Atlanta Braves

Losses: OF Ryan Church, P Javier Vasquez, P Rafael Soriano, P Mike Gonzales, 1B Casey Kotchman, 2B Kelly Johnson

Gains: P Billy Wagner, IF Troy Glaus, UT Eric Hinske, OF Melky Cabrera, P Takashi Saito, P Scott Proctor

Analysis: The Braves certainly made some changes. We'll look at what they've done, but their biggest additions are probably coming from the minor leagues. The Braves are relying on some health this season. They bring in Troy Glaus and Billy Wagner, who, if healthy, are nice improvements on Rafael Soriano and Casey Kotchman. However, both players need to prove themselves healthy. They do have the advantage of having picked up players who were both able to return to action late in 2009, and were deemed health enough by their former teams (Cardinals and Red Sox) to be put on their respective playoff rosters. If these two can produce, than it will show golden for the Braves off season. A questionable move by the Braves came in the trade of Javier Vasquez. Vasquez was one the top 5 pitchers in the National League last season, despite a little bit of hard luck in run support. The Bravos let him go to the Yankees for a deal featuring Melky Cabrera. The Melk man is a major league player, and a solid one, but I just don't know if Atlanta needed to make that deal. They were, however, overstocked at Starting Pitcher, so let that idea weigh in as well. Takashi Saito should have been mentioned in the same light as Glaus and Wagner. He can be an improvement on Mike Gonzales if he is healthy enough to regain form. Ryan Church and Kelly Johnson were no longer fits with the Braves. Johnson lost his job to Martin Prado, and Church will enjoy the possibility of being a starting player in Pittsburgh. Eric Hinske (a pirate most of last season) replaces him, as he is much more comfortable as that bench player, and has 1st base experience if Glaus gets hurt. Overall, an interesting, but mostly successful off season.

More moves: I feel like I say it all the time, but especially when competing with the Phillies, teams can use more lefty bullpen help. I think the Braves are done though.

2010 Thoughts: 2 names to think about with the Braves: Tommy Hanson (whom you may already know) and Jason Heyward. Heyward is all but sure to end up the opening day RF for the Braves. He is a super prospect who is the biggest story in Florida right now (he and Jenry Mejia of the Mets), exhibiting all 5 tools, and crushing balls into the Floridian sky. If Heyward can have instant success at the major league level, that does something nice for the Braves. With Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and hopefully a healthy Troy Glaus, Nate McClouth is going to be allowed to bat lead-off in Atlanta. This is important as McClouth has always seemed much more comfortable in that role. Yunel Escobar will likely follow him, after a breakout year, before the parade of power in Jones, Glaus, McCann, and Heyward, before Martin Prado and the pitcher. The line-up, as you can tell, has potential to be very solid. The rotation is strong too. There are a couple of X-factors for the Braves in the rotation. Tim Hudson will need to put together a healthy season. Unlike his former A's teammates Mark Mulder and Rich Harden, Hudson has consistently been great when healthy. Healthy is the key word though. Kenshin Kawakami had a bit of an up and down year in 2009. He is only the number 5, but it would be greatly beneficial if he straightens things out. The bullpen is good. Manny Acosta had a down year, but Peter Moylan countered with an up year. If the two level out, they should be solid. Eric O'Flaherty is one good lefty, though they could probably use another (Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez). If Saito and Wagner are healthy, its a great pen, if not, who knows?

Prediction: 2nd in the NL East (I realize I said the same of the Mets. Let's say they tie)

-APT