As we get ready to turn the calendar we look at three New Year’s Resolutions for the Atlanta Braves going into 2020.
The new year is a great time for us as people to refocus our lives and think of ways to improve, and the same can be true for a team like the Atlanta Braves.
While the past two seasons have been great with division championships, there is certainly room for improvement going into 2020.
This time last year I wrote 4 New Year’s resolutions for the Braves and three of them worked out, the other one will be mentioned again this time around.
But here are my 3 New Year’s Resolutions for the Braves in 2020:
1. Be bold — It’s time for the Braves and their front office to be bold in 2020. They’ve build up such a good foundation and farm system, now it’s time to take some risks in order to go for it in 2020. Again, division titles are nice, but we’re ready for World Series championships. I get the reason for wanting to hold onto prospects, but if there is a deal out there that can put this team over the top, then it’s time for the front office to be bold.
2. Get that monkey off the back — Atlanta hasn’t advanced in the postseason in nearly two decades. Whether they want to admit it or not, they have a huge monkey on their back. We saw the Washington Nationals finally get over the hump in 2019 and we know how that turned out. I think the Braves can have a similar run if they can just get that monkey off their backs.
3. Find that ACE — Maybe it is Mike Soroka, or maybe it’s Mike Foltynewicz. The Braves have been searching for that bonafide ACE atop the rotation since John Smoltz left. Whether someone already on the roster steps up, or if they trade for an ACE during the season, it’s about time they find that true number one to match up with other team’s ACEs in the playoffs.
I didn’t really focus on stats the Braves could improve on in 2020 because they were really good in 2019. And the one area I would have pointed to was the bullpen and they’ve seemingly taken care of that situation.
And whether it’s Josh Donaldson or someone else, I feel very strongly that they will replace that production in the lineup before the season begins.
I hope you all have a great New Year and here’s to hoping the Braves fulfill some of these New Year’s resolutions in 2020.