While the Atlanta Braves are focused on winning a World Series in 2023, Alex Anthopoulos must keep an eye towards the future.
Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves have plenty of questions to answer this coming offseason. With most of their roster signed long-term, it gives Anthopoulos the flexibility needed to make more moves in the mold of Matt Olson and Sean Murphy trades of the past.
Anthopoulos is one of the best executives in baseball for a reason. His work with the Braves will surely be replicated by the rest of baseball to some extent. He's not necessarily responsible for all of the team's impressive international signings, but he has added to the core and then some.
When the 2023 playoff run is in the rear-view mirror, expect Anthopoulos to improve the Braves roster in any way he can. So, where should he start?
Braves Rumors: Could Atlanta trade away Max Fried?
As much as the Braves would prefer to employ two aces in both Max Fried and Spencer Strider, there's an argument to be made for trading the former. Fried won't be a free agent for a few more seasons, and Atlanta could reap the reward of dealing their ace in a market which covets controllable starting pitching.
When Fried is healthy, he's one of the best starters in baseball. However, he was hurt the majority of this season. He's also due a new contract by 2025, and thus far talks between his representatives and Atlanta's front office haven't been all that productive. FanSided's Cody Williams suggested a new deal for Fried would be tough, especially this offseason. And the longer Fried pitches well, the more valuable he becomes.
With the benefit of SportsTalk ATL's Chase Irle's assessment that the team has a 55 percent chance of extending Fried, Williams thinks keeping Fried is in the team's best interest:
"More importantly, though, Irle made clear that Alex Anthopoulos has preached the importance of having two aces in the rotation and making sure the starting pitching is strong, even if his free agency moves and trades haven't totally reflected that. That last part is a concern, to be sure, but it could also very well be a signal for the plan to land Fried, and Irle believes that Anthopoulos will finally write a big check for a looming free agent when it comes to the southpaw.
I tend to agree with that assessment but, as 55% from Irle acknowledges, that's not a formality to happen in Atlanta. Just based on the situation and AA's stated motives for roster management, though, it'd be hard to justify letting Fried walk given his performance and value to the Braves."
Still, Fried is searching for a contract that is likely "7-8 years in between $200-225 million". The Braves have Strider and the majority of their young pitching staff locked up. Fried is not a necessity, and as an expendable asset, Anthopoulos has the right to part ways.
Braves Rumors: Marcell Ozuna's value will never be higher
Alex Anthopoulos has a chance to make good on arguably his only mistake as head of Braves baseball operations. Seemingly out of nowhere, Marcell Ozuna has turned his season around. Ozuna is one of the best pure power hitters in baseball when he's on, but Atlanta is lucky enough to have a team full of players who can hit the ball out of the park in any given at bat.
Ozuna has done enough to wear out his welcome off the field. In fact, Anthopoulos likely would have parted ways with Ozuna prior to this season if it weren't for his contract. However, that deal is no longer an albatross if Ozuna can deliver 20-25 home runs a season with a batting average above .250.
Ozuna is under contract through the 2024 season. It's an affordable price tag, too, if we're going by this season's statistics. I made the argument for the Braves to trade Ozuna away just a few days ago:
"Considering Ozuna's rough off-field history, it might make some sense for Anthopoulos to sell high on the slugger, who is primarily used as a designated hitter anyway. Doing so could make room for a free-agent or trade addition, or potential Travis d'Arnaud to be the full-time DH. Vaughn Grissom, also mentioned earlier in this piece, would thrive in a spot where he only had to worry about his bat, rather than his glove."
Atlanta should get what they can for Ozuna while the bidding is hot. If he continues to hit at this rate, trade him this winter.
Braves Rumors: Is there a place for Vaughn Grissom on this roster?
At some point, the Braves have to make a decision as it pertains to shortstop Vaughn Grissom. While his bat is one of the most polished in Atlanta's system, Grissom continues to struggle to make much of an impact defensively. That limits his potential on this roster, specifically, as Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia have their respective positions on lockdown.
So, what does that mean for Grissom? If a winter working out with Ron Washington won't do the trick, perhaps nothing will. The Braves still think highly of Grissom, evidenced by their decision not to trade him at this year's deadline.
Grissom is one of the best remaining Braves trade assets if they're to improve the roster without tearing it apart. He's signed long-term on an affordable price tag. FanSided's Kristen Wong made the case for trading Grissom prior to the deadline, and that same case theory can be applied to the offseason:
"Both Grissom and Shewmake were rightfully considered young rising stars for the Braves organization, and so far in the 2023 season, it's becoming abundantly clear who's on a straighter trajectory to success. Trade Grissom, get a decent return to boost the team's World Series-winning hopes, and trust that Shewmake will develop into the player they need him to be."
Shewmake is a serviceable backup shortstop defensively, as is the newly-acquired Nicky Lopez. Grissom is overkill, especially considering what the Braves can get in return.
Braves Rumors: Trading Travis d'Arnaud is not in team's best interest
Travis d'Arnaud brings a lot to the table for Atlanta, which is likely why they extend him in the first place. d'Arnaud and Sean Murphy form one of the best catching duos in the sport, plus the former's bat is solid enough to be a full-time DH when called upon.
Murphy has taken a number of licks of late, as pointed out by Mark Bowman.
I wrote about the injury concerns for Murphy long term, and the need for d'Arnaud as depth, on Saturday:
"Murphy himself has been one of the best players in baseball, period, in 2023, and most seasons would be among the NL MVP frontrunners. Sadly, his own teammates (Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson) have taken that honor away from him.
d'Arnaud signed a new contract this season and is expected to be around for the long haul, despite some pundits assuming he would be traded before the deadline. It's these moments — the dog days of summer with Murphy taking a beating — where d'Arnaud could be most valuable."
Catchers are valuable on the trade market, sure, but dealing d'Arnaud would be a mistake for an Atlanta team that knows how to best employ him.
