Rednilla

Aaron Murray has a little bit of an advantage over Sean White in the arm strength category. White is a gamer (look at his high school career, not to mention his performance at the Elite 11 camp), so I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him take the reins and never look back, but I don't think he has the arm Murray does. Or Brees, for that matter, but I'm more familiar with Murray so it sticks out to me.

Ouch. My condolences on having to descend into hell.

I'm not sure he wouldn't feel even more satisfied leaving now in that situation, because unless the dynamics were changed such that he didn't spend two and a half years in left field (or however long he patrolled left while Vinnie Castilla played third), then he would still have the wear and tear on his knees, but probably be over 500 home runs and 3,000 RBIs by virtue of having played in more games. Now, had he never made the move to left, I think he'd probably have another two or three years in him at least. If his body weren't failing him, he'd probably play, and play well, for the next ten years. Chipper plays because he loves it, not for stats or for money (the stats might mollify him when combined with the pain, but they have never been his reason for playing). That's one of the greatest reasons it's been such a joy to watch him virtually my entire life.

I really like that Gearrin (sp?) kid...

Absolutely. Hudson never got the limelight in Oakland because of Barry Zito (who was nowhere near the pitcher Tim was/is, but got the fame mainly because he's a lefty), but I've always considered him to be an ace pitcher...and to be honest, I'm surprised he hasn't gotten more recognition. I thought he should have at least been in the discussion for the Cy Young last year with his 2.8 ERA and 17 wins (would have been more if the offense had supported him better). Hanson is a little before his prime, but he's the ace of the future, and an absolute terror when he's on. JJ is good enough to be an ace for some teams, but because of the pitching depth in Atlanta he's either the third or fourth starter. Lowe is past his prime, but he knows how to pitch, and he still has the ability to reach back and pull a masterpiece out of the past. Beachy has been a welcome surprise this year, but with Minor and Tehran in the system behind him, it's not as if we have to count on him continuing to put up those kinds of numbers. And that's just the rotation; our bullpen is hands down better than the Phillies'. Overall, I don't think there's a pitching staff in baseball that is as good as the Braves'...

Two games ago he scored 3 runs and had a double...

He's not a one year wonder. We might see a little drop off (I doubt it, just acknowledging that sometimes it happens), but the guy can flat out hit. He had to earn his stripes all the way up, even had to platoon for a couple of years before finally convincing management that he belonged, but he has what it takes.

No doubt...but the plus is that if Nate is to struggle when the season rolls around, we have some options. I think Schafer is still a really good prospect, and if Wilkin Ramirez is able to finally live up to his massive potential, he can certainly fill in as well. That's not to say I don't think McClouth will bounce back, just that we're covered regardless.

Hudson is a legitimate staff ace, Hanson has the stuff to be one of the best in baseball, Lowe isn't so far past his prime that he can't handle being a top of the rotation guy, Jurrjens has the tools but needs to get his velo situation worked out, and Mike Minor has been successful at every level he's pitched at (I sincerely believe he has top of the rotation stuff). Plus Brandon Beachy has done nothing but provide indication that he is a pretty danged serviceable major league starter in his own right if anything happens to the others. I really think the pitching staff is going to be a strength this year.

Prado has become a hitting machine, Heyward is a beast, Chipper is looking good again, McCann is one of the two best catchers in baseball, Uggla has a proven track record of hitting for power, McClouth's aggressive approach seems to be doing wonders for him, and Freeman has provided no indication that he's anything less than the awesome prospect he's been made out to be. Derek Lowe has shown glimpses of the form that made him one of the best starters in baseball for years, Hudson is awesome, Hanson is a strikeout machine, and Jurrjens is mature beyond his years. I wouldn't say we're going to challenge for the East; I'd say we're serious contenders to win it all.

I was just about to mention this. I just thank the Lord he's alive. Yeah, seriously. I hate it for him and his family, and for Brian, because you know he's got to feel like crap about it.

Thanks; I'll have to watch at least some of that.

Definitely not a bad sign, but it's still spring training...not getting my hopes up too high right now, much as I see all kinds of potential. If McClouth continues to improve and Freeman lives up to his billing, this could be a great year for the Bravos.

As for the starting outfield, yeah, I think Prado and McClouth are going to be in left and center, and I'm actually excited about the reports of Nate's spring mentality. Reading Larry Parish's analysis of how he became overly selective in trying to impress his new employer made perfect sense to me...I remember how excited I was about acquiring him, because I remember how tough an out he could be whenever we played the Pirates. I think he could turn into a great leadoff man, because I REALLY like Prado better in the 2 hole, and Nate has the speed to turn a base hit or walk into a double in a hurry. Honestly, this is the way I'd like to see the lineup take shape: 1. McClouth 2. Prado 3. Chipper 4. McCann/Uggla (depending on whether there's a righty or lefty on the hill) 5. Uggla/McCann 6. Heyward 7. Freeman 8. Gonzales I could see Heyward moving his way up in the lineup if he proves his struggles last year had more to do with his injury than the opposition figuring him out, and I could see Freeman hitting in the 8 hole to better stagger the lefty/righty matchups. I would actually really like for Jason to swap with Brian in the batting order, because it would provide better stability to the lineup if the 4/5 hole hitter isn't sitting out every fifth day (and it's completely unreasonable to think that any catcher could play more than that in the National League), and we all know he's capable of it. To be completely honest, if I could map out a perfect year for the Braves, McClouth would have an OBP around .375 and 40 steals, Prado would score 120 runs, Chipper would go .330/25/100 in average, homers, and RBIs, Uggla knocks 30 dingers, McCann hits .300 with 20 homers, and Heyward comes into his own and wins the MVP in his sophomore campaign. Hudson wins the Cy Young, Jurrjens win 20 games, Hanson averages double digit strikeouts per nine innings over around 200 innings...and, of course, all of this cumulatively becomes a victory in the Fall Classic!

Did you guys know David Ross played at Auburn? I just read an article on atlantabraves.com about him being a sophomore on the 97 team that went to the CWS (Tim Hudson was the ace of the staff, which is the connection the article made)...and come to think of it, that means I have his autograph, because I've got a ball that was signed by the team either in 96 or 97 (can't remember which; it's still at my parents' house).

In spite of his dismal average, since June of last year Chipper has drawn the fourth most walks of any MLB player. It's not that he can't hit, it's that he isn't getting anything to hit. I think Heyward needs to move to the clean up spot to give Chipper some protection, personally.

Gotta sweep 'em. that would be huge. I'm unconcerned with sweeping...yeah, it'd be great, but we aren't even halfway through the season yet. I like Bobby's adage of winning the series. It's a lot less of a let down if you lose the first game because you still have a chance to accomplish your goal. But yes, it would be awesome to win the next 6...