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Atlanta Braves: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2019 season

By Matthew Browning

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: The Atlanta Braves looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: The Atlanta Braves looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 12: Pitcher Archie Bradley #25 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 12: Pitcher Archie Bradley #25 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

3. The Braves add a big name to the bullpen

First and foremost:  no it’s not Craig Kimbrel.

At this point, who knows where the all-star closer will go, but it seems highly unlikely that destination will end up being Atlanta.

The back end of the bullpen currently consists of A.J. Minter, Arodys Vizcaino and Darren O’Day (the latter of this group having not pitched very much so far) and while that is fine, there will undoubtedly need to be an addition or two.

Before the July 31st deadline – which now apparently will be the only trade deadline this year – the Braves will acquire Archie Bradley from the Diamondbacks.

With the Dodgers the clear favorite in NL West, the Rockies still a postseason contender and the Padres coming fast, Arizona will need to continue to build towards the future.

They already started that process with the trading of Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals earlier in the winter (they had previously lost SP Patrick Corbin and OF A.J. Pollock to free agency).

Let me add this caveat:  if my previous prediction turns out to be complete garbage – and let’s hope that is not the case – then I could see the Braves looking at the D-backs starting pitching, too:  Robbie Ray and Zach Greinke (at a serious discount) could be options.

Perhaps a more bold of a trade prediction might be my belief that Julio Teheran will be good enough to be moved at the deadline.

I think a team like Minnesota, who will likely win enough games in the putrid AL Central to be in the postseason hunt, will be an option for Teheran.

But with so many young pitchers ready to go, all Teheran needs to be is decent and that will elicit trade interest.

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