The Braves certainly have a large amount of questions to answer heading into the 2018 season...Throughout the course of this fan post, I will address some of what I think are their major questions, and just add any additional information or thoughts that I think are relevent. Please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions, or ideas you may have in the comments section. (Especially, any information you may have on rumors, or ideas about the Braves bullpen, because that's where I'm lost the most..lol)
Their first major question that needs addressing would be the dilemma at 3B. Do the Braves sign a "big" Free Agent 3B, like Moose?? Or do they possibly re-sign Phillips...Or do they go with a combination of their two youngsters in Camargo and Ruiz...
Personally, I think you have to get a veteran at 3B, and someone with some power, IF they really want to contend in 2018. Otherwise, you can't go with Albies, Swanson, and Camargo/Ruiz and expect to contend. Moose should be their target, and they can let Camargo and either Jace or Micah Johnson can end up being their two super utilities.
Their second man question will be how they address their 5-man rotation. Locked in are Julio and Folty, which neither are very consistent, yet both at times look like potential TOR arms...and idk, they both just frustrate the living heck out of me...lol. ..Then maybe they pick up Dickey's option to add their #3. The #4 and #5 spots are going to be a huge competition between guys like Newk, Sims, Fried, Gohara, Soroka, and Allard. Gohara is picking up steam, after adjusting to his promotion from AA to AAA, and has been pretty dominant all season long. Also, both Soroka and Allard are doing very well at AA, especially for their age, ONLY 19!!
Their bullpen will also be a question mark moving forward, but there are some guys already in place that have enough talent for them to be a successful unit. It is just going to come down to their overall depth that may hurt them, but again, they do have some in-house options that should be able to step up from AAA...
If they do not add anyone, and I am guessing Johnson will be gone..So, with Ramirez, Minter, and Vizzy, they have 3 solid guys already set for 2018. Then, add in Akeel Morris, Wisler (who's looked good out of the pen thus far), Luke Jackson, and maybe Daniel Winkler, if he proves to be healthy and effective that'll give them 3-4 more promising options, to just about round out the pen.
They also have 3 guys who all once were labeled as immensely talented prospects, but each will come with HUGE question marks going into 2018, J.Lindgren, Mauricio Cabrera, and Jesse Biddle. I'm not quite sure about Lindgren, but if he's healthy he could potentially become a very dominant set-up man, like he was with the Yankees. Although, he still has a long road ahead, to even prove he can once again be that dominant force he once was. And idk what's happened to the 102-103 mph fastball machine, Mauricio Cabrera, if he finally digs out of his rut this year, then that'll be a huge plus for the Braves...Then, Jesse Biddle, the one highly talented starter from the Phillies organization, could also become an intriguing option out of the pen. He's fought back from injuries this season, and when the Braves moved him to the bullpen, down in the minors, he really showed ALOT of promise!! His key for 2018 will just be staying healthy, and seeing if he can continue to transition well to being a bullpen option. If so, the Braves will have found a real steal, and he could pay huge dividends moving forward. Although, odds are he won't be able to stay healthy long enough for him to make it back to the show, unfortunately..(This is where any extra information would be extremely helpful!! If anyone has any updates on Lindgren or Biddle, it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!)
Then you have veterans like Sam Freeman, whose done really well this year, Rex Brothers , who has been as erratic and up and down as the ocean, and then Enrique Burgos, whose injured now I think, but he has done a solid job at AAA, since being acquired from the Diamondbacks.
Finally, you have guys that have shown some potential promise that are currently in AAA like Caleb Dirks, Rhiner Cruz, Evan Phillips, and Jason Hursh that will all be collectively competing for one of the last remaining spots..None of those guys really inspire my own confidence, but I am sure each will get a long look for possibly the final bullpen spot, especially if others falter and noone is signed...
I'm sure they have the collective talent to fill-out a pretty strong 7-man pen, but some veteran leadership and assistance would definitely be nice. So, I wouldn't be at all suprised if they decline Johnson's option, and they sign or trade for a reliable, veteran set-up man. Idk, maybe someone they have previously been mentioned/linked to like Brach from the Orioles...(Any other thoughts on a potential trade candidate for the bullpen, but keep in mind, the price for set-up men is almost at an all-time high, so is it really worth it??)
Other then that, the Braves are going to have to find a back-up catcher, but I hope they just re-sign Suzuki again. Quietly, he has had an excellent season for the Braves, and Suzuki and Flowers have combined to form one of the best all-around catching duos in the NL.
Finally, the Braves are going to have to find a way to move one of either Matt Kemp or Nick Markakis, because they really need to open up a spot in the line-up for their 19 year old phenom, Ronald Acuña...I'd honestly prefer to keep Matt Kemp's bat in their line-up, and being able to slide Acuña in RF.
By signing Moose, trading Markakis, and promoting Acuña, the Braves should open with the following 2018 line-up:
Inciarte
Swanson
Freeman
Moose
Kemp (Kemp GIDP's too often for me to put him #4)
Acuña
Flowers/Suzuki
Albies
Bench:
Kurt Suzuki/Flowers
Matt Adams
Johan Camargo
With the last remaining bench spot going to one of the following: Micah Johnson, Rio Ruiz, Dustin Peterson, or Jace Peterson... (Any other signings, or candidates anyone can think of??)
That certainly isn't a juggernaut AL line-up, but for the NL that's a line-up that could very well, potentially, compete for a Wild Card spot...They would have a good balance of speed in Inciarte, Swanson, Acuña, and Albies. They'd have an influx of solid power from Freeman, Kemp, Moose, with Flowers and Suzuki capable of hitting about 12-15 HR's each, and a potential 15-25 HR prospect in Ronald Acuña. With also, Matt Adams who is a more then capable power bat, spot starter off the bench.
And they'd also have a good combination of situational/clutch hitters and guys that can hit for a solid average in Inciarte, Swanson, Freeman, and Albies...Now, that's counting on Swanson being to continue and maintain his present level of success with his newlyfound, slightly open batting stance, but since he made the adjustment in his stance, he's done very well and seems to have fixed the hole in his swing. He was getting jammed very easily on balls thrown inside, now he's barreling those balls up and driving them for singles and doubles. Also, now, he's taking that outside pitch, and he's just simply hitting it the other way with success. Even though, it's only been a small sample size since he made that adjustment, in the future, his current success seems entirely sustainable for the longterm as well..
So, like I said before, these are just my own personal thoughts for the Braves going into the 2018 season. Feel free to add any comments below, pertaining to anything above...
I absolutely love this site, but I don't write Fan Posts too often, so thank you, in advance, for taking the time to read my ramblings!! lol
