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Atlanta Braves: The New Year is looking mighty bright!

By Dalton Skaggs

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a lead off double against the New York Mets on September 26, 2017 at Citi Field in Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a lead off double against the New York Mets on September 26, 2017 at Citi Field in Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 13: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves hits a two RBI single against the Washington Nationals in the seventh inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 13: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves hits a two RBI single against the Washington Nationals in the seventh inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

4.) Dansby Swanson

Swanson had a rough start to his MLB career, and a rough start is no legitimate reason to trade away a player with Swanson’s value. The stellar middle infield defense Swanson and Albies can put together will be what Atlanta needs, and yep, you guessed it, Alex Anthopoulos’ high emphasis on defense will likely prevent the departure of Swanson, for now.

There has been some talk on the Braves Twitter-verse about getting rid of Swanson and creating a middle infield of Johan Camargo and Ozzie Albies. Using Swanson as a trade chip would undoubtedly bring some big talent to Atlanta, but giving Swanson the boot after only 1 full year of MLB service could be the wrong move.

I would hate to see Swanson go somewhere else and thrive just like Andrelton Simmons is doing with the Los Angeles Angels.

After Swanson got called back up to the major leagues post-demotion, he held his own very well:

49 G, 164 AB, 23 R, 44 H, 9 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 16 RBI, 24 BB, 36 K, .313/.376/.371/.747

The month of September was rough for him, but he still managed to get through the month while being very productive not only in the field, but at the plate as well. I’m sure Swanson will turn things around in 2018, but maybe not to the level we all aspire him to be just yet. I feel like he will reach his full potential in the next few years, but just not in 2018.

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