Braves Today

Braves Today host Lindsay Crosby talks with Jesús Cano of The Athletic, fresh off the GM meetings in Las Vegas, about how the looming lockout is shaping MLB activity and Atlanta’s offseason approach. They discuss the Braves’ addition of reliever Evan Phillips and how it could support moving Didier Fuentes into the rotation, including concerns about stamina, velocity, and pitch mix, plus the potential benefits of keeping a six-man rotation to manage Chris Sale. The conversation covers whether Atlanta should be more aggressive with a two-year window involving Sale and Ronald Acuña Jr., the thin shortstop market and reliance on internal options, and the need for more right-handed offense. They also evaluate fit and cost for targets like J.P. Crawford, bringing back Mauricio Dubón or Tyler Mahle, and possible impact additions such as Seiya Suzuki or Randy Arozarena.

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Host Lindsay Crosby answers a Friday mailbag of Braves offseason questions, focusing on realistic ways to upgrade shortstop, left field, and the rotation. He discusses out-of-the-box shortstop ideas like Reds infielder Matt McLain (defense vs. offensive rebound after shoulder surgery) and evaluates Edmundo Sosa as a fallback option, preferring versatility like Mauricio Dubón’s ability to cover center field. Lindsay breaks down a proposed blockbuster for Orioles stars Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, calling it an overpay without an extension and warning about the loss of pitching depth. He argues he isn’t concerned about long-term free-agent signings “blocking” prospects, defines what an aggressive Braves offseason could look like, and shares front-office investment priorities (pitching lab, R&D, international scouting) plus an “unlimited money” dream plan. He also answers rapid-fire questions on qualifying offers and bonus pools, lockout rules, strike timing, and MLB call-up pay.

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Read our written work: bravestoday.substack.com

This episode is presented by Kalshi, the prediction market for sports, news and more.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down the Atlanta Braves signing right-handed reliever Evan Phillips to a three-year, $35 million deal, including salary details and his 1% donation to the Braves Foundation. He explains why the contract suggests Phillips slots in as setup man behind Robert Suárez while providing proven closing insurance, reviews Phillips’ path from being a 2015 Braves draftee to a key Dodgers reliever, and assesses his post–Tommy John return, velocity gains, strikeout/walk rates, and pitch mix built around a sweeper. Crosby discusses platoon concerns, Atlanta’s bullpen spending and projected 2027 costs, and argues the move strengthens late innings without preventing bigger needs like rotation help, a shortstop, and a left fielder. He also explores scenarios for whether Raisel Iglesias could return at a reduced salary and different role.

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

Follow Lindsay on Twitter: @CrosbyBaseball

Read our written work: bravestoday.substack.com

This episode is presented by Kalshi, the prediction market for sports, news and more.

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Lindsay Crosby discusses GM Alex Anthopoulos’ update that Spencer Strider is on track for spring training and the season opener, then evaluates whether Strider should return as a starter or move to the bullpen, noting his eight-start 2026 sample (5.31 ERA) is skewed by a rough Coors Field debut and an injury-shortened Mets start, while his expected metrics and mid-3s stretch suggest he can still be effective. He argues Strider should enter camp as a starter, with a realistic outcome around 100 innings and a possible midseason bullpen shift for workload, while Atlanta still needs to add rotation help. Crosby recaps MLB awards/All-MLB results, including Chris Sale making First Team and the Cy Young voting gap, plus Braves receiving Reliever of the Year votes. He closes with Arizona Fall League updates on Tate Southisene, Owen Carey, and Briggs McKenzie as part of Glendale’s playoff path.

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

Follow Lindsay on Twitter: @CrosbyBaseball

Read our written work: bravestoday.substack.com

This episode is presented by Kalshi, the prediction market for sports, news and more.

Try Kalshi today! Trade $25, get $25 when you sign up with code BLEAV at https://kalshi.com/r/BLEAV

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down Alex Anthopoulos’ update that Spencer Schwellenbach won’t be ready for the 2027 opening rotation, then uses MLB-backed medical research on olecranon fracture screw fixation to explain return-to-play odds and why workload—not performance—is the biggest concern. He reviews NL Manager of the Year voting as Pat Murphy beats Walt Weiss, discusses why Jacob Misiorowski is likely to win the Cy Young over Chris Sale, and runs through upcoming award announcements. Finally, he answers a subscriber question with a detailed Braves 2027 cash payroll outlook, outlining money coming off the books, built-in raises, arbitration estimates, dead money changes, and why roughly $50M in spending could keep payroll near last year’s level.

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

Follow Lindsay on Twitter: @CrosbyBaseball

Read our written work: bravestoday.substack.com

This episode is presented by Kalshi, the prediction market for sports, news and more.

Try Kalshi today! Trade $25, get $25 when you sign up with code BLEAV at https://kalshi.com/r/BLEAV

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