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Earlier this week, many Atlanta Braves fans were up in arms over Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA projections for 2021 which pegged the Braves for 82 wins and a fourth place finish in the NL East. We understand the angst and PECOTA has been low on Atlanta throughout their three-year run of division titles. FanGraphs also recently released their preseason playoff odds which were more favorable for the Braves but still have them behind the Mets in the NL East.
MLB.com’s Mike Petriello took a closer look at the Braves Thursday in search of why the projections systems don’t favor them. It is a good read and he does a good job of explaining what projections systems are and how they work.
More Braves News
In this week’s mailbag, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman discusses why we may not see Mark Melancon or Shane Greene return to Atlanta’s bullpen and what role Ender Inciarte will likely fill this season.
The Braves have four prospects in Kiley McDaniel’s Top 100 list for ESPN.
With Spring Training right around the corner, Cory McCartney makes nine bold predictions for the Braves.
The Minnesota Twins claimed outfielder Kyle Garlick off waivers on Thursday. The Braves designated Garlick for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Marcell Ozuna.
MLB News
The Dodgers and right-hander Walker Buehler avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a two-year, $8 million deal.
The Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year deal with free agent outfielder Jake Marisnick.
The Detroit Tigers are reportedly closing in on a deal with free agent outfielder Nomar Mazara. The deal is reportedly a major league contract that will pay Mazara $1.75 million.
The New York Mets designated reliever Brad Bach for assignment Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for Jonathan Villar.
The Colorado Rockies are bringing in first baseman Greg Bird on a minor league deal that also includes an invite to Spring Training.
Former Braves reliever Shane Carle is going to Spring Training with the Reds after agreeing to a minor league deal on Thursday.