A big day for the Braves!

I typically don't say this, because honestly, the Atlanta Braves have not made any blockbuster deals for a while. They typically trust their farm system to produce All-Stars, such as Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Jeff Francouer, Kelly Johnson, Yunell Escobar, etc.

All year long, the Atlanta Braves have struggled at first base. From an offensive (and defensive) perspective, it has been their weak link. Ryan Langerhans struggled early on in left, but Willie Harris and Matt Diaz have picked things up in a big way and produce a great platoon offensively, filled with speed (Harris) and contact (Diaz). Andruw Jones, although struggling with his average, still leads the team in home runs (20) and is tied for the lead in RBI's (69) and plays Andruw-esque defense. Jeff Francouer has been steady in right, leading the national league in assists and carrying his load on offense with above a .300 average, 12 home runs, and tied for the team lead in RBI's (69). Chipper Jones is hitting .341 at third base. Edgar Renteria is another one of the league's leading hitters, at .337. Kelly Johnson and Yunell Escobar provide a very young, exciting platoon at second. Johnson is hitting above .290 with one of the best eyes in baseball, as his OBP is above .400. Escobar is hitting around .300 and even though he's a rookie, he has the instincts of a veteran. Finally, even though All-Star catcher Brian McCann is down with his average this year, his power numbers have improved, as has his defense. Because he's now fully recovered from his nagging injuries (knocks on wood), I only have to imagine that his average will improve from where it is currently, .265. The Bravos were platooning Craig Wilson (hit .172) and Scott Thorman (in the .220s-.230s all year). They then attempted to platoon Thorman with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Salty was solid with the bat, but not so much with the glove at first. The Braves are dead last in most (perhaps all) offensive categories from the first base position. So, who'd they get via trade? Texas Rangers' first baseman, Mark Teixiera. He's won two gold gloves over at first, is hitting .297 with 13 homers. The Braves also traded for reliever Octavio Dotel from the Kansas City Royals. I was sorry to see the Braves had to trade Saltalamacchia as part of the package they shipped to Texas, but I think it'll be well worth it, in the end. With Teixiera in the line-up, outside of Andruw, McCann will have the lowest batting average and he was the Braves' lone All-Star. The line-up could look something like this...(scary):

vs. lefties
1. Yunell Escobar (2B) - hitting around .300
2. Edgar Renteria (SS) - hits .337
3. Chipper Jones (3B) - hitting .341 with 17 homers and 57 RBI's
4. Andruw Jones (CF) - horrible average, but 20 homers and 69 RBI's
5. Mark Teixiera (1B) - hits .297, 13 homers, 50-60 RBI's
6. Jeff Francouer (RF) - hitting above .300, 12 homers, 69 RBI's
7. Brian McCann (C) - hits .265, 57 RBI's
8. Matt Diaz (LF) - hits .330+
9. Pitcher

vs. righties
1. Willie Harris (LF) - hits .320+ with about 15 steals
2. Edgar Renteria (SS) - .337
3. Chipper Jones (3B) - .341, 17, an d57
4. Andruw Jones (CF) - 20 and 69
5. Mark Teixiera (1B) - .297, 13, and 50-60
6. Jeff Francouer (RF) - .300+, 12, and 69
7. Brian McCann (C) - .265 and 57
8. Kelly Johnson (2B) - .290+, 12 homers, .400 OBP
9. Pitcher

Those are two pretty darn good line-ups, full with diversity in age and experience. There are the youthful spark-plugs, such as Escobar, Johnson, and company, as well as the veteran Jones' boys, and the soon to be senior citizen, Julio Franco (who is hitting much better since coming over from the Mets...thanks New York!)

To say that I'm excited is an understatement. I'm thrilled for the Braves, as this was the biggest trade they've made in quite some time and I'm also thrilled for the simple fact that good news has sprouted from the city of Atlanta and their professional sports' teams. I've heard a bit too much negativity in recent days/weeks, so it's nice to hear some good news for a change. Now, we'll just have to see if the starting pitching (and bullpen, for that matter) can hold up. Smoltz and Hudson have thrown lights out all year. Chuck James has improved as the season has gone along. Buddy Carlyle has been a pleasant surprise, but after trading Kyle Davies to Kansas City, I'm uncertain about the #5 guy. Reyes isn't going to cut it this year, I'm afraid. As for the bullpen, I hope the starters can begin to pick up the innings to give the guys in the pen a rest. Wickman, Soriano, and especially Tyler Yates have struggled mightily in recent weeks. The acquistions of Mahoy from Texas, Ring from San Diego, and especially Dotel from Kansas City should help and it'll be interesting how Bobby Cox utilizes the three of them along with the rest of the guys in the pen. Will Wickman continue to close? Will it be more of a closer-by-committe, with Wickman, Soriano, and Dotel doing the ninth inning duties? Whatever the case, knowing Bobby, he'll do all he can to win the East. With the recent acquisitions by one John Scheurholz (he's the man!), Atlanta is definitely in a position to make another playoff run. Let's not get too excited yet, Braves fans, but we have every right to lift our heads up and smile after the news we received over the past couple days. The Mets may have ended our streak last year, but the better watch out behind them, because we're primed and ready to make it a race the rest of the way.