Braves: 3 more extension candidates after locking up Charlie Morton
By John Buhler
Look for the Atlanta Braves to potentially extend these three players after Charlie Morton.
The Atlanta Braves made a savvy move by extending starting pitcher Charlie Morton over the weekend, and look for them to do the same with a handful of other veterans down the line.
Morton’s extension comes off relatively recent news of the Braves extending catcher Travis d’Arnaud. While the Braves are not one of the biggest spenders in baseball, it is abundantly clear that they like their core and want to see if they win their first World Series championship since 1995 with this bunch. For that to even happen, they may need to extend a few more players.
It is not going to all happen at once, but look for one of these three Braves to be extended next.
Atlanta Braves: 3 players who could be in line for extensions after Charlie Morton
OF. Atlanta Braves. Adam Duvall. 3. 17. Pick Analysis. player. Scouting Report
Letting Adam Duvall walk last time around was a huge mistake for the Braves
The Braves made a GOB Bluth-level huge mistake by cutting ties with Adam Duvall this past offseason. Duvall played a huge role in the Atlanta offense three years prior, but apparently, that was not enough for the Braves to keep him around heading into Spring Training. He signed with the division rival Miami Marlins and became a thorn in Braves Country’s side until being traded.
Upon his triumphant return to the Braves roster at the July deadline, Duvall has been a godsend to the club. Not only is he providing his 30-home-run power to the Atlanta outfield, but he has been massive for a team that was considerably depleted on the defensive side of things. While he is best served playing left field, he has been able to more than hold his own having to play center.
Duvall is arbitration eligible this winter, and will not be hitting unrestricted free agency until 2023. Though he is certainly on the wrong side of 30, the Braves had no issues extending fellow 30-somethings in recent weeks with d’Arnaud and now Morton. Given Duvall’s increased defensively versatility, the Braves may give him a deal similar to what d’Arnaud and Morton got before him.
Atlanta may choose to go year-by-year with him, but Duvall has certainly earned an extension.