I dont usually post MLB plays, but I think that this is a solid play

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Is that a banana in your mouth or . . .
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Atlanta Braves over 84' wins -125

Before the Met's addition of Johan Santana, I truly thought the Braves would win the division. Now I just think they will win the wild card. They improved their rotation with the addition of Glavine and the subtraction of Redman. Mike Gonzalez is healthy in the bullpen and he is unhittable. If Glavine and Chuck James can win 10-12 games apiece (very reasonable, esp. if james can stay healthy) and if Mike Hampton can win 8-10 games, I dont see how the braves dont win 90 maybe even 95 games

They did a little addition via subtraction on the offensive side of the ball by letting Andruw Jones go. Their lineup is one of the top 3 in the national league.
1. Yunel Escobar (.326)
2. Kelly Johnson (.276)
3. Chiper Jones (.337)
4. Mark Texiera (.317)
5. Jeff Francour (learning to lay off 1st pitch, .293)
6. Brian McCann (.270)
7. Mark Kotsay (career .282 hitter)
8. Matt Diaz (Batted .338 w/ 7th highest AB total on team)
9. Pitcher (pretty decent hitting pitchers)

My prediction 92-70 2nd in Division, Wildcard Winner, W.S. Winner!!!!!
 

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Diaz can hit but is one of the worst defensive players in the majors and that will limit his playing time quite a bit. Escobar won't hit above .280 this year. Kotsay has bigtime back issues and hit .214 last year in 200+ at bats and is now 33. Chipper is 36 and last year was the first time in like 5 years he reached 500 at bats. I don't see him staying healthy again.



I have no feel on the play either way, but figured I'd play devil's advocate. That offense should be above average though, just not quite as good as it looks when you wrote it IMO. Just one man's opinion...
 

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I dont see Yunel hitting 320 but i dont see him hitting under 280 somewhere right in the middle
 

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I dont see Yunel hitting 320 but i dont see him hitting under 280 somewhere right in the middle

I just don't see his jump being legit. He has potential in a year or two to be a .300+ hitter, but the guy was hitting .232 in AA ball in '06 and .269 in AAA ball last year before getting the call. The fact that he hit so high in the majors seems to be an aberration.
 
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I watched him play a fucking ton due to my good friend being a braves fan ( gag me) looks pretty legit wouldnt be suprised to see him hit around.300 again

who knows
 

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Yuni hit .326 last year and sacrified more at bats than anyone in the lineup trying to advance runners. He's an ideal #2 hitter (of course the problem with the Braves is that they have no legit leadoff man), and he understands the game incredibly well. Whether he hits .300 or not - I'd certainly make him a favorite to do so because of the people hitting after him - he certainly would if he was more selfish.
 

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even tho i really don't agree with your logic especially sayin the braves could have the 3rd best lineup in the NL when they have the 3rd best lineup in the NL east but i dont disagree with the pick. if they get the pitching this is a team that can be a couple games over .500. they don't have much speed which will hurt plus a laughable center fielder as well but with francoeur, chipper, and teix they can stay in games with guys like smoltz and hudson pitching. i don't really know much about their bullpen but i think this will be an interesting team to watch just not a playoff team
 

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The Braves have a lot of plan B's even if all there plan A's falter.

For instance, the Braves had no answer for the loss of Mike Hampton. It was a hole in the pitching staff that haunted us all year long.

This year the Braves have a great prospect that they got from Detroit that can fill in Jair Jurrens.

If Kotsay get hurt again dont be surprised if Bobby goes with our #1 prospect in the whole system in Jordan Schafer.

Only players we lost of any value was Andrew Jones and Renteria. But I believe Escobar is the real deal.

Bullpen is better, starting rotation is also better.

I dont know if the Braves will win the division in 2008.
But I really feel if the Braves had this same team last year they would have won the division in 2007.

The only question is did philly and NY improve enough also to overcome that.

The only problem is we have never ever really replaced Furcal since he left.
That has always made me wonder why they let him get away.
It was not a money issue because the Braves ended up giving Renteria more money than the Dodgers gave for Furcal.
 

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