MLB rumors: Braves already out on free agents, Max Scherzer eyes another year and more
Who will bite on Max Scherzer, who will the Braves pursue in free agency and a Taiwanese pitcher it's time to get familiar with.
Braves
Latest news and updates about the Braves
2026 Atlanta Braves Player Review: JR Ritchie
JR Ritchie entered 2026 as a promising former 35th‑overall pick with expectations of a 1.5‑2.0 WAR fourth starter for the Braves. In reality, he logged 17 games (11 starts) as the club went 7‑10, posting a –0.3 fWAR, 11.7 ERA, 13.4 FIP and a high home‑run rate (18% HR/FB). Highlights include a strong MLB debut against Washington, solid relief outings versus the Mets and Cardinals, and an 8‑3 K/BB start on the season’s final days, but most appearances were ineffective and he was shuffled between the rotation and bullpen. He missed the Wild Card roster and didn’t pitch in the NLDS, leaving his future as a starter in doubt despite an impressive curve ball and 30% whiff rate.
Did the Braves make a “deliberate decision” to buy wins in 2026?
The Braves' 2026 financial release shows a $77 million payroll boost, yet the added contracts delivered only 2.4 WAR—far less than the 2.9 WAR lost from departed players. While the team clinched the division and a postseason series, Terry McGuirk’s claim of a “deliberate decision” to spend for wins appears misplaced. Highlights include the successful BravesVision platform and City Connect jerseys, but the roster moves—adding Ha‑Seong Kim, Robert Suarez, Mike Yastremski, Joel Payamps, Mauricio Dubon, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez and Aaron Bummer while cutting Marcell Ozuna, Jurickson Profar and Pierce Johnson—failed to translate money into performance. The article questions whether the Braves should repeat this spending approach in 2027.
Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Trevor Rogers
Left‑hander Trevor Rogers, a 2027 free‑agent after a bounce‑back 2026 season (30 starts, 4.03 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 4.0 fWAR), is drawing interest as one of the market’s top starting‑pitching options. After a career‑high 2.64 ERA in 2021, injuries derailed him from 2022‑2024, but he rebounded with a 1.81 ERA for Baltimore in 2025 and solid numbers again in 2026. Rogers commands a 3‑6‑year deal at $17‑23 million AAV, and his southpaw profile makes him a potential backup or even an All‑Star starter for teams like the Braves, Cardinals, or a re‑signed Orioles, who must decide by the Nov. 17 qualifying‑offer deadline. Teams weighing him must consider the draft‑pick penalty for signing him away from Baltimore.
Braves News: Casey Mize rumor, player reviews, more
As the offseason drags on amid a looming lockout, the Braves are quietly circling starting‑pitcher targets. A.J.C. reporter Gabe Burns says Atlanta showed interest in Detroit’s Casey Mize and Boston’s Nick Pivetta before the trade deadline. The blog also reviews Osvaldo Bido’s 2026 performance for Atlanta, and notes a 25‑year‑old Taiwanese reliever being posted for MLB sign‑on. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer remains noncommittal about his plans for next season.
Braves were reportedly “linked” to Casey Mize at 2026 Trade Deadline
According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Gabe Burns, the Braves were "prominently linked" to free-agent right‑hander Casey Mize at the August 2026 trade deadline, though Burns says the interest was likely overstated. The team also eyed fellow free agent Nick Pivetta, but injury concerns dampened enthusiasm. Mize, a former Tigers starter, posted a strong 2.70 ERA (2.58 FIP) in Detroit before a rough stint with San Diego that saw his ERA jump to 7.42 and his fWAR dip to –0.7. Pivetta, limited to eight starts by a flexor strain, posted a 2.86 ERA (2.21 FIP). Both remain speculative targets as Atlanta evaluates short‑term options before the lockout.
Details On Braves’ Rotation Search
The Braves, thin on starting‑pitcher depth after injuries to Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle, are expected to chase rotation help this offseason. Atlanta’s front office is eyeing free‑agent right‑handers Nick Pivetta and Casey Mize, though both carry health concerns—Pivetta’s recent flexor strain and Mize’s ankle, adductor, hamstring issues and a 2022‑23 Tommy John surgery. Mize’s 2026 numbers slipped after a trade to the Padres, while Pivetta posted a 2.86 ERA in limited action. Both are projected for short‑term, mid‑$20 M deals, aligning with Anthopoulos’s cautious signing strategy.
2026 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Osvaldo Bido
Osvaldo Bido’s 2026 roller‑coaster ends in disappointment. After a whirlwind off‑season—claimed off waivers by the Braves, dropped, and bounced through the Rays, Marlins, Angels and Yankees—he finally makes Atlanta’s Opening Day roster. Bido flashes brilliance in his debut, striking out three, but his next five outings tumble to a 1.50 ERA, 1.28 FIP and 1.45 xFIP, mirroring a disastrous 2025. The Braves DFA him in mid‑April; the White Sox claim him, but his struggles persist, finishing the MLB year with a –0.2 fWAR over 18⅔ innings. A brief, ineffective stint in Japan follows. With zero command and average pitch shapes, Bido’s MLB future looks uncertain heading into 2027.
Mets Morning News: Firings hit SNY
SNY cuts staff while the Mets lock down right‑hander Robert Stock with a major‑league deal. Rookie A.J. Ewing aims to build on a solid debut as ESPN weighs offseason moves for both New York clubs. Across the NL East, Baseball America lists top Phillies prospects and the Braves eye new rotation arms. The Nationals extend outfielder Jacob Young for four years ($23 M) with a fifth‑year option. MLB.com ranks free agents, highlighting Tarik Skubal, while the Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll plans a spring‑ready return after elbow surgery. The Yankees lose catching coordinator Tanner Swanson to Seattle, and the Blue Jays distance themselves from Anthony Santander’s Islamophobic posts. The piece also notes a historic Mets signing of Rick Reed on this date in 1995.
Braves News: Dominic Smith season review, Qualifying Offer predictions, and more
The latest Braves news spotlights a season review of first baseman Dominic Smith, who posted solid numbers and key hits during Atlanta’s 2026 campaign, including a single in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies. The piece also debates the fate of qualifying offers amid the looming MLB lockout, notes the Nationals’ four‑year, $23 million extension for outfielder Jacob Young, and updates on Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll’s elbow surgery and recovery outlook. Fans are invited to weigh in on which free‑agent pitcher the Braves should target next.
Mets Hire Johnny Washington as Co-Hitting Coach
The New York Mets appoint Johnny Washington, 42, as co‑hitting coach alongside retained Troy Snitker, completing a revamp of a staff that struggled last season (tied for 23rd in OPS, 20th in runs). Washington comes from a 2026 stint as the Atlanta Braves’ minor‑league hitting coordinator and has served in hitting roles with the Angels, Cubs, Padres and Dodgers, plus a head‑hitting job in Anaheim. He previously worked with manager Andy Green in San Diego (2017‑19) and has coached current Mets Jared Young and Luis Torrens. The overhaul also adds assistant hitting coach Rafael Fernandez, assistant coach Mariano Duncan, and strategy coordinator A.J. Ellis as the team eyes the 2027 campaign.
Just Baseball/WARmonger MLB All-Fielding Team for 2026
Just Baseball teams up with WARmonger to unveil its first MLB All-Fielding Team for the 2026 season, naming the top defender at each position using Defensive Runs Saved, Statcast metrics, and Baseball Prospectus' Deserved Runs Prevented. Catcher Dillon Dingler (Detroit Tigers) earns the nod for elite framing, blocking and throws, while Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves) repeats as the premier first baseman. Milwaukee’s Brice Turang claims second base with 23 DRS and 14 FRV, and Tampa Bay’s Taylor Walls is crowned shortstop despite mixed Statcast ratings. Alex Bregman (Chicago Cubs) dominates third base, and Cody Bellinger (New York Yankees) rounds out left field. The list highlights standout plays and metric-driven rankings.
Top offseason trade targets for the Braves: Shortstops
The Braves’ offseason trade wishlist zeroes in on shortstop, with five candidates highlighted. All‑Star Jeremy Peña (Astros) tops the board, offering a .300 average and 800+ OPS while potentially becoming trade‑able if Houston rebuilds. Veteran Corey Seager (Rangers) brings a .860 career OPS but carries injury concerns and a $155 million contract through age 37. Young Angel Zach Neto (26, 5+ WAR/season) is under team control until 2030, though his price in prospects would be steep. Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, a former 8.8 WAR MVP finisher now at 3.2 WAR, could fetch a "king’s ransom." Finally, Marlins’ Otto Lopez, fresh off a 6.1 WAR, .300‑average season, is also under contract through 2030. The piece assesses each player’s value and the likely cost for Atlanta.
Will Dave Dombrowski be desperate enough to give huge contract to a reliever?
After a shaky Game 1 of the NL West playoffs—where Jhoan Duran barely retired five batters before an Atlanta rally handed the Braves a 5-3 win—the Phillies' bullpen woes are again on display. Over the past four postseason runs, relievers like Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez have faltered, prompting questions about whether GM Dave Dombrowski will finally break his habit of avoiding long-term deals for closers. Dombrowski, who previously let Craig Kimbrel walk and passed on a multi‑year contract for Hoffman, jokes he’d consider a four‑year deal only for a Rivera‑level talent. With Brad Keller sidelined by surgery and the roster thin on reliable late‑innings arms, the Phillies may be forced to rethink their reliever strategy this offseason.
2026 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Dominic Smith
Dominic Smith entered the 2026 Braves on a modest split contract after a solid 2025 with the Giants, but his season proved uneven. He appeared in 108 games, posting a .253/.311/.383 slash line, .304 wOBA and 9 homers, yet his fWAR slipped to -0.5. After limited use in September, Smith was thrust into the NL Wild Card Series, starting Game 3 and delivering key hits that helped Atlanta advance. While his early‑season promise faded and contact quality waned, his clutch postseason performance gave him a brief spotlight in an otherwise underwhelming year.
Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Raisel Iglesias
Raisel Iglesias, 37, finishes 2026 with a 2.55 ERA, 34 saves and a 1.1 fWAR, ranking 34th all‑time in saves (287). Despite a slight decline in advanced metrics, he remains an elite closer, posting sub‑3.00 ERA and a 99th‑percentile chase rate. The article evaluates four likely landing spots, highlighting a possible return to the Atlanta Braves—where his slider and veteran leadership have been crucial—and a move to the Detroit Tigers, who need a seasoned arm to reinforce a bullpen aiming for a 2027 playoff push. Other contenders are discussed, with contract expectations of a 1‑2‑year deal at $14‑18 million.
Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Nick Martinez
Nick Martinez, the 35‑year‑old swingman who helped the Rays reach the 2026 World Series with a 2.81 ERA in four appearances, enters free agency after declining a $20 million option. With a 2025 line of 31 games, 3.10 ERA, 180 innings and a $13 million salary, analysts project a $16‑22 million annual value over 1‑3 years. The article breaks down potential landing spots, highlighting the Atlanta Braves’ need for rotation stability, Boston Red Sox’s search for a reliable starter after Sonny Gray’s departure, and other suitors. Martinez’s track record of consistent, contact‑oriented pitching makes him a coveted option for teams looking to bolster depth without relying on strikeouts.
NL East MLB Draft Hits & Misses Since 2020 | Draft Podcast
Baseball America’s draft podcast hosts J.J. Cooper and Carlos Collazo launch a new series reviewing recent MLB draft classes, starting with the NL East. In a 46‑minute episode they break down each team's successes and busts since 2020, dedicating segments to the Braves (4‑15 min), Marlins (15‑23 min), Mets (23‑34 min), Phillies (34‑46 min) and Nationals (46‑end). Listeners get detailed analysis of each franchise’s draft picks, highlighting standout prospects and missed opportunities, with links to the 2027 Top‑10 prospects list and the upcoming Prospect Handbook.
Braves add another former GM to their front office
The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their front office by rehiring two former executives as senior advisers to amateur scouting. Former Astros GM Dana Brown—who helped the Braves win a World Series and discover Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider, and Tyler Matzek during his 2019‑22 stint—returns alongside ex‑Angels GM Perry Minasian, a former Braves assistant GM (2017‑20). Both will work with scouting VP Ronit Shah, leveraging their respected talent‑evaluation skills despite mixed results as general managers. Their combined experience contributed to Atlanta’s seven division titles and a 2021 World Series triumph.
Reviewing NL East Farm Systems For 2027 | Future Projection
Baseball America’s Future Projection podcast kicks off its 2027 farm‑system review with Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo dissecting the NL East. The episode breaks down each club’s top ten prospects—Mets (6:00), Nationals (22:00), Marlins (50:00), Phillies (1:03:00) and Braves (1:19:00)—highlighting standout talent and how they could shape the division next season. Listeners get a detailed, timed rundown of emerging players, making it a must‑listen for anyone tracking the next wave of MLB stars.
Braves News: Matt Olson named Silver Slugger finalist, front office changes, and more
Matt Olson makes the 2026 National League Silver Slugger finalist list, with the winner set for Nov. 17, adding to his Gold Glove and Fielding Bible honors from this season. The Braves also welcome back front‑office executive Perry Minasian from the Angels, feature a player review of catcher Austin Wynns, and release their Q3 financial report. In league news, the Mets appoint former Braves minor‑league hitting coordinator Johnny Washington as co‑hitting coach.
MLB News Outside The Confines: The Guardians pitch-rigging trial starts
The trial of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz begins this week, with prosecutors branding them “cheaters” over alleged pitch‑rigging conspiracy charges and defense attorneys claiming a setup. Former catcher Bo Naylor testifies he saw no irregularities. The article also touches on offseason news—including the Braves’ revenue report, Mariners’ new manager Jason Kanzler, Astros’ interest in Albert Pujols, and various free‑agent and trade rumors—while noting MLB’s decision to keep Intentional Talk on air.
Phillies News: Don Mattingly, Kyle Schwarber, Teruaki Sato
The Good Phight’s latest Phillies roundup blends updates and speculation. Don Mattingly weighs in on the club’s upcoming pitching staff and salary‑cap constraints, while outfielder Kyle Schwarber earns praise as a Silver Slugger finalist. The piece also spotlights Japanese reliever Teruaki Sato’s strong U.S. numbers and teases whether the Braves might move Ronald Acuña Jr. amid fan‑favored trade talk. Readers get a quick pulse on offseason moves and player accolades ahead of the 2027 season.
Ex-Angels GM joins Braves for 2027 season
The Atlanta Braves are overhauling their front office for the 2027 season, bringing back former Angels GM Perry Minasian as a senior staff member alongside ex-Astros GM Dana Brown, who returns as a senior advisor to amateur scouting. Minasian, who served as the Braves’ assistant GM (2017‑2020) before a six‑year stint in Los Angeles, was dismissed by the Angels on June 26 when the club was 34‑48. His reunion with Braves president Alex Anthopoulos reunites a longtime executive trio, signaling a renewed focus on scouting and roster building ahead of next year.
Braves To Hire Perry Minasian As Senior Advisor
The Atlanta Braves rehire Perry Minasian as a senior advisor for amateur scouting, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale and The Athletic’s Jesús Cano. Minasian, who was the Angels’ GM from 2020‑21 until his June dismissal, joins former Braves VP of scouting Dana Brown, who also returned after a stint with the Astros. Both were let go by their previous clubs this summer but retain the confidence of Braves president Alex Anthopoulos. Minasian’s tenure in Los Angeles ended after a 62‑100 season, the franchise’s worst in 66 years.
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