Mauricio Dubon was serviceable at the position in 2025, but he’s a free agent and is undoubtedly better served as a super-utility piece than a full-time starter at shortstop. The Braves should be looking to upgrade. The problem is that the free agent market at the position is essentially non-existent. The trade market, however, features some really intriguing names that could fix shortstop in Atlanta for the foreseeable future.

This continues a series where I focus on some of those marquee names, moving on to one of the more intriguing candidates of any position group, Corey Seager.

If you missed the first parts of this series, follow the links below:

• Braves hypothetical trade for Jeremy Peña
• Braves hypothetical trade for Gunnar Henderson

Braves hypothetical trade for Corey Seager

Braves receive: Corey Seager, $20 million cash

Rangers receive: Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, Owen Murphy, Luke Sinnard

—

It’s already been reported by numerous sources that the Rangers will try to trade Corey Seager this offseason, which shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Any club would be trying to get out from under the remainder of the $155 million owed to him over the next five years, especially given his injury history. Seager has not played in more than 123 games since 2022 and is entering the offseason after minor elbow surgery.

The only way the Rangers are going to be able to move this contract is if they eat a large chunk of change, which is part of why the Braves make such an intriguing trade partner. Texas can take on the contract of Spencer Strider to start. He’s owed $44 million over the next two seasons, and the Rangers can also absorb the final year of Reynaldo Lopez’s deal, which is set to pay him $8 million. Add on $20 million in cash, and Seager’s deal is essentially cut in half, which would make this a much more affordable gamble for the Braves.

There are a couple of other aspects that must be taken into consideration. Seager will be 33 years old next season. The odds of him playing shortstop for the entirety of his contract are basically zero. However, that actually kind of works for the Braves. They have some talented potential shortstops coming up through the farm, and Ozzie Albies is set to become a free agent a year from now. Seager could move to second base after just one season and eventually shift into a DH role if needed, still providing value now that his contract has been cut in half.

There is one more issue, though. Seager has a full no-trade clause. If he doesn’t want to play for the Braves, there’s nothing Alex Anthopoulos can do about it, similar to what happened with Jacob deGrom at the trade deadline.

—

IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The bright spots Atlanta had early in the season have almost all faded. Everybody knows Bijan Robinson is one of the top running backs in football, but Atlanta has struggled running the ball against better defenses. The offensive line play has taken a step back from previous seasons, and Penix’s inability to keep defenses honest has also been a factor.

For a brief moment, it looked like Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees just might be the guys to make Penix a franchise quarterback. He was brilliant against the Packers and Saints in his first two games back, then had another really strong outing in the Falcons’ upset win over the 49ers.

But a lot of the problems that persisted before the new coaching staff arrived have remained constant this season. Penix doesn’t like to move around — likely because of his injury history — and when pressured, he’s no better than Cooper Rush. He actually might be worse, which has led to far too much inconsistency for someone the Falcons were hoping could be the team’s next franchise quarterback.

Is that the fault of Atlanta’s offensive coaching staff? Possibly. They certainly haven’t done anything worth praise, but it also could be that Michael Penix simply isn’t the guy, and the Falcons need to be back in the quarterback market this offseason.

On the other side of the ball, Atlanta seemed to establish a new identity early in the season. They were a physical team that dominated the line of scrimmage. At one point, they had the top-rated rush defense to go along with the best pressure rate in the entire league. But all of that proved to be fool’s gold once they found themselves up against more competent offenses. This is still a unit littered with holes that Matt Ryan and Ian Cunningham will be tasked with filling come the offseason.

Most of this stuff should have been expected. This was a roster that came into the season with tons of questions. Some were even pegging the Falcons to pick #1 overall, so not all of the struggles can be pinned on Stefanski and his staff. But one area is concerning — and it’s something Stefanski talks about often: the ability to adapt.

The sign of a good coaching staff is one that can lead its team to victory when things aren’t right. Whether it’s missing key players, bad weather, or whatever else, the best coaches in the league are tough to beat no matter the circumstances. One could say that’s the entire purpose of a head coach, and in that area, Stefanski has totally failed.

The Falcons looked like a fish out of water when Michael Penix Jr. was out, especially when the Panthers dismantled them in Week 2. Then fast forward a few weeks to when Atlanta had a chance to take a stranglehold of the NFC South with a win over the Bucs. That game took place in a monsoon, and it seemed like only one coaching staff was aware of it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the Falcons’, who were shut out in an embarrassing 16-0 defeat — one in which Penix threw four interceptions and the Bucs failed to complete a pass.

That’s the biggest knock on Kevin Stefanski through his first nine games in Atlanta. When everything’s perfect, the Falcons look like contenders. But anybody can win under perfect circumstances; it’s the ones who can adapt to less-than-stellar circumstances that are worth their pay. And so far, Stefanski hasn’t proven he’s worth a dime.

Grade: D

—

Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

There are a couple of names that are particularly intriguing. Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena are exactly the type of right-handed bats Alex Anthopoulos would love to add to this lineup. Both are good for about 25+ home runs a season with an .800 OPS, and Arozarena brings the personality and postseason experience that make him even more appealing.

The problem is that with so few reliable options, just about every team trying to compete is going to be interested. And Scott Boras, Arozarena’s agent, is aiming for the moon as always, seeking a six-year, $150 million deal for his client.

“Arozarena’s camp at the Boras Corporation has also apparently opened the winter with a lofty asking price. Ryan Divish and Adam Jude of The Seattle Times report that they’ve been seeking something in the six-year, $150MM+ range. That’s an ambitious goal, particularly on length. Freddie Freeman and DJ LeMahieu are the only free agents within the past decade to command six years starting at age 32 or older. LeMahieu’s contract was artificially stretched to reduce the average annual value for luxury tax purposes. Freeman is a future Hall of Famer who was a year removed from winning NL MVP when he signed with the Dodgers for $162MM,” Anthony Franco writes for MLB Trade Rumors.

Even coming off a career year in which he recorded 5.7 WAR, Randy Arozarena isn’t going to get six years for $150 million as he enters his age-32 season, but 4-5 years and north of $100 million feels very much on the table — and the Braves seemingly never seriously engage with Boras clients.

Whatever Arozarena gets, one would imagine Suzuki will get something similar. The numbers they’ve put up over the last five seasons aren’t far apart, and many clubs would probably even prefer Suzuki’s consistency.

At that price point, I just can’t see the Braves being seriously interested. Anthopoulos has always been hesitant to pay players well into their 30s. He even balked at handing Freddie Freeman a sixth year when those negotiations happened, and Freeman is twice the player Arozarena and Suzuki are.

Then you add in the fact that both players received qualifying offers, which would cost the Braves multiple draft picks in the first five rounds as well as international bonus pool money — another thing Anthopoulos has avoided in free agency since taking over in Atlanta.

This is a GM who typically follows a strict set of rules when it comes to free agency — rules that Arozarena and Suzuki run afoul of in just about every way. It’s difficult to imagine either of them ending up with the Braves.

—

Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

—

We were a last-minute BYU touchdown away from another winning week for our Locks, but Bear Bachmeier had other plans. The Locks finished 1-2 last weekend, but our Leans went 5-1 for another winning week overall in the column.

This slate is not as juicy as what we saw last week, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be chaos. There are a few upsets I’m predicting for this week, while some other contenders will make some serious statements. Let’s dive into Week 11.

Locks: 25-10-1

Other Thoughts/Leans: 35-27-1

Column overall: 60-37-2

Georgia -13 vs Missouri

I’ll back the Dawgs as my Best Bet this week. My power ratings make Georgia an 18-point favorite in this game, so anything around two touchdowns is too low in my opinion. I’m not afraid to back the Dawgs coming off a statement road win at Ole Miss, even though we’ve already seen Georgia come off a big road victory, only to return home and lose as a big favorite. Kirby Smart won’t let that happen again.

This isn’t an ideal situational spot for Missouri, either. The Tigers left everything on the field in a tough home loss to Texas last weekend, a game that featured plenty of controversy surrounding questionable officiating decisions. Now they have to pick themselves back up and head into one of the tougher road environments in the SEC, against a Georgia team that appears to be hitting its stride.

The matchup isn’t favorable for Missouri, either. Jamal Roberts has some great rushing numbers this season, but the Tigers have struggled to run the football consistently as a team, ranking outside the top 120 nationally in rushing success rate. That’s a major concern against a Georgia defense that ranks inside the top 20 in rush defense.

I expect Georgia to take away Missouri’s running game and make the Tigers more one dimensional. This will put more pressure on Austin Simmons to move the football through the air. The Bulldogs have been particularly dominant on first and second downs, and have forced opponents into difficult third-and-long situations. It could be more of the same here, with Missouri relying on Simmons to bail the offense out on obvious passing downs.

On the other side of the ball, Missouri’s defense has been pretty good at forcing opposing offenses to move the football methodically. But that shouldn’t be much of a problem for Gunner Stockton and this Georgia offense, which ranks among the nation’s best in overall success rate and rushing efficiency.

Missouri has been effective at making opposing offenses put together long drives, but the Tigers have also struggled to defend explosive plays, ranking outside the top 100 nationally in explosiveness allowed. With Missouri paying plenty of attention to Georgia’s rushing attack, don’t be surprised if Mike Bobo dials up a few deep shots, much like we saw last weekend in Oxford.

Another major concern for Missouri is its inability to finish drives. The Tigers rank around 96th nationally in finishing drives, frequently moving into scoring territory without turning those opportunities into touchdowns. Georgia also has a massive special teams advantage here, with Missouri’s special teams having been a liability recently, including two missed field goals against Texas last weekend. If the Tigers manage to move the football into Georgia territory but stall out, there’s no guarantee they’ll even come away with three points.

Georgia’s defense has done an excellent job creating turnovers this season. Normally, I’d be looking for some regression, but I don’t think this is the spot. Despite throwing only two interceptions, Simmons has recorded nine turnover-worthy plays this season. Against a talented Georgia secondary, and with the Bulldogs likely forcing him into difficult passing situations, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of those dangerous throws finally become turnovers.

With the total sitting in the mid-40s, the market clearly isn’t anticipating many points from Missouri, and I agree. I don’t like the matchup for the Tigers, and I certainly don’t like the situation they’re walking into. Kirby Smart has Georgia clicking on all cylinders since that loss to Auburn, and I expect the Dawgs to keep rolling. Look for Georgia’s defense to put the clamps on Missouri’s offense while Stockton and company create enough separation.

I grabbed Georgia at -13 when the line opened, and I’d still be comfortable laying anything around 15 points or less. Georgia will roll again this weekend.

UCLA -10 vs Illinois

I’m going to lay the points on Friday night with the Bruins, who remain undefeated against the spread this season. My power ratings make UCLA a 15-point favorite, and I’m not really sure why Illinois is getting so much love here.

I know Illinois has a respectable 6-3 record, but look at some of their recent wins. They barely escaped Michigan State in overtime. They beat Oregon in Champaign while the Ducks were still operating under their previous offensive coordinator. They beat Maryland by three in a game where the Terps fumbled on first-and-goal. Then last weekend, Illinois beat a reeling Nebraska team in a game where the Huskers had 50 more total yards, missed two field goals, and came up empty on multiple possessions in Illinois territory.

Maybe I’m being a little picky, but that’s not a résumé that convinces me Illinois should be catching fewer than 10 points in the Rose Bowl against a really good football team. And UCLA’s résumé isn’t perfect either, but the Bruins have answered just about every test thrown their way this season. I was particularly impressed with their performance at Minnesota last weekend, where the offense managed to hit several explosive passing plays against one of the better pass defenses in the Big Ten.

I like the matchup here for UCLA, which has one of the most dominant defenses in the country. Illinois has a solid passing offense, but this Bruins secondary is going to be a different beast. UCLA ranks first nationally in defensive passing success rate and is also inside the top five in rushing defense. While Illinois has been effective on early downs, UCLA has been outstanding at forcing opponents into difficult third-and-long situations. I expect the Illini to have a tough time consistently moving the chains.

On the other side of the ball, the Illini rank outside the top 100 nationally in several important defensive categories, including 135th in passing success rate allowed. I was impressed with UCLA quarterback Ty Dieffenbach last weekend, even though he completed only eight passes. He showed an ability to hit explosive plays, and this Illinois secondary should give him opportunities to do that again.

UCLA also has a strong running game behind Wayne Knight and Anthony Woods, which creates another problem for an Illinois defense that has struggled to get stops on first and second downs. The Illini have been poor at generating defensive havoc, meaning Dieffenbach should have plenty of time to operate without consistent pressure.

Illinois does have an extra day of rest after playing last Friday, but the Illini still have to travel across the country for this matchup. Meanwhile, Bob Chesney has done an excellent job getting his team ready every week, and the Bruins haven’t shown many signs of coming out flat this season.

Now ranked inside the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings and fighting for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, UCLA has plenty to play for. I’m trusting my numbers and backing the better team, with the better defense, at home. The Bruins will win by double digits on Friday night.

TCU -7.5 vs Kansas State

It’s hard not to want to fade this Kansas State team right now. The Wildcats are reeling as we head into the middle of November, with a pretty bad injury situation. K State is dealing with several important absences, including defensive tackle Eli Jackson and safety Koy Beasley, but none are more consequential than injuries to its top two quarterbacks, Avery Johnson and Jacob Knuth. Both have been sidelined for an extended stretch, and without them this offense has completely fallen apart.

With Blake Barnett and Dillon Duff taking snaps, the Wildcats managed just 3.8 yards per play in a loss at Arizona State. They were fortunate to even reach overtime against Colorado after the Buffaloes fumbled near the goal line on a possession that could have put them ahead by two scores. Then last weekend, against a bad Oklahoma State defense, Kansas State’s offense managed just 21 points in a blowout loss, with seven of those coming during garbage time in the fourth quarter.

Now the Wildcats have to travel to Fort Worth to face one of the better defenses in the Big 12, a TCU unit that ranks inside the top 10 nationally in defensive success rate. I wouldn’t expect Barnett or Duff to find much success throwing against a secondary that has been particularly effective at taking away explosive passes. TCU should also be able to devote plenty of attention to stopping the run, forcing the Cats into obvious passing situations. Without the ability to generate explosive plays, K State will likely need to put together long, sustained drives to score points, and I just don’t see these inexperienced quarterbacks consistently doing that against this defense.

This is actually a step down in competition for TCU’s defense, which has done an excellent job making some pretty explosive offenses work for their points. BYU managed just 17 points in Fort Worth. West Virginia is used to scoring in the 40s, but was held to 24 despite benefiting from four TCU turnovers. Kansas scored only 16, and Arizona had just 17 points entering the fourth quarter last weekend. This is a defense that has repeatedly shown it can slow down much better offenses than Kansas State’s.

The biggest concern with backing TCU is its own offense, which has been a work in progress for much of the season. The Horned Frogs have struggled mightily to run the football, and ordinarily I’d be hesitant to lay more than a touchdown with an offense that has trouble consistently moving the chains.

But there is one area where I think TCU can exploit this Kansas State defense: explosive passing plays. The Wildcats have been poor at defending the deep ball, and if Jaden Craig can connect on just a few chunk plays, it should create enough scoring opportunities for the Horned Frogs. Especially considering how little I expect Kansas State to produce offensively, TCU shouldn’t need to put up a huge number to cover this spread.

There’s also plenty at stake for Sonny Dykes. He’s on a major hot seat, and his future at TCU depends on reaching a bowl game. Dykes desperately needs a win here, and a home loss to a depleted Kansas State team would likely be the final nail in his coffin. I expect TCU to come out focused after last week’s heartbreaking loss at Arizona, knowing it can’t afford another setback.

My power ratings make this TCU -12.5, so I see a pretty significant difference from the opening market. I grabbed the Horned Frogs at -7.5, and even with the line moving higher, I’d still be comfortable laying 10 or less. This should be a methodical TCU victory, with the Horned Frogs’ defense strangling a Kansas State offense that can’t consistently move the football right now.

Other Thoughts/Leans

Colorado +10 vs Houston — I’m hoping the Buffs haven’t quit just yet. This is a team that’s much better at home and now gets Houston flying into altitude on a short week. My ratings only have Houston -6.5 and I’m betting the Buffs, who can score enough to cover this game. Houston’s defense is awful against the pass–the Cougs grade out as one of the 20 worst pass defenses in the nation–and Colorado can exploit them there. The key will be on the other side where Houston’s efficient offense will really test Colorado’s defense. The Buffs are good against the run, at least. With a long trip on a short week, I’m gonna fade Houston. They will score here and there should be plenty of points, but Colorado can pass on this defense enough to hang around on Friday night.

Marshall +2.5 vs App State — I’ve faded App State a few times recently and been rewarded. My ratings say the wrong team is favored here, and I’ll fade App State again as a short favorite on the road at Marshall — a place App State has never won since they joined the FBS. The Mountaineers are super banged up on the offensive line and in the secondary. They struggled to protect QB Malachi Singleton last weekend and it could be the same story here. Marshall plays much better at home than on the road, and you’ll get a great effort from Tony Gibson’s team as they look to clinch a bowl game. Marshall outright.

Mississippi St +3 vs Auburn — I know Miss State has looked awful recently with their carousel of backup quarterbacks, but it’s come against defenses like Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas. This Auburn defense is a huge step down, and this matchup actually favors the Bulldogs if they still have any signs of life. Auburn is a bad passing offense and much stronger running; while Miss State is stout defending the run. I see Auburn’s offense struggling here. And on offense MSU wants to run the ball and they’ve been successful at it this season; while Auburn ranks outside the top 100 in defending the rush. Low scoring, but I see Miss State being competitive and winning outright.

West Virginia -2 vs Kansas — It’s not one of my favorite bets for Saturday, but I have to play this spot against Kansas. The Jayhawks are winless away from Lawrence this season and coming off two demoralizing losses. Despite dominating the box score at TCU, KU gave up a last minute touchdown to lose the game. Then last week vs UCF, despite winning the box score once again, the Jayhawks gave up a touchdown on the final play of the game to fall to 3-6. Leipold said the losses have been tough and will be hard to bounce back from. I worry about West Virginia’s defense of course, but I’ve gotta fade Kansas here.

Arizona +2.5 vs Utah — I’m just gonna keep fading Utah, who I think is one of the most fortunate teams in the country. This team is begging to be beaten. The Utes barely covered last weekend in the Holy War, thanks in part to three BYU redzone turnovers, including one at the very end when a BYU touchdown could’ve potentially tied the game. Utah deserves some love for this defense, but their two biggest games–Houston and BYU–have been decided by numerous redzone takeaways. This is a tough spot for the Utes having to go on the road off the super hyped Holy War win. It’s Arizona’s second straight home game and they played last Friday night, so there’s a small rest advantage for the Wildcats. Arizona wins outright at home and finally ends this fraud Utah Utes voodoo.

Texas A&M +3 vs Tennessee — This is a massive sandwich spot for the Vols, who are looking ahead to a big home game vs LSU. Texas A&M didn’t look bad last weekend at South Carolina. They moved the ball well but struggled to finish drives. Marcel Reed hasn’t had a good year but he’s been much better at home. A&M also defends the run very well, so they can at least provide some resistance to the Vols offense, and I don’t respect the Tennessee pass game at all. Should be a low scoring game where points are valuable. If there is any fight left in Texas A&M, you’ll see it here. Take the Aggies at 3 or better.

Utah State at San Diego State, Under 21 1st Half — Utah State has an incredible defense that’s one of the best in the G6, and both teams have offenses that really struggle. Utah State’s last four games have all gone under this number in the first half, and the Aggies have allowed zero first-half points in their last two games. They also haven’t allowed an offensive first-half touchdown since October 9. This Aztecs offense is putrid, and this game should stay way under early on.

—

Photo: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire

Former #Rockies UTL Tyler Freeman has reached a Minor League deal and non-roster invitation to Spring Training with the #Braves. Had back surgery in October but says he "feels great" and could be reay for game action by the end of March.

— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) November 12, 2026

The 27-year-old Tyler Freeman was a top-100 prospect in his day, a 2nd-round pick by Cleveland in 2017 who climbed the ranks before reaching the majors five years ago.

Then reality hit. Freeman has posted negative WAR in four of his five big-league seasons — and somehow, he’s still around. Not just around, either: he’s appeared in at least 79 games in each of the last three years for the Guardians and Rockies.

There are really only two reasons for that: defensive versatility and his ability to get on base. Freeman can play all over the diamond — even if he grades out poorly defensively — and while his .658 career OPS is ugly, he does carry a respectable .328 on-base percentage.

As Harding mentioned, Freeman also had a back procedure in October and won’t be ready to play until the end of March. That would normally wipe out his spring, but with a lockout looming, odds are he’s cleared to play by the time Spring Training actually happens.

If there’s one thing the Braves have done exceptionally well under Alex Anthopoulos, it’s find diamonds in the rough. Freeman has talent in there somewhere, and maybe Atlanta is the place he finally taps into it. He’ll be competing for one of the last roster spots — and no, this isn’t a sign the Braves are moving off Mauricio Dubon. It’s a depth move, nothing more, born out of just how few quality infielders are currently in the organization.

—

Photo: IMAGO / Newscom World

Both of those were proven true with the Braves’ first significant splash of the offseason, inking reliever Evan Phillips to a three-year, $35 million contract.

#Braves Sign Evan Phillips: pic.twitter.com/2ozx27CQUG

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 12, 2026

Phillips was actually drafted by the Braves in the 17th round back in 2015. He would go on to make his MLB debut three years later before he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the deal that netted the Braves Kevin Gausman.

But his career really took off when he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second half of the 2021 season. That’s where he’s been for the last five years, boasting a 2.36 ERA over 232 appearances.

Phillips’ best season came back in 2022, when he posted a silly 1.14 ERA in 64 games. He followed that up with another really solid season in 2023, recording a 2.04 ERA. But in 2025, he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. That cost him most of the season, and he only pitched in 31 games this year, finishing with a respectable 3.46 ERA.

That normally would be a cause for concern when handing a relief pitcher a three-year contract, but Phillips’ stuff was still off the charts. He struck out 31% of the batters he faced, featuring a fastball/sweeper combination that made opponents feel helpless.

With Raisel Iglesias hitting free agency and the Braves planning on moving Didier Fuentes back to the rotation, adding another high-leverage reliever was a must. Atlanta can now feel comfortable with that plan, moving Robert Suarez to the closer role, and one would assume this is the end of the line for Iglesias, who was outstanding for the Braves after they acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline.

—

Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Principles matter, and this is an organization that’s spent a great deal of time ensuring a stable culture over the last 35 years, which is part of the reason they’ve had so much success. Keeping Profar around would put a massive black stain on all of that.

Even Braves beat reporter Mark Bowman suggested earlier in the week that Profar would not be welcomed back with open arms after negatively affecting the team’s chances at winning a World Series two years in a row.

“Profar certainly won’t be back in the clubhouse after performance-enhancing drug suspensions the last two years,” Bowman wrote. “So finding a right-handed-hitting outfielder stands at the top of the must-do list.”

But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what I think, or what Bowman believes. It might not even matter what the players in the clubhouse feel. Alex Anthopoulos is sending a clear message that he’ll keep Profar around if he believes he can help the team win in 2027.

“As we get closer to camp and things like that, we’ll see, and we’ll see where the offseason takes us as well,” Anthopoulos said, via Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “There’s no absolutes. No decisions have been made. We’re going to do what’s best for the club, and it’s the beginning of the offseason, so it’s premature right now because I don’t know what our club’s going to look like.

“As I get a week into the offseason, two weeks, three weeks, a month, things can change, right? But in terms of absolute decisions being made, playing, not playing, none of that stuff. If anyone wants to speculate, none of that stuff’s been decided.”

Profar is currently competing in the Venezuelan Winter League, where he’s holding his own pretty well, hitting .315 with a home run and a .770 OPS through 14 games. The competition, obviously, isn’t the same as Major League Baseball, but one can assume the Braves are keeping a close eye on how he performs.

This is a story that doesn’t appear to have an end in sight. The Braves have to bring in some sort of competition this offseason, at the very least. Because at this point, there’s no telling whether Jurickson Profar will get popped for PEDs a third time, which would result in a permanent ban from baseball. He was dumb enough to do it two years in a row.

But the options that are clearly better than Profar in left field — as far as free agency is concerned — are few and far between. And the Braves are already on the hook for the $15 million they owe him no matter what. That’s what Alex Anthopoulos is currently mulling. Is the juice — whatever Profar could provide on the field — worth the squeeze of keeping him in the clubhouse? From the sound of it, we’re going to find out.

—

Photo: IMAGO / NurPhoto

Thomas signed a one-year deal worth $3.1 million with the Falcons in the offseason and has started every game for the team, recording 25 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, and two sacks. Now he gets a raise to $11 million per season over three years.

“He demonstrates what we love about this game every single day,” Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said, via William McFadden of The Atlanta Falcons team website. “The toughness, the strain, the effort—the relentless effort. And then the high-level execution, the consistency. If there’s a guy that we can really lean on on our defense, he’s one of those human beings. I’ve been so overwhelmed with what he’s brought to us.”

For Henderson, it’s a two-year extension worth up to $20 million with $11 million in guarantees — a well-earned reward for a player who’s been through a lot of highs and lows throughout his career.

Henderson was originally drafted 8th overall by the Jaguars after starring at the University of Florida. But he didn’t even make it two seasons with Jacksonville before he was traded to the Panthers, where he continued to struggle.

After signing to a couple of practice squads, Henderson didn’t appear in a game in 2024. He signed with the Falcons ahead of the 2025 season but was cut and relegated to the practice squad, where he would remain until December, appearing in four of the final five games of the season.

That was enough for Henderson to stick in Atlanta, and now he’s become an integral piece of Jeff Ulbrich’s defense. He’s been the Falcons’ best cornerback this season — ahead of A.J. Terrell, whose injury early in the season opened the door for Henderson in the starting lineup — with quarterbacks completing just 55% of their passes when targeting him.

It’s a tremendous story of resilience and a richly deserved extension for a player who’s now expected to be a pivotal member of the Falcons’ defense moving forward.

—

Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Among Braves players, Chris Sale, Matt Olson, and Michael Harris II all received MVP votes. No surprises there. Sale was a top-three finisher in the NL Cy Young race. Olson clubbed 41 home runs and was the best first baseman in the sport, and Michael Harris II was probably the best player on the entire team.

The surprise? Ozzie Albies also received an MVP vote, with Rick Cerrone of Baseball Digest ranking him the 6th most valuable player in the National League this season.

I would like for you all to look at that 2nd Pittsburgh voter’s ballot because oh my lord https://t.co/P6GAkT9S22 pic.twitter.com/hikD2pSfzu

— AT (@BaseballWRLD_) November 13, 2026

Cerrone must have been drinking that Braves Kool-Aid, because he also had Matt Olson finishing third ahead of Shohei Ohtani — but even that isn’t as ridiculous as giving Albies an MVP vote at all.

Listen, I’ve been a staunch defender of Ozzie Albies his entire career. He’s been magnificent for the Braves and was one of the few players who actually showed up in the postseason this year. That said, this might have been the worst season of his entire career. Take out a hot month or so to begin the season, and Albies hit .210 with a .610 OPS over the final 125 games.

And while, yes, it’s fun to have a good laugh at just how nonsensical it is to have him finish sixth in the MVP race, we also have to hold Mr. Cerrone accountable. There’s simply no way he should be allowed to vote on any awards moving forward. Just imagine if this were a tight race and his vote actually mattered. It would be World War III amongst baseball fans right now.

Cerrone also had Schwarber second, a guy who finished the season with 2.6 WAR. This is the same type of voter who’s likely keeping one of your all-time favorite players out of Cooperstown. Baseball has to be better about holding these people accountable. Be serious or lose your vote.

—

Photo: IMAGO / Newscom World

Atlanta’s bullpen was one of the best in baseball a year ago, but adding to it this offseason was a necessity because of two major developments: Raisel Iglesias is a free agent, and the Braves will move Didier Fuentes back to the rotation to start the 2027 season.

The Phillips signing is likely the writing on the wall for Iglesias, who is projected to earn a one-year deal worth around $15 million in free agency. It’s hard to imagine the Braves giving that to him now, unless his market turns out to be a lot cooler than expected, which means Robert Suarez will likely be asked to close games moving forward.

Suarez was the Braves’ big bullpen acquisition a year ago, inking a three-year, $40 million contract. In his first season in Atlanta, he was mostly brilliant, posting a 0.56 ERA through his first 31 appearances. An elbow injury then cost him the next several months, but he returned at the very end of the season, pitched in the playoffs, and flashed his typical 100 mph heater — suggesting there shouldn’t be too many concerns about what he can provide in 2027 and beyond.

Phillips will likely slide into Fuentes’ old role, where the Braves hope he’ll be a dominant setup man, as he was with the Dodgers. He posted a 3.46 ERA last season after returning from Tommy John surgery, but the stuff graded out as elite, and he struck out 31% of the batters he faced. Prior to the surgery, Phillips recorded a 2.21 ERA over 187 appearances from 2022-2024.

As a rookie, Fuentes was among the most dominant relievers in the entire sport. Even Phillips at the peak of his powers might not be able to replace that production, but there’s no question the Braves have to see if Fuentes’ success can carry over into the rotation. He came through the organization as a starting pitcher, and now he should have the confidence that his stuff is essentially unhittable when he’s rolling.

If that experiment is successful, the Braves’ rotation wouldn’t be in a bad spot after all. A one-two punch of Chris Sale and Didier Fuentes could prove electric, but another addition to the group remains a must. They’re also still down a man in the bullpen, so expect at least one more signing to round out the pitching staff.

—

Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The post A Stones’ Throw appeared first on Georgia's Rome.

The map will publish After Thanksgiving in our Georgia’s Rome Holiday Guide.

The post Rome Christmas Light Map appeared first on Georgia's Rome.

From holiday markets to dazzling boat parades and midnight fireworks, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the magic of Savannah’s River Street and waterfront this season. Events will be held at several popular waterfront locations, including Plant Riverside District, Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, River Street and The Park at Eastern Wharf. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a holiday getaway or a New Year’s Eve celebration, Savannah’s waterfront offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city during its most festive time of year.

Christmas on the River: November 19–January 3

The holiday season takes center stage on Savannah’s waterfront with Christmas on the River, a festive celebration filled with lights, entertainment, seasonal activities and beloved Savannah traditions. Running from November 19 through January 3, the celebration features several signature events, making the waterfront a popular destination for experiencing Christmas in Savannah.

Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District: November 19–January 3

Get into the holiday spirit at the Savannah Christmas Market, a European-inspired outdoor market at Plant Riverside District. The market is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers an assortment of seasonal experiences. Visitors can browse holiday vendors, enjoy live entertainment, participate in children’s activities, take photos with Santa and admire the Festival of Trees. Seasonal food and beverages add to the festive atmosphere.

25th Annual Savannah Lighted Boat Parade: November 28

One of the most anticipated Savannah Christmas events, the annual Lighted Boat Parade transforms the Savannah River into a spectacular holiday display. More than 30 boats and their crews decorate their vessels with elaborate Christmas lights before cruising along the river. The parade travels between Eastern Wharf and the Talmadge Bridge before returning past Plant Riverside District and River Street. The Saturday-after-Thanksgiving tradition is a favorite gathering for both locals and visitors looking for a unique way to celebrate the holidays in Savannah.

Savannah’s Waterfront Dance & Musical Performances: December 11–12

Enjoy an entertaining weekend of live music and festive performances during Savannah’s Waterfront Dance & Musical Performances. Local dance groups, cheer squads and musical acts will take the stage at MLK Park at Plant Riverside District. Performances are scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, giving visitors another opportunity to enjoy free holiday entertainment along the Savannah River.

34th Annual Lighted Christmas Street Parade: December 12

Savannah’s holiday season continues with the Lighted Christmas Street Parade, featuring more than 50 brightly illuminated floats along with marching bands, dancers and other performers. The colorful procession travels down River Street before making its way along Broughton Street and finishing in City Market. With its combination of lights, music and holiday excitement, the parade is a festive tradition for visitors of all ages.

New Year’s Eve Midnight Fireworks: December 31

Ring in the New Year along the Savannah River with a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks show at midnight. As the clock approaches 12, colorful fireworks illuminate the sky and reflect across the river, creating a memorable finale to Savannah’s holiday season. The fireworks can be viewed from several downtown waterfront locations, including Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, Plant Riverside District and Eastern Wharf, as well as many downtown rooftop bars.

About Savannah’s Waterfront

For nearly 50 years, Savannah’s Waterfront has worked to preserve, enhance and promote one of the city’s most recognizable historic districts. The nonprofit brings together local property owners, businesses and community partners with a shared commitment to maintaining the character and beauty of Savannah’s waterfront. Today, River Street remains one of Savannah’s signature destinations, offering visitors historic scenery, restaurants, shops, entertainment and special events throughout the year. The organization’s events help showcase Savannah’s historic riverfront while creating opportunities for residents and visitors to gather, celebrate and experience the city’s distinctive character.

For the latest dates, event details and additional Savannah waterfront events, check the official Savannah’s Waterfront Christmas on the River events page before making your plans.

The post Holiday Family Events coming to Savannah’s Waterfront, 2026 appeared first on Savannah, GA | Savannah.com.

If you started looking forward to what the merry pranksters at SEC Shorts had in store after a Saturday of SEC beatdown you’re not alone. And as usually they did not disappoint:

On a semi-serious note even I, an SEC purist of the highest order, have to admit it’s probably time for the SEC Championship Game to end when for a second year running it’s being treated more as an obligation to be escaped than an honor to be cherished. That’s sad, but not unpredictable.

Go Dawgs!!!

Are your Georgia Bulldogs taking on a high-quality SEC opponent and looking to avoid another hangover following a big road victory? Then you could probably use a drink.

I can help you with that.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Kirby Smart’s team went on the road and decisively handled a top 10 opponent. It was a result which prompted national media and SEC opponents alike to immediately fete them as the top team in the country. Adulation all around. Fireworks. Champagne dreams. Confetti from the sky.

We saw how that turned out last time. So suffice it to say that I am withholding just the tiniest amount of excitement headed into this Saturday. Maybe the Red and Black’s unfortunate stumble against Auburn was the result of everything going wrong all at once in a way that is unlikely to repeat itself. But I’m keeping this team on probation until the ‘Dawgs prove that they aren’t going to beat the ‘Dawgs.

And what’s the drink for keeping your enthusiasm on probation? Probationer’s punch.

It’s an effervescent refreshment that will still allow you to stay clear-headed and, if you’re a Tennessee fan, able to pass whatever tests your probation officer may have for you.

You’ll need:

3 cups pineapple juice

2 cups orange juice

1 cup of cranberry juice

¼ cup fresh lime juice

6 tablespoons grenadine syrup

Citrus slices (For garnish)

Maraschino cherries (Ditto)

This recipe makes six servings. So feel free to double, triple, or octuple the measurements as needed.

Prepare your garnishes beforehand by skewering citrus slices and cherries on toothpicks or cocktail sticks.

In a large pitcher mix the pineapple, orange, cranberry and lime juices.

Into each individual serving glass pour in one tablespoon of the grenadine syrup. Fill the glass with ice. When ready to serve, pour the rum punch into each glass to create a sunset effect And if you want, you could throw in an ounce and a half of dark rum. Assuming you’re off probation, obviously. . Enjoy responsibly, and….

Go ‘Dawgs!!!

First, here’s why I’m NOT worried about the Show Me Drinks :

1.    The Missouri offense is balanced in it’s approach, if nothing else. And they are committed to the run, more so than most teams. But the production just isn’t elite on a play by play basis.

Yes, they run it 51% of the time and pass it 49%. Yet the passing game accounts for almost 2/3rds of their yardage. So while they are perceived to have a great running attack, and they do have a 1,000 yard back already in Jamal Roberts, it lacks the true game control and is almost 1.5 yards per attempt less than what Georgia trots on the field.

2.  How good are they? I think the stat I saw is that they haven’t beaten a top 25 team – as currently ranked. Sure they beat the brakes off Florida, but that was before the smoke and mirrors Jon Sumrall deployed had been removed from the equation. They lost close to Mississippi State, though that was with a healthy Kamario Taylor.

They beat Arkansas and Texas A&M, but who hasn’t? And I’ll grant them some dubious officiating in the loss vs. Texas last week, but it was a sloppy performance at home and with a pretty big spotlight on them.

3. We faced the #1 red area offense last week in Oxford. It turns out to combat that, you just don’t let the opposing team in the red zone. A different story this week, as Mizzou ranks dead last in the SEC, and 124^th nationally, in red zone offense. Add in the fact that the only way Ole Miss scored was off a debatable DPI call on 4^th down to give fresh life, then I tend to like our chances to keep the Tigers side of the scoreboard on the low side.

Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson’s scratch so here’s what does worry me about going to Vaught-Hemingway where we’re only 12-9 all time and lost the last 2 trips:

1. Georgia and Missouri are 2 of the top teams in the SEC, and some of the top in the country, in turnover margin. Both defenses are aggressive and create turnovers. Both teams create fumbles with pressure in the backfield, strip fumbles, and cause interceptions from getting in the quarterbacks face. So if you like how the UGA defense creates havoc this season, you’ll see the same from the Tiger front.

They recovered 3 fumbles in Fayetteville on Halloween, and got two more when the Longhorns visited last week (they caused another but Arch fell on it for a key first down). And Tiger QB Austin Simmons is keeping a clean stat sheet – he’s only thrown 2 picks on the season. The positive I draw from all of this is that the only truly stout SEC defense they’ve faced was Texas. Hopefully the Georgia D will show up as it has the last 2 weeks and lay waste to their best laid plans.

2. Caydn Lee is a senior Tiger WR who almost certainly will eclipse 1,000 yds receiving and be pushing double digit receiving scores. 3 games over 110 yards, and 7 games over 75 yards. Of course he’s a Georgia native. And we’ve seen him before.

The product of Kennesaw Mountain HS was with Lane Kiffin the past 3 seasons at Ole Miss. He had 4 catches against us in our game there in 2024, and caught 4 more in the Sugar Bowl last December. But he’s breaking out this season, and is definitely the possession, go-to receiver for Austin Simmons with at least 5 catches in every game. And a good complement to the 6’2” rangy Donovan Olugbode on the other side.

3 . Then there is Austin Simmons. You might remember he spelled an injured Jaxson Dart in 2024 vs. UGA, and promptly marched the BearShark Rebels down the field for a key score to quench any momentum we might have gained.

The lefty has really found a home in CoMo, tossing multiple scores in 6 of the Tigers 9 contests. The one game he didn’t throw a TD was against Ole Miss, but he still spun it for 339 yards. The accuracy is pretty elite, and while not a running threat per se, he can move in the pocket and allow his receivers to lose coverage.

Call me crazy, just don’t call me late for dinner. Let us know in the comments what you’re feeling about possibly the 2^nd to last game in Sanford Stadium this season.  And as always…

GO ‘DAWGS!!!