Atlanta Braves Sign Ender Inciarte to 5 yr Extension

The Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Ender Inciarte to a five-year $30 million dollar contract extension through 2021.  Inciarte was a part of the Shelby Miller deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks which also brought them Dansby Swanson.  I think this is a great deal for Atlanta.  Inciarte can play centerfield very well, has above average speed and showed he can hit last year -   .291/.351/.381 with 16 stolen bases.  He doesn’t come with much power but his value will come at the top of the order and with his defense.  What I like best is this could solidify the leadoff spot which is critical in any lineup.  You want that guy that can get on for the big guns behind him in the lineup like Freddie Freeman and hopefully Swanson.   

The Braves have overhauled their pitching staff this offseason picking up R.A Dickey, Bartolo Colon and Jaime Garcia to go along with Julio Teheran.  These are all short term pickups but who knows.  One or two of them have above average years and things are looking up as Atlanta debuts in their new stadium.  They finished 2016 on high note winning 12 out of their last 14.  Hopefully the offense can improve and we’ll have a much improved team this upcoming season.