12449 The way things are shaping up, 2009 should be a better year for the Atlanta Braves then the 2008 season was. They recently acquired right handed 31 year old veteran Javier Vazquez, and are in the process of signing free agent AJ Burnett. The Braves are also hoping they don’t get hit with the injury bug like they did last year, when they lost, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Tim Hudson, Mike Hampton, Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, Peter Moylan, Matt Diaz, and they also had Chipper serve time on the 15 day DL. No team is able to compete when they are losing players faster then the stock market is falling, and that is just what happened to the 2008 Atlanta Braves. This year barring any unforeseen injury the Braves opening day team will probably look something like this, AJ Burnett, Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vazquez, and a possible John Smoltz, leaving Tommy Hanson, Jorge Campillo, Chuck James, and Jo Jo Reyes to fight for the final spot in the starting rotation. Our (the Braves) Infield will contain, Chipper Jones at third, Yunel Escobar at short, Kelly Johnson at second, and Casey Kotchman at first. Behind the plate will be 2 time all-star Brian McCann, Arguably the best Offensive catcher in baseball. Backing him up will be veteran David Ross, who the Braves recently acquired. The out field has only one definite starter in Jeff Francoeur, leaving Blanco, Anderson, Diaz, and Brandon Jones to fight for the final to spots in the outfield. If the Braves bullpen stays healthy than it could be a very above average bullpen, with Mike Gonzalez as their closer, the Braves also have Rafael Soriano as the Setup man, followed by Manny Acosta, Blaine Boyer, Boone Logan, Buddy Carlyle, Jeff Bennett And Jeff Ridgeway. The Braves will be a dark horse in the NL East, with defending World Series Champs the Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Mets, favored above them. I think that if the Braves stay healthy and are able to get Hudson back around the All Star brake, and if they can sign AJ Burnett, then they have a chance to return to their role as the BEAST OF THE NL EAST. Chris Rollins true 2008-12-09T10:55:17Z 74271 1 2008-12-09T10:55:17Z