Questions I Have for 2022
One week before my National League East final standing prediction piece, I have a few questions about the 2022 Braves. I know my first question, but any question I have in this piece after that is off the cuff. I’ll brainstorm and work through them in real time as I write.
So, my first question…
Who Rounds Out The Rotation?
Max Fried, Charlie Morton, & Ian Anderson are locked into the first three spots; obviously. Beyond that, there’s a gaggle of guys with a mix of MLB experience & upside that Snitker & the staff have to choose from. Brian Snitker has been quoted as saying a six-man rotation is possible, given the short Spring & lack of off days for Atlanta to begin the season.
Huascar Ynoa is probably the closest to a lock, choosing from this group because of his 2021 run where he was the best pitcher on the team before he broke his hand. So there’s your 4th spot.
The Five Man - if it were up to me - would be Tucker Davidson. Tucker had a short stint with the big league ball club last year & even started a game in the World Series. Plus he’s been mowing guys down this Spring.
The Six Man is where it gets really cloudy. Guys who have a realistic shot are: Kyle Wright, Kyle Muller, & longshot Spencer Strider.
I’m done with Wright, just to be blunt. I’ll never trust him.
Muller is the fan favorite for this spot, from what I’ve seen. And fair, Kyle’s got a big arm, cool nickname, & has been popular in prospect talk since being drafted. Muller is also my preference here at the Six Spot.
Infield Injury, Who Steps In?
Olson, Ozzie, Dansby, & Riley are a top-2 infield in baseball…and they’re not #2. One of the reasons why is that they play every day. That’s also why a quality utility guy is a big ask in free agency.
If you were a starting-caliber infielder, would you come to a team who’s starters never rested?
In steps Phil Gosselin, Brock Holt, Pat Valaika, & Orlando Arcia. Arcia being the only one of the group who’s on a guaranteed contract.
If our infield has a long term injury, there will be a severe drop-off in production no matter which of the guys go down. Barring a trade from Anthopoulos to fill the hole, Valaika would be my first man up. Arcia couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. Brock Holt is a cult hero in Boston. Phil Gosselin has been here & has had success elsewhere in the meantime, but there was a reason he was let go. Goose could work, but Valaika’s versatility gives him the edge here for me.
What Does Matt Olson Need To Do?
Be Matt Olson. Matt Olson was the hottest name in the trade market for a reason. He cost the Braves a future franchise Catcher, an all-world defensive center fielder, & two young arms; for a reason.
He’ll be 28 years old when the season starts. According to conventional wisdom, that’s the beginning of a player’s prime.
And this player?
Already an All-Star. Already a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. Already a three-time Fielding Bible Award winner. Already an 18.1 WAR player. Already eclipsed 30 HR’s in a single season, twice. Already had a 111-RBI season. Already had a 1.003 OPS season. Already signed an extension that will keep him a Brave for the remainder of the 2020’s.
He’s our franchise First Baseman, sorry if that doesn’t sit right with you. First base may be played different than we’re used to in Atlanta, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be a downgrade.
I’m telling you right here, right now, that the Braves are better setup now than they would’ve been if Anthopoulos caved & gave Freddie his 6th year.
Will The Braves Make It 6 Division Titles In A Row?
Yes. Not only do the Braves have the best roster in the division, they have the best roster in Major League Baseball. It’s hard to fathom that the World Champions had most of their World Series Outfield & their franchise cornerstone hit free agency, and still managed to get better; but here we are.
First base has been addressed already here. NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario has returned. The bullpen that gained so much momentum in last year’s postseason, is deeper & deadlier. Charlie Morton’s leg is no longer broken. And Ronald Acuña Jr is set to return in May.
Who Is The Biggest Threat In The NL East?
The Philadelphia Phillies pose the biggest threat to Atlanta’s bid for a 6th-straight NL East title.
The Mets are the popular corporate MLB media’s pick here, but their two stud pitchers just haven’t historically been studs against Atlanta; plus, it’s the Mets, they’ll mess it up. The Nationals are nowhere near contending for anything baseball-related. The Marlins have some nice pieces, most notably their young pitchers & Jorge Soler.
Philly has a slow-pitch softball lineup, last year’s MVP, a 2021 Cy Young candidate on their staff, former Cy Young candidate, & an improved bullpen. If I was going to rank the division’s rosters, Philly would be my #2. Baseball is now an offensive game with a postseason infatuation with pitching. And no team outside of Atlanta has a better offense that Philadelphia.