Friday, February 24, 2006
Mailbag: Who poses the biggest threat?
02/20/2006
I know all of the "experts" will be flocking to the Mets with their preseason picks. Who do you actually think poses the biggest threat to the Braves? -- Mike D., Tucson, Ariz.
With the acquisitions of catcher Paul Lo Duca, first baseman Carlos Delgado and closer Billy Wagner, the Mets have addressed three significant needs by making three significant upgrades.
As for the Phillies, they have a potentially potent offense (Chase Utley is superstar in the making) that can once again take advantage of the hitter-friendly environment that Citizens Bank Park provides. With Brett Myers and Jon Lieber, the front of their rotation provides the preseason comfort that their bullpen doesn't.
Along with Wagner, the Mets have also seemingly improved their bullpen with the addition of right-handed reliever Duaner Sanchez. But like the Phillies, they don't have the depth in their rotation that the Braves will once again use to their advantage over the course of a 162-game season.
If Pedro Martinez's shoulder, toe and whatever other body parts become sore over the next few months, prove healthy, he and Tom Glavine form a solid one-two punch. But with Steve Trachsel, Aaron Heilman and a to-be-determined fifth member of the rotation, their starting staff has more questions than certainties.
With John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, John Thomson, Horacio Ramirez and Jorge Sosa, the Braves arguably have the best rotation in the National League. This takes pressure off their offense, lessens the likelihood of extended losing streaks and provides confidence that they have a good chance of winning every day.
The young Braves bullpen must prove itself. But it's a relief corps that appears stronger than the one they possessed last year and one that should be able to consistently preserve the efforts of the NL's best starting rotation.
On paper, the names of Cliff Floyd, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Martinez, Glavine and Wagner, certainly make the Mets appear to be the team to beat.
But the key to winning a division is being able to be the most consistently successful team over a six-month span. Having the deepest and most reliable starting rotation provides the best opportunity to achieve this.
Thus, I'm going to say the Braves have exactly what it takes to hold off the much-improved Mets and finish the marathon season once again on top of the NL East.
Since Julio Franco is gone, will anyone platoon with Adam LaRoche at first? -- Todd P., Lexington, S.C.
James Jurries has always produced impressive offensive numbers and the Braves are going to give him a long look during Spring Training. If he continues to hit and proves that he won't be a defensive liability, he could find himself platooning with LaRoche at first base.
LaRoche possesses a very reliable glove and has never been given the chance to prove if he can hit left-handers. He batted .188 against them last year, but had just 48 at-bats. He's had a total of 68 at-bats against them during his first two years in the big leagues.
Braves manager Bobby Cox says he may give LaRoche a chance to play every day. But he's also interested in seeing if Jurries proves capable of being a sound defensive player.
There was similar doubt regarding Robert Fick heading into the 2003 season. But he developed his defensive skills at first base and was far from being a liability.
Why is it that in every preview for the upcoming season I keep reading that the Braves bullpen is weaker than it was last year? Compared to what they had at the beginning of last year, I think they're doing just fine. -- Tyler S., Milledgeville, Ga.
It's not fair to declare that this year's bullpen is weaker than the troublesome one the Braves had to deal with last year. It would be better to describe this year's relief corps as both inexperienced and promising.
Chris Reitsma has shown an ability to be a reliable closer and Oscar Villarreal has made a favorable impression during the first week of camp. Villarreal, Joey Devine, Anthony Lerew and Blaine Boyer all have the potential to be dependable setup men or closers.
With Macay McBride, John Foster and Mike Remlinger, the Braves have the luxury of having an abundance of left-handed relievers from which to choose when the regular season begins.
Last year's bullpen as a whole might have been the worst one the Braves have had during the past two decades. This year's cast of potential relievers appears capable of preventing Cox from experiencing a second straight season filled with indigestion.
With the loss of Franco, not only as a reserve player but clubhouse leader, who steps up and helps develop the younger players? -- Brian E., Lithonia, Ga.
Franco's greatest clubhouse influence came in regards to the club's Latin players. Bench coach Pat Corrales has also always been great in that role and fortunately for the club, he'll return to his role this year.
As an overall team leader, Smoltz has capably accepted that role for a long time. Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones have also accepted more leadership responsibilities over the past few years.
The Braves have always focused on having talented players, who also have great character. This has allowed them to always have an abundance of individuals capable of being great leaders.
With the Braves losing Leo Mazzone, how much will the pitching staff suffer. Let's face it, is Mazzone replaceable? -- Brian E., Shreveport, La.
This question has been answered on numerous occasions and still it's one that appears in my inbox on a regular basis. Before they even hired Roger McDowell to be their new pitching coach, I stated the Braves would be just fine without Mazzone.
At the time, I knew that there were veterans who didn't care to see him go and younger pitchers, who didn't feel comfortable working with him. Those feelings have been expressed over the past few months by John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, John Thomson, Kyle Davies and Horacio Ramirez.
Almost one week of camp has passed and not one pitcher, coach or member of team management has even provided a hint that Mazzone will be missed. So I'll just let their lack of emotion back up the assessment I made back in October.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
I know all of the "experts" will be flocking to the Mets with their preseason picks. Who do you actually think poses the biggest threat to the Braves? -- Mike D., Tucson, Ariz.
With the acquisitions of catcher Paul Lo Duca, first baseman Carlos Delgado and closer Billy Wagner, the Mets have addressed three significant needs by making three significant upgrades.
As for the Phillies, they have a potentially potent offense (Chase Utley is superstar in the making) that can once again take advantage of the hitter-friendly environment that Citizens Bank Park provides. With Brett Myers and Jon Lieber, the front of their rotation provides the preseason comfort that their bullpen doesn't.
Along with Wagner, the Mets have also seemingly improved their bullpen with the addition of right-handed reliever Duaner Sanchez. But like the Phillies, they don't have the depth in their rotation that the Braves will once again use to their advantage over the course of a 162-game season.
If Pedro Martinez's shoulder, toe and whatever other body parts become sore over the next few months, prove healthy, he and Tom Glavine form a solid one-two punch. But with Steve Trachsel, Aaron Heilman and a to-be-determined fifth member of the rotation, their starting staff has more questions than certainties.
With John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, John Thomson, Horacio Ramirez and Jorge Sosa, the Braves arguably have the best rotation in the National League. This takes pressure off their offense, lessens the likelihood of extended losing streaks and provides confidence that they have a good chance of winning every day.
The young Braves bullpen must prove itself. But it's a relief corps that appears stronger than the one they possessed last year and one that should be able to consistently preserve the efforts of the NL's best starting rotation.
On paper, the names of Cliff Floyd, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Martinez, Glavine and Wagner, certainly make the Mets appear to be the team to beat.
But the key to winning a division is being able to be the most consistently successful team over a six-month span. Having the deepest and most reliable starting rotation provides the best opportunity to achieve this.
Thus, I'm going to say the Braves have exactly what it takes to hold off the much-improved Mets and finish the marathon season once again on top of the NL East.
Since Julio Franco is gone, will anyone platoon with Adam LaRoche at first? -- Todd P., Lexington, S.C.
James Jurries has always produced impressive offensive numbers and the Braves are going to give him a long look during Spring Training. If he continues to hit and proves that he won't be a defensive liability, he could find himself platooning with LaRoche at first base.
LaRoche possesses a very reliable glove and has never been given the chance to prove if he can hit left-handers. He batted .188 against them last year, but had just 48 at-bats. He's had a total of 68 at-bats against them during his first two years in the big leagues.
Braves manager Bobby Cox says he may give LaRoche a chance to play every day. But he's also interested in seeing if Jurries proves capable of being a sound defensive player.
There was similar doubt regarding Robert Fick heading into the 2003 season. But he developed his defensive skills at first base and was far from being a liability.
Why is it that in every preview for the upcoming season I keep reading that the Braves bullpen is weaker than it was last year? Compared to what they had at the beginning of last year, I think they're doing just fine. -- Tyler S., Milledgeville, Ga.
It's not fair to declare that this year's bullpen is weaker than the troublesome one the Braves had to deal with last year. It would be better to describe this year's relief corps as both inexperienced and promising.
Chris Reitsma has shown an ability to be a reliable closer and Oscar Villarreal has made a favorable impression during the first week of camp. Villarreal, Joey Devine, Anthony Lerew and Blaine Boyer all have the potential to be dependable setup men or closers.
With Macay McBride, John Foster and Mike Remlinger, the Braves have the luxury of having an abundance of left-handed relievers from which to choose when the regular season begins.
Last year's bullpen as a whole might have been the worst one the Braves have had during the past two decades. This year's cast of potential relievers appears capable of preventing Cox from experiencing a second straight season filled with indigestion.
With the loss of Franco, not only as a reserve player but clubhouse leader, who steps up and helps develop the younger players? -- Brian E., Lithonia, Ga.
Franco's greatest clubhouse influence came in regards to the club's Latin players. Bench coach Pat Corrales has also always been great in that role and fortunately for the club, he'll return to his role this year.
As an overall team leader, Smoltz has capably accepted that role for a long time. Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones have also accepted more leadership responsibilities over the past few years.
The Braves have always focused on having talented players, who also have great character. This has allowed them to always have an abundance of individuals capable of being great leaders.
With the Braves losing Leo Mazzone, how much will the pitching staff suffer. Let's face it, is Mazzone replaceable? -- Brian E., Shreveport, La.
This question has been answered on numerous occasions and still it's one that appears in my inbox on a regular basis. Before they even hired Roger McDowell to be their new pitching coach, I stated the Braves would be just fine without Mazzone.
At the time, I knew that there were veterans who didn't care to see him go and younger pitchers, who didn't feel comfortable working with him. Those feelings have been expressed over the past few months by John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, John Thomson, Kyle Davies and Horacio Ramirez.
Almost one week of camp has passed and not one pitcher, coach or member of team management has even provided a hint that Mazzone will be missed. So I'll just let their lack of emotion back up the assessment I made back in October.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
