A Rejuvenation needs to occur for the Chop...

I believe that the journalists are going to be right about the Atlanta Braves, yet again, for a 3rd straight year. After winning an unprecedented 14 consecutive division titles the 2008 National League East Atlanta Braves will falter down the homestretch and not make the playoffs. When writing about this team, it's hard to say one particular thing has gone wrong with this team this year and year(s) past. Rather, this team, much like its predecessors is going through a schzopherenic metamorphoses. On one hand, from top to bottom, this team looks like a playoff-caliber contender. On the other hand, night in and night out they play mediocre baseball and squander great chances. Additionally, the droves of injuries this team has suffered makes them look like a hospital chart. This team is beleagured, tired, and playing sickly baseball.
When the Braves traded for the "crime dog" Fred McGriff, they weren't getting him for a year and a half rental. They wanted the "crime dog" to pay dividends for years to come. However, with a super-agent like Scott Boras terrorizing ballclubs in both leagues, there is almost a 0% chance that the Braves will be able to resign Mark Texeira to a lengthy contract once he hits free agency. I love my team dearly, but if they don't at least got 3 or 4 Class A prospects for him and a mid-level reliever (no, not Will Ohman) before the July 31st Non-Waiver Trade deadline, then they are fools. They are pretenders, not contenders. In a division with 3 playoff-caliber offensively-loaded clubs, the Braves are swimming in a sea of sharks. After they traded away 6 prospects (which is ludacris, since they lost Ron Mahay to free agency this past season), they need some sort of compensation and a chance to reload their farm system. It's time to make like the '97 and '03 Florida Marlins and have a fire sale.
I'm not saying that I want to see players like Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Mike Gonzalez traded away for the future 3 or 4 years away but there are so many players on this team with bloated contracts that aren't performing that it's astonishing. Just today (July 27th) versus the Phillies, 4 Braves relievers (Jo-Jo Reyes, Blaine Boyer, Royce Ring, and Buddy Carlyle) squandered a nice 5 run cushion. They gave up a combined 5 homeruns and ruined any chance of the Braves having their first winning road trip of the season (that's a whole other topic in itself). However, Among those who didn't pitch today, notably Mike Hampton, Rafael Soriano, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz eat up about a third of the payroll and all 4 have been on extended disabled list trips this season. Also, to add to the problems that this year's team has encountered, a seemingly healthy Chipper Jones is headed to the disabled list for the first time this season with a left hamstring injury. In 2004 he injured this same muscle and was on the disabled list for a month to 6 weeks. This is not good news at all. Nor is the fact that while attempting to stop Shane Victorino from scoring, Brian McCann was injured with an apparent head injury. If the Braves lose him for concussive-related syptoms and lose Mark Texeira to free-agency...better look out. This team will be scoring 3 runs or under the rest of the way.
Speaking of injury and underperformance (no, not you Andruw Jones) Mark Kotsay was on the disabled list for a month with back problems (he underwent lower back surgery last year and missed most of the season). Matt Diaz has been on the disabled list since May (and when he was playing he wasn't the same guy from the past 2 seasons). Martin Prado and Omar Infante both went down before and during the season with hand injuries (both have returned and HAVE lived up to expectations as great utility players). John Smoltz and Peter Moylan both succumbed to season-ending arm surgeries. And, last but certainly not least, Jeff Francouer (S.I.'s cover boy captioned 'The Natural' in August 2005) has a below .300 On Base Percentage, a .233 batting average, and according to some scouts has lost the defensive skills and arm strength that have made him a living leading the league the past 2+ seasons in outfield assists.
In the midst of all this, as the author of this blog (journal entry), it is enviably my duty to offer some positive points/solutions for this maligned ball club.
First things first, in reference to management: There is only so much that manager Bobby Cox can do with a subpar, injury-riddled ball club. Upper management (namely John Schuerholz, the former team General Manager and current Team President) needs to step back into his former role or take responsibility for the team's trades/free agent acquisitions. I like Frank Wren as GM, but I feel that John Schuerholz will have much more of an impact in the trade market will all his success. A name can do a lot. Bill Parcells' put his muscle behind the Dolphins (what if Brett Favre decides to join him in Miami?). Mario Lemieux has sacrified life and limb for his Penguins. Nolan Ryan is back in Texas. Michael Jordan made Washington a sports town again. Think what kind of impact a power GM can do with the reins again.
Secondly, the team has lacked a power hitting left fielder for years. It's time to ignite the fans and give them what they want. Going after Jason Bay is the right move, even if you're going to trade Mark Texeira.
Third, what's with signing a bunch of over-the-hill pitchers and trying to ignite some sort of rejuvenation for former Braves alumni. I get bringing Tom Glavine back to the Braves. He was actually a successful pitcher last year while winning his 300th career game. However, trying to bring back Javy Lopez as the backup catcher, Damian Moss as a starter, and bringing in guys like Chris Resop, Julian Tavarez, Brian Lawrence, Corky Miller, Vladimir Nunez, Scott Spiezio, Sal Fasano, and Jason Phillips is certainly not the answer. My case in point...what Freddy Garcia is trying to do with a fastball that barely tops out at 83 MPH will be comical when he showcases his arsenal next month in front of playoff contenders.
Fourth, this team has no definite closer. What Mariano Rivera, Joe Nathan, Francisco Rodriguez, Trevor Hoffman are to their respective clubs, is what John Smoltz used to be. Since he left to resume his starting responsibilities, the team has had more closers than wins. While i'm exaggerating, there is a glaring need for a prototypical ninth inning stopper. Chris Reitsma and Dan Kolb were definitely not the answers. However, there is a guy named Gonzalez whom hasn't blown a save since he first donned the closers' role. Make him over. Build him up. And...finally, shut the door in the ninth inning to every other ball club that comes calling.
Fifth, it's time to get rid of all the payroll to players who aren't pulling their weight. Mike Hampton is what Albert Belle was to the Orioles and Sammy Sosa to the Cubs. They were a nuisance and a financial liability after it was discovered that they had corked their baseball bats. Mike Hampton just pitched his first game in almost 3 years Saturday. Unloading his 120 million dollar 8 year contract after this season is just the first step. It also might be time to say goodbye to Tom Glavine and his 8 million dollar salary and John Smoltz and his 12 million dollar salary. With injuries, these 2 pitchers are seemingly destined to make more money this year (20) than starts (>15).
Sixth, the opposite of the previous answer is to reload the organization with young, up and coming, cheap major league-ready players. Jair Jurrjens is the epitome of this. After the Braves unloaded Edgar Renteria to the Tigers for 2 barely known prospects there was cause for concern. However, Renteria has not lived up to expectations and a man named Jurrjens is 2nd in wins on the ballclub and has been the ONLY member of the starting pitching not to be hurt by the injury bug. Additionally, Yunel Escobar (a cuban defect) has played admirably and filled the giant shoes vacated by the all-star shortstop. There are internal options within the ball club as well. Tommy Hanson (playing for AA-Mississippi) has a no hitter and is their staff ace. Charlie Morton made a subpar first stop at the big leagues but he has the stuff to be a 2nd or 3rd starter on a future big league team (hopefully the Braves). Jorge Campillo has shown that he has the ability to be a major league starter or long reliever. Anthony Lerew made a great first impression on manager Bobby Cox last year winning at Boston versus the Red Sox before his season was ended early because of Tommy John elbow ligament surgery. Along with these choices, a few trades could bring a staff over to the team. Look at what the Reds did when they acquired Edison Volquez from the Rangers for their highly touted Outfielder Josh Hamilton. Although Hamilton leads the majors in Rbi's and is in the top 5 in almost every major offensive statistical category, Volquez is 2nd in the National League in wins and 1st in ERA. I'd rather have great pitching than great hitting any day. Having a great pitcher is like giving a Heisman Trophy winner the ball every down. Having a great hitter means run production but not in every inning.
Finally, without much further ado, it needs to be mentioned that a change in attitude needs to occur from most of the Braves players. I get the sense that there is a lack of comradry in the ball club. The veterans need to focus the young players and the bounty of newbies to this Braves team. There needs to be that extra something for this team to succeed. Why is it that the Yankees and Red Sox fan base always sell out their stadiums? It's because the players love their city and ball club and keep the game of baseball exciting. Also, the Braves need one among them to stand out and put that club on their back. Derek Jeter does that in the Bronx. Big Papi and Manny Ramirez share that role in 'Beantown'. Chipper Jones tries to do that in 'Hotlanta' but the city doesn't seem to reciprocate that hustle and love. It's time someone from that club (or a future Brave) makes that city love their players again. And, in return the club will reward them with another World Series Championship.