Atlanta Braves' 5 Biggest Weaknesses Going Into 2016 Spring Training

By Bryan Zarpentine

Heading into the 2016 season, it’s assumed that the Atlanta Braves are going to be one of the worst teams in baseball. But instead of just assuming, perhaps it’d be wise to look at the reasons why the Braves figure to be so bad this season. Let’s look at Atlanta’s biggest weaknesses going into spring training.

Atlanta Braves\' 5 Biggest Weaknesses Going Into 2016 Spring Training
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5. Millions In Wasted Payroll

Millions In Wasted Payroll Credit: Kelley L. Cox - USATODAY Sports
Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher are making nearly $30 million combined, and based on their track records, the Braves can't count on them contributing much this season. That's a lot of wasted money, and it's a big reason why the Braves won't be able to put a winning team on the field in 2016.

5. Millions In Wasted Payroll

Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher are making nearly $30 million combined, and based on their track records, the Braves can't count on them contributing much this season. That's a lot of wasted money, and it's a big reason why the Braves won't be able to put a winning team on the field in 2016.

4. Downgrade On Defense

Downgrade On Defense Credit: Brett Davis - USATODAY Sports
Trading away Gold Glover Andrelton Simmons is definitely going to hurt Atlanta's defense. On top of that, Hector Olivera, who has never played the outfield, is penciled in as the team's left fielder. Not that the Braves don't have a few good defensive players, but that doesn't figure to be a huge strength in 2016.

4. Downgrade On Defense

Trading away Gold Glover Andrelton Simmons is definitely going to hurt Atlanta's defense. On top of that, Hector Olivera, who has never played the outfield, is penciled in as the team's left fielder. Not that the Braves don't have a few good defensive players, but that doesn't figure to be a huge strength in 2016.

3. Bullpen Depth

Bullpen Depth Credit: Getty Images
Arodys Vizcaino had a good season last year and should be fine as the team's closer, but the Braves may have trouble getting the ball to him in the ninth. Atlanta is banking on 39-year-old Jason Grilli and Shae Simmons, who's fresh off Tommy John, being the team's primary setup men, which isn't exactly promising.

3. Bullpen Depth

Arodys Vizcaino had a good season last year and should be fine as the team's closer, but the Braves may have trouble getting the ball to him in the ninth. Atlanta is banking on 39-year-old Jason Grilli and Shae Simmons, who's fresh off Tommy John, being the team's primary setup men, which isn't exactly promising.

2. Lack of Power

Lack of Power Credit: Evan Habeeb - USATODAY Sports
The Braves had the fewest home runs in baseball last year, and it wasn't even close. Freddie Freeman should be a reliable power source, but the Braves don't figure to have much help around him. They'll be lucky to eclipse the pitiful total of 100 home runs the team hit last year.

2. Lack of Power

The Braves had the fewest home runs in baseball last year, and it wasn't even close. Freddie Freeman should be a reliable power source, but the Braves don't figure to have much help around him. They'll be lucky to eclipse the pitiful total of 100 home runs the team hit last year.

1. Starting Rotation

Starting Rotation Credit: Charles LeClaire - USATODAY Sports
Julio Teheran is the de facto ace, and that's after a mediocre 2014 season. The Braves have some talented pitching prospects in the minors, but their projected rotation heading into spring training is young, unproven and not exactly filled with rising stars. Even if the Braves overachieve on offense, their rotation will hold them back this season.

1. Starting Rotation

Julio Teheran is the de facto ace, and that's after a mediocre 2014 season. The Braves have some talented pitching prospects in the minors, but their projected rotation heading into spring training is young, unproven and not exactly filled with rising stars. Even if the Braves overachieve on offense, their rotation will hold them back this season.

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