Atlanta Braves beat writer Mark Bowman on 2018 expectations and playoff hunt

Bowman on Braves 2018 outlook and a possible playoff hunt

2018 will be year four of the Atlanta Braves rebuild/restructuring/retool/rewhateveryouwanttocallit.  Could the Braves actually be in a spot to contented?

The Braves look to be in a spot in 2018 where they’re going to be young and fun to watch.  The young guns are ready to step into big spots and we’re ready to watch.  Now we just need a couple roster tweaks and we’re ready to roll.

With the Houston Astros winning the 2017 World Series, the Chicago Cubs winning last year and the Kansas City Royals winning the year before that, we’ve seen rebuilds work.  Can the Braves be next in line to accomplish such things?

Probably not in 2018, but the future is looking bright for this young and talented team.  I’m thinking we’re contending for a playoff spot come September 2018 and contending for the divisional champs come September 2019.

The Braves definitely have huge questions this offseason.  Those questions start first and foremost with the front office positions and what the MLB will punish them with following their investigation.  Following that, the decisions will have to be made on what to do with the outfield.

Right now, the Braves will have Matt Kemp, Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis in the outfield…not a bad lineup if it’s Kemp and Markakis from 2012 and Ender from 2017.  But it’s not.

Kemp is signed with the Braves through 2019 and will be getting paid $21,750,000 a year.  $3.5 million is paid by the Dodgers and $2.5 million is paid by the Padres.  But still, that’s $15,750,000 hitting the Braves books.  He’ll be entering his 13th year in the bigs and playing as a 33-year-old.

Markakis is signed 2018 and will be getting paid $11,000,000 next  year.  He’ll be entering his 13th year in the bigs and playing as a 34-year-old.

What do the Braves do with these veteran guys?  Especially since hot hitting prospect Ronald Acuna seems ready to join the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day 2018.

It’s going to be tough to move either one of these guys in this offseason.  What the Braves could end up doing is hoping one (or both) start the 2018 season hot and sell high to a team in need.

Once the Braves figure out what the MLB decides, the pieces will start to fall.  Atlanta will hire a GM (and maybe even someone to take over John Hart’s roll) and he’ll start deciding where this team needs to go.

One thing is for sure, this offseason will be pretty hectic for the Atlanta Braves.  It’s not going to be a quiet winter for this organization.

Bowman on Braves playoff hunt and 2018 expectations

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What do you think?  I’m with Bowman here.  With the young kids — arms and bats — the Braves should be contending for a playoff spot in 2018.  The energy Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna will bring to this lineup is going to be very entertaining next season and in the future.