Letters to the NL East, part 3

Letters to the NL East, Part 3 of 5

Dear Atlanta Braves,

I know Omar has a problem with not trusting young guys, the recent Gotay/Tatis situation shows that, but in Atlanta the problem is probably the crux of the season. Your rotation is old. Glavine was very hit or miss last year, and we all know which side of the fence he was on on the last day of the season. He's not going to get better, or healthier. The same thing could be said about Smoltz, who while slightly younger, is still old. He also is already having health issues at the beginning of this season, and while he says he feels good and is on track to start April 6^th, how will he feel on August 6^th? You traded your young catcher for Teixeira at first, who might not even play 200 games for the team. Hudson is 33 this year, and probably your most reliable starter, Hampton is going to be 36 and he can't stay healthy as it is.

Granted, you do have some young players, particularly position players, but we all know it's pitching that wins. You don't have Leo Mazzone as a pitching coach anymore, and your rotation is a mixture of age and brittleness. It won't last all season, and you're going to find too many games pitched by 6^th, 7^th and 8^th starters. On top of that, many of these guys aren't going to be able to make it deep in games, which is going to stress and tire a bullpen that isn't that great.

You'll have some good stretches where things are clicking, pitchers are healthy, and everything is coming up roses. However, by the end of the season the biggest thing you'll be striving for is if you can beat out Philadelphia for second place.

Your longtime enemy,

Optimistic Mets Fan