| Scott Miller's Take |
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Watching Tom Glavine reunite with ex-teammates John Smoltz and Chipper Jones this spring was quite heartwarming, both for the Braves and for their fans. But the Braves did not re-sign him simply for nostalgic reasons. This is a team that has every right to expect to re-enter the playoff race this season. Video Outlook
Strengths
Start with the old hands, manager Bobby Cox, Smoltz, Jones and even Glavine. The Braves have been very smart about melding the new with the old over the years and, at 67 and in the final year of his contract, nobody knows how much longer Cox will be around. The players will do everything they can for him, and with Jones, Mark Teixeira and Jeff Francoeur in the middle of the lineup, that will be a lot. There should be enough pitching to keep them in the mix, and if rookie Jair Jurrjens is anywhere close to as effective as he was this spring, the Braves could have their next great starting pitcher.
Weaknesses
There's no Andruw Jones in center field and GM Frank Wren traded shortstop Edgar Renteria to make room for Yunel Escobar. As long as the Braves are correct in their assessment of Escobar -- and they rarely ever whiff when evaluating their young players -- they shouldn't miss Renteria too much. And Jones had such a down year in 2007. Mark Kotsay, who has had trouble staying healthy, will replace him. And the Braves will do everything they can to ensure that Kotsay's back stays in good shape.
Difference Maker
Mike Hampton. How many times before have you heard this one? Hampton seems well past his prime -- and far older than 35 following a couple of elbow injuries, but if he can stay on the mound, he can really add something to a rotation that already includes Smoltz, Tim Hudson, Glavine and perhaps Jurrjens.
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| Top Prospects |
| 1. |
Brandon Jones, OF |
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Broke out in Triple-A last year; could open in platoon with Diaz.
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| 2. |
Jair Jurrjens, SP (R) |
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Acquired in Edgar Renteria trade; might make rotation out of spring.
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| 3. |
Manny Acosta, RP (R) |
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Stuff a half step behind closer Soriano's; might emerge as setup man.
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| 4. |
Jordan Schafer, OF |
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Talented hitter considered the long-term solution in center field.
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| 5. |
Brent Lillibridge 24 , SS |
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Solid all-around shortstop with nowhere to play; a bargaining chip?
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Complete NL East prospects |
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SS Yunel Escobar could hit leadoff where he appeared in 34 games last season, hitting .351 with two homers and 16 RBI. (Getty Images)
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| Team Info |
2007 record: 84-78 (3rd in NL East)
Manager: Bobby Cox, 23rd year (1,900 - 1,472)
Stadium: Turner Field (50,096; grass)
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| Lineup |
| No. | Player | Comment |
| 1. | K. Johnson, 2B | 76 games as leadoff in '07; hitting a .268 with nine HR and 40 RBI at the post |
| 2. | Y. Escobar, SS | Called up in June from Triple-A and played 94 games |
| 3. | C. Jones, 3B | Had a career-high .337 AVG last season, 2nd best in the NL |
| 4. | M. Teixeira, 1B | 2007 was his fourth straight 30-homer, 100-RBI season |
| 5. | B. McCann, C | Offense should improve with thumb and ankle injuries behind him |
| 6. | J. Francoeur, RF | Coming off his first Gold Glove season and a career-best .986 fielding pct. |
| 7. | M. Diaz, LF | Mostly platooned the past two seasons and could share again with B. Jones |
| 8. | M. Kotsay, CF | Holding the spot until prospect J. Schafer is ready |
| Pitching |
| Rotation | Comment |
| 1. |
T. Hudson (R) |
Led the Braves in wins (16) last season |
| 2. |
T. Glavine (L) |
Brings his 300 career wins back to Atlanta |
| 3. |
J. Smoltz (R) |
Consistent, even at 40, with 14+ wins and 200+ IP the past three seasons |
| 4. |
M. Hampton (L) |
Hasn't pitched since Aug. '05 and already had a minor setback in the spring |
| 5. |
J. Jurrjens (R) |
Held right-handed batters to a .167 average with the Tigers |
| Closer |
Comment |
| R. Soriano (R) |
Became the Braves' closer last August; has never had the post a full season |
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