I agree that they shouldn't mortgage the future for a chance this year. I'm looking at them like the 90's Braves. We probably won't see a Glavine or Smoltz coming up but a little better starting pitching and a closer would make them competitive. But I wouldn't mind them making the playoffs with what they have, even if they lost quickly as long as they don't panic in trying to make the playoffs and make a stupid deal.
There have been rumors that they're trying to swing a deal for Chris Archer or Jose Quintana (again).
I think that would be a big mistake. They already have a couple of very promising young arms at the Major league level in Foltynewicz and Newcomb, and they have enough pitching depth in the minors to form
two MLB rotations in a few years. Kolby Allard and Mike Soroka are very close- in fact, probably the only reason they aren't in Atlanta now is because they're both 19 years old. If they were 22 and dominating the upper minors like this, they would've already gotten the call. Patrick Weigel was right there with them, until he had TJ surgery last week. Still, he'll be an option next year. As I already mentioned, AJ Minter is the closer of the future, and he could get the call any day now. Lucas Sims was their top prospect a few years ago before falling off the radar, but he's made a huge comeback this season at Gwinnett. We'll probably see him soon, as well. And those are just the guys who are
close. There are 7-8 more in the low minors.
They should trade away some of that pitching depth for some bats after the season. Other than Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna, most of their position guys are still a few years away.
If I were the GM, I'd take Freeman, Swanson, Inciarte, Flowers, Newcomb, and Foltynewicz off the table. I'd then entertain trade offers for literally everyone else at the MLB level.