If everyone was healthy for the Braves this would be a no-brainer bet on the over. But, Chuck James is down with a small tear in his rotator cuff, John Smoltz is hurting and who knows how long Mike Hampton will last. The bullpen also looks a tad light until Mike Gonzalez returns. So despite the good offense the Braves have I would have to take the under.

24-year old righty swinging Jeff Francoeur keeps getting better as a baseball player and that should excite Braves fans for the future. He played in 162 games for the Braves last season and he was 188 for 642 (.293 avg, .880 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 19 homers and 105 RBIs. He did make 5 errors in 162 games in RF for the Braves last season but he showed above average range and had an amazing 19 assists! Francoeur hasn’t shown his best baseball yet…but it’s coming.

29-year old righty swinging Joe Borchard might make the team as a backup in RF. He played in 85 games for the Marlins last season and he was 35 for 179 (.196 avg, .600 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 4 homers and 19 RBIs. He whiffed an amazing 60 times last season and that is flat out unacceptable! Borchard didn’t make any errors in 34 games in RF last season but he showed below average range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: A

32-year old Mark Kotsay had the worst season of his major league career last season in Oakland as he was recovering from serious back surgery, so the Braves hope that improved health will help him rebound in 2008. The lefty swinger played in 56 games for the A’s last season and he was 44 for 206 (.214 avg, .575 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 1 homer and 20 RBIs. Kotsay is a career .282 hitter (.752 OPS) so they have faith that he will help on offense as long as he stays healthy. He also is a solid defender as he made 2 errors in 56 games in CF as he showed above average range.

26-year old righty swinging Omar Infante will also likely get some P.T. in CF this season. He played in 66 games for the Tigers last season and he was 45 for 166 (.271 avg, .662 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 2 homers and 17 RBIs. He played in 12 error-free games in CF last season for the Tigers but he showed poor range there.

Josh Anderson also can play CF if the Braves need him to. He played in 15 games there for the Astros last season and he made 1 error while showing poor range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: C-

The Braves would be smart to just give Matt Diaz the starting job in left field and let him run with it. After all, he hit .356 against lefty pitchers and .318 vs. righties. The 30-year old righty swinging Diaz played in 135 games last season for the Braves and he was 121 for 358 (.338 avg, .865 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 12 homers and 45 RBIs. He also was very solid in the field as he only made 2 errors in 95 games in LF for the Braves last season while showing above average range.

If the Braves decide to platoon in LF Diaz’ partner would be Josh Anderson. The 25-year old lefty swinging Anderson brings speed as his biggest asset. He played in 21 games for the Astros last season and he was 24 for 67 (.358 avg, .816 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 11 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He also played in 132 games in AAA ball last season and he was 140 for 513 (.273 avg, .666 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 2 homers, 43 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. Anderson was primarily a CF for the Astros last season as he played 15 games there and he made 1 error while showing poor range. But, LF is an easier position so he shouldn’t have much of a problem adapting.

24-year old lefty swinging Brandon Jones is one of the best prospects in the Braves’ minor league system and he’s close to being ready. He played in 5 games for the Braves last season and he was 3 for 19 (.158 avg, .401 OPS) with 4 RBIs. Jones also played in 138 games in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 158 for 535 (.295 avg) with 84 runs scored, 19 homers, 100 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B-

36-year old switch hitting Chipper Jones can still swing the bat so the Braves need to find a way to keep him healthy. Jones played in 134 games last season for the Braves and he was 173 for 513 (.337 avg, 1.029 OPS) with 108 runs scored, 29 homers and 102 RBIs. He played in 126 games at 3B last season and he made 9 errors while showing sub par range. Still, look for Jones to have another outstanding season in 2008 as long as he stays healthy.

Omar Infante will likely be Jones’ caddy this season. He played in 9 games at 3B last season and he only made 1 error while showing outstanding range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: A

The Braves have handed the starting shortstop job to 25-year old righty swinging Yunel Escobar. Escobar played in 94 games for the Braves last season and he was 104 for 319 (.326 avg, .836 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 5 homers, 28 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Escobar only made 4 errors in 53 games at shortstop for the Braves but he showed below average range. Look for Escobar to make the Braves’ front office look good in 2008.

26-year old righty swinging Omar Infante will be the Braves’ primary backup at shortstop. Infante played in 66 games last season with the Tigers and he was 45 for 166 (.271 avg, .662 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 2 homers, 17 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Infante played in 14 games at SS for Detroit last season and he made 2 errors while showing poor range. His defense is what got him sent to the minors by manager Jim Leyland.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B

The Braves were very happy with 26-year old lefty swinging Kelly Johnson at 2B last season. He was a converted outfielder so he had some rough edges on defense. He made 14 errors in 133 games at 2B last season while showing below average range but the Braves think he will get better. Johnson played in 147 games last season for the Braves and he was 144 for 521 (.276 avg, .832 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 16 homers, 68 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Look for those numbers to improve some this season.

24-year old righty swinging Martin Prado keeps waiting for a chance to prove himself. He played in 28 games for the Braves last season and he was 17 for 59 (.288 avg, .662 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Prado had a solid season in AAA in 2007 as he played in 103 games and he was 125 for 395 (.316 avg, .794 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 4 homers and 41 RBIs. Prado showed outstanding range for the Braves in 10 games at 2B but he made 3 errors.

Omar Infante will also get some time at 2B but he’s a natural shortstop. He can also help out in the outfield and at 3B.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B-

25-year old lefty starting pitcher Anthony Lerew will miss the entire 2008 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Lerew started 3 games last season for the Braves and he was 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. He also started 5 games in AAA last season and he was 1-0 with a 1.37 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. It will be interesting to see how Lerew responds to the surgery to his elbow as he was once one of the higher ranked pitching prospects in the entire Braves system.

The Atlanta Braves will be without 30-year old lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez until at least June as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. When Gonzalez returns he will likely be the top lefty out of the bullpen setting up for Rafael Soriano. He has pitched in 186 games in his major league career and he is 9-9 with 30 saves, a 2.29 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. The Braves will have an outstanding bullpen when Gonzalez is ready to return as he is just plain nasty just like Soriano is.

28-year old switch hitter Mark Teixeira is entering his prime and he should have a great season for the Braves as long as he can stay healthy. He played in 132 games last season for the Braves & Rangers and he was 151 for 494 (.306 avg, .963 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 30 homers and 105 RBIs. Look for those numbers to improve this season as he played much better with the Braves than he did early in the season with the Rangers. It also took him a while to get in a groove at the plate as he missed a chunk of last season due to injury. Teixeira has averaged 92.8 runs scored, 34 homers and 111 RBIs per season in his five year major league career so expect monster numbers out of him in 2008.

26-year old lefty swinging Scott Thorman was supposed to be the Braves first baseman of the future as they handed him the job last season. But, he didn’t play that well and he will now have to fight just to make the team. He played in 120 games last season for the Braves and he was 62 for 287 (.216 avg, .652 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 11 homers and 36 RBIs. Don’t expect much from him in 2008.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: A