No matter how many times we read or hear that professional sports are big business, we still look for shreds of humanity. It’s not too difficult to follow the money and see that no matter how hard those running the games and teams try to be decent human beings, economics get in the way.

In the past month or so, Chicago Bears management has supposedly said they want to do right by (soon to depart) quarterback, Justin Fields. Because he’s been more than a good soldier and hasn’t embarrassed the team or city, he’s earned this distinction. He’s not the first player nor will he be the last to merit this consideration.

It’s common in the NBA to find trade partners where players from both teams will benefit from a change in scenery. To some degree, salaries must sync up, but that doesn’t mean teams won’t do right by the players.

In baseball it’s accepted practice to have handshake deals with players invited to ST as non-roster-invitees. The players often set a particular date by which time they must be on the roster, or they can find employment elsewhere. And because baseball is such a small world, the public will likely never learn of the particulars. Trying to unravel all of a team’s offseason moves and motives is more difficult than finding an acceptable pizza in St. Louis. Making a lot of moves or spending doesn’t equate success. As one friend often says, work smart, not hard.

Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves have been extremely busy this off season and without tracking all of their moves, one can question the sanity of some of the bigger moves. One also wonders how many conversations they had with the many players involved and if they ever talked about “doing right by them.”

After the World Series ended in November, they adjusted their 40-man roster by removing (among others) pitchers, Kyle Wright, Nick Anderson and Mike Soroka from the 60-Day-IL. They proceeded to trade the three within the month. Soroka was part of a 5-1 trade with the White Sox for Aaron Bummer. The others were sent to Kansas City in separate deals. Were those last two deals for their benefit?

In December, they traded two prospects to the Mariners for Marco Gonzalez, Evan White and outfielder Jarred Kelenic. Two days later, the sent Gonzalez to Pittsburgh for cash and a player to be named. Five days later, they traded White and another player to Anaheim for David Fletcher and Max Stassi. Stassi was then sent to the White Sox.

It’s anybody’s guess why they acquired Matt Carpenter in a trade with San Diego, but they did-only to release him before he had time to settle into a Waffle House. More straightforward acquisitions of (former White Sox) Chris Sale and Reynoldo Lopez appear to be more permanent. In a smaller move, they signed free agent outfielder, Jordan Luplow to a minor league deal and invited him to camp.

Okay, take a deep breath. Just a few days ago, they signed (former Brave) outfielder, Adam Duvall to a one-year contract. Not unexpectedly, Luplow was given his walking papers and Kelenic’s at-bats will decrease. Luplow will have some time to find another employer and Kelenic will have to deal with his reduced role. Only time will tell if any or all of these moves result in another Braves’ WS championship, but they believe they are acting in the team’s best interest.