(Over the next 30 days, BERNing on Sports will be previewing every team in the Majors, yes, even the Royals. Only one a day, every day, so try not to get too hooked)
Frank and Honest
After John Schuerholz built the dynasty in Atlanta that won a record 14-straight division titles, new GM Frank Wren is trying to make his mark on the Braves. After a pair of disappointing season that saw the Bravos miss the playoffs in back to back years, the low point being last year's brutal 72-90 campaign, they've added pitching. I know, right? Of all teams, the Braves needed pitching. But this staff with the addition of the pictured man above, Derek Lowe, should be better. He also added Javier Vazquez, in one of the more bizarre trades of the off season, and Kenshin Kawakami from Japan. Although, you know how things can go when you sign a pitcher from Japan. He could be a Daisuke Matsuzaka, or he could be a Kei Igawa or Hideki Irabu. As Forrest Gump's mother might say, Japanese pitchers are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.
What The Heck?
The biggest move the Braves made this off season besides the acquisition of Lowe was that of embattled right hander Javier "Don't Let Me Pitch Past The 5th Inning Because I'm Going To Get Rocked" Vazquez. Amazingly, White Sox GM Kenny Williams was able to convince Frank Wren to give up four players for Javy, even though he posted just a 12-16 record with a 4.67 ERA last season. The Sox received Baseball America Top 100 prospect Tyler Flowers, along with shortstop Brent Lillibridge (who could make the White Sox team out of camp), and prospect third baseman Jon Gilmore and pitcher Santos Rodriguez. And this was all for Javy and miserable left handed reliever Boone Logan. I hope for the Braves sake that Vazquez is actually not one of the most maddening pitchers in baseball for them this year, or that trade will look brutal in future months.
Offensive Offense
Last year the Braves hit .270 as a team, which ranked eighth in Major League Baseball. With Jones and catcher Brian McCann, it appears at least of the middle of the Atlanta lineup is set. But the rest of the lineup? In the words of Larry David, ehhhh. Garret Anderson is old. Yunel Escobar and Casey Kotchman are nice players, but not impact hitters. Same thing goes for Kelly Johnson, and who knows what will happen in center field. It's between Gregor Blanco and Josh Anderson. That's all you need to know there. And Jeff Francoeur hopes to bounce back from a brutal year offensively, in which he hit just .239 and hit the fewest home runs of any season in his career (11). This team could have trouble scoring runs in a division with good offense. Not good.
From the Looney Bin
Tim Hudson may be the best mid season acquisition in baseball. The right hander is recovering from right elbow surgery and was placed on the 60-day disabled list ten days ago. If he returns this season, that sure would be a shot in the arm for Atlanta. Seriously though, if you'll get past the lame pun I just made, if Hudson returns mid season this is a guy with a career ERA below 3.50, and had a stingy 3.17 ERA last season when healthy. If the Braves can hang around in the NL east until July, Huddy would be a great addition to their suspect rotation.
Bold Prediction, Or Maybe Not So Much
The Braves will be better, but not great. I'd say around .500. Best case scenario? 85 wins. Worst case? 75 wins or so. The Braves will never be horrendous, but they probably won't be great.
Up Next...Saturday, Red Sox
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