Atlanta Braves: When to Pull the Trigger

Another Angle to this

The Braves also are intent to build a perennial winner – not just a flash-in-the-pan/one-and-done team.

Yet when looking at the roster, you’d have to wonder exactly how many productive years some of these players have left in them.

2017 Ages:

• Nick Markakis – 33
• Matt Kemp – 32
• Adonis Garcia – 32
• (Anthony Recker – 34)

There are a few players ‘waiting in the wings’ to replace these when the time comes, but if the concept that “impact” players are needed, then it remains to be seen whether that impact can be had from within … or from external sources.

Teams hold on to their impact players – for obvious reasons.  That is why a franchise such as the Angels clings to a Mike Trout despite their obvious need for an infusion of minor league talent.  Ditto for the White Sox and Chris Sale or the Marlins with some of their young talent.  It is difficult to obtain them.

This is also why the Braves’ trade for Matt Kemp required extraordinary circumstances to pull off.

However, that very deal also suggests the lengths that Coppolella may be willing to go to get that kind of impact player.

The Sum of the Parts

So with all that taken in:  What Will John Do?

We’ve discussed Justin Verlander a lot in recent days – and there’s another opinion today on that subject.  It does seem that the Braves have a brief, annual flirtation with a serious ace-level starter… but never quite pull that trigger.

Many free agent pitchers are available – if the Braves are able to snag one or two decent ones, then that could be deemed sufficient for this off-season.

If you’re wondering what the team might have in mind, here’s one small indicator:

Other available pitchers – as we’ve discussed – could include Jeremy Hellickson, Ivan Nova, Rich Hill, possibly Clay Buchholz, Doug Fister, possibly Kris Medlen, possibly Jon Niese, possibly Edinson Volquez, doubtfully Gio Gonzalez, possibly Charlie Morton (many of these depend on options being declined).  A full list appears here.

Not many impactful names, and fewer that you’d wish to dedicate cash and a 3-4 year deal on.