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[HobnailedBoots]

*drum roll*



That hallowed time is upon us once again my friends. For months we've engaged each other in the heated partisan battles that divide us every Fall. But we put it behind us today. Today our beloved boys in blue reported to camp. And once again we turn our attention to the Sunshine state and hold our collective breath in anticipation of the day that is nearing when our boys will take the field and embark on what we will again hope is a championship season.

Off-seasons are getting less and less eventful around Atlanta, and this one was certainly no disappointment. The Bravos made arguably the biggest coup of the off-season when they acquired the Upton brothers. It was going to take nothing less to fill the hole left by a legend. This team is going to look a lot different though as there are a lot of departures.

Enough beating around the bush, let's get to the nuts and bolts -


Key departures: Chipper Jones, Michael Bourn, Martin Prado, David Ross, Tommy Hanson, Randall Delgado
Key additions: Justin Upton, BJ Upton, Jordan Walden, Chris Johnson, Gerald Laird

Other departures: Jair Jurrjens, Eric Hinske, Matt Diaz


Key injuries: Brian McCann (will miss first two weeks at least), Brandon Beachy (due back mid-season, possibly earlier)


Projected opening day lineup:

1. Andrelton Simmons SS
2. BJ Upton CF
3. Jason Heyward RF
4. Justin Upton LF
5. Freddie Freeman 1B
6. Dan Uggla 2B
7. Chris Johnson 3B
8. Gerald Laird C


Starting pitching rotation:

1. Hudson
2. Medlen
3. Minor
4. Maholm
5. ? Teheran/Gilmartin

Bullpen: Kimbrel/Venters/O'Flaherty/Walden/whogivesacrap


Thoughts:

Outfield: Easily the best in the NL, if not baseball. Defensively it's a manager's wet dream, as you've got three guys with speed and skill that virtually eliminate any holes. Offensively they all bring power and speed. This is definitely the strength of this team.

Infield: It all starts at 1B with Freeman, who provides not just great offense but is also a rock at his position. Simmons should continue to flash his skill on defense, while we'll have to see if he progresses offensively. Uggla is a big question mark. His defense has been fine but he's got to show more consistency at the plate. We'll also be watching 3B to see whether newcomer Chris Johnson can step into that role or whether it's going to end up being a platoon there with Juan Francisco. Then there's the catcher position. Brian McCann struggled last year. He fought injury, yes, but he needs to make up for that this year. And we can't really afford for him to get hurt as I don't think anyone wants to see Gerald Laird starting very much. If there's a potential for weakness on this team, it's probably in the infield.

Pitching: Until Brandon Beachy returns, we might be just "OK" in the starting department. It's a good thing then that we've got such an impressive pen. Four power arms with the ability to pitch lights out innings? That'll take a load off the mind of the starter.



NL East Prediction:

1. Atlanta
2. Washington
3. Miami
4. New York
5. Philadelphia





And with that, I'll open up the floor to you gents.

[adfalcon]

Ready for the season to start, if our outfield plays up to potential we could be among the best in baseball, but things never go as expected

[UAdan]

[UAdan]

[UAdan]

[UAdan]

[UAdan]

[UAdan]

[UAdan]

[UAdan]

Let's get it started!!!

[Mizzou_Fan]

Who do y'all think our the best teams in the NL?

[Tider27]

I hope this lineup performs like they should...I'm pumped just looking at it!

[CrimsoNation713]

lets do this thang

Cards suck

[Neil Caudle is Superman]

Mizzou_Fan, on 14 February 2013 - 06:52 PM, said:

Who do y'all think our the best teams in the NL?

The Nationals on paper are probably slightly better than us... We'll see who backs it up on the field though.

[Mizzou_Fan]

CrimsoNation713, on 14 February 2013 - 07:34 PM, said:

lets do this thang

Cards suck

Why do y'all hate on the Cardinals?

Edited by Mizzou_Fan, 14 February 2013 - 07:48 PM.