Atlanta Braves: Targeting Michael Fulmer this Off-season

The Atlanta Braves were one of several teams to target Michael Fulmer near the trade deadline. While those attempts obviously failed there had been plenty of rumors that the Braves will be targeting Fulmer in the off-season.

The Atlanta Braves rotation is a mess with Julio Teheran looking like different pitcher then at any other point in his career and young starter Sean Newcomb already taking seven losses most of which were winnable games.

The lack of run support and the lack of depth in the Braves rotation has caused them to continue to target young and controllable starters. The latest target is rumored to be the young Tiger’s pitcher Michael Fulmer.

Fulmer is a solid pitcher who is enjoying a career season. The Braves targeting Fulmer would be a mistake. While they will likely attempt to add Fulmer this off-season the price and questions surrounding Fulmer should discourage the Braves from paying the price for Fulmer.

There are plenty of good options that the Braves could and should add on the free-agent market. While the prices are not going to be as cheap they will be less expensive then Fulmer considering the price that the Braves would have to pay in prospects.

Not only that but if the Tigers are willing to move a young controllable starter like Fulmer they are either not buying Fulmer as a top starter long term or they will be given a king’s ransom.  Staying away from Fulmer and focusing their attention on developing their own young starters and adding a top arm from free-agency is the right move to make.

Next: Braves Off-season Targets

The Braves’ will have three possible targets in this year’s free-agency group that would become the Braves ace.  Jake Arrieta is one interesting name that will soon hit the open market.