Braves Today

Lindsay Crosby breaks down a report that the Orioles could listen on nearly anyone, including Gunnar Henderson, and explores what a Braves trade package might realistically require. He then evaluates the eight qualifying-offer free agents, explaining Atlanta’s draft and international penalties, and identifies best fits: Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena (plus a cautious look at Trevor Rogers), while ruling out others like Jake Bauers, Ryan Jeffers, Adrian Morejon, and David Bednar for roster/fit reasons.

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Free agency opens at 5 PM as Atlanta faces 11 free agents and must balance retention vs. replacement. The show breaks players into priorities, focuses on whether Mauricio Dubón should get a $23.15M qualifying offer, and urges prioritizing Tyler Mahle for dependable innings. Raisel Iglesias is a conditional return at the right price and role, while Joe Jiménez, Martín Pérez, and Brent Suter are depth/incentive options. Among position players, the Braves likely move on from Ha-Seong Kim, Kyle Farmer, Dominic Smith, and Rowdy Tellez, with Lane Thomas only as cheap bench insurance.

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This episode is presented by Kalshi, the prediction market for sports, news and more.
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Here's a replay of a podcast appearance Lindsay did with Paul Holden of Locked On Rockies, discussing the CBA, a potential Braves trade for shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, and how Walt Weiss is a different manager between his Colorado tenure and now in Atlanta

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Lindsay Crosby tackles three major mailbag topics: why the Braves’ Sean Murphy–William Contreras trade made sense at the time despite hindsight and Contreras’ defensive improvement; what Jurickson Profar’s early Venezuelan Winter League play can and can’t indicate, plus his likely roster outlook amid clubhouse concerns; and a Halloween-themed segment assigning candies to Braves players and staff, including Bryce Elder as candy corn.

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The Brewers win their first World Series, triggering the Braves’ offseason and key MLB dates ahead of a possible Dec. 1 lockout. Lindsay Crosby breaks down Atlanta’s club options, free-agent priorities (including Dubón, Mahle, Iglesias), payroll realities, and roster needs: dependable rotation innings, a more diverse on-base offense, and late-inning bullpen help—plus three possible offseason blueprints.

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The Braves need rotation innings and will evaluate relievers Ray Kerr and Didier Fuentes as potential starters in spring training, but moving them could weaken a bullpen that may also lose Raisel Iglesias. Lindsay Crosby breaks down what each pitcher’s arsenal, command, and durability must show to succeed beyond one inning, highlighting Kerr’s varied mix and limited post-UCL workload and Fuentes’ upside with a developing changeup and starter-level volume questions. He outlines workable usage models—Fuentes starting with Kerr in a hybrid role, pairing them as a piggyback, or stretching both out and letting spring decide—while stressing Atlanta shouldn’t project both into the Opening Day rotation or use these experiments to avoid adding external pitching.

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Dominican shortstop Alfredo Sena, widely viewed as the top 2027 international prospect, has a reported $5.8M pre-agreement with Atlanta for the Jan. 15 signing period, but it’s not binding until the window opens and MLB approves it. The episode explains Sena’s tools, why the Braves would devote most of their bonus pool to him, and how CBA negotiations and a proposed international draft could void pre-agreements or delay/cancel the signing period. It also previews possible outcomes, notes the lockout isn’t necessarily the main threat, and discusses how Rule 5 timing could affect Braves 40-man decisions, highlighting candidates like Davis Polo and Cedric de Grandpre.

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Braves Today breaks down why Tarik Skubal uniquely fits Atlanta’s preferred starter profile (Stuff+, whiff rate, strikeout rate) but could cost a projected eight years, $355M, limiting other roster upgrades. Lindsay Crosby reviews alternative pitcher “buckets” and risks—Freddy Peralta, Jack Flaherty, Dustin May, Sonny Gray, Kevin Gausman, and Nick Martinez—then argues the Braves need both top-end ceiling and reliable innings, weighing one superstar signing versus multiple additions to stabilize the rotation behind Chris Sale.

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Lindsay Crosby answers mailbag questions on whether the Braves should move on from hitting coach Tim Hyers and whether similar “new voice” logic applies to the training staff after recent injuries. He weighs player responsibility, lineup construction, and possible replacements like Kevin Long, then uses league-wide injury data to argue Atlanta’s situation is closer to average than it feels. Crosby also explains Spencer Schwellenbach’s elbow surgery (screw stabilization), why his 2027 return timeline is uncertain, and what to watch for in his command. The episode closes with questions on pre-lockout offseason activity, trading prospect Eric Hartman, why knuckleballers have disappeared, and a few personal/fun topics.

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On Braves Today, Lindsay Crosby weighs whether Atlanta should re-sign free agent Raisel Iglesias despite already having Robert Suárez. Iglesias was effective in 2026 (2.55 ERA, 34 saves) but showed aging/decline indicators (lower K rate, rising hard-hit and barrel rates, slight velo dip, shoulder IL stint). Crosby argues the Braves aren’t shopping for a closer but late-inning certainty, noting limited internal high-leverage depth and the risk of external replacements.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down MLB Trade Rumors’ arbitration projections for the Braves, arguing Dylan Lee is a clear keep around $4.2M despite recurring second-half struggles, especially with Raisel Iglesias headed to free agency. He explains how arbitration “file and trial” works and why hearings happen even over small gaps. Bryce Elder’s projected $4M is worth paying, but he could become a trade chip if Atlanta adds top-rotation help. The episode closes on fringe arbitration decisions: James Karinchak ($1.1M) as a possible non-tender, Joey Wince ($900K) likely to return after a torn ACL, and waiver-claim Michael Grove ($1M) as a low-cost swingman bullpen fit.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down why the Braves must find a shortstop and why trades may be more realistic than free agency. He evaluates targets including Elly De La Cruz (elite but likely unavailable and extremely costly), Zach Neto (more plausible with roster flexibility), Jeremy Peña (one-year rental with defensive/plate discipline concerns), and Gunnar Henderson (two years of control but injury questions). He also weighs expensive veteran options like Corey Seager and Trevor Story, plus a suggestion of a Dansby Swanson reunion, while emphasizing Atlanta will need creativity given a thin shortstop market.

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Alex Anthopoulos admits the Braves and Austin Riley still can’t “solve” his decline despite full health in 2026. Lindsay Crosby breaks down Riley’s falling production (OPS, K-rate, xwOBA), shows his bat speed/swing length remain elite, and highlights a massive collapse on borderline “shadow” pitches (-39 run value). With adjustments failing to stick, Atlanta must track process metrics in 2027 and add lineup depth—especially a right-handed bat—so the offense can function without banking on an MVP-level rebound.

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Lindsay Crosby launches a new Friday mailbag for Braves Today, addressing whether Atlanta should trade Ronald Acuña Jr. (not this offseason, but 2027 is a key evaluation point), and explaining why moving him now would be selling low and creating another roster hole. He discusses a public letter from investor Breach Inlet urging a team sale, plus a proposed Section 162 tax change that could raise the Braves’ taxes by roughly $19–20 million compared to private owners. Crosby also covers qualifying-offer and market expectations for Tyler Mahle (ineligible), Mauricio Dubón (likely pricier than fans expect), and Raisel Iglesias (uncertain), outlines free agents the front office likely won’t pursue, and compares how to judge a closing championship window versus a rough stretch.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down lessons the Braves can take from the final four teams: the Dodgers’ “October overkill” approach to adding impact pitching, the Brewers’ purposeful patience and better swing decisions, the Rays’ constant roster churn to build depth, and the Guardians’ lineup length to survive when stars slump. He then reviews Braves-related award finalists, including Chris Sale and Martín Pérez in MLBPA voting and Gold Glove finalists Matt Olson, Michael Harris, Sale, and Mauricio Dubón.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down why the Braves might pursue an early extension for catcher Drake Baldwin, using Alex Anthopoulos’ comments and Baldwin’s elite offensive production at a premium position. With no confirmed talks and team control through 2030, Crosby compares recent catcher extensions (Ruiz, Basallo, Raleigh) and proposes a six-year, $82M deal with a 2033 club option, balancing arbitration values, free-agent buyouts, and cost certainty alongside Sean Murphy’s contract. He outlines the risk/reward for both Baldwin and Atlanta, noting injuries, upside, and the value of acting before a true breakout season removes the discount.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down the Braves’ frustrating Jurickson Profar situation after Alex Anthopoulos says the team hasn’t decided what comes next. Profar is guaranteed $15 million for 2027, and releasing him won’t erase that obligation. Crosby reviews Profar’s uneven 2025 return (strong plate discipline and power, poor defense, then sports hernia surgery), how Atlanta’s left field production cratered in 2026, and the three paths forward: cut him and eat the money, try to trade him (likely with salary retention or a bad-contract swap), or bring him to camp but make him earn a role while protecting clubhouse culture and roster depth.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down Alex Anthopoulos’ stated need for more consistent on-base production, noting the Braves’ 7.7% walk rate (28th). He evaluates potential additions—especially Seiya Suzuki as a premium, qualifying-offer free agent fit—plus Taylor Ward, Ian Happ, Trent Grisham, and Randy Arozarena with pros/cons on cost, defense, baserunning, and lineup balance. He also touches on second-base/on-base options like Brandon Lowe, warns about Gleyber Torres’ limitations, and discusses J.P. Crawford as an on-base/clubhouse bridge despite defensive concerns, then invites mailbag questions.

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Alex Anthopoulos does not believe the Braves need a teardown. But Atlanta cannot enter 2027 depending on every injured or inconsistent star reaching his best-case outcome. Lindsay Crosby breaks down the rotation uncertainty surrounding Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, the unresolved Austin Riley problem and what the Braves actually need to accomplish this winter.

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Lindsay Crosby says the Braves’ offseason starts by defining the team’s real problems before roster moves. Atlanta’s offense (97 wRC+, 28th in OBP and walk rate) relied too heavily on solo homers, so the fix is adding on-base/table-setter bats rather than changing core sluggers, with Austin Riley’s post-surgery rebound crucial. Shortstop is unsettled for 2027 with only Jim Jarvis on the depth chart and prospects not ready, making re-signing Kim or Dubón, or a trade, key. The rotation is too fragile and injury-prone to repeat bullpen-heavy October usage, so Atlanta likely needs multiple starter additions beyond internal options.

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