Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos talks Keuchel Kimbrel and rotation

Are innings for your pitchers a concern?

Russo’s query about innings for Mike Soroka and Max Fried, in particular, brought the reply previously given:  the Braves placed no hard cap on innings for either pitcher.

". . . (the Braves) are aware that Soroka and Fried will tire and are watching their performance over the next four months. Health is a key component and we’re keeping a close eye and  on them to try to make sure they can perform for us if we are able to get to October."

Adding Keuchel doesn’t directly address that issue, but it does put less stress on the bullpen.

The Braves haven’t pulled away from the East

Russo noted that as well as the Braves are playing, they haven’t managed to catch and pass the Phillies and get seven or eight games over 500 and stay there.

Anthopoulos said that the team won last year because of the rotation, and so far they haven’t found the consistency shown in 2018.  He mentioned the need to address the bullpen more than once during the interview but said that the team will win if the starters find and maintain a higher level of everyday performance.

On Payroll, the pen, and the deadline

Let me make clear upfront; this bit is my speculation based on what I heard. The GM didn’t – couldn’t – go into any speculative moves, but there were pointers.

When he said talked about the structure of the potential contract for Kimbrel, he said it had to fit into this year’s payroll framework.  Doing that meant a backloaded deal like that the gave the former Braves’ closer.

Spotrac pegs the Kimbrel payroll hit in Chicago at $10M actual, $14 M for competitive balance tax purposes. Assuming that’s the amount in his billfold to fix the pen, here’s what left on the contracts of available closers

• Brad Hand – $3.25M
• Ken Giles – $3.15M
• Alex Colome – $3.66M
• Will Smith – $2.125M
• Shane Greene – $2M

All of those seem within reach with room to add an emergency player or possibly another starter if needed.

That’s a wrap

The interview made the point I and others often made over the last few weeks. The Atlanta Braves rotation needed the stability and experience of a veteran starter with a résumé. Starters are more expensive than relievers on the whole, and waiting for the deadline is risky when others are bidding prices up.

I believe he will address the pen through trade, though not as soon as I would like it done. He’ll have to give something to get something in such a deal, making the loss of a prospect you like a distinct possibility.  When he does, remember prospects have potential; seasoned major league players produce now.

I didn’t favor Keuchel in the off-season with the draft pick attached. Looking at the draft the lost pick doesn’t appear that big a price to pay.  Going forward, let’s fix that bullpen and rejuvenate right field.