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Atlanta Braves

Rotation
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1 John Smoltz: Ace. ERA in the mid-3.00s. Still can blow hitters away.
2 Tim Hudson: Often hittable. ERA will stay above 4.00 again this season.
3 Chuck James: Extreme flyball pitcher. Good young potential #2-3 starter. Limited upside.
4 Mike Hampton: Collapse is a certain possibility. Can still eat innings.
5 Kyle Davies: Can only improve on last season's 8.00+ ERA. Will give the Braves a mid-5.00 ERA from the #5 slot.

CL Bob Wickman: 3rd or 4th best reliever on the team. Dominated in brief stint in Atlanta last season.
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Lineup
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C Brian McCann: Best hitting catcher in the NL. A .300 hitter with 30-homer potential. Ginormous upside.
1B Scott Thorman: Could easily hit 20 homers. Won't get on base often enough to replace LaRoche.
2B Kelly Johnson: Converted outfielder. Bat could make him a star at second base.
3B Chipper Jones: Still best offensive player on the team. Can't stay healthy.
SS Edgar Renteria: Bad in the field. Offense will fall after last season's jump. Look for 10 HRs and a .280 average.
LF Ryan Langerhans: Gets on base effectively. Not a lot of power for a corner position. Most likely to lose his starting spot.
CF Andruw Jones: Defense has fallen dramatically. Good for 40 homers.
RF Jeff Francoeur: Hits long home runs. That is about all he does. Still most likely to breakout.
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Conclusion: The fielding of this squad will be suspect. Who knows how Johnson will adapt defensively to the shift from outfield to second base. Chipper is one of the worst fielders in the league and Andruw has gotten slower as his body has filled out. Jones, Jones, and McCann makes for a solid middle-of-the-order. Francouer should be at least an average hitter. There are no weaknesses in the starting lineup and the Braves have two good bats off the bench (Craig Wilson and Matt Diaz). The pitching staff is led by a 40-year-old ace. The other starters have little upside. Mike Hampton could possibly hold up the back of the rotation, but after the first three starters, Atlanta has serious issues. After a disappointing season from their bullpen in 2006, Atlanta beefed up with two closer-worthy relievers in Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano. Along with Oscar Villareal and closer Bob Wickman, the bullpen won't disappoint this season.

Projection: 82-80 3rd in the NL East

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