Speaking of the Braves, an all-to-early look at the roster indicates the purging is most likely complete and they're ready to build back with youth....relatively speaking.
I get what's going on and I can't say I disagree with it, because it's been the recipe for success recently for several franchises like the Cubs, Stros, Indians etc. After dismantling the roster, they spent the last couple of years trying to bring the young guys along while dotting the roster with old(er) veterans to kind of keep it together. Guys like Brandon Phillips, Nick Markakis, Matt Kemp, Bartolo Colon, Nick Swisher and AJ Pierzmininzki-ski have all come though, knowing it was just for a cup of coffee. Markakis is still on roster, however.
But damn, I look at the current roster and the only guys having proven anything are Freddie Freeman and maybe Ender Enciarte. The rest of them just make you face palm at the thought of another season 20+ games under .500. Julio Tehran is the only pitcher who has proven he can get you 14-15 wins. After that....yeesh! The outfield has Markakis, Enciarte and 2 guys I don't think I've ever heard of. The infield is Freeman, Dansby Swanson and a bunch of guys named Gomez or Albies or Santana or some shit. Catchers are decent but both are 35+ years old.
The Marlins went fire sale this offseason. I don't think their fans are too happy about it and shouldn't be. They had some damn fine, young talent. But did the Braves try and pick up Yelich or Ozuna or any of them? Nope. I'm hoping they've figured out which of these guys are going to blow up and make the Braves contenders again. Maybe that's the case and they're all looking forward to the season. But, I imagine it's been close to 30 years since I looked at their roster and had less hope than I do now.