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this year just goes to show how fine the line is in professional sports. the braves had a horrific run of injuries, and an absolutely appalling record in one-run games. it makes you realise how remarkable their 14yr run actually was.

I'm not sure if big-name free agent signings will solve the Braves woes, but really, the team is not as far off competing for the playoffs again as many pundits think. healthy starters providing solid starts would make a huge difference. you've got great young players in McCann, Escobar, Jurrjens and others. Francoeur should bounce back. Others such as Kotchman and Hamilton could step up. we'll see...that's the beauty of sports...you never can tell...just when everyone thinks they know, it changes (e.g. the rays this year...who would have predicted?)

Braves plan to acquire starting pitchers. That's good, 'cause you need a few of those so someone is there to throw the ball toward the batter. This should be a snoozer ...

Get Andy Pettite.

Just kidding. Seriously the Braves have needed starting pitching since they let Glavine and Maddux go.

Kiwi, well said. Hopefully Kotchman and Francoeur will work on their hitting a little more this offseason.
Take Lohse off that list; he signed a 4 yr deal with the Cards yesterday. I think Lowe or Cain would be a good fit for the Braves.....we don't need Penny 'cause I think he would turn out to be Mike Hampton the Sequel.

Cain would have to come in a trade, right? I'm assuming the Giants control him at this point?

Well, this isn't news in that they've been saying exactly this for the past three months..... With the steroid era it will be back to fundamentals..... pitching and defense.... and a little speed would be nice too......

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:12 AM ET  09.30 by Sir Robin (again)

Well, this isn't news in that they've been saying exactly this for the past three months..... With the steroid era it will be back to fundamentals..... pitching and defense.... and a little speed would be nice too......

I can hook you up.

Gee, there a news flash, the Braves need pitching. Been awhile since this team was solid with pitchers and one time they were awesome....

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:14 AM ET  09.30 by Atro Steals Yer Base

I can hook you up.

Do you have bulk?

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:22 AM ET  09.30 by Kiwicraig78

I'm not sure if big-name free agent signings will solve the Braves woes, but really, the team is not as far off competing for the playoffs again as many pundits think.

I grew up watching the Braves in the 80's, and I considered myself a "long suffering" fan. The 90's made me spoiled, and I'm not dealing well with what's happened so far this decade. Something's got to give in Atlanta, that's for sure.

I don't know that the free agents alone will solve things either. Honestly, I don't know what will. On one hand, my friends back in Atlanta tell me that we are just a piece or two away from contending. On the other hand, they also say that the owners seem to have a lack of commitment to winning. I hope that's not true.

I love the fact that we have a lot of young talent grown at home, and I was stoked that we brought Glavine back. It just all turned bad, and that saddens me.

Lifelong Braves fan from the Aaron/Neikro era of perenial losers year after year. Back in the day, the Braves had good hitting and pathetic pitching. I see now that the Braves unfortunately had more injuries this year than I've ever seen. Bobby Cox did the best he could and is a Hall of Famer. The Braves need to consider a possible change at hitting coach. Terry Pendleton just didnt get it done this year. Francouer and Kelly Johnson killed the team with repeated failures in the clutch. I know it would be painful in a way to let Pendleton go. Maybe he could manage in the minors or stay in the organization in another capacity. Defintely need an established power hitting outfielder for left field. Maybe work hard in strength and conditioning for the relief pitchers or all of the pitchers. I myself would trade Kelly Johnson for a good young arm and either get a solid 2nd baseman or go with Prado full time. Francouer needs to see a shrink or somebody to figure it out. Win or lose, I love the Braves. Named my son after Phil Neikro. I wish the owners weren't so damn cheap and would come off the hip with some cash for whatever the hell Bobby Cox says it would take. When you have a Hall of Fame manager, you don't waste that. One day he'll be gone.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:55 AM ET  09.30 by Floyd19

Bobby Cox did the best he could and is a Hall of Famer. The Braves need to consider a possible change at hitting coach. Terry Pendleton just didnt get it done this year. Francouer and Kelly Johnson killed the team with repeated failures in the clutch. I know it would be painful in a way to let Pendleton go. Maybe he could manage in the minors or stay in the organization in another capacity.

One has to consider how detrimental the departure of Yost and Mazzone have been over the past few years.

The Dodgers WILL re-sign Lowe, and get rid of Penny...watch!

The coaches will all be back. That was announced some time ago.... which was a bit of a surprise. You can't blame McDowell for the pitching when he lost 4 of 5 opening day starters and two key bullpen members to season ending injuries. Pendleton could have taken the rap for the hitting, but that wouldn't be fair. Francoeur and Johnson both finished out the year on the upswing, so there is hope. The belief is that Francoeur bulked up too much last year and Johnson ran into some bad luck with a lot of hard hit balls being caught & that finally evened out at the end of the year. But, he needs to be more consistent. So that leaves you with starting pitching and leftfield as the main pressing needs. In addition, they are counting on one of the youngsters to play CF.... or they may need Kotsay back for one more year. Maybe a little bit of help in the bullpen since you cannot count on getting all of the injured pitchers back to top form.... a few too many holes to be very optimistic next year. Wren can earn his pay and reputation with a good off season.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 11:05 AM ET  09.30 by BigFletchDog

One has to consider how detrimental the departure of Yost and Mazzone have been over the past few years.

Especially Mazzone, although it's not like McDowell was doing a bad job. The team was actually among the starter ERA leaders until the pitchers started dropping like flies.....

Who would want Brad Penny? Look what he didn't do for the Dodgers. He was the same way last year. He would start out good and fade by the all-star game. If his injuries don't get you, his pitching will.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 01:16 PM ET  09.30 by Foxy's Back

Who would want Brad Penny? Look what he didn't do for the Dodgers. He was the same way last year. He would start out good and fade by the all-star game. If his injuries don't get you, his pitching will.

One could say the same thing about Andruw Jones - just replace "pitching" with "hitting". Oops...

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 01:58 PM ET  09.30 by BigFletchDog

One could say the same thing about Andruw Jones - just replace "pitching" with "hitting". Oops...

can't argue with that.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 01:16 PM ET  09.30 by Foxy's Back

Who would want Brad Penny? Look what he didn't do for the Dodgers. He was the same way last year. He would start out good and fade by the all-star game. If his injuries don't get you, his pitching will.

I was thinking the same thing about Penny and Burnett..... great pitchers, but injury prone.... and sliding a bit on the talent side perhaps..... Andruw Jones, brutal..... Maybe the Parking Lot Attendant has a good trade ready for us this year.....