Atlanta Braves: 2 Moves That Must be Made Before Opening Day

Spend Big on a Starter

If the Atlanta Braves want to make a bold statement with the money they have leftover, they can go out and spend big on a starting pitcher.

Now the only starting pitcher still out there on the free agent market that will demand big money is Dallas Keuchel.

The market value for Keuchel according to Spotrac is over $22 million, but I doubt the Braves — or anyone else for that matter — would go that high on the 31-year-old.

He is also seeking a five-year deal, and I highly doubt he’s going to get that length.

If the Braves could get him on a four-year deal for around $18 million a year, I think that would be a solid signing.

That would give the Braves that game-changing starter atop the rotation, which they desperately need if they make the playoffs again. The former Cy Young would also help bring along the young starters for the Braves.

They could also spend about half that money and get someone like Gio Gonzalez or Wade Miley. Another option could be to trade for a frontline starter like Madison Bumgarner who will make $12 million this season.

The second move they would need to make is to find another veteran arm for the bullpen.

If they signed Keuchel there wouldn’t be much money left for this, so they’d likely have to find a reliever through trade. But I think it’s imperative that the Braves find another reliable arm for the back of the bullpen, so there’s another possible course of action to take instead…