With the majority of the country under a snowy blanket, it is nice to think of spring training being not too far away.
This tune-up to the baseball season is normally a laid-back, low-pressure month in which fans get a closer look at their team in a comfortable, and warm, environment.
With a strong emphasis on young talent and question marks in the outfield and on the bench, the Atlanta Braves seem to be opening spring training with what may be some very strong competition.
This will be a nice change of pace, but it may create some possible team issues that if not cleared up by March 30 could have a long-lasting negative impact on the way in which the 2011 campaign unfolds.
There are several questions that need to be answered by player performance in late February and throughout March. Hopefully with a change at the helm there will be a lot more emphasis on getting a strong start to the season by having a very competitive spring.
Below is my take on the areas that I believe the Braves will hopefully open up for grabs as we head to Disney World this spring.
First base has been delivered on a Gold Glove platter to youngster Freddie Freeman. While he has a huge physical presence at first base and has solid defensive skills and potential for offensive production, there is still the fact that he is very young and did not exactly end the season on a high note offensively.
I believe it would be a wise move to invite a veteran first baseman who could serve as a backup if Freeman can't get off to a solid start. I am crossing all 10 fingers and toes that Freeman will rise to the top of the pack and prove to be a consistent contributor to this lineup.
As the veteran third baseman goes at his own pace during the month of March, I believe the Braves would be wise to approach the spring training schedule with the idea that third base is wide open for the taking. Having an open competition at third would hopefully bring some insurance in the unthinkable possibility that Chipper Jones would not make it through the season.
Outfield speed, energy and excitement will be a key ingredient at the Braves' spring training facility this year. This could be the key ingredient for the success or failure of the season. The competition should be exciting to watch and hopefully will be taken seriously by all the players involved.
GM Frank Wren spoke of the new focus on speed and aggressiveness on offense, and that starts with someone stepping up in the battle for the outfield positions. No player should feel like it is his to lose. There should be open competition for all three positions. Yes, I said all three positions. Jason Heyward is a rare talent but must continue to look for ways to improve and become a leader on the field and in the clubhouse.
The Atlanta Braves have a solid pitching staff and have strong clubhouse chemistry. The lineup seems pretty solid at least with the potential to be downright lethal if all the young talent excels and if the solid batting cage performance last week by Chipper is a sign of things to come.
March Madness hopefully will bring a strong competitive spirit to America's Ballpark at Disney World in a couple of months. If there is no competitive spirit and the Braves stroll into another Opening Day with these same question marks, then it may be too much to overcome during the long season.
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