For all intents and purposes, the Atlanta Braves are a model franchise in baseball. Dating back to their beginnings as the Boston Red Stockings in 1871 and through 8 different denominations, the Braves finally settled in Atlanta in 1966. Even after they struggled to find success in Atlanta for more than 2 decades (in fact, the team only made the postseason twice from 1966 to 1990, got swept both times and actually carried a franchise streak of 31 years without a postseason win), it all changed starting in 1991.

Discounting the strike year of 1994, the Braves have had an unmatched run of consistency from 1991 to 2013. Among the highlights we can count:

- 20 winning seasons versus only 2 losing ones.

- 15 division championships, including 14 in a row from 1991 to 2005

- 17 postseason appearances

- 1 World Series Championship

- 5 National League Pennants

While it is fair to criticize the lack of championships despite the overall success of this stretch, there is no way to deny that most MLB franchises envy the body of work presented by the Braves. After claiming their first division title since 2005 last season, the Braves went into the offseason knowing that the NL East was bound for a very competitive year, especially with the Nationals hungry for a bounce-back after a disappointing 2013 campaign.



With Atlanta being known for its middle-of-the-pack payrolls and player development, few expected them to have an eventful offseason aside from a few moves here or there. Instead, the Braves went all-out on securing their core, announced plans to build a new stadium and lost a couple of key players in the process.

Today we take a look at how it has all played out, Atlanta's 2014 chances to contend and the long-term future of the franchise.

Key Departures

The Atlanta dynasty always relied on two key figures: now Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox, and future HOFer Chipper Jones. With them anchoring the team throughout the years of success and always supported by great pitching, the Braves were able to contend year in and year out. After both of them left (Cox in 2010, Jones in 2012), the Braves mantle was left to a few players that had strong roots with the team.

Two of them were battery mates Tim Hudson and Brian McCann, who began the offseason as coveted free agents. While Atlanta showed intention to keep them, their budget constraints were enough to leave them out of the picture, with Hudson signing with San Francisco for two years and $23 million and McCann heading to the Yankees for 5 years and $85 million.



Both of them played 9 seasons for the Braves, with McCann playing in 7 All-Star games and Hudson winning 113 games for the franchise. Still, with McCann heading to his age-30 season and Hudson pushing 40, it was probably a judicious choice for management to let them walk.

Leaving the Ted

After the Braves estimated that their current stadium, Turner Field, needed upwards of $350 million for renovations and infrastructure, local government quickly shot down the idea. So instead of holding the city hostage or dealing in some Jeffrey Loria-like shenanigans, the team's brass simply decided that it was a better idea to build a new stadium altogether.

With the Braves' lease on Turner Field expiring in 2016, Atlanta announced plans to build the new facility in Atlanta's suburbs, Cobb County to be precise – a stadium to be opened in 2017. The news was shocking for many people around baseball, especially considering that Turner Field is not particularly old or terribly impractical for fans.

The team has planned to break ground after July of this year, and estimates a total of $672 million in stadium costs along with a $400 million investment to build a whole entertainment district around the venue. With a proposed capacity of 42,000 seats and all the amenities of a modern ballpark, the Braves were thinking of a bright future ahead, which probably led to the barrage of signings in early 2014.

Securing the Team

In a span of 17 days, from February 4th to the 20th, the Braves signed the following extensions.

- 1B Freddie Freeman : 8 years, $135 million

- OF Jason Heyward : 2 years, $13.3 million

- RP Craig Kimbrel : 4 years, $42 million

- SP Julio Teheran : 6 years, $32.4 million

- SS Andrelton Simmons : 7 years, $58 million

By committing more than $280 million in just 5 players, the Braves are announcing to the baseball world that they are willing to spend on their home-grown talent and remain competitive for years to come. Even as they were cautious with Heyward, who has been mostly inconsistent in his first 4 seasons in the Majors, the team's core is bound to remain intact for when the new stadium is unveiled.



Along with these extension, the team also announced commitments with GM Frank Wren and Manager Fredi Gonzalez, making sure that the team continues to be run in top form. After the Braves started the 2013 season 16th in terms of payroll with a total of $89.7 million in salaries, their projected total for 2014 still places them 16th with a total of $89.9 million. Shrewd management is keeping the team competitive despite a modest payroll, but can they take the next step?

Contending in 2014

The NL East is projected to be a two-team race in 2014, with the division featuring the tanking Marlins, the aging Phillies and the still-not-there-yet Mets. Opposite them, the Braves and Nationals have rounded two of the best rosters in the National League.

While Washington probably has the better rotation with Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and new acquisition Doug Fister, the Braves are counting on two bounce-back seasons from their highest-paid players, Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton, as well as a sturdy rotation led by Teheran, Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen.

Washington stands as the odds-on favorite to win the NL East (even money at most casinos, with Atlanta close at +125), so if it all plays out as expected, 2014 should be a fun season reminiscent of some of the great playoff races Atlanta has enjoyed through the years. At the very least, they are primed to fight for a Wild Card, while continuing to develop players like few franchises do. As history hast taught us, it is dumb to bet against the Atlanta Braves.