Charlie Morton, Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves are raking in copious amounts of cash, meaning they will be big spenders.
In the wake of their World Series championship, the Atlanta Braves have become a cash cow.
Per Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves’ quarterly revenue increased 20 percent to $260 million. Slated to draw more than 3 million people at the gate this season, which would be the first time Atlanta has done that since 2000, the Braves are expected to be one of the biggest spenders in baseball once again. It would be like Ted Turner never sold the MLB franchise…
With the power of a nationwide fanbase, as well as the awesome and incredibly profitable Battery, here is what the Braves can look to do next now that they have ascended into the next tax bracket.
The Braves already signed Austin Riley to a 10-year, $212 million extension on Tuesday, as well as took on $48 million of Raises Iglesias’ salary in the deadline deal that brought the former Los Angeles Angels closer over to Atlanta.
Atlanta Braves: 3 next big moves they can afford to make with increased revenue
3. Find a long-term solution for Charlie Morton in the Atlanta starting rotation
With veteran right-hander Charlie Morton turning 39 years old in November, Braves fans have to wonder how much is left in the tank for Ole Ground Chuck. Although he has pitched great over the last two seasons for Atlanta, he will be hitting free agency in March. At this point of his career, he may just opt to retire to spend more time with his family than sign with a team not named Atlanta.
But with that increased payroll coming and a notable spot pretty vacant in the rotation, the Braves can be big spenders for some of the top names entering the market. While Mike Soroka could be rejoining the rotation in 2023, the Braves might want to make their biggest rival hurt by signing Jacob deGrom away from the New York Mets. His Stetson connection has tied him to the Braves.
If deGrom were to leave New York, Atlanta would probably be the likeliest suitor to land him. He hails from the same area of Florida that gave Braves Country Chipper Jones. It may not be advantageous for deGrom to turn heel at this stage of his career, but it cannot be ruled out entirely either. Regardless, Atlanta has the cash to add a veteran starter to its rotation if Morton retires.
With much of the Braves rotation still on its rookie deals, they can afford to pay the big bucks here.