Braves Today

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. 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.

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

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.

Day one of the GM Meetings brings key Braves updates: MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports Atlanta isn’t trading Ronald Acuña Jr. or even entertaining calls, with a breakdown of why his production and $17M salary still matter. Rookie of the Year voting includes two fifth-place votes for Didier Fuentes, plus discussion of 2027 ROY paths (Alex Lodise, Owen Murphy, others). Alex Anthopoulos also addresses how the Braves operate at the GM Meetings, debunks a Sonny Gray rumor, and early free-agent chatter highlights interest and potential multi-year cost for Mauricio Dubón. 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.

Lindsay Crosby builds Atlanta’s offseason trade board using MLB Trade Rumors’ Top 40 list, focusing on how much prospect capital to spend on starting pitching, which hitters improve OBP/contact and lineup balance, and which Braves could be moved without creating new holes. He breaks down top pitcher targets like Drew Rasmussen and Reid Detmers, rebound bets like George Kirby, depth options like Carmen Mlodzinski, and hitter fits including Zach Neto, Otto Lopez, and Steven Kwan while flagging poorer fits. He also evaluates trade feasibility for Jurickson Profar, Spencer Strider, Ozzie Albies, and Sean Murphy, emphasizing fit over availability. Read the MLBTR Top 40 Trade Candidates list: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/10/top-trade-candidates-mlb-offseason-2026-27.html 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.

Lindsay Crosby answers mailbag questions on the Braves’ 2017 international signing scandal and its penalties, then breaks down why Atlanta’s hitters struggled with ABS challenges while catchers/pitchers excelled, and whether full ABS will replace the challenge system. Rapid-fire topics include Mauricio Dubón’s potential contract amid a looming lockout, Spencer Strider’s chances to reach 200 strikeouts again, Didier Fuentes’ 2027 innings outlook, the 2027 shortstop plan, what a successful 2027 season looks like, and a Matt Olson vs. Sid Bream foot race. 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.

Lindsay Crosby breaks down Atlanta Braves Holdings’ earnings call, focusing on why Braves Vision looks costly now yet could be a major long-term success. He explains the shift from a fixed rights-fee model to the Braves owning distribution, subscriptions, ads, and data, plus why expenses were front-loaded while revenue is collected in arrears through later quarters. Attendance, ticket sales, and retail/licensing rose, driven partly by City Connects, while cash flow timing led to increased borrowing despite ample liquidity. Crosby discusses what this means for future payroll, notes management’s emphasis that winning drives revenue, and highlights ongoing Section 162 tax lobbying and potential CBA risks to local media revenue. 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.

Lindsay Crosby breaks down why the Rangers may explore trades involving Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Corey Seager despite wanting to compete, citing payroll constraints. He evaluates deGrom’s contract, no-trade clause, recent performance indicators, and potential trade/extension structures; compares Eovaldi as a simpler, lower-cost option with pitch-mix concerns; and explains why Seager’s positional fit is enticing but risky due to health, long-term money, and roster construction issues. 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.

Lindsay Crosby breaks down four newly posted Asian players—NPB pitchers Kaima Taira and Hiromi Itoh, NPB slugger Teruaki Sato, and KBO third baseman Si-Hwan Roh—through the lens of Atlanta’s need for rotation help and offensive diversification. With MLB’s Dec. 1 lockout deadline ending posting windows, the Braves must act fast. Crosby details Taira’s unique low-slot, high-extension profile and upside, Ito’s innings-eating reliability, and why Sato and Rho are poorer fits given Atlanta’s roster and strikeout concerns. He explains posting fees don’t count toward the CBT, making international signings a potential value play, and concludes the pitchers make the most sense—especially as a paired, cheaper alternative to domestic options. 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.

Lindsay Crosby breaks down a report that the Orioles could listen on nearly anyone, including Gunnar Henderson, and explores what a Braves trade package might realistically require. He then evaluates the eight qualifying-offer free agents, explaining Atlanta’s draft and international penalties, and identifies best fits: Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena (plus a cautious look at Trevor Rogers), while ruling out others like Jake Bauers, Ryan Jeffers, Adrian Morejon, and David Bednar for roster/fit reasons. 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.