Braves Offseason MUSTS

If the Braves want to make something more out of last season's improvement, they've got to ship Derek Lowe outta town. Despite his solid wins, the guy's kinda in the way. He's clearly the team's no. 4 ( no. 5 if Tim Hudson returns ), and he just can't be relied upon the way the team's other starters can. Obviously the team needs a bat ... a big bat. I don't see the front office really competing for Jason Bay, though I'd love to be proven wrong. Why not make a move for Adam Dunn? Even though he's lefty (which the Braves are kinda overloaded with), the guy brings pop to the plate. Seems to me that the Nationals would be somewhat interested in bringing a veteran pitcher to the club to set the tone for their young guns, and Dunn would force opposing pitchers to adjust. As to where to play him, if the Braves let LaRoche walk, Dunn's clearly at first. If LaRoche stays (which I hope he does - good glove, decent bat, good chemistry with the team), then put Dunn in left. The guy's not gonna win a gold glove, but he can shag fly balls and get grounders back into the infield. Dunn's also due 10 million, a cut from Lowe's exaggerated salary.

I'd also like to see the team part ways with both Gonzalez and Soriano. I wanted Soriano to be a dependable closer all year ... but it just didn't happen. The team can't give either of those guys the kind of money they're looking for, especially when Heath Bell can possibly be brought in to shut 'em down in the ninth.

To me, the ideal lineup for next year would be: McLouth, Prado, Jones, Dunn (Bay if the perfect storm arises), Escobar, McCann, LaRoche, Diaz, and Infante filling in whenever and wherever he's needed (the guy's a good player). That lineup would give the NL some problems. I'd really hate to see the Braves trade Vazquez; he's a nasty, nasty pitcher when he's on. If Atlanta can put that lineup on the field behind Jurrjens, Vazquez, Hanson, Hudson (please bring him back Frank), and Kawakami, I see the Braves winning 90+ games. And don't forget Jason Heyward is just waiting in the wings when the outfield needs him.

Make the moves, Wren. Don't stand idle ... we've got a bright future.