House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves: 4 Things We Hope to Know by End of Winter Meetings

By Jake Mastroianni

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 3: A message of condolences for the victims of Sunday night's mass shooting is displayed outside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, October 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Late Sunday night, a lone gunman killed over 50 people and injured over 500 people after he opened fire on a large crowd at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival. The massacre is one of the deadliest mass shooting events in U.S. history. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 3: A message of condolences for the victims of Sunday night's mass shooting is displayed outside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, October 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Late Sunday night, a lone gunman killed over 50 people and injured over 500 people after he opened fire on a large crowd at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival. The massacre is one of the deadliest mass shooting events in U.S. history. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
atlanta braves
The Atlanta Braves are rumored to have former Astros starter and Cy Young Award winner, Dalllas Keuchel in their wish list. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Calling All Aces

I really think starting pitching will be the highlight of the winter meetings. Will Patrick Corbin already off the board signing with those nasty Nats, other teams will be scrambling to find starting pitching.

The Atlanta Braves have been desperate to find that ace for years, and if we are going to take that next step in the playoffs we have to find an ace this offseason.

As great as Mike Foltynewicz was in 2018, it’s hard to see him repeating that performance and being an ace of the staff. I think he will be a great number two, but not an ace.

I also think it’s unfair to label any of the young guys an ace at this point without seeing them get more work at the Major League level.

The only way I see the Atlanta Braves having an ace in 2019 is if they sign or trade for one.

Dallas Keuchel is the only other free agent who fits the mold of an ace. The more I hear about Keuchel and his work ethic and passion to win, the more I want the Braves to sign the 30-year-old.

However, it has not been in the best interest of teams lately to give big money to guys in their 30’s. And with Corbin off the board, I’m afraid teams more desperate for starting pitching will throw big money and years at him.

The only true ace — in my opinion — that might become available during the Winter Meetings is Madison Bumgarner. If the Giants are willing to part with him — and it sounds like they might be — I think the Braves need to be first in line.

Either way, I think we need to know by the end of next week what our options are to get an ace for this staff.

Home/Braves News