Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images Spring Training is right around the corner. In one week, pitchers and catchers will report for the first time to mark the lead-up to the 2023 Major League Baseball season. And of course, this year, the World Baseball Classic returns as well. which offers an added layer of enjoyment and excitement to Spring Training. While many Braves looking to return to form in 2023 will be one of the big stories, seeing a few new Braves for the first time will also be a storyline to monitor. Furthermore, several position battles will be in the spotlight from the get-go, so overall, there will be no shortage of compelling narratives to watch as Opening Day arrives. Braves News With Max Fried’s case now complete, it was another eventful arbitration season for the Braves. The AJC looks at how the Braves starting rotation could be a clear strength for this Braves team once in 2023. MLB News Mets hired Carlos Beltran as a special assistant to the GM.

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Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Green Bay has a handful of options worth considering. With Jerry Gray joining the team as an assistant head coach/defense, the Falcons may well look to import some of his Green Bay favorites when free agency opens. The question is: Are there any compelling options for Atlanta to add? The answer? Not many, especially not in the secondary, where Gray’s focus was the past couple of seasons with the Packers. There are a handful of impending free agent options that do make sense, though, especially on the defensive line and at safety. Let’s take a look. S Adrian Amos A veteran, durable safety who started 34 of a possible 34 games for Green Bay the past two years and is effective against the run. Amos has not been a huge asset in coverage—he’s allowed a combined nine touchdowns over the past two years—but he’s a steady veteran who does everything else at a reasonably high level. If the Falcons are looking for a capable stopgap starter rather than a long-term one to pair with Richie Grant, Amos could very well fit the bill. OLB Justin Hollins He spent the final six games in Green Bay after beginning the season with the Rams, and put up 2.5 sacks over that span. A rotational pass rusher, Hollins could fill out the team’s outside linebackers group after what we hope is a major signing or two to come. CB Keisean Nixon Nixon makes sense if you consider his work as a cornerback purely in a vacuum. He’s just 5’10”, but he has done solid work as a reserve and in his limited stints as a starter, and Gray has worked with him the past two years when he’s had his most productive defensive action. He was solid at worst in coverage a year ago. Nixon is also a quality kick returner, giving the team another option if injuries strike Cordarrelle Patterson or Avery Williams, which adds more value to his signing. The team will need cornerback depth and special teams help, and especially if Mike Ford isn’t returning, Nixon’s ties to Gray could make him a strong addition. DL Dean Lowry A solid starter, Lowry is coming off a quieter year, given that his 2021 saw him start five more games (and play in two more) and put up 5 sacks, compared to just a half-sack a year ago. Heading into his age 29 season, Lowry would provide experienced and dependable work, though ideally he’d be more of a frequently-used rotational piece than someone the team is relying on to elevate the play of the line considerably. S Rudy Ford An interesting depth piece at safety, Ford made six starts a year ago and did fairly well on the season, managing three interceptions. Still fairly young, an experienced special teamer, and a solid all-around option, Ford could team with Jaylinn Hawkins (who I’m currently assuming will not be starting) to give the Falcons compelling and capable depth at safety. DL Jarran Reed The very best days of Reed’s career are likely behind him, given that he’ll be 31 and he had a 10.5 sack season with Seattle way back in 2018. Still a solid run defender with some pass rushing chops, Reed would be an obvious upgrade for an Atlanta defensive line that essentially stayed afloat based on heroic efforts from journeymen and undrafted free agents in addition to Grady Jarrett. Who would you sign from this list, if anyone?