House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves power drain

By Fred Owens

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 12: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves hits a three-run home run in the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 12: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves hits a three-run home run in the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Freddie Freeman may start the year as the only genuine power threat in the Atlanta Braves lineup
Freddie Freeman may start the year as the only genuine power threat in the Atlanta Braves lineup /

Yesterday GM Alex Anthopoulos finally discussed the lack of power in the Atlanta Braves projected lineup for 2018. Now that it’s being openly discussed will he actually do anything about it?

The Atlanta Braves roster provided 165 home runs last season (13th in the NL, 28th in MLB). The 28 of that miniscule offering came from the bat of Freddie Freeman.

Former Braves Matt Adams, Brandon Phillips, and Matt Kemp  accounted for 49 homers while minor contributions from Adonis Garcia (5), Jace Peterson (2), Sean Rodriguez (2) and Jamie Garcia’s grand slam provided 10 more.  Danny Santana – back on a minor league  deal – added three. A little math so you don’t need break out your calculators; that’s a loss of 81 homers.

All homers aren’t created equal and homers don’t always equate to a lot of runs scored.  A lineup requires balance – power and on base – to be successful and the projected roster lacks pop.

The GM agrees

Alex Anthopoulos made it clear last weekend at Chopfest that he and his team recognize this as an issue.

"“We’ve talked about the loss of power and how to make up for it. . .I don’t have an answer today. Normally you’d say ‘Wow, it’s late January, how do you not have an answer?’ But there’s a lot of free agents still out there and there’s a lot of bodies.”"

Right now 120 free agents remain unsigned and that’s a lot by any standard. While agents like Brodie Van Wagenen come as close as they have to screaming collusion, that’s more a way to calm clients and incite fans that reality.  Players haven’t been signed for a multitude of reasons; collusion isn’t one of them.

I have no idea who or what make up “ a lot of bodies” so I can’t speak with certainty though I assume it means players available for trade. Just in case neither happens he set up fans for starting the season as is.

"“. . . We also have the potential for upside from the guys on the roster as well. So maybe that will balance out.”"

It appears that AA wants to do something but restrictions – self imposed and financial – might be in the way.

Home/Braves News