Atlanta Braves: Pitching Yet to Improve

The Atlanta Braves improved pitching rotation this season has struggled to say the least and has looked far from improved in the early going. Should the Braves remain patient with the veterans or make moves to give their young arms a chance?

The Atlanta Braves spent most of their off-season focused on trying to improve their pitching rotation though they seemed to be shopping in the bargain section and didn’t go after a solidified starter. Opting instead to add reliable innings eaters like R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon.

Trading for Jaime Garcia as well the new look Braves rotation was supposed to improve behind Julio Teheran but thus far has if anything taken a step back. Considering the struggles the team had last season that is a big step back and the Braves need to begin to consider making moves.

Moving Bartolo Colon to the back of the bullpen and giving one of the Braves young arms like Sean Newcomb a chance in the rotation is one of the more obvious moves. The Braves could opt to explore Jaime Garcia and R.A. Dickey’s trade value as well gauging if they might be better off to focus on youth.

In all fairness to R.A. he has been the most solid of the Braves additions eating innings and keeping his team in games. If the Braves opt to make moves Dickey would make the most sense to remain in the his current spot instead moving Colon and Garcia in favor of young players with more upside.

Next: Braves Off-season Targets

If the Braves do opt to make their rotation younger it would be surprising if Newcomb isn’t the first name that they call up. Matt Wisler is yet to get it together in triple-A and Aaron Blair has had his struggles as well in this case experience shouldn’t be the deciding factor but rather how their seasons are going. With that in mind Braves fans should soon see both Sims and Sean Newcomb.