Atlanta Braves: Dissecting Team Needs for 2016

Aug 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Atlanta Braves hat and glove in the dugout before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Atlanta Braves’ 2015 season is dead and gone, John Hart and John Coppolella must shift their focus to the team’s needs for next season.

The Atlanta Braves’ 2015 season is one to forget. It started last offseason when John Hart traded Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, and Craig Kimbrel, making it obvious that the team entered a rebuilding phase. John Hart insisted that the Braves could compete in the near-term, despite trading away their cornerstone pieces; however, he did not hold up to his end of the bargain.

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Despite a disappointing 2015 season, the Atlanta Braves capped it off in dominating fashion, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals. The St. Louis Cardinals lead all of baseball with 100 wins; notably, the Braves shut out the Cardinals in all three games, the second time in franchise history and first since 1992. Given the Braves needed to replace numerous starters, this gave the team a unique opportunity – allow rookies to show their worth.

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This season, several rookies made their debuts with Atlanta: Jace Peterson, Matt Wisler, Manny Banuelos, Hector Olivera, Daniel Castro, Sugar Ray Marimon, and others. If there is a silver-lining to a poor season, it is the Atlanta Braves were able to evaluate the talent they currently have on their roster. By doing so, the team knows what holes they will need to address in the offseason.

This offseason, expect John Hart and John Coppolella to actively pursue players both in the free agency and trade markets. With eyes set on 2017, Hart knows he must continue to help in building in a strong team. The Atlanta Braves need several positions to bolster their roster to a contender-level, so we should dissect the current roster and see where the needs lie within the team.

Next: Jace Peterson or Daniel Castro?