5 offseason moves the Braves should make

2. Re-sign Dallas Keuchel

Last winter’s free agency saw the continuation of a troubling trend — from a player and agent standpoint — of teams steadfastly refusing to open their wallets for veterans. Left-hander Dallas Keuchel was one of the big casualties of the movement to eschew signing free agents in favor of protecting draft picks. The 31-year-old who won the 2015 AL Cy Young and is a two-time All-Star was forced to settle for a one-year deal that actually paid him less total money than he made in his final season with the Houston Astros.

For a pitcher who came into a new city and league without the benefit of an extended Spring Training to get ready and go over scouting reports of his new opponents, Keuchel pitched quite well for the Braves. He finished the year 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA and pitched well down the stretch. Keuchel had a 2.06 ERA over eight starts from Aug. 14-Sept. 22 and allowed only three home runs in 48 innings.

Keuchel will be looking to cash in with a multi-year deal this winter, and he will be able to find an offer to his liking now that a draft pick is no longer tied to him. He was the veteran arm the Braves needed to stabilize their rotation this year after Kevin Gausman crashed spectacularly and Sean Newcomb was moved to the bullpen.

The Braves still need to protect the young arms of Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Ian Anderson (the next top prospect slated to make his MLB debut). Keeping Keuchel will allow them to do just that. With Freddie Freeman the only big contract on the books, the Braves can afford to reward Keuchel for taking a hit on salary in 2019.