Atlanta Braves Players Heading into 2010 Spring Training

The Atlanta Braves came on strong at the end of the 2009 regular season and they hope to continue the surge in 2010.

The surge began with a three game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in August.

Following the victories, the Braves soared, making a last minute bid for the playoffs.

Sine then the off season moves have been under way as the team hopes to sure up the loose ends, and allow Bobby Cox to end his Braves' managing career a World Series Champion.

One guy who has been alongside Cox for most of the Braves winning seasons is Tom Glavine.

Glavine, who was dismissed by the Braves last year, may be there again this year, but as a coach instead of a pitcher.

Many media outlets including www.atlantabraves.com is reporting that Glavine is considering retiring from baseball as a player and accepting a job with the Braves.

Having Glavine as a mentor to guys like Tommy Hanson, who replaced Glavine on the roster last year, could be a positive for the organization.

Changes to the potential 2010 lineup that have already been inked include Eric Hinske.

Hinske, the 2002 AL Rookie in 2002, joins the team as a versatile player. He can play the corners and the outfield.

Hinske is being discussed as a backup to new Brave Troy Glaus at first base or replacing the departed Greg Norton as pinch hitter.

Glaus replaces Adam LaRoche at first base.

The Braves will also have some change at second base this year.

Kelly Johnson is no more. Johnson shined in his first years with the Braves but last year he was not a regular starter.

He will join LaRoche in Arizona with the Diamondbacks.

Former Oakland As infielder Brooks Conrad will help fill the void at second base with help from Diory Hernandez.

Yunel Escobar should keep shining at shortstop while Chipper Jones will continue to try and patrol the hot corner.

Omar Infante and Martin Prado round out the Braves infielders.

Both saw increased playing time in 2009.

The outfield inconsistency the Braves have suffered since the days of Andruw Jones, Ryan Klesko, and J.D. Drew could be a step closer to being solved.

Nate McLouth was a welcomed addition last year coming over from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In the off season the Braves went out and traded pitcher Javier Vasquez to the New York Yankees for Melky Cabrera.

Veteran Matt Diaz should be a solid contributor to the outfield group while second year man Jordan Schafer and Gregor Blanco can step in for a starter at any time.

There is also a lot of talk about Jason Heyward who has been a top prospect on MLB.com

Brian McCann will be the man behind the plate with David Ross and Clint Sammons as backups.

Currently the list of Braves pitchers are endless.

Some of the headliners are rising star Tommy Hanson, veterans Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe.

I have to add that Lowe was one of the few Braves I saw take the time to sign autographs in St. Louis last year. Hope he continues that good gesture.

Also, Jair Jurrjens, Peter Moylan, Jo-Jo Reyes and new comer Billy Wagner are currently on the Braves staff.

Some Braves to look at from a fantasy baseball view are Chipper Jones who has been one of my long time regular picks.

After 119 selections he has scored 2,560 fantasy points for an average of 21.51 fantasy points.

Brian McCann is a top fantasy pick at catcher. In 84 selections, he has scored 1,532 points for an average 18.32 fantasy points per game.

Yunel Escobar is also a good fantasy pick. He has scored a total of 695 fantasy points in 42 selections for a fantasy point average of 16.54.

New Brave Eric Hinske has racked up 826 fantasy points over the years in 58 selections for a 14.24 fantasy point average.