The Atlanta Braves are looking a lot better today, with the additions of Derrick Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami added to the starting rotation. Congratulations Frank Wren! That a baby! As of today, that rotation will get a little respect. And the Braves have suddenly given this fan base some hope in 2009. 
    They will start the season with Lowe as the ace. Vazquez, Jurrjens and Kawakami go 2-3-4. The 5th spot will probably feature a left-hander...Glavine or Reyes. Morton gets bumped back to AAA and Campillo back to the bullpen in that long relief role. Hot prospect Tommy Hanson can chill a little and not be rushed up. It all looks good. 
    D-Lowe is a winner. A competitor. Dude wants the ball and he's looking to go deep into the game. Get someone ready to pitch the 8th inning and not before. Batters hit .246 off him a year ago, and he broke some bats along the way. This addition gives the Braves some legitimacy up top. A big name guy to start the season opener. A guy the opposition respects. A strong arm up top.
    Best case scenario, Tim Hudson returns mid/late season for the stretch drive. That would be a big boost. Think about a postseason rotation of Lowe, Hudson, Vazquez and Glavine or Jurrjens. PRetty strong, uh?
    Wren's addition of a 4th year to the Braves offer was reasonable. Lowe would be 39 in the final year of the deal, but Frank needed to make this one happen. Without Lowe, the Braves don't look legit. With him, there is hope. And hope is a must these days in Atlanta. But it was more than that extra $15M...the Braves rolled out the red carpet for Derek. Sounds like that video message from country star Alan Jackson was a hit. Bobby Cox and Chipper made him feel welcome. It was a real team effort.
    Good job Frank Wren. You took some bullets for not paying Smoltz to sit and rehab, but it was the right move. Now you've added Lowe and things are looking up. I must admit, I'm now finally excited about going down to Spring Training.