What's next for Braves after Kelenic deal?

This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman's Braves Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos made a strong push to sign Aaron Nola a couple weeks ago. So, we know he has the willingness and financial flexibility to make a significant move this offseason.

Anthopoulos has done a lot while fortifying his bullpen with multiple signings since the end of the season. He also addressed his left-field void by acquiring Jarred Kelenic from the Mariners late Sunday night.

So, it looks like his last remaining need might be to add a proven starting pitcher, preferably one who can be controlled for a few seasons. Or, given there are some unproven internal options to fill these spots, maybe this should be considered a want.

So, before Anthopoulos traveled to Nashville, Tenn., for this week’s Winter Meetings, it seemed appropriate to ask him if he believes he has needs or wants.

“I think where we sit right now, we have a very good team,” Anthopoulos said. “That doesn’t mean we can’t get better. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to try to get better. ... I think the one thing we will not do is force a deal.”

So, I didn’t necessarily get an answer. But did I mention Anthopoulos is pretty good at this game? He keeps everything pretty close to the vest. We don’t know exactly what he might do this week or over the remainder of the offseason.

But we do know he won’t be trading Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II or any of the other young stars who have signed extensions over the past few years. He didn’t say he would “give his right arm” before trading them, but his message was as strong as the one his predecessor made when asked about dealing Freddie Freeman during the rebuild.

“These guys chose to be here, they chose to sign here,” Anthopoulos said. “Now, there could be special circumstances and so on, you know, significant drop in performance, where the contract becomes cumbersome, or something happens off the field. But for the most part, if people are ever speculating about any of our young talent that we signed extensions to, I can say, with absolute, fierce confidence, it's a waste of your time, I don't care what we're being offered.”

That said, the Braves still have the pieces to make what could be deemed a significant trade. AJ Smith-Shawver’s ascension and Hurston Waldrep’s arrival helped upgrade the organization’s starting pitching depth over the past year. But given Max Fried and Charlie Morton could both be gone by the end of the upcoming season, there would be hesitancy to deplete too much of this pool.

But if the return includes a controllable starter, there’s certainly a chance the Braves could dip into the waters.

Again, it feels highly unlikely the Braves would trade Fried as he enters his final arbitration-eligible season. But there does seem to be some potential benefit to dealing designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who is entering the final guaranteed season of his contract, or closer Raisel Iglesias, who is owed $32 million over the next two seasons.

There has already been some speculation about the Braves being interested in dealing for Dylan Cease. They have also done their due diligence when it comes to Corbin Burnes, Tyler Glasnow and other starting pitchers who might be on the trade market.

Does this mean the Braves will add a starting pitcher? Remember, Anthopoulos said they won’t force a deal. But at the same time, he did say they have continued to evaluate starters since signing reliever Reynaldo López, who will be stretched out as a starter during Spring Training.

How about left field? I remember asking Brian Snitker about Vaughn Grissom playing left field during last January’s Braves Fest. He quickly shot down that potential idea. But the Braves are now at least exploring the option. Grissom volunteered to play left field in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

Anthopoulos indicated the left-field void will be filled by Grissom and Kelenic. In fact, he hinted Grissom could be the everyday left fielder. Kelenic is the one with the much higher upside. So, I’m just guessing Orlando Arcia will be the Braves’ Opening Day left fielder.

If you know, you know.