(Tom Glavine, Mike Hampton, Chipper Jones, John Smoltz)
I was thinking about the Braves' key players, and wondering how different our stars will look in a couple years. And it will be very, very different indeed. Smoltz has been a key piece for a long time, and I don't see him hanging around past 2009. Who knows when Chipper will retire? I could see him getting frustrated at all the injurys and hanging 'em up early. Some other pieces will also be leaving after this year or not long after. Glavine and Hampton will probably not be included in next years team. The real wild-card in Teixeira. Will he stay? If he's here, he's a huge part of this team. But that's another discussion. The real question is, who will step into the rotation next year and beyond? For next year, I think Smoltz will still be around, so he's #2 in the rotation. Hudson will obviously fill the ace role for the next few years, so he's #1. But who steps in as the #3, #4, and 5#? I think we can slot Jair Jurrjens in as our #3(or higher) for quite a while, so he's #3. We need a guy like Jo-Jo Reyes to step up and be our #4 next year, but that may be an unlikely proposition. Chuck James, Jeff Bennet, and even Buddu Carlyle could be part of the rotation next year, but only James has a possible place in the Braves' future. As of right now, James and Reyes should fill the #4 and 5# slots in our rotation next year. This will not get it done in argueably the best division in the MLB. We need at least 1 more starter before heading into next season. Charlie Morton might be a productive starter as soon as next year, but we've all seen Bobby Cox's favorite spring player crash and burn before. Oliver(gag) Perez might be an option on the free-agent market next year. A trade for a SP using some of our outfield prospects could work, especially if Tex re-signs. We need a depenable starter, via trade or free agency in the next 2 years, that's for sure. Thoughts?
(Jeff Bennet, Buddy Carlyle, Chuck James, Charlie Morton)
