The Top Five Worries for Braves Fans Entering the 2009 Season

In this article I look to address the five most worrisome topics that are plaguing Braves fans this off season. The relievers, starting pitchers, hitters, no one is free from scrutiny.

As spring training approaches and the Braves look to finish up their off season activities, the worries grow stronger. Personally I am optimistic about this coming season but others are not. Please take a look at what is troubling your fellow fans.

5. Bullpen or Bullcrap?

The Braves Bullpen has been able to put up great number the past two years coming into the all-star break, but they seem to drop off each year immediately there after.

Both years it has been said that they where called on too often and over used and thus a production drop off. Well this year the Braves have stocked up on guys that should produce some innings and reduce the number of relief innings prior to the break. The bullpen is going to have to prove their worth this season.

If they drop off like they have each year then there are going to be a lot of wins lost to relief innings.

4. Road Wins

Last year the Braves were terrible on the road. Not too bad at home but awful on the road. Without some consistency Atlanta will not find a much better record away from Turner Field this year either. Last year due to injuries every couple of days someone different took the mound.

There were a handful of guys playing musical chairs with the backside of the rotation. Playing on the road is hard enough without having to wonder who is going to take the mound for you tonight or the next night or the night after.

Given that the current pitching staff would appear to ready to log some innings for the Braves maybe they can manage a better winning percentage outside of friendly confines.

3. Jeff Francoeur Rebound

Jeff Francoeur had a bad year this past season; we all know that. I would say I expect a bounce back; however, if he does not then that means big problems.

The Braves have already spent the offseason searching for an outfielder to add power to the lineup and offset the chance that he doesn't.

I believe that Atlanta could suffice with their current roster guys and play the season just fine, buf if Francoeur doesn't bounce back the team will be missing their 100 RBIs and 20 HRs again.

2. Starting Rotation

Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, Kenshin Kawakami, 5th Starter

Each of the starting pitchers for the Atlanta Braves comes with a question mark this year.

Is Derek Lowe going to decline with his age? Can Vazquez reproduce past numbers in the National League? Was Jair's season a fluke or is he really that good? Can Kawakami handle the difference in the NPB and MLB?

These are just some of the questions that people are asking building up to the start of spring training and if too many of the answers are negative, it could be another sub .500 year for the Braves.

1. Atlanta Who?

Im 22 and I grew up knowing the Braves can pitch. Every night you knew a guy was going to take the mound and give his team a chance to win. Thats just who the Braves were. Well, it just is not like that anymore. The Braves have no "Identity."

Atlanta has a few good pitchers, a few good hitters, a few good relievers, and no real stealing threats. With this make-up the team has no identity. While some people may not care I think it is important.

Every night you go to the ball park you need to know who you are as a team. What are you going to do to win. Whether you are going to smash the ball out of the park or small ball your way to victory.

The Braves need to figure out what they are doing and they need to do it before the season starts.