:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50874775/604593668.0.jpg)
BRAVES NEWS
Braves will have choices to make regarding outfield
David O’Brien of the AJC has noticed something that I’m sure that the Braves’ brass has also noticed: Their outfield is beginning to get a little crowded. As such, they’ll have some decisions to make during the offseason, and this might be the time in which a trade of Nick Markakis could go down.
So what do the Braves do this winter? Trade someone to make room for [Mallex] Smith? The dynamic rookie center fielder was just starting to get comfortable at the big-league level when he was hit by a fastball that broke his thumb June 19.
If so, Markakis seems most likely to be moved, given his relatively modest contract — $11 million each of the next two seasons — compared to $21.5 million owed [Matt] Kemp over each of the next three seasons. Markakis remains a pretty good defensive outfielder who makes all the routine plays. That can’t necessarily be said for Kemp, especially when he’s playing out of his comfort zone in left field instead of right, as he has with the Braves.
A look at Rio Ruiz
Meanwhile, our friends at Minor League Ball decided to give their take on what to expect from Rio Ruiz. The third base prospect is going to be coming up to the big leagues after the G-Braves’ playoff run ends, so this is a perfect time to get acquainted with Ruiz before he makes his debut as a Brave.
It’s official: Freddie Freeman is a father
Freddie Freeman left Wednesday night’s game in order to be with his wife, who had gone into labor during the game. After what had to have been an extremely long day, the baby finally came, and Freddie Freeman is now the proud father of a baby boy. Congratulations!
MLB NEWS
A.J. Preller gets suspended for 30 days for actions related to Pomeranz trade
For the second time in his career as a baseball executive, San Diego Padres GM A.J. Preller has been suspended by Major League Baseball. This time, it’s because he was found guilty of improper use of medial files when it came to players. Preller has been suspended for 30 days without pay, and while anybody on Earth would miss 30 days of payment, our friends at Gaslight Ball believe that their GM got off too easy. Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes that the Padres are getting what they deserve for hiring Preller.
Red Sox pull off stunner of comeback against Yankees
Meanwhile on the field, the AL East race continues to roar on, and the Red Sox picked up a major victory against their fierce rivals from New York. The Yankees dominated the first eight innings of the game and went into the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead. They exited the ninth inning and the game having lost by two runs, after the Red Sox pulled off a massive five-run rally to steal a victory at Fenway.
Cueto pitches complete game for Giants against Cardinals
Over on the west coast, the Giants and Cardinals have began a four-game series that will have massive implications on the NL Wild Card. The Giants drew first blood by cruising to victory on Thursday night, and this was thanks to Johnny Cueto throwing a complete game. Also, we’ve known this for a long time now, but it’s now officially Wild Card or bust for the Cardinals since the Cubs clinched the Central Division with this loss.