Atlanta Braves Information
Skipper Bobby Cox is in the last year of his contract and will wind up 25 years as the Manager of the Atlanta Braves as the franchise celebrates its 135th Anniversary and their 45th season in Atlanta. After finishing 86-76, the Braves are looking to get back into the playoffs and the NL Playoffs which they haven't seen since 2005.
Season ticket holders can rest assured that the franchise has made moves that they think will get them back in the hunt. GM Frank Wren started the offseason by signing relief pitcher Scott Procter to a split contract, signed SP Tim Hudson to a three-year deal, signed closer Billy Wagner to a one-year deal with an option for 2011 and then signed closer Takashi Saito to a one-year deal. The Braves traded Rafael Soriano to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jesse RP Chavez, traded RHP Javier Vasquez and LHP Boone Logan to the Yankees for OF Melky Cabrera, LHP Michael Dunn and RHP Arodys Vizcaino. In January, the franchise signed infielder Troy Glaus to a one-year deal and Erick Hinske to a one-year deal.
With the Atlanta Braves absolutely dominating the National League East for the last decade, the Philadelphia Phillies haven't had many opportunities to play deep into October and the postseason. Their only championship came in 1980 when they defeated the Houston Astros in the NLCS and the Kansas City Royals in the World Series. That championship team was led by Mike Schmidt's league leading 48 home runs and Steve Carlton's anemic 2.34 earned run average, both of whom ended up earning their trips to Cooperstown to be enshrined into the baseball Hall of Fame. Many experts feel that this team has the potential to make a serious run at the world series this year, and their payroll situation is good enough to ensure that this will not be a one-and-done deal like the 1997 Florida Marlins championship team. Many of their star players have already signed to play well into the future, and there should be new revenues due to the new stadium. This team also shouldn’t have to worry about losing key players at the trading deadline since they’re expected to contend for many years.
The biggest reason that people believe this might be the year is the off-season addition of closer Billy Wagner from Houston, who will Replace Jose Mesa. The lefty flamethrower is now 32 years old and has an added 4 years of playoff experience from his years with the Astros. Mesa recorded 24 saves with the Phillies last year, but was often quite erratic and inconsistent, and had trouble getting along with management at times. The Phillies return four starters with at least 14 wins last season for the club along with a solid middle relief corps. On offense, shortstop Jimmy Rollins and second baseman Placido Polanco should set the table for the heart of the order, consisting of Bobby Abreu, Jim Thome, and Pat Burrell. Mike Lieberthal should continue to be steady behind the plate, and will surely help the young staff grow throughout the season. The fiery Larry Bowa could be the first manager fired this season, even if his team remains in contention for most of the season. He will almost surely be relieved of his duties if this team doesn't advance to the postseason.