MLB preview: Atlanta Braves
Old meets new in Atlanta this season, as veteran manager Bobby Cox has phenoms Jason Heyward, Tommy Hanson and Jordan Schafer competing for central roster spots. Veterans like Chipper Jones, Tim Hudson and Billy Wagner will give Cox some players a bit closer to his own age and the Braves the kind of balance that could make them threats to Philadelphia in the NL East.
2010 projected record: 87-75 (9 GB)
Probable starters:
C — Brian McCann
1B — Troy Glaus
2B — Martin Prado
SS — Yunel Escobar
3B — Chipper Jones
LF — Melky Cabrera
CF — Nate McLouth
RF — Matt Diaz
SP — Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Tim Hudson, Kenshin Kawakami
CL — Billy Wagner
RP — Peter Moylan, Takashi Saito
Strengths: One through five, there's not a weak spot in the rotation, though Lowe didn't pitch like an ace in his first season with the Braves in 2009. Hanson pitched like a guy capable of taking the top spot away very soon as a rookie. Few catchers in the game can come close to McCann's production at the plate, and he's left-handed to boot. Escobar is one of the most exciting young shortstops in the game, and Shafer and Heyward could quickly earn that distinction in the outfield if they can wrestle at-bats away from Cabrera, Diaz and McLouth.
Weaknesses: Until Heyward and Shafer prove themselves, it's an old lineup and one that I have serious questions about. Jones finally fell off in 2009, and since he'll turn 38 in April, you have to question that he'll return to close to what he once was. Glaus is a career third baseman that won't hit like a starting first baseman should. Wagner and Saito may have both been elite closers a few years ago, but now they're huge injury risks. Even if they stay healthy, they'll be hard-pressed to perform at the level of the relievers they replace, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez.
