Atlanta Braves players kept insisting throughout spring training that they weren’t conceding anything this year despite the team’s offseason rebuild toward a new ballpark in 2017.
“I didn’t come here to lose,” said veteran outfielder Jonny Gomes, brought in to add some needed grit and clubhouse leadership. “We’re all here to win.”
Reality is reality, though, and nothing transpired during spring training to indicate that Braves aren’t likely to be a sub-.500 squad in 2015.
The team that collapsed in the second half of last season was certainly flawed, but so is the present one. Instead of relying too much on homers, the Braves now don’t have enough pop after trading Justin Upton and Evan Gattis for prospects with the future in mind.
At least the Braves shouldn’t finish last in the National League East. The Philadelphia Phillies, who waited too long to retool, appear a lock for that.
“Look, I’m sure nobody is going to pick us (to contend),” said president of baseball operations John Hart, who took over fired general manager Frank Wren. “I understand that. I probably wouldn’t pick us. But we’re going to be a team that’s tough to play and the future looks bright. I think everyone feels good about where we’re headed.”
The Braves have building blocks in first baseman Freddie Freeman, shortstop Andrelton Simmons, rotation ace Julio Teheran and closer Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel, though, will have a lot of wear and tear by the time the new ballpark opens in suburban Cobb County, and Freeman could suffer with little protection around him in the lineup.
The Braves signed Nick Markakis to replace the traded Jason Heyward in right field, but the long-time Baltimore Orioles outfielder missed much of spring training recovering from neck surgery.
Markakis appears ready for Opening Day, but left-hander Mike Minor will miss at least the first month of the season because of shoulder inflammation. The team will also be without center fielder Melvin Upton Jr. until May because of a foot injury that prevented him from trying to get back on track during spring training.
The Braves may not contend, but how competitive they are 2015 in could impact manager Fredi Gonzalez’s job future. He definitely can’t write off this season.
“Yeah, ’17 for me is a long ways away,” he said. “In my profession, you can’t look that far ahead. You’ve got to concentrate on what’s happening now.”
ROSTER REPORT
PROJECTED ROTATION:
RHP Julio Teheran
LHP Alex Wood
RHP Shelby Miller
LHP Wandy Rodriguez
RHP Mike Foltynewicz or LHP Eric Stults or RHP Cody Martin
The loss of LHP Mike Minor for at least the first month of the season because of shoulder problems meant that the Braves had to fill two rotations spots this spring instead of just one.
Veterans Rodriguez and Stults, both signed to minor league contracts, pitched well this spring, but aren’t long-term answers. Foltynewicz, obtained from Houston in the Evan Gattis deal, has great stuff, but shaky command.
The Braves feel good about their top three starters, all young and talented. Teheran is a budding ace, while Wood and Miller — acquired from St. Louis for Jason Heyward — have both shown flashes of potentially being nearly as good.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Craig Kimbrel (closer)
RHP Jason Grilli
RHP Jim Johnson
LHP Luis Avilan
LHP Josh Outman or LHP Brady Feigl
RHP Juan Jaime
RHP Aaron Kurcz or Brandon Cunniff
Kimbrel, who went from 50 saves in 2013 to 47 last year, will likely seen his opportunities drop again this season and not just because of the Braves’ lack of offense. The bridge to the closer seems questionable at best.
Veterans Grilli and Johnson were brought in as the new set-up men, but both are dearly in need of bounce-back seasons. Johnson is especially questionable.
The Braves also don’t have a proven lefty, with Avilan taking a big step backward last year. LHP James Russell struggled so badly this spring that he was released.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. CF Eric Young Jr.
2. 2B Jace Peterson
3. RF Nick Markakis
4. 1B Freddie Freeman
5. LF Jonny Gomes
6. 3B Chris Johnson
7. SS Andrelton Simmons
8. C Christian Bethancourt
The Braves won’t strike out as much this season, but they might have just as much trouble scoring runs. When they get runners on base ahead of Freeman, a lack of protection will allow opponents to pitch around the first baseman.
Gomes and Johnson are hardly feared, and that can mostly be said about everyone on the team except for Freeman. After trading Justin Upton, Gattis and Heyward, the Braves may have the least power of any team in the majors.
With Melvin Upton Jr. (foot) out for the first month or more, Young at least gives the team speed at the top of the order and rookie Peterson, acquired from San Diego, appears capable of fitting in nicely in the No. 2 spot. Markakis, given a four-year deal as a free agent, is coming off winter neck surgery and remains a questionable signing.
RESERVES:
2B/3B Alberto Callaspo
OF/INF Kelly Johnson
C A.J. Pierzynski
INF Phil Gosselin
OF Todd Cunningham
Pierzynski is a capable backup for Bethancourt behind the plate and brings, along with Gomes, some fire to a team badly in need of it. The Braves’ bench, though, is hardly a strong one.
Callaspo, who reported to camp out of shape, may end up in a platoon with Johnson at third base, and fellow veteran Johnson could do the same with Gomes in left field.
The Braves could get a lift in the second half of the season from 20-year-old 2B Jose Peraza. The team’s top position prospect is starting the season with Triple-A Gwinnett after hitting .339 with 60 stolen bases in the lower minors last year.
MEDICAL WATCH:
–LHP Mike Minor (left rotation cuff inflammation) received an injection in his shoulder March 9. An MRI found no structural damage, but he will open the season on the disabled list and isn’t expected back before May.
–OF Melvin Upton Jr. (left foot inflammation) was hurt in late February and will start the season on the disabled list. He went into April still not cleared for baseball activity and isn’t expected back before May.
–RHP Shae Simmons (Tommy John surgery in February 2015) went on the 60-day disabled list Feb. 20. He will miss the entire season.