Can the Atlanta Braves Count On Pitching in '09? Looks Like They'll Have To

It’s been an interesting offseason in Atlanta. Yes, I realize that might be the understatement of the decade.

After losing John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Tim Hudson to injuries during last season's debacle, the Braves circled starting rotation depth as its top need. 

Mission accomplished!

The Braves traded for Javier Vazquez, signed veteran hurler Derek Lowe, as well as a Japanese star export in Kenshin Kawakami to not only bolster this rotation but to compete in the NL East.  

Add to those three an "ace in the making" Jair Jurrjens, the serviceable Jorge Campillo, and future star Tommy Hanson and it makes for what could be a top-notch rotation in the National League.

Lowe is going to give you 200+ innings with no problem. You can also pencil him in for 12-15 wins this season. The major reason why Atlanta signed the ‘never-injured’ ace is for dependability.  

Last season was a disaster because the bullpen had to throw a ton of innings due to injuries in the starting staff. Lowe almost eliminates one-fifth of that problem.

Next in the rotation is Jurrjens. The youngster came over in the Edgar Renteria deal and quickly became the Braves ace for much of his rookie season. You have to figure he should be ever better this season now that he has a year's experience under his belt. The Braves need at least 12 or more wins from him as well.  

Vazquez is by no means the pitcher he once was. But he still has good stuff. He should benefit from being back in the NL again as well. Ten or more wins is not out of the question for the veteran.

The Braves signed Kawakami with hopes that he can step into this rotation and dominate much as he has in Japan for years.  

Kawakami should do well in his first season in the Major Leagues being only a couple years removed from winning the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award.

Atlanta will be in great shape in September if they can get 10 or more wins from the four-spot in the rotation.  

In the five-hole you’ll probably see a few faces. Campillo will be given every chance to win that spot this spring.

He’ll face stiff competition from the young phenom Hanson, and potentially Glavine.  

But even if Atlanta signs Glavine back there’s no certain timetable when he’ll be back from his arm injury/surgery.

If and/or when Glavine signs on the dotted line it just makes the rotation that much deeper.  

The bullpen should be strong again. Who wouldn’t want to throw Rafael Soriano in the eighth inning and Mike Gonzalez in the ninth?

Gonzalez will be one of the top closers in the game this year.

Middle relief has been the Braves problem for quite a few years. It looks as if Will Ohman will not sign back with Atlanta. That hurts.

Atlanta will have to count on Blaine Boyer, Manny Acosta, and Peter Moylan in that role. If they don’t have to work a ton of innings they should be very effective.

The pitching pieces are in place for Atlanta this year. They should see a definite improvement there. My main concern for the Braves is hitting.

An aging, oft-injured Chipper Jones, a very young outfield, and no lead-off threat could keep Atlanta from competing with the hard-hitting Phillies and Mets in 2009.

If they can land a top hitter via free-agency or trade soon Atlanta could make some real noise in the East.

If not, even with a great starting staff, the Braves could extend their new streak of playoff-less seasons to four.