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Atlanta Braves pitcher search: is the best on the board worth the move?

By Fred Owens

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 18: Kyle Wright #30 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning of the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on July 18, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 18: Kyle Wright #30 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning of the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on July 18, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Kyle Wright (#30) must take a step forward to claim a spot in the rotation in 2020 (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Braves are once again looking for a veteran starter. The free-agent market lacks depth, and trades appear hard to find. What are the best options?

Once again, Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos wades into the off-season with a list of things to do.  As I wrote yesterday, priority one under new business is catching, but pitching must rank in the top three.  If you’re one who believes the Braves don’t need an arm, some background numbers may help.

Last season 369 different pitchers started a Major League game. Over-estimating the number of openers to 69, leaves an average of ten starters per team. The Atlanta Braves used exactly ten starters.

Dallas Keuchel and Kevin Gausman started a combined 35 games and Josh Tomlin one. That’s 36 starts that need a name beside them for 2019. Mike Foltynewicz started 21 games last season, he should get 11 more this next year, and Max Fried will pick up two or three. Now we need twenty-two more.

Sean Newcomb made four starts and gets a chance to earn a rotation spot next spring. Kyle Wright’s a pitcher I like, he may step forward, but I expected that step this year, and it didn’t happen.

I don’t believe Bryse Wilson’s the answer either, he looks like a closer in the making to me, but he might become the backend starter his projections predict.

I’ve seen nothing that suggests Ian Anderson is ready to contribute before mid-year; later if he struggles in AAA.  After returning from TJ surgery, Patrick Weigel threw 89 innings between AA and AAA last year; he isn’t ready either.

If you’re happy to simply compete in a division that’s going to see improvements elsewhere, this post won’t interest you.

If you believe a team can win the postseason in today’s game with three young starters, I invite you to look at the postseason in progress and how the games were won and lost.

Mike Soroka’s a stud. Mike Foltynewicz looks like a dependable two, and Max Fried is close behind, but it isn’t enough, at least not yet. The  Atlanta Braves are probably going to use at least eight starters, that’s why they are looking for a veteran arm.

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