Have the Braves already given up on 2015 by trading all their talent away? It certainly looks like it. Perhaps the Braves want a fresh start when they move into their new stadium in 2017. Regardless, this offseason has been one of many changes. The Braves may start the 2015 season with a completely new outfield because they traded away former all-stars Justin Upton and Jason Heyward. The Braves also traded relief pitchers Anthony Varvaro and Jordan Walden, second baseman Tommy La Stella and catcher Evan Gattis.
With all parts of the game, outfield, infield, pitching and catching, weakened, the Braves enter the 2015 season in a deep hole before it even begins. If the Braves had traded for players with major-league experience, there would be no problem. Sadly, all the Braves got in return for their talented players are prospects, who may or may not pan out. For example, the Braves traded La Stella, who started at second base, for Arodys Vizcaino, a reliever who only appeared in five major league games last year and posted an earned run average of 3.51 in the minor leagues. While the Braves are presumably looking for new prospects, trading away La Stella, a young player, just doesn’t make much sense.
The Braves biggest problem in 2015 will be the outfield. Because Atlanta traded away three of their top four outfielders, the Braves will be forced to play new, untested players. The only starting outfielder from last season left on the roster is B.J. Upton who hurts the team more than he helps it. Upton broke the Braves’ single season strikeout record with 173 strikeouts in the 2014 season, while batting a dismally low .208. Nick Markakis, a decent right fielder who commands a hefty $15 million salary, is an obvious replacement for Heyward. Jonny Gomes appears to be the frontrunner to start at left field, but he is an inadequate replacement for Justin Upton.
Another area the offseason trades shook up is pitching. Since Atlanta traded away two solid relievers, Jordan Walden and Anthony Varvaro, the bullpen lacks depth. Walden had an ERA of 2.88 last season, while Varvaro had an ERA of 2.63. The Braves, however, added many pitchers including Jim Johnson, Shelby Miller and Jason Grilli. Johnson, a reliever, was signed as a free agent with a 10 million dollar salary, but last season he had an extremely high 7.09 ERA. Acquired in the Heyward trade, starting pitcher Miller is the best new addition to the Braves, with an ERA last season of 3.74. Miller should be solid addition to the Braves starting rotation. Grilli is a veteran reliever with a decent ERA last season who should be able to add to the bullpen.
With these offseason changes, it is unlikely the Braves will be able to improve this upcoming season. The Braves have a lot of issues to solve before they can stand a chance at making the playoffs.
