Braves go golfing again

Sunday was another major milestone for the Braves, but it wasn't them making the playoffs. It was them not making the playoffs for a second straight year. While the season wasn't as big of a disappointment as 2006 (the first losing season since 1990, and 18 games out), we still missed the playoffs by five games and missed another division by the same amount. As we look forward to next season, one has to wonder what the roster changes are going to entail.

The defensive positions are definetly the most squared away. Jeff Franceour will start in RF (and hopefully get a day off every once in awhile), Matt Diaz will probably get the nod in LF. Chipper will be back at third for as many games as his body lets him, Kelly Johnson will continue his fine work at second, and Teixiera will contend for another Gold Glove at first. Brian McCann will continue to receive a majority of pitches behind the plate. But here's where it gets interesting: shortstop and centerfield. At this point, John Schuerholz's main desire should be to get Teixiera to sign a long-term deal, one where he retires as a Brave. He's very popular already, he went to school at Georgia Tech, and (at least in the previous offseason) was considering building a home here. It should be a no-brainer, and Liberty Media needs to pony up the cash to do so.

The shortstop position will most likely be decided by Andruw Jones. An upcoming free agent, Jones can go wherever he wants for whatever salary he desires - except that he had the most disappointing season of his career, and while he can still play exceptional defense, you can tell he's lost a step at age 30. The Braves certainly have the upper hand in negotiations now, and Jones would be wise to return for whatever decent salary the Braves offer to him. He'll get more money if he signs somewhere else, but the fans will definetly not be so kind if he has another year like this anywhere else.

If you can re-sign Jones at an affordable price, or decide to move Willie Harris or Brandon Jones into center, you can afford to try and deal Edgar Renteria for a nice #3 starting pitcher. While Renteria had an excellent year with us, Yunel Escobar has to be considered for a starting spot. His arm is too good to be wasted at second (and especially not while Johnson is quite able to fill the role), and you'd hate to have him try to learn an outfield spot. Escobar could certainly fill-in at third while Chipper has his expected lapses in fitness, and should be seriously looked at to fill the spot once Chipper retires. We traded Elvis Andrus to Texas, so we'll need to look long-term at the left side of the infield if Eric Campbell doesn't work out. The time is now for Yunel, however, and he needs to have a shot at earning a starting spot.

Unfortunately, the asking price for Renteria isn't going to be too high. The Braves would be good to get either a starting CF or a #3 or #4 starter out of the deal, depending on who is available. But if you can get someone to replace Andruw's defense and provide .275+ BA and 20HRs, or get a starter that might actually get you longer than five innings (I'm looking at you, Buddy Carslyle and JoJo Reyes), then it would be worth the trade.

Speaking of starting pitching, the Braves need that badly. I believe it directly correlates to the poor bullpen display down the stretch - the 'pen was simply worn out. A great move would be to bring back Glavine for one or two years and let him retire as a Brave. After his performance in a must-win game yesterday for New York (more on that later), he might be looking for a quick exit. He's always been receptive to staying, then returning as a Brave, but money got in the way. That shouldn't happen now, not at the twilight of his career. We'd love to have him back, and I'm sure he'd love to spend more time at home over the next couple of years. He'd make an excellent #3 starter, and possibly Smoltz and Glavine could rekindle the playoff run. He'd also bridge the gap between our current starters and the development of Anthony Lerew (elbow ligament surgery, out until 2009) and Jeff Barnett. If you can sign Glavine to a one or two year deal, and re-sign Teixiera and Jones, then you can trade Renteria for some prospects.

I think the Braves will be fine next year, but some tough decisions will have to be made. If Jones goes, then I won't be too disappointed. I just hope the replacement we get or have fills in nicely. Franceour could play center, but that would be a waste. Brandon Jones or Willie Harris (or Tori Hunter, but I doubt we have the cash unless we do a sign-and-trade with Renteria or otherwise) would be nice there.

Also, TBS broadcasted it's last Braves game yesterday after 30 years. It was sad to see it go, especially with the crap announcers Fox Sports sometimes gives us (thank you so much for getting rid of another annoying know-it-all-but-really-doesn't catcher in the booth, though). But hopefully I can move back to Atlanta and see the occasional game on Peachtree TV (the soon-to-be WTBS in Atlanta). I really won't have a reason to watch TBS anymore, except for the playoff games they sacrificed the Braves to acquire.

Sorry if this post seems to ramble, but I'm hungry and have to pee.