Wren Builds a Team

On not making re-signing Smoltz and Glavine a top priority this past November: It says the Braves are more committed to building a winner than placating aging, injured arms. Last year everyone slammed the Braves for putting together an aging staff, that succumbed to extended injuries (Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton, Hudson, etc.). Back in November and December it was quite uncertain when Smoltz, Glavine, and Hudson would be able to return in 2009, if at all. Today, still nothing is certain. Smoltz MAY be back in June. Glavine reported to camp 3 weeks late with a “cranky” left shoulder, uncertain if he’d be ready for an April 18th starting assignment. Hopefully Hudson will be back in August. Had Wren made resigning Smoltz and Glavine his top priority, the Braves would’ve lacked money to rebuild the decimated rotation. He did make resigning Hampton an immediate priority, though he didn’t make it a huge deal in the press. Hampton was free to sign with any team, and probably figured after all the bad things that happened to him in Atlanta, he needed a fresh start somewhere else. With only a few years left in his body, Hampton did what any of us would…signing at the market rate. Given the choice to be paid several million or pitching for free (as many suggested), what would you do? And Hampton has already missed some action this spring. Spurned by Burnett, Peavey, and Griffey, Wren still assembled two better options: Lowe and Garrett Anderson. No team can afford more than one # 1 starter (except the Yankees, Red Sox, and maybe Mets). By also obtaining the White Sox pitcher and Japanese pitcher, sophomore Jurrigans isn’t pressured to carry the team. Phenom Hanson is pressing Glavine for the 5th spot, and there are several more starters waiting in the wings. Surely you’re happy the bullpen won’t be relying on Boyer most nights. Chipper, McCann, and Diaz are healthy. Kotchman had 2 months to acclimate himself to the NL and should be improved…as should K Johnson, Francoeur, and CF Anderson. SS Escobar will hit .300 and play spectacular defense. Pinch-hitting will be stronger, with last year’s league leader returning, along with Diaz or G Anderson, Blanco, and the other .300-hitting middle infielder. The future looks bright, with CF Jordan Schafer, RF Heyward, and 1B Freeman almost ready to step in, a great improvement over those they replace. With Chase Utley and the Mets’ ace hurting, Jimmy Rollins pouting, and the Ryan Howard setting strikeout records, the Braves should be in the race well into September. The team looks a lot better than this time last year. Soon I’ll even know everyone’s name! Even Ceil can’t wait. The New England Patriots achieved their long Super Bowl run by using a strategy of replacing older, expensive stars whose career is in decline with cheaper, up & coming players. Bill Belicheck learned this in Cleveland, where the Browns’ opponents were eating up the aging, immobile, weak-armed (but beloved) Bernie Kosar. I still say Smoltz wanted to shoot for the postseason, and be where the action is…more so than the money.