Top 25 MLB stories of 2017

Top 25 MLB stories of 2017, from Aaron Judge to Houston Strong

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 03: Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros and Alex Bregman #2 hold the World Series Trophy during the Houston Astros Victory Parade on November 3, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 to win the 2017 World Series. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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MESA, AZ – NOVEMBER 07: Ronald Acuna #34 of Peoria Javelinas (ATL) walks into the dugout in the Arizona Fall League game against the Mesa Solar Sox at Sloan Park on November 11, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

12. The Braves get burned by Coppy

Though he rubbed plenty of people the wrong way, Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella had the rebuilding team pointed in the right direction with one of the best farm systems in the league. A heavy investment in international prospects was the primary focus for Coppolella and his front office.

Turns out things were not all on the up and up with the Braves.

After an investigation revealed numerous rules violations related to negotiating and signing international prospects and draft picks, Coppolella has been banned for life by Major League Baseball.

It’s an unprecedented punishment for a front-office executive, but MLB is showing they are serious about enforcing the rules designed to keep the international market fair for all 30 teams. What Coppolella did is not uncommon, but he got caught. His punishment is significantly harsher than what was handed down to the Boston Red Sox when their organization was caught breaking the rules in a similar fashion.

Without their boy-wonder GM, the Braves are left to pick up the pieces and try and keep their farm system and rebuilding effort on the right track. There’s still enough left, including top prospect Ronald Acuna, that the Braves could be competitive again very soon.

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