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MLB 2017: One X-factor for each team

By Brad Berreman

September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport
September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport /
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Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves: SP Jaime Garcia

After signing the well-aged R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon to bolster their starting rotation very early in the offseason, the Braves then acquired the 30-year old Garcia from the St. Louis Cardinals in December. The left-hander is coming off a disappointing 2016 season overall, with a 4.67 ERA, but he did make 30 starts for the first time since 2011 after batting continuing shoulder issues over the seasons in-between.

Julio Teheran, Colon and Dickey all have a certain baseline to set expectations from in Atlanta, but a healthy Garcia can legitimately give the Braves a great advantage toward the back half of the starting rotation. If they don’t become a playoff contender after some notable offseason additions, and not coincidentally being aggressive as they move into a new ballpark, being in the final year of his contract would make Garcia a solid trade chip for the Braves around the deadline if he’s pitching well.

Garcia is not an ace but any means, but 30 solid starts with an ERA south of 4.00 would be just fine this season. If he can be better than that somehow, and push toward 200 innings pitched, the Braves could challenge for the NL East title.

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