Mark Kotsay

They're also missing Matt Diaz, Martin Prado and Mark Kotsay, while Chipper, Esco and now Infante are all aching in one way or another without (yet) going to the DL.

Any manager would have trouble with this kind of lineup, and Cox is no different. It's hard to work magic without a wand or pixie dust, and he's left with Teixera and McCann to support the offense, while starting standouts Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo try to last long enough to get the game to whichever closer is healthy enough to throw (they've had at least four different endgame stoppers this year). 

Continue reading "Not Your Daddy's Braves"

e Atlanta Braves made a few small moves in the off-season (brought back Tom Glavine and also signed Mark Kotsay) but their big deal was done at the deadline last season when they traded for Mark Texiera.  They also lost Andruw Jones but after the year he had, is that actually a bad thing?  Like the Phillies this team should be fine offensively with Brian McCann, Big Tex, Chipper and Jeff Francoeur in the middle of the order.  The big question again lingers with their rotation and mostly their third starter.  John Smoltz and Tim Hudson will be very good again this year, which means things, come down to Tom Glavine.  He was brought back to sure up the rotation and that’s exactly what he must do.  One person to look out for is Mike Hampton, yes that Mike Hampton.  He is healthy (for now) and if he stays that way he could become a key player for this team.  The bullpen is also a concern because Rafael Soriano has struggled to close games and everyone else seems to be a young kid.

Continue reading "First of a Seven Part Series-NL East Preview"