The Atlanta Braves completed a six player deal on Thursday, that brought right handed pitcher Javier Vasquez to the team. Additionally, it has been reported that the Braves also made a $16 million dollar offer to free agent right handed pitcher AJ Burnett. The stumbling block in the Burnett situation, is that supposedly, he wants a five year deal, and is also being courted by the Yankees, as well as several other teams.
While Vasquez is a solid addition, that will eat up innings, and might win 13-15 games, the Braves still lack that one top of the rotation starter to turn them into a true divisional contender. It had been thought earlier in the offseason that Padres ace Jake Peavy might be traded to the Braves, but those talks and rumors seem to have faded.
Clearly, the Braves still need one guy as the ace, who can take the ball every fifth day, give them over 200 innings, and win 15 to 20 games.
Currently, it has been reported that the team has more than 30 million left to spend this offseason, after their recent dealings.
In addition to the ace persuit, the Braves are also faced with questions of what to do if Tom Glavine and or John Smoltz can return. I have read stories that with Glavine having already passed the magic 300 win mark, even if he can come back, he will retire if the Braves dont or cant sign him, because he doesnt want to play apart from his family at age 43.
Smoltz is another story. While the Braves do want to retain him, and he wants to stay with the Braves, the only team he's ever played for. I have read stories that say if Smoltz can return, and the Braves cant afford to sign him, he might choose to continue his career somewhere else. That would be like an alternative reality, after the guy spent 20 + years with the Braves, and has never pitched for anyone else.
I hope the Braves can get Burnett. It seems as if they need one top starter, to be contenders for the wild card, and maybe, the NL East.
Mitch
While Vasquez is a solid addition, that will eat up innings, and might win 13-15 games, the Braves still lack that one top of the rotation starter to turn them into a true divisional contender. It had been thought earlier in the offseason that Padres ace Jake Peavy might be traded to the Braves, but those talks and rumors seem to have faded.
Clearly, the Braves still need one guy as the ace, who can take the ball every fifth day, give them over 200 innings, and win 15 to 20 games.
Currently, it has been reported that the team has more than 30 million left to spend this offseason, after their recent dealings.
In addition to the ace persuit, the Braves are also faced with questions of what to do if Tom Glavine and or John Smoltz can return. I have read stories that with Glavine having already passed the magic 300 win mark, even if he can come back, he will retire if the Braves dont or cant sign him, because he doesnt want to play apart from his family at age 43.
Smoltz is another story. While the Braves do want to retain him, and he wants to stay with the Braves, the only team he's ever played for. I have read stories that say if Smoltz can return, and the Braves cant afford to sign him, he might choose to continue his career somewhere else. That would be like an alternative reality, after the guy spent 20 + years with the Braves, and has never pitched for anyone else.
I hope the Braves can get Burnett. It seems as if they need one top starter, to be contenders for the wild card, and maybe, the NL East.
Mitch
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