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and catchers reporting to spring training."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Talking Chop User’s GuideTalking Chop PodcastAround the NL EastBaseball Analysis PrimerAround the NL EastBraves get back to work as pitchers and catchers reportNew Sergio Romo Jersey ,107commentsA rather controversial week ends with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. ESTShareTweetShareShareBraves get back to work as pitchers and catchers reportReinhold Matay-USA TODAY SportsThe week got off to a bit of a controversial start for the Atlanta Braves as team chairman Terry McGuirk and general manager Alex Anthopoulos addressed the growing criticism of the team’s offseason in an excellent interview with The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz and David O’Brien. I’m not going to rehash all of those points here on what should have and could have happened over the winter, but here are some highlights. The facts are that the Braves made a splash early with the addition of Josh Donaldson and that has largely been lost in a “what have you done for me lately” vacuum within the fanbase. Yes the NL East has gotten stronger as I touched on in this very column last week, but if you take Anthopoulos at his word, he is very confident in Atlanta’s roster as well as the stash of prospects that await just below the major league level. Personally, I am fine with waiting to see if a Mike Soroka, Touki Toussaint or Luiz Gohara can develop into a top half of the rotation arm. I would have liked to have seen a bullpen addition or two but that is still possible. I’d also have loved to have seen an upgrade in the corner outfield but would not have been in favor of committing $50 million to Andrew McCutchen over three years although I might have been willing to go that route for a guy like Michael Brantley. These points can be debated to death. Anthopoulos seemed measured and thoughtful in his responses. McGuirk on the other hand should probably speak less particularly on budget increases and potential spending amounts until it actually plays out with added payroll for the on the field product. In happier news, pitchers and catchers reported on Friday and spring training games are less than a week away. The Braves have some new faces in camp including a familiar one in Brian McCann and a new pitching coach in Rick Kranitz. Both of them could have a significant impact on a young Atlanta roster in 2019. The biggest news to come out of the first two days of camp involved the health of a couple of pitching prospects. Brian Snitker told reporters on Friday that Mike Soroka has looked good in early bullpen sessions and won’t be limited in the early part of camp. Soroka was shut down after just five major league starts last season due to shoulder inflammation. Additionally, Luiz Gohara reported to camp some 35-40 pounds lighter than at this point last spring. That bodes well for the future as Gohara looks to recapture the potential he showed at the end of the 2017 season. Free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel is still looking for a team and the rumor mill started churning on Friday when a picture of him at the airport in Orlando turned up. Freddie Freeman told the AJC on Saturday that he had spoken with Kimbrel but had no clue where the veteran closer might sign. The AJC’s Gabe Burns reported that the Braves are not currently in discussions with Kimbrel at this time.New York MetsWe will start our trip around the division with a look at the Mets who are hoping to reach a contract extension with starter Jacob deGrom. DeGrom also reportedly wants to remain in New York but has set a deadline for Opening Day to reach an extension and has no plans to negotiate during the season. Rookie first baseman Peter Alonso is also in camp and is looking to force the Mets’ hand by grabbing onto the first base job. Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes underwent surgery on both of his heels this offseason but is still hoping that he will be able to return to action at some point this season. With that said, New York already has a crowded outfield situation with Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo penciled in as starters while a Keon Broxton/Juan Lagares timeshare may be the solution in center. Beyond that, J.D. Davis, Jeff McNeil, and Rajai Davis will also potentially be vying for playing time on the grass, so Cespedes may need to be more than just healthy to be worth a roster spot at this point.Philadelphia PhilliesThe Phillies revealed on Thursday that right-hander Jake Arrieta underwent minor surgery on his knee last month to repair a torn meniscus. Arrieta reportedly pitched much of last season with the injury in his left knee which could have led to his second half struggles. Arrieta is expected to be ready to open the season in Philadelphia’s rotation.New shortstop Jean Segura is focused on fitting in with his new teammates and is ready to put the past behind him. Washington NationalsBryce Harper remains unsigned but the team he left in Washington may be poised for more success in 2019. Stephen Strasburg will play a big part in that success as he enters a pivotal season. Strasburg’s contract includes an opt-out clause at the end of the season that he could utilize and hit the open market. Strasburg signed a seven-year, $175 million contract with the Nationals in 2016. Given the chilly climate that free agents have experienced over the last two offseasons http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , opting out might not be the smartest decision. The Nationals will be looking for a fifth starter this spring and it appears that Jeremy Hellickson has the inside track at this moment. Miami MarlinsNew catcher Jorge Alfaro is settling in with his new teammates in Miami and will be looking to make his own mark with his new team. The Marlins acquired Alfaro as part of the J.T. Realmuto trade with Philadelphia. Alfaro was once a top prospect and is still one of the most athletic catchers in the league but has struggled to make contact on a consistent basis. Miami strengthened its bullpen adding veteran reliever Sergio Romo on a one-year deal. Public enemy No. 1 in Atlanta, Jose Urena, has been named Marlins’ Opening Day starter.That means he could get a start against the Braves as early as Sunday, April 7, the final game of the Braves’ season-opening homestand. The first full day of the 2019 MLB season starts on Thursday, March 28.Matthew Freedman breaks down his season-long player prop-betting strategy and highlights some of his favorite home run props.Each day, I publish at least If I knew a lot about baseball, this bet-the-board strategy would almost certainly have a negative expected value relative to a more nuanced approach.As it is, I think this strategy will still prove profitable.Freedman Home Run Player Props for the 2019 MLB SeasonOf all the home run player props on the market, here are five I think offer value.Giancarlo Stanton Under 43.5 (-115)Just two years ago http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , then-Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton had an MLB-high 59 home runs on his way to the NL MVP. But last year with the New York Yankees, he regressed to a more modest 38 home runs despite having more at-bats (617 vs. 597).Only twice in his career has Stanton played more than 145 games, and he has hit more than 38 home runs just once.Stanton could have a great season and still not hit the over.Win $250 in Cash: Enter Our FREE MLB Opening Day ContestRead nowMike Trout Under 38.5 (-115)Over the past seven years, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has been the best player in baseball. Since 2012, he’s never finished lower than fourth in AL MVP voting — but he’s averaged just 33.6 home runs per year across that time.Even if his seven-year per-game home run rate were extrapolated over a 162-game campaign, that would still give him only 37.1 home runs — and Trout has never played 160-plus games in a season.He’s hit the under in five of the past seven seasons.Plus, with his new 12-year, $428.17 million contract, Trout might lack the motivation he’s previously had.Bryce Harper Under 35.5 (-115)Like Trout, Bryce Harper got paid this offseason, signing a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies after seven strong seasons with the Washington Nationals.Although the outfielder won the 2015 NL MVP and is one of the league’s most potential-laden players, only once has he hit more than 35 home runs, and just twice has he played at least 150 games.Plus http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey , last year he had an MLB-high 130 walks. There’s nothing wrong with bases on balls — but it’s hard to hit home runs when you don’t swing.Over his career, Harper has averaged just 26.3 home runs on 132.4 games per year.10 Bold MLB Betting Predictions for 2019Read nowMatt Olson Under 32.5 (-105)If you don’t bet this, you must hate money. This one is a gimme.Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson played the first two games of the season in Japan. He didn’t homer in either game, and since then he’s undergone surgery on his right wrist and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.After bombing 24 home runs in just 59 games in his 2017 rookie campaign, he hit only 29 dingers last year in a 162-game season.Given Olson’s injury and a .245 career batting average, the under seems like a nail looking for a hammer. Pound it.Jes煤s Aguilar Under 30.5 (-125)Milwaukee Brewers outfielder