Atlanta Braves: Projecting the 2018 starting rotation

Braves 2018 rotation could look very similar…maybe…from 2017

While attending the Winter Meetings, Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker sat in front of a group of around 10 media members answer questions about everything from the old regime to the 2018 season.

One of his answers that stood out to me was about being the Braves manager in 2018.  Many believed after going 72-90 last year, Snitker wouldn’t be back at the helm of the Braves in 2018.  But on October 5th he got his one-year extension for 2018.  Even former General Manager John Coppolella was believed to have wanted to make a move.

Snitker told the media he was questioned whether he wanted to continue working with Coppy and others even if given the opportunity to extend his tenure as the Braves manager.

The timeline seemed to work out perfectly when Coppy was forced to resign on October 2nd and Snit signed on for another year three days later.

But it stood out to me that Snit was given offered that question.

2018 will be Snitker’s second full season and the half he managed in 2015 giving him 42 seasons within the Braves organization.  That’s pretty insane.

We still have two more months before pitchers and catchers report to Florida to begin Spring Training so lots can happen.  New GM Alex Anthopoulos will figure out this organization and will most likely make some moves before Spring Training.

In any case, it’s always fun to look ahead.

Here are the Braves in-house options for the 2018 rotation

Locks (unless traded or injury)

Julio Teheran RHP

Mike Foltynewicz RHP

Luiz Gohara LHP

Good chance (unless traded or injury)

Sean Newcomb LHP

Possibilities (unless traded or injury)

Lucas Sims RHP

Max Fried LHP

Matt Wisler RHP (oh geez no)

Aaron Blair RHP (oh geez no)

Here are free agent options for the 2018 rotation

Top Tier

Jake Arrieta RHP

Yu Darvish RHP

C.C. Sabathia LHP (sure I’ll put CC here)

–I don’t think the Braves go after any of these pitchers so we’ll group them together

Middle Tier

Brett Anderson LHP (Anthopoulos may like him enough from the Jays, still only 29-years-old)

Andrew Cashner RHP (possibly could fit, not the biggest fan)

Jhoulys Chacin RHP (can’t believe I’m typing this, but had a bounce back year in 2017, still on 29)

Alex Cobb RHP (would like Cobb, but don’t think the Braves pay about $20M price tag)

Jaime Garcia LHP (geez, don’t think the Braves bring him back)

Jeremy Hellickson RHP (veteran that could eat innings, could be a fit)

John Lackey RHP (39-years-old, but would eat innings)

Lance Lynn RHP (30-years-old, could fit with the Braves)

Wade Miley LHP (Bowman did mention him on a tweet yesterday)

Jason Vargas LHP (I don’t see a fit)

–Would love Cobb, would be good with Lynn or Hellickson, would settle with Lackey

Low Tier

Trevor Cahill RHP

Jesse Chavez RHP

Yovani Gallardo RHP

Matt Garza RHP

A.J. Griffin RHP

Ricky Nolasco RHp

Aníbal Sanchez RHP

Hector Santiago RHP

Chris Tillman RHP

–I listed out all right-handed pitchers on this list. I don’t think the Braves go after a lefty since we have Newcomb, Fried and Gohara.  I don’t know tho, I’m not seeing much on this list.  If the Braves go after one of the names on the low tier list, it will most likely be in or around Spring Training in a desperation move.

Next: Braves select RHP Anyelo Gomez from Yankees

Here are tradable name options for the 2018 rotation

Chris Archer RHP (yes, yes, yes)

Mark Bowman wrote that Atlanta is seeking a short-term rotation piece in order to “satisfy their desire to add experience to their inexperienced rotation.”

We’ll see what AA does in the next few weeks.  Never know when the news will strike!