2008 Record: 72-90
Key Additions:
Garret Anderson (OF)
Derek Lowe (P)
Javier Vazquez (P)
Key Losses:
John Smoltz (RP)
Mike Hampton (P)
Jorge Julio (RP)
Projected Lineup:
1. Yunel Escobar SS
2. Kelly Johnson 2B
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Garret Anderson LF
6. Jeff Francoeur RF
7. Casey Kotchman 1B
8. Josh Anderson CF
Chipper Jones is another victim of the WBC, but to be fair he hasn't played a healthy season since 2003. Still, he batted .364, and has been the heart and soul of this team for a long time. McCann is a stud, and really showed me a lot this year while playing for team USA. His power keeps getting better, and I really see a 40+ HR year for him. Anderson was a decent pickup, and will add some protection for McCann, though it would not have been necessary if Jeff Francoeur would go back to being the player he was in 2006 when he had 29 HRs and 103 RBIs. Kotchman is a wild card. Every year I think he is going to break through. If he adds power to his game the Braves could have a very solid lineup.
Projected Rotation:
1. Derek Lowe
2. Javier Vazquez
3. Jair Jurrjens
4. Kenshin Kawakami
5. Tom Glavine
CL Mike Gonzalez
I really like the Lowe and Vazquez pickups. Watch out, because I really think Vazquez is going to have a sick year in the NL. I'll be so bold as to say he will be a top 10 pitcher in the NL this year. Lowe will be solid, as long as the defense around him is good. They can't predicted what they are going to get from Glavine, but hopefully he has enough in the tank to push himself through one more season. Not a lot is known about Kenshin Kawakami, so it is hard to say what he will do. Jair Jurrjens is another wild card. He is really young (23), and could have a break out 15+ win season. The Braves won't have Tim Hudson until late in the summer, if at all, as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. I like Atlanta's bullpen with Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. Look for Soriano to take over the closers spot at some point this season.
Minors Watch:
Thomas Hanson (P) - This is the guy Atlanta would not trade for Peavy. He is their future ace and could be up by mid season, especially if Glavine struggles.
Jason Heyward (OF) - Only 19 years old, but has shown a lot of power. We won't see him for another 2-3 years.
Overall:
If Atlanta could have got Peavy I might have had them in the World Series. They had a really aggravating offseason, but I still expect a good season out of this team. If Francoeur can play like he used to, and Kotchman finally fines his power their lineup should be solid. I like their rotation (even without Peavy), and if Hanson is the real deal it could push them into the playoffs.
Record: 89-73
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