Playing Pepper 2010: Atlanta Braves

Last year before the season began, I posed five questions to a blogger for each team, so as to get to know the rest of baseball.  I focus so heavily on the Cardinals that sometimes the rest of MLB can pass me by.  That went very well, so much so that it spawned not only a postseason edition but was part of the impetus for the formation of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

So this year, I've brought Playing Pepper back, with a little bit of a twist.  Instead of five questions, I posed 10 questions, and this year every team got the same set.  Plus, tapping into those BBA connections, I sent them to every blogger representing that team in the BBA.

We'll try to do two a day in a general alphabetical order, but things may change depending on responses.

Atlanta Braves
2009 Finish: 86-76, third in the NL East

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C70: How was the off-season?  What kind of grade would you give it?

BB: Overall the Braves' offseason was a bit of a bore. While there was certainly a bit of exciting with the possibility of Johnny Damon coming to Atlanta, nothing much really happened. Sure there was the trade of Javier Vazquez for Melky Cabrera and a great young prospect from the Yankees and the trade of Rafael Soriano, but the Braves didn't obtain a big bat like many fans were looking for.

Overall, I would give the Braves offseason a grade of C+.

C70: What is the key to success for 2010?

BB: The key to success is the consistency of the lineup. Last season the Braves offense didn't score runs nearly enough, resulting in Jair Jurrjens recording only 14 wins and Javier Vazquez recording only 15 wins, even though they both had ERAs well below 3.00. If the offense scores runs, the Braves could make a serious run in the NL East.

C70: What will be the team's strength?

BB: The Braves' strength this year will be their pitching staff. Coming off a season when they had the best starter's ERA in baseball, the pitching staff may be even better this year. With a likely rebound from Derek Lowe and improvement from Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens, I
think that the Braves' rotation could be better than last year's.

C70: What could be their Achilles' heel?

BB: Their Achilles' heel could very likely be their lack of a power bat. While there are 4 or 5 hitters who could knock 20 or more home runs, there isn't a true number four hitter who could drive in the top three hitters.

C70: Who will be the team's MVP?

BB: I think that the team's MVP will be Yunel Escobar. In the second half of 2009 he emerged as a team leader and force to be reckoned with. He was certainly the Braves' offensive MVP for the second half of 2009 and I think he can keep it going in 2010.

C70: Will a rookie make a significant impact on the team in 2010, and if so, who?

BB: I think that the answer to this question will likely be obvious to anyone who is familiar with the Braves, but it is likely that prospect extraordinaire Jason Heyward will make a big impact in the Majors this season.

C70: Who will be the breakout player for the team?

BB: I think that Jair Jurrjens will be the Braves' breakout player from last season. After posting an ERA of 2.60 last season, he pitched well enough to deserve some voting in last season's Cy Young award. If the Braves' score some runs for him, I think he could be a serious threat for the award this season.

C70: Which player will drop off the most from 2009?

BB: While he played well in 2009, I think that Braves' second baseman Martin Prado would be the most likely to drop off in 2010. I think that the Braves may be sorry that they didn't pursue another second baseman or retain Kelly Johnson.

C70: Who is the most likely player to be dangled as trade bait?

BB: Assuming Jason Heyward comes up to the bigs and succeeds, I think that the Braves could dangle Melky Cabrera as trade bait in the middle of the season. While he is a good player, he would seem to the be the Braves most valuable chip to fill another need.

C70: What will be the team's final record and divisional standing?

BB: I see the Braves finishing second in the NL East and winning the Wild Card. I would imagine that their final record would be 91-61.