HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 02: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves and Mallory Pugh celebrate after the Braves 7-0 victory against the Houston Astros in Game Six to win the 2021 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Two champions are getting married.
On Thursday, USWNT player Mallory Pugh and Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson announced they are now engaged:
Pugh wrote "Forever with you" on her Instagram account, while Swanson wrote "Mr. and Mrs. Swanson coming soon" on his account.
The couple have dated since 2017 and were introduced to each other by Swanson's former Braves teammate Jace Peterson, who is married to Pugh's sister.
Pugh was a member of the 2019 USWNT that won the World Cup, while Swanson helped Atlanta capture the World Series this year.
Carlos Correa Rumors: Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Braves Interested in SS
Dec 2, 2021
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 02: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros reacts after striking out against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game Six of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa has received interest from the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency.
Mark Berman of Fox 26 noted Correa previously received a five-year, $160 million offer from the Houston Astros.
Major League Baseball is preparing for a lockout to begin Thursday at midnight ET, meaning Correa would have to get a deal done by 11:59 p.m. ET. No contracts will be able to be agreed upon once the lockout begins, which would leave Correa and the other remaining free agents at a standstill with no obvious end date.
Fellow shortstops Corey Seager (10 years, $325 million) and Javier Baez (six years, $140 million) agreed to megadeals late last month as agents and teams scrambled to get deals done. While MLB free agency has regularly been a waiting game in years past, legitimate concern over CBA negotiations has led to urgency around the league.
Correa is coming off the best season of his career, which saw him hit .279/.366/.485 with 26 home runs and 92 runs batted in while playing Gold Glove defense at shortstop. He finished fifth in the AL MVP voting and made his second All-Star team.
Matthew Roberson of the New York Daily News previously reported Correa was looking for a deal that approaches the $341 million pact signed by Francisco Lindor with the New York Mets during last season.
It doesn't appear likely that any team will match that price, which may explain why Correa is still on the market while other high-profile shortstops have already signed.
Freddie Freeman Rumors: 1B Not Expected to Leave Braves Despite Yankees' Interest
Dec 2, 2021
Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman celebrates his home run during the seventh inning in Game 6 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman has spent all 12 of his MLB seasons with the Atlanta Braves, and he's expected back for more despite the New York Yankees' interest, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network and Audacy.
Yankees are among teams in the bidding for Braves superstar Freddie Freeman. But hard to find anyone who thinks he’ll leave Atlanta, including Yanks. They view it as another situation akin to Jeter as player with Yankees. It seems Braves must bridge 5/6 year difference with FF.
The five-time All-Star recently capped his World Series-winning 2021 season by hitting .300 (.896 OPS) with 31 home runs and 83 RBI. He also led MLB with 120 runs.
The 32-year-old's resume includes the 2020 National League MVP award, five top-10 NL MVP finishes, three Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove.
Heyman has previously reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost shortstop Corey Seager in free agency and can move Max Muncy (who is recovering from a torn UCL) from first to second base, "may have best hope" for Freeman. The first baseman was also born and raised in Southern California, so it'd be a return home of sorts.
The MLB Network reporter also said that the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays reached out.
Freeman is reportedly seeking a deal in the neighborhood of six years and $180 million, per Heyman.
That seems reasonable for Atlanta to pay for the heart and soul of its team over the past decade.
Freeman has been an instrumental part of the team's rebuild after the franchise missed the playoffs from 2014-2017, leading the team to four straight NL East titles.
He'd be 38 years old by the time his contract expired, but Freeman definitely has a lot of good baseball left in him.
Plus, it'd be wise for Atlanta to keep its core together, especially with a young 20-something group featuring Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson and more.
That team won the World Series even with Acuna sidelined after mid-June with a torn ACL, and Atlanta is in position to have a multi-year championship window. That's assuming Freeman is retained, of course.
Freddie Freeman Rumors: Yankees 'Definitely Interested' in Free-Agent 1B
Nov 30, 2021
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 05: Freddie Freeman and other members of the Atlanta Braves team speak following the World Series Parade at Truist Park on November 5, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Braves won the World Series in six games against the Houston Astros winning their first championship since 1995. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Longtime Atlanta Braves star Freddie Freeman is a free agent, and it's hard to imagine him in another uniform. But one team is reportedly hoping to pry the first baseman away from Atlanta.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Tuesday that the New York Yankees are "definitely interested" in Freeman, though they acknowledge it's likely the Braves won't let him get away. Heyman added that Freeman is seeking a deal in the range of $180 million over six years.
Heyman also speculated that if Freeman were to leave Atlanta, it would be to play for his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers.
Freeman has spent his entire 12-year career with the Braves. He helped lead the team to its first World Series title since 1995 this past season, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he wanted to finish his career where he started.
The 32-year-old veteran has shown no signs of slowing down. He followed up his 2020 NL MVP season with 31 home runs and 83 RBI while batting .300 this past year.
Freeman's lefty power bat would be a good fit in a Yankees lineup full of right-handers. New York tried to add balance by acquiring first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs and outfielder Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers at July's trade deadline.
Rizzo batted .249 and hit eight homers in 49 games for the Yankees. But the team chose not to lock him up with a contract extension before the offseason, and he's currently a free agent. Gallo, on the other hand, was a disappointment with a .160 average and 13 home runs in 58 games.
The Yankees have multiple holes to fill in free agency, and a lot of big names are already off the board, including shortstop options Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. Adding a star like Freeman would surely make a splash for a fanbase hoping to see New York's first World Series appearance since 2009.
Brian Snitker's Contract Option Exercised by Braves After World Series Win vs. Astros
Nov 30, 2021
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker celebrates after Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Braves won 5-4 to advance to the NLCS. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The Atlanta Braves announced Tuesday that they exercised the option in manager Brian Snitker's contract for the 2024 season, keeping him in Atlanta for at least the next three years.
Exercising Snitker's option was an expected move, as the Braves are coming off one of the greatest seasons in franchise history, culminating in a World Series win over the Houston Astros.
Despite going just 88-73 during the regular season, the Braves won the National League East for the fourth consecutive season and won their first World Series title since 1995.
Snitker took over as interim manager of the Braves in 2016 following the firing of Fredi Gonzalez. After going 59-65, the Braves made Snitker their full-time manager.
That decision was questioned by some, especially after Atlanta went 72-90 in 2017, but the 66-year-old has righted the ship in a big way since then.
The Braves won the NL East and reached the playoffs every year from 2018-21. After reaching the National League Championship Series in 2020, they took the next step and won it all last season.
Overall, Snitker is 441-390 (.531) during the regular season in his managerial career.
The Illinois native also won the NL Manager of the Year Award in 2018, and he has finished fourth or better in the voting in each of the past four seasons.
Last season may have marked the best managerial job of Snitker's career given all he had to endure from a personnel standpoint.
Superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was lost for the season in July because of a torn ACL, while starting pitcher Mike Soroka didn't pitch at all after suffering a full Achilles tear in 2020.
Atlanta also only had Marcell Ozuna for 48 games before the outfielder was placed on administrative leave for the remainder of the season amid domestic violence allegations.
The Braves made several significant in-season trades, and Snitker expertly integrated the likes of Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario along the way.
Both Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies enjoyed career years offensively under Snitker's guidance as well.
Provided a healthy Acuna returns next season and Atlanta manages to re-sign first baseman Freddie Freeman in free agency, the Braves should be World Series contenders again in 2022 with Snitker leading the way.
Braves' Marcell Ozuna Retroactively Suspended 20 Games for Domestic Violence Arrest
Nov 29, 2021
Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna (20) follows through on a solo home run during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, May 21, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Major League Baseball announced Monday that it retroactively issued a 20-game suspension for Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
"My office has completed its investigation into the allegations that Marcell Ozuna violated Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy," commissioner Rob Manfred said. "Having reviewed the totality of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Ozuna violated our Policy and that discipline is appropriate."
The 20 games covers the time he missed after he was placed on administrative leave on Sept. 10 while the league investigated.
David O'Brien of The Athletic noted Ozuna is now eligible to return following this announcement.
"Any instance of domestic violence is unacceptable, and we fully support the decision by the Commissioner's Office regarding Marcell," the Braves said in a statement. "We are encouraged to know that Marcell has accepted full responsibility for his actions and is taking necessary measures to learn and grow from the situation."
On Sept. 28, The Athletic reported Ozuna's time on administrative leave was extended through the playoffs.
He was arrested May 29 and charged with felony aggravated assault by strangulation. While that charge was dropped in July, he was still charged with two misdemeanors of family violence battery and simple assault.
Ozuna entered a diversion program in September that could ultimately lead to the dismissal of those charges if he completes the necessary requirements.
The outfielder last played on May 25, and Atlanta won the World Series without him last season.
Justin Verlander Rumors: Braves Among Teams Interested in Free-Agent SP
Nov 17, 2021
FILE- In this July 24, 2020, file photo, Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game in Houston. The Astros announced Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, that Verlander needs Tommy John surgery and could miss the entire 2021 season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
The Atlanta Braves are interested in Justin Verlander and could be a good fit for the free-agent starting pitcher, per David O'Brien of The Athletic:
Hearing that #Braves are among teams that have expressed interest in Justin Verlander. They have several factors that he’s reportedly seeking: contender, East Coast team, and train in Florida.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Wednesday that Verlander has a home in Florida and would prefer to sign with a team that trains in Florida and is on the East Coast.
Atlanta is a contender after winning a World Series title, and the 38-year-old could help the club try to repeat as he seeks his second career championship after winning it all with the Houston Astros in 2017.
Verlander is one of the best pitchers of his generation with a resume that includes two Cy Young awards, one MVP and eight All-Star selections. During his last full season in 2019, he went 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA in 223 innings as he won the Cy Young.
However, the veteran missed most of the past two seasons and underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2020. He hasn't appeared in a game since July of that year when he made his lone start that season.
MLB clubs still have significant interest in Verlander. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported 15 to 20 teams were in attendance to see the pitcher throw 25 pitches earlier this month.
Sherman also reported the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays have interest in Verlander.
The Braves are in the hunt as they look for another front-line starter alongside Max Fried and Ian Anderson.
Scott Boras Slams Tanking in MLB as 'Competitive Cancer' After Braves' WS Win
Nov 10, 2021
FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2019, file photo, sports agent Scott Boras listens as Gerrit Cole is introduced as the newest New York Yankees player during a baseball media availability in New York. Boras recommends his clients refuse Major League Baseball’s attempt to cut salaries during negotiations with the players’ association, claiming team financial issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic have their origin in management debt financing. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Scott Boras, the most prominent agent for Major League Baseball players, unloaded on teams intentionally tanking to boost their draft standing.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Boras said MLB suffers from a "competitive cancer" that helped the Atlanta Braves add several key veteran players for a minimal cost and go on to win the 2021 World Series.
"This is the Easter Bunny delivering rotten eggs," he added. "Every team says, 'I need to do this because it's my only option, knowing I can't reach a divisional crest, I can't get in the playoffs.'"
Atlanta's outfield was in a state of disarray after Ronald Acuna Jr. tore his ACL during a July 10 game against the Miami Marlins.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos rebuilt that outfield prior to the July 30 trade deadline with four separate deals. He acquired Joc Pederson from the Chicago Cubs, Eddie Rosario from Cleveland, Jorge Soler from the Kansas City Royals and Adam Duvall from the Marlins.
In those four deals, the Braves gave up prospects Bryce Ball (to Chicago), Kasey Kalich (to Kansas City) and Alex Jackson (to Miami) and veteran Pablo Sandoval (to Cleveland).
Ball and Jackson were ranked among Atlanta's top 30 prospects by MLB.com coming into the season, but neither was considered an elite talent. Sandoval was released by Cleveland on the same day the trade was announced, with the team also paying a portion of Rosario's remaining salary.
The four teams that gave away those players combined to finish 64 games under .500. Cleveland was the only team to finish higher than fourth in its division, but its 80-82 record marked the first time since 2012 it was under .500.
It's worth noting the Braves were 51-54 and five games out of first place in the NL East before their July 30 game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
There was a lot of discussion last offseason about teams going to extreme lengths to cut payroll, though that trend had been going on for years before the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts infamously said in February 2019 the team didn't pursue marquee free agents like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper because "we don't have any more" money to spend.
The payroll situation looks like a potential dilemma again this offseason for some teams. USA Today's Bob Nightengale cited two MLB executives who believe the Oakland Athletics plan to get their payroll down to $50 million in 2022.
Per Spotrac, Oakland had a $90.9 million payroll in 2021.
The four players acquired by the Braves all had an integral role in their ascent to the top of the National League East in the second half of the season and their eventual run to the World Series.
Duvall, Rosario, Soler and Pederson combined to hit 44 homers with Atlanta in the regular season. Rosario was named MVP of the National League Championship Series after hitting .560/.607/1.040 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Soler took home World Series MVP honors with three homers and six RBI against the Houston Astros.
Braves Parade 2021: Twitter Reaction, Photos, Videos and More
Nov 5, 2021
The Atlanta Braves pose with the the Commissioner's Trophy during a celebration at Truist Park, Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Atlanta. The Braves beat the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 6 on Tuesday to win their first World Series MLB baseball title in 26 years. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Three days after clinching the 2021 World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, the Atlanta Braves returned home for a championship parade and celebration in front of their fans.
Atlanta has been one of the most consistent franchises in Major League Baseball for more than two decades. It has made the playoffs in 21 of the past 31 seasons dating back to 1991.
This is only the second time during this stretch that the Braves have won a World Series. Their last title came back in 1995, and this was their first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1999.
— Braves On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSNBraves) November 5, 2021
One of the parade buses seemed to be auditioning for a spot in the next Fast and Furious movie. Mike Soroka got to hold the World Series trophy on that bus as it was traveling 55 mph:
Want to watch @Mike_Soroka28 hold the #WorldSeries trophy while driving 55mph on the top of a double decker bus on 75?
Braves outfielder Joc Pederson used the parade to give fans a bonus treat. The 29-year-old famously wore a pearl necklace throughout the postseason. It turned into such a big deal that the Baseball Hall of Fame will receive it as part of the 2021 World Series artifacts collection.
Pederson was seen tossing out several pearl necklaces to fans in the street Friday:
While the players were certainly the main attraction on this day, the organization did enlist the help of two of Atlanta's biggest music stars to help add to the festivities:
Ludacris and Big Boi were merely warm-up acts once things moved inside Truist Park. World Series MVP Jorge Soler walked on the red carpet with his family and a member of his entourage holding up that prestigious trophy:
— Braves On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSNBraves) November 5, 2021
Freeman is the longest-tenured member of the Braves, having been drafted in the second round by the organization in 2007. He followed up his NL MVP performance from 2020 with a championship this year.
There will be a lot of eyes on Freeman this offseason since he's eligible for free agency. Shortstop Dansby Swanson wrapped up his speech by telling the Braves to "re-sign Freddie."
It's certainly a fitting sentiment to wrap up the 2021 Braves season. That will be the biggest task ahead for general manager Alex Anthopoulos.
Joc Pederson Declines $10M Braves Contract Option for 2022; Will Become Free Agent
Nov 5, 2021
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Joc Pederson #22 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on September 19, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Just days after helping the team win its first World Series title since 1995, Joc Pederson declined his portion of a $10 million mutual option with the Atlanta Braves for the 2022 season.
Pederson will receive a $2.5 million buyout after declining the option.
Atlanta acquired the 2015 All-Star ahead of the trade deadline as part of the Chicago Cubs' fire sale. The team needed to strengthen its outfield after Ronald Acuna Jr. was lost for the season to a torn ACL. Marcell Ozuna was also inactive following his May arrest on charges of felony assault.
As part of the overhaul, general manager Alex Anthopoulos didn't stop with Pederson and also acquired Jorge Soler, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario.
Pederson slashed .249/.325/.428 and hit seven home runs with 22 RBI 64 regular-season appearances for Atlanta following the midseason trade. Though he only carried a postseason slash line of .205/.271/.409, he did have three home runs and nine RBI in 15 playoff games.
When he did hit the ball, Pederson tended to hit it hard. According to Baseball Savant, he was in the 80th percentile in average exit velocity (91 mph) and the 84th percentile in hard-hit percentage (47.6) during the regular season.
The fact he struck out in 24.3 percent of his plate appearances and walked only 8.1 percent of the time. His 32.4 percent chase rate, per Baseball Savant, was one of the biggest indicators as to why he struggled at the plate.
At this point in his career, Pederson is unlikely to become a radically different hitter. The 29-year-old has never finished with a batting average higher than .249, and his strikeout rate has consistently hovered in the mid-20 percent range.
However, the lefty remains a dangerous slugger and can do a lot of damage for a sustained period when he's riding a hot streak. During a 13-game stretch in June with the Cubs, he had a 1.083 OPS and seven homers.
Joc Pederson goes yard against his former Dodgers teammate Yu Darvish.
Then he does the Tatis stutter-step while rounding third 😈
Pederson's defensive flexibility is valuable as well. He can line up in any of the three outfield spots and hold his own.
A return to the Braves may not be out of the question if he's willing to accept a pay cut from the $10 million he would've earned. Should he land elsewhere, Pederson will give a team plenty of power in the bottom half of the lineup and serve as a dangerous bat against right-handed pitching.
