The Braves have pieced their offense back together less than a week after Rafael Furcal jumped ship to the Dodgers by adding Edgar Renteria in trade with the Red Sox. That really only leaves the bullpen as a major question for the Braves this year, and the loss of closer Kyle Farnsworth to the Yankees didn't help. Well, I believe the solution at closer is already on their roster. Chris Reitsma? No, he has proven to me he is not the guy. But who is. I believe Jorge Sosa may be ready for the challenge

Let me start by saying this: Renteria is a much better option than Furcal at his value because he allows the Braves to spend money somewhere else where they need it (the Red Sox will pay a portion of Renteria's salary, and he will run the Braves $6 a year for three years). In my mind, Renteria is the perfect replacement for Furcal, as he returns to the National League where he was the best shortstop with St. Louis just a few years ago (yes, even better than Furcal). The Braves have moved Johnny Estrada for bullpen help, and instead will start youngster Brian McCann full time (although, I'm uncertain the guys they got for Estrada can really be considered help). They have released themselves from the multi-million dollar contract of Dan Kolb by shipping him back to Milwaukee, freeing up more money to spend on a closer who can actually close games (which Kolb could not in his 1-year in Atlanta). Okay, so the Braves freed up $3 million in getting rid of Kolb. We'll give them $3 million more dollars because they are paying Renteria $6 instead of the $9 they offered Furcal. Then add in the $6 million they are saving with Chipper Jones' restructured contract. That's $12 million they have saved themselves already at this point in the offseason, money that can be used to spend on what they seem to need most, a quality closer, right? Well, I don't think so.

With all of the other 8 positions covered, the major offensive question still lies in left field.The Braves still have two second year players lined up to play out there, but Kelly Johnson's still not ready, and Ryan Langerhans, although gritty and determined as he is, is also not the best option the Braves have in left field. So they now have two glaring problems, a closer and a left fielder. So, which one do you address with the $12 million you have already saved?

The Braves have some depth at starting pitching, despite the injury that will force Mike Hampton to miss all of 2006. After resigning John Thompson, the Braves return a solid top three rotation, along with Tim Hudson and John Smoltz. After that though, the Braves have three starting pitchers left, lefty Horacio Ramirez, second year player Kyle Davies, and flamethrower Jorge Sosa. I think the Braves have to start Ramirez as the number four guy just to make sure they get in another lefty. That leaves Davies and Sosa. Davies proved himself capable in his rookie year, as did Sosa, however, neither seemed to go late into games. I believe the Braves should run Davies out as the number five starter and send the hard throwing Sosa out to the bullpen and close. He has the poise and the heat to close big time games in the Major Leagues, and this decision makes sense as it doesn't cost the Braves any more money than they are already set to pay.

There are a few players available through free agency that the Braves could acquire to fill in at left field. Jacque Jones. Made $5 million a year in Minnesota last year. Reggie Sanders made $6 playing in St. Louis. These two options are still available after the winter meetings and both would likely want multi-year offers, but the Braves can heavily load the front end of their contracts since they have saved the $12 million this season, and then reduce the salary each year as the contract goes along. Not only does this help the Braves in their attempt to win their 15th consecutive division next season, but it allows the Braves to distribute their $12 million surplus out over a few years, giving themselves a chance to keep winning division titles beyond 2006.