Braves Today

The Braves need rotation innings and will evaluate relievers Ray Kerr and Didier Fuentes as potential starters in spring training, but moving them could weaken a bullpen that may also lose Raisel Iglesias. Lindsay Crosby breaks down what each pitcher’s arsenal, command, and durability must show to succeed beyond one inning, highlighting Kerr’s varied mix and limited post-UCL workload and Fuentes’ upside with a developing changeup and starter-level volume questions. He outlines workable usage models—Fuentes starting with Kerr in a hybrid role, pairing them as a piggyback, or stretching both out and letting spring decide—while stressing Atlanta shouldn’t project both into the Opening Day rotation or use these experiments to avoid adding external pitching.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dominican shortstop Alfredo Sena, widely viewed as the top 2027 international prospect, has a reported $5.8M pre-agreement with Atlanta for the Jan. 15 signing period, but it’s not binding until the window opens and MLB approves it. The episode explains Sena’s tools, why the Braves would devote most of their bonus pool to him, and how CBA negotiations and a proposed international draft could void pre-agreements or delay/cancel the signing period. It also previews possible outcomes, notes the lockout isn’t necessarily the main threat, and discusses how Rule 5 timing could affect Braves 40-man decisions, highlighting candidates like Davis Polo and Cedric de Grandpre.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Braves Today breaks down why Tarik Skubal uniquely fits Atlanta’s preferred starter profile (Stuff+, whiff rate, strikeout rate) but could cost a projected eight years, $355M, limiting other roster upgrades. Lindsay Crosby reviews alternative pitcher “buckets” and risks—Freddy Peralta, Jack Flaherty, Dustin May, Sonny Gray, Kevin Gausman, and Nick Martinez—then argues the Braves need both top-end ceiling and reliable innings, weighing one superstar signing versus multiple additions to stabilize the rotation behind Chris Sale.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsay Crosby answers mailbag questions on whether the Braves should move on from hitting coach Tim Hyers and whether similar “new voice” logic applies to the training staff after recent injuries. He weighs player responsibility, lineup construction, and possible replacements like Kevin Long, then uses league-wide injury data to argue Atlanta’s situation is closer to average than it feels. Crosby also explains Spencer Schwellenbach’s elbow surgery (screw stabilization), why his 2027 return timeline is uncertain, and what to watch for in his command. The episode closes with questions on pre-lockout offseason activity, trading prospect Eric Hartman, why knuckleballers have disappeared, and a few personal/fun topics.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Braves Today, Lindsay Crosby weighs whether Atlanta should re-sign free agent Raisel Iglesias despite already having Robert Suárez. Iglesias was effective in 2026 (2.55 ERA, 34 saves) but showed aging/decline indicators (lower K rate, rising hard-hit and barrel rates, slight velo dip, shoulder IL stint). Crosby argues the Braves aren’t shopping for a closer but late-inning certainty, noting limited internal high-leverage depth and the risk of external replacements.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsay Crosby breaks down MLB Trade Rumors’ arbitration projections for the Braves, arguing Dylan Lee is a clear keep around $4.2M despite recurring second-half struggles, especially with Raisel Iglesias headed to free agency. He explains how arbitration “file and trial” works and why hearings happen even over small gaps. Bryce Elder’s projected $4M is worth paying, but he could become a trade chip if Atlanta adds top-rotation help. The episode closes on fringe arbitration decisions: James Karinchak ($1.1M) as a possible non-tender, Joey Wince ($900K) likely to return after a torn ACL, and waiver-claim Michael Grove ($1M) as a low-cost swingman bullpen fit.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsay Crosby breaks down why the Braves must find a shortstop and why trades may be more realistic than free agency. He evaluates targets including Elly De La Cruz (elite but likely unavailable and extremely costly), Zach Neto (more plausible with roster flexibility), Jeremy Peña (one-year rental with defensive/plate discipline concerns), and Gunnar Henderson (two years of control but injury questions). He also weighs expensive veteran options like Corey Seager and Trevor Story, plus a suggestion of a Dansby Swanson reunion, while emphasizing Atlanta will need creativity given a thin shortstop market.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Anthopoulos admits the Braves and Austin Riley still can’t “solve” his decline despite full health in 2026. Lindsay Crosby breaks down Riley’s falling production (OPS, K-rate, xwOBA), shows his bat speed/swing length remain elite, and highlights a massive collapse on borderline “shadow” pitches (-39 run value). With adjustments failing to stick, Atlanta must track process metrics in 2027 and add lineup depth—especially a right-handed bat—so the offense can function without banking on an MVP-level rebound.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsay Crosby launches a new Friday mailbag for Braves Today, addressing whether Atlanta should trade Ronald Acuña Jr. (not this offseason, but 2027 is a key evaluation point), and explaining why moving him now would be selling low and creating another roster hole. He discusses a public letter from investor Breach Inlet urging a team sale, plus a proposed Section 162 tax change that could raise the Braves’ taxes by roughly $19–20 million compared to private owners. Crosby also covers qualifying-offer and market expectations for Tyler Mahle (ineligible), Mauricio Dubón (likely pricier than fans expect), and Raisel Iglesias (uncertain), outlines free agents the front office likely won’t pursue, and compares how to judge a closing championship window versus a rough stretch.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsay Crosby breaks down lessons the Braves can take from the final four teams: the Dodgers’ “October overkill” approach to adding impact pitching, the Brewers’ purposeful patience and better swing decisions, the Rays’ constant roster churn to build depth, and the Guardians’ lineup length to survive when stars slump. He then reviews Braves-related award finalists, including Chris Sale and Martín Pérez in MLBPA voting and Gold Glove finalists Matt Olson, Michael Harris, Sale, and Mauricio Dubón.

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/wksQqVNEpX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.