Atlanta Braves 2017 Under the Radar Pitcher Options

The free agent market is bereft of quality starting pitching yet that’s what GM John Coppolella seeks. It’s time to look at  under the radar options the 2017 Atlanta Braves.

There’s been much discussion here and elsewhere about how the Atlanta Braves will find and sign the starters they want. Most of it centers around big names like Justin Verlander we discussed so often his name automatically links when I type it.

In our heart of hearts Braves fans know – or should know – Coppy isn’t going to break the bank on an aging star, no matter how good his resume may be.  This week Mark Bowman suggested   that the Braves might go after knucklballer R. A. Dickey (Twitter link) perhaps giving us a better idea of what’s churning in the secret data center called Coppy’s brain.

We can’t actually do that  –  or can we BWaaahahahahahahaha – but we can look back on what’s been done and attempt to divine what might happen.

Indicators

When this rebuild began we saw our newly appointed Atlanta Braves GM grab former top prospects whose progress had been delayed by injury or those who have fallen from favor in their organizations. Those arms are moving up through the system and looking pretty good for 2018 onward.  Could we see something similar in the way he fills the gaps this off-season? Why not?

I’ve found four pitchers that those profiles and all but one are young and have the potential to be long-term (three years or more) assets.

Who are these candidates?  I thought you’d never ask…