Dansby Swanson's Latest Comments Suggest Offseason Moves Are Exactly What Braves Needed

The Atlanta Braves ended last season on a sour note with an NLDS Game 5 loss at home to the St. Louis Cardinals in which they surrendered 10 runs in the first inning. It was over before it really started, and that didn't exactly instill confidence heading into the offseason.

But it seems general manager Alex Anthopoulos injected some life into the team with his roster decisions. Shortstop Dansby Swanson said that the offseason started off slow, but the club's decisions, especially its most recent signings, have brought the positive morale back.

Despite losing All-Star Josh Donaldson in free agency, the signings of Will Smith, Cole Hamels and Marcell Ozuna have Atlanta looking to make a strong World Series push next season in an attempt to rebound from yet another early playoff exit.

Pitchers are going to have a tough time with the middle of this lineup.

Adding Ozuna to the middle of the lineup with Ronald Acuña, Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman should create a well-oiled run-scoring machine. Having Hamels, one of the most experienced and successful pitchers in the MLB, mentor the young Braves rotation should do wonders as well.

And with the team feeling revitalized after these offseason moves, don't be surprised if the Braves get off to a fast start in 2020 and assert their dominance.