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Atlanta Braves: 2 Under the Radar FA Pitchers to Target This Offseason

By Jake Mastroianni

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 27: General view of a ball on the mound before the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cincinnati Reds at Target Field on April 27, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 27: General view of a ball on the mound before the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cincinnati Reds at Target Field on April 27, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Pitcher Kevin Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 30, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Pitcher Kevin Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 30, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

It’s looking more-and-more likely that Atlanta Braves won’t get their ace this offseason, so they may look for cheaper alternatives.

Unless the Atlanta Braves surprise everyone and sign Dallas Keuchel this offseason, they probably won’t find an ace to lead the staff before the season starts.

There aren’t a lot of aces available in trades – so one might imagine – and it seems like the Braves are being very protective of their prospects anyway.

That being the case, they may have to look for some under the radar free agent pitchers this offseason if they are going to make a move in that area.

At the moment, the top priority for Alex Anthopoulos appears to be acquiring an outfielder, which makes sense seeing as how we currently don’t have a right fielder.

In all honesty, the Braves could go into the 2019 season and feel pretty comfortable with the arms they have.

Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, and  Kevin Gausman represent a solid 1-3, but I don’t think anyone would consider them an ace. Folty is probably a ‘two’, while Newcomb and Gausman are more like ‘threes’ — although I think Newcomb has the potential to be a two.

As much as I think Braves fans are ready to move on from Julio Teheran, I think he would be a solid number four in a rotation.

And then you have a number of young arms to choose from to fill the fifth spot.

Again, a lot of those arms are unproven at the major league level, and the Braves might feel more comfortable with another proven arm — much like they had with Anibal Sanchez last year.

So here are two under the radar free agent pitches who I think could have a big impact for the Atlanta Braves this year if signed.

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