Braves_Examiner

I apologize for posting in the wrong forum, I didn't take the time to look for an MLB forum. As for some of the guys in question; Jeter, Tejada and Abreu are still 34. They turn 35 later this year.

I would put Dukes in Right Field, but he missed a lot of time last year, so I guess I will go with Werth. Francoeur is a joke Yes he is, we're hopeful he can rebound; but the thing is he was never really all that great to start with.

My list of the top 25 players over the age of 35, see what you guys think. http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlanta-Bra...s-age-35-and-up

where's Dunn? Not positive, but this may have been written before Dunn signed.

I was walking through Wal-Mart; and as is my custom I made my way to the magazine section to look through some sports publications. I grabbed the Sporting News 2009 Baseball Preview, and quickly flipped to the NL East and saw a ridiculous piece of mainstream media ignorance. Here is their all NL East Team, see if you can pick out the guy that shouldn't be there. C - Brian McCann 1B - Ryan Howard 2B - Chase Utley 3B - David Wright SS- Hanley Ramirez OF - Raul Ibanez OF - Carlos Beltran OF - Jeff Francoeur SP - Johan Santana RP - J.J. Putz CP - Brad Lidge It's beyond ridiculous that Jeff Francoeur gets on that team....it's lazy writers and poor research like this, that encourage me to try and make it in the world of sports journalism.

In my opinion, you had some interesting facts. I just have come to realize the lack of catching ability in the division, and don't feel as bad as I did about the situation. I think a few of them could have gone either way, but others are spot on. I do think the Marlins rotation is a lot better than you have ranked, although if one pitcher goes down, I don't see any back up. But on pure talent, I think the Marlins rotation should be ranked either 1 or 2. You're spot on with the assessment; many of the positions were very close; and now that I've talked to several people and thought about it some more; I feel like I should've gone with the Marlins ahead of the Braves in the outfield. As far as pitching; there isn't a staff in the division that has the type of long-term potential and upside that you guys have; it's just of matter of if you'll realize or not.

Just to be totally clear, I was saying good post and that I agree to Rabb; however, I liked yours, as well. I just don't know enough about the non-Marlins to agree/disagree so wholeheartedly-ish (with the entire article). Oh, it's all good; I grab any compliment I can get; even if it's not mine!

Good post - I agree pretty much completely. I think the outfield in the NL East are pretty weak overall, and the Marlins could easily be 3rd (the back 3 are mostly interchangeable). And I think the front two are clost to interchangeable, as well. Can't complain too much about your order, but it could just as easily be Mets, Phils, Marlins, Nats, Braves or something similar. Nice job tho - good work and solid Marlins knowledge considering you seem not to be a Marlins-centric reporter! Thanks, and I agree completely with the outfields. I think the front two are really close and the back two are really close with the Nationals somewhere in the middle.

All in all, not bad. Here are my critiques. Starting pitching: I think you are short changing the Marlins (even thought I understand the concern with their youth and health), and really wrong about the Phils and Braves. I think you are going a bit homerish on the Braves side, because they have just as many questions as the Marlins. Jurrjens had a great first half but a very bad second half when batters started figuring him out, there are always questions with a Japanese import, Glavine might not even make it through the season, Vazquez has been average at best for the last 5 seasons, and Lowe is old but he'll probably be good this season. I just can't see the second, especially not in front of Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Moyer, and Kendrick/Eaton. Lindstrom: Walks aren't a problem with Lindstrom. His career BB/9 is only 2.82. He did start off with control issues at the beginning of last season, but after being sent down in June to work on his slider, he came back with a 3 BB/9 in 36 games. Cantu: Most of Cantu's problems in the past came from an injury and little playing time. He'll be fine this season and I think he should have been ranked third, infront of Feliz at 3B and/or 4th ahead of Kotchman. Baker: There are still a lot of questions about this guy, to see if he can keep it up in the bigs. But with how bad the catchers in this division are, 2nd or 3rd isn't a bad ranking. Maybin is ready. Most of his strikeouts in are attributed to him testing the strikezone, as that's what his coaches wanted him to do. His K numbers got better at the end and did end up with an OBP of .375, good for 23rd in the league. Cody Ross His glove is pretty good, to the point that I would say he is an impact player with the glove, he just doesn't get much credit. Fielding Bible's +/- had him as the 4th best CF in all of baseball last year. He only made 1 error in 1064.2 innings last season and has a decent arm with great accuracy. He's not the fastest guy but takes great routes and has great technique out there. His lack of speed is going to be even less of an issue this year, with him moving from CF to RF and with Maybin covering CF. I do understand why you think I might be looking at the Atlanta rotation with homerish glasses; but I assure I took them off when writing this article; at least I think I did! Lowe consistently doesn't get the credit that he deserves; his numbers stack up very well with more well-known "aces". Some point to the fact that he played in a huge stadium for the Dodgers, but Lowe is an extreme groundball pitcher, that doesn't give up many homeruns anywhere. He's also thrown at least 180 innings in each of the last seven seasons. I agree that Jurrjens did fade, but we're still talking about a 22 year-old kid that tossed 180 innings with an ERA under 4; he'll be fine. Vazquez is another innings eater that has thrown 198 innings in each of the last eight year. I also he'll pitch much better coming over to the NL, to a more pitcher-friendly ballpark. Kawakami is a wild-card; but that doesn't mean he should be dismissed; his numbers from Japan are quite good. Hiroki Kuroda was an unknown last year and had a tremendous impact with the Dodgers. Glavine I'm not counting on anything with Glavine, we're in the same boat there. But it shouldn't be discounted that waiting in AAA is Tommy Hanson, count on him joining the staff this year. I'm not as high on the Phillies staff as you are; although I certainly love Cole Hamels. Look at Moyer's last few years, he won't pitch as well as he did last year, Myers is wildly inconsistent, Blanton is a decent arm but not much more. I think the Braves have more depth than they do, especially with Hanson waiting at AAA. Cantu I agree that I could see him in front of Kotchman/Feliz; some of these positions are very close calls. I did give some more love to Kotchman and Feliz as both are very good defensive players.

"Ross has serviceable power, but isn't an impact player with the glove or the bat. " Probably your biggest mistake. Do explain; I can definately take my lumps if someone thinks I'm wrong; but tell me why you think that way. I really wasn't trying to knock Ross; who I think is a fine player. He's good defensively and I like the versatility that he brings; it's nice to have player able to play anywhere in the outfield; but I still don't see him as a plus defender. His bat is fine, good power; but until he can get his OBP up past the .315 mark he's not impact offensive player in my eyes.

Whats up guys; I just put together my NL East positional rankings for the Examiner.com; wanted to see what you guys think. Where am I wrong; did I get any right? Anyway, can't wait for the start of the season! I plan on staying active on the board and talking some NL East baseball, definately not trolling. First Base http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlan...ngs-First-Base Second Base http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlan...gs-Second-Base Shortstop http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlan...ings-Shortstop Third Base http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlan...kings-3rd-base Catcher http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlan...nkings-Catcher Outfielders http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlan...kings-Outfield Starting Pitching http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlan...rting-Pitchers Relievers http://www.examiner.com/x-2496-Atlan...ings-Relievers By the way, if any of you guys enjoy writing; you should check out the Examiner.com; it's a nice way to make a little money covering something that you enjoy. Ryan