Something in the Air

Yesterday, I got to watch my first full spring training game - more or less - as the Braves held on to to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3.

It was encouraging as Tim Hudson tossed 5 scoreless innings.

But as soon as the bullpen came in, my stomach started to churn, and true to form, the relief corps allowed 3 runs, and nearly coughed up the lead in the 9th.

Anyhow, I know it's only Grapefruit League games, but a win is a win.

And it got me to thinking whether this year's team will turn out to be better than last - Atlanta's first losing season since 1990.

On paper, I think the 2007 edition is much better.

The 2006 Braves main weakness was the bullpen.

This year's bullpen appears to be a strength with the additions of Bob Wickman, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. Of that trio, only Soriano has been impressive in spring training, so the jury's still out. At least there won't be dead weight such as Chris Reitsma, Tom Martin, and Mike Remlinger.

The right side of the infield may appear to be a weakness with the departures of starting first baseman Adam LaRoche and starting 2nd bagger Marcus Giles.
But I think if Bobby Cox utilizes a mix and match approach, things will smooth themselves out.
If he uses a combination of Chris Woodward, Kelly Johnson and Willy Aybar/Pete Orr/Martin Prado to man 2nd, it'll be like the days when Blauser, Treadway and Lemke battled for playing time. Competition stokes the competitive fires.
Same thing with first base. I think new acquisition Craig Wilson is going to see plenty of playing time at 1B. Cox loves a 1B platoon, and has always employed a rotation except in the days when we had a primetime 1st bagger such as McGriff and Galaraga. The rest of the time, it's been platoon city, featuring such names as Brian Hunter, Ryan Klesko, Rico Brogna, Ken Caminiti, Julio Franco, Matt Franco, B.J. Surhoff, Randall Simon, Wally Joyner, and Robert Fick.

Overall, I think this year's team has more flexibility and depth with Woodward and Wilson on the bench.

I wish we a had fulltime leftfielder, but Ryan Langerhans and Matt Diaz are adequate. I wish Brandon Jones would get the call, but he needs some more seasoning in the minors. He looked good yesterday, however. Houston has had the Killer B's and it looks like we'll have another member of the Jones Boys soon.

It's starting to look like a very crowded infield.
Who knows which utility infielders are going to make the team. At least this year we have some good options from which to choose, and some depth should someone (Chipper) get hurt.

And Tanyon Sturtze will be waiting in the wings for a bullpen spot around May, should someone falter.

And if someone under-performs in the starting rotation, or gets hurt, we've got whoever doesn't make the fifth spot (Cormier or Davies) getting innings at Richmond.

Speaking of the rotation, how does this potential lineup sound when Hampton gets healthy:

Smoltz, Hudson, James, Redman, Hampton?

Sounds as good or better than anybody else in the N.L., if these guys perform to their abilities (Hudson).

Let's get this party started.