Atlanta Braves Rumors: Shohei Ohtani & Dylan Cease Unlikely

3 Min Read

Originally published by DodgerBlue.com

The Atlanta Braves are a team to watch as the MLB Winter Meetings continue in Nashville, Tennessee as they have reportedly been involved on a few of the available star players.

The Braves have already addressed their need in left field with the acquisition of Jarred Kelenic and added Reynaldo López to their rotation, and there is a belief they could make another big move by the end of the week.

The team has emerged as a potential landing spot for Shohei Ohtani, and they have also been linked to Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease.

However, the Braves are considered long shots for both players, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com:

The Braves haven’t shown serious interest in free agent Shohei Ohtani, and it doesn’t feel like they should be considered favorites to land White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease via a trade.

Ohtani is expected to sign a record-setting contract and has reportedly narrowed his list of suitors to a handful of teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Braves were previously speculated as a fit for Ohtani due to their recent history of winning and young core of talented players.

Cease is one of several top-tier starting pitchers the Braves have been connected to this offseason. They previously showed interest in Sonny Gray and attempted to sign Aaron Nola before he returned to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Even if Ohtani and Cease wind up elsewhere, the Braves could still make another splash by acquiring either Corbin Burnes or Tyler Glasnow.

Braves president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos has shown in the past that he could make a surprise addition as well.

Dodgers’ hotel for Winter Meetings fueling Shohei Ohtani rumors

The Dodgers are among a group of finalists in the Ohtani sweepstakes, and the front office staying at a hotel other than the Gaylord Opryland Resort has fueled speculation that it could be related to their pursuit of the two-way star.

While it was originally reported that Ohtani could sign at the Winter Meetings, that is not necessarily a lock anymore.

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