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Atlanta Braves: Surprise Contenders?

By Wesley Wilcox

Sep 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Jace Peterson (8) leaps over Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) after the force out at second base at Marlins Park. The Atlanta Braves defeat the Miami Marlins 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Jace Peterson (8) leaps over Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) after the force out at second base at Marlins Park. The Atlanta Braves defeat the Miami Marlins 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could the Atlanta Braves be surprise contenders in the 2017 season?

It is officially 2017, and with it comes a wave of expectations for the Atlanta Braves. After finishing with one of the worst records in franchise history last year, this season could prove to be a massive turning point in team history.

Anyone who calls themselves a fan of the Braves will distinctly remember the infamous “worst to first” season where the Braves stunned the baseball community as they won the National League pennant. Although, the Braves did come up short in the 1991 World Series one could argue that season planted the seeds for what was to come in the 1990’s for the Braves.

So why does this matter? After finishing 68-93 in 2016 it would make absolutely no sense for anyone in their right mind to consider this Braves team to be a contender for a playoff spot, and better yet a world title.

Enter John Coppollela and the Braves front office. With a new stadium in SunTrust Park set to open in a matter of months it would be catastrophic to begin a new chapter in the franchises history with another 90-loss season, and with no fans in attendance. Following the 2016 “rebuild” season something happened in the front office that set off a chain of events that brought the Braves into the 2017 postseason contenders conversation.

Coppollela and company decided to go after veteran pitchers Bartolo Colon, R.A Dickey, and Jaime Garcia to fluff up the depleted pitching staff. With these moves being heavily questioned by the baseball community I am here to back these decisions. It is understandable as to why these moves would be questioned given Colon and Dickey’s age, but these are two guys who have defied the odds in the past three years with outstanding numbers.

In 2016 alone Colon finished the season with a 15-8 record with a 3.43 ERA, while Dickey finished with a 10-15 record with a 4.46 ERA, but let’s not forget this is the same guy who just four years ago finished the season at 20-6 and contended for the CY Young Award for best pitcher of the year.

In order to win games at the major league level pitching has proven to be the only way to guarantee. Just ask the past three World Series winners in the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and San Francisco Giants.

Next: Braves' Top Five Players

After years of tanking, and trading away some of the city’s favorite players the Braves are primed to become one of the world’s elite teams again. With MLB Rookie of the Year candidate Dansby Swanson, All Star first basemen Freddie Freeman, future breakout star Ender Inciarte, and with veteran leadership from Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis this team has the makings of a serious dark horse contender in the National League.

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