I know it's been 6 months since I posted on this blog, but I have taken a break and now I have some time and definitely some things to write about. We'll start today with a preview of the Atlanta Braves 2009 season and see where it goes from here.
After a 72-90 season in 2008, the Braves needed to shake things up...and they certainly did that. John Smoltz and Mike Hampton are gone from the rotation, but they were replaced with Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, and Kenshin Kawakami. Jair Jurrjens and former long-time Brave Tom Glavine will fill out the rotation. I think this rotation will be strong and will last until the 6th or 7th inning in most games to take the pressure off of the bullpen. Last year, the bullpen broke down because many of the starting pitchers could not last into the 6th inning. This year things should be different.
The offense hasn't changed a whole lot. Garrett Anderson was singed as a free agent and he will start in left field. Jeff Francouer will start in right field and hopefully return to his 2007 form after a dismal 2008. Center field will be patrolled by a combination of Gregor Blanco, Jordan Schafer, and Omar Infante. The infield will stay the same: Brian McCann, Casey Kotchman, Kelly Johnson, Yunel Escobar, and Chipper Jones. The bench will consist of free agent signing David Ross, Matt Diaz, Martin Prado, Clint Sammons, an pinch-hitter extraordinaire Greg Norton.
This season can't be as bad as last season, so I am hopeful that a new spring will be a new hope for the Braves.
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