GM assays Braves' rotation, bullpen

Anthopoulos reiterates wish to boost starting staff with veteran help.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — The Braves’ offseason shopping list includes retaining third baseman Josh Donaldson (or replacing him), adding another catcher and upgrading their rotation. They have no shortage of opportunities to do the latter.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos spoke with reporters at this week’s GM Meetings in Scottsdale, reiterating a desire to enhance the rotation with veteran help. Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Mike Foltynewicz comprise three spots in the projected 2020 rotation. That leaves two openings, vacated by free agents Dallas Keuchel and Julio Teheran. The Braves would like to add at least one more known quantity, in which case the final spot could be a rotating door similar to 2019.

The Braves are less concerned about their bullpen, where Mark

Melancon and Shane Greene are penciled in for later innings. The team likes its internal options and sees value in the blend of experience and youth. They could still add others to the mix, but it probably won’t be splashy.

How the Braves attack their rotation needs could be somewhat linked with Donaldson. The team would have money to reallocate if he left, and it would gain a draft pick, since Donaldson will decline the qualifying offer. Should the Braves sign a qualify

ing-offer free agent — starters Madison Bumgarner, Zack Wheeler and Jake Odorizzi among them — they would sacrifice a pick. If they gained one for Donaldson’s depar- ture, that would essentially offset the second-rounder lost for a starter.

The draft-pick discussion holds extra emphasis for the Braves given the team’s limitations on the interna- tional market. The domestic draft is their best means of strengthening a farm system that’s gotten weaker in the lower levels. The Braves could afford to keep Donaldson and sign a free-agent starter, even if it costs a pick. The draft choice is a factor, though not a determining one, in the process.

“If we find someone we like, we’ll go after them,” Anthopoulos said. They’ll also scan the trade market — their usual preference — for rotation help.

Here’s a rundown on some of the pitching-related topics Anthopoulos covered Tuesday and Wednesday:

On possibly working Sean Newcomb back into the rotation: “We don’t know what rotation additions we might add. The thought right now is to give him the opportunity to get stretched out in spring and compete for a (starting) spot unless there are other trades, signings, things like that.”

On Touki Toussaint, Bryse Wilson and Kyle Wright struggling in 2019: “No doubt (development isn’t linear). You can look at all kinds of guys. I’ve used Fried as an example. Got called up in ’17, missed a ton of time, pitched a little bit in (Double-A) Mississippi, got called up and went to the (Arizona) Fall League. Even in ’18, he was up and down. Had a few starts that were strong, others that weren’t as strong. Postseason, he did a nice job for us. And then really came into camp and had a strong year for us. You’re hopeful that some of the other guys take that next step.”

On Foltynewicz’s erratic season: “It was an odd year for him. Rocky start, optioned, came back and pitched really well for us. Great Game 2 of the play

Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos

offs. He did a nice job for us down the stretch. He really pitched well for us those last two months.

“I wouldn’t have expected this year to happen. If you’d asked me going into 2019 if this guy would get optioned, I’d say no way. But it hap- pened. So whether it’s the injury in the spring, the per- formance — he did turn it around, tohis credit. He got a lot better, and he pitched the way he was capable of the second half of the year.”

On confidence in his bullpen: “We do feel like we’re in a better starting position (with the bullpen) when you look back now to a year ago. Darren (O’Day) did a nice job at the end. We were excited to sign him back . ... Even Luke ( Jackson), the full season he had, he’s in better position than he was coming off 2018. I think we’re in a good spot. We still can get better.”

Braves hope Freeman a Brave for good

Braves first baseman Fred- die Freeman has two seasons remaining on his cur- rent contract, and while the Braves won’t comment on potential extension talks, Anthopoulos was adamant they want Freeman to be a Braves lifer.

Freeman, 30, debuted in 2010 and grew into the organization’s foundation over the past decade after Hall of Famer Chipper Jones passed the face-of-the-franchise torch. A four-time All-Star, Freeman is coming off arguably the best season of his career. He hit .295/.389/.549 with 38 homers and 121 RBIs. A bone spur in his elbow derailed his finish, but Freeman underwent surgery last month to clean up the elbow. He’s expected to be fully ready for spring training.

“He’s been more than you could hope for just the two years I’ve been around him,”

Anthopoulos said at the GM meetings. “He’s a huge part of our team. Wants to be here. Drafted and developed here. Our hope is he’s here for the rest of his career.”

Freeman is nearing the end of an eight-year, $135 million deal.

No prospects untouchable

The buzz around the GM Meetings is that there could be several high-profile play- ers available this offseason on the trade market. The Chi- cago Cubs have signaled a willingness to listen to offers for their core players, includ- ing third baseman Kris Bry- ant. The Indians might move shortstop Francisco Lindor. The Red Sox are listening on star outfielder Mookie Betts.

The three franchises rightfully will ask for a bounty of prospects in exchange for their All-Stars. And then the acquiring team adopts the incumbent’s financial pickle: Betts will command a record contract next winter, while Bryant’s and Lin- dor’s deals expire after two seasons. The Braves aren’t typically eager to jump into big-name rentals — J.D. Drew and Mark Teixeira are discussed to thisday — but adding one of those players could be the difference in a title, even at the expense of longterm assets.

As for structuring your roster so that you can pay one player such a sizable sum, it’s a case-by-case basis.

“It all depends for how many years and where are your other (players),” Anthopoulos said. “If you’re in position where you have a bunch of your core that are zero to two (years service time), maybe it makes sense for two or three years. If it’s a maturing team, it might be more complicated. I don’t think it’s a blanket thing. It depends on where your roster sits, where you’re getting production from, where they are at that time.”

Anthopoulos won’t label any Braves prospect untouchable. He hasn’t considered any of his youngsters off-limits except Ronald Acuna, who was a special circumstance when he arrived as GM two winters ago. “Acuna was unique,” Anthopoulos said. “We like a lot of our young players, but we’re open-minded. I don’t think you close any doors on any trades. Generally speaking, I don’t like to go into ‘unwilling’ to talk about anybody. ... You keep open minds, and sometimes it leads to conversation.”

Betts is far-fetched for Braves because of his salary likely reaching $30 million through arbitration, Boston’s expected asking price, and Betts hitting the freeagent market next offseason. But Bryant, should Donaldson depart, and Lindor (if available) might emerge as options if the situation lines up.

‘If you’re in position where you have a bunch of your core (players) that are zero to two (years service time), maybe (adding a premium player at a high price) makes sense for two or three years. If it’s a maturing team, it might be more complicated.’