2011 Atlanta Braves: Will Club Be Able To Overtake Florida Marlins?
Disclaimer: The following article is written by a no-doubt, hands-down, purely unadulterated Atlanta Braves fan. I tomahawk chop in my sleep.
The question posed in the article title is a short-term one. The Florida Marlins have some nice spots in their lineup, but they are far from an imposing threat on the Braves.
So why are they still barely in front of the Braves as of May 30th?
That can be answered by looking within the Atlanta clubhouse rather than outside at the divisional opponents. If they fix these short-term problems, they not only pass the Marlins; they'll make a run for another division championship.
Dan Uggla Has To Improve
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Is there anywhere for Dan Uggla to go but up?
The power-hitting second baseman was brought in by Braves' GM Frank Wren in exchange for utility infielder Omar Infante and reliever Mike Dunn. It was a perfect trade that cost very little for Atlanta.
Uggla is a graduate of the University of Memphis, just a few miles from my own hometown. I know from personal experience that the preferred team of the area is none other than the Braves.
Atlanta needed to find more power from someone in order to push further into the playoffs in 2011. Uggla was as perfect a fit as I've seen Atlanta make in a while.
The only problem is that he seems to feel the burden of his hefty contract at the plate. Entering the last day of May, Uggla is batting .178 with seven homers and 16 RBI. Awful doesn't begin to explain that stat line.
I do believe that Uggla will hit his stride at some point, though I don't expect as much from him as I did at the beginning of the season.
If Uggla can get his stat line to .260 with 25 homers and 85 RBI, it will be considered a successful season and a great second half. Those stats are still within reach.
Such production will pay major dividends in helping the Braves overcome Florida in the short-term and Philadelphia in the long-term.
The Young Guns at the End of the Game Need To Mature
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Atlanta is anchored in the eighth and ninth innings by two youngsters: Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel, respectively.
Venters was a second half call-up last year and was brilliant as a do-anything reliever.
The Braves had struggled at the end of games, and Venters was able to fill that late inning need with his powerful left-handed velocity. He currently is the eighth-inning setup man.
Kimbrel is a rookie this year and has stepped right into the closer role.
Having pitched sparingly last year as a 22-year-old, he does have a little bit of experience, but it's obvious that he's still learning how to be slam the door shut for the Braves. He has blown four saves in 19 chances.
More time on the mound can only help these young pitchers.
They are clearly up to the task if you watch them pitch just once or twice, and as the season goes on, it will be quite a luxury to know that the game is over if Atlanta is leading after seven innings.
The Braves Have To Find Some Stolen Bases
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Every successful team has that one guy that reeks havoc on the basepaths.
Atlanta has lacked this guy ever sense Rafael Furcal left for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006. Assuming everyone does what their capable of, the Braves will still lack a player who can turn a bunt single into a man on second in scoring position.
Will the Braves try to find this guy at the trading deadline? If so, where will he go?
The way I see it, only left field and center field are available for Atlanta to fill with a speedster. Center field because Nate McClouth is terrible. Left field because it's only a matter of time before Martin Prado moves in to third base for the injured Chipper Jones.
Though I'd love the Braves to make a blockbuster trade at the deadline, such as prying Andrew McCutchen away from the Pittsburgh Pirates, I know they won't. It's not their style.
Therefore, the simple necessity for steals falls to Jordan Schafer. Schafer was called up at the beginning of 2010 and hit a home run in his first at-bat in Philadelphia.
That was the extent of his success from last year.
Now, with injuries to Jason Heyward and Nate McClouth, Schafer is back in the majors and absolutely must use his speed to manufacture runs from his leadoff spot.
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Atlanta's Middle Relievers Need to Wake Up...NOW!
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Other than the aforementioned Venters, the middle relief has been a glaring weakness for the Braves.
This is an area where I think that GM Frank Wren would be smart to begin searching for a nice right-handed arm to relieve the starters in the fifth and sixth innings.
A few years ago, past GM John Schuerholz traded Kyle Davies for Octavio Dotel. Dotel was considered the top reliever on the market, and I was impressed and excited to see him come to Turner Field.
Only nine days after his early August debut, he was placed on the DL and had a negligible effect on the season.
While injuries can't be predicted, I certainly hope that a possible trade goes much better this year.
George Sherill and Scott Linebrink are roller coaster rides when they come in. Eric O'Flaherty has had a terrific start to the season, but I'm not confident in him.
Let's see some trade deadline moves, Wren!
Playoff Bound
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I love the Braves chances this year.
Even after nitpicking over their weaknesses, you have to realize that they are 30-25, playing solid baseball right now.
New manager Fredi Gonzalez has done a tremendous job in taking over the team from the legend Bobby Cox. That's rarely talked about.
As Gonzalez continues to learn about his team and the suggestions made in this article are slowly conquered, I honestly think the Braves will overtake the Phillies for first in the division.
And I also have them going to the World Series.
Hey. I gave you fair warning with my disclaimer.
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