House That Hank Built
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Time for Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves to Step Up

By Jake Mastroianni

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The anty has been upped significantly in the National League and it’s now time for the Atlanta Braves to send a response.

Before we get any further, this is purely a fan article written by an emotional Atlanta Braves fan who has watched two teams in the National League make big moves this offseason while the Braves have not done much.

Yes, they went out and signed Drew Smyly and Charlie Morton and they’ll be a big part of the team’s success in 2021.

But neither of those names are flashy — and I still don’t understand giving $11 million to Smyly, but I’ll have to trust the front office on that one.

I also understand there is a lot of offseason left and there are still a lot of players available, but none that really move the needle like Francisco Lindor, Blake Snell, or Yu Darvish.

Alex Anthopoulos has not been willing to part with prospects in a big trade since coming to Atlanta, but as I’ve said numerous times, at some point he’ll have to do that to put this team over the top — and now seems like the time.

A number of teams seem unwilling to spend this offseason, leaving very few landing spots for free agents and trade candidates. We’ve been told the money is there (at least before the pandemic-shortened season of 2020), and we have the prospects to get anyone we want.

The Braves are in a window where if they don’t win a World Series over the next four or five seasons it will be considered a disappointment in my eyes.

We were one win away from reaching the World Series last year — and I think we would have beat the Rays.

However, now it seems like the Padres and Mets have passed us by with big moves this offseason and on paper, we look like the fourth-best team in the league.

I also realize the game isn’t played on paper and winning the offseason doesn’t mean anything. But you can’t argue the fact that a big move this offseason is needed.

Next. At Least Extend Freeman. dark

It’s time for AA to go out on a limb for a superstar talent that is going to take this team to the next level. I’m not sure who that is (other than Nolan Arenado), but it needs to happen.

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