March 12, 2010Finishing second in the NL East in 2009 (eight games behind the Mets and one game out of the Wild Card slot) was not what the Atlanta Braves were aiming for.
"We always shoot for winning our division and then winning each post season series in order," said veteran Chipper Jones.
Last year was tantalizingly close after an absence from the playoffs, but Jones said close is not good enough. "We set our sites high and do not settle for second best."
So, will the Braves have what it takes to catch up to a powerful, and even improved, Mets team? Can they hold off challenges from the Marlins, Phillies, and Nationals?
With the start of spring training games the Braves face a number of pertinent questions that hold the key to their success in 2010.
1. Has the bullpen been significantly improved? You would tend to say with the addition of Joe Nathan that the answer is an automatic yes. But, manager Bobby Cox says outside of Nathan as closer, every other bullpen job is up for grabs. So, the spring will give us our first look at the off season additions to the pen (Chris Perez, Josh Kinney, Scott Linebrink, Ryan Franklin and John Bannister). With returners Peter Moylan, Brian Moehler, Boone Logan, Justin Mallet, and Danny Hererra, it gives the Braves ten good candidates for the other 5 or 6 slots in the pen. With that many GABA calibre relievers, expect some to be dealt away before opening day.
2. Will the winner of the 5th starter role be able to handle the job? With Kenshin Kawakami traded to the White Sox, the 5th spot in the rotation will be fought for throughout spring training. Tommy Hansen, Jeffrey Kamrath, Wade Miley, and possibly, Jorge Campillo and Charlie Morton will be given opportunity this spring to win the job.
3. Can 20 year old Freddie Freeman handle the job at first? Casey Kotchman fit his role as #2 hitter in the lineup very well and was a defensive wizard in the field. Freeman has shown excellent defensive skills, but he will be asked to provide some power in the 5 or 6 hole in the lineup. He's a work in progress, but the Braves organization thought enough of him to risk letting Kotchman go and giving Freeman an early chance.
4. With two lineup changes will the Braves offense be as productive as in 2009? The Braves quietly lead all of GABA in run scoring with only one power hitter over 20 home runs. In addition to the change at first, Mark DeRosa replaces Kelly Johnson (now with the Marlins) at second. DeRosa's offensive numbers are fairly close to that of Johnson, but can he continue to produce as he enters his mid 30's? Can the rest of the lineup continue the fine hitting they displayed during 2009?
5. Will the "Bobby Cox Farewell Tour" be a distraction or a motivation for the Braves? Cox, who announced his retirement would come at the end of the 2010 season, says his players are too focused to allow anything like that to get in the way of their pursuit of the pennant. Spring training will begin to give some clues in that regard.
Spring games start today in Orlando at 7:05 pm with Tommy Hansen scheduled to start for Atlanta against Florida. Play ball!
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