A little more than two weeks after seeing their team eliminated from the postseason, Braves fans can now choose whether to cheer for the division rival that did the eliminating or the team they rooted against during last year’s Fall Classic.
While doing a recent season wrap-up show for 680 The Fan, we were asked whether Braves fans should be pulling for the Phillies or the Astros in the World Series. Bally Sports’ Kelly Crull pointed out how well we are treated by the fine folks who feed us at Citizens Bank Park. Can’t argue with that. They’re first class. Just another reminder that food trumps everything in the media world.
But seriously, while it would be cool for some of those Philly folks to experience the thrill of seeing their team win a World Series, Braves fans might rather celebrate how Hank Aaron influenced a second straight World Series title.
Astros manager Dusty Baker was raised in the Braves' system under the tutelage of Aaron, who also played a significant role in getting Baker to pursue a managerial role once his playing days were finished. As Baker and Atlanta skipper Brian Snitker prepared to manage against each other during last year’s Fall Classic, they proudly told stories of how much Aaron influenced their lives.
By giving Snitker his first coaching job more than 40 years ago, Aaron unknowingly paved a path for Troy Snitker to currently serve as one of Baker’s hitting coaches. The Astros have advanced to the World Series in three of the four seasons the younger Snitker has filled this role.
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TRIVIA
Bryce Harper has hit 39 homers against the Braves since debuting for the Nationals in 2013. That is the second-highest total for any player against Atlanta since 2000. Who ranks second?
A.) Ryan Howard
B.) Giancarlo Stanton
C.) Ryan Zimmerman
D.) David Wright
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While the Phillies and Astros are battling over the next week, the Braves will be evaluating how to best position themselves to be part of the 2023 World Series. Here are the top five questions they are facing.
1. Will Dansby Swanson return?
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Mutual interest doesn’t matter. Level of interest does. Swanson likely positioned himself to gain at least an extra $30 million on the free-agent market, and the Braves will almost certainly have to offer a five-year deal worth between $100 million and 110 million. Other clubs not willing to pay for Carlos Correa, Trea Turner or any of the other star shortstops on the free-agent market may be willing to pay closer to $25 million per season.
The Braves may need to exceed their comfort zone to keep their leader. But at the same time, Swanson may also have to give a little, much like Chipper Jones did when he committed to staying in Atlanta.
2. Rotation addition?
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Once Max Fried got sick and Spencer Strider tweaked his left oblique near the end of the season, we were again reminded that you can’t have enough pitching. With that being said, the Braves have a strong rotation base with Fried, Strider, Kyle Wright and Charlie Morton. Jake Odorizzi could also return. But more importantly, Ian Anderson could be back to being the pitcher we knew before this year. Bryce Elder and Kyle Muller are also a year older and Mike Soroka is another year removed from his latest Achilles surgery.
Jacob deGrom may have an interest in pitching in Atlanta, but I just don’t see this happening given his injury history.
3. What to do with Ozuna?
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The Braves unsuccessfully tried to trade Marcell Ozuna to the Nationals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin before the Trade Deadline. If Atlanta doesn’t find a suitable bad-contract swap, it could keep Ozuna or eat the $37 million still owed to him over the next two seasons.
4. What should be done in left field?
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Eddie Rosario had a .659 OPS in the 65 games he played after undergoing surgery to repair the blurred vision that ruined his April. The Braves could use Vaughn Grissom in left field, but by making him the right-handed portion of a platoon, they would seemingly hinder his development by not giving him sufficient playing time. The landscape could also change if Jorge Soler opts out of his contract with the Marlins or Joc Pederson is pursued, despite Rosario also being a left-handed hitter.
5. Will they look for bullpen help?
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With Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, Collin McHugh, Dylan Lee, Kirby Yates, Jackson Stephens and Jesse Chavez, the Braves have the makings of a good bullpen. Still, Chavez is a free agent, and along with bringing him back, Atlanta will look to fortify this relief corps.
If the price is right for Kenley Jansen, bringing him back should be an option. The Braves may also get a significant boost if Luke Jackson makes a healthy and efficient return from Tommy John surgery.
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TRIVIA ANSWER
A.) Ryan Howard
Howard hit 52 homers in 661 at-bats against the Braves. That was one homer every 12.7 at-bats. Harper has homered once every 15.6 at-bats against Atlanta.
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