Power hitter, backup SS on list

Braves took care of most needs before winter meetings.

SAN DIEGO — The MLB winter meetings are underway, but the Braves did much of their heavy lifting beforehand, signing a plethora of relievers, a catcher and veteran starter Cole Hamels.

Third base and/or a power hitter remain the team’s most discussed needs. A reunion with Josh Donaldson is still possible, though the Braves will have to pay. He has a robust market that’s expected to land him a three-or four-year deal.

Here’s what GM Alex Anthopoulos said on the first day of the winter meetings:

■ “We are exploring our options at third base. That’s a nice quote for you guys,” Anthopoulos said, laughing.

“Ideally, (the power comes from) third base,” he said. “But middle-of-the-order bat could come in the form of an outfielder as well. … It’s fair to say we’d like to do something for the middle of the order. I can’t guarantee we’ll be able to accomplish that, but we’d like to add a middle-of-the-order bat if we can.”

■ The clean-up spot remains the Braves’ only glaring flaw, making it easier on Anthopoulos to have checked so many boxes before the winter meetings. “It allows you to focus a little bit more (on specific spots),” he said, “but we still have work to do.”

■ Starting this season, MLB teams can carry 26 players rather than 25. The Braves have discussed how they’d like to use that extra spot, and Anthopoulos emphasized defense will be the No. 1 priority. “We haven’t come to a conclusion on what we want to do,” he said, but “we’d like to get a defender at shortstop in the utility role, defense being the No. 1 characteristic. That’s definitely on our list.”

■ The Braves have been a rumored landing spot for either Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor or Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, both of whom could be traded due to their clubs’ financial circumstances. There’s no indication the teams have had substantial talks with the Braves, but it’s easy to see how either fits, especially if Donaldson leaves.

Lindor has two years remaining on his contract, though many are questioning Cleveland’s motivation to actually trade him. Bryant’s situation is more complicated due to a grievance over service time manipulation. He’s currently controllable over the next two seasons, but that could be reduced to one. “We’re always engaged in the trade market, but as a general rule of thumb, less control is going to impact what you’re willing to give back,” Anthopoulos said.

■ The Nationals re-signed starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg to a record-breaking contract Monday, meaning third baseman Anthony Rendon will likely land elsewhere. Donaldson is viewed as the second-best third baseman on the market, a back-up option for those who miss Rendon. But Anthopoulos didn’t think the Strasburg signing had a trickle-down effect to the third base market. “I don’t view the markets necessarily as linked,” he said. “Everyone has their own list on what they want to do. I would expect there are signings this week, trades, as the whole offseason. We’re strictly focused on ourselves. We don’t have any doubts the Nationals, the Mets, the Marlins have been active, the Phillies; all these teams are going to get better.”

Strasburg agreed to a $245 million, seven-year deal that keeps a rotation also featuring Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin intact. Strasburg has the most lucrative contract for a pitcher in both total dollars and average annual value at $35 million.