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The Atlanta Braves came into this offseason with blazing speed being one of the most active teams as soon as teams were eligible to start making moves.
On November 5, the Braves announced that they hired Jeremy Hefner as major league pitching coach and hired Antoan Richardson as major league first base coach. There are arguments to be made that these were two of the most sought after coaches available. On the very next day they made a shocking move by declining both Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley, leaving question marks for the bullpen since Raisel Iglesias was set to hit free agency.
The question mark on Iglesias did not last long as the Braves traded Nick Allen to the Astros for INF Mauricio Dubón and signed Iglesias on the same day. Iglesias for for a modest 0ne-year $16MM contract. The Braves also brought in Joel Payamps who has high upside and then shocked Braves fans when they signed Robert Suárez on a three-year $45MM contract as the heir apparent for the closer role once Iglesias moves on.
The Braves still had two clear holes that needed addressing. They had a contingency plan at SS in the aforementioned deal with the Astros, but it was clear they wanted a clear everyday starter. They got him in Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year pillow contract. They also picked up Mike Yastrzemski on a two year deal that will provide serious outside depth that the Braves were sorely missing last year. This allows the Braves to rotate outfielders into the DH role to rest their legs while adding traditional depth as well.
The Braves added your typical minor depth moves along the way while also revamping their couching even more while promoting Walt Weiss and adding Tony Mansolino and J.P. Martinez as well. At first Weiss seemed like a cop-out, but after evaluating the new staff around him, it makes a ton of sense. So far the Braves have done an excellent job in this offseason. The only other area that would be a luxury at this point would be a number three or higher SP.
My offseason grade so far: B+
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