When the Atlanta Braves take the field on Opening Day against the Miami Marlins, fans will be asking themselves who a majority of the players. Gone are Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Melvin Upton Jr, Chris Johnson, Evin Gattis and just recently, Craig Kimbrel. Fan favorites are gone and income newcomers signed to shorter and cheaper contracts. That is what happens in a rebuilding year as the Braves get their first test of the new roster against the Marlins on the road.
Fans were just getting accustomed to the idea that Heyward would not be in right field as the Braves dropped another bomb trading both Kimbrel and Upton Jr to the San Diego Padres in exchange for two outfielders, two prospects and a draft pick. The move was a surprise simply because team president John Hart had maintained that the Braves were not seeking to deal Kimbrel in the offseason. However, they were desperate to get rid of Upton Jr and his high salary and low stats. The move was made.
So now the Braves enter a big rebuilding season following a collapse in the playoffs last season. That caused Frank Wren to the fired and Hart to step in. With no previous loyalty to the franchise, he began trading away fan favorites immediately. Atlanta is trying to hold out hope and Julio Teheran will try and help the effort. The pitcher gets his second straight Opening Day start simply because there are not a lot of other strong options. Teheran is coming off a 14-13 season with a 2.89 ERA remaining the only promising young pitcher Atlanta has in the rotation.
Miami made several upgrades in the offseason hoping to push them ahead in the National League. The team acquired Mat Latos, Dan Heren, Dee Gordon, Michael Morse and Martin Prado. They signed Christian Yelich to a long-term deal along with signing Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year, $325 million contract. He has had 154 home runs in the last five years.
Henderson Alvarez will get the Opening Day start. The pitcher went 1-7 in 2014 with a 2.65 ERA. The Marlins wanted to give the ball to Jose Fernandez who started in 2014, but he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is unavailable. After a slew of offseason moves, the Marlins are pegged as a dark horse this season, looking to make their first playoff berth since 2003.