Despite what the doomsayers are trying to sell like they do every offseason, the idea that the Atlanta Braves are going to completely sit out this offseason has always been silly. The Braves’ front office led by Alex Anthopoulos has a lengthy track record of supporting the big league roster and there has been no indication whatsoever that Atlanta has anything less than another World Series appearance in their sights.
However, they haven’t done anything of note yet which can be unsettling for some people. Sure, Atlanta hit the ground running by purging their roster to free up some payroll, but those aren’t the types of moves that will get a fanbase excited until that money is spent on the roster. Compounding the problem was the expected departure of Max Fried in free agency and now there are fans that are running around saying the sky is falling.
Many of the Braves’ rumored targets and fits have found new teams in the meantime this offseason which hasn’t helped the fan anxiety, but one name that has popped up recently and who remains available is top reliever Tanner Scott. Assuming Atlanta is serious in their pursuit of Scott, it could be a clue as to how they are going to address the other areas of their roster.
Tanner Scott, K’ing the Side. pic.twitter.com/5gMeMuuZJp
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 4, 2024
Braves’ interest in Tanner Scott could be a signal that trades are on the way
Scott honestly does fit the mold of a Braves target. Raisel Iglesias is only under contract through 2025 and Scott could be Atlanta’s closer of the future and a really good one at that. Anthopoulos also has shown a willingness to spend on the Braves’ bullpen in the past including the contract that ended up getting handed out to Will Smith and the money Atlanta took on when they traded for Iglesias. It doesn’t hurt that Scott could not receive a qualifying offer since he had been traded during the season and wouldn’t cost the Braves any draft picks.
However, Scott is not going to be cheap. Fears that the Braves won’t spend are overblown despite their proximity to the luxury tax, but Scott was predicted to get a four year deal worth $60 million BEFORE the pitching market went wild this offseason. If Atlanta signs Scott, that might be the only big free agent signing the Braves make given these prices out there.
That may not be a bad thing. If the Braves sign Scott for $15-16 million a year, they could then fully pivot to more minor signings and then address areas like the rotation and left field in the trade market.
Such trades would come would real costs in the form of valuable prospect capital, but may end up being the best way for the Braves to get full bang for their bucks rather than just throwing money at free agents. Given that Atlanta already tried to trade for Garrett Crochet, that may have been the Braves plan all along.
