Thanks for this outstanding analysis. Heading into 2026, the organization needs greater roster flexibility by increasing the number of pitchers with options. Easier said than done, but given the number of pitcher injuries, a deep and flexible pitching staff is a must. I’m still amazed at the number of commentators that lament not re-signing Morton and dump on Elder. Forget the huge difference in salary, Elder had options and is a much better fit to be the 6th or 7th SP. Ironically they face each other tonight with exactly identical ERAs. And more irony, if Braves had re-signed Morton, they could’ve been the team that traded him to the Tigers. Last time the Braves traded an SP name Morton to the Tigers at the trade deadline they got a young right-hander named Smoltz in return. Wonder whatever happened to him?
Great bit of history. I remember the Smoltz acquisition well. Bobby Cox knew what he was doing. Regarding Charlie Morton, I was thankful when the Braves didn't sign him - like tonight, he was usually good for giving up 3 to 4 runs by the third inning.
I have become dulled by all the has-been acquisitions. But, maybe that's where the Braves are at. They must look for diamonds in the rough because they don't have the money to play with the big boys. Only 4 or so teams DO have the money to play in that market. I'm wondering what that kind of monopoly will do to the also-rans?
I actually spent the first segment of today's podcast talking about the contrast between the top teams in free agency and everyone else, and how unfortunate things are for Atlanta that two of those four teams (Mets and Phillies) are in their division and the third (Dodgers) is in their league
It's not going to get easier going forward, that's for sure
I'm a little put off by the hand wringing of the Braves not being able to compete with the 'big boys' for top talent. Mcguirk loves to tout Atlanta as the 'envy of baseball' with their beautiful ball park and mega real estate complex. I realize that as CEO his first duty, apparently, is to the stock holders, many of whom may be far more interested in the value of the stock than having a winning baseball team. But this year's disaster plus the real potential of Nashville getting a franchise in the future ought to get his attention that maybe a winning team IS an asset not to be taken for granted. As a baseball fan and not a stock holder, I think of McGuirk as being very ignorant and short sighted in terms of baseball.
I think the reality of McGuirk's comments are a bit nuanced - to the average baseball player, Atlanta's an attractive destination because of the clubhouse, the culture, the park, etc. If all things are equal on the offer, that stuff can break a tie
But when it comes down to the top-tier free agents, money talks and they can't/won't compete with the Dodgers, Phillies, Mets et al
Great article - lots of info regarding the ins and outs of the complexities of the 40 and 60 man rosters, much of which I did not realize.
Thanks for this outstanding analysis. Heading into 2026, the organization needs greater roster flexibility by increasing the number of pitchers with options. Easier said than done, but given the number of pitcher injuries, a deep and flexible pitching staff is a must. I’m still amazed at the number of commentators that lament not re-signing Morton and dump on Elder. Forget the huge difference in salary, Elder had options and is a much better fit to be the 6th or 7th SP. Ironically they face each other tonight with exactly identical ERAs. And more irony, if Braves had re-signed Morton, they could’ve been the team that traded him to the Tigers. Last time the Braves traded an SP name Morton to the Tigers at the trade deadline they got a young right-hander named Smoltz in return. Wonder whatever happened to him?
He came on my podcast, that's what! Nice guy.
I do think that Elder would have surprising value on the trade market, but I'd rather keep him and get him more consistent from a start-to-start basis
Great bit of history. I remember the Smoltz acquisition well. Bobby Cox knew what he was doing. Regarding Charlie Morton, I was thankful when the Braves didn't sign him - like tonight, he was usually good for giving up 3 to 4 runs by the third inning.
I have become dulled by all the has-been acquisitions. But, maybe that's where the Braves are at. They must look for diamonds in the rough because they don't have the money to play with the big boys. Only 4 or so teams DO have the money to play in that market. I'm wondering what that kind of monopoly will do to the also-rans?
I actually spent the first segment of today's podcast talking about the contrast between the top teams in free agency and everyone else, and how unfortunate things are for Atlanta that two of those four teams (Mets and Phillies) are in their division and the third (Dodgers) is in their league
It's not going to get easier going forward, that's for sure
I'm a little put off by the hand wringing of the Braves not being able to compete with the 'big boys' for top talent. Mcguirk loves to tout Atlanta as the 'envy of baseball' with their beautiful ball park and mega real estate complex. I realize that as CEO his first duty, apparently, is to the stock holders, many of whom may be far more interested in the value of the stock than having a winning baseball team. But this year's disaster plus the real potential of Nashville getting a franchise in the future ought to get his attention that maybe a winning team IS an asset not to be taken for granted. As a baseball fan and not a stock holder, I think of McGuirk as being very ignorant and short sighted in terms of baseball.
I think the reality of McGuirk's comments are a bit nuanced - to the average baseball player, Atlanta's an attractive destination because of the clubhouse, the culture, the park, etc. If all things are equal on the offer, that stuff can break a tie
But when it comes down to the top-tier free agents, money talks and they can't/won't compete with the Dodgers, Phillies, Mets et al