The Winter Meetings continued on Tuesday and for the Atlanta Braves the word of the day is patience. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos came in saying that he likes to use the meetings as an opportunity to discuss a number of things but he prefers to do business either before or after. He has stuck to that as the team has apparently discussed plenty of scenarios with other teams but has yet to pull the trigger on anything, nor does it look like anything is close.
Braves do not anticipate adding a starting pitcher or reliever at the Winter Meetings, per report
The meetings wrap up on Thursday and there doesn’t appear to be any momentum that would lead to a deal for the Braves before then.
Anthopoulos: ‘We’re going to have to be patient’
Anthopoulos and company are searching for value and preached patience again even as the Phillies made another big move in acquiring Andrew McCutchen.
“We’re obviously having a ton of dialogue, but I just think we’re going to have to wait things out a little bit,” Anthopoulos said. “From where we value things and with the price points we want both with free agency and trade, I just think we’re going to have to be patient right now because it’s just not there for us this month.”
Thoughts (and names) for the Rule 5 Draft
The Rule 5 Draft is coming up on Thursday. Here are some thoughts and some names to keep an eye on.
Brandon McCarthy joins Rangers as special assistant to GM
Former Braves pitcher Brandon McCarthy is now retired as a player but he will still be involved in the game next season. McCarthy was named as a special assistant to Texas general manager Jon Daniels on Tuesday.
Hall of Fame
JAWS and the 2019 Hall of Fame Ballot: Fred McGriff
FanGraphs’ Jay Jaffe lays out the Hall of Fame case for former Braves first baseman Fred McGriff.
MLB News
Cutch, Phillies agree to 3-year deal
Andrew McCutchen and the Philadelphia Phillies have an agreement on a 3-year, $50 million dollar deal that reportedly includes a $15 million club option for 2022.
Blue Jays Release Troy Tulowitzki
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Tuesday that they were releasing veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki missed all of 2018 due to bone spurs in both heels and is owed $38 million over the final two years of his contract.
White Sox boost rotation, make deal for Nova
The Chicago White Sox have been one of the under the radar active teams at the Winter Meetings. They strengthened their rotation on Tuesday striking a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Ivan Nova.
Orioles Will Reportedly Hire Brandon Hyde As Manager
The Baltimore Orioles will reportedly hire Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde as their new manager as soon as Wednesday.