From The Diamond with Grant McAuley

Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos may not have gone the quantity route at Tuesday’s trade deadline but believes Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson will provide quality for a team that needed reinforcements.

More in my latest for Marietta Daily Journal.

Braves Recruit Familiar Faces for Stretch Drive As the Major League Baseball trade deadline expired Tuesday at 6 p.m., it marked the end of a furious flurry of deals across the sport.

Closing out his career, Atlanta Braves reliever Jesse Chavez is as good as he's ever been. Fellow 40-year-old Charlie Morton, who broke in the same year as Chavez, shared why his teammate is having success in a young man's game that is slanted toward velocity.

It's in my latest for the Marietta Daily Journal:

TIMELESS: At age 40, Chavez as good as he’s ever been Baseball loves a good story. The things veteran reliever Jesse Chavez is capable of when he puts on an Atlanta Braves uniform may be one of the best stories out

In a season that has thrown a lot of challenges at the Atlanta Braves, Chris Sale is turning back the clock and pitching like the guy who has long been one of MLB's best for most of his career.

It's my latest for the Marietta Daily Journal:

Chris Sale Turning Back the Clock for Braves CUMBERLAND -- Over the course of a 14-year career, Chris Sale has established himself as one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball.

The Atlanta Braves once again prepare for life without Ronald Acuña Jr.

Thoughts and reactions from his manager and teammates, who are all heartbroken as Acuña prepares for a grueling rehab process after suffering his second ACL tear.

My latest for the Marietta Daily Journal.

Braves once again prepare for life without Acuña The Atlanta Braves were dealt a critical blow on Sunday as right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a knee injury that ended his season after just 49 games.

Former Atlanta Braves Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann reunited their lifelong friendship in the broadcast booth this week.

I caught up with them following the latest Players Only telecast.

It's my latest for the Marietta Daily Journal:

Francoeur and McCann reunite their lifelong friendship in the broadcast booth For childhood friends Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann, the Atlanta Braves have always been a way of life.

For the duo of Adam Duvall and Jarred Kelenic, splitting time in left field for the Atlanta Braves suits both men just fine.

It's in my latest for Marietta Daily Journal:

For Braves' Duvall and Kelenic, Splitting Time is Just Fine CUMBERLAND -- When the Atlanta Braves acquired Jarred Kelenic from the Seattle Mariners last December, the move seemed to signal a new era in left field.

On the 50th Anniversary of Hank Aaron's 715th home run, his Atlanta Braves teammates reflect on that historic night and the man who became the Home Run King.

My latest for Marietta Daily Journal:

Golden Anniversary for Baseball’s Gold Standard Henry “Hank” Aaron stamped his legacy as a baseball player 50 years ago when he became baseball’s Home Run King.

Jarred Kelenic's swing adjustments have shown early signs of paying off. The Atlanta Braves believe they'd provide the perfect landing spot for him to unlock his potential.

It's my latest for Marietta Daily Journal:

Kelenic off on the right foot with Atlanta If a change would do you good, as the song goes, the Atlanta Braves are hoping a few changes may be just what new left fielder Jarred Kelenic needs to

Jesse Chavez is back with the Atlanta Braves and lined up to make the Opening Day roster. Atlanta outrighted Jackson Stephens to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room on Tuesday.

Chavez, 40, enters what he said will be the final season in a career that began in 2002 when he was originally drafted in the 42nd round by the Texas Rangers.

After adding a curvevall to one of the best arsenals in baseball, can Atlanta Braves righty Spencer Strider be even better in 2024?

He is ready for Opening Day and beyond.

My latest for Marietta Daily Journal:

Strider Ready for Opening Day When the Atlanta Braves open the 2024 season Thursday in Philadelphia against the Phillies, they will do so with a man on the mound who is quickly cementing himself as

Austin Riley believes the Atlanta Braves can tune out the noise as they chase October glory.

I spoke to the star third baseman about putting their recent playoff history behind them and getting back to the top of the mountain.

My latest for the Marietta Daily Journal:

Riley Believes Braves Can Tune Out Noise As They Chase October Glory As the Atlanta Braves were returning to a blue-ribbon franchise over the past six seasons, Austin Riley matured from prospect to slugging third baseman and budding superstar.

Spring Training 1973: Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron is interviewed by the incomparable Ernie Johnson Sr.

Aaron went on to hit 40 HR for the 8th and final time, finishing the season at 713 career blasts. He'd have to wait all winter to match and then surpass Babe Ruth's all-time record of 714 home runs.

That was 50 years ago this April.

Opening Day is just one month away – March 28th!

Ozzie Albies was one of an MLB record-tying FIVE Atlanta players to hit 30 or more home runs in 2023.

Max Fried and Chris Sale give the a proven pair of lefty starters in the rotation for 2024.

The countdown continues.

season begins March 28.

The countdown to baseball is officially on...

Atlanta Braves great Andruw Jones did not gain election to the Hall of Fame this time around, but his unique case continues to gain steam with three years remaining on the ballot.

I dug into why that is and when Jones could take his place in Cooperstown in my latest.

Andruw Jones inching ever closer to Hall of Fame election Andruw Jones continues to gain momentum toward election to the Hall of Fame but was not among those chosen for the 2024 class.

At $5 million, Jose Perdomo is ' largest international amatuer free-agent signing ever.

The 17 y/o product of Venezuela is arguably the top talent available in this year's crop of international prospects and is receiving the largest bonus ever handed to a Venezuelan amateur player.

Just wanted to let you know that pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training one month from today. If you're into that sort of thing...

C.J. Nitkowski traveled many miles in his baseball career, first as a player and now as a broadcaster. His latest trek brings him back to a team he once pitched for and the place he has called home for nearly two decades.

My latest for Marietta Daily Journal:

For Nitkowski, all roads lead back to Atlanta C.J. Nitkowski traveled many miles in his baseball career, first as a player and now as a broadcaster. His latest trek brings him back to a team he once pitched

The acquired OF Jarred Kelenic in a 5-player trade with the Seattle Mariners as baseball's Winter Meetings began on Sunday.

Kelenic, soon to turn 24, is under team control through 2028 and will help fill Atlanta's left field vacancy alongside Vaughn Grissom.

The trade, which also brought LHP Marco Gonzales and 1B Evan White over while sending RHP Jackson Kowar and RHP Cole Phillips to Seattle. The Mariners also included cash considerations in the deal.

The Atlanta Braves got their winter shopping started early by re-signing Pierce Johnson.

A key piece of their bullpen is back, but there's more work ahead.

My latest for the Marietta Daily Journal:

Braves get jump on winter shopping, sign Pierce Johnson to 2-year deal The World Series has yet to begin, but the first domino of the offseason has already fallen for the Atlanta Braves.

Among the questions the Atlanta Braves must answer this winter is what the future holds for young infielder Vaughn Grissom, a man without a clear position to play at the moment.

It's in my latest for Marietta Daily Journal:

Vaughn Grissom’s Future Among Winter Questions for Braves Baseball is a funny game at times.

Now that we've had a little while, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for following along, sharing, liking, subscribing, and otherwise supporting my work.

I truly love what I do and enjoy talking Atlanta Braves and baseball with you. Thanks for making 2023 a special season for me.

With their postseason plans dashed, the Atlanta Braves turn their attention to roster decisions for 2024 and beyond.

Club options, arbitration, free agency, and a potential retirement are just a few of the questions to answer in the coming weeks and months this winter.

My latest for the Marietta Daily Journal:

Braves Face Questions on Players Potentially Returning for 2024 An early postseason exit for the second consecutive year left the Atlanta Braves thinking about their winter plans without first being able to enjoy the fall months.

It was "World Series or bust" for the Atlanta Braves, but their powerful offense was unable to avoid a second straight ouster at the hands of the division rival Phillies.

This one stings more than most.

My latest for the Marietta Daily Journal:

Braves Once Again Sent Home by Phillies in NLDS The expectation was “World Series or bust” for the 2023 Atlanta Braves.

Kyle Wright missed most of the regular season but was hoping to pitch his way into the Atlanta Braves' postseason plans.

Now, he now faces shoulder surgery and a long road back.

My latest for Marietta Daily Journal:

Wright set to face long rehab process Despite battling injury all season, Kyle Wright was still hoping to help the Atlanta Braves this October. That hope was extinguished over the weekend with the revelation he will require

After his career nearly unraveled, Marcell Ozuna put in the work and enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2023.

His return to form was perhaps the most surprising part of the Atlanta Braves offensive powerhouse.

My latest for the Marietta Daily Journal:

Braves' Marcell Ozuna enjoys career renaissance with 40-homer season CUMBERLAND — It was a record-breaking season for the Atlanta Braves lineup.

As the Wild Card Series get underway this week, the Atlanta Braves find themselves awaiting a familiar opponent for the NLDS.

Will it be the Phillies or the Marlins?

My latest for Marietta Daily Journal:

Braves awaiting familiar opponent for NLDS The Atlanta Braves have five days to prepare for their opponent in the National League Division Series. When that series opens on Saturday at Truist Park, they are guaranteed to