Atlanta Braves: Five Moves to become Playoff Contenders
By Jason Reed
The Atlanta Braves have been very active this offseason. Already signing R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon, Atlanta is looking to make a statement.
A brand new stadium brings a brand new time for the Atlanta Braves. Despite making the playoffs nine times, the turn of the millennium has not been kind to the Braves. Since 2000, Atlanta has only won one playoff series. That win was a sweep of the Houston Astros in 2001, and since there has been no success in October. This past season was woeful, if it wasn’t for a never-made-up postponed game with the Cubs, the Braves very well could have been tied for the worst record in the National League. However, the Braves finished the season 12-2, mainly because of the promising young shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Despite showing signs of improvement and boasting one of the best farm systems in baseball, Atlanta must continue to be active this offseason to succeed. It is obvious that the team wants to win now in their new ballpark, and they have the pieces to make moves. With so much talent available in the farm system, the free agency pool, and the trade market, the Braves will have no problem constructing a brand new team for 2017. This major transition may mirror the changes the Miami Marlins went through before 2012. Surely the Braves will want a different result in terms of success.
Signing R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon is a good start. It brings a veteran presence into a fairly young pitching staff. Atlanta can’t stop there though, as Dickey won’t serve any more purpose than a five-man or a bullpen guy, and Colon can only give so much to the starting rotation. So, if Atlanta is serious about challenging the Nationals for the NL East crown in 2017, here are five moves they must make.