Atlanta Braves: Five Moves For Braves to Make Before Opening Day
By Deke Lloyd
![ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 13: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts on the way to homeplate as he scores on a RBI single by Freddie Freeman #5 in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins during game two of a doubleheader at SunTrust Park on August 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 13: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts on the way to homeplate as he scores on a RBI single by Freddie Freeman #5 in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins during game two of a doubleheader at SunTrust Park on August 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f82a8c8d45fad127bdb4966b87b04d174649893ac0f293ffa14f6ea67622aa7f.jpg)
4. Move on From Former Top Pitcher Julio Tehran
Oh, Julio. It’s been an up and down journey for the once the top-ranked prospect in all of baseball. Julio has been the Opening Day starter, but now he’s fourth in the current depth chart. If one of the young pitchers were to have a great spring, it’s possible the Braves would look to move off of Julio.
Moving Julio right now would mean you’re moving on from a pitcher who doesn’t have the highest seller’s value, but he’s still a piece that other teams would be interested in. Julio is only 28 years old and is on a very affordable deal.
If the Braves wanted to move him, there would be teams who would take a shot on Julio. Now, if the Braves wanted to improve this team, it would take a little bit more than just Julio. But if the Braves were to package him around a couple of nice prospects, that could be the sweetener to get this deal done. Julio has struggled in Atlanta, but he is a proven MLB pitcher.
Maybe a change of scenery is all Julio needs to get his career back on track. The Braves will have to find the right package to move on from Julio, but he’s an asset that the Braves can use to improve this team going into the season and open a spot for one of the young guys to work his way to the big leagues.