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As the playoffs continue the storylines surrounding the Atlanta Braves will shift to the upcoming offseason. Atlanta will soon have to get to work on its current roster which includes a number of soon-to-be free agents. The Braves will also have to decide the fate of four players whose contracts includes team options for next season.
Among those players are right-hander Julio Teheran, outfielder Nick Markakis, catcher Tyler Flowers and outfielder Billy Hamilton. Atlanta has until five days after the completion of the World Series to make a decision and they will likely take every bit of that time as general manager Alex Anthopoulos pointed out this past Thursday.
“Now, we can talk to clubs that are not in the playoffs on trades and things like that,” Anthopoulos said. “We’ve already done some prep work on free agency and so on. But we’ll make those (option) determinations five days after the World Series, or right in that time period.”
MLB Playoffs
- The Washington Nationals got another vintage pitching performance from Max Scherzer to help capture a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 2 of the NLCS. Washington now leads the series 2-0. The series will now shift back to Washington where Stephen Strasburg will get the start in Game 3 with left-hander Patrick Corbin lined up to go in Game 4.
- Gleyber Torres homered and drove in five runs to lead the New York Yankees to a 7-0 win in Game 1 of the ALCS.
- The Houston Astros did not include a left-handed pitcher on its roster for the ALCS against the Yankees.
- The Yankees’ roster for the ALCS includes outfielder Aaron Hicks and left-hander CC Sabathia. Both were out with injuries for the ALDS.
MLB News
- The San Francisco Giants will interview former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler according to a report by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Other candidates include internal options Ron Wotus and Hensley Meulens along with Royals quality control/catching coach Pedro Grifol and A’s quality control coach Mark Kotsay.
- Padres’ hitting coach Johnny Washington is reportedly among the candidates for the Los Angeles Angels’ vacant managerial position. Washington joins Buck Showalter, John Farrell and Joe Maddon.
- Former World Series MVP David Freese announced his retirement on Saturday. Freese has spent the last two seasons with the Dodgers. He is best remembered for his performance in the 2011 postseason while a member of the Cardinals.
- There is nothing concrete yet but Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro and the club are both reportedly open to discussing a possible extension.