Addition by Subtraction: The Atlanta Braves Offseason

There really is no way to defend the 2014 Atlanta Braves season beyond blown expectations. A series of pitching injuries and just all-around mediocre play for long periods of time all added up to a post-All-Star break collapse reminiscent of September 2011. The Braves went an extremely subpar 24-38 over that period, leading many to suggest that the team would be shaken up quite a bit following the first losing season since 2008, a year we all have pushed from our minds.

There were going to be some moves that had to be made. Jason Heyward’s future would be decided soon, BJ Upton needed to go because of his terrible play, and a number of free agents were up for grabs from the organization like Emilio Bonifacio and Ervin Santana. Certain moves were expected, but for most fans, we expected it all in due time. I had no idea I would be writing a piece on the Atlanta Braves roster meltdown in January when the season ended, because we had no reason to believe that this all would happen.

I can’t begin to explain why the organization didn’t offer Heyward more money and traded him away just to sign Nick Markakis, but I can explain why I think this is a great offseason for the Atlanta Braves in the long run. We were able to finally get rid of Frank Wren, but I still think there are more cuts that could be made up top. I’ve never been a particularly affectionate fan of Fredi Gonzalez, because I felt he just can’t make decisions in crunch time, as evident by his playoff record. That being said, he’s only made the playoffs twice but has winning records five out of his seven full seasons of managing, so I’m willing to let him stay.

So what’s the thing about bringing in some higher value free agents if we are going to rebuild? Because Nick Markakis is a more efficient player than Jason Heyward. The Baltimore Orioles made a run partially because of his numbers and they way he was playing. Furthermore, the prospects that we got for guys like Justin Upton and Tommy La Stella are more than capable of becoming better stars for the team or fodder for a trade in the future. It’s all about tomorrow, instead of today.

Why is this all good? Because we are building for a much brighter future. No, I’m not going to complain about SunTrust Park. I loved Turner Field, and I still do. I will still go to games throughout 2015 and 2016, even as the team prepares to ship out for Cobb County. Many people hate that, but I’m really excited for the end product. Fredi and the organization are looking at top-tier minor league prospects who could develop into key members of the Atlanta Braves someday. After all, the goal of most organizations is to raise up a player through the ranks and get them on the cheap compared to trading away multiple players for something you need.

We’ve bled many great guys. In fact, Evan Gattis has just left. He’s a fan favorite, but in the end, the 2017 Atlanta Braves needed to see him go. He just was a piece in a puzzle that failed. That high-octane home run offense the Braves wanted to use for the last few years is falling by the wayside, and he needed to with it. Finally, we are going to play small ball like a good National League team should. Instead of the idea that extra base hits are what we need to focus on to get runs (which is a fine strategy for having a designated hitter), a higher on base percentage and more efficient hitters in general. That’s who the Braves have gone for in most of their acquisitions.

Now, most of you reading this are just shaking your head at my blind optimism that the Braves are going to be great in 2017. Let me be clear, by no means do I believe the Atlanta Braves will be ready to contend for a World Series title when the new SunTrust Park opens its doors. I am fully prepared to endure two years of agony, AKA rough losing seasons, in order to have a better Braves team in the future. I grew up in an age that saw the Braves win a World Series, five National League pennants, fifteen Division championships, and a pair of Wild-Card appearances. I want that dominance again, and I firmly believe this rebuilding is what was long-needed.

We should still have Craig Kimbrel and Andrelton Simmons when the doors open in a few years. In the long run, I love the organization over the players. They come and go (for the most part), and that’s why I bought my most recent jersey with no name on the back. I support the team, and that’s how it will be. Yes, there are some deals and politics that transpired that has caused the move to Cobb County, but that doesn’t change my opinion of the team itself. Every team, at some point, has to rebuild, and it just so happens that the time has come for the Atlanta Braves. We will be a much better team in the long run.

Most fan bases aren’t able to withstand long periods of rebuilding when they haven’t had to for a long time. The Atlanta Braves are one of the few who will be able to. Even in down years, they’ve still been in the top third of attendance for the league for the past 18 years. The Braves will be okay. In fact, the rebuilding roller coaster will take a little while, but everyone will be able to enjoy the finished product. So when you go to Turner Field these next two years, remember that you’re going to see some exciting youngsters looking to fulfill childhood dreams of playing in the majors alongside stars like Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis. It’s going to be great!