It looks like the Atlanta Braves will not make a big splash this offseason for a starting pitcher, but maybe they can find another Anibal Sanchez.
Last year the Atlanta Braves gave Anibal Sanchez a minor league deal late in the offseason and he turned out to be one of their best pitchers.
He was so good that the Washington Nationals signed him to a two-year deal this offseason that will guarantee him $19 million.
The Braves pitching staff is very young, and I know I would feel a lot more comfortable with a veteran starter in the rotation.
Of course, the Braves may already have this person in place with Julio Teheran. But I’m looking for someone on a minor league contract who could have a surprise year like Sanchez did in 2018.
Of the free agents available, the name that pops out to me immediately is James Shields.
The 37-year-old right-handed pitcher has had a very solid career with an ERA of 4.01 ERA in 13 seasons. Last year he had an ERA of 4.53 with the Chicago White Sox pitching over 200 innings for the 10th time in his career — but this came for the first time since 2015.
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Shields has always been an innings eater and could help spell some of the Braves young pitchers. But most importantly, he would be a great role model for them.
His K/9 rate is nowhere near what it used to be sitting at just 6.8 last season, but the veteran knows how to get people out.
There has been little-to-no buzz surrounding Shields this offseason, so I feel fairly certain that the Braves could get him on a minor league deal. That would allow him to prove himself in Spring Training and potentially give him another shot to pitch for a contender.
Think Shields might be a terrible option? I get it – there’s reason to think so. But think about this:
You have to remember that Anibal had ERAs of 4.99, 5.87, and 6.41 before posting a 2.83 with the Braves last year.
I don’t think Shields can be back in the two’s like Anibal did, but somewhere in the threes is certainly attainable with the defense he would have behind him.
Other budget options the Braves could consider include Clay Buchholz, Yovani Gallardo, and Ervin Santana.
I still think Shields would be a great low-cost fit for the Braves, but either way, they need to get at least one of these guys to add some veteran leadership and depth to the starting rotation.