MLB: Braves Look to the Future While Mets, Phillies, and Marlins Compete

After the Mid-Summer classic, the Atlanta Braves may be able to make a worthwhile run at the NL East pennant—or at least attempt to frustrate the Mets, Phillies, and Marlins along the way.

For the Braves, a run at the pennant seems unlikely due to the numerous injuries on the squad and the record-setting trend of losing one-run games on the road.

Sitting under .500 going into the break, I believe that GM Wren has been receiving some phone calls from interested parties around the league. Are the Braves attempting to add some veteran talent for the summer stretch? Or, are the Braves throwing in the white flag to add depth for the future?

Taking a look at the contending NL East teams, an opportunity to overtake first place seems extremely unlikely.

Obviously the Phillies are going to stay hot during the second half due to their triumvirate of MVPs (if Utley can turn it up slightly this summer after cooling).

The Marlins' pitching staff may be their downfall, but they have an explosive offense that enjoys basking in the limelight of 6,043 fans attending at home in Miami.

Jerry Manuel seems to be just what the Shea fans ordered as they bid farewell to their humble abode in the Big Apple and proceed to Citi. These teams will slug it out into autumn, while—the Braves will be looking up with jealous, division-winning-record eyes.

Assuming this calamitous affair begins to unfold for the Tomahawk franchise, Mr. Wren may need to start taking those calls for Teixeira and other players. With rich talent in the farm system, the Braves could bolster their future prospects by moving our temporary first baseman for some Rooks.

While there is still some talent left on the trade market (Holliday, Bedard, etc), the Braves would have to give up too much to acquire a high-profile name of this type. Plus, Teixeira's deal ends this year—therefore, we could get some minor league talent to develop for the coming years.

On the other hand, 2009 could be Cox's last year with the club and he would want to make that final push to complete his career. It is unlikely that Smoltz or Hampton will be back; so, the most promising strategy, for this year and the future, seems to urge the team to be a seller.

Fret not, there have been many stand-out moments for the Braves that could lead to a optimistic second half.  Chipper's run at .400 may have slowed, but there is still a glimmer of hope that he can join Teddy Williams in this category. Plus, Smoltzy was able to join 16 others in the 3,000 strike out club.

The Braves will continue to compete, but it appears that the rivals have the advantage this year. Atlanta will have some difficult decisions to make before July 31 that will determine their future. In my opnion, the Turner Field boys should be sellers.