Atlanta Braves

The Braves went on an extension frenzy this off season. They extended Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel, Jason Heyward, Andrelton Simmons, and Julio Teheran. Although they extended plenty of players they caught bad news in the past few weeks with word that Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy may be needing Tommy John Surgery. The Braves still have a good team in place for the 2014 season regardless of their losses.

The young lineup will still be supported by the powerful core of the Heyward, Upton, and Freeman 3-4-5 combo. They loss Brian McCann to free agency when he signed with the New York Yankees, but the emergence of Evan Gattis as a major power threat nullified the loss. Here is how I would make the lineup for the Braves in 2014.

1. R. Simmons      SS 87 OPS+
2. R. Johnson       3B 121 OPS+
3. L. Heyward      RF 111 OPS+
4. R. J. Upton      LF 122 OPS+
5. L. Freeman      1B 144 OPS+
6. R. Gattis           C 106 OPS+
7. R. Uggla          2B 83 OPS+
8. R. B. Upton     CF 53 OPS+

Ervin Santana

The pitching rotation for the Braves had a late addition when Kris Medlen's health was in jeopardy. With the news that he might and most probably will require Tommy John surgery the Braves went out to acquire the best remaining free agent pitcher on the market, Ervin Santana. The Braves will have a new look possibly without Medlen and Beachy, but here is how it may look.

1. L. Mike Minor     120 ERA+
2. R. Julio Teheran   121 ERA+
3. R. Ervin Santana   127 ERA+
4. R. Gavin Floyd      84 ERA+
5. L. Alex Wood       124 ERA+ 11 starts

*R. Kris Medlen 124 ERA+
*R. Brandon Beachy 87 ERA+

The bullpen is off course anchored by the best closer in the game, Craig Kimbel who will be shining with his new extension. Also in the bullpen is former Angel Jordan Walden and Johnny Venters making for a good late inning lefty-righty combination. The other guys in the pen are really up in the air.