Three things that Braves’ fans can look forward to
It’s tough to imagine this now, but better days lie ahead for the Atlanta Braves.
What they’re paying right now is the price of rebuilding, which usually comes after a run of success. Considering they’ve made 17 postseason appearances since 1991, we’d say things have been pretty good overall.
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The financial cost of rebuilding won’t be that steep, especially since the Braves have made it a point to shed many of their larger salaries. But it can be quite a drain on the fans’ and players’ enthusiasm because the lack of proven talent will cost them in the standings.
Case in point, the Braves are currently 9-26, which is tied for the worst record in MLB with the Minnesota Twins. Despite stunning the defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals on Saturday, things probably won’t get much better on Sunday. They’ll be facing the Royals again in the Yahoo Sports’ Free Game of the Day. The game, which begins at .2:15 p,m. ET, can be streamed for free at Yahoo’s Sports Home, MLB index and video home
Despite that, there several things Braves should have to look forward to. Some of those reasons are already a big part of their team and will be in the lineup Sunday. Others will take time. Here, we’ll focus on three of the bigger reasons we think the struggles and the growing pains they’ll experience in the next 12-18 months will end up paying off.
The prospects: Team president John Hart and general manager John Coppolella know a rebuild starts with the future, and together they’ve put together an impressive list of prospects. It all begins with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft Dansby Swanson.
Swanson was acquired form the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Shelby Miller trades this past winter, and he has all the makings of a franchise cornerstone. The Braves also got outfielder Ender Inciarte in the trade. At 25, he’s already an established outfield commodity. The final piece of that deal was right-hander Aaron Blair, who recently debuted for Atlanta and has fared well through four starts.
With other players like Mallex Smith, who was last night’s hero, Ozzie Albies and Sean Newcomb, who’s another top pitching prospect, there’s a lot of good talent that will be calling SunTrust Park home.
Money to spend: With the payroll down and a new ballpark on the horizon, it’s possible the Braves will make some splash in free agency. Of course, this comes ahead of one of the weaker free agency classes we’ve seen in some time coming up this winter. But maybe that works to their advantage if other teams decide to save up resources.
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Beyond that, Atlanta should at least have the money to invest in its own talent and its own future. Adding a marquee name likely isn’t in the cards, but it shouldn’t have to be if those guys come from within.
New leadership: What’s happening to the Braves isn’t Fredi Gonzalez’s fault. Let’s get that out of the way right off the bat. But a fresh start requires fresh thinking. It also means fresh and exciting possibilities, which is what fans crave. Bringing in a new manager to lead the charge satisfies all of the above and effectively closes the book on a chapter that’s already been written and read.
Of course, that’s not to assume the Braves will hit a home run with their next manager. They may even whiff. But whoever the next manager is will be the face of their future, whatever that future is.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
