The 2013 Atlanta Braves are looking mighty strong as they acquired Justin Upton from the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday afternoon. Now look around the majors. Is there any other team as complete as the Braves right now? They look fit for a return to the World Series and don't be surprised if they take it all in the upcoming season.
There's a perfect combination of speed, defense and power in the Braves lineup with the addition of Upton. Brother B.J. Upton is a thief on the basepads and Jason Heyword possesses speed as well. These three guys strikeout, but that's no big deal because, in the end, they will come up with more big hits and memorable plays in the outfield that will save runs and win games.
Justin is just 25 years old and the Braves have him for three years along with B.J. and Heyward. The chemistry is only going to build and get better as the years go along.
Heyward, who is the only remaining starting outfielder from last year, had right field on lock. He finished 2012 with 11 outfield assists and only five errors. Justin had 10 assists and only four errors. Justin could learn a few things from these two. He finished 2012 with six assist and five errors.
Runners beware, this outfield has some guns.
On the basepads, these guys are a threat to steal at least 20 bases during the year. B.J. will lead the team in this category without a doubt, after stealing 31 in 2012.
Now, the Braves lineup as a whole will look pretty scary. The role for leadoff hitter is still a little undecided, but from the looks of it, Andrelton Simmons could get the call if he proves he can hit. He's the prototypical leadoff hitter with speed and posted a .335 OBP in 49 games.
B.J. would take over the 2nd spot in the lineup because of his speed. Either Heyward or Justin can take over Chipper Jones' duties at the three hole with Freddie Freeman protecting them in the five hole. Brian McCann and Dan Uggla can be flip flopped for the sixth and seventh slots, depending how manager Fredi Gonzalez feels about the pitching matchup.
Taking over the eighth hole will be Chris Johnson who can blast 10-plus homers and drive in runs as well. He came over from the Diamondbacks in the Justin deal.
Pitching and Bullpen
The Braves went to a six-man rotation to close out the season and saw how successful they were when their guys had enough rest. Now, though young, the Braves proved they still have one of the best farm systems as they nurtured the talents of guys like Mike Minor, Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen.
Beachy was out in 2012 as underwent Tommy John Surgery, but Medlen stepped up and proved to be the team's ace. Julio Teheran remains with the organization despite all the rumors and will likely fill in Beachy's role before he's expected back around the All-Star break.
Tim Hudson is still going strong and Paul Maholm brings some balance to the Braves' rotation as he is another left-handed starter.
The Braves bullpen was lights in 2012. With Jonny Venters, Eric O'Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel closing games out, the team is almost automatic beyond the 7th inning with a lead. The addition of Jordan Walden gives them another arm to split the responsibilities preventing the young arms from tiring out.
As a unit, the Braves pitching rotation had the fifth lowest ERA at 3.42, fourth lowest opponents batting average and seventh allowing just 145 home runs in the season.
Add a little bit of pop from the Upton Brothers and maturing stars like Heyward and Freeman and the Braves are suddenly the most dangerous team in baseball.
They racked up 94 wins in 2012 and finished just four games behind the Washington Nationals. There is no doubt the Braves are a better team now in 2013.
Find another lineup that can match with the Braves and let's get this conversation flowing. Do you also see the Braves playing in the World Series?