Atlanta Braves: Looking to Emerge from the Mets and Phillies' Shadows

With all this talk about the Phillies and the Mets, it seems that the Braves are out of the spotlight, which they got so used to over the last decade and a half. 

Don't count them out, though. In fact, the Braves really don't mind flying under the radar. They have filled some major questionable areas in their club and are gearing up to reclaim the NL East. 

First, let me note that Javy Lopez retired and it pains me to see that happen. I'm sorry to see that he just couldn't cut it anymore. He had an excellent career and I wish him the best of luck. 

With Lopez falling out of the picture, that leaves Corky Miller, Clint Sammons, and Brayan Pena all vying for the job of backup catcher. Miller and Pena have both had chances to prove themselves over that last two years and have done well at times, but I don't think any of the three are a clear cut decision on who is to be Cox's No. 2 catcher.

Moving 60 feet, we'll discuss the Braves’ pitching. 

The acquisition of Glavine and getting Hampton back from long-term injury should sure up a rotation that was less than stellar last year. 

I think the Braves will have the best rotation they have had in years, with the ageless wonder in Smoltz and Hundson at the top and Glavine and Hampton to fill in behind. I look for big things from all four of them. 

The last two years were good to Glavine in New York, but now he’s returned home. He has stated several times that he was never quite comfortable in New York. Atlanta is the better place for him and he's just happy to get another go-around with the Braves.  

Hampton, on the other hand, is a little more questionable. He is coming off two years of sitting on the bench with surgery and then groin problems. He is set to pitch today against the Astros. 

The last spot in the rotation is still up for grabs. Chuck James seems a prime target to get the nod in that five spot, but Jair Jurrjens (who gave up four runs in six innings yesterday) is attempting to steal away that spot.  

Mark Teixeira and Chipper Jones are looking healthy and ready to put up big numbers in two consecutive seasons. Escobar and Johnson are also coming off solid years, especially Escobar, and look to put up even better numbers than in 2007.

Finally, we come to Mark Kotsay. He is a veteran outfielder coming off a season with Oakland where he hit .214 and played only 56 games because of a lingering back problem. He is healthy and ready to go. 

While he can't replace Andruw Jones defensively (no one can replace the best centerfielder in the game), he does offer more at the plate than Andruw Jones has in the last few years. 

Kotsay is a veteran, hard-nosed player and expects to be out there everyday, ready to play. Expect good play from him, but don't assume you'll see him on Web Gems every week.