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The 2017 Atlanta Braves Have Gaps On Paper, How Can John Coppolella Fix It?

By Jeff Schafer

Apr 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Spectators walk through a tunnel at Turner Field before the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Spectators walk through a tunnel at Turner Field before the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Braves Have Many Things To Look Forward To, But They Do Have Gaps

The Atlanta Braves are off to their worst start in club history with a 7-24 record and a 1-16 record in front of their home crowd.  Atlanta is on pace to win around 35-40 games this season.

If you compare these records to the worst MLB records in the modern era history, the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics had the worst record as they won 36 games.  Braves team history? – The second worst record in baseball is the 1935 Boston Braves as they only won 38 games.  Do remember though, these teams played only 153 games during their seasons.

By my calculations and if the Braves continue down this awful path, we could be on the verge of making unwanted history.

We’ve all read these things and tune in every night to watch this team play.  While this season is still young, it’s not to early to start looking into the future – especially when you’re having a season like the 2016 Atlanta Braves.

Looking Forward, Not Ahead

The Braves have many young guys already on the roster who are showing they can be promising players here in Atlanta…Mallex Smith, Matt Wisler, Mike Foltynewicz, Aaron Blair – I’ll even include Ender Inciarte, Freddie Freeman, Arodys Vizcaino and yes, Julio Teheran (still only 25-years-old).

I still feel Teheran should stay on the roster of the Braves unless a power bat, MLB ready, third baseman or catcher is offered.

As the Braves move into their new stadium in Cobb County in 2017, they’ll look to be competitive.  To be competitive next year, this roster still needs work.

The 2017 lineup with holes

  1. Nick Markakis
  2. Ender Inciarte
  3. Freeman Freeman
  4. TBD
  5. TBD
  6. TBD
  7. TBD
  8. Mallex Smith
  9. Pitcher

The need for a leadoff hitter hounded the Braves for many years and now it looks as though we have an abundant.  Currently, our entire outfield could be leadoff hitters – Inciarte, Smith, Nick Markakis – as well as superstars that are on the way – Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies.  Swanson and Albies won’t be near the top of the order next year, but if needed could be leadoff hitters in the future, or two-hole hitters.

So that’s potentially five positional players that should be slotted into the one or two slots in a lineup.

Do you see where I’m going with this?  Lack of power, correct.

Freeman is our three hitter with currently the only power-potential in the lineup.  That’s six positional players.  Add in the pitcher, unless we sign Bartolo Colon no power here…That’s seven slots in a lineup.

Third base and catcher is where we’re looking.

Third Base Lookin’

Braves 21-year-old third baseman, Rio Ruiz has performed well to start the 2016 season in Gwinnett.  He’s batting .280 with two home runs, two triples, five doubles, 11 RBI and 17 runs scored.  If he continues his progression, he could be in Atlanta in 2017.

Hector Olivera, yeah…you know that deal.  If not, read about it here.

Free agents you ask? Eh, not much out there.  David Freese, Casey McGehee, Martin Prado, Mark Reynolds, Justin Turner.

Catcher Please!

For the catcher position, Tyler Flowers is signed through next season.  He could be used as a great backup, ha!  A.J. Pierzynski will be gone after this season.

The minors don’t have much in the catcher department for the Braves and recently signed Anthony Recker isn’t going to rock anyones boat.

This is the position the Braves can search for a free agent and spend some money.  Jonathan Lucroy who has been rumored that the Braves would trade for is now a free agent after the season.  He’ll be 30-years-old with already seven MLB years on his knees.  His home run totals have been decreasing since 2013 (18 homers), but continues to get on base.

Other free agents after this season include Matt Wieters, Wilson Ramos, Jason Castro, Alex Avila.

Still Searching, Anyone Want To Come To ATL?

John Coppolella and the Braves front office still have plenty of work to do before the 2017 season if they’d like to compete.

International signings and the #3 pick in the June draft will help, but most likely not immediately.

Here’s something – A 35-year-old Jose Bautista will be a free agent this offseason.  He probably still has two or three good seasons in him, but will probably either stay with the Blue Jays or in the AL so he can DH.

Here’s a projected ugly 2017 lineup without 2016 future trades.

  1. Markakis
  2. Inciarte
  3. Freeman
  4. Lucroy
  5. Ruiz
  6. Swanson
  7. Albies
  8. Pitcher
  9. Smith

What do you guys think?  Share your 2017 lineups in the comment section below.

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