Atlanta Braves: Time to focus on the team, and where they’re headed
The Atlanta Braves organization over the last month has been surrounded with controversy, and a verdict that is pending following the conclusion of the World Series.
While many are speculating, no one is for certain the magnitude of what MLB’s investigation has found in the John Coppolella mess.
Given all that is going on within the press, and the negativity that is hanging over Braves Country, it’s time to finally shed some light on the bright future the team has going into 2018. My intent is not to undermine what’s going on, but the Braves have one hell of a 2018 campaign on the horizon.
Following their 72-90 season, the team is set to bring back almost everyone, while also looking into improving their club via free agency signings this winter. The entire infield of Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, and Tyler Flowers will return, and while there are questions surrounding third base, it’s all fun speculation from here on out.
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Not to mention the Braves could see the return of Brandon Phillips who played the position flawlessly for the remaining portion of the 2017 season.
With the Braves set to take their next step of the rebuild in 2018, some would expect the team to be far more competitive, and possibly clinch a Wild Card spot. When it comes to the NL East, the Washington Nationals yet again were overrated due to the simple fact that they played the Mets, Braves, Phillies, and Marlins for the majority of the year. With the Nationals making a managerial change, the time could be ripe for the Braves to potentially compete for a divisional crown too.
While this team is very young, and most of their stars are still developing, arguably one of the biggest obstacles in 2018 will be the pitching for the Braves. After sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks coming fresh off of the All Star break, the Braves were playing .500 baseball, and their pitching cost them any real momentum in the second half of the year.
With Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, and Lucas Sims all returning next season, the Braves have a great, young core. Questions surround Julio Teheran potentially being on the trading block, and if Atlanta will search for a veteran for this rotation, but all in all Braves Country has to like what they see heading into spring training.
Next: Braves top prospects 41-60
I am not saying the Atlanta Braves are going to win a World Series in 2018, but I’m not counting out a 2019 or 2020 run for this ball club. A lot of things will have to go right for this organization, and with this verdict arriving from MLB in the coming weeks, let’s all just remember the Braves future remains bright.