Atlanta Braves: Possibilities Ahead This Off-Season
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have struggled this season, posting low win totals for the first few months this season. With the season coming to a close what is ahead for the Atlanta Braves front office this winter?
The Atlanta Braves are in the middle of one of the worst seasons in recent memory but seem to be headed in the right direction. They are enjoying a successful month of September with the offense and fielding both taking significant steps forward. The team fights for every win and never gives up despite finishing as one of the worst teams in the Major Leagues this season.
The type of play that they are displaying shows the character of both the players and the coaches. They are fighting hard for every win and showing promise as they get ready to head into their new stadium.
The Braves first decision this winter will be deciding who will mange this team? Brian Snitker looked to be nothing more than a place holder earlier this season after Fredi Gonzalez was fired.
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The last month and a half have done a lot to change how Snitker is viewed. The effort and talent he has gotten out of a roster with a lot of young players has been impressive and earned him some consideration as to whether or not he could keep the job long term?
If the Braves decide to move on from Snitker. Other names that have been floated around is third base coach Bo Porter and former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black.
Regardless of their decision the Braves will make this decision quickly after the season concludes to give their players and prospective free agent signings an idea of who exactly they will be playing for.
The Braves have very few players who will be headed into the free agent market. A.J. Pierzynski is the only name of note that the Braves are set to lose.
Pierzynski has been the Braves starting catcher for parts of the last two seasons helping bridge the gap after catching prospect Christian Bethancourt didn’t pan out as quickly as the Braves were hoping.
The Braves will be looking to add a starting catcher or at the very least a platoon mate for catcher Tyler Flowers.
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Aside from adding a catcher the Braves have stated that their focus this off-season will be adding to the rotation.
With their overachieving outfield and the surprising emergence of Adonis Garcia and Jace Peterson the team is left with few holes to fill in their lineup and will be able to focus almost solely on pitching.
This class of free agent pitchers is one of the thinnest in recent memory leaving Rich Hill as the top pitcher of the free agent class.
While the Braves may explore signing Rich Hill and other notable free agents they haven’t been shy about making trades to help fill holes on their team.
They could opt to spend some of the prospects they have acquired over the last two years in exchange for pitching that can help them now.
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Overall the Atlanta Braves’ off-season should be another eventful one. The difference this season will be for the first time in almost three years the Braves will be gearing up to compete and build a roster around their young position players. This winter should be an interesting one for Braves fans as the team finishes their rebuild while moving into a new stadium.