Atlanta Braves: State of the Organization, Part II - Looking Ahead to 2009

Next up in our look at the Braves, I've decided to take a look at the worst-case scenario for what the 40-man roster could look like ending this season and heading into next. I've taken a couple liberties, such as assuming they won't be able to resign Mark Teixiera and Tom Glavine's career likely being over following this season. I've also taken Smoltz's word in saying he would be returning for the 2009 season. All other moves and holes were done completely within the organization, since no one really knows what could happen when the free agent market opens up. So, essentially what we have here is a 40-man roster made up of players currently under the Braves control.

Pitchers
Manny Acosta	RHP
Blaine Boyer	RHP
Francisley Bueno	LHP
Jairo Cuevas	RHP
Mike Gonzalez	LHP
Tommy Hanson	RHP
Tim Hudson	RHP
Chuck James	LHP
Jair Jurrjens	RHP
Charlie Morton	RHP
Peter Moylan	RHP
Michael Nix	RHP
Will Ohman	LHP
Jo-Jo Reyes	LHP
Jeff Ridgway	LHP
Jonathon Rouwenhorst	LHP
Zach Schreiber	RHP
John Smoltz	RHP
Rafael Soriano	RHP
Phil Stockman	RHP

Notes: Not overly different from what the Braves currently have on the 40-man roster, the main difference, of course, being the lack of Tom Glavine. There are a few names present who likely won't be with the team next season (James, Ridgway) but for the sake of not being able to predict the future, I've included them anyways.

Catchers

J.C. Boscan

Brian McCann

Clint Sammons

Notes: Like with the pitching staff, there isn't anything really out of place here, although Boscan could be replaced by any number of players. He's the highest in the organzation, but with Sammons already being an offensive blackhole, someone like Tyler Flowers may stand a better shot since he impressed in spring training this season, and already has nine homers at Myrtle Beach.

Infielders

Yunel Escobar

Diory Hernandez

Kelly Johnson

Kala Kaaihue

Chipper Jones

Brent Lillibridge

Martin Prado

Scott Thorman

Wes Timmons

Notes: Scott Thorman is in a very similar situation to James, he isn't likely to be with the club even through the end of 2008, but because of the uncertainty of the Teixeira situation, I've included him anyways. That is also why I've included Kaaihue, who probably won't be on the 40-man roster until 2010.

Outfielders

Josh Anderson

Gregor Blanco

Matt Diaz

Jeff Francoeur

Brandon Jones

Mark Jurich

Jason Perry

Jordan Schafer

Notes: Again, no real surprises here. Jordan Schafer is likely going to make the jump and be the everyday CF, and depending on how the remainder of '08 goes, the same will likely hold true for Brandon Jones in left. Anderson or Blanco could end up gone, as there's no real reason for both to be with the club considering they bring the exact same skill set, especially with Gorkys Hernandez on the horizon. Jason Perry looks like he could be one of those career AAAA players, but with the lack of offensive firepower currently at Mississippi and Richmond, he could crack the roster.

Next up will be a look a little further into the future and how the Braves current farm system rounds up. Expect that sometime in the next few days.