Atlanta Braves: must act sooner rather than later

The Atlanta Braves have shown they are ready to repeat as Division Champions by winning 11 of their last 14 games. The front office should make a big splash in order to prolong the hot streak and show the team it’s serious about winning this year.

As I am sure most fans are aware of the Atlanta Braves failed to sign a single reliever in the off-season.

I would imagine the Braves could not find the value they were seeking in the market and were seeking short-term commitments because the Braves have young players that were going to be expensive.

But the Braves have skipped the future arbitration process with Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. by signing them to team-friendly extensions and the savings from those contracts should lead to future spending. (Keyword on should, when the owner is a corporation spending habits can be hard to predict).

On top of that, most teams leave cap space for mid-season acquisitions and the Braves are in a position to take the division lead and not look back.

The Braves started slow the but a recent hot streak has brought them to six games over .500. Despite preseason publicity for the Mets and the Nationals, only the Phillies have emerged as a true threat to the crown.

With the Braves only 1.5 games back from the Phillies I think it’s time for the Braves to make a move to return to their rightful spot atop the NL East.

The areas of concern for the Braves has undoubtedly been the bullpen and to a lesser extent starting pitching help, particularly at the top of the rotation.

Let’s take a look at a trade possibility that could address both of these needs in a single deal.