Shopping Early

This winter's free agent big free agent names -- Stephen Strasburg, Garrett Cole, Madison Bumganrner and Anthony Rendon -- aren't expected to sign anytime soon. We've gotten used to that snail's pace in recent winters.
The Braves, whose roster status and financial structure likely leave them away from the top tier players, have emerged as the early buys in this off-season. Sunday's deal with catcher Travis d'Arnaud was the third free agent signing with Atlanta after relievers Will Smith and Chris Martin.
Now 30, the onetime Phillies 1st round draft pick who was considered the key piece to the deal that netted the Mets Noah Syndergaard, never rose beyond ordinary status in Flushing.
After missing most of 2018 after needing Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm, the Mets replaced him with Wilson Ramos and wound up sending him to the Dodgers, for whom he played just one game. Picked up from the scrap pile by the Rays, he turned in his best big league season, helping Tampa Bay grab an AL wild card while playing for the major league minimum (with the Mets paying the rest of his salary).
Now, he returns to the NL East with the reigning division champs on a two-year, $16 million deal. The Braves will learn if d'Arnaud has finally put it all together, while the Mets will wonder if they chose the wrong catcher moving forward. And the Rays will likely find another budget priced backstop as they put together their 2020 smoke and mirrors contender.

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