Atlanta Braves: Considering Making Blockbuster Moves

The Atlanta Braves are reportedly looking into acquiring an ace. Most notably the Braves have been looking at trading for Sox ace Chris Sale.

The Atlanta Braves have had their names in a myriad of trade rumors for more starting pitching including rumors that they have been inquiring about White Sox ace Chris Sale. While they are just one of many teams to be asking it is surprising they are inquiring considering their earlier statements this year that they would not be going after an ace or selling top prospects.

With the moves and statements the Braves have backed up over the past few seasons it is safe to assume that the Braves may have been posturing and planning to target an ace all along. The A’s Sonny Gray and Ray’s Chris Archer have been asked about by the Braves as well.

This implies that the Braves are not only interested in adding another pitcher to their rotation but actively seeking to add a pitcher that is capable of slotting above Braves’ ace Julio Teheran.  The Braves have added two starting pitchers already this off-season making their early 2017 pitching staff look something like this:

1. Julio Teheran
2. R.A. Dickey
3. Bartolo Colon
4. Mike Foltynewicz (Until he gets hurt… again)
5. Wisler/Blair/Collmenter/Perez

The Atlanta Braves pitching has in years past been their strong point keeping at times anemic offenses in games. This coming season the Braves seem to have the opposite problem an above average offense after the additions of Matt Kemp and Dansby Swanson jump started their offenses for the final two months of the season.

Going out and spending prospects for an arm like Chris Sale is a move that the Braves are not likely to make but a move that would put them over the top. With Chris Sale slotted into the rotation all of the sudden the Braves rotation would look a lot more formidable.

1. Chris Sale
2. Julio Teheran
3. Bartolo Colon
4. R.A. Dickey
5. Mike Foltynewicz

Adding Chris Sale would transform the Braves rotation back to one that can carry a struggling offense as opposed to one that is counting on unproven young pitchers to fill two spots in the rotation to simply worrying about backing up the injury prone Mike Folynewicz. It would give the Braves a legitimate one and two starters that could match any two other rotation spots in the league.

The problem for the Braves is whether they will be willing to pay the price in prospects that a player like Chris Sale would cost. While many fans may be hesitant to see the Braves spend prospects freely it is important to remember they are just that, prospects.

The best name in recent memory to illustrate this fact for Braves fans is Christian Bethancourt. The Braves spent years waiting for Bethancourt who they thought would be their catcher of the future for many seasons to come. If the Braves could go back and trade Bethancourt for Major League level talent how quickly would they make that decision?

Obviously this reasoning can only be taken so far the Braves have spent time re-building a deep farm that they will need in the years to come. The Braves do not have to destroy their farm system to go all in this season. They will simply have to be willing to spend what it takes to bring a Chris Sale or  Chris Archer to Atlanta and help this team return to relevance.

Next: Braves Off-season Targets

The Braves have made it clear that they are not looking to move their top prospects this past off-season.  To acquire the pieces that they need to take the next step forward they will have to move a number of prospects.  If the Braves hope to take a step forward now is the time to stop waiting on aces to appear from their farm system and to go get an ace while they are on the market. If your a Braves fan however, don’t hold your breath.