<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-next-move-atlanta-make-adding-robert-suarez');   ga('set', 'title', 'Next move Braves must make after adding Robert Suarez');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Next-move-Braves-must-make-after-adding-Robert-Suarez.jpg"></figure><h1>Next move Braves must make after adding Robert Suarez</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-12T09:41:46-08:00">December 12th, 9:41am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-12T09:41:46-08:00">December 12th, 9:41am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-atlanta-robert-suarez-agree-45-million-contract-free-agency">Braves recently signed Robert Suarez</a> to a three-year, $45 million contract in a move to give their bullpen a boost. Raisel Iglesias is expected to close with Suarez working in a setup/backup closer role. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-robert-suarez-contract-grades-45-million-deal">Signing Suarez projects to be a quality move</a>, strengthening the Braves’ bullpen without question. Overall, the ball club still has uncertainty on the roster, though.</p><p>Pitching has been a need for the team. In fact, new Braves manager <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-walt-weiss-atlanta-offseason-need">Walt Weiss even acknowledged the pitching necessity</a> during the MLB Winter Meetings.</p><p>“Pitching is near and dear to my heart, especially after my last experience,” Weiss said during the Winter Meetings. “So I always, I’m always looking at that side of things. And truth be told, our position players, it’s pretty set. So it’s a little bit more difficult to create some fits there. Now, you can do it with some trades and you can be creative and make some things work, but a lot easier on the pitching side as we sit here today to add.</p><p>“We all know Alex (Anthopoulos). Alex is just relentless in his pursuit of improving the roster. So he never stops. He never stops trying to do that. I’m sure he’s doing it as we speak.”</p><p>With the Braves already addressing the bullpen, starting pitching has emerged as their most obvious area of need. Spencer Strider and Chris Sale can lead the rotation, but there is overall uncertainty. Strider even endured inconsistency last season. Reynaldo Lopez is a quality veteran white Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep can make an impact. Still, bringing in a proven starting pitcher should be a priority for the Braves.</p><h2><b>Braves should add a starter — but who?</b></h2><p>There are a number of starters still available in MLB free agency who could realistically provide a positive impact for the Braves. The team could also look to make an addition via a trade.</p><p>There is one specific pitcher who — if Atlanta were to sign him — would both help the Braves while also dealing a blow to the Philadelphia Phillies.</p><p>The Braves should pursue Ranger Suarez in free agency.</p><p>Suarez, 30, is a left-handed starter who has spent his entire career in Philadelphia with the Phillies. He’s emerged as one of the better pitchers in the sport in recent seasons, earning an All-Star selection in 2024. Although he was not an All-Star in 2025, Suarez still pitched to a 3.20 ERA across 157.1 innings pitched.</p><p>The Phillies are the best team in the National League East at the moment. It appears that the Washington Nationals are continuing to rebuild as MacKenzie Gore trade rumors continue to swirl. It’s tough to pinpoint exactly what the Miami Marlins’ plan is, but they are not going to be a legitimate contender anytime soon. The New York Mets’ offseason has been a disappointment, as they have lost both Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso in free agency.</p><p>In other words, the Braves can easily step up as the second best team in the division following their lackluster 2025 campaign. Catching the Phillies won’t be a simple task, but signing Suarez would be a tremendous move given the circumstances. He’d help Atlanta while Philadelphia would lose a star pitcher to a division rival.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Next move Braves must make after adding Robert Suarez

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-robert-suarez-signing-reason');   ga('set', 'title', 'Braves’ Robert Suarez reveals why he signed with Atlanta over other teams');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Robert-Suarez_2b834e.jpg"><figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Braves’ Robert Suarez reveals why he signed with Atlanta over other teams</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-11T17:12:04-08:00">December 11th, 5:12pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-11T17:12:04-08:00">December 11th, 5:12pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Braves continued their aggressive offseason moves with the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-atlanta-robert-suarez-agree-45-million-contract-free-agency">signing of right-hander Robert Suarez</a>, who turned down multiple offers to ink a three-year, $45 million deal with Atlanta. The veteran closer’s decision has quickly become one of the most discussed signings of the winter.</p><p>Not only did Suarez lead the National League in saves last season, but his choice also says plenty about the current state of the Braves’ bullpen in 2026. With Raisel Iglesias locked in for one more year, Suarez is expected to start as the primary setup man before potentially taking over as closer in 2027 and 2028.</p><p>When asked why he picked Atlanta, Suarez offered clarity. In an article written by MLB.com’s Manny Randhawa and Marc Bowman, the reporters shared Suarez’s words <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/robert-suarez-braves-deal" rel="noopener">about what</a> led him to join the Braves.</p><p>“I had plenty of conversations with other teams but at the end of the day, I just continued to hear so many good things about this [Braves] clubhouse, this team, this organization, the way they treat their players and the city of Atlanta itself. This was the right decision for me, and I couldn’t be happier. My family couldn’t be happier either.”</p><p>Coming off back-to-back All-Star seasons with the San Diego Padres, the 34-year-old closer posted a career-best 2.88 FIP and finished second in all of Major League Baseball with 40 saves during the 2025 season, further cementing his reputation as one of the most reliable late-inning arms in the game.</p><p>By prioritizing elite late-inning arms, the Braves have built a proven formula designed to shorten games, protect leads, and give their starters more flexibility. After a disappointing 2025 campaign that exposed cracks in the Atlanta bullpen, this aggressive approach signals a clear shift in strategy. The latest move is less about money and more about winning — a theme that continues to define <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-robert-suarez-contract-grades-45-million-deal">Atlanta’s determined and purposeful offseason push</a> toward contention.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Braves’ Robert Suarez reveals why he signed with Atlanta over other teams

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-bo-bichette-free-agency-opinion');   ga('set', 'title', 'Should the Braves pursue Bo Bichette? Ex-player shares honest opinion');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/748824934-bo-bichette.jpg"><figcaption>Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Should the Braves pursue Bo Bichette? Ex-player shares honest opinion</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-11T16:45:59-08:00">December 11th, 4:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-11T16:45:59-08:00">December 11th, 4:45pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Braves continue to make headlines this MLB offseason, as conversations around their shortstop position have intensified. The team’s need for more offense has fueled a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-rumors-buster-olney-drops-pitching-line-offseason-plans">wave of Braves offseason rumors</a>, especially following comments from one of the franchise’s most respected former players.</p><p>During a recent episode of the Foul Territory network, former Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur <a href="https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1999241533053092291?s=20" rel="noopener">expressed</a> his belief that the organization should strongly consider pursuing star free agent Bo Bichette in free agency. Francoeur, who now serves as a broadcaster for Atlanta, did not hold back in stating what he believes the front office must do to take the next step. The show later took to its X (formerly known as Twitter), to share the video of Francoeur’s comments, further amplifying the discussion surrounding the Braves’ shortstop plans.</p><p>“I’d like to see the Braves get some offense from their shortstop.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I'd like to see the Braves get some offense from their shortstop."<a href="https://twitter.com/JeffFrancoeur?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffFrancoeur</a> wants to see the Braves go out and get Bo Bichette. <a href="https://t.co/3LYh3m83ji">pic.twitter.com/3LYh3m83ji</a></p><p>— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1999241533053092291?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The timing of Francoeur’s comments could not be more intriguing. With the 2025 Winter Meetings now wrapped and major names still on the market, the Braves situation at shortstop has become one of the most discussed topics in baseball. Bichette, coming off a stellar season with the Blue Jays, offers the mix of contact and power that Atlanta’s lineup has lacked in that position since Dansby Swanson’s departure to the Chicago Cubs in December of 2022.</p><p>The former Braves outfielder’s stance adds weight to the growing sense that Atlanta’s front office must act soon. His public endorsement on a player-driven platform signals that even those close to the organization recognize the urgency to make a move.</p><p>Several other contenders have also been connected to Bichette, including the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. The former Braves outfielder’s opinion adds a layer of local validation to those rumors. For fans, it reignites hope that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-robert-suarez-contract-grades-45-million-deal">Braves could make a major splash</a> before Opening Day—one that could transform their infield and help reopen their championship window.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Should the Braves pursue Bo Bichette? Ex-player shares honest opinion

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-robert-suarez-contract-grades-45-million-deal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Braves, Robert Suarez contract grades for $45 million deal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Braves-Robert-Suarez-contract-grades-for-45-million-deal.jpg"></figure><h1>Braves, Robert Suarez contract grades for $45 million deal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-11T10:45:52-08:00">December 11th, 10:45am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-11T10:45:52-08:00">December 11th, 10:45am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Braves came into the Winter Meetings with one contract already done. They <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-raisel-iglesias-returns-16-million-contract">inked Raisel Iglesias to a one-year deal worth $16 million</a> long before the meetings began. Now, as everyone heads home from the Orlando get-together, Atlanta has bolstered the bullpen again. How did the Braves fare on the three-year, $45 million deal they gave Robert Suarez on Thursday? Here are the grades for both sides.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-diego-padres/padres-news-robert-suarez-free-agency-40-save-season">Suarez hit free agency after four years as the San Diego Padres closer</a>. At 35 years old, he opted out of the final three years of his deal, which would have paid him just over $27 million. Opting out worked for him, earning nearly $20 million extra on this deal. But were the Braves the right place to go?</p><p>Check out these grades for the Braves-Robert Suarez contract</p><h2><b>Robert Suarez makes the most of short MLB career</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Robert-Suarez-with-SD-Padres.jpg"><figcaption>Matt Marton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Suarez made his MLB debut at 31 years old back in 2022. After seven years of pitching in both Mexico and Japan, he pitched his first inning of affiliated ball in 2022. He signed a five-year deal with the Padres after a strong rookie season that included an opt-out after the 2025 season. He pitched well last year, opted out, and made a lot of money in the process.</p><p>The only question about his choice of the Braves is the ninth-inning availability. Iglesias finished a National League-high 57 games last year, earning 29 saves with a 3.21 ERA last season. Suarez had better numbers, an NL-leading 40 saves and a 2.97 ERA, but there’s no guarantee he gets the ninth.</p><p>Regardless of that, Suarez is a great relief pitcher who will make the Braves better after a disappointing 2026 campaign. His stuff, whether in the eighth or ninth inning, will help them win key games against other National League contenders. Suarez took a gamble by opting out in a reliever-heavy market. But he made money and will have a chance to pitch in big games. That earns him an <b>A</b>.</p><h2><b>The Braves continue to add in the offseason</b></h2><p>Despite missing out on the playoffs, the Braves cannot do too much roster renovation this offseason. Much of their core is locked in for the foreseeable future, but they have still improved. Getting Suarez not only improves their bullpen but takes away a weapon from another NL Wild Card contender. They got better with this move, but the offseason cannot be over.</p><p>Part of what hampered the Braves’ playoff chances in 2025 were pitching injuries. Only Bryce Elder started over 25 games last season, and he didn’t even post a positive bWAR. While Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-chris-sale-injury-update">Chris Sale make up a great top three</a>, they have to be on the mound to make the team better. Trading for a starter would be the smart next move, using a catching surplus in Sean Murphy as the chip.</p><p>The Braves get an <b>A</b> as well for this move. Strong bullpens are important in the playoffs, but they need more than just Suarez to return to October in 2026. They paid less than <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-edwin-diaz-contract-grades-69-million-deal">what the Dodgers paid to get Edwin Diaz</a>, partially because of Diaz’s longer track record. But Suarez has been great in recent years and can be a great piece in Atlanta.</p><h2><b>Final Braves-Suarez thoughts</b></h2><p>Suarez has had a unique MLB career, starting in his 30s and likely ending in Atlanta on a lucrative deal. He is a poster child for the unique paths a baseball player, specifically a pitcher, can take. Now, he is on a team that has World Series expectations and is earning a lot of money in the process.</p><p>The Braves are a fascinating team to watch for the remainder of the offseason. Is a trade for Mackenzie Gore or Freddy Peralta coming? Will they trade away one of the core pieces to really shake up the roster? Or will they look across the NL East and see an opportunity to pass the Mets and stay the course?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Braves, Robert Suarez contract grades for $45 million deal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-atlanta-robert-suarez-agree-45-million-contract-free-agency');   ga('set', 'title', 'Braves, Robert Suarez agree to $45 million contract in free agency');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Braves-news-Atlanta-Robert-Suarez-agree-to-45-million-contract-in-free-agency.jpg"></figure><h1>Braves, Robert Suarez agree to $45 million contract in free agency</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-11T09:58:34-08:00">December 11th, 9:58am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-11T10:19:38-08:00">December 11th, 10:19am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut-based sports journalist with over five years of professional experience. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, he has covered every sport from fencing to football in the online and print medium. Dan hopes to see his beloved Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After missing out on the playoffs in 2025, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-rumors-atlanta-expected-to-add-50-million-to-payroll">Atlanta Braves are looking ensure the same doesn’t happen come 2026</a>. In their latest move, the Braves have made an eye-opening addition to the back end of their bullpen.</p><p>Atlanta <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1999173793261191527">has signed</a> closer Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million contract, via Jeff Passan of ESPN. He <a href="https://x.com/jonmorosi/status/1999175906779120041" rel="noopener">is set to make</a> $13 million, $16 million and $16 million with no deferrals in his contract, via Jon Morosi of the MLB Network.</p><p>Suarez is coming to the Braves after leading the league with 40 saves as a member of the San Diego Padres in 2025. However, he won’t be filling the same role in Atlanta. Before Suarez, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-raisel-iglesias-returns-16-million-contract">Braves re-signed Raisel Iglesias</a> to a one-year deal. He is <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1999176071602692456" rel="noopener">expected to remain the closer</a> in 2026, via Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.</p><p>If Iglesias were to struggle, the Braves know they have a more than capable option to fill the role in Suarez. But at least entering the season, Atlanta wants him to be a premier setup man.</p><p>Alongside those 40 saves in 2025, Suarez put up a 2.97 ERA and a 75/16 K/BB ratio. Over his entire four years in MLB, the right-hander has put up a 2.91 ERA and a 219/63 K/BB ratio. Furthermore, he was named an All-Star in both 2024 and 2025.</p><p>The Braves needed some extra firepower in their bullpen. The unit ended the 2025 season ranked 19th with a collective 4.19 ERA.</p><p>Atlanta decided that rather than putting a band aid over the problem, they would add one of the best free agents remaining in the class. Now teaming up with Iglesias, Suarez gives the Braves one of the more fearsome backend of the bullpens across MLB.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Braves, Robert Suarez agree to $45 million contract in free agency

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-mike-yastrzemski-signing-2025');   ga('set', 'title', 'Braves land Mike Yastrzemski in $23 million deal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Mike-Yastrzemski-1.jpg"><figcaption>Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Braves land Mike Yastrzemski in $23 million deal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T17:27:35-08:00">December 10th, 5:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T18:11:51-08:00">December 10th, 6:11pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Braves have officially signed outfielder <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/mike-yastrzemski-trade-grade-for-royals-giants">Mike Yastrzemsk</a>i to a two-year, $23 million deal, <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1998923470311403866" rel="noopener">according</a> to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. Heyman took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the deal. Long linked to Atlanta as a potential left-handed platoon option, the 35-year-old Yastrzemski brings power, steady defense, and leadership to a Braves team with championship aspirations. The former San Francisco Giants standout, and grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski adds depth and credibility to an already strong lineup. With this move, the Braves continue to load up for another postseason run—making Yaz one of the offseason’s more intriguing additions.</p><p>USA Today’s Bob Nightengale took to the platform as well and <a href="https://x.com/BNightengale/status/1998931596012040650?s=20" rel="noopener">detailed</a> the full breakdown of the agreement in his post.</p><p>“Mike Yastrzemski contract with Atlanta:</p><p>2026: $9 million</p><p>2027: $10 million</p><p>2028: $7 million club option, $4 million buyout”</p><p>The contract Yastrzemski is on stands out as a savvy move in the early stages of the 2025 MLB free agency cycle, giving the club a proven veteran capable of stabilizing the corner outfield. The blend of power and defensive skill he possesses should immediately help the Braves outfield depth issues, providing added flexibility next to Ronald Acuna Jr and Michael Harris II.</p><p>Looking ahead, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/mike-yastrzemski-walk-off-passes-red-sox-legendary-grandfather">Yastrzemski’s ability</a> to play all three outfield spots gives Walt Weiss more lineup versatility than the club had for most of last season. That flexibility matters for a team that dealt with extended injuries across the roster and struggled to generate consistent offensive momentum. His steady on-base profile, mixed with the occasional power surge, gives the lineup another reliable veteran presence capable of lengthening the order on nights when the stars are not producing, and it gives the first-year manager another trusted option as Weiss shapes his in-game strategy.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Braves land Mike Yastrzemski in $23 million deal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-walt-weiss-atlanta-offseason-need');   ga('set', 'title', 'Braves’ Walt Weiss reveals the urgent offseason need that’s ‘near and dear to heart’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Braves-news-Manager-reveals-Atlantas-most-pressing-offseason-roster-need.jpg"></figure><h1>Braves’ Walt Weiss reveals the urgent offseason need that’s ‘near and dear to heart’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T06:37:18-08:00">December 10th, 6:37am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T06:37:18-08:00">December 10th, 6:37am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Braves endured a forgettable 2025 season. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-bolsters-roster-2-new-additions">Braves are hoping to bounce back</a> and compete in 2026. They believe <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-walt-weiss-message-fans-atlanta-manager">new manager Walt Weiss</a> can help them rebound. Weiss was asked what he believes is Atlanta’s most pressing need during a recent media availability.</p><p>“Pitching is near and dear to my heart, especially after my last experience,” Weiss said at the MLB Winter Meetings. “So I always, I’m always looking at that side of things. And truth be told, our position players, it’s pretty set. So it’s a little bit more difficult to create some fits there. Now, you can do it with some trades and you can be creative and make some things work, but a lot easier on the pitching side as we sit here today to add.</p><p>“We all know Alex (Anthopoulos). Alex is just relentless in his pursuit of improving the roster. So he never stops. He never stops trying to do that. I’m sure he’s doing it as we speak.”</p><p>The Braves could certainly use added pitching depth. Atlanta’s pitching dealt with ups and downs throughout the 2025 campaign. The team’s 4.36 ERA placed 22nd in all of MLB. It would not be surprising to see the Braves land another hurler or two this offseason.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-1-reason-braves-lost-edwin-diaz-race-dodgers">Braves were linked to former New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz</a> before he recently <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-dodgers-join-edwin-diaz-sweepstakes-mets-blue-jays">agreed to a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers</a>. Regardless, Atlanta won’t give up in their effort to add pitching — whether it comes in the form of starters or relievers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Braves’ Walt Weiss reveals the urgent offseason need that’s ‘near and dear to heart’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-1-reason-braves-lost-edwin-diaz-race-dodgers');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: 1 sneaky reason Braves lost Edwin Diaz race to Dodgers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Dodgers-then-Mets-closer-Edwin-Diaz-vs-Giants.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: 1 sneaky reason Braves lost Edwin Diaz race to Dodgers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T06:01:13-08:00">December 10th, 6:01am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T06:01:13-08:00">December 10th, 6:01am</time><address><a>Yasmin Edañol</a>Yasmin D.G. Edañol is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with a background in scientific research and publishing. He brings a data-driven perspective to sports storytelling as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with a focus on the NBA. Whether it's breaking down a clutch play or a stat line, he believes every great moment has a deeper layer waiting to be uncovered.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Braves <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-mets/mlb-rumors-edwin-diaz-wants-100-million-from-mets-blue-jays-tigers-braves-loom">entered the Winter Meetings with interest in Edwin Diaz</a>, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top closer target, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-atlanta-boosts-pitching-depth-with-latest-addition">hoping to strengthen a Braves bullpen</a> that needed late-inning certainty. They monitored price points, weighed risk, and moved with caution w<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-dodgers-join-edwin-diaz-sweepstakes-mets-blue-jays">hile the Dodgers pushed with conviction</a>. And in the end, the Braves never came close. The sneaky reason? A <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6877800/2025/12/10/mlb-winter-meetings-reds-braves-blue-jays/" rel="noopener">draft pick</a> that mattered more than any reliever on the board.</p><p>The Braves valued their Prospect Promotion Incentive selection, the No. 26 pick, far more than outsiders expected. It was the highest second choice of any team, a reward earned through <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-fans-wild-drake-baldwin-wins-2025-nl-rookie-year">Drake Baldwin’s Rookie of the Year win</a>. The Braves had seen what these picks could become. Hurston Waldrep turned into a 2.88-ERA rookie force. Cam Caminiti rose to the top of their pipeline. Tate Southisene followed the same path. Those successes shaped every conversation they held in Orlando.</p><h2>Why the Dodgers pushed while the Braves backed away</h2><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-news-edwin-diaz-la-contract-makes-mlb-history">The Dodgers didn’t hesitate</a>. They already exceeded the luxury-tax threshold and knew they would lose multiple draft picks and international bonus pool money to sign Diaz. Yet, they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-news-kike-hernandez-drops-mic-edwin-diaz-signing">still signed Edwin Diaz for three years and $69 million</a> because elite closers rarely reach the market. Their window demands aggression. Their roster demands certainty.</p><p>The Braves live in a different reality. They didn’t exceed the tax last season. They would lose only one pick for signing a qualifying-offer free agent, but sacrificing No. 26 for a reliever felt wasteful. If they were going to lose that selection, they preferred it be for a position player or a frontline starter, not a ninth-inning arm.</p><p>So Atlanta backed out. The Dodgers closed the deal. And now the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-raisel-iglesias-returns-16-million-contract">Braves search for another bullpen partner for Raisel Iglesias</a>, considering <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/1-free-agent-braves-must-pursue-this-offseason">names like Robert Suarez</a> as the market shifts again.</p><p>Under the bright hotel lights of the Winter Meetings, one question lingers: will protecting that pick end up helping the Braves more than losing Edwin Diaz hurt them?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: 1 sneaky reason Braves lost Edwin Diaz race to Dodgers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/hbcu/atlanta-braves-invests-1-million-in-hbcu-baseball-softball');   ga('set', 'title', 'Atlanta Braves invests $1 million in HBCU baseball & softball');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Braves-flag.jpg"><figcaption>Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Atlanta Braves invests $1 million in HBCU baseball &amp; softball</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T19:18:44-08:00">December 9th, 7:18pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T19:18:44-08:00">December 9th, 7:18pm</time><address><a>Kiya Wimbush-Robinson</a>Kiya Wimbush-Robinson is a Virginia State University graduate from the DMV. Kiya is currently a graduate student at Norfolk State University working to obtain her Masters in Communications.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Braves and Truist Bank have <a href="https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/cobb-county/homers-hank-atlanta-braves-finishes-1-million-hbcu-baseball-projects/FCWPLF3KRVG5JMGBGOSPQYIHQE/?outputType=amp" rel="noopener">officially completed their</a> Homers for Hank project, a $1 million initiative designed to strengthen baseball and softball programs at HBCUs. Launched in honor of Braves legend Hank Aaron, the effort provided critical funding, upgraded facilities, and expanded resources for student-athletes across multiple HBCUs. By closing out the project, the Braves not only celebrated Aaron’s legacy but also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing opportunities for Black athletes within collegiate sports.</p><p>The initiative, launched in 2021 with support from the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, has provided transformative resources to baseball and softball programs across six HBCUs. Over the past four years, participating institutions have benefited from upgraded equipment and significant field enhancements designed to strengthen player development and program competitiveness. The 2025 recipients—Alabama A&amp;M University, Albany State University, Benedict College, Calvin University, Jackson State University, and South Carolina State University—received substantial upgrades, including HD camera systems, arena-style batting cages, field maintenance equipment, and advanced HitTrax technology. Thanks to the generosity of the initiative, each campus has experienced meaningful improvements that will support student-athletes for years to come.</p><p>All of the projects supported by the 2025 initiative have been completed, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hbcu/benedict-college-wins-first-playoff-game-with-insane-game-winning-touchdown">with the exception of Benedict College’s upgrades</a>, which are expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Throughout each Braves season, Truist contributed $755 to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund for every Atlanta home run—an homage to Hank Aaron’s historic 755 career homers—helping fulfill the initiative’s five-year, $1 million commitment. In addition to this year’s recipients, several other HBCUs, including Clark Atlanta University, Savannah State University, Tennessee State University, Tougaloo College, and Tuskegee University, have also benefited from the ongoing support provided through the Homers for Hank program.</p><p>In addition to its support for HBCUs, the Atlanta Braves extends its community impact through the Braves Park Projects Together with Truist initiative, which provides local parks and recreation centers with essential field and ballpark improvements aimed at enhancing playability and safety. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the program also directed resources to assist facilities in Western North Carolina, helping restore damaged fields and ensure communities could return to safe, functional recreational spaces.</p><p>HBCUs aren’t the only schools benefiting from this level of investment. Through the Hank Aaron Diamonds initiative, supported in partnership with Truist, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-perfect-trade-offer-for-twins-byron-buxton">Atlanta Braves are also funding infield upgrades</a> for schools within the Atlanta Public School District. Together, these efforts play a vital role in enhancing opportunities for student-athletes while continuing Hank Aaron’s enduring legacy of expanding access to quality baseball experiences.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Atlanta Braves invests $1 million in HBCU baseball & softball

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-walt-weiss-ronald-acuna-leadoff');   ga('set', 'title', 'Braves’ Walt Weiss, Ronald Acuna Jr. to consider moving All-Star back to leadoff spot');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Walt-Weiss-Ronald-Acuna-Jr.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Braves’ Walt Weiss, Ronald Acuna Jr. to consider moving All-Star back to leadoff spot</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T15:41:49-08:00">December 9th, 3:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T15:42:34-08:00">December 9th, 3:42pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Braves could soon see a familiar spark at the top of their order again. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-atlanta-hires-walt-weiss-as-brian-snitker-replacement">New manager Walt Weiss</a> confirmed that moving Ronald Acuna Jr. back to his usual leadoff role is under serious consideration as the Braves shape their lineup over the MLB offseason. The discussion has quickly become one of the most significant storylines for the Braves headed into 2026.</p><p>Weiss, who took over following Brian Snitker’s retirement, told 929 The Game’s Grant McAuley that Acuna’s lineup position is “on his radar.” McAuley shared the conversation Tuesday on X (formerly known as Twitter), offering a direct look at Weiss’s thought process as he evaluates how to maximize his All-Star outfielder’s impact.</p><p>“Asked #Braves Manager Walt Weiss about moving Ronald Acuña Jr. back to his customary leadoff spot after spending most of the second half batting third. Here’s what he had to say:”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Asked <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Braves</a> Manager Walt Weiss about moving Ronald Acuña Jr. back to his customary leadoff spot after spending most of the second half batting third. Here’s what he had to say: <a href="https://t.co/hWbKBtd5fG">pic.twitter.com/hWbKBtd5fG</a></p><p>— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) <a href="https://twitter.com/grantmcauley/status/1998497477809274919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Acuna pent much of 2025 batting third, a change that followed his return from multiple injuries, including another torn ACL and a calf strain. Despite that run of setbacks, he posted a .290/.417/.518 line with 21 home runs in 412 plate appearances. The debate around him leading off for the Braves next spring now turns to whether Weiss aims to lean on his on-base skill or his run-making strength in the middle of the order.</p><p>Placing the slugger at the top of the lineup would also <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-ronald-acuna-jr-makes-athletics-pay-leadoff-home-run">reshape the Braves’ offensive identity</a>, putting the 5-tool star and 2023 NL MVP back in a spot that could boost his stolen base chances and create more run opportunities for Matt Olson and Austin Riley. The move would signal a clear shift under Weiss, one built on balance, pressure, and a push to revive the relentless style that powered Atlanta’s surge in past seasons.</p><p>The choice now stands large for a club that missed the 2025 playoffs and saw a seven-year postseason streak end. Weiss plans to meet with Acuna soon, and the outcome could set the tone for a 2026 season built on urgency, renewal, and a return to the standard Atlanta expects.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Braves’ Walt Weiss, Ronald Acuna Jr. to consider moving All-Star back to leadoff spot

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-rumors-buster-olney-drops-pitching-line-offseason-plans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Braves rumors: Buster Olney drops ‘pitching, pitching, pitching’ line on offseason plans');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Braves-coaches.jpg"><figcaption>© Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Braves rumors: Buster Olney drops ‘pitching, pitching, pitching’ line on offseason plans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T14:04:50-08:00">December 9th, 2:04pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T14:05:49-08:00">December 9th, 2:05pm</time><address><a>Benjamin Adducchio</a>Benjamin Adducchio is a journalist and writer with more than a decade of experience in covering sports news. Ben is a passionate sports fan who loves college football, basketball, and the New York Yankees.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-biggest-disappointment-after-missing-mlb-playoffs">Atlanta Braves are coming off a very disappointing season</a>. Atlanta had one of the worst campaigns in recent memory, finishing the year with a 76-86 record.</p><p>This offseason, the Braves are expected to invest in team payroll to try and find some talent. ESPN Major League Baseball analyst Buster Olney believes <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulHembo/status/1998495289972346890" rel="noopener">the team is after pitching</a> this offseason, to improve the roster.</p><p>“I think Framber Valdez would be a really nice fit there,” Olney said when speaking to ESPN’s Paul Hembekides.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Corey Seager last 3 seasons:⁰152 wRC+ | 25 DRS | 18.3 WAR⁰Remaining deal: 6 years, $189M</p><p>He’s the ideal trade target for a flush-with-cash Braves team whose shortstop position has been a black hole.</p><p>But Buster believes they’re likelier to major in the pitching market 👇 <a href="https://t.co/4alo7gAQRc">pic.twitter.com/4alo7gAQRc</a></p><p>— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulHembo/status/1998495289972346890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Valdez is a free agent who last pitched for the Houston Astros. In the 2025 season, Valdez posted a 3.66 ERA. He also had 13 wins in the regular season. The pitcher has been rumored to have been talking with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants this offseason about a possible deal.</p><p>While the Braves ended the 2025 season 20 games behind in the National League East, the team did win seven of their last 10 contests. The club finished fourth in the NL East, ahead of only the Washington Nationals.</p><h2><b>Braves look to improve their roster this offseason</b></h2><p>Olney made the assertion about pitching after Hembekides said the Braves should look at trading for Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager. Atlanta has also struggled to get help from the shortstop position in recent years.</p><p>“I think Corey Seager, who lives in Charlotte by the way, to the Atlanta Braves is a great fit,” Hembekides said.</p><p>Time will tell where the Braves decide to spend their money. Valdez is <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/astros-ace-projected-to-sign-5-year-140m-deal-after-controversial-season-11181609" rel="noopener">rumored to be getting as much</a> as $140 million in his next contract, according to a Newsweek report. The hurler has pitched for the Astros since the 2018 season.</p><p>Atlanta has been adding some pitching in recent days. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-bolsters-roster-2-new-additions">Braves recently claimed two pitchers off waivers</a>, in Osvaldo Bido and Anthony Molina. Both are relievers who didn’t have outstanding 2025 seasons for their respective teams.</p><p>The Braves are also breaking in a new manager for 2026. Brian Snitker is moving into an advisory role with the team. He will be replaced by former bench coach Walt Weiss.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Braves rumors: Buster Olney drops ‘pitching, pitching, pitching’ line on offseason plans

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-perfect-trade-offer-for-twins-byron-buxton');   ga('set', 'title', 'Braves’ perfect trade offer for Twins’ Byron Buxton');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Braves-perfect-trade-offer-for-Twins-Byron-Buxton.jpg"></figure><h1>Braves’ perfect trade offer for Twins’ Byron Buxton</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T09:15:59-08:00">December 9th, 9:15am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T09:15:59-08:00">December 9th, 9:15am</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Braves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The rumors surrounding the Minnesota Twins this offseason have centered on their willingness to listen to offers for their star center fielder, creating a frenzy of speculation. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/minnesota-twins/twins-rumors-byron-buxton-ready-to-waive-no-trade-clause-total-roster-blow-up-continues">Byron Buxton is reportedly willing to waive his no-trade clause</a>, and the Atlanta Braves—his hometown team—are l<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/mlb-rumors-braves-linked-byron-buxton-trade-twins">ogically at the very top of his wish list</a>.</p><p>This creates a fascinating leverage point for the Twins, who are navigating a winter where they must balance payroll constraints with a desire to remain competitive in the AL Central. The team is in an interesting position because the free-agent market is severely lacking in high-end outfield talent, making Buxton a rare and valuable commodity.</p><p>If the paucity of frontline free agent outfielders prompts a team to make a serious offer, Minnesota has to take it seriously to maximize their long-term flexibility. The Braves, always opportunistic under Alex Anthopoulos, could see this as the perfect moment to acquire a legitimate superstar at a suppressed acquisition cost.</p><h2>Byron Buxton is Worth the Risk</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Byron-Buxton-is-coming-off-his-best-HR-season.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Buxton’s tools have been considered top of the charts since he was drafted No. 2 out of high school in 2012, and those tools remain elite today. He is a top-of-the-scale runner who changes the geometry of the game, while also serving as an above-average defender with a solid arm that deters base runners.</p><p>At the plate, he possesses standout bat speed that allows him to catch up to high velocity, which helps compensate for what scouts describe as middling pitch selection. This unique athletic profile allows him to impact the game in ways that very few peers can match, provided he remains in the lineup.</p><p>The power numbers are staggering when you look at the rate statistics, specifically his ability to drive the ball for extra bases. Buxton has the third-best isolated power in the league since 2020, trailing only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in that specific category.</p><p>However, Buxton has roughly half the number of homers as those two in that span because of various injuries that have limited his playing time. This dichotomy between elite production and limited availability is what makes his trade value so difficult to pin down precisely.</p><p>Last season, he managed to secure career highs in plate appearances with 542 and WAR at 5.0, suggesting he may have turned a corner physically. The question remains whether Buxton figured something out about his durability at age 31 or if things simply fell just right for him.</p><p>With three years of team control remaining for just over $15 million per year, the contract is incredibly team-friendly for a player with MVP-caliber upside. This financial reality increases the likelihood of a deal, even if the predicted chance of getting traded is currently sitting at just 35 percent.</p><p><b>Here is the proposal that balances risk and reward for both franchises:</b></p><p><b>Braves Receive</b>:</p><p>OF Byron Buxton</p><p><b>Twins Receive</b>:</p><p>RHP Hurston Waldrep</p><p>C Drake Baldwin</p><h2>Why This Deal Works for Both Sides</h2><p>For the Twins, moving on from Buxton would signal a significant shift, but receiving two high-ceiling prospects who are near-ready for the majors balances the ledger immediately. This return provides Minnesota with a potential top-of-the-rotation arm and a catcher who can impact the lineup, addressing long-term needs without requiring a full rebuild.</p><p>The Twins would also clear significant salary space, allowing them to reinvest in other areas of the roster while maintaining a competitive core. If Buxton goes, does that mean the Twins would be open to dealing some of their pitching, too, or does this return allow them to stand pat?</p><p>For Atlanta, acquiring Buxton is the kind of high-ceiling gamble that wins World Series titles, giving them a dynamic outfield defense and premier power. The price is right regarding his salary, fitting perfectly into the Braves’ payroll structure while leaving room for other deadline additions.</p><p>While giving up promising young talent is difficult, the Braves are operating in a window where established major league dominance is the only acceptable currency. Adding a Georgia native who can produce a 5.0 WAR season essentially solidifies the lineup as the most dangerous in the National League.</p><p>Ultimately, this trade is not overly one-sided because it acknowledges the injury risk Atlanta is inheriting while compensating Minnesota with legitimate, blue-chip capital. If the Twins are truly one of the most fascinating teams this winter because of the possibilities at their disposal, this deal proves it.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Osvaldo
Bido

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