Let’s entertain what feels like a crazy thought, for just a moment.
The Braves could actually be legitimate playoff contenders in 2017. Yeah, I know. Humor me.
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Back when they were announcing their controversial plans to ditch Turner Field — which was just christened in 1997 — for a shiny new stadium (SunTrust Park) in the suburbs, they talked about undertaking a rebuilding process that would have them back in contention for the 2017 season.
Watching them in 2015, though, when they won a meager 67 games (only two teams in the majors won fewer contests) and for most of 2016, when they won only 68 games (only the Twins won fewer contests), the idea of this Atlanta franchise being a contender in its first season out in Cobb County seemed like wishful thinking, at best.