Anything is possible for ridiculously stacked Braves team

NORTH PORT, Fla. — Braves celebrity Ronald Acuna Jr. posted an improbably nice season in 2023 when he achieved one thing up to now on the market nobody even dreamed it. But when the 40-70 homer-steal combo appeared absurd, Acuna makes the unimaginable appear doable. Like his expertise, his targets know no limits.

“I’m attempting to be higher than final 12 months,” Acuna informed The Submit on Friday morning, referring to the season through which he hit 41 homers, stole 73 bases and received unanimity within the MVP race in opposition to the good Mookie Betts. So how about 50-80?

“I don’t know, however every little thing is feasible,” Acuna stated. “After I play, I don’t assume (about it) an excessive amount of. And when the season’s over, I’ll see what I did.”

Everybody’s in a superb temper right here in Braves camp, and never simply because the staff is stacked but once more. They already skilled the spotlight of the spring and the reduction of a lifetime.

Acuna not too long ago returned from Los Angeles, the place one of the best place participant within the Nationwide League visited with one of the best sports activities surgeon in North America, and Dr. Neal ElAttrache despatched Acuna again with essentially the most favorable prognosis doable — affirmation he’s solely affected by an “irritation” within the meniscus in his proper knee.

Which is definitely one thing of a coincidence since that’s an inexpensive 2024 purpose for his or her NL East rival Mets — to change into an irritant to the juggernaut Braves. Whereas Mets folks, notably together with baseball president David Stearns, have opined their staff is “playoff caliber,” no one on the staff from Queens dare says something a couple of division title — not when the Braves have received it six straight occasions and look higher than ever. No person might come near that type of loopy discuss apart from the Phillies, who knocked the Braves out of the postseason two straight years in delicate upsets, two exits they received’t quickly overlook right here.

“The postseason historical past is there,” star third baseman Austin Riley famous. “Hopefully, we get to see them once more within the postseason.”

Meantime, something is feasible for this Braves staff, which seems to be stacked once more. Except one obsesses over the fifth starter — it possible might be both be Reynaldo Lopez or Bryce Elder — the one severe challenge was Acuna’s well being, and ElAttrache gave the Braves the reassurance they wanted.

“I’m feeling nice. I’m feeling like nothing occurred,” Acuna stated.

Irrespective of, the Braves will use warning earlier than beginning up their franchise man as a result of any individual has to. He’s on monitor for Opening Day, they are saying, however for now he waits.

“They may inform me after I can play,” Acuna, who suffered the damage in a rundown, stated. “I play exhausting, it doesn’t matter what occurs. Day-after-day, I play exhausting. It’s what I do.”

Beloved, avuncular supervisor Brian Snitker says there’s no sense imploring in-game wariness.

It’s not occurring, anyway. “He doesn’t know warning on a baseball discipline,” Snitker stated. “And why would he, with that type of skill and love for the sport?”

Snitker lets all of them play, and in the event that they play 162, he’ll be comfortable (although Snitker factors out just one did play all 162 final 12 months, first base star Matt Olson). “We’re going to attempt, God keen,” Snitker stated.

The attendance was good, the efficiency extraordinary. Acuna is the principle man right here, nevertheless it’s a staff of stars regardless of nearly by no means taking part in for the most important free brokers (they took a tough have a look at Aaron Nola of the rival Phillies, however he shocked nobody by returning to his staff). Relatively, they depend on scouting, growing and particularly retaining home-grown or just-acquired gamers.

They do have the golden contact. Whoever comes right here appears to regain their type. Some even resurrect their careers.

The newest is Chris Sale, who’s been “superior,” (Snitker’s phrase) in 4 ²/₃ scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts in spring. Phrase is, he wouldn’t have waived his no-trade for a lot of, if any, different groups.

The Pink Sox noticed Sale as a regrettable, $145M contract. Right here he seems to be like a wanted Recreation 3 starter at a good value (they reworked the deal, guaranteeing an additional $10.5M and 12 months whereas eradicating deferrals).

If Acuna is the most important star, the off-field genius is common supervisor Alex Anthopoulos, who one Courageous known as a “baseball savant.” It’s true, nobody compares at what he does, which is locking up stars with contracts that work for the staff, which by the way is a money cow (public data present they print cash).

Anthopoulos, a Montreal native who began his profession within the Expos public relations workplace, characteristically claims no specific genius (he’s incorrect there, by the best way). My guess is that this: The trick was giving all of them small victories. All had been executed early and most set some sort of obscure contract report for the participant, however not one is regrettable but.

Anyway, the staff seems to be prefer it has an opportunity to repeat its unimaginable streak of profitable 14 straight division titles within the Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz period. It received’t be straightforward, in fact. The Phillies are loaded, too, and since Mets proprietor Steve Cohen is himself loaded, the belief is that his staff might be able to unseat the Braves sooner or later. However for now, we’ll simply have to take a seat again and admire their apparent greatness.