Atlanta Braves 2009: The Offensive Outlook

General Manager Frank Wren and the Braves had three goals going into this offseason: reconstruct the pitching staff, land a left-handed reliever, and add more power to the outfield.

After striking out on attempts to land Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett, Wren managed to sign free agents Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami. He also acquired Javier Vasquez via a trade with the Chicago White Sox.

In that same trade that brought Vasquez to Atlanta, the Braves also acquired Boone Logan, a left-handed specialist that will be asked to eat up innings and get left-handed hitters out.

So with pitchers and catchers reporting in just over a week, Frank Wren is down to the last item on his offseason wish list—getting a power-hitting outfielder. Rumors have been swirling linking the Braves to names such as Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn, Xavier Nady, Nick Swisher, and dare I say, Andruw Jones.

Any one of the aforementioned names will undoubtedly improve Atlanta's offensive potential for 2009. But even as it sits now, the Braves have reason to be optimistic entering spring training.

Again, if and when the Braves sign an outfielder then things will change, but this is how Bobby Cox's opening day lineup would look if the season started today:

VERSUS LEFT-HANDERS:                                   VERSUS RIGHT-HANDERS

Josh Anderson                                             Yunel Escobar

Yunel Escobar                                              Kelly Johnson

Chipper Jones                                              Chipper Jones

Brian McCann                                              Jeff Francoeur

Jeff Francoeur                                             Brian McCann

Casey Kotchman                                          Casey Kotchman

Matt Diaz                                                    Gregor Blanco 

Kelly Johnson                                               Josh Anderson

WEAKNESSES:

The two glaring weaknesses of this bunch are lack of speed and lack of power. The Braves thought they had a deal to bring Rafael Furcal back to Atlanta, thus addressing one of the two areas of concern—speed. However, somewhere between the verbal commitments, contract documents exchanged, and ultimately, a total display of classlessness on the part of Furcal and his agent, Paul Kinzer, the deal was dead.

As has been the common theme throughout this offseason for the Braves, Wren decided to defer to plan B—power. The free agent market is very much a buyer's market, with many big names still unsigned. Wren knows that he can find a bargain on a power-hitting outfielder.

Rest assured, Braves fans. Wren will nab one of the multiple outfielders left on the market.

STRENGTHS: 

The Braves finished third in the National League in batting average with a .270 mark last year. Base hits were never scarce. The Braves had six everyday players with a batting average of at least .280.

With Mark Teixiera opting to take the money and sign with the Yankees, the Braves are left with five returning players who hit at least .280. With Bobby Cox's "get 'em on, get 'em over, and get 'em in" philosophy, this should bode will for the Braves.

To that point, the Braves only had two players that struck out more than 100 times—Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson. The most underrated ability in baseball is the ability to put the ball in play consistently.

So if you're following at home, the Braves can hit for average and don't strike out. The combination of these two characteristics will bring steady run-production throughout the year.

Power is overrated. Power is inconsistent. But more importantly, power brings strikeouts. Ryan Howard's league-leading 48 home runs last year was packaged with 199 strikeouts.

Of the top twenty home run hitters last year, only two struck out less than 100 times—Carlos Quentin and Albert Pujols.

It's easy to sit around and wait for the three-run bomb in the eighth inning, but what if it doesn't come? The Braves may not lead the league in long-balls this year, but they will consistently have runners on base and people at the plate who will put the ball in play.

If I'm Bobby Cox, I like my chances.

X-FACTOR: 

The key ingredient for the Braves' offense in 2009 is Jeff Francoeur. Exploding onto the big league scene in 2005, Francoeur hit .300 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI in just 70 games.

The '06 and '07 seasons saw Francoeur hit at least 100 RBI and steadily increase his batting average.

Then, in 2008, Francoeur had a year he would just as soon forget. He hit just .239, had 11 home runs, and only managed a mere 71 RBI. His nightmare season climaxed with a stint in the Minors.

If Francoeur can regain the form and promise he displayed in 2007, then the Braves could post one of the best lineups in the National League. His gold glove and dynamite arm in right field are reason enough to give him a shot.

So, with all that being said, Braves fans can be optimistic. The same characteristics that have been instrumental in the success of the Braves for so long—bunting runners over, hitting and running, and making successful outs (yes, there is such a thing)—will be present in 2009.

Additionally, the presence of a power-hitting outfielder wedged into the clean-up spot will only improve this lineup. Having the NL batting champ doesn't hurt either.

With an improved pitching staff and a capable batting order, look for the Braves to be competing for the NL East late into September.