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Atlanta Braves Are ‘Freak’ishly in Need of Pitching Help

By Dan Horton

May 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) waits for umpires to decide Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Khris Davis (not pictured) touched home plate after hitting a home run in the first inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) waits for umpires to decide Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Khris Davis (not pictured) touched home plate after hitting a home run in the first inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Braves Should Take a Flier on Former Cy Young Winner

Yes, the Atlanta Braves are losing and losing badly. The Bud Norris project has been a failed attempt. While Julio Teheran is showing signs of rebounding, and Aaron Blair has looked impressive in his first two outings, the need for pitching staff help is still in need. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Enter “The Freak”. Tim Lincecum is on the mend and can still provide a team in need some boost. A change of scenery would be beneficial for Lincecum. As a matter of fact, he is holding a “Pro-Day” of sorts shortly.

Word has it, is that Friday is the day Lincecum will showcase himself. The 2-time Cy Young Award winner will have some stiff competition aside from his previous employer, the San Francisco Giants.

Along with the Giants, other teams expected to be on hand are the Dodgers, Padres, A’s, Cubs, White Sox, Rangers, Astros, Marlins, Nationals, and Orioles; this coming from Chris Haft of MLB.com and Giants beat writer.

Though, the team in need of pitching the most is absent from this list of potential suitors. The Braves are not mentioned among those expected to be on hand for his workout. Lincecum went to the bullpen in San Francisco last year and was a free agent at the end of last year.

He was just ineffective as a starter which prompted his move to the pen. He went unsigned this off season.

My thing is, at this point, why not take a shot? He’s going to be a fairly cheap option and if he doesn’t work out, you don’t lose too much. It would be too easy to sign him to a minor league deal. Start him out in Gwinnett and see what he can do.

Another name that could be a possibility is one time, short time Brave, Wandy Rodriguez. Up until his departure from the Braves last spring, he was looking fairly decent.

And that’s a step up considering our current state of the rotation. He too could also be signed to a minor league contract. Rodriguez was released by the Astros on April 5th.

If pitching is what we need, and is the currency of the league, then why not take a shot at these two? If they show any signs of progress and improvement, they can increase value on the trade market.

Next: Where's The Money?

Honestly, it can’t be any worse than what we have now. And if they aren’t looking for starters, then plug them into the pen. Either way, with one of the worse teams in team ERA, adding these two or even just one could give a little shot in the arm to an otherwise dismal staff.

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