Braves Make Final Cuts

With the season opener only a day away (The Braves play at the Nationals new stadium) the final cuts for the roster have been made. Here is the final roster:

Pitchers (12):
Manny Acosta
Jeff Bennett
Blaine Boyer
Tom Glavine
Mike Hampton
Tim Hudson
Jair Jurrjens
Peter Moylan
Will Ohman
Chris Resop
Royce Ring
Rafael Soriano

Catchers (3):
Brian McCann
Corky Miller
Brayan Pena

Infielders (6):
Yunel Escobar
Ruben Gotay
Kelley Johnson
Chipper Jones
Martin Prado
Mark Teixeira

Outfielders (4):
Gregor Blanco
Matt Diaz
Jeff Francoeur
Mark Kotsay

Thoughts on the Roster:
I was glad to see Acosta make the roster, but either he or Bennett will likely be the odd man out when Smoltz returns as they both have options left. I like Bennett to stay because he has the ability to make spot starts as the year progresses, which may be necessary with Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton in the rotation, although I think that Acosta would be better for the bullpen.

Didn't see the Braves keeping three catchers. It would appear the Brayan Pena will take over the backup first base duties, which allowed the Braves too keep Scott Thorman in the minors (what a surprise, he wasn't claimed by any other team). There are still rumors of a trade that would send Pena elsewhere, possibly Chicago where the Braves could get Matt Murton. A trade would be good because the Braves don't have a power bat on the bench, although I would rather keep it that was than have Thorman stay on the big team.

Not really sure who will be gone when Infante gets back. It could be a catcher or a middle infielder. Prado would be the solution in the middle, as he still has options left. Infante can play anywhere in the infield, and the Braves would have two backup 1B who would could spend the majority of their time elsewhere (while Thorman couldn't).

Some Concerns:
The Braves don't have a power bat on the bench, which is something that likely will have to be filled out through a trade as Lopez and Thorman weren't the answer. They also don't have someone on the team who has played a lot of SS on the bench, and if anything were to happen to Escobar, I think Lillibridge would get the job (until Infante is back).