The entire Major League Baseball organization has converged on Nashville for the 2023 Winter Meetings.
Tennessee is beautiful this time of year.
MLB’s Winter Meetings, held in Nashville this week, feature all 30 teams’ personnel, managers, agents and their free agent clients, and vendors interacting, negotiating, and working to advance their ball clubs.
However, Atlanta could be in for a quiet period, with Alex Anthopoulos tempering expectations for signings and/or trades on Sunday morning. The Braves are still interested in acquiring a starting pitcher and a left fielder, according to Anthopoulos, but only if the right opportunity presents itself.
To some extent, this is probably posturing to maintain a competitive negotiating position, but the possibility remains that Atlanta could choose to fill their few remaining holes (left field, 5th starter) from within and largely avoid free agency in the future.
Braves fans will be disappointed, but (according to Anthopoulos), the team has what it needs to compete – ten or eleven potential rotation starters, as well as key contributors at every position on the roster.
Brian Snitker is available for interviews with the media.
Manager Brian Snitker will address the media on Tuesday afternoon, as is customary at the Winter Meetings. I’m sure there will be plenty of questions about his thoughts on Atlanta’s free agent signings, his players participating in winter ball, Vaughn Grissom potentially starting in left field, and the coaching vacancies. We’ll keep you updated on what he says.
Rule 5 Draft and Draft Lottery
The MLB Draft lottery takes place Tuesday night, and the Braves should be unaffected. As a postseason team, Atlanta’s draft position is not determined by lottery results, and we know they’ll pick near the bottom of the first round. The New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees could all have their first-round pick moved back ten spots if they fall out of the top six picks, so Atlanta could end up one or two spots higher than they are now.
The Rule 5 Draft is set to take place on Wednesday night. Normally a quiet night in Atlanta, this year could be different because the Braves have openings on the 40-man roster and can make a selection.
There’s nothing to suggest they’ll make a selection – any player selected in the Rule 5 draft must be carried on your active 26-man roster or offered back to their original organization, and as a World Series contender, the likelihood of Atlanta finding a player who can contribute in the Rule 5 draft is slim. But, for the first time in ages, they have the option of making a choice.
A free agent signing ?
As previously stated, Anthopoulos made it a point to temper expectations about how active the Braves would be in free agency. However, a minor signing of a veteran outfielder appears likely, if only to mentor Vaughn Grissom on how to be a professional outfielder. It’s entirely possible that Atlanta will re-sign Adam Duvall or Kevin Pillar, or that they will pursue a veteran like Tommy Pham on a one-year deal.
Ron Washington media availability
Ron Washington, the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels, will round out our coverage. For the first time since taking over as Angels manager (and poaching first base coach Eric Young Sr. to join him in Los Angeles), he’ll be reunited with Atlanta media. We’re confident he’ll be asked about leaving Atlanta, how Atlanta and Brian Snitker helped him prepare for this opportunity, and possibly even Vaughn Grissom switching positions this offseason.
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