For the first time in eight years, the underperforming, injury-riddled Atlanta Braves were sellers at the trade deadline. But they didn’t have a lot to sell that others were clamoring for, with so few pending free agents and with the Braves not ready to give up on some players on long-term contracts who’ve struggled for much of the season.

Why did the Atlanta Braves hang onto their expiring veterans? President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos attempted to justify the strategy.