Atlanta Braves should dump that draft-pick for a starting pitcher

Filling those unexpected vacancies

When I mention losing a draft pick, someone always says the Atlanta Braves have to fill the void left by the loss of the 13 players in 2017. It turns out that loss wasn’t as significant as some believe. Here’s where those prospects are today.

One of the 13 stayed with the Braves.  Some of the remaining players were the padding to sneak Maitan through without admitting the actual bonus paid. Two years later, Zuniga and Rojas look like the only potentially significant losses.  If you want them, many will be Minor League Rule 5 eligible soon (as noted above), so there’s that.

A more significant loss from that self-inflicted wound is the Braves’ inability to play in the international market this year and play only at a restricted level next year. Those losses would show up at least four years down the road, projected to provide less value in the next decade because they are so young when signed.

Assume the position . . .

I loved that show: Robert Wuhl was superb at making things simple. I’ll try to do the same.
A rebuilding team needs their draft picks to the point where they feel they are ready to move up a bit. That’s when you add a Jon Lester, Ivan Rodriguez, level veteran to lead and groom your young players.

A team that came up short as the Astros did in 2015 and 2016, and knows adding a Justin Verlander to their rotation makes them a winner should make a move.

If a team believes signing a top-end free-agent is the missing piece needed to win, losing a second-round pick means nothing.

That’s a wrap.

Prospects are suspects, and draft picks are lottery tickets trying to become suspects, with few big winners.  Both are currency teams use to improve their roster for championship challenges.

Believing a team of prospects and inexperienced players will win a World Series is Hollywood fantasy.  We just witnessed how teams win a World Series, and it’s always been that way — pitching depth and players who can hit quality pitching when the game is on the line.

The Atlanta Braves need both. To get a quality player, you must pay the price, even if giving up a draft pick (or two),  trading away that super-hyped prospect, or a player off the active roster is part of that price.

The goal is winning championships: if you want to keep your favorite guys and hope you’ll win, you’re going to be disappointed.