Atlanta Braves: Will Alex Anthopoulos make them contenders?
WIll the Atlanta Braves be in playoff contention next season, with Alex Anthopoulos leading the charge?
It has been quite a few weeks to be a member of Atlanta Braves Country. Following the introduction to new General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, the sanctions ruling from commissioner Rob Manfred, and the announcement of Ronald Acuna winning the Arizona Fall League MVP, there has seemingly been news every week about the Braves.
Now that the World Series has concluded, and the ruling from the commissioner’s office has been finalized, it’s finally time to turn our attention to 2018.
The Atlanta Braves have already made small, but productive moves towards revamping their depleted bullpen after getting Grant Dayton and Josh Ravin from the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Dayton was claimed off waivers, the Braves were able to snag Ravin from the Dodgers for cash.
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With Mr. Anthopoulos now comfortably settled in after his introduction a few weeks ago, it’s now time to focus on what the winter may bring to the organization.
The bullpen is the obvious choice for inquires this winter, but there remain questions surrounding the third base position, and if an ace may be coming to the starting rotation.
The Braves last season toyed with Freddie Freeman, Brandon Phillips, and Johan Camargo to fill the gap, but could the team possibly look into signing a prime time player at third? While Atlanta has strayed away from now free agent Mike Moustakas rumors, could this be an option?
Financially, yes. Long term? Probably not. Clearly, Freeman will be heading back to first base for the 2018 campaign, but why not give Camargo another look at third?
He played the position well and had a great bat, which was one of the reasons the Braves were able to contend for .500 baseball before the All-Star Break in 2017.
As for the case of signing an ace to accompany the young rotation for the Atlanta Braves, it may be possible, but would all hinge on the bank. With gaping holes being in the bullpen for relief, and the promise of young talent such as Lucas Sims and Sean Newcomb, the thought of spending too much on an ace seems daunting.
Last season alone, the bullpen cost the Atlanta Braves numerous games late, and could never close the door on great outings from the starters. The offense was good enough to knock opposing pitchers out of games, but there was just too much uncertainty on who Brian Snitker would go to in the latter portion of the game.
Next: Following the sanctions, it’s time to bring on the future
The opportunity is there for the Atlanta Braves, and with Ronald Acuna looking as if he is gearing up to be a breakout star for Atlanta on the major league level anything could be possible behind this young roster. If the Houston Astros could build from the ground up and win a World Series title, why can’t we?