House That Hank Built
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The 2017 Atlanta Braves: Inquiring Minds Wanted to Know

By Alan Carpenter

Aug 7, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) celebrates with first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) after scoring during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) celebrates with first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) after scoring during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 23, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) reacts at the end of the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) reacts at the end of the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1B) Is there any move you wished they had made that they didn’t?

The Micah Johnson deal is still a bit puzzling, but could work out. I do think we’ll miss Mallex Smith, though he was pretty clearly blocked for a while, so good for him. Ditto for a couple of prospect pitchers traded away, though again – likely blocked.

I do think – especially given Washington’s relatively thin pitching depth – that a bigger push for a frontline pitcher (Sonny Gray, Quintana, Archer) would pay dividends starting this season.  But that hasn’t happened… yet.

By the way: I am honestly not sure that Atlanta is entirely done making deals before this season gets underway. Of note: Craig Kimbrel was traded literally hours before the 2015 season began.

2) That’s an interesting rotation the Braves have constructed. Which pitcher are you most excited to watch?

I still don’t know how Bartolo Colon keeps getting people out, but I am glad to have him… he might be a July trade candidate, but that’s okay too. The overall idea of getting Dickey, Colon, and Garcia is clear: innings and consistency.

May 11, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) reacts after the final out of the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) reacts after the final out of the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

This group will give up a few runs here and there, but along with Julio Teheran and perhaps Mike Foltynewicz they should all keep the team close in most games, which will allow the offense to work.

After 16 different starting pitchers in 2016, I am definitely looking forward to getting that number (hopefully) down to maybe 8 to 10. That would also help the bullpen.

I am actually most curious about Jaime Garcia and whether he can find the magic from 2010-13 that had him pitching in the 3-to-4 ERA range… or 2015 when he was better.

I admit being very surprised that St. Louis effectively gave up on him. Sure – his walks and homers were up, but velocity was actually up a tick and he’s still just a 30-year-old southpaw.

He’s not going to blow anybody away, but he does get people out. He could be a steal.

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