Atlanta Braves Still Need to Improve Their Roster Despite Hot Streak

The Atlanta Braves have won nine of their last ten games and are coming off of a big series win against the Phillies. Despite their recent success Atlanta still needs to be aggressive at the upcoming trade deadline.

While it may seem odd to point out the Atlanta Braves shortcomings in the midst of their hot streak Atlanta will need to improve. Come postseason time late-inning comebacks get progressively harder.

The offense will not always be able to carry poor starting pitching or a dumpster fire of a bullpen. Sean Newcomb will need to return to the bullpen and Luke Jackson has to be replaced with a better closing option.

Jackson is far too inconsistent to be a closer for a legitimate postseason contender. Replacing him during the trade deadline will be huge for Atlanta.

If they don’t make changes it will be the opposing teams mounting late-inning comebacks come postseason time.

This isn’t to say the Braves team isn’t special, they have one of the best lineups and baseball and a great young pitching staff. However, the team still needs to make moves to improve if they want to have a chance to bring a championship to Atlanta.

Using their prospects to acquire bullpen arms might be painful but it is the right move for Atlanta. If they had opted to sign Craig Kimbrel they would have the luxury of keeping their farm intact.

Instead, they opted to penny pinch and save money they won’t spend, Atlanta will now need to acquire arms through trades.

If not this team won’t make it deep into the postseason. But if they managed to land at least one reliable late-inning arm and move Newcomb back to the pen this team has legitimate championship aspirations.  A championship that would help bring some sports relevance back to the city of Atlanta.