Bobby's 2010 Atlanta Braves
Bobby Cox is close to having his new team set for the start of the season. And the few reamining big decisions will probably fly north to Atlanta with the ball club later this week. No reason to make the remaining decisions until next weekend.
There are 2 big decisions left to be made. Conrad or Thurston? And who are the last two guys added to the bullpen? Everything else is set and ready to go.
As far as the bullpen goes, there are 5 guys and 2 spots. Acosta was cut from the comp, after he couldn't get the Pirates minor leaguers out in Bradenton. That leaves Proctor, Reyes, Venters, Chavez and Kimbrel. The guess here says Bobby and Roger go with Reyes and Chavez to start the season. Then, Proctor is called up after knocking some more rust off in AAA during April. That gives Chavez a few weeks to prove himself. Venters and Kimbrel end up being just a phone call away in AAA Gwinnett. Reyes has been effective down here working out of the bullpen and the guess here says that he'll get this one last shot to make it.
Omar Infante is the primary utility-man. And he's solid. Bobby will have to decide between Brooks Conrad and Joe Thurston for the other back-up infield spot. From my seat, it appears as though Thurston has outperformed Conrad in camp, but not by a wide margin. Joe looks more comfortable at 3rd than Brooks. And he has hit the ball a little better. Still like the versatility of Conrad though, as he is a switch-hitter. Joe looks like he's fit in quickly with these guys, after playing last season in St. Louis. The pick will probably be Thurston.
As far as Nate McLouth goes, it looks like he's come out of that funk he's been in down here. And the Braves need him to be up top in the order and on base. Chipper told me exactly that. With Nate up top getting on base, the Braves can manufacture some runs. McLouth can steal some bases and put some pressure on the defense. And with Nate up top, that means Melky Cabrera or Matt Diaz will be in the 8th spot...and that's a tough out. For the Braves offense to be at their best, they need McLouth leading off and those two quality hitters (Melky and Matt) driving pitchers crazy down bottom.
There are 2 big decisions left to be made. Conrad or Thurston? And who are the last two guys added to the bullpen? Everything else is set and ready to go.
As far as the bullpen goes, there are 5 guys and 2 spots. Acosta was cut from the comp, after he couldn't get the Pirates minor leaguers out in Bradenton. That leaves Proctor, Reyes, Venters, Chavez and Kimbrel. The guess here says Bobby and Roger go with Reyes and Chavez to start the season. Then, Proctor is called up after knocking some more rust off in AAA during April. That gives Chavez a few weeks to prove himself. Venters and Kimbrel end up being just a phone call away in AAA Gwinnett. Reyes has been effective down here working out of the bullpen and the guess here says that he'll get this one last shot to make it.
Omar Infante is the primary utility-man. And he's solid. Bobby will have to decide between Brooks Conrad and Joe Thurston for the other back-up infield spot. From my seat, it appears as though Thurston has outperformed Conrad in camp, but not by a wide margin. Joe looks more comfortable at 3rd than Brooks. And he has hit the ball a little better. Still like the versatility of Conrad though, as he is a switch-hitter. Joe looks like he's fit in quickly with these guys, after playing last season in St. Louis. The pick will probably be Thurston.
As far as Nate McLouth goes, it looks like he's come out of that funk he's been in down here. And the Braves need him to be up top in the order and on base. Chipper told me exactly that. With Nate up top getting on base, the Braves can manufacture some runs. McLouth can steal some bases and put some pressure on the defense. And with Nate up top, that means Melky Cabrera or Matt Diaz will be in the 8th spot...and that's a tough out. For the Braves offense to be at their best, they need McLouth leading off and those two quality hitters (Melky and Matt) driving pitchers crazy down bottom.
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