Alex Anthopoulos had a busy time at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, making several roster moves. Although the Braves didn’t secure a pitcher like Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, or Eduardo Rodriguez, there are still promising free-agent options for the 2024 season. Among the notable names are Mike Clevinger, Lucas Giolito, Clayton Kershaw, Seth Lugo, Tyler Mahle, Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell, Marcus Stroman, Michael Wacha, and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
With these options, the Braves aim to strengthen their pitching staff, and fans are eager to see who will be the standout addition. Despite the frustration of missing out on certain pitchers, the depth of available mid-rotation talent provides optimism for the team’s future.
Anthopoulos’s strategic moves include claiming Penn Murfee and Angel Perdoma just before the tender deadline, then non-tendering them. Speculation suggests that an offer was made, but the players explored other options before returning. Perdoma, having signed a split contract, offers the Braves flexibility with their 40-man roster, similar to the approach taken with Ian Anderson.
In another move, Evan White was outrighted off the 40-man roster, with his salary still affecting the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT). The financial implications of various transactions, including the $4.5MM returning to the Braves, contribute to the overall CBT impact from the Jarred Kelenic trade.
Adding to the roster, the Braves acquired Leury Garcia, a 32-year-old utility player known for his defensive prowess. Jorge Juan, with an elite fastball but control issues, joins from the A’s organization, likely serving as organizational depth. Zach Logue, with experience in multiple organizations, provides additional depth, albeit with challenging past performances.
There’s also intrigue around Tyler Glasnow, a potentially valuable addition if the Braves implement a 6-man rotation. Despite Glasnow’s fragility, the Braves might manage his innings effectively to maximize his impact, especially in playoff scenarios.
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