Atlanta was one team expected to play in the post season, but holes at key positions left the Braves with just 67 wins on the year, leaving plenty of room for improvement before spring training begins next year.
The front office is looking to add a couple solid bats to the lineup and rumors have already started about a possible signing of veteran catcher Matt Wieters from Baltimore.
Despite missing most of the last two years with an arm injury, the 29-year-old is among the best offensive catchers available this off season and a return to Georgia where he played his college ball could make this a perfect match.
Wieters hit eight homers in 75 games this past season for the Orioles, but the former first round draft pick had double-digit home runs in 2010-13 and 140 doubles in his career.
Christian Bethancourt was the man behind the plate for Atlanta when the season began, but the youngster struggled at the MLB level and returned to the Minor Leagues. His return to the Big Leagues depends on his progress at the plate and how management views his work between now and the start of next season.
Plenty can happen over the next four months, but it’s clear Atlanta must add more veteran talent to compete with the likes of Washington and the New York Mets. Wieters isn’t going to cost a ton of money and playing in another hitter friendly park would be inviting, especially for a player likely signing his last big money contract and with something to prove after playing just 101 games since 2013.
