The Atlanta Braves have won the National League East five seasons in a row.
While the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies made major splashes this winter, the Braves had a quieter offseason. The Mets remade their pitching staff, saying goodbye to two-time National League Cy Young Jacob deGrom, while picking up Justin Verlander, Jose Quintana and Japanese star Kodai Senga.
The Phillies added to their payroll as well, giving Trea Turner an 11-year, $300 million contract to play shortstop for the club.
The Braves said goodbye to All-Star shortstop and veteran leader Dansby Swanson, who signed a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The Braves replaced Swanson in their lineup in an unconventional manner: instead of acquiring another shortstop, they improved their defense behind home plate, trading for defensive wiz Sean Murphy from the Oakland Athletics. Murphy will be a significant defensive upgrade over William Contreras, Manny Pina and Travis d’Arnaud, who manned the position last season.
Here’s a quick summary of the Braves’ moves this offseason:
Free Agents Lost: SS Dansby Swanson, RHP Kenley Jansen, OF Adam Duvall, OF Robbie Grossman, RHP Darren O’Day
Free Agents Added: RHP Nick Anderson, OF Jordan Luplow
Trades:
- Traded William Contreras and Justin Yeager to Milwaukee Brewers and Kyle Muller, Manny Pina, Ryber Salinas, and Freddy Tarnok to Oakland Athletics for Sean Murphy.
- Traded Jake Odorizzi and cash to Texas Rangers for Kolby Allard.
- Traded Dylan Spain to Colorado Rockies for Sam Hilliard.
- Traded Jake Higginbotham and Justin-Henry Malloy to Detroit Tigers for Joe Jimenez.
Re-Signings: Re-signed relief pitchers Brooks Wilson and Jesse Chavez to minor league contracts.
Extensions: Signed Sean Murphy to a six-year, $73 million extension.
Check out the latest episode of the Jack Vita Show for more MLB offseason analysis!
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