Is it an expression of confidence or a smoke screen? Atlanta Braves coach Walt Weiss said the fielders didn’t need extra reinforcement.
Weiss held a meeting with local media at the Major League Winter Meeting held in Orlando, Florida on the 10th (Korea Standard Time) and expressed his thoughts on preparing for the season.
“I have a lot of conversations with Alex (general manager Alex Ansopolos), who succeeded Brian Snitker, who retired from bench coaching. I’m just trying to make our team a better team,” he said, adding that he is in communication with the front office regarding the direction of power reinforcement during the offseason.
사진 확대 New Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said the fielders are almost ready. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
When asked about the priority of strengthening power, he said, “Pitchers are the most important thing I think. Especially after my past experience, I think so. That’s why I’m always paying attention to strengthening the pitching staff,” he said, adding that he is making reinforcing the pitching staff a top priority.
He then left an interesting comment. “To be honest, I think our fielders are almost completely composed. Therefore, it may be a little more difficult to recruit players there,” he said, explaining that no special reinforcement is needed in the fielders.
He said, “You can also creatively solve the situation through trades and so on. However, sitting down today, it is a little easier to recruit pitchers. We all know Alex well. He is a man who works tirelessly to make our team good. It never stops. He expressed his faith in the front desk, saying, “I will be working even at the moment we are talking.”
Atlanta’s main shortstop Nick Allen showed a quality performance in defense last season, but he was disappointed in the ride. Kim Ha-sung, who was recruited in early September, went to the FA market as an opt-out after performing well in both offense and defense.
사진 확대 Will Kim Ha-sung renew his contract with Atlanta? 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
It is widely expected that he will renew his contract with Kim Ha-sung, but no rumors have been made yet. Rather, he is preparing for the absence of Kim Ha-sung by recruiting Mauricio Duvon, a utility player who can defend shortstop through a trade with the Houston Astros.
When asked if Duvon can play as the main shortstop, Snitker said, “I can,” stressing that there is an alternative to shortstop. “He can play multiple positions, so he can protect us in a variety of ways. He shows quality defense wherever he goes. But a shortstop can play, too. Things can change. But even if he plays shortstop, there is no problem,” he said, expressing confidence.
Given manager Weiss’s remarks, Atlanta does not seem willing to renew the contract with Kim Ha-sung immediately.
However, we cannot accept what the coach says at the site of the winter meeting. This is especially true when it comes to power reinforcement. LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in an interview the day before, “There will be no big recruitment,” but the Dodgers agreed to a three-year contract with closer Edwin Diaz in a day.
There is still a possibility that Atlanta and Kim Ha-sung will reunite. For now, it is also the option for Kim Ha-sung to play the happiest “as a main shortstop.” Attention is focusing on the results of what choice Kim Ha-sung will make.
[KIM JAE HO, MK Sports Reporter]