Braves News

Talking Chop Podcast Episode 45: Top-25 prospect list, John Danks and more

Brad is joined by prospect guru Eric Cole to discuss John Danks, Mike Foltynewicz, TC's top-25 prospect list and much more.

Evolving on the fly, bullpen provided boost in 2016

Mark Bowman takes a look back at the evolution of the Braves’ bullpen which quietly became a strength during the 2016 season.

The Braves' only significant offseason addition to the bullpen mix was completed when they selected Armando Rivero from the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft. Rivero will be given a chance to be part of a season-opening eight-man relief corps that could also include a healthy Arodys Vizcaino, Johnson, Roe, Cabrera, Ramirez, Ian Krol and a long reliever (Josh Collmenter and John Danks are the top two options).

MLB News

Pirates sign Daniel Hudson to 2-year, $11 million deal

Looking to strengthen the back end of their bullpen, the Pirates have agreed to a deal with reliever Daniel Hudson.

Hudson will join Tony Watson, Felipe Rivero, Juan Nicasio, Antonio Bastardo and Jared Hughes in Pittsburgh’s bullpen, taking the place of free agent Neftali Feliz, who is expected to sign elsewhere. Hudson is the first offseason addition for the Pirates, who have already lost Sean Rodriguez, Matt Joyce and Jeff Locke to free agency.

Washington Nationals interested in free agent catcher Matt Wieters, per report

Free agent catcher Matt Wieters has had a tough time of it so far in free agency but could be an option for the Washington Nationals according to a report by ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. This is interesting given that the Nationals acquired catcher Derek Norris earlier this offseason but could move him in another deal if they sign Wieters.