Braves: 4 more moves to complete a great offseason

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 31: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 31, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 31: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 31, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 03: Ronald  Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after he hits a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning in game one of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 03: Ronald  Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after he hits a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning in game one of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Lineup and Payroll

Going based on MLBTR’s arbitration and contract predictions, these four moves (and the moves to trade Inciarte and Greene) would put the total payroll for 2020 around $135 million.

That leaves some flexibility for AA to make some moves during the season as well.

What could this potential lineup look like?

Projected Lineup: 

1. Acuna

2. Ablies

3. Freeman

4. Marte

5. Contreras

6. Moustakas

7. Swanson

8. Pache

9. Pitcher

I don’t know how you guys feel about it, but I am in love with that lineup. That is a very deep lineup that can definitely contend in the postseason.

And you would have Johan Camargo, Charlie Culberson, and Markakis on the bench.

What about the starting rotation?

Projected Rotation: 

1. Soroka

2. Wheeler

3. Fried

4. Folty

5. Newcomb/Wilson/Wright

I’m still not thrilled with that rotation. I would love it a lot more if the Braves could afford to get another veteran to eat some innings.

Maybe Julio Teheran comes back for $5 million or less. Or maybe they can get Cole Hamels on a one-year deal for less than $10 million.

That rotation just has a lot of question marks, and it could be great, but I hate going into the season hoping on ‘ifs.’

Related Story. Best options at catcher this offseason. light

What do you think about these four moves? Is this doable, and is does it make the Braves World Series contenders in 2020? Let us know in the comments below.