The Braves are going to be as active as anyone from now until the start of the season, but it appears they aren’t close to making any deals. That was Alex Anthopoulos’s message to the media on Wednesday:
Meeting with #Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos today. Three biggest needs for the Braves – bullpen, starter, OF: “We are not engaged on any relievers in the moment. We are on some starters.”
— Kelsey Wingert (@KelsWingert) December 5, 2018
#Braves' Anthopoulos: "We spent a good chunk of our offseason dollars on Donaldson and McCann, and we still have money to work with, but we have to be a little more selective now because we made those moves…" Said they aren't currently close to making another signing or trade.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 6, 2018
It makes since, the Braves don’t have buckets of money to throw at the top free agents- especially considering they have a number of holes left to fill. AA has already shared his intent to strengthen the outfield, starting rotation and bullpen before the season begins.
The Braves do have a number of rising prospects they could package in a blockbuster trade. If Atlanta is going to bring in another headline name like Donaldson, that’s likely how it is going to happen. Anthopoulos also mentioned that they were not in talks with any relievers at the moment but are in discussions with some starters.
Meeting with #Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos today. Three biggest needs for the Braves – bullpen, starter, OF: “We are not engaged on any relievers in the moment. We are on some starters.”
— Kelsey Wingert (@KelsWingert) December 5, 2018
It is slim pickings as far as free agent starting pitchers. If I had to guess, the Braves are going to make a trade to acquire a frontline starter and allocate the rest of the money they have available to patching up the outfield and bullpen. But for now, it looks like the Braves are ways away from making another splash.