Back for the second installment of my MLB Offseason Breakdown for the 2020 season. If you are new here, what I do is write about all the acquisitions and losses the team had, my projected lineups and rotations, grade for the offseason, and my prediction for the team in the 2020 season. Let’s get into it.
Acquisitions and Losses:
3B Josh Donaldson signs a 4 year $92 million contract with Minnesota
This is a pretty big loss for Atlanta because of the comeback season he had last year. Last season Donaldson returned to his former self when he hit 37 home runs, had 94 RBIs, and had a .521 slugging percentage. Nice comeback season for Donaldson as it will be hard to replace a player like him, but it makes sense not to sign him with the money he got.
LF Marcell Ozuna signs a 1 year $18 million contract
The Braves replaced Donaldson with a different power hitter in Ozuna and this could be a significant signing. Ozuna, a former 2-time All-Star, struggled last year in St. Louis where his normal batting average of .272 fell down to .241. I expect Ozuna to have a similar season as Donaldson and get back to his former way, it seems Atlanta is good at doing that.
SP Dallas Keuchel signs a 3 year $55.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox
I never saw the Braves bringing back Keuchel after the season was over because of the season he had. Keuchel showed no signs of improvement when he was brought in last June going 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 112.2 innings pitched. I think he can do good things in Chicago, but just like Donaldson, don’t waste the money.
RP Will Smith signs a 3 year $40 million contract
This was Atlanta’s best signing this offseason because their biggest problem last season was the bullpen. Much like the rest of the N.L. East, the Braves bullpen was inconsistent and could not be trusted. Bringing in Smith improves their bullpen so much. Smith made the All-Star game for the first time last year and had a 2.76 ERA in 65.1 innings pitched. Smith will be a reliable set up man for the Braves.
SP Cole Hamels signs a 1 year $18 million contract
Another non-risk signing for the Braves as they look to improve on their starting rotation by adding the former 4-time All-Star to the squad. Hamels will be a lower rotation guy and has very little risk to this signing. The Braves hope he can return to his younger self and if he doesn’t he out after one year.
C Travis d’Arnaud signs a 2 year $16 million contract
When Travis d’Arnaud was released from the Mets last season and finally picked up by the Rays, d’Arnaud did something I thought he could never do and that was being an ok player. I watched d’Arnaud for years and never saw him play as good as he did with the Rays. d’Arnaud will serve as the starting catcher for the Braves most likely but will definitely be splitting time with Tyler Flowers.
Projected Lineup:
C: Travis d’Arnaud
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Ozzie Albies
3B: Johan Camargo
SS: Dansby Swanson
LF: Marcell Ozuna
CF: Ender Inciarte
RF: Ronald Acuna Jr.
Projected Rotation
1. Mike Soroka
2. Mike Foltynewicz
3. Max Fried
4. Cole Hamels
5. Kyle Wright
Offseason Grade: B+
2020 Prediction:
The Braves have a lot of expectations to live up to for this season and I too have that feeling for them. Donaldson was a big loss for them but I do feel that Ozuna will be able to fill that hole. I see the Braves winning the N.L. East for the third straight season, but it will be a very tight race for first place. And in the playoffs, the Braves will make it to the NLCS but lose.
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Previous Offseason Breakdowns:
MLB 2020 Offseason Breakdown: Arizona Diamondbacks
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