Alex Anthopoulos discusses the Braves' rotation, Ha-Seong Kim's recovery, and Mike Yastrzemski's role
With spring training underway, it's an ideal moment to hear from Alex Anthopoulos, the Braves' President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, as well as newly promoted manager Walt Weiss. They both held a joint media session on Friday, and the focus was on Anthopoulos' thoughts regarding the rotation.
Anthopoulos confirmed that the Braves currently have four starters in their rotation: Strider, Sale, Holmes, and López. He mentioned that there will be competition for the fifth spot. He highlighted the team's confidence in Strider's potential and Sale's proven track record. López, an All-Star the previous year, and Holmes, who performed well before his injury, are also part of the rotation. Anthopoulos expressed satisfaction with the team's current pitching talent.
He also emphasized the team's goal of sharing the burden of success more equally. Anthopoulos noted that the team's offensive performance has been below par over the past two years, partly due to injuries and performance issues. He mentioned that the addition of more position players and a deeper bullpen will alleviate pressure on other team parts.
When asked about Ha-Seong Kim, Anthopoulos shared positive news. He revealed that Kim is expected to return to the lineup at the beginning of May, which is a shorter recovery period than initially anticipated. This news is significant as it provides the Braves with an additional option at shortstop.
Anthopoulos also discussed the team's decision to sign catcher Jonah Heim. He explained that Heim will serve as a backup catcher and has the potential to contribute offensively and defensively. Anthopoulos highlighted Heim's durability and his ability to switch-hit, which aligns with Weiss's strategy of maximizing offensive opportunities.
The Braves are also awaiting the return of Sean Murphy, who is expected to be back in May. Anthopoulos mentioned that the team will reassess their options at the catcher position once Murphy returns. Additionally, the team has already placed two players on the 60-Day IL: Spencer Schwellenbach and Joe Jiménez.
Anthopoulos addressed the team's injury concerns, acknowledging the challenges but also praising the team's overall health and durability. He mentioned that the Braves are reviewing their throwing programs and bullpens to prevent recurring injuries. Despite the recent injury struggles, the Braves have a history of success with their coaching staff and medical team.
Lastly, Anthopoulos discussed Mike Yastrzemski's role in the outfield. He expressed enthusiasm about Yastrzemski's ability to cover all three outfield spots and his potential as a platoon player against right-handed starters. Anthopoulos believes Yastrzemski's return to form with the Royals indicates his offensive upside, making him a valuable addition to the Braves' lineup.
