Time for another team preview, our third in a series of 30.  Time to see who the hat wants to see today...

The last of the Divisions makes their debut.

Atlanta Braves - Team Preview

The Braves, they of the long division winning streak, have finally tasted some humility in recent years, due to the churning of a productive farm system and the result of the increasingly tight restrictions of their budget, which once allowed them to spend freely.

However, the Braves still have some talent on the team, also thanks to the farm system, but many of the pieces that make up the Braves are aging and might not hold up for much longer.  You'll see what I mean in a moment.

Starting Rotation

• John Smoltz (RHP) - Still dominant at his age, Smoltz's stuff hasn't dimmed much, but he has begun to break down a bit, missing time last season due to injury.  Still, he's a quality staff ace and one who will serve as a stopper when needed.
• Tom Glavine (LHP) - Glavine returns for a farewell tour with the Braves this season.  While he has proven that he can at least be an innings sponge, I'm not sure how much he has left.  It may have been better for him to just retire.
• Tim Hudson (RHP) - Hudson remains a potential top of the rotation starter and will likely rise to the role of staff ace once Smoltz finally retires.  Though Hudson should be the Number two man, expect the Braves to separate him and Smoltz with Glavine.
• Chuck James (LHP) - James too is another player I'm not high on.  He's got enough stuff to be a middle of the rotation starter, but he has faded badly during the last month of season.  He's very homer prone and his control isn't great.  I'm also not sure he can last a whole season.  So call me skeptical when it comes to how successful I think James will be.
• Mike Hampton (LHP) - On the other hand, I'm a lot more confident in James than I am in the one time ace of the Houston Astros, who has been an out and out disaster for the Braves.  This is supposed to be the season Hampton will actually contribute.  As a fifth starter, the Braves aren't risking much, as they have an assortment of young starters they can plug in here if Hampton fails or gets hurt.

Bullpen

• Rafael Soriano (Closer) - Soriano is one of the biggest steals that the Braves have made in recent memory.  A lights out reliever that should succeed in the closer's role, he was acquired for Horatio Ramirez, who has been disastrous for the Mariners.  He should take the next step to eliteness this season.
• Mike Gonzalez (Setup Man) - A solid reliever who could also close if necessary, Gonzalez will likely setup Soriano, depending on whether or not he's ready.  I'm assuming he is.
• Peter Moylan (RHP) - A dependable reliever, this Aussie is an amazing story, having been virtually signed off of the Australian World Baseball Classic team last March.  He's since made good on the opportunity.
• Will Ohman (LHP) - Ohman is a more than adequate replacement for Ron Mahay, as he's an effective lefty specialist. 
• Royce Ring (LHP) - Ring finally got his shot in the majors with San Diego, but was dealt to the Braves in the Wil Ledezma deal. Ring has decent stuff, enough to be a solid middle reliever, but his big issue has been control. 
• Manny Acosta (RHP) - Called up late in the year, Acosta was rather good and should see time with the Braves this season.
• Buddy Carlyle (RHP) - Carlyle was an adequate fifth starter for a bit, but it looks like he'll be moved back into the swingman role for Atlanta, which may suit him better anyway, as he was figured out late last season.

Starting Lineup

1. Kelly Johnson (2B) - The only real choice here for a leadoff man, Johnson has the potential to be an All-Star second baseman after the Braves shrewdly moved him back to the infield after playing left.  Johnson has decent hands moderate pop for a second baseman, though he isn't quite as fast of disciplined as your stereotypical leadoff man.  Still, he's a solid bet to improve and I'm willing to be that he'll break out this year.
2. Yunel Escobar (SS) - The starting job is all his now after Escobar was impressive filling in for Edgar Renteria last year.  I doubt he'll hit .326 again, but if he lives up to his minor league numbers, what the Braves will be getting is .294/.367/.411 out of the second spot in the lineup, which still isn't nothing to sneeze at.  Still, I wonder if maybe shortstop prospect Brent Lillibridge might be the better bet long term. 
3. Mark Teixeira (1B) - Teixeira offers a lot of power, but also is a disciplined enough hitter to hit for a high average and get on base.  He's a Gold Glove defender at first base and is one of the better players in the game.  He adds a major power threat to this Braves lineup, but to be quite honest, he is a mercenary player, as he is likely going to walk after this season for a bank breaking contract.  Atlanta has said they would try to extend him, but Teixeira is one of Scott Boras' most devoted clients.  Which means, in the long run, Atlanta will likely only get a pair of draft picks for him.
4. Chipper Jones (3B) - Still a formidable offensive presence in the middle of the lineup, you do have to start looking for Jones' replacement if you're the Braves, as Jones is older and will only be good for able 130 games or so.  Still, getting that level of power production for 130 games is nothing to sneeze at and for the most part, he's still able to handle the hot corner well.    
5. Jeff Francoeur (RF) - Probably a bit overrated, Francoeur is an excellent right fielder that carries a lot of thunder in his bat.  He has also been very prone to striking out and needs to improve on his walk total.  He has improved a bit in the past few years, so it might not be surprising to see if he takes that next step from a masher to an all around offensive force.
6. Brian McCann (C) - Possibly the best young backstop in the National League, McCann is a solid defensive player that is respected by his pitchers and calls a good game.  He also has excellent power numbers and is a solid fit here in the sixth spot, especially when you consider the heavy hitters ahead of him.  While the dip in homers is a concern, McCann does get a bit of a pass because he got hurt, which may have affected him.
7. Matt Diaz (LF) - Not a bad left fielder, as he has nice pop in his bat, is decent defensively and can be a solid contributor until Brandon Jones is ready.  I like him a lot and though Tampa and Kansas City gave up on him too quickly a while back.  He's a bit of a free swinger, but he'll likely see his walk totals increase this year because of the pitcher and the next guy on the list.
8. Mark Kotsay (CF) - The Braves are gambling that Kotsay can at least contribute something to the team this year, as Kotsay looked done last year.  Really, I'm not sure what the Braves can expect out of him, as his power looks gone, he no longer looks like he'll handle the rigors of centerfield everyday anymore and there is no guarantee that he'll be able to stay upright for most of the season.  Honestly, the Braves should have just offered arbitration to Andruw Jones, hoped he accepted, and just gutted out the season with a big salary.

Bench

• Brayan Pena (C) - A decent backup catcher, Pena doesn't have much of a bat, but he's a solid glove that can be relied on in a pinch.
• Omar Infante (UTIL) - A solid utilityman, Infante can adequately play nearly every position except catcher.  His bat is decent and he'd be a adequate stopgap in case of injury. 
• Josh Anderson (OF) - Anderson will likely be the main backup for the Braves outfielders and could see time in center if Kotsay is unable to stand up to the rigors of the position.  Anderson is merely a fourth outfielder, but he could be a decent one, as he has a decent approach at the plate and a little bit of pop.
• Martin Prado (INF) - Prado will likely serve as the other infield backup.  He's okay, but not stellar.

Minor League Notables

• Jair Jurrjens (RHP) - Acquired from the Tigers in the Edgar Renteria deal, Jurrjens was solid in his major league debut and works with a low 90's fastball and a decent curve and changeup.  However, he's also been overworked in his career, so he could be injury prone later.  Still, he wouldn't be bad as a fifth starter for the Braves. 
• Jojo Reyes (LHP) - Another young lefty, Reyes has enough stuff to become a good 4th starter or so.  He could also see time later in the year.

• Brandon Jones (LF) - Jones has a lot of power and is eventually going to succeed Matt Diaz in left, sooner rather than later.

Final Analysis

The Braves  do have enough talent to keep things interesting in the National League East, but overall I think the aging rotation and the Braves essentially punting away two lineup spots will eventually cost them.  Sorry Braves fans, but you won't be winning the division again for a little while.

Final Standings - 3rd Place, National League East