How the Atlanta Braves Built MLB’s Next Dynasty… 

How far will the Braves go?

The best lopsided Braves trade is when they traded veteran Jesse Chavez to the Angels for Rasiel Iglesias who had been struggling with the Angels at the time. He goes to the Braves and looks like Mariano Rivera. Then Jesse Chavez is so bad on the Angels they DFA him, he walks off the team and literally walks right back to Atlanta in the span of a few weeks.

Biggest thing with the Braves is that they also knew when to let guys go, when to pay their home grown players, and when to make trades to bet on a players future. Acuna, Riley, Albies, and Harris were all homegrown dudes. As much as it hurt to not resign Freeman, it gave enough money to sign Matt Olson to a long contract. By not over spending on Swanson, they signed Sean Murphy to a long contract. (Thank you Oakland A's for both of those guys.) Everyone then thought Vaughn Grissom was their next SS, when instead they sent him back to triple A to get more work and let Arcia get the nod, and in response Arcia has been hitting around or above .290 this season. They let some solid bullpen guys go and developed the talent they had, which also left them with enough money to sign Strider to a long term. The Braves will never have the money the Dodgers, Padres, Mets, Yankees, Rangers or Astros have. But they know what value is and would rather get two good players on good deals than overpay for one mega star.

As an Atlanta native, I hope we win 2+ in the next 6 years. Should be possible but a lot has to pan out correctly.

I'm the furthest thing from a Braves fan, but no one can deny that they are one of the best organizations in baseball. From top to bottom, you can tell that a lot of thought and hardwork goes into their success. Their prospect development and smart trading has made them not only the best team in baseball right now, but has set them up for long term success as well. As a long suffering Mets fan, I would do anything for our team to be run even half as well as the Braves.

Another thing not mentioned is WHY these players are agreeing to these team friendly deals. These guys understand what they’re a part of and understand what the organization expects

I don’t think you can understate the importance of Max Fried to the braves. As good as Strider is, I think most people would agree when healthy, Max is the Ace. One of the few players with little team control left, and an extension getting more expensive by the day.

As an older fan of the braves, don't count your championships before they're won. I'm almost 50 and we've had 2 championships in my lifetime. With the teams they've had, it could've been 10 but it's not even close

Before anyone goes "why doesn't every team just sign their big stars when they're early into their rookie contract" just look at the White Sox

I’m a lifelong Braves fan, I am so excited about this team. Alex Anthopolis is an amazing GM. The talent on this squad is unreal. Go Braves!

nobody talks about the wizard of ozzie, dude is beast mode

Don't forget to mention how the Braves got max fried from the Padres for a contract dump of justin Upton who didn't do much with the Padres. Dansby Swanson from the Diamondbacks for a struggling Shelby Miller. Also how they dumped The BJ Upton contract and Craig kimbrell who they were never going to re-sign for a ton of these draft picks including one that turned into Austin Riley

I miss Alex Anthopoulos in Toronto… He was doing a great job with the Blue Jays and was regarded as one of the best young GM’s around the league -- So, the team doesn’t offer him a contract extension and just lets him walk for nothing… I’m still pissed off at them for doing that. I’m not a Braves fan, but I am a big AA fan, so I’m glad he was able to win a World Series ring (I think everyone would have preferred it to happen in Toronto, but I guess we can settle for Atlanta).

Rosario and Ozuna have been carrying the offense the past two weeks. That's how good this line-up is. They never slump. There is too much production. It has been a masterclass to watch Anthopoulos build this franchise. You could see the talent forming, just waiting for it all to come together. It's so satisfying to know he built this team without ridiculous big money free agent signings, or throwing away good prospects for nothing. We have been really lucky over the past 30 years with great GM's. John Schuerholz built a dynasty in the 90's. The same way.

Braves fan here. The scary thing that no one is talking about, is that the Braves excel at drafting, developing, and rebuilding pitching; it's an organizational cornerstone. So by locking up a really good infield and outfield for 5+ years without spending a ton.... More arms are coming. An army of them. Edit: 😉

I wish Freddie was still there

You didn't mention D'Arnaud, who is just as important as anyone else on the roster. Who is also under a very team friendly contract.

Your videos truly are so fascinating and entertaining to watch start to finish. Keep killin it I always look forward to a new notification from you!

This is a great breakdown putting down how insane this lineup construction is. Well done!

Show some love for Nicky Lopez. He’s one to watch!

Very well put together!

This is a great video, good work.

If they can get the pitching situation situated, they’re unstoppable

They been blessed to stay healthy, that’s for sure. Good stuff man.

been watching the braves my entire life (18). they’re the reason i love baseball. i’ve waited a long ass time for this

Imagine this team going far beyond what they accomplished in the 90's and when we used to see almost every one of their games on national television!

The playoffs are such a crapshoot that I really don’t use that as a metric for a successful organization/season/dynasty; it’s just such a small sample size when 3-5 games can end or prolong your season. The regular season “dynasties” the past several years have basically been Atl, Tampa Bay, LAD, and Hou. That’s pretty much it. All those organizations have been very shrewd at drafting/developing and to some extent free agency

This build was done so well. They got lucky on contracts with guys who grew up Braves fans, they drafted almost perfectly, and they have developed really quick. Strider was a 4th round pick out of Clemson, but touched the majors in his draft season. That's almost unheard of for a 4th rounder. Replaced Freeman with Olson. Replaced a number 1 pick with a viable replacement at shortstop immediately. Imagine losing an MVP caliber player and a number 1 pick, and getting better. It's possibly the best franchise build ever.

I think they just get humble players who want to win and will take cuts or lower contracts

I would like to see the Braves win multiple World Series in the next decade. It would really be disappointing if it’s the same scenario as the 90’s Braves who could only manage to win 1 championship in a decade they pretty much dominated.

The Braves are phenomenal from top to bottom. Crazy power, insane speed, fantastic judgment, and Chipper for a hitting coach. 🙌 Keep chopping!

Also got Max Fried from the Padres for nothing

Great video. Hope we win it all, but it’s one game at time. Go bravos

With the old playoff format, they’d probably win 2 or 3 within the next 5 seasons, EASILY. This sport just seems to get harder and harder every year, it’s harder to see ANY team build a dynasty of old.

What you forgot to mention is even though they all have low contracts, and he'll be getting paid more. The Atlanta Braves organization takes care of them, and so do the fans.

Well, the Braves players are not really underpaid because most would be in pre-arb/arb years still. The Braves salary total is actually a lot larger than it would be if they didn't sign them. Other teams take a different approach, they prefer to use the money saved during the pre-arb/arb years on young players and sign free agents and go for a win a world series at all costs approach. However, eventually those teams have to cough up the money or lose those young players to free agency. That's why it's so hard to build dynasties. The Braves took a different approach, signing those young players to longer term years (which only look team friendly after the players continue performing, hindsight is 20/20) and buy out their first 2-3 years of free agency. The main downside of this approach is that the salary total is distributed evenly and they are unable to sign any prominent free agents during these players pre-arb/arb years. The upside is that they will have these players for 3-4 years longer than most other orgs would, which increases their competitive window, albeit sacrifices their current free agent signings. IF the Braves never signed these players to long term deals, they could have had an extra 30-40 mill to spend on this season and next, and could have been that much better. Again, it's all a trade off, Alex Anthopolous has decided that he would rather build a dynasty and be competitive every year than to maximize their chances in a short window. As a fan, I like this approach much better, plus you get attached to certain players and it makes it that much better.

They have an amazing culture and energy at the games

9:22 Albies has such a sweet swing from the left side. His swing from the right is so effortless too. He’s mashing this year

Good stuff! Let's go Bravos!

Don’t forget about our all star back up catcher Travis D. Who just signed another year extension.

I feel like a lot of people forget about max fried and his 3 straight gold gloves and second place cy young finish last year

I was born in atlanta the same year the braves came to atlanta from Milwaukie. 1966. It's been great watching Hank Aaron as a kid then Dale Murphy and chipper...The fun isn't over with this 2023 team.

Since the making of this video Ozuna has been on fire hitting multiple home runs & now has the team positioned to match or even exceed the 2019 Twins record of having 5 players to hit at least 30 home runs.

Ive been telling people this was THE TEAM before they won the WS. Before strider was a starter i knew he was gonna be one of the best pitchers in the league. Seeing everything come together now against all the scrutiny of my friends has been amazing. Go BRAVES, lets get us another one ☝🏻

Your just witnessing the second Braves Dominate Run. I was just coming into MLB fandom back in 1989 when there last great run started. The Braves a full of TEAM FIRST Players & players that want to play in ATL.

Their "farm" system... could patch up an expansion team.. A GOOD one!

That’s crazy. Sherzer and Verlander are making more this year alone than Ozzie Albies will in 7 years

Grew up a Braves fan as a kid in the 90s and have waited years for a team like this. It's so weird to be that team that OTHERS recognize as a dynasty! Exciting time to be a Braves fan!

Trying to project into the future i see 2-3 more rings in the 20s. If the Braves still have AA i expect him to make some major moves towards the end of 20's to revamp the team maybe resign easy First ball HoF's Acuna and Strider going into their 30s. Could easily see us still chasings rings in the 30's with those two.

The pitching was great against the Yankees! I hope they can keep it going against the Giants this weekend.

Well they can thank the A's a lot for their run, giving up an all star caliber catcher and MVP caliber first baseman for very little return.

A huge Braves fan. I believe they have potential to become a dynasty but I think shouldn't be titled that just yet I think they have to reach the playoffs, keep winning NL East and win at least 2 more WS rings in the next 5-6 yrs or 3 by 2030 to be called a dynasty Of course we don't know what the future holds for the team but the core group of this roster is locked up through at least 2027 and in their prime yrs. Plus, some could get (Acuna and Ozzie) their 2nd extensions a few yrs down road. As long as AA is running things in ATL I'm confident this team will succeed for many yrs to come

The Braves are going all the way this year. We look head and shoulders above the rest of the league.

You didn't miss a point except for the manager. Brian Snitker has been a lifer in the organization. He raised most of these players in the minors. He is an underrated manager. He knows how to keep the team level in how to approach the daily grind of the game.

Michael Harris II will be the best of the lot.

the braves acquired relief pitcher Joe Jimenez from the Tigers this past offseason for 3B/OF prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy who has become one of the most exciting soon to be MLB level prospects in the Detroit system this year... but after that section about how every trade has worked out I'm terrified that he might not be what we expect

You should make a video on how most of the big spenders this season have faltered and it’s implications on future free agents and other teams’ spending habits…

ALL THE WAY!!!!!!! LET'S GO BRAVES

I've never been more sure of a team winning it all

They said the same thing about the Cubs. Have to win 2 before can be considered a dynasty

Should have mentioned Arcia/s extension as well as the Max Fried trade.

PUT RESPECT ON AUSTIN RILEY

Dont forget kevin pillar he is solid for us and comes in clutch when we need it.

Honestly as a braves fan I am concerned about this sure we’re really good but we could end up collapsing at any moment.

When I was in high school we had tbs so I watched a ton of Braves games during the Glavine-Maddox-Smoltz era. This team is way better than that, so exciting to watch.

Ive Lived In Atlanta My Whole Life All I Have To Say Is Go Braves Dawgs Falcons And Hawks

Yo! The Braves front office is straight up fleecing teams! I can see it happening once, but they did it like 4 times! If I'm a GM and the Braves call, I'm letting it go to VM. Maybe there doing a better job of developing players which is why the others don't pan out. As a person that lived in Atlanta for 25 years, before and after there big run, I love how they've built this team. Hopefully Hal Steinbrenner is taking notes.

W content

the braves are just so solid, not mentioned is there other pitchers and bullpen iglesias and soroka are some of the best in the bullpen while bryce elder and charlie morton are super solid too

You left out in 2022 max fried who was second in cy young voting, kyle wright who had the most wins in the mlb, then they traded and got raisel iglesias who only gave up 1 run as a braves player last year.

Them and the Dodgers are the gold standard to me…on roster construction and running an organization…they do thru different ways both have won a World Series I’ll put the Astro’s in there too tho The big 3 different ways of building a World Series contender every year

They have to win atleast 2 championships within 5 years to be a dynasty..

Ozuna is okaiy but not much more than that. Rosario is a guy who you hate being in the lineup most of the time, but then he does things to briefly make you forget why he stinks. Dude's got a 0.2 bWAR and 0.6 fWAR, yet he does things like drive in the only runs in a 2-0 shutout win last night.

3:08 Oh captain my captain 🫡🫡🫡

I'll be very surprised if this Braves team doesn't win the World Series this year. Go Braves. #Bravesfansince1993

It’s not about money for the players and that needs to be talked about more

Great video and you didn't even mention the REAL Ace.. Max Fried

I want to believe, I really do. But the last time I believed was when the 1996 WS stood 2-0. lol

Aren't we counting our chickens before they hatch? I prefer to wait until they win another world series or 2.

As an Astros fan… the Braves scare me. Our championship window may be closing in the next 2-3 years. Atlanta? Theirs is just starting.

Braves vs Rangers (WS)!! Mark my word'$!!!!✊🏾☮

As a Macon Native I hope we win the next 4 of 5 WS

Atlanta and my Orioles could run their leagues for years.....

If you want another example of how good the Braves are at scouting and developing players just look at Spencer Striders college stats. How they saw that yet somehow knew how good he could be says it all. He was pretty horrific in college yet they obviously saw something.

Can't be considered a dynasty until they win two more championships.

i think we should wait till the Braves win multiple WS rings to be called a dynasty

I’m tired of players getting 300-500 million dollar contracts like yes they are the best but should they really get that much?! Just look at Strasberg and Rendon, getting all that money just to do nothing for their team, I’d easily take a smaller contract to help my team out. The way the Braves make their contracts out to players is how every team should, if one doesn’t work out well, it might sting but it’s something you can easily manage

Ozuna has a 14 or 15 game hitting streak and has hit 24 homeruns and a 800 OPS. How is that underrated?

Not my boy forgetting Bryce Elder

it cant be a dynasty until they do something with the talent they have

As a Braves fan, I have never seen a team that is so locked in and on a mission. This Braves team is wanting another WS title and is just dominating their way to it. I know a lot of Braves country is just enjoying the ride,because its like how often do you see a team that is this dominate and putting up as many runs as they do. To answer your question though, this Braves team has what it takes to win a WS. Sure I am worried that they may take their foot off the gas, because the NL east is pretty much theres. Plus the Dodgers are looking very very awesome right now. It makes me nervous if the Braves have to play them in a postseason game. Thoses are my two biggest worries.

I think having the best average in baseball from June through august is a bit more that quietly playing your roll

i'm a braves fan if soroka and wright could comeback before october i will be very confident but at the moment even with the best good record in the league when the playoff starts every team start to 0 wins...

Yeah that lineup is scary af

Albies and Acuna is like the Pippen and Jordan

Before anyone says the word "dynasty" please keep in mind the 90s Braves had arguably the greatest pitching staff and amazing batting lineup and only came out of that era with only one championship......yes they won division titles and nlcs championships but the end goal is world series titles....hopefully this team can do it, baseball needs some rejuvenation again......this coming from a yankees fan 🙂

And you didn’t even mention Max Fried, who is probably the ace on the staff.

"just" 12.5 MILLION dollars. Crazy times.

Great video but no Max Fried!?

Oakland I think probably wanted to unload salary because they always wanted to relocate so they may have known the trades were lopsided