AA’s comments today.
Anthopoulos was wanted it known that the braves will not trade any of their young players who signed long-term extensions before free agency, barring extreme dip in performance or long-term injury. "Very reluctant" and "Extremely unlikely to move" any of those guys, he said.
Alex A. made clear that since braves don't give no-trade clauses, it's mportant they don't start trading young players who signed long-term deals before free agency. He wanted to quash some speculation that they might trade such a player to get a starting pitcher or whatever.
—-
If the season started today, Vaughn Grissom would "get a look" in left field, #Braves' Alex Anthopoulos said. Grissom will play LF in Puerto Rico this winter. In other words, unless Braves add another LF, he'll go to spring as the primary. Said Forrest Wall is another LF option.
But again, Anthopoulos said if the braves have a chance to add an "established, bona fide guy" for left field, if the right deal presents itself, they would do that.
—-
Anthopoulos reiterated what he's said before, that almost any rumor that has a specific offer braves made for a FA or trade proposal, is false. Said he's seen things written about specific offers they made this winter, and none were accurate. They strive for no leaks, as always.
—
braves want to go into season with 10-11 pitchers who can give them starts, and Anthopoulos said they have that, but it wouldn't stop them from adding another in right deal. Projected OD rotation is Fried/Strider/Morton/Elder/Lopez, but Lopez can go to pen if they add a starter
Anthopoulos listed Smith-Shawver, Winans, Vines, Waldrep, Dodd and Ynoa as others who can provide starts, and said Ian Anderson (TJ surgery) should be ready "sometime in June."
