Finishing the Task
As for the rest: free agent acquisitions or ‘lesser trades’ may be possible to complete the goals set forth for a 2017 rotation. The market isn’t that bad for depth, after all. Here are some possibilities:
- Doug Fister
- Andrew Cashner (with beard included)
- Jeremy Hellickson (Qualifying Offer?)
- Rich Hill
- Mat Latos
- Colby Lewis
- Ivan Nova
- Edinson Volquez
…just to name a few of the better options. A full list – including players with contractual options – is here at MLB Trade Rumors.
Best guess: if Coppolella wants a front-line complement for Teheran, he will have to engineer a serious trade. If he wants depth and veteran support nearer the back end of the rotation, then he can look for free agents or lesser trades.
That Final Question
Ideally, every Team, every General Manager should go into every season with the goal of winning a World Series. Aiming for less than that means that you will achieve less. Obviously.
That said, circumstances often dictate that “aiming lower” is the correct course of action for various reasons. That was the case for the Braves in 2015 and 2016. However, buoyed by the sudden rebound over the second half of 2016, early indications suggest that the aim could be considerably higher for Atlanta in 2017.
We should know that if/when this first big pitching trade is made. If Coppolella wants to infuse a bolt of energy into the entirety of Braves Country, then a trade for a bona fide frontline starting pitcher would do exactly that. It would make the statement that the Atlanta Braves are back, and are intending to stick around for the long haul.
Next: But Did We Learn Anything?
The offense is more-or-less ready as it stands. Achieving the pitching goals as declared would put the Braves on track to making a run in the NL East … immediately.