The New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves are two of the most powerful franchises in MLB.
They both won 101 games in 2022 and made the playoffs.
Both are expected to be real World Series contenders for years to come.
However, they operate in different ways.
There is no right or wrong approach, but we do know that they are very, very different.
The Mets, since Steve Cohen took over as owner, have modernized their tech resources and player development departments, but have been known for their financial muscle and bringing in top-end free agents every year.
The Braves, on the other hand, like to build from within: they develop their own prospects via the draft, the international market and trades.
Once they are good enough to reach the high minors, there is not a single team in MLB as good as the Braves in identifying which of these prospects have what it takes to succeed in the majors.
Once they spot them, they give them ample opportunities to succeed, fail, and recover.
The Braves Extend Their Stars Early In Their Careers
When they have a good season or two, the Braves lock them up to cheap contract extensions that cover all arbitration years and a free agent campaign or two.
The difference between the two approaches was highlighted by MLB content producer Paul Hembekides on a recent tweet.
“The Mets will pay… Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander …$173.3M over the next 2 seasons. The Braves will pay… Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., Raisel Iglesias, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider …$171M over the next 2 seasons,” he wrote.
The Mets will pay…
Max Scherzer
Justin Verlander
…$173.3M over the next 2 seasons.The Braves will pay…
Matt Olson
Ronald Acuña Jr.
Raisel Iglesias
Austin Riley
Ozzie Albies
Michael Harris II
Spencer Strider
…$171M over the next 2 seasons.— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) December 8, 2022
The Mets signed Scherzer and Verlander in free agency, while the Braves traded for Olson and Iglesias and developed Acuna, Riley, Albies, Harris, and Strider from their own minors.
Both squads had success with their own model.
Who will win the NL East in 2023?
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