The Braves, like almost every other team, are preparing for hot stove season while watching the Dodgers and Astros square off in the World Series.
Unlike other teams, the Braves are in limbo, tied down by an MLB investigation that could result in a house cleaning, loss of prospects, draft choices or a combination.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The Braves had a few reasons to smile on Thursday.
1. Ender Inciarte and R.A. Dickey were named Gold Glove finalists. It's the second consecutive season Inciarte was named, while Dickey previously won the award in 2013.
2. Austin Riley, who some deem the franchise's third baseman of the future, hit for the cycle in an Arizona Fall League game
3. You can listen to Riley discuss his performance here. He's the first AFL participant to hit for the cycle since Logan Morrison in 2008.
4. Luiz Gohara, who had a small taste of the majors in September, jumped from No. 9 to No. 2 in Baseball America's latest Braves prospect rankings.
5. The Braves lost utilityman Micah Johnson on waivers to the Reds. Johnson only appeared in 18 games last season, collecting two hits. It clears a spot on the 40-man roster, which will help the Braves protect selected players from the Rule 5 draft.
