Atlanta Braves
Key Additions: SP Derek Lowe, SP Javier Vasquez, SP Kenshin Kawakami, RP Boone Logan
Key Losses: SP John Smoltz, SP Mike Hampton, RP Will Ohman
This will be the surprise team in the National League, after a disappointing 2008 which saw the Braves fall to 18 games below .500 and fourth place in the division. This offseason saw a major reshuffling of the starting rotation, as veteran additions Lowe, Vasquez and Japanese-import Kawakami combine with the returning Jair Jurrgens to form the staff’s frontline. The fifth starter spot looks to be given to the “re-resigned” Tom Glavine, although they would be better off giving the ball to Jo Jo Reyes, as the 300-game winner doesn’t have much of anything left in his tank. It remains to be seen if Atlanta will fast track ace prospect Tommy Hanson, but when he does reach the big leagues this season he could be in line to provide a significant impact. The bullpen anchor appears to be Mike Gonzalez, but expect Rafael Soriano to take the closer’s role from him sooner rather than later. Former White Sox lefty Boone Logan will look to replace the value lost when Will Ohman left via free agency during the winter. The offense will be highlighted by the difference between the infield and the outfield. As productive as the core of Chipper Jones, Kelly Johnson, Brian McCann and Yunel Escobar will be, an outfield led by aging Garret Anderson and 2007 disappointment Jeff Francoeur is a glaring weakness. One potential brightspot could be the emergence of first basemen Casey Kotchman. The prize of last season’s Mark Teixeira trade, if you can call him that given the fairly meek returns for a star player, Kotchman will look to finally pair his power potential with his solid plate discipline. Expect him to have the best season of his career thus far, and while he won’t make anyone forget about Teixeira, he’ll be a very suitable replacement.
Prediction: Second Place
The overhauled rotation will help the team improve by nearly 15 wins and lead them to the wild card and back into the postseason.
Player To Watch: Tommy Hanson
The top prospect in the system has many scouts claiming him ready to contribute right now. The Braves will probably hold off for about a month while he toils in Triple-A, but any young pitcher with his track record and four MLB ready offerings won’t be kept at bay for long. He’ll see big league action before the all-star break and, barring injury to another starter, might end up squeezing Brave legend Tom Glavine into a spot starter role.
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Key Additions: SP Derek Lowe, SP Javier Vasquez, SP Kenshin Kawakami, RP Boone Logan
Key Losses: SP John Smoltz, SP Mike Hampton, RP Will Ohman
This will be the surprise team in the National League, after a disappointing 2008 which saw the Braves fall to 18 games below .500 and fourth place in the division. This offseason saw a major reshuffling of the starting rotation, as veteran additions Lowe, Vasquez and Japanese-import Kawakami combine with the returning Jair Jurrgens to form the staff’s frontline. The fifth starter spot looks to be given to the “re-resigned” Tom Glavine, although they would be better off giving the ball to Jo Jo Reyes, as the 300-game winner doesn’t have much of anything left in his tank. It remains to be seen if Atlanta will fast track ace prospect Tommy Hanson, but when he does reach the big leagues this season he could be in line to provide a significant impact. The bullpen anchor appears to be Mike Gonzalez, but expect Rafael Soriano to take the closer’s role from him sooner rather than later. Former White Sox lefty Boone Logan will look to replace the value lost when Will Ohman left via free agency during the winter. The offense will be highlighted by the difference between the infield and the outfield. As productive as the core of Chipper Jones, Kelly Johnson, Brian McCann and Yunel Escobar will be, an outfield led by aging Garret Anderson and 2007 disappointment Jeff Francoeur is a glaring weakness. One potential brightspot could be the emergence of first basemen Casey Kotchman. The prize of last season’s Mark Teixeira trade, if you can call him that given the fairly meek returns for a star player, Kotchman will look to finally pair his power potential with his solid plate discipline. Expect him to have the best season of his career thus far, and while he won’t make anyone forget about Teixeira, he’ll be a very suitable replacement.
Prediction: Second Place
The overhauled rotation will help the team improve by nearly 15 wins and lead them to the wild card and back into the postseason.
Player To Watch: Tommy Hanson
The top prospect in the system has many scouts claiming him ready to contribute right now. The Braves will probably hold off for about a month while he toils in Triple-A, but any young pitcher with his track record and four MLB ready offerings won’t be kept at bay for long. He’ll see big league action before the all-star break and, barring injury to another starter, might end up squeezing Brave legend Tom Glavine into a spot starter role.
Read the rest of the article here.....
