Aces Abound In Atlanta: 2009 Braves Get Back to Business as Usual on Mound

So let's get one thing straight, These aren't your fathers Braves. Well these aren't even your older brothers Braves. Okay and maybe not even your second older brothers Braves. Those three guys (who will remain nameless for lack of running that old song and dance into the ground) who used to climb the hill every five days are no longer around.

For that we are sad...but not pessimistic. there is much to look forward too in Atlanta this year when it comes to the moves they have made (and didn't make) this offseason. And I'm pretty sure most of you will be singing the same tune once you realize the overall impact of these moves in regards to bullpen strength and those nasty one run losses we came to "love" last year.

Lets start at the top with one Derek Lowe. Was it a knee jerk reaction to give Lowe, an All-Star, World Series champion, former stud closer and overall horse $60 million dollars over 4-years? Nope. Atlanta knows what its getting in Lowe, who has the third most wins since 2002 (106) and an ERA of 3.59 since his move to the National League.

He doesn't shy away from No. 1 matchups (boy that sounds like another guy we love) which bodes well when he faces off against the likes of Cole Hamels and Johan Santana within the division. Oh, and did I mention he's reliable? go ahead and pencil him in for about 35 starts and 200-innings. Something the Braves desperately needed.

And if we're thinking he's going to catch that nasty injury bug think again. Lowe takes excellent care of himself in the off-season, and with the ability to basically pitch to contact (that sounds like someone else we used to love around here) he's sure to get out of a lot of jams on a pitch that doesn't take much to throw.

Alright then things get even better with our resident fireballer Javier Vazquez. Like Lowe go ahead and put down another 35 starts and 200-plus innings for this guy. Mix in the fact that he can easily rack up yet another 200 strikeout season with a move over to the national league and facing those pitchers at the bottom of every line-up.

And believe me folks, he won't have to wait until the pitcher to put up K's. this is a guy folks who has averaged close to 200 k's per year the last four years. And don't think that getting out of the Chicago White Sox summer zoo, and into the care of one Bobby Cox won't help him. he will only thrive folks.

Ready for a little youth? look no further than 23 year old Jair Jurrjens. Jurrjens was 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA and 139 strikeouts. Frank Wren got rave reviews about him when he traded Edgar Renteria to the Tigers for him (and another top prospect Gorkys Hernandez) and he's done nothing but impress.

He shows a poise on the mound that suggests he can't be rattled. Boy...that sounds a lot like that lefty who used to pitch around here. most pundits and scouts are expecting nothing but progress from the young hurler whose only concern might have been fatigue down the stretch.

The Braves also got in on the Japanese pitching market with the signing of Kenshin Kawakami. I would personally project him as a solid number four starter after watching video of him from Japanese games. not many know what to expect from the import, but at 33 years old and nothing but extended success in his former country, I can see him as an extremely serviceable starter at the back end of the rotation.

Pending the acceptance of the one year offer the braves offered him Tom Glavine could join this very reliable quartet. The Braves do have other options in James Parr, Jo Jo Reyes, Charlie Morton and pitching phenom (he's legit...trust me) Tommy Hanson.

There's no shortage of arms this time around for Atlanta, which should also help the bullpen which has a revitalized Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano and some seasoned kids in middle relief. The new GM made sure that the frustrations of last year would not befall the talented Braves line-up on a nightly basis again. Boy, that sounds a lot like the Braves I used to know.