Atlanta Braves need changes to contend in 2018

Injuries don’t tell the whole story

Since July 2016 Salazar missed time due to shoulder soreness or stiffness then returned only to miss more time with a sore elbow.  Those who’ve read me for the past few years will know how much I dislike pitchers who have shoulder issues. That hasn’t changed.

In this case it appears there’s a pattern to his soreness that can be corrected. His shoulder gets tired and instead of skipping a start he pitches until it hurts too badly to continue. He returns but changes his motion to protect his shoulder making his elbow sore.  That’s something that can be adjusted and managed.

The other thing I noted – the thing that makes me think this works; consistent velocity throughout his major league career.

Salazar earns $5M this year, is under team control for two more years and costs just $1M more this season than the relievers traded. He has post season experience on a team that went to the World Series and he can help Mike Foltynewicz tame his beast.

The Braves haven’t had a pitching coach who successfully helped a pitcher gain control of an arm like Folty’s.  Perhaps a peer with the same level of heat who worked through the same issues can do the job.

That’s a Wrap

Trading for Chris Archer or Michael Fulmer isn’t going to happen right now. I looked for pitchers who makes us better and won’t cost a ridiculous price. Salazar has his faults but all pitchers do.

I considered Danny Duffy but he going to be more expensive to keep and to trade for, pitched just 40 more innings than Salazar in the last three years and his rate stats aren’t as good. I looked for others but found no one as good as Salazar.

Next: He's 20 years, 35 days old and baseball's top prospect

I’ll say that this trade leads to another one in part two of this  piece tomorrow so I ask for some indulgence:  in other words there is a plan.

Tomorrow – left field.