There was a short window of time where it seemed possible that the Atlanta Braves would defy their own history with Japanese free agents and land Tatsuya Imai. Sadly, it was not to be as the Astros ended up signing Imai to a deal that was apparently outside of the Braves' comfort zone. With that development, the odds the Braves actually sign an impact starter this offseason plummeted unless they truly are willing to give up a first round pick for a guy like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez.
However, it isn't just the external options that the Braves have to be weighing here.