It's an end of an era - Andruw Jones is gone.

Where They Are Coming From

After 14 consecutive years of winning the National League East division title, the Atlanta Braves dynasty hit a wall in 2006 and missed the post season. Despite making several moves to shore up the team for a return to glory in 2007, the Braves were outrun by a surging Philadelphia Phillies juggernaut and just missed the post season with a record of 84-78. Offense was not a problem for the 2007 squad that scored 810 runs, third-best in the NL. It was the pitching, typically a strength for Atlanta, that proved to be their undoing. Starters had difficulty working deep into games, which over taxed the bullpen. Injuries to several pitchers forced manager Bobby Cox to rely too heavily on a limited number of arms out of the bullpen, which in turn led to a gradual break down as the season wore on. The team slumped badly during the summer months, beginning July eight games over .500 and ending August just two games over. They surged in September, but it was too little, too late for the Braves, as the Phils romped into the post season, leaving the Braves in the dust in third place.

The Braves had already acquired first baseman Mark Teixeira during the season to fill a void created by the departure of Adam LaRoche in a trade the previous winter. Several young players emerged during '07, most notably infielder Yuniel Escobar. This opened the door for the Braves first move of the offseason, a trade of Edgar Renteria, saving money and making the team younger. The team entered the winter needing to shore up their pitching, both starters and relievers, and they needed to address the departure of center fielder Andruw Jones to free agency.

Players Lost

• SS Edgar Renteria was traded to the Detroit Tigers right after the season ended for OF Gorkys Hernandez and pitching prospect Jair Jurrjens.


• Pitcher Chad Paronto was designated for assignment and elected to become a free agent. Infielder Pete Orr, pitcher Lance Cormier, and OF Willie Harris were released.


• Pitcher Óscar Villarreal was traded to the Astros for outfielder Josh Anderson


• Pitcher José Ascanio was sent to the Cubs for infielder Omar Infante and pitcher Will Ohman


• Pitchers Joey Devine and Jamie Richmond were traded to Oakland for outfielder Mark Kotsay


• Infielders Willie Aybar and Chase Fontaine were traded to Tampa Bay for pitcher Jeff Ridgeway.


• First baseman Julio Franco, outfielder Andruw Jones, infielder Chris Woodward, and pitchers Ron Mahay and Octavio Dotel filed for free agency.
  

Players Added

• Pitcher Chris Resop was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.


• Pitcher Tom Glavine came home to finish his career where he started, signing a one year deal to pitch for Atlanta in 2008.


• Catcher Javy Lopez signed a minor league deal and received an invitation to Spring Training.


• Outfielder Mark Kotsay was acquired from the Oakland A's.


• Outfield prospect Gorkys Hernandez and pitcher Jair Jurrjens were acquired from the Detroit Tigers.


• Infielder Omar Infante and pitcher Will Ohman were acquired from the Chicago Cubs


• Pitcher Jeff Ridgeway was acquired from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays


• Outfielder Josh Anderson was acquired from Houston Astros
  

Moves Still to Come

The Braves really wanted a front line starter for the rotation. There is not much available in free agency, and the trade market for pitchers is somewhat prohibitive as most teams are hanging on anyone of quality. So, the signing of Tom Glavine (13-8, 4.45 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) and the acquisition of a few prospects is probably all they will do for starting pitching. They are still hoping Mike Hampton will come back and contribute. The bullpen is fairly set, with Raphael Soriano continuing as closer, and Peter Moylan setting him up. Mike Gonzales should return from Tommy John surgery in June to add depth, but the Braves may look to add another bullpen arm for insurance if available.

What to Watch in Spring Training

Mark Kotsay was added to keep center field warm for the arrival of prospect Jordan Schafer who will be in camp this spring. Schafer is described as a five-tool player with plus power and speed. He will be here in September for certain, and bears watching. Another prospect expected to make the team this spring is OF Brandon Jones. The departure of Willie Harris paves the way for Jones to platoon in left field with Matt Diaz. That leaves Josh Anderson and Gregor Blanco competing for the fifth outfield spot. The only other significant position battle appears to be at catcher, where Brayan Pena, Clint Sammons, and Javy Lopez will duke it out to be Brian McCann's back up. Reportedly, Lopez is in great shape, and is the early favorite to win the job. Pena was the back up early last season, but his defense is a problem. A concussion last year caused him to be used as a utility player in the minors, and it is not clear that he will be able to catch again. Sammons is a young player destined for the minors if he can't surpass Lopez this spring.

As of right now, the Braves believe Mike Hampton will be the No. 4 starter after John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Tim Hudson. If that does work out, the competition for the fifth starter's spot will be among Chuck James, Jair Jurrjens, Jo-Jo Reyes, Jeff Bennett, and Buddy Carlyle.

In the bullpen, Soriano, Moylan, and Gonzales (when he returns in June) all have slots locked up. The remaining three or four bullpen jobs will be filled after competition this spring among Tyler Yates, Will Ohman, Jeff Ridgeway, Manny Acosta, Royce Ring, Chris Resop, Jairo Cuevas, Charlie Morton, Zack Schreiber, and Anthony Lerew.