Atlanta Braves: Is chasing an ace this winter necessary?
The Atlanta Braves finished their 2017 campaign with yet another 90 loss season but managed to show signs of the future we have been promised.
With Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, Lucas Sims, Sean Newcomb, and Max Fried arriving at the big league level in 2017, Braves Country got to see this show called future. But, it poses the question of should the Atlanta Braves be big spenders this winter? Do the Braves need a superstar ace on the mound come 2018?
Heading into spring training, the Braves will see Mike Foltynewicz and company look to capitalize on last seasons momentum. While Julio Teheran is a Brave still, and by no means am I assuming that he won’t be, come 2018, it’s possible the Braves front office explores his value this offseason.
The story of two halves plagued Atlanta in 2017, as the Braves toed with playoff contention coming off of the All-Star Break, but faltered only a week into the second half.
So what does any of this have to do with chasing a pitcher?
The Braves have been engulfed in trade, and acquisition rumors of pitchers this upcoming winter. Names the likes of Chris Archer have been tossed around for just under a year, and while Archer brings value to this young pitching rotation, is it necessary?
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2018 is going to give newcomers such as Newcomb, Sims, and Fried a whole season to show the fans what the scouts and front office have seen. As we already know, Folynewicz has unofficially become the Braves ace going into next season, and with an acquisition of a pitcher like Archer will the Braves send their top prospect arms back down to the minors?
The rebuild has seemingly been going steady for what seems like an eternity at this point, and while Braves Country is ready to win, and compete, the time may just not be ripe to chase a pitcher.
The National League East has been a feeding ground for the Washington Nationals, and with the Atlanta Braves returning the majority of their unit next season, don’t be surprised to see the Braves once again go toe-to-toe with D.C.
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The winter is coming, and with it will bring opportunity for a variety of ball clubs. Atlanta could definitely be one of those teams, and I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to it, but the homegrown mentality has worked for the Atlanta Braves. As for this winter, chasing an ace is neither a bad or good thing for this team, because hey we could always use another arm right?