Spring Training kicked off yesterday for the Braves, as pitchers, catchers, and several position players reported. Here’s three things we learned from the first day of camp:
A.J. Minter and Braves not close to a contract extension
The two key pieces set to hit free agency at the end of the 2024 campaign are Max Fried and A.J. Minter. Most expect Fried to find a new home, given his projected price tag and what’s happened in the past with Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson. Minter, one of the best set-up men in the game, returning feels much more likely. However, according to the man himself, there have been no conversations between him and the Braves regarding a new contract.
“No,” Minter said, via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I mean, obviously, who wouldn’t want to play in Atlanta? Atlanta, in my opinion, right now it’s the best organization in baseball. Obviously, I would love to stay in Atlanta. Who wouldn’t? But yeah, that’s something that’s kind of out of my control at the moment.
“Obviously, you’ve gotta come in here and treat it like it’s my last day. I’m gonna come in here and do everything I can for this organization, and pitch to the best of my ability and go out there and try to win a World Series. I’m going to put it into the organization’s hands (in terms of) what they want to do. Just got to go out there and show them what I’m made of.”
There is still plenty of time for that to change, but it’s a bit surprising there hasn’t even been an attempt. Minter didn’t hide anything about his stance; he wants to stay in Atlanta, but he also deserves to be paid like one of the top set-up men in the game. We’ll see how it plays out this season.
Hurston Waldrep isn’t afraid of a little competition
After being drafted in the first round and turning heads at every corner in the minors last year, Hurston Waldrep has arrived at his first major-league Spring Training. What happens next could decide how quickly he finds himself in Atlanta. The Braves are never hesitant when it comes to moving up their top prospects in the organization, and Waldrep is ready to come in and compete for a roster spot immediately.
“Yeah, absolutely, you see this organization, they like moving guys fast, and obviously last year everything moved really fast, and so seeing what they’ve done in the past and realizing there is always the chance for any spot,” Waldrep said.
It’s World Series or bust for the Braves
It’s been back-to-back dismal postseason performances since the Braves won the World Series in 2021. Despite having arguably the best team in baseball in each of the last two seasons, the Braves have failed to get out of the Divisional Round, falling to the Phillies both times. It’s left a sour taste in their mouths, but nobody is shying away from expectations, and it appears A.J. Minter is ready to step up and be a leader in the clubhouse.
“Looking back, we were the best team in baseball, and for us to go out like that in the first round,” said Minter. “We hold ourselves to a high standard here. We’re obviously looking to get back to the World Series and play for another title…”
“We hold ourselves to a different standard than most organizations, and that’s what separates us. I think we need to get everyone focused coming into spring training like, ‘Hey, this is World Series or bust.’”
There’s no question the Braves have missed the leadership presences of guys like Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson since they departed in free agency. That has to change if they want to get back over the hump in the postseason. Minter looks like he’s aiming to provide a spark whenever it is needed, but it’s going to take more than just one reliever to change the attitude of an entire clubhouse.
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Photo: Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire
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