Atlanta Braves 2017 Opening Day Roster Still Has Trimming To Do, But Getting There

Braves Roster Needs Tweaks, But We’re Almost There

The countdown is real, folks. We’re inching so close to the 2017 Opening Day — BTW, March is flying by, isn’t it?? The Atlanta Braves open their season at Citi Field in New York on April 3 and we can all hardly wait.

As I’m looking at the Braves active roster, I see 13 positional players and 19 pitchers.

If rumor has it, Atlanta will open the season with eight relief pitchers in the bullpen. Add those eight plus our five starting pitchers and that equals 13 pitchers (yes, easy math but figured I’d spell it out). They’ll need to trim six more pitchers from camp…unless they trade/sign/add somehow in the next two weeks.

Let’s take a look at the Braves pitching staff today (March 23, 2017)…

[table id=63 /]

Nine pitchers are locked in (barring injury/trade) — Julio Teheran, Bartolo Colon, Jaime Garcia, R.A. Dickey, Mike Foltynewicz, Jim Johnson, Mauricio Cabrera, Ian Krol and Arodys Vizcaino.

Two pitchers who have 0% chance of making Opening Day — Matt Wisler will most likely start in Triple-A or be traded. Armando Rivero has been dealing with shoulder soreness and hasn’t pitched.

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So the Braves are currently left with eight pitchers to fill in four spots for the bullpen — Blaine Boyer, Joel De La Cruz, Kevin Chapman, Josh Collmenter, Eric O’Flaherty, Jose Ramirez, Paco Rodriguez and Chaz Roe.

It’s going to be an exciting final two weeks to see who will make the team. Right now, I like Collmenter and EOF to make the team. Cruz and Chapman have pitched really well. Everyone wants to see more Paco.

Man, if I had to decide right now on the final four bullpen spots, I’d go Collmenter, EOF, Paco and Ramirez.

Let’s take a look at the Braves positional staff today (March 23, 2017)…

[table id=64 /]

The huge debate continues…will the Braves add an additional bench bat before the season starts?

Atlanta has 13 guys on the roster right now. If the Braves go with an eight-man bullpen, they’ll only be able to carry 12 positional players.

All eight positions are locked and loaded for the Braves. Now it’s just the four bench spots.

Kurt Suzuki and Jace Peterson are pretty much guaranteed to start the year in Atlanta. Two spots for Chase d’Arnaud, Rio Ruiz, Emilio Bonifacio and/or the hypothetical newest member.

I see Ruiz going to Triple-A Gwinnett to start the season. Though he’s had a great spring, I’d rather him get everyday at-bats then sit on the bench and platoon with Garcia at third.

Next: Braves and The Jose Quintana Rumor That Won't Go Away

Chase and Boni would make my team right now. BUT I don’t think that would be the case. GM John Coppollella will make another move before the start of the season…the question is when.

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