How many seasons will Atlanta stay down?

[muscle979]

So it's about time to throw in the towel on any chance Atlanta might have had for division title number 15. The question is how long will they stay down? Bobby Cox isn't getting any younger and their pitching is a mess right now.

 

[Doakle]

Ooo goodie, a baseball question!

I think they'll be back, but it might take a little time. They still have a good system and quality FO/Scouting department, so their long term success should continue.

I think their problem is that its time for certain veterans to move on and to build around their young talent. I think they should strongly float out names like Chipper Jones and Smoltz before the deadline, however controversial that may be, and look for quality young pitching in return. Let the upheaval run its course over the second half, and then they can really build on a fresh young team to start next season.

 

[Roman529]

The Mets and Phils have a better team...but a team can go from top to bottom in one season...just look at the Marlins.

 

[Rocky Raccoon]

They have a lot of young talent in the field...Francoeur, Langerhans, LaRoche, McCann, etc. Their problem is pitching. They need some help there and if they get it I'd expect them to compete again.

 

[playmaker1]

until Turner brings in some pitching

 

[Ray Finkle]

They have a lot of young talent in the field...Francoeur, Langerhans, LaRoche, McCann, etc. Their problem is pitching. They need some help there and if they get it I'd expect them to compete again.

Pitching is everyones problem. But you're right about their young talent, the Braves always seem to come up with them. The Braves pitching problems: they got Hudson last year and hasn't pitched like everyone hoped for. Mike Hampton is out for the year which hurts them. They have Kyle Davies in the minors waiting for another shot.

Their pen is their biggest flaw. They don't have a real closer and the rest of their arms in the pen are average at best.

 

[Kdawg954]

I'm with everybody else, they need pitching from starters to middle relief to closers, I actually like there lineup, if they get them some pitching they will be a force as early as this season, I still wont count them out, its just June.

 

[RWhitney014]

Thing is, all the best young players in the system, with the exception of Saltalamacchia (who is roadblocked anyway by McCann), are already there. Chuck James is an okay prospect, but he's 24 already. So is Blaine Boyer. Pretty much anyone else considered a good prospects is very young/low level (Elvis Andrus, Yunel Escobar) or older (Anthony Lerew, Joey Devine, who has bombed in his MLB appearances). Kyle Davies is hurt and has been uninspiring. McBride's all right, but this team and its patchwork pitching staff has a $90 million payroll. Take out Hampton's idle $14 million and you're left with still quite a sizable payroll for a team with a shoddy rotation and an awful pen. Are they going to have to increase payroll into triple digits to have a staff? Dangerous waters to enter, because they're nearly impossible to exit. Ask the Mets how that worked for them from 2001-2005.

 

[muscle979]

As old as Smoltz is getting, he's the only dependable guy they have right now. Sosa went from serviceable to horrible and so did Thomson. Hudson has been a disappointment. It may be time for them to start from scratch though.

 

[GreenMonster]

until Turner brings in some pitching

They only thing Ted Turner will be bringing in is beef from Ted's Montana Grill.. Aol - Time Warner owns the Braves now, and they are somewhat cheapskates because they are a corporation that wants to make money.. And they are trying to sell the Braves, so no bigtime additions I don't think..

 

[NorthFloridaFin]

We just seem to have hit a road block right now. When our offense scores alot, our pitching seems to fail us. And when our pitching is on, our offense can't sem to get a hit.

As far as whoever said to trade Chipper Jones, it ain't gonna happen. He may be a little older but he is still one of the best clutch hitters in the game. The main problem is we traded away alot of our best prospects the last few years and got nothing in return.

 

[Dolphin1184]

The Mets and Phils have a better team...but a team can go from top to bottom in one season...just look at the Marlins.

Not suprising considering the Marlins after being on the top love to clean house.

 

[FinSinceBirth]

Well as for the lack of pitching, they have a hot young prospect who they drafted in the 9th round. His name is Tim Gustofson, and he was on the same high school team as Franceour. Was a starting pitcher and integral part of their championship teams. A great young pitcher that I know personally, and should come back from the tendonitis in his bicep and be a force.

 

[djfresh47]

As old as Smoltz is getting, he's the only dependable guy they have right now. Sosa went from serviceable to horrible and so did Thomson. Hudson has been a disappointment. It may be time for them to start from scratch though.

I think Hudson still is a good pitcher and their aren't many better all around players than Andruw Jones so I think they should rebuild around them. LaRoche/Franceour/McCann are good young players to have around also. If their run does end and it looks like it will it is still pretty impressive eventhough they only won 1 WS.

 

[RWhitney014]

Well as for the lack of pitching, they have a hot young prospect who they drafted in the 9th round. His name is Tim Gustofson, and he was on the same high school team as Franceour. Was a starting pitcher and integral part of their championship teams. A great young pitcher that I know personally, and should come back from the tendonitis in his bicep and be a force.

He is just coming out of college and off an injury. Might he be good? Very possible. But it won't be until 2008 at the earliest, 2009 more likely.

That was the point I was making. All of the Braves top prospects are already in the majors. All of the rest of the good ones are at low levels or reaching "older" ages for prospects. There aren't many guys in the 21-22 range in Mississippi or Richmond that are ready to step in soon.