It’s rebuilding time for the Braves. This is an organization that has enjoyed success for what amounts to a generation, but they started getting away from the formula that had worked for so many years and began paying the price last season. It seems likely Atlanta will tumble further down the standings this year.
The potential strength of this team will be the pitching, but even that’s not a sure thing. Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, Shelby Miller and Mike Minor are an adequate quartet and I think Wood has a shot to break out. The fifth spot figures to be an issue. Craig Kimbrel is still a monster closer, but getting to Kimbrel could be a problem.
I don’t like the attack for the Braves. Freddie Freeman might not see many strikes this year. There’s way too little sock in this lineup, both second and third base are potential big problems, and the outfield is a mess. Left field looks like a platoon, and Melvin Upton Jr is still BJ Upton in center field. Nick Markakis is an okay add but I personally think he’s a bit overrated and he’ll no longer be hitting ahead of the same lineup he was surrounded by in Baltimore. Christian Betancourt should be a plus behind the plate, but his bat is a big concern.
Basically, this is a team with two stars in Freeman and the amazing Andrelton Simmons, who is one of the best shortstops I’ve ever seen and who’s stick gets better every year. But beyond that duo, uh, yikes.
I have the Braves winning right around 72 games with what they have on their roster now, and I think that could be on the high side as it would not shock me to see Kimbrel dealt at some point. Therefore, while I have not gone to the window with this yet, I’m definitely considering Under 74.5 with Atlanta and I can’t see better than a fourth place finish in the NL East.