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Atlanta Braves: 3 offseason moves to win the 2020 World Series

By Jake Mastroianni

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros holds the Commissioner's Trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in game seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros holds the Commissioner's Trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in game seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 27: Gerrit  Cole #45 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning in Game Five of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 27: Gerrit  Cole #45 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning in Game Five of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Gerrit Cole

This really isn’t about signing Gerrit Cole as much as it is about understanding that the Atlanta Braves need another frontline starting pitcher.

light. Related Story. Top of rotation starter a must

Right now it’s Mike Soroka and a bunch of question marks.

Cole got 23 responses on Twitter because he’s the pitcher we’ve been looking for over the past decade.

It was very telling to me that when we posted our All-Decade team that Tim Hudson was first on the list of starting pitchers.

That’s no offense to Huddy who was excellent for the Braves, but we haven’t had a true ace since John Smoltz.

When is the last time the Braves had a serious Cy Young contender? Maybe Craig Kimbrel when he finished fourth in the voting in 2013 — and he’s not even a starting pitcher!

Point being, the Braves have to find a bonafide ace that can compete for Cy Young awards.

And Soroka — who very well could finish top 5 in NL Cy Young voting for 2019 — could be that guy.

But still, he can’t do it alone.

And while it would be great to pair him with someone like Cole, I just have a hard time believing the Braves will give him what he’ll demand in free agency.

I mean, after Game  7 Cole was wearing a Scott Boras hat, so he’s ready for that big payday.

But going to the original question, putting Cole atop the Braves rotation would certainly make them World Series contenders.

Stephen Strasburg also got six responses and would be a great fit atop the rotation, but he’s also a long shot because of money.

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