OK, so the Braves got their man. But what does it all mean?
Prospect Trades
As the Braves’ rebuild enters Year Four, the playoffs are finally within striking distance. There are obvious holes to fill, but with a continued infiltration and evolution of top prospects, along with a few savvy moves, a bid for the 2018 Wild Card is very possible.
Based on his track record, Anthopoulos could be looking to fast-track the final two years on the rebuild.
Some of the prospect capital which erstwhile GM John Coppolella hoarded like Pokemon could eventually be on their way out. Were Coppy still in the front office, these were moves he would have likely made regardless. However, AA is known for success when shooting the moon, so even Coppolella might at some point find himself saying, “How did pull that deal off??”
The Braves offer a level of depth Anthopoulos has never been able to work with.
Will Mike Soroka and friends become Blue Jays in a deal for Marcus Stroman? Will Kolby Allard & Co. find their way to Tampa while Chris Archer comes to Sun Trust Park? Is Austin Riley’s future in doubt if the Braves acquire a third baseman? Interesting, and suddenly somewhat plausible, scenarios.
How soon might these trades happen? There will more than likely no blockbusters this offseason while AA familiarizes himself with the Braves’ ludicrous prospect depth. But if the Braves are close to contention near the 2018 non-waiver trade deadline, you can likely expect a flurry of activity.
Free Agency
Will the Braves be big players in 2018 free agency? Count on it.
Anthopoulos did not rely on free agent signings to build rosters as much as he relied on player development and trades. That said, the 2018 free agent class is one for the ages. Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and AA’s former third baseman Josh Donaldson are just a few of the marquee names who will be seeking new contracts.