Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: the Haves and the Have Nots

There’s an interesting split happening in baseball that is more than a bit disconcerting for the future.  At least at this time, our Braves are on the better side.

Competitiveness is a fleeting thing.  Even for the Atlanta Braves, that became a reality when they went from a 96 win playoff team in 2013 to a disappointing 79-83 season just a year later.

That’s clearly why we want this 2018+ edition of the franchise to ride this upward crest as long and as far as it will take them.

Unfortunately, there are many teams looking at life from the bottom of their wave’s trough.  That’s something that may very well impact the Braves’ off-season options.

This is lengthy for a Morning Chop today – my apologies for that, but there’s a bunch of intertwined news bits to consider.

The Easy AL?

Just a couple of days ago, I caught an analyst suggesting (no link – it came via MLB NetworkRadio) that the American League looks virtually set for the 2019 playoffs already.

Given that we’re sitting here on November 3rd with the entire off-season still ahead of us, that would seem like a stunning thing to say.  But let’s look at it:

• BOSTON – the Red Sox just won 108 games and the World Series.  Other than maybe losing Craig Kimbrel, does anybody really think they could miss the playoffs in 2019?
• YANKEES – a 100 win team, this club has no serious needs, save for perhaps a starting pitcher or two.  They usually get what they need, too.
• CLEVELAND – More on this club – with a Braves’ angle – in a bit, but in 2018 they coasted through a division chock full of rebuilders… and even the Twins (who finished closest at 78-84. 13 games out) can’t seriously look at themselves as contenders in 2019.
• HOUSTON – This team will have the most difficulty of the group since they have so many free agent departures.  So it’s probably them or Oakland in the West… and possibly both, given the needs of the Angels and Mariners.

The chance for even a frisky team like the Rays to make a run is diminished for basically the same reasons as this year:  strong teams ahead of them.

So barring something  seismic, essentially all of the 5 AL playoff teams are more-or-less determined for 2019!  Only the Western division remains a bit unsettled. 

What’s the net effect here?  Simply this…