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Talking Chop

https://www.talkingchop.com/ | 322 entries published

Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braves

Latest Entries

What are your Thanksgiving plans this year?

My wife and I never had Thanksgiving as a big thing growing up. My family was always about an excuse for a day with lots of food, but there wasn’t anything Thanksgiving-y about it, and they certainly weren’t going to let me cook. So, when we moved into our own place, we thought it would […]

15 days ago | 1 read

Braves News: Dylan Lee review, prospect season recaps, and more

It was a quiet day for the Atlanta Braves on the news front, but things continued here on Battery Power as we move through our player review series. Up next, we take a look at Dylan Lee’s 2025 season. The club recently tendered a contract to left-handed Lee, so he will return to the bullpen […]

15 days ago | 2 reads

Offseason open thread: November 25

I hope everybody’s having a lovely week so far! Here’s a random clip for you to enjoy. The floor is now yours.

16 days ago | 0 reads

2025 Atlanta Braves Prospect Reviews: Ian Mejia

How Acquired The Braves drafted Ian Mejia in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, selecting him with their top pick of the now gone third day of the draft. Mejia is a 6’3, 205-pound right-handed pitcher out of New Mexico State, who began his college career with Arizona that was drafted in the […]

MLB

16 days ago | 0 reads

2025 Atlanta Braves Prospect Reviews: Carter Holton

How Acquired The Braves drafted Carter Holton in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt. The lefty was a key guy for three years for the Commodores, following passing up signing in the 19th round with the Brewers out of Benedictine HS in Savannah.What Were Expectations? There were zero expectations for […]

MLB

16 days ago | 0 reads

2025 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Dylan Lee

The 2025 version of the Atlanta Braves bullpen was largely in disarray. That can happen as downstream effect when the entire Opening Day starting rotation is injured at the same time. 37 pitchers entered the game in relief last year. 37. The 1994 Atlanta Braves team had 31 players total. But one of the best […]

MLB

16 days ago | 0 reads

Who will have the better 2026: Marcus Semien or Brandon Nimmo?

The Braves didn’t do anything on Monday, so a non-Braves question to fill the gap. The Mets and Rangers executed a relatively rare type of trade over the weekend, moving one productive player for another. Most trades swap some semblance of future value for present value, but occasionally, positional fit and liquidity considerations take center […]

16 days ago | 3 reads

This Day in Braves History: November 25th

Braves Franchise History  1911 – William Russell, head of the syndicate that owns the Boston Nationals passes away. Former player, now attorney, Monte Ward and New York politician James Gaffney will purchase 945 of the 1000 shares for $177,000. The team, also known as the Rustlers (or Doves) will start next season as the “Braves”. […]

16 days ago | 2 reads

2025 Atlanta Braves prospect review: Eric Hartman

How was he acquired? Hartman was selected with Atlanta’s 20th round pick in the 2024 draft, using the 611th overall selection on the outfielder from Holy Trinity Academy out of Alberta, Canada. He was given a signing bonus $337,500, which was understandably significantly higher than his slot value. What were the expectations in 2025? When […]

MLB

17 days ago | 0 reads

2025 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Dylan Dodd

We all got pretty excited about Dylan Dodd a few years ago. Selected in the third round of the 2021 draft, the lefty made a few appearances later in the year before blitzing through the minors in 2022, getting all the way to Triple-A. Due to an injury to Kyle Wright, his Spring Training competition […]

17 days ago | 2 reads

How long will Joel Payamps last with the 2026 Braves?

Even on a sleepy pre-Thanksgiving Sunday, the Braves found a way to make minor news by signing Joel Payamps to a one-year, $2.25 million major league deal. The Braves claimed Payamps from the Brewers late in the 2025 season, gave him a couple of appearances before the season ended, and then outrighted him before the […]

17 days ago | 1 read

Braves News: Braves Sign Joel Payamps, NL East, More

The weekend was quiet for the Braves after a busy few days to end last week. However, another notable move was made for Atlanta, plus an divisional made a major move to help improve its fortunes in 2026. Braves News Atlanta resigned Joel Payamps to a one year deal. It may come as a surprise […]

17 days ago | 0 reads

This Day in Braves History: Earl Williams is named N.L. Rookie of the Year

Braves Franchise History  1971 – Earl Williams, who hit 33 home runs and 87 RBI for the Atlanta Braves, wins the National League Rookie of the Year honors. Williams gets 18 of 24 votes, with the others going to Willie Montañez of the Philadelphia Phillies. 1993 – The Braves trade pitcher Pete Smith to the […]

17 days ago | 1 read

Braves bring back reliever Joel Payamps

The Atlanta Braves announced this afternoon that they have agreed on a one-year deal with reliever Joel Payamps. Payamps ended the 2025 season after the Braves claimed him off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. Atlanta outrighted him off the 40-man roster earlier this off-season. He’ll return to the Braves with a $2.25M deal in 2026. […]

18 days ago | 0 reads

2025 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Zach Thompson

I’d imagine that if you told Zach Thompson that October 1, 2022 would be the last time he would pitch in a big league game until April 11, 2025, he probably would’ve laughed at you or at least looked at you like you were a weirdo. However, that ended up being the case for Thompson, […]

MLB

18 days ago | 0 reads

What if the 2026 Braves season works out just fine?

We spend a long time here worried about what the winter moves mean and how it will help the team going forward. What if it doesn’t matter because the Braves are just undeniably good? Walt Weiss could be that rock that steadies the ship. Tim Hyers might be a guy that could be allowed to […]

18 days ago | 0 reads

This Day in Braves History: Mets acquire Warren Spahn from Braves

Braves Franchise History 1964 – The Mets purchase Warren Spahn from the Milwaukee Braves. Spahn will serve as part of New York’s coaching staff and will put up a 4-12 record before he is released. Spahn will then sign with the San Francisco Giants.  1998 – The Braves and outfielder Brian Jordan agree on a […]

18 days ago | 1 read

Braves News: On to Thanksgiving, needs remaining, more

We may be in for a bit of a wait here, after a flurry of Braves moves this week to shore up the infield and bullpen. Alex Anthopoulos still has a stated need to add a starting pitcher, will likely add a few more relievers, and could still add a shortstop or another quality bat. […]

18 days ago | 1 read

Off-season open thread: November 22

It’s the last Saturday before Thanksgiving, so here’s something to be thankful for, the Águilas Cibaeñas in Liga Dominicana are 19-3 going in to today’s contest. I bet you didn’t think you’d get some LIDOM action on this week-before-rivalry-week in college football, did you? Here a video of old friend Huascar Ynoa, who is trying […]

19 days ago | 0 reads

2025 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Vidal Bruján

It is no secret that the Atlanta Braves struggled at the shortstop position for most of the season. Nick Allen had an elite glove but could not hit. They also struggled with health in the infield, with Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies both missing chunks of time with injuries. The Braves needed some depth, and […]

MLB

19 days ago | 0 reads

Does anybody remember the July 31st game versus the Reds?

Writing the Dane Dunning review, I ran across this July 31st game versus the Reds. Dunning pitched in that game, and it didn’t go great. A little too much BABIP for Dane’s taste and for us fans. This was likely the most certifiably nutty game of the year. Not that it made us nutty, 2025 […]

19 days ago | 2 reads

This Day in MLB History: The Pirates draft Roberto Clemente

MLB History 1954 – The Pirates draft Roberto Clemente from the Triple A roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers.  1957 – Mickey Mantle edges out Ted Williams to win the MVP Award in the American League. Mantle hit .365 with 34 home runs. Williams led the AL with a .388 average, 38 home runs and a […]

19 days ago | 0 reads

Braves News: Non-tender deadline, José Suarez deal, and more

The non-tender deadline has come and gone, and the Atlanta Braves made the decision to tender left-hander Dylan Lee. The two parties did not come to an agreement on a salary, so an arbitration hearing may be in the future.  The Braves non-tendered just two players in right-handers Alek Manoah and Carson Ragsdale. Though non-tendered, […]

19 days ago | 1 read

Offseason open thread: November 21

Hope everybody’s having a lovely Friday night. It’s been a busy week in Braves Country and now it appears to be winding down. So, which move was your favorite? Let us know! Here’s a random clip:

20 days ago | 2 reads