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NL East Off-Season Review: Atlanta Braves

By Alan Carpenter

Nov 1, 2015; New York, NY, USA; A professional woman runner makes her way across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge during the start of the New York City Marathon. Mandatory Credit: Eric Sucar-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York, NY, USA; A professional woman runner makes her way across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge during the start of the New York City Marathon. Mandatory Credit: Eric Sucar-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) leaves the game against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Phillies 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) leaves the game against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Phillies 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rotation

Again, Atlanta will have choices if these new signees prove to be useful on the mound.  The possibilities are…

If most/all of these guys pitch well enough to make the rotation, then that pushes Mike Foltynewicz, Manny Banuelos, Williams Perez, Ryan Weber, Matt Wisler, et al could be left competing for a single rotation spot… or less.  As suggested earlier, though, it’s not a horrible thing if these guys start in AAA:  they will be able to work on control and their polish.  Many of us on these pages have proffered the notion that a bit more seasoning might be appropriate… these veterans could support that idea.

Of course, all that is said knowing that things seldom work as expected.  In 2015, Wandy Rodriguez was pitching very well in Spring – save for one outing.  Ultimately, the Braves decided that those Spring outings were not as good as they looked, and released him.  Texas picked him up and used him for 15 starts… but they ultimately released him too, after a 4.90 ERA.  Ditto for Trevor Cahill and Eric Stultz.

Ideally, I expect that Atlanta would like to limit the number of the young starters employed; using one or even none to start with, and then perhaps adding one per month throughout the season as each is deemed ready.  No plan ever works that well, so there will be modifications and adjustments along the way, but that’s a best guess.

Again:  flexibility is the word for 2016, and the good news is that if/when one of these new vets falls... or gets traded away… the Braves will have another starter ready to plug in immediately.

The Bullpen

It’s not a 100% turnover, but it almost feels that way.  Regardless, this part of the pitching equation does feel like the goal of having better reliability might have been met a bit.  Atlanta now has enough “been there/done that” guys that should not have the kind of meltdown that the bullpen – and fans – endured.

There will be some interesting choices to make this Spring for bullpen members – and I won’t take the time to delve into all of that today, but here’s a highlight or two:

  • The Braves will have to determine whether two Rule 5 picks (Evan Rutckyj and Daniel Winkler) will make the club.  I expect Winkler does, since he’s actually a starter.  He also has the least stringent “keeper” requirement on him – 35 more days and he’s free of Rule 5 restrictions.  He will then move to Gwinnett to see what he’s really got when starting.
  • Will Jim Johnson bounce back?  He was very good in Atlanta… very bad in Los Angeles.
  • Among the minor league signees, who can break through?  David Carpenter?  Alexi Ogando?  Someone else?

Regardless of the answers, I do like the choices available, and I do not anticipate another year of thirty-three relief pitchers.  If Jason Grilli and Arodys Vizcaino are the end-game choices for the year, then that’s a good enough set of anchors for the pen.  Between the rotation, the offense, and the bullpen – the pen could end up being the better of the three.

AH, that “If” Question

Yes – “IF” they are available for the year… “if” nobody is traded.  Those are the questions.

I expect that because the Braves were stung so painfully after the trades from mid-season, Coppolella will be more conservative in trading certain contributors this season.  I have to believe that he will not leave Atlanta in the situation faced last season:  going from a 42-42 record, then spiraling to 25-53 afterwards.

However, opportunity does come knocking occasionally.  Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson went to the Mets in exchange for pitchers Rob Whalen and John Gant.  If he gets that kind of offer again this season, Coppy will take it – and he should.  That’s a solid deal for the Braves.  Nonetheless, I do think Coppy will be much more cautious this time ’round, and not leave the team completely punchless.

How that manifests itself remains to be seen, but I do think that the “never again” declaration applies here:  trades of veteran assets will help the club in future years, but there are limits.

Next: Assessment... plus a Fish Story

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