couple of months change everything.

And the Braves still have Johan Camargo to fall back on if Riley continues to struggle with that slider.

I don’t see AA spending the money necessary to bring back JD, and if they don’t bring back JD I think they just stick with the internal options at third base.

Starting infielders: Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, and Austin Riley.

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