Braves Rumors: Will Bryce Elder be snubbed from playoff roster?
Whether or not the Atlanta Braves will be part of the MLB postseason hasn't been in question for months now. It's really just a question now of if this club finishes with the best record in baseball on not. Spoiler: They are trending in that direction.
As October baseball comes into focus, though, one thing that the Braves will certainly have to consider is who makes the postseason roster. That inherently means that tough decisions will have to be made, especially with the true team effort that Atlanta has put forth while weathering injuries and continuing to be a dominant force.
But who will end up on the wrong end of those tough calls and off the Braves postseason roster?
Chase Irle of SportsTalkATL recently highlighted three players who could be pushed off the playoff roster for Atlanta, including reliever Collin McHugh and Jesse Chavez, highlighting the competition for long relievers in the former's case and an uncertain return from injury for the latter. But the biggest surprise of the trio he mentioned was All-Star Bryce Elder.
Prior to his start on Aug. 15 when he shut down the Yankees over seven innings of work, Elder had an ERA just under 8.00 in his previous six starts, regressing to the mean after his All-Star-worthy first half of the season. As Irle noted, the return of Kyle Wright and what he looks like upon his return could ultimately push Elder off the postseason roster.
That, of course, is no guarantee. But it's wild that it's even plausible to say that an All-Star starting pitcher could be left out in the cold for the playoffs. When the Braves have as much talent as they do, though, that's the way things can shake out.
Braves Rumors: Pierce Johnson trade another big win for Anthopoulos
Alex Anthopoulos was somewhat criticized after the trade deadline for the lack of substantial moves that the Braves made. For those who don't recall, the moves included trading for reclamation project relievers Pierce Johnson and Taylor Hearn, the latter of whom was then flipped to land Nicky Lopez from the Royals, and then getting veteran southpaw reliever Brad Hand.
That's not exactly moving the needled at a deadline when arms like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, among many others, were moved.
It turns out that Braves fans and analysts alike might just need to let Anthopoulos cook. Because he's worked magic.
We've already seen what Lopez has done in his brief time with Atlanta, especially most recently with Ozzie Albies out of the lineup due to injury. Hand has also been solid for the Braves. But Johnson has been the biggest surprise and, given that the franchise gave up only their No. 10 prospect in a weakly-graded farm system to acquire him.
In 43 appearances withe Rockies prior to the trade, Johnson had a 6.00 ERA and 1.846 WHIP on the season. However, a 4.55 FIP did indicate that he could be in line to improve with some better luck. He's been better than that, though. With another scoreless outing on Wednesday against the Yankees, Johnson now has a 0.00 ERA and 0.968 WHIP on the season.
Sam Peebles of Battery Powered noted that Johnson has improved on his curveball, which has been his most effective pitch, and used it to great results with the Braves. Despite the problems in Colorado, he's joined the Atlanta bullpen and has become a force as a relief option for the NL East leaders.
Though a 0.00 ERA is unlikely to remain fully intact, the 32-year-old righty has undoubtedly been the goods and has been one of the quietest yet most effective wins from the trade deadline in baseball.
Braves Rumors: Is a Max Fried extension likely for Atlanta?
After being out since May 5, Max Fried returned to the Braves as the starter against the Cubs on Aug. 4 and looked like he hadn't missed a beat as he went six scoreless innings allowing just three hits and striking out eight. He has been less steady since, giving up six earned runs over 10.0 combined innings against the Pirates and Yankees over his last two starts. But the staff's ace is clearly rounding back into that form.
There should be full confidence in the southpaw being a massive presence for the Braves for the stretch run as they lock up the NL East, and in the playoffs as well. Beyond the 2023 season and postseason, though, uncertainty reigns supreme when it comes to Fried and Atlanta.
Fried's contract only runs through the end of the 2024 season and, to this point, we have not heard anything substantial about extension talks between the 29-year-old and the Braves. To be clear, Atlanta is a closed-mouth organization in many cases. These conversations and negotiations could well be taking place and likely are — we just don't know that without question.
So that begs the question: Will the Braves ink a Max Fried extension before next season? Or do they risk losing him in the same manner as their past two marquee free agents, Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson?
Chase Irle of SportsTalkATL assessed the situation as there being a 55% chance that the Braves sign Fried to an extension. The reasoning behind that likelihood is sound too. He surmised that Fried, who compares closely to Carlos Rodon who was a free agent this past offseason but with a better overall track record for the Braves ace, could be looking for "7-8 years in between $200-225 million".
More importantly, though, Irle made clear that Alex Anthopoulos has preached the importance of having two aces in the rotation and making sure the starting pitching is strong, even if his free agency moves and trades haven't totally reflected that. That last part is a concern, to be sure, but it could also very well be a signal for the plan to land Fried, and Irle believes that Anthopoulos will finally write a big check for a looming free agent when it comes to the southpaw.
I tend to agree with that assessment but, as 55% from Irle acknowledges, that's not a formality to happen in Atlanta. Just based on the situation and AA's stated motives for roster management, though, it'd be hard to justify letting Fried walk given his performance and value to the Braves.