Atlanta Braves: 5 Changes Braves Must Make in Offseason

The 2011 season for the Atlanta Braves marked a collapse that won't soon be forgotten by players or fans. Since this collapse, the Braves have been questioning why things went wrong and how to fix it.

The coaching staff has already been shaken up and some roster moves will be sure to follow. What moves do the Braves need to make though? Let's take a look at five changes the Braves must make in the offseason. 

Elite Starting Pitching

Even when healthy, the Braves rotation was built for the regular season. No team has more pitching depth at the AAA and Major League levels than the Atlanta Braves. The Braves need to find a way to turn that depth into another front-line starter.

Brandon Beachy, Kris Medlen, Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson, Julio Teheran, Arodys Vizcaino and Randall Delgado are all 26 or younger. That’s seven potential starting pitchers not counting Tim Hudson.

The big three could all start in AAA, but you have to think that at least one of them will be ready for the majors at some point in the 2012 season. That means some sort of packaging of these players should be considered in a trade.

There is more than enough pitching depth for the future. The Braves need another star now. 

Bullpen Depth

The back end of the Braves bullpen was the envy of most teams in baseball, both for its talent and youth. However, bullpen depth caused problems for the Braves in 2011.

After Eric O’Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel, the Braves didn’t seem to have another reliever who instilled confidence.

Maybe Kris Medlen ends up back in the bullpen where he’s done so well before. Maybe Peter Moylan returns to his previous form with better health. Or maybe the Braves seek outside options.

Whatever the answer, adding depth to the bullpen has to be a priority this offseason.

Shortstop

Heading into the offseason, shortstop is the main, everyday position that has to be addressed. That’s not to say there aren’t other problems, but with Chipper Jones coming back and assuming Jason Heyward is given another chance in right field, shortstop is the big question mark.

If the Braves don’t re-sign Alex Gonzalez, where will they look?

Tyler Pastornicky is an option. The 21-year-old hit .314 this past season in the minors, including a whopping .365 after he was called up to Gwinnett.

If the Braves do sign a shortstop, it likely wouldn’t be a star, instead, a stopgap until one of their prospects is ready. 

Hitting Coach

This change has actually already happened. It didn’t take Fredi Gonzalez long to get rid of Larry Parrish this offseason and the man to replace him is Greg Walker.

The former Chicago White Sox hitting coach was hired along with Scott Fletcher who will serve as assistant hitting coach and advance scout.

Walker had varying amount of success in Chicago so we’ll see how he fares in Atlanta. Walker certainly has a challenge ahead of him, turning around the Braves offense while fixing Jason Heyward’s swing.

Things certainly can’t get worse than they were under Larry Parrish though, can they? 

Derek Lowe

With all the questions concerning what the Braves rotation will look like next season, there is one certainty. Derek Lowe won’t be part of it.

If Lowe does stay with the Braves he would likely find himself in the bullpen where he’s had success in the past.

Of course, the Braves would love to trade Lowe. Although there are some teams that might have interest, the Braves would have to pay a great majority of Lowe’s $15 million salary.

That’s a high cost, but you’ll have to pay him either way. If someone else can do his job better, the Braves shouldn’t hesitate to trade Lowe.