So far, the Atlanta Braves have focused on trimming down their roster and payroll. They’ve traded Jorge Soler, let Travis d’Arnaud head to free agency and non-tendered outfielder Ramón Laureano.
The Braves intended to spend money, so it’s a head-scratcher that makes you wonder, what gives? They have now ditched two outfield offensive options.
MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal views this all as a chess move for offensive upgrades in the outfield later in the offseason.
First they must address the luxury tax.
“While the Braves’ cash payroll might end up higher than it was last season, the team might be inclined to stay under the luxury-tax threshold after exceeding it the past two years,” Rosenthal wrote in his latest column in The Athletic.