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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Yahoo! Contributor Network - Yahoo! Sports

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Yahoo! Contributor Network - Yahoo! Sports
Apr 5th 2012, 18:29

By Jeffrey Weeks, Yahoo! Contributor Network

Some late roster additions and emerging bats have the Atlanta Braves looking like a contender again this year, though most experts are picking them third or fourth in the NL East race. Despite the lack of huge offseason moves, GM Frank Wren has quietly assembled a strong all-around squad with player health again likely to be the only obstacle between the Braves and the playoffs.

In the final weeks of spring training, Wren brought in some veterans to fill roles expected to go to inexperienced players. Livan Hernandez and Chad Durbin were acquired to eat innings as relievers, which might not sound impressive but was a big Achilles heel for the Braves at the end of last year. Overuse of the best bullpen arms killed Atlanta down the stretch when vaunted relievers Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel faltered due to fatigue.

Meanwhile, Wren traded for Reds prospect Juan Francisco at third, an important move considering that Chipper Jones is already hurting. Francisco has power and a lot of upside, but the Braves also have minor league insurance if he doesn't work out.

This team definitely has potential. It is true the Braves' starting pitching continues to be a major question, but the bullpen is strong and the bats are really starting to come around.

The heart of the batting order hit extremely well during the preseason with much-needed power coming from the guys who are expected to provide it, Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman. Combined they led the all of MLB in home runs throughout spring training.

Both players appear to have already turned a major corner with Dan Uggla, a notorious slow starter, deciding to be more aggressive with his swing from the outset instead of easing into it. This new approach has so far paid off for him and hopefully will carry into the regular season.

Freeman, also a fast starter this spring, returned from a dislocated knee suffered in the first week of training to tie Uggla for the spring home run lead with six.

Another hopeful sign has been the impressive re-emergence of Jason Heyward this spring. So far, everything points to him haven gotten over last season's sophomore slump. He has been solid in right field this spring while hitting well for average and power.

The Braves know Brian McCann will be as clutch and durable as ever, looking for another all-star season for this catcher in his prime.

Chipper says he might be ready to come back before his projected return of April 13 (the home opener) after having arthroscopic knee surgery on March 26. However, Jones has a history of overextending and re-injuring himself and Francisco may be more than just insurance.

Tyler Pastornicky gets the nod at shortstop with his slightly better bat likely giving him the edge over Andrelton Simmons, who was sent down to AA Mississippi. The best news of all may be that Michael Bourn and Martin Prado seem poised to give the Braves hits and speed at the top of the order, which they haven't had in a long time.

A lot of questions remain and the health of the starters will again be a key issue, but it certainly looks like the Braves are poised to beat all those low expectations out there.

Jeffrey Weeks was born in Athens, GA and has been a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan.

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