Much can be inferred from the Atlanta Braves reported activities in trade talks for Garrett Crochet and their inactivity in regards to Charlie Morton.

Atlanta in on Garrett Crochet and Silent on Morton

Bob Nightengale reported that the Atlanta Braves were one of the five finalists for Garrett Crochet in trade talks with the White Sox.

It has also been reported that the Atlanta Braves have not been in talks with Charlie Morton about a return in 2025, even though Morton is considering playing another season.

Alex Anthopoulos Doesn’t Like Long-Term Free Agent Deals

Alex Anthopoulos has never been much for big free-agent deals. He’s open to short-term, prove-it contracts but not the eight-year type deals we saw Max Fried get with the Yankees.

Extensions to young players are one thing. You buy out their arbitration years on the cheap and get a few extra free agent years on the books (usually) at a significant discount. Long-term free agent deals are generally big overpays compared to all the other ways to structure a roster.

What This Means for Braves This Offseason

It means that the Braves are in search of a significant upgrade over Charlie Morton in 2025. They are not seeking to replace Morton with an acquisition. Atlanta seeks to replace Max Fried via acquisition.

Morton is 41 years of age and the tag team of Father Time and Mother Nature have been slowly bringing his numbers down the past couple years.

Morton finished with a solid 3.64 ERA in 2023 and a 10.1 K/9. However, his WHIP had escalated from 1.23 WHIP to a 1.43 WHIP, boosted by a career high in walks per nine and total walks. The walks remained high in 2024 and the strikeouts went down. Morton finished with an ERA of 4.19.

The Braves are sending signals that they are looking for more of a frontline starter to bolster the rotation, that’s not what Morton is at this point. Morton certainly provides value as a veteran innings eater, but not the $20 million he’s been getting annually from Atlanta the past few seasons. Atlanta proved they have young arms capable of taking on an increased load last season.

While Atlanta certainly needs to add something at the top of the rotation, they have pieces to fill out the bottom in lieu of the Charlie Mortons of the world.

What is Next for Atlanta Braves?

Nate Eovaldi, Garrett Crochet, and Max Fried are all off the board.

If the Braves aren’t able to pull off a trade because they get outbid with preposterous prospect packages, they may have to turn to the free agent market.

A long-term deal is likely not an option. That’s why we think the Braves could sign Walker Buehler, or a similar pitcher looking for an opportunity to prove themselves on a short-term deal in hopes of signing the long-term contract they desire.

Buehler wants a long-term deal, but if concerns over his recovery and production in 2024 are prevalent, teams will hesitate to offer the type of money he’ll want. If he ends up pivoting to a short-term deal, he’s worth a shot for the Braves.

Do you think Alex Anthopoulos will pull off a splashy move? Who do you think the Braves have a legitimate shot at this offseason? Let us know in the comments!