Atlanta has gotten a 73 wRC+ from shortstop since Dansby Swanson left. The free-agent market is thin, the prospects aren’t ready and every realistic solution comes with a compromise.
“He performed more respectably when he returned to the majors in August, but .179/.281/.232 was still well below both his and the team’s expectations when they committed $20M to him for 2026.” Since when is 179/281/232 respectable?
Another great article, Lindsay. I don't subscribe to the Atlanta newspapers so I don't really know how much legitimate criticism AA has had to absorb over the years but surely he has to take the blame for really bad decisions like Swanson, Freeman, Murphy/Contreras, Kelenic, Prophar. Granted he struck gold with Sale and Mahle - great work - but not enough gold to carry this franchise.
“He performed more respectably when he returned to the majors in August, but .179/.281/.232 was still well below both his and the team’s expectations when they committed $20M to him for 2026.” Since when is 179/281/232 respectable?
Compared to what he did when he first came back, it's marginally better. In the context of a normal player, it's not respectable at all.
Probably could have worded that better
"The Braves have been stuck with the green Formica countertops at shortstop for a few years now."
Coulda been worse, Lindsay! It coulda been the orange shag carpet of the 1970's when I got married! LOL...
Another great article, Lindsay. I don't subscribe to the Atlanta newspapers so I don't really know how much legitimate criticism AA has had to absorb over the years but surely he has to take the blame for really bad decisions like Swanson, Freeman, Murphy/Contreras, Kelenic, Prophar. Granted he struck gold with Sale and Mahle - great work - but not enough gold to carry this franchise.