MLB: Atlanta Braves's Improved Roster

Last season marked the end of an era for the Atlanta Braves. Their run of 14 straight division titles came to an end in less-than spectacular fashion. However, with some new additions to the Atlanta Braves roster, the team is looking for a return to form in 2007.

The Braves were out of the running after a horrible June and they finished 18 games behind the National League East Division champion New York Mets. One subpar year and Atlanta is suddenly an afterthought. Entering the 2007 season the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets are the favorites to win the division with the Braves hardly getting a mention.

While the Mets have a load of talent - led by Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, their pitching staff is the equivalent of a Major League Baseball geriatric ward. Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez are all past their prime.

As for the Phillies, they have an potent roster with star players Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. Their staff has plenty of question marks with players like up-and-down rookie Cole Hamels and 44-year-old Jamie Moyer at the back end of the rotation.

While those two teams are the frontrunners, I think the Braves are right there with them. In 2006, the Braves had one of the worst bullpens in major league baseball. The starters weren't much better. As a team, the Atlanta Braves had an ERA of a whopping 4.60 - 10th in the National League. That number is going to come down this season for one reason, the Atlanta Braves roster is going to be much-improved across the board.

The Braves welcome back starter Mike Hampton, who missed all of the 2006 campaign after Tommy John surgery. Hampton will be a nice complement to John Smoltz and Tim Hudson at the top of the rotation. Add an improved Chuck James and an injury free Kyle Davies to the mix and the Braves will rival any rotation in the division.

Tim Hudson is coming off a career worst 4.86 ERA, but he is now familiar with the National League entering his third year with the Braves. His ERA and record of 13-12 will improve. The biggest question mark is James building off an 11-4 record and 3.78 ERA in his rookie year and the return of Davies, whose ERA ballooned to 8.38 before injuries brought an end to the season.

Atlanta's biggest problem last year was the bullpen. With names like Chris Reitsma, Ken Ray, Chad Paronto and Kevin Berry setting up and closing games, the team led the league in blown saves. The Atlanta Braves roster is without the one name that hurt the team the most last season: Reitsma, who blew more saves than anyone in the National League, is now in Seattle.

Though it was too late to help in 2006, the Atlanta Braves roster got a boost with the addition of Bob Wickman, who registered saves in 18 of 19 opportunities. Wickman will again be the closer this season and the Braves have made the bullpen roster one of its strengths by adding both Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano as setup men.

Gonzalez, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates for first baseman Adam LaRoche, was a great closer in his own right last season, going a perfect 24-of-24 as Pittsburgh's closer with a minuscule 2.17 ERA. Soriano was acquired from Seattle for starting pitcher Horacio Ramirez. As the Mariners' set up man in 2006, Soriano had a 2.25 ERA. Both Gonzalez and Soriano are strikeout pitchers. Gonzalez struck out 64 batters in 54 innings while Soriano fanned 65 batters in 60 innings. Reliever Tanyon Sturtze and was also added to the Atlanta Braves roster for the 2007 season.

If Wickman holds form, the Braves will have the best bullpen roster in the division and quite possibly the entire National League.

As for the starting lineup, the back end of the Atlanta Braves roster may be the biggest worry entering the season. The trade of LaRoche and the departure of second baseman Marcus Giles have made the Braves' lineup one of manager Bobby Cox's biggest concerns. To fill the void at first base, the Braves will turn to Scott Thorman, who is entering his second season, and free agent pickup Craig Wilson. The team will count on youngster Kelly Johnson at second base. Johnson missed all of last season with Tommy John surgery. Both positions are question marks entering the season.

Johnson had a promising rookie year in 2005, hitting .241 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs in limited duty. Thorman hit .234 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 55 games for the Braves last season. Wilson is a proven commodity. The six-year veteran hit .251 with 17 home runs while playing for the Pirates and Yankees in 2006. Wilson is a career .265 hitter and averages close to 20 home runs a season.

The strength of the team will be in the middle of the lineup. Centerfielder Andruw Jones is coming off a 41 home run, 129 RBI season while Chipper Jones hit .324 with 26 home runs and 86 RBIs despite missing 40 games due to injury. Shortstop Edgar Renteria (.293, 14, 70) is back as are catcher Brian McCann - who was tops on the Atlanta Braves roster with a batting average of .333. - and right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who shook off a slow start to finish with a .260 average along with 29 home runs and 103 RBIs.

Aside from LaRoche and Giles, the Atlanta Braves roster returns most of its offense from a squad that led the National League in home runs and was second in batting average and runs scored. If the Braves' top hitters can duplicate their stats and the team can get a consistent contribution from first base and second base, the team should improve on its disappointing 79-83 record from 2006.

Aside from the end of the order, the Atlanta Braves roster is sound throughout. A bolstered bullpen not only means the Braves will improve, it makes the team contenders for the long run in the NL East race. Don't be surprised if the team is back on top come October.