Updated Braves Outlook

I am updating my Atlanta Braves outlook. After reading alot of people's take on the Braves and doing alot of thinking I think the Braves are capable at contending next year and setting themselves up nicely in the future. I say yeah they can contend for a playoff spot next year but I'm more excited to be looking toward 2010 or 2011. Come 2011 the Braves could be legit World Series contenders.

Here is how I would do it. David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution brings up the idea of protentially trading for the Marlins' Josh Willingham. Willingham is one of 17 arbitration eligible players the Marlins have. They won't be able to keep all of them and with their outfield depth Willingham is expendable. So that makes perfect since to me. Willingham could feel the left-field hole until whenever Jason Heyward is ready. He is a 20-25 homerun a year guy when healthy. Another reason Willingham would be a good fit is because he would be a cheaper player than say Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell or any other possible solution to the LF hole. Also the Braves wouldn't have to give up much to get him.

That would allow the Braves to spend money on starting pitchers. I really believe Derek Lowe is number one on the Braves list to feel the ace role. Then the Braves could sign a second level starter such as Paul Byrd or Jon Garland. Say the Braves sign Lowe and Garland. Also say that they bring Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and maybe Mike Hampton back on low base salaries with lots of incentives. The Braves would have the starting pitching depth they lacked this year when three of their starters went down to season ending injuries. The Braves could go into next season with a rotation with this look to it.

Derek Lowe
Jair Jurrjens
Jon Garland
Tom Glavine
John Smoltz
Mike Hampton
Jorge Campillo

That would also allow them to push James Parr and Charlie Morton back to Triple-A where they could get more seasoning. With those moves the Braves could contend in 2009 but also set themselves up nicely for 2010 and 2011 when the next wave of superstar talent is ready.

How would the Braves fill the center-field hole you ask? Well it wouldn't shock me one bit if Jordan Schafer is the Braves opening day starter in 2009. But hey what do I know. The Braves could do all of this or none of this. The great thing about this sport is trying to guess what a team will do during the off-season.