Rival executives see Braves making at least one big offseason move

Since winning the World Series, the Braves roster has been almost completely overhauled.

Alex Anthopoulos negotiated with Freddie Freeman’s agent in the offseason following the championship, but after several developments, Atlanta’s GM pivoted to the next best option on the market and struck a deal for Matt Olson.

In the offseason after, Anthopoulos went back to the same well in Oakland. The Braves had an obvious need for a first baseman in 2022, but the next trade with the Athletics was less obvious. Sean Murphy was part of a three-team trade that sent Braves fan favorite Wild Bill Contreras to the Brewers.

And last year, Anthopoulos may have done his best work. Everyone knew Sean Murphy and Matt Olson were studs when they were acquired, but Chris Sale was different. The veteran was once a perennial Cy Young contender, but injuries ravaged the better part of four seasons. While it checked the box of a blockbuster trade, it certainly came with a ton of risk.

Of course, we all know how that one turned out — Chris Sale turned in arguably the best season of his career, winning the NL Triple Crown en route to his first Cy Young award.

If trends continue, Braves Country is in store for another marquee acquisition, most likely trade. It’s become an annual tradition, and rival executives feel the same way about what’s in store.

“With Max Fried and Charlie Morton free agents, some rival executives and agents see the Braves making at least one big move this winter — and it might be for a shortstop, like free agent Willy Adames,” Buster Olney of ESPN writes.

Willy Adames would be the largest free agent acquisition in Braves franchise history. Atlanta certainly has the cash to finally make that kind of splash, but if they decide to go the trade route again, Chase has already highlighted some potential targets:

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Garrett Crochet

Zac Gallen

Ryan Helsley

Luis Robert Jr.

Devin Williams

Wilyer Abreu

Sonny Gray

Chris Bassitt

Jordan Montgomery

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Crochet is obviously the biggest draw here. He’s young, comes with multiple years of control, and is eager to sign a contract extension, which isn’t always the case with players getting traded. That seems right up Alex Anthopoulos’ alley. Montgomery would also be a typical AA trade — a buy-low, high-upside target. It also helps that the Diamondbacks are willing to eat a portion of his salary.

There are outfielders, starters, and relievers on that list, and any could be a potential target, even if it’s a position of strength, which Alex Anthopoulos has proven in the past.

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Photo: Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire