Spring training site
Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
2007 record
84-78, third in NL East, five games behind Phillies
New faces
OF Josh Anderson (trade, Astros); LHP Tom Glavine (free agent, Mets); IF Omar Infante (trade, Cubs); OK Mark Kotsay (trade, A's); RHP Jair Jurrjens (trade, Tigers); LHP Will Ohman (trade, Cubs)
Biggest offseason acquisition
From a name recognition it's Glavine, but down the line it will probably be Jurrjens. He was brought in from Detroit for Edgar Renteria, and could be in the starting rotation from the beginning. He's not overpowering, but induces ground balls. Jurrjens went 3-1 in a pennant race last year for the Tigers.
Gone but not forgotten
Andruw Jones had a great run in Atlanta that was spoiled by one really horrible final season. He hit .222, but still found a way to drive in 94 runs and won his 10th Gold Glove at age 30. He averaged .263 with 34 homers and 103 RBI per 162 games in his 10 years in Atlanta. Braves fans will cringe if Jones rediscovers his swing for the Dodgers.
Spring training battles
After the top three in the rotation (Tim Hudson, Glavine and John Smoltz), the last two spots are totally up for grabs. In the mix is Mike Hampton (who hasn't pitched in a big-league game since August 2005), lefty Chuck James, righty Jeff Bennett (who pitched well in two starts late last season) and Jurrjens.
Projected lineup
- SS Yunel Escobar
- 2B Kelly Johnson
- 3B Chipper Jones
- 1B Mark Teixeira
- RF Jeff Francoeur
- C Brian McCann
- LF Matt Diaz
- CF Mark Kotsay
- Pitcher
Projected starting rotation
- RHP John Smoltz
- RHP Tim Hudson
- LHP Tom Glavine
- LHP Mike Hampton
- RHP Jair Jurrjens
Projected bullpen
- RHP Rafael Soriano (closer)
- RHP Peter Moylan
- LHP Will Ohman
- RHP Blaine Boyer
- RHP Tyler Yates
- RHP Manny Acosta
Biggest strength
That starting rotation has the potential to be special with the presence of 40-somethings John Smoltz and Tom Glavine, who are almost certain Hall of Famers. And the middle of the order has Chipper Jones and Mark Teixeira, who should feed off each other well.
Glaring weakness
As bad as Andruw Jones was last year, Kotsay is no upgrade. His batting average is on a downward spiral since 2004, and he hit just .214 last year. If the Braves get the Kotsay that was a table-setter for the Padres a few years ago, they'll be OK. If not, this will be a problem position.
