The Atlanta Braves were busy this offseason, executing a dizzying series of trades to both move money and players on and off the 2024 roster.
As the dust settled, Atlanta was left with a new everyday starter in left field (Jarred Kelenic), another postseason starter in the rotation (Chris Sale), and two new relievers in their bullpen (Aaron Bummer & Ray Kerr).
And for those moves, Bleacher Report gave the Braves a surprisingly positive grade, giving them a perfect "A+" for their moves.
Baseball writer Kerry Miller, grading all 30 teams on their offseason improvements, looked at all the additions and subtractions and gave the team the highest possible grade for their work:
Atlanta did a lot of wheeling and dealing, but in the end, it retained its 14 most valuable players from last season while adding a quartet of guys who could make a massive positive impact.
But of course they did, because GM Alex Anthopoulos is a wizard who just keeps making this team stronger.
We'll see if the Kelenic moves works out, but if he plays well and Sale stays reasonably healthy, mercy.
Kelenic and Sale have the potential to significantly impact the 2024 roster, depending on the adjustments that they make and how health treats them this season.
Sale's reportedly feeling pretty good, explaining that he was healthy for the "first time since 2018". And he's happy to show the fans what he can do, telling Braves Today that "everyone here has been awesome" and the fans have been providing energy to the entire team through spring training.
Jarred Kelenic, despite starting off slowly in Grapefruit League action, is also excited to be in Atlanta and is reportedly fitting in well in the clubhouse.
And of the players that Atlanta traded away to complete these deals, most of the prominent names - Vaughn Grissom (groin strain) & Jackson Kowar (Tommy John surgery) - aren't even able to play for these acquiring teams at the moment.
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