A Plan to Make the Atlanta Braves Contenders in 2016

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The Atlanta Braves celebrate after defeating the New York Mets 6-3 at Citi Field. We want much more of this. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

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Over the past month or so, I have been wrestling with this notion that the Atlanta Braves can and should continue to be aggressive with their pursuit of the ultimate goal – a playoff-contending roster. Publicly, that remains a “2017+” aspiration. I have teased with a few ideas that continue to make me think that the team is closer to that goal than some might expect… and some recent news has actually starting playing into the direction of those ideas.

As a result, it’s time – with the first session of General Manager meetings now underway in Boca Raton, FL – to stop teasing and fully throw that plan against the wall.

SO WHAT’S CHANGED LATELY?

Two very recent things of note:

Hector Olivera is now a Left Fielder. That’s his position while playing for Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rican winter league. He’s currently hitting .333 (6th in the league) with a pair of doubles and no strikeouts in 27 AB, by the way.
This from yesterday:

"Early word from the GM Meetings has the Cincinnati Reds looking to move star closer Aroldis Chapman and second baseman Brandon Phillips, according to a source. The team is also willing to listen to offers for third baseman Todd Frazier and outfielder Jay Bruce, the source said."

Reds former-GM-now-President Walt Jocketty is heading for the door after 2016, and GM/Senior VP Dick Williams is the new GM. It appears that part of the job they are conspiring to do before Jocketty leaves town is to assist in cleaning the house – getting the Reds’ payroll down to something more manageable and instituting their own flavor of a rebuild.

All of that news plays directly into what I had in mind. So here’s how Atlanta can begin contending: now.

Next: Step 1 - the Infield

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