Braves: Mike Soroka, Dansby Swanson are going to arbitration

Two Atlanta Braves will go to arbitration: Pitcher Mike Soroka and shortstop Dansby Swanson.

The Atlanta Braves went 2-for-4 in terms of players avoiding going to arbitration. While starting pitcher Max Fried and relief pitcher A.J. Minter were able to avoid it, starting pitching Mike Soroka and shortstop Dansby Swanson were not. What does this mean for the Braves entering the latter stages of the 2021 MLB offseason?

Atlanta was one win away from getting back to the World Series for the first time since 1999. While Swanson had his breakout season of sorts at the plate, Soroka only made a handful of starts before rupturing his Achilles’ tendon. For different reasons, it is understandable why both star players for the Braves are heading to arbitration this offseason. This was largely expected.

Are long-term deals coming for Mike Soroka and Dansby Swanson?

If Atlanta wants to win a World Series before 2025, players like Soroka and Swanson will be reasons for that. Soroka was the team’s ace prior to his devastating injury. While he is progressing from the Achilles’ tear that knocked him out for the bulk of the season, you can understand the Braves being cautious about paying out the wazoo to keep. It still is bound to happen any way.

As for Swanson, he is a Marietta native, a star from Vanderbilt and the former No. 1 overall pick. He may not ever be the best player on his team, but if he continues to improve at the plate and play great defense at shortstop, he can become a perennial All-Star in his late 20s and early 30s. General manager Alex Anthopoulos loves the guy, so expect both parties to strike a deal soon.

Even though Soroka and Swanson are going to arbitration, it is not a huge deal for the Braves.

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