Braves in 09?

As this dismal season wheezes to the end, we here at ye olde Office thought it would be an appropriate time to examine the chances of each current Bravo returning to start next season with the club. That, and there's not a whole hell of a lot to type about just now. 

However .... why didn't the umps review McCann's near homer? I suspect they are resisting using video replay. But what do I know? I know Clint Sammons needs to learn to block the plate. And I know it was good to see JJ throw well.

On with the predictions:

Pitchers

Manny Acosta -- 80% he's back. Looks to have upside if he stays healthy.

Jeff Bennett -- 85%. He's been a pretty useful arm, all things considered. He's back unless the bullpen is seriously upgraded, and that seems unlikely.

Blaine Boyer -- 55%. Awful in the second half, Boyer was OK before Bobby ran him out there 164 times. His fate probably depends on who else comes back and whom the Braves acquire in the offseason.

Jorge Campillo -- 90%. Very solid season. Appears a near lock to return as a fifth starter/long man.

Buddy Carlyle -- 30%. I can't see it. If he is back, it's probably a bad sign.

Elmer Dessens -- .1%. (That's point 1) Please, God. No.

Mike Gonzalez -- 99%. He's back.

Mike Hampton -- 15%. Who knows? Maybe we sign him to an incentive-laden deal. I doubt it.

Jorge Julio -- 25%. He's been OK, but similar to Carlyle's case, I hope we can do a bit better.

Jair Jurrjens -- 100%. Outstanding. Could enter 09 as the No. 1 starter, though we hope the club adds a quality veteran free agent.

Charlie Morton -- 70%. Mixed bag. He's either here or in Gwinnett to start '09, depending on whether Wren adds a starter or starters. I'm guessing Charlie makes strides in the spring and opens up with the big boys.

Vladimir Nunez -- 5%. Late season roster filler.

Will Ohman -- 50%. Re-signing the classy lefty wouldn't be a bad idea, but only if the price is right. Given recent history, it might not be.

James Parr -- 60%. He's been OK but steadily less impressive in each game. Again, his status probably depends largely on what the club does this offseason.

Jo-Jo Reyes -- 45%. Something tells me Jo-Jo is nearing the end of his rope in Atlanta.

Jeff Ridgway -- 20%. Why bother?

Julian Tavarez -- 10%. He's been OK, but doesn't offer much for the future.

Tom Glavine -- 60%. If he's healthy, I imagine he'll be back for one more go.

John Smoltz -- 65%. Same as Glavine. 

Tim Hudson -- 90% he's back late in the season.

Peter Moylan -- 95%. If he's healthy, he's back but maybe not by opening day.

Sorearmo -- 80%. Same.

Catchers

Brian McCann -- 100%. Star is here for a long time. MIght ought to eventually move to first base.

Corky Miller -- 5%. I hope to hell he's not back.

Clint Sammons -- 50%. No great shakes either, but I guess he'll do if we have to have a .200-hitting backup catcher. I'm guessing they sign somebody.

Infielders

Yesco -- 100%. I think his shoulder bothered him a good deal of this year. I look for a big '09.

Ruben Gotay -- 3%. Nice knowing you, Ruben.

Omar Infante -- 90%. Only way he's not back is if he's part of a trade.

Kelly Johnson -- 95%. See Infante.

Chipper Jones -- 98%. See Infante, KJ. And I don't see this trade happening.

Casey Kotchman -- 85%. Not impossible he could be dealt, but I doubt it.

Brent Lillibridge -- 10%. He can't hit big league pitching.

Martin Prado -- 95%. He'd better be back.

Outfielders

Josh Anderson -- 45%. Appears to be a four-A type.

Gregor Blanco -- 65%. Not a whole lot better, but has more of a foothold.

Matt Diaz -- 15%. I don't see the club re-signing him.

Jeff Francoeur -- 75%. I don't think they move him.

Brandon Jones -- 65%. Jury's out. His fate, and Anderson's, might depend on whether Wren imports talent.

Greg Norton -- 70%. I'd like to see him back as a pinch hitter.

So, I think we could seem some turnover in the outfield and on the pitching staff. What y'all think?

--CD

Comments

[Rob]

Anderson has been much more impressive than Blanco in my opinion. I don't see much upside in Blanco's swing. I think at best he's a sub-.300 singles hitter with good speed who isn't a particularly good base runner. There must be 50 guys like this floating around AAA teams. Anderson looks like he could become a Steve Finley, Victorino, Winn type hitter, which would keep him in the bigs for many years.

[PepeFreeUs]

I would give Anderson about a 20% higher chance. Other than that, you're pretty dead on.

Agreed about the replays. They're out there to cover each other's asses. Nothing more.

[wuky]

Why only the 5% chance for Corky returning? Not only does that guy bring an awesome name and a sweet near-mullet to the field everyday, but I bet he cleans up the buffet after every game. Imagine how much food the Braves would waste without Mr. Miller on the roster? That guy (and his .083 BA) needs to be locked into a long term deal!

[Erik]

I hope you're wrong about Diaz. I'd love it if they brought him back. Maybe he's not an everyday player, but you can't ignore his work in '06 and '07.

[Zach]

I think we'll get 2 starters and I'm going to go out on a limb and say one of them is coming from Japan. I'd like to see them bring in Derek Lowe, preferably with a 3-year deal and nothing longer.

Then we'll sign or aquire a corner outfielder which leaves Jones, Diaz, Blanco, and Anderson fighting for two spots. If we aquire an outfielder I think Kelly will be the one to go.

That's what I would do and it looks like Cox and Wren are heading down that path. Cox said he wants two starters and Wren has already been to Japan to evaluate the talent there.

Boyer can be useful as long as Cox doesn't kill his arm. We may need him because I think Bennett will be the next guy to go down because of overuse.