I'm now writing for MVN

All of my entries will now be on http://braves.mostvaluablenetwork.com/.

Let the speculation begin

Out of the free agents, I think only Jaret Wright, Paul Byrd, and Julio Franco are likely to return. JD Drew and Russ Ortiz will be way too expensive. Antonio Alfonseca will likely ask for a bit more money than he made last year, and the Braves can probably find someone as effective as he was for less.

In arbitration, I expect that Rafael Furcal will make about 5 million, Marcus Giles about 1.5 million, and Kevin Gryboski somewhere between 1 and 2 million. I think Chris Reitsma will be non-tendered.

Lineup vs. RHP

SS Furcal
RF Thomas
2B Giles
3B C. Jones
C Estrada
CF A. Jones
1B LaRoche
LF Langerhans

Lineup vs. LHP

SS Furcal
1B Franco
2B Giles
3B C. Jones
CF A. Jones
C Estrada
RF Marrero
LF Hollins

I think that if Drew leaves, the only way the Braves add another everyday rightfielder is through trade, unless they let all the free agent starting pitchers go and sign one through free agency. Otherwise, I think it would probably be a 3 or 4 man rotation in the corner spots between Charles Thomas, Eli Marrero, Ryan Langerhans, and someone like Damon Hollins.

If the Braves bring back Wright, they probably won't bring back Byrd. If they don't bring back Wright, they'll probably bring back Byrd. I think it's 50/50 for each.

likely rotation:

RHP Thomson
LHP Hampton
RHP Byrd
LHP Ramirez
RHP Capellan/Cruz/LHP Meyer

If Capellan doesn't win the 5th spot in the spring, he'll probably start in AAA. If Cruz doesn't win it, he'll be one of the primary set-up men. If Meyer doesn't win it, he will probably be a long reliever. I don't think Smoltz will end up in the rotation because if he does that will cost the Braves an additional 3 million or so, and a chance to bring back one or more of their free agents. Now, if the Braves lose all 3 starters and Drew in free agency anyway, Smoltz would probably start.

I think Meyer has the best chance to make the rotation because he is more polished than Capellan and the Braves need Cruz as a set-up man.

Likely bullpen:
RHP Smoltz
RHP Cruz
LHP Martin
RHP Gryboski
RHP Colon

I think the last 2 spots in the bullpen will be filled by people who were minor leaguers last year (not Capellan, I think the Braves want him to start) or NRI's.

Smoltz starting?

Story in the title link.

Also, from http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/atl/news/atl_news.jsp?ymd=20041029&content_id=907971&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp


"How hopeful can John Smoltz be about getting a starter's role back? Is there any chance that Smoltzie's wish might come true? Honestly, I still believe that he has the ability to become a No. 2, possibly a No. 1 starter again for the Braves. -- M.W. C., Concord, N.C.

Last week, I really didn't know if the Braves were going to give Smoltz a chance to be a starter again. But after talking to general manager John Schuerholz, manager Bobby Cox and Smoltz, I'm beginning to believe this is a real good possibility.

With Jaret Wright, Russ Ortiz and Paul Byrd all eligible for free agency, the Braves have to start making plans to fill some voids in their rotation. They'll make every attempt to bring Wright back. But his success this year might have pushed his price tag too high. I'm also under the belief that Curt Schilling's success in the postseason helped Smoltz's chances. Long before Schilling, Smoltz proved to be one of the game's fiercest competitors in big games. He owns a record 14 career postseason wins and in three Game 7 starts has allowed just two earned runs.
Ironically, those two runs came in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS, when Sid Bream slid home with the game-winning run.

Even if Wright returns, I think there's a good chance Smoltz could be part of the rotation. How's this sound for a starting rotation? Wright, Smoltz, Mike Hampton, John Thomson and Horacio Ramirez.

There would certainly be a void in the closer's role. But remember, the Braves didn't really struggle with Kerry Ligtenberg as their closer in 1998.

Smoltz wants to be a starter again and have the chance to end his career in Atlanta. I won't be surprised if he works a deal in the near future that will at least give him a chance to be a Brave through the end of the 2007 season."
-Mark Bowman

Free Agents

JD Drew, Jaret Wright, Russ Ortiz, Paul Byrd, Antonio Alfonseca, and Julio Franco have filed for free agency. The Braves will likely make an attempt to bring back all of them except Ortiz.

It's been awhile

I've been either really busy, or when I'm not busy I haven't had the motivation to write.

The Braves did well to push it to a Game 5 in the division series. The Astros were completely on fire. The middle of the Braves lineup was silent. The majority of the Braves pitchers were quite bad.

Unless you've been living on another planet, you know that the Red Sox reversed the curse and won the World Series. If anyone besides the Braves had to win, I'm glad it was them.