After Markakis, what’s next for the Braves?

2. Find a frontline starting pitcher

There is only one free agent pitcher available that qualifies as a frontline starting pitcher and that is Dallas Keuchel, whose market has been relatively quiet.

MLB Trade Rumors projects Keuchel’s contract to be 4-years, $82 million dollars, which would be $20.5 million a year, unless it is back or front-loaded.

There have been conflicting reports about the Braves willingness to surrender a draft pick by signing free agents.

When they were rumored to be discussing A.J. Pollock, Jon Heyman said giving up picks was the drawback to the Braves pursuing the centerfielder.

But at ChopFest Saturday, Anthopoulos said it would not be a deciding factor.

Keuchel could very well be in play.

On the trade market, it appears the Giants are going to hang on to Madison Bumgarner until the trade deadline so he can rebuild his value a bit.

If the Braves were to acquire another outfielder, then perhaps they could include Ender Inciarte in a trade to the Indians in hopes of trying to land Corey Kluber.

That, too, seems unlikely.

The Diamondbacks would assuredly move on from Zach Greinke, but they would have to take on a lot of salary to do so.

Also, if they were asking a ton for outfielder David Peralta, then it seems logical the asking price for starting pitcher Robbie Ray would be crazy high as well.