Atlanta Braves
2010 Record: 92-74
747 RS, 640 RA, Pythagorean Record: 96-70
Manager: Freddi Gonzalez
GM: Frank Wren
Free Agents:
Alex Gonzalez, SS ($2.5MM team option); Eric Hinske, OF (1O, $1.45MM; $1.5 Club); Omar Infante, 2B ($2.5MM team option)*; George Sherrill, RP (1, $1.2MM).
* Infante’s option was picked up, but he was traded to the Marlins shortly after.
Minor League FA:
Chris Ahearn, SS; Wes Alsup, P; J.C. Boscan, C; Shawn Bowman, 3B; Wilkin Castillo, C; Brent Clevlen, OF; David Convertini, C; Jose Costanza, OF; Gavin Dickey, OF; Yohan Flande, P; Mike Folli, 2B; Nick Lobanov, P; Rodrigo Lopez, P; Ed Lucas, SS; Jose Lugo, P; Ernesto Mejia, 1B; Jose Reyes, P; Andrew Russll, P; Jay Sborz, P; Beau Torbert, OF.
Rule V Pick:
None
Trades:
Received Scott Linebrink (RP) from the White Sox for Kyle Cofield (P); Received Dan Uggla (2B) from the Marlins for Mike Dunn (P) and Omar Infante (2B); Received Cash from the Yankees for Cody Johnson (OF).
Waiver Claims:
Joe Mather, OF (from the Cardinals); Anthony Varvaro, P (from the Mariners).
Players Lost:
Chris Anderson, C; Rick Ankiel, OF; Luis Bolivar, SS; Melky Cabrera, OF; Christian Colonel, 3B; Mike Daniel, OF; Scott Diamond, P; Matt Diaz, OF; Eric Duncan, 3B; Steve Evarts, P; Kyle Farnsworth, RP; Troy Glaus, 3B; Mariano Gomez, P; Jamie Hayes, P; Derrek Lee, 1B; Orlando Mercado, C; Edigson Mora, P; Alberto Odreman, 1B; James Parr, P; David Ross, C; Takashi Saito, RP; Clint Sammons, C; Samuel Sime, 3B; Luis Sumoza, OF; Joe Thurston, 2B; Wes Timmons, 3B; Billy Wagner, RP.
Draft Picks from Free Agents Lost: 0
Top 15 Prospects
1. Julio Teheran, RHP
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B
3. Mike Minor, LHP
4. Randall Delgado, RHP
5. Arodys Vizcaino, RHP
6. Carlos Perez, LHP
7. Matt Lipka, SS
8. Craig Kimbrel, RHP
9. Brandon Beachy, RHP
10. J.J. Hoover, RHP
11. Christian Bethancourt, C
12. Andrelton Simmons, SS
13. Edward Salcedo, SS
14. Tyler Pastornicky, SS
15. Brett Oberholtzer, LHP
The Braves continue to run pitching prospects through the system. Teheran is one of, if not the, top pitching prospects in the game; they have multiple pitchers that would be the top prospects in multiple other systems. Freeman will be the starting first baseman for the parent club; he’s one of the few top notch hitters in the system.
2010 Review:
In Bobby Cox’s final season, the Braves got him back for one last playoff run and the NL Wild Card; unfortunately, they couldn’t make it past the eventual World Champion San Francisco Giants.
Besides the return to the post-season, the Braves welcomed top prospect Jason Heyward to the show; he hit a homer in his first MLB at bat. Heyward had a solid rookie season and proves to be a fixture in Atlanta for years.
Tim Hudson was also a bright point, fully healed from Tommy John Surgery. Hudson along with Tommy Hanson proved to be a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
On the downside was Troy Glaus; the first baseman was Atlanta’s big free agent acquisition for the season and starter out well. Unfortunately, his inability to stay healthy in the previous years caused him to tire as the season went on. It got so bad that the team had to acquire Derrek Lee to take over first base.
2011 Preview:
New manager Freddi Gonzalez doesn’t have much work to do – much of the same team is in place.
The team upgraded the infield by acquiring Dan Uggla from the rival Marlins. He’ll move 2010 surprise Martin Prado to the outfield, with the occasional game at third. Uggla brings some pop to the line up, which they have been lacking.
Also new to the team is prospect Freddie Freeman. Freeman will take over first base; he’s not the typical power hitter that normally mans first, but he won’t hit like a catcher either.
The pitching is pretty much the same. The rotation is set with Hudson, Hanson, Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, and Mike Minor; Brandon Beachy could sneak into a role with a strong spring. The bullpen lost closer Billy Wanger to retirement; prospect Craig Kimbrel is expected to close. Johnny Venters is ready to step in if needed.
From the Bloggers:
Jamie Shoemaker, Through the Fence Baseball: The Atlanta Braves head into a season of change and a new beginning. If you ask the players though, you would get a different story, as new manager Fredi Gonzalez takes over for the legendary Bobby Cox with a similar style and work ethic. Fueled by the second best record in the NL, since the 2009 All-Star break, the Braves traded for power hitting second baseman Dan Uggla. Uggla will attempt to fill the right handed power void that the Braves have struggled with for the past two years. Last year, Troy Glaus seemed to fill that void, but a second half demise ended those hopes and the Braves lost the lead and held on to the Wild Card. Will Uggla be what the Braves have ached over? A 62 million contract is betting that he will.
New faces and what seems like a year in and year out of talented prospects, the Braves will hand over the first base reigns to Freddie Freeman. Freeman is known for his flashy glove, but his quiet power is undoubtedly a plus. Replacing Wagner and Saito in the backend of the pen will be fire ballers Craig Kimbrel and Johnny Venters. Kimbrel, Venters, and Freeman are all rookie of the year candidates. With an improved lineup and healthy rotation, the Atlanta Braves can only figure to improve on the second best record in the NL since the 2009 All-Star break.
Prediction:
2nd Place