Spring Training is Here

I am excited about the upcoming season becuase I think this will be the year that the Braves go back and win the NL East. I think the team has potential to win the NL, although probably not the World Series as the Red Sox and Tigers are extremely strong (at least on paper). The return of some old faces has been the big news in Atlanta. They rescued Tom Glavine from the Mets, invited Javy Lopez to Spring Training and recently signed Damien Moss (rember the promise he showed when he won 12 games) to a minor league contract.

I think that the Braves have a ton of depth in the pitching staff this year, and should be able to win the same way they did in their 14 seasons as Kings of the NL East.

Here is what I am projecting to be the 25 man roster that comes out of spring training, as well as a couple of other players who will have a shot to play in the big leagues and have an impact this year.

Starting Lineup:
C- Brian McCann
1B- Mark Teixeira
2B- Kelly Johnson
3B- Chipper Jones
SS- Yunel Escobar
LF- Matt Diaz
CF- Mark Kotsay
RF- Jeff Francoeur

Bench:
C- Javy Lopez
1B- Scott Thorman
Util- Omar Infante
Util- Brent Lillibridge
OF- Brandon Jones

Starting Rotation:
John Smoltz
Tim Hudson
Tom Glavine
Mike Hampton
Chuck James

Bullpen:
Rafeal Soriano
Peter Moylan
Jeff Bennett
Blaine Boyer
Tyler Yates
Manny Acosta
Will Ohman

Other Hitters:
C- Brayan Pena
C- Clint Sammons
INF- Martin Prado
OF- Josh Anderson
OF- Jordan Schaffer

Other Pitchers:
Jair Jurrjens
Jo-Jo Reyes
Buddy Carlyle
Matt DeSalvo
Charlie Morton
Mike Gonzalez
Royce Ring
Jeff Ridgeway
Chris Resop
Phil Stockman