Atlanta Braves Mailbag: What One Move Would be Most Impactful?

[@matthewg9638]

I like Jake's style. He's professional and puts together a reliable program that's informed, inclusive and intelligent. He gets good questions in the mailbag. I like it! Seriously, it costs us viewers nothing to hit it with a "thumbs up". And it's regularly good so Subscribe. If you don't like it, Unsubscribe later. But it's gonna be good!

[@LockedOnBraves]

Thanks! Appreciate the kind words.

[@Cfullerrrr]

Comment gang. Go bravos as always Jake thanks for all you do.

[@LockedOnBraves]

Thanks! Appreciate the support.

[@jizz1488]

21:37 great save, cuz we dont know.

[@LockedOnBraves]

Nobody does.

[@William-l5r]

I think we need another bat, either in the outfield or shortstop.

[@LockedOnBraves]

It would be nice. I still thinking the pitching side is more of a concern.

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

Good afternoon Jake, Hope you're not snowed in. It just started snowing here around Charlotte NC.

[@LockedOnBraves]

Hey. It was a nice little snow. Enough for the kids to play in. They had never seen more than a dusting.

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

@ Good for them, that's awesome!!

[@kyleOWillFixIt]

I have a question for anyone interested in answering. Braves all-time greats team. 22 players. 1 player at each position, 1 DH (bat only player, didn't have to be a DH when they played) 3 bench players any position, 5 starters, 5 relievers. Players didn't have to be career Braves, but judge them only on their time as braves. My example team would be C: Javy Lopez 1B: Freddie Freeman 2B: Ozzie Albies SS: Jeff Blauser 3B: Chipper Jones RF: Hank Aaron CF: Andruw Jones LF: Ronald Acuña Jr DH: Andrés Galerraga Bench: Eddie Mathews, Dale Murphy, Rafael Furcal SP: Maddux, Spahn, Neikro, Glavine, Avery* RP: Kimbrel, Smoltz, Wagner, Wohlers, Moylan *I chose Avery over Smoltz for starting pitchers because I was having a hard time coming up with 5 all-time great relief pitchers.

[@LockedOnBraves]

I like that list. I think mine would be the same except I'd put Furcal or Simba at SS.

[@Cfullerrrr]

Jake, where the two graded cards propped up behind you? Figure they’re some good ones. Still have a furcal signed/ framed/ authenticated picture I’d love to send you.

[@LockedOnBraves]

I have a 1957 Hank Aaron Topps photo and then a 2012 Andrelton Simmons Bowman Chrome auto. DM on X if you can.

[@acgonzales7]

Tanner Scott, Montgomery and Profar or Ward is offseason list. I'm the same on Profar; didn't like him much to start the winter but I've warmed up to him, assuming its not 3/45m.

[@LockedOnBraves]

I'd love that offseason honestly. Again, assuming price on Profar isn't ridiculous.

[@daviddaniels9493]

Jake thank you for the podcast. I would just consider if free agent prices have gone up, and we see so far they have, there has to come a time that AA is realistic and set a new margin for those prices. There does come a time that the talent level comes down as some of the free agents go off the board. I know that there is a balance but are you willing to settle for lesser talent? The talent pool has shrunk although there are some good relievers out there. If there is a possibility for a trade for Montgomery if that doesn't happen soon then Montgomery is going to be in the same situation where he has a late spring training. I believe that Montgomery is a #3 but at times plays up as a #2. Thank you

[@duanemurray7378]

The Braves are not passing the luxury tax threshold until the season starts. There's too much uncertainty and I think Jake will even agree that it makes more sense to make a big move when you are certain what you need, such as during the season before the trade deadline, then making a move right now when there's so much uncertainty about returning players from injury and players trying to return to a prime performance on this team.

[@LockedOnBraves]

I think it's a valid point. And I've said before, at some point AA is going to have to take a big risk to sign one of these top free agents or we're never going to get the top available talent.

[@duanemurray7378]

Do You really think we need to sign big talent (right now)during this off season or wait for a little more clarity on the BIG need that gets you over the top? In season before the trade deadline seems to be the formula for ultimate success with AA right?

[@steveo3530]

I don't know if anybody else saw dansbys presser with the cubs when he first arrived.. he said ha wanted to go to Chicago because of his grandfather... don't know what that means but I don't think he was coming back to the braves..

[@LockedOnBraves]

I think he just said that because he wanted to make a connection. It was pretty wildly known he wanted to be a Braves for life and was willing to take less money to stay in Atlanta.

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

Fried will have to stay off the IL or Schwellenbach may win the WAR competition. More than likely Fried wins but It's cool to even be having this comparison. GO BRAVES 2025.

[@stephenwilson0386]

Haven't watched the video yet so maybe I'm missing context.. but you do know that Fried isn't with the Braves anymore, right?

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

@ right. Watch it and you’ll see what I mean.

[@LockedOnBraves]

For sure. Never would have though this a chance a year ago.

[@S408J]

Im still ringing AZ for Monty/McCarthy or Perdomo 😅

[@LockedOnBraves]

Same.

[@joemi1219]

Btw 16+ inches of snow in my lil Indiana farm town.

[@LockedOnBraves]

Yikes. We got maybe 4-6 inches and that was plenty.

[@RightCenterBack321]

How do we submit questions to Jake for his mailbag episodes?

[@LockedOnBraves]

I'll post a message from @LockedOn_Braves on X on Friday mornings. Respond to that post with your question to be answered.

[@wmp3346]

Probably Need both depends on Ronald

[@LockedOnBraves]

I think Ronald will be back sooner than most. What he looks like is the question.

[@bravesno1303]

1 more starting pitcher would b great. If not, ATL should go to beef up the pen. Outfielders can easily b found @ the Trade Deadline

[@LockedOnBraves]

Pitching is needed somewhere.

[@michaelnewton8803]

I would like to see the Braves sign Kim if they can get him at a lower price due to him getting a late start

[@LockedOnBraves]

I think he gets a one-year deal with maybe an option, but it's still likely going to be a high AAV of $12M or more. But I wouldn't mind taking the shot either.

[@joemi1219]

Is there a rule preventing a team from signing sasaki for a million dollars then on opening day giving him a giant “extension”?

[@acgonzales7]

Just that they can't discuss an extension prior to him signing his IFA contract.

[@LockedOnBraves]

No, I don't guess.

[@LockedOnBraves]

We've seen teams give extensions to prospects before they debuted before. Brewers did it last offseason with Jackson Chourio.

[@kennethgrantham5092]

My choice is Tanner Scott, hands down.

[@LockedOnBraves]

Especially now with Hoffman gone.

[@davidhelmuth5254]

Brendan Donovan!!

[@LockedOnBraves]

Looks like Cards might be trying to extend him and keep him.

[@christophercampbell2929]

Jake McCarthy is an everyday guy. It's a shame he isnt consistently given that opportunity.

[@LockedOnBraves]

His splits aren't that different, so maybe you're right. I could see him being a light-hitting bottom of the order bat who can steal some bases and play great defense in CF every day.

[@chrisbirdsall3285]

Jake. Fletcher had info on Ohtani so MLB blackballed

[@LockedOnBraves]

I don't know, but crazy they've been radio silent on Fletcher.

[@chrisbirdsall3285]

@LockedOnBraves exactly 💯

[@michaelserkey6951]

We need innings from starters. Flaherty is the guy or someone who will throw 170 innings.

[@LockedOnBraves]

He's had some injury stuff too, but that's a risk with all pitchers.

[@glenndice1]

Tanner Scott please I hear he's looking for a job and Jack Flarty 🙏 😅. .

[@LockedOnBraves]

Both would be awesome.

[@docscards]

#12kbyOpeningDay

[@LockedOnBraves]

Thanks. I think we'll get there.

[@TaylorMade1996]

AA is definitely on a beach somewhere

[@kennethgrantham5092]

On a beach with Creepy Joe (FJB)!

[@LockedOnBraves]

Must be nice.

[@ernestpolk9555]

#1.MLB gave SOhtani special privilege's because of his Statue AND He played FOR the Dodgers!!!!!!!!!! and let's a "lowly" like Fletcher sit in purgatory!!! MLB sucks eggs!! IMHO!

[@LockedOnBraves]

Seems like the case.

[@saleen12]

Let's face it. The Braves aren't going to do anything this off season. It's clear

[@LockedOnBraves]

They'll do something significant. I HAVE TO BELIEVE!

[@davidthatcher7784]

Braves starting pitcher are fragile

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

Again ridiculous !!

[@blairmcbride5437]

Unfortunately, that seems to be true lately as the last 3 years our post-season rotation hasn't been fully healthy.

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

@@blairmcbride5437 this past year that wasn’t true. Chris Sale was the only person they had with lower back soreness was ready to pitch had we made the NLDS. Every other pitcher was healthy

[@blairmcbride5437]

@@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo I see you completely forgot our ace Spencer Strider.

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

@@blairmcbride5437 I didn’t forget because he wasn’t in the equation at the end of the year. Strider isn’t fragile he had a bone spur which will not affect him in the future.

[@voefrom5185]

AA just sittin around doing nothing... heard we were gon get jeff hoffman from philly but he failed a physical... wtf is going on, why is he not improving the team

[@LockedOnBraves]

Because Hoffman failed a physical...

[@voefrom5185]

@LockedOnBraves yes im aware, thats what i said in my comment.. but even if hoffman went through thats it ?

[@davidthatcher7784]

Aa is a scared gm he I destroyed the championship window

[@MassBoost]

Yeah, their championship window went from 10 more years to only 8 more years now...

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

You're so ridiculous it's sad!!

[@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo]

@@MassBoost AGREED

[@MassBoost]

@@jeffreyhumphries-jw2fo LOL, thanks.

[@S408J]

Too soon to say, he has until July to make something (serious) happen

[@FlawpyTawpy]

Another garbage off-season. Here's to remembering this when we don't make the playoffs, kinda like the trade deadline last year. We won't spend the money required to win. It sucks baseball has gotten to this point, but only the billionaire funded teams are going to win.

[@LockedOnBraves]

I still think this team makes the playoffs fairly easily if they have slightly better health than last year. The sport does seem to be in a weird spot with the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets spending like nobody else can.

[@deliveryguy6262]

We’re sorry AA is unavailable at this time. Please try again later.

[@LockedOnBraves]

Haha.