2009 MLB Preview - Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves
Manager: Bobby Cox (20th season)
2008 Record: 72-90 (4th NL East)

Added: C David Ross (BOS), OF Garret Anderson (LAA), SP Derek Lowe (LAD), SP Javier Vazquez (CHW), SP Kenshin Kawakami
Lost: SP John Smoltz (BOS), SP Mike Hampton (HOU), RP Jorge Julio (MIL)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. CF Josh Anderson (.294, 21 R, 3 HR, 12 RBI) 2. 2B Kelly Johnson (.287, 86 R, 12 HR, 69 RBI) 3. 3B Chipper Jones (.364, 82 R, 22 HR, 75 RBI) 4. C Brian McCann (.301, 68 R, 23 HR, 87 RBI) 5. SS Yunel Escobar (.288, 71 R, 10 HR, 60 RBI) 6. LF Garret Anderson (.293, 66 R, 15 HR, 84 RBI) 7. 1B Casey Kotchman (.272, 65 R, 14 HR, 74 RBI) 8. RF Jeff Francouer (.239, 70 R, 11 HR, 71 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Derek Lowe (14-11, 3.24 ERA, 147 K) 2. Javier Vazquez (12-16, 4.67 ERA, 200 K) 3. Jair Jurrjens (13-10, 3.68 ERA, 139 K) 4. Kenshin Kawakami (Rookie) 5. Tom Glavine (2-4, 5.54 ERA, 37 K)

NOTE: Tim Hudson returns in midseason due to injury

Bench
C David Ross, 1B Greg Norton, IF Martin Prado, IF Omar Infante, OF Brandon Jones, OF Matt Diaz, OF Gregor Blanco

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Mike Gonzalez (14 SV, 33.2 IP, 26 H, 44 K, 4.28 ERA), Rafael Soriano, Manny Acosta, Boone Logan, Buddy Carlyle

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fantasy Studs: C Brian McCann, 3B Chipper Jones
Fantasy Sleepers: SS Yunel Escobar, P Jair Jurrjens, P Mike Gonzalez

Men In The Minors: OF Jason Heyward, OF Gorkys Hernandez, SP Tommy Hanson

Home Ballpark: Turner Field (Grade 4/10)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Team Outlook: Before last season, the last time the Braves lost 90 games was in 1990, Bobby Cox's first season as the bench boss. So needless to say, last year was a letdown. The pitching staff was riddled with injuries and the bats couldn't make up for it. This year could be different though. They picked up some solid arms in Lowe, Vazquez and Kawakami, which should stabilize the rotation. Add in Hudson at midseason and this may be the best staff in the NL East. The loss of Smoltz hurts team morale but bringing back a veteran like Glavine helps, though he may not stay in the rotation. Look out for Tommy Hanson to take the 5th spot sooner rather than later. As far as hitting, the Braves made a minor move bringing in veteran Garret Anderson, who will platoon with Diaz in LF. The top of the lineup is solid. The bottom could use a rebound season from Francouer, who hit .293 and drove in 105 runs back in 2007 while also earning a Gold Glove. Bobby Cox is a smart manager and wouldn't come back for another season unless he knew he had the guys to make a run a division title. I think it's fair to say he does.

Tomorrow's Preview: Baltimore Orioles