14 Straight

(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)

Jason Heyward got the call to the bigs today. But he'll have to wait a couple years before he gets that call in April-September. He's getting some playing time today VS the Mets. I don't believe he has an at-bat yet. I will update later.

Heyward just got his first AB. A strike out on a pretty pitch on the outside corner. The guy is huge! 6-5 230 LB. He'd certaintly be a big target if he gets moved to 1B. Looks like a really nice prospect.

Hampton:

Still healthy. Am I the only one that's surprised? He's looked really good this spring.

Smoltz:

Nothing new on this front. He's still looking to come back on April 6th, the first Braves-Mets game.

Teixeira:

He broke out of his slump today, hitting a HR and a 2B in a game against the Nationals. Good to see him getting hot before the season starts.

Tyler Yates:

Yates was traded to the Pirates today. Todd Redmond came back to the Braves in return. He was rated as having the best change-up in the minors. Terrific control. Had a decent year in A ball(I think) last year. Looks to be a decent prospect. Yates was OK last year, but he was going to be traded or going to go through waivers. I don't understand this move from the Pirates prospective, as they probably could've gotten him when the Braves put him on waivers. I guess that's why they're the Pirates. Read more here.

Blain Boyer/Chris Resop/Royce Ring:

The Yates trade really increases all of their chances to make the bull-pen. I think Boyer wins the spot.