Atlanta, GA
Dream rotation for the Braves to win a World Series after losing Max Fried
The Atlanta Braves were dealt a spot of bad news on Tuesday when Max Fried inked an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees. That’s one of those deals that is destined to age poorly, so this isn’t necessarily a period of mourning. After eight seasons of Fried in Atlanta, however, it’ll be a bit strange to watch him in pinstripes.
His departure — overpaid or not — does leave a hole in the Braves rotation. Pitching depth has been an ongoing issue for Brian Snitker’s group. Spencer Strider is expected back next season, but he’s still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Chris Sale is coming off his first healthy campaign in ages, which feels ominous when looking ahead to 2025. Reynaldo Lopez, historically, has not been a picture of durability either.
Atlanta has already lost Fried. Charlie Morton’s future hangs in the balance. The rotation will look vastly different next season. There are potential in-house replacements, such as AJ Smith-Shawver or Bryce Elder, but Braves fans would prefer a more ambitious replacement plan. Alex Anthopoulos has a fairly unambiguous mandate to deliver a winner and the Braves are desperate to wash out the bad taste of last season.
Here is what the Braves’ healthy 2025 rotation would look like in a perfect world.
For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work onThe Baseball Insiders podcast, subscribe to The Moonshot, our weekly MLB newsletter, and join the discord to get the inside scoop between now and the MLB offseason.
|
Rank |
Name |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Spencer Strider |
|
2 |
Chris Sale |
|
3 |
Reynaldo Lopez |
|
4 |
Roki Sasaki |
|
5 |
Spencer Schwellenbach |
There is lingering uncertainty about when exactly Strider will return and how much rust will stick, but he began last season as the National League Cy Young favorite for a reason. Still 26 years old, Strider should have plenty left in the tank. It’d be shocking if Strider wasn’t performing at something approximately his usual level by the end of the 2025 campaign.
Sale, meanwhile, is the reigning National League Cy Young winner. That speaks for itself. He arrived in Atlanta and immediately revolutionized his approach, finding new life as one of the game’s most dominant aces. Sale was hurt in the playoffs, and it’s fair to wonder how durable the 35-year-old is moving forward, but his peak can still rival anybody in MLB.
Lopez made the leap from reliever to a starting gig in 2024 and found a gear we didn’t know was possible. He made 26 appearances (25 starts), posting a nutty 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. It’s only reasonable to expect some regression, but Lopez proved his mettle rather convincingly. The numbers don’t lie. Nor does the All-Star bid.
That brings us to Sasaki, who is probably the most sought-after free agent left on the board. Since he doesn’t have the requisite professional experience, Sasaki will sign as an international prospect this winter, capping his annual salary around $7 million. That puts the Braves on the same financial playing field as everybody else.
There has been speculation that Sasaki might prefer the West Coast, but Atlanta’s player development pipeline is rock solid and there are few deeper, more well-established contenders in the sport. The Braves are a perfect landing spot on paper, and Alex Anthopoulos should really focus his offseason time and resources on impressing Sasaki. The 23-year-old has immediate ace potential and would give Atlanta a genuine building block for the future.
Rounding out the rotation is Schwellenbach, who finished his rookie campaign with a 3.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 21 starts. The Braves finally struck gold on one of their young pitchers; Schwellenbach is just 24 and he already looks the part of a postseason weapon, so the Braves should continue to prop him up.
Atlanta, GA
Man arrested for knocking kids off bicycles
A man was arrested at a concert last week after he shoved two kids off their bicycles, causing one of them to fall into a fountain, Sandy Springs police said. FOX 5 Atlanta’s Brittany Edney reporting.
Atlanta, GA
Same DNA, new address: Muchacho expands to West Midtown
Photo by Luke Beard
When Muchacho first opened along the Atlanta Beltline and Memorial Drive, it became known as a place shaped as much by its surroundings as by its menu. That site, housed in a 100‑year‑old train depot, set the tone for how the brand approaches expansion: start with the bones of a building, then let the space tell the story. The newly opened Muchacho West Midtown follows that same philosophy.
“We like to celebrate unique attributes of each property and work with the palette we’re given,” says founder and owner Michael Lennox. While the original Muchacho is defined by its long, narrow footprint and Spanish tile roof—features reminiscent of its former life as a train depot—the West Midtown location leans into an industrial past rooted in automotive culture: a former Meineke car care shop. Big windows reference former garage doors, while retro racing details appear inside.
Photo by Luke Beard
Still, the connective tissue between the two locations is clear. Both spaces draw heavily from Muchacho’s Southern California skate‑and‑surf roots. At Muchacho West Midtown, familiar playfulness appears via a blue‑orange‑yellow racing stripe pattern, a three‑dimensional pegboard gallery wall used to hang art and plants, and vintage Meineke signage. A life‑size cardboard cutout of George Foreman, once the pitchman for Meineke, underscores Lennox’s willingness to lean into humor and nostalgia. “It’s a playful brand,” he says.
A functional halfpipe for skateboarding anchors the outdoor experience and will double as a performance space for bands and DJs. In about a month, a 4,000‑square‑foot “tropical secret garden” with tall bamboo lining the perimeter will open on the south side of the property. Another 1,500 square feet of patio space wraps the west and north sides, currently welcoming about 80 guests. Altogether, the West Midtown location will accommodate about 215 guests, making it comparable in size to the original, with a little more outdoor space.
Photo by Luke Beard
Muchacho West Midtown opened with the same core menu that made the Beltline location a staple: tacos, breakfast burritos, coffee, cocktails, and beer. Standouts like migas, chilaquiles, carne asada, and al pastor continue to be available. Over time, however, Lennox says each location is expected to develop its own personality, driven by the chefs who have “a pretty wide creative latitude.” Chef Betty Aparicio, formerly of Chido & Padre’s, steers the kitchen on the Westside.
“We want to nurture some immediate familiarity while providing space for some special moments you can only have at each location,” Lennox says.
Photo by Luke Beard
One of these special moments will take place April 4 at a grand opening party dubbed MuchachoFest. Expect bands, a fortune teller, a mini skate park in parking lot, food and drink specials, and giveaways. “It’s going to be a fun day in West Midtown,” Lennox says.
A third Muchacho location will debut in the old Revival space in Decatur this summer. In addition, the Electric Hospitality team is bringing Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall to the Westside. Slated to launch in May on 11th Street, the convivial restaurant and bar will feature a 5,000-square-foot courtyard with an airstream bar, stage, and Crepe Myrtles, and a 45-seat island bar inside. Formerly a single-story warehouse from 1950s or ’60s, Ladybird West Midtown will offer the same food and beverages as its Eastside sibling with room for the chef and mixologist to add their unique touches.
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Atlanta, GA
Buckhead apartment building evacuated due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels
ATLANTA – A Buckhead apartment building was evacuated for a time late Tuesday night due to a carbon monoxide alarm.
What we know:
The incident occurred at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Pharr Court South.
According to Atlanta Fire Rescue, firefighters are investigating elevated carbon monoxide levels.
The entire building was evacuated as a precaution.
One person was evaluated at the scene for possible carbon monoxide exposure.
Crews ventilated the building while they looked for the source.
Firefighters say they were able to finally locate the source and contain it.
Once readings were back to a safe level, residents were allowed back inside the apartments.
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear how many residents were displaced by the evacuation.
The Source: The details in this article come from the Atlanta Fire Rescue.
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