Annually since Turner Field opened for baseball in 1997, the Braves have scheduled a pair of exhibition games the weekend before Opening Day to give the minor-leaguers still tagging along with the team an opportunity to play in the home park. Seldom have their been any big questions about the makeup of the roster at that point.

Not this year.

Competition for the backup catcher position is heated and may not be decided until the deadline. Manager Bobby Cox and general manager Frank Wren were originally looking for defense in their backup. Rookie Clint Sammons is the organization's best catch-and-throw man; Brayan Pena had the position claimed a year ago only to be knocked off the major league roster by a concussion; Corky Miller is the dark horse, as he was a year ago even when he was on the team.

Equally interesting will be how Cox makes his bullpen decisions. He is notoriously loyal to players who have produced in the past, but some of those relievers -- including closer Rafael Soriano and Tyler Yates -- have been erratic this spring. With a number of pitchers out of options, the choice may come down to who must be retained rather than who has performed best this spring. But every arm in the bullpen will be on a short leash during April.

Despite the questions, this team is a playoff contender, barring multiple injuries to the starting pitching.

Veteran Atlanta legends Tom Glavine and John Smoltz are being counted on as much to eat up innings as they are for wins. And no one knows, or can even guess, how Mike Hampton's year will go after he was unable to pitch for the last two seasons. Not even Hampton.

But the infield and the outfield should fun to watch, both offensively and defensively.

Chipper Jones is practically salivating at the thought of the pitches he will see now that Mark Teixeira will be hitting behind him for a whole season, never mind Teixeira's less-than-potent offense this spring.

Behind that pair of switch hitters stand youngsters Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur, both of whom worked out diligently in the offseason. For all they have accomplished so far, they are only beginning to show what they can do.

And for the first time in a long time, there is versatility and speed on the bench, and depth at every position in the minors.

Cox and Wren are confident they can cover most injuries. The Braves would love to have a front-line pinch hitter, so expect Wren to be busy right up until Opening Day trying to trade any of the several players out of options to secure a big bat for the bench.

PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON
RF Jeff Francoeur added 17 pounds of muscle to keep his body from wearing down over the course of the season, and to bring more power to the plate. He earned his first Gold Glove in a tie and intends to keep it to himself this season. And keep an eye on Matt Diaz, who spent last season platooning in left field. His batting average, especially with two outs, should keep him on the field every day this season.

ON THE DECLINE
RHP John Smoltz, and fighting it all the way. LHP Tom Glavine, more realistic than most, declined a $13 million option with the Mets in the offseason in part because "I did not think I was worth $13 million. I'm not that kind of pitcher anymore." Smoltz would sooner have what's left of his hair set on fire than say he can't do something -- and it doesn't pay to bet against him -- but by working so diligently on commanding off-speed pitches to conserve his strength, and by scrubbing spring training starts at the slightest twinge of elbow/shoulder/neck soreness, the crafty athlete is wisely allowing for the inevitable.

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