In case you missed it, Austin Riley just signed a massive 10-year, $212 million extension to stay in Atlanta for seemingly what will be the rest of his career. This is coming off of his historic month of July, but you have to think the Braves were looking to extend Riley before he earned Player of the Month honors:
And that’s the bottom line, ‘cause @austinriley1308 said so! pic.twitter.com/dPpkf3eZIO
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 2, 2022
Riley really had no competition for this award. And what’s even crazier is the club entertained moving him a while back — a few tweets from our friend with the Marlins, Craig Mish:
Sources : Braves appear to be a slight favorite to land Realmuto. Austin Riley is on the table. Lots of moving parts. Mets & Yanks are still in & probably need to outdo ATL to get J.T. Reds have fallen back. TB/SD def in but longshots. Not imminent.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 15, 2018
Sources indicate Braves discussions with Marlins for Realmuto include a pkg built around 3B Austin Riley & P Michael Soroka. Marlins are still listening to offers from other clubs.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 4, 2018
Sources indicate Braves appear willing to part with top prospect Austin Riley for Realmuto but I do not believe that trade would also include the previous names I mentioned (Soroka/Newcomb). Marlins have held firm on multiple players for J.T.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 12, 2018
Multiple sources inform me (which will soon be denied) that the Braves final offer to the Marlins for Realmuto did include 3B Austin Riley but "not much else." Miami preferred the Phillies package of Sanchez with Alfaro, and there you have it.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) February 7, 2019
Craig is as reliable as they come; it’s absurd the Braves were turned down for Realmuto. If the Marlins knew what they know now, it would have been a done deal in seconds. Not including Soroka, Riley has been a much better hitter than Realmuto in 2022, with more years of his prime left. The Marlins instead acquired a deal headlined by Sixto Sanchez, who has been solid.
Sometimes you get lucky in baseball, and the Braves are lucky the Marlins turned them down. They wouldn’t have won the 2021 World Series without Austin Riley:
Austin Riley's #Braves records:
– XBH (26) in 1 Month
– Youngest (24) with a Playoff walk-off hit
– Fastest to 7 (14 GP) & 8 (16 GP) career HR
– Multiple game-tying/go-ahead Hits including a walk-off in 1 GP
– 1 of 2 3B to win a Silver Slugger
pic.twitter.com/4IfxotoF92— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 2, 2022
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Thanks for reading about the Braves almost trading Austin Riley.
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