Atlanta Braves Offseason Speculation, Part 3: Pitchers
By Ryan Cothran
Oct 9, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
John Lackey(41) delivers a pitch during the first inning in game one of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Braves Potential Starting Pitchers
**I’m taking the Elite out as well as the old dumpster dives**
Brett Anderson (28)- Good for the Dodgers this year. Had another injury scare against us in mid-July but Doc says he’s healthy.
Brandon Beachy (29)- Only here for nostalgia. Reunion?
Mark Buehrle (37)- A solid veteran LHP? Sounds good.
Wei-Yin Chen (30)- Has put up good numbers in a league of Murderers’ Rows.
Bartolo Colon (43)- I’d rather have him then have to hit him.
Johnny Cueto (30)-A late season swoon with a new team likely cost him millions, taking him out of top-tier FA starting pitching, but maybe not as he’s pitched well in the postseason. Only time will tell.
Marco Estrada (32)- Good year with the Blue Jays
Doug Fister (32)- Lost effectiveness and moved to the ‘pen mid-year. Had a great ’14, but advanced metrics didn’t match his production.
Yovani Gallardo (30)- Steady innings-eater capable of a mid-to-upper 3 ERA.
J.A. Happ (33)- A career year for the 32-year-old lefty who was healthy and productive.
Hisashi Iwakuma (35)- Injury kept him out all May and June, but was still a very good pitcher for the Seattle Mariners.
Scott Kazmir (32)- Had a career resurgence in in 2013 and has been solid for 3 straight years.
Ian Kennedy (31)- Has pitched fair for the San Diego Padres the last 2 years and seems like a nice enough guy, I guess.
John Lackey (37)- Great year for the St. Louis Cardinals, but peripherals suggest he’s been quite lucky.
Mat Latos (28)- Absolutely awful in 2015, but was a serious workhorse prior to 2015. Buy-low?
Mike Leake (28)- Tim Hudson-esque pitcher who’s succeeded with a low-K rate. Still Young.
Cliff Lee (37)– Didn’t pitch at all in 2015 and injury is said to be career threatening. That’s all I know.
Tim Lincecum (32)- All of his pitches are averaging in the 80’s and that’s not good.
Kyle Lohse (37)- The h is before the s even though it’s pronounced opposite. Oh…and he was really bad last year. Buy low?
Mike Pelfrey (32)- Had a good half-year. Too bad it wasn’t the 2nd half.
Jeff Samardzija (31)- Had a rough year, but peripherals are still better than the results. Buy low?
Jordan Zimmermann (30)- Quality arm with a strong track record, but injuries are a concern.
Next: Right-handed Relievers