Will the streak continue for next year? Who will we land as our closer? Do we need a veteran outfielder? Do we need another starter? Who will play shortstop? Lots of questions for the Braves to answer this offseason. As the winter meetings approach in just one short week, rumors have been flying around about who we will get to fill in these spots. The biggest spot to fill has to be the closer role. The JS/Bobby plans from last year had us trade for Kolb and acquire Brian Jordan and Raul Mondesi from free agency as our corner outfielders. Obviously this failed by mid-season. As some reports suggest the Braves are in talks with former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman. JS may pull a string like last year w/Hudson and get Billy Wagner. I think it's safe to say Wagner will have a new team by the end of the meetings. Is our rotation set? I think we don't need a starter, but rumor has it Javier Vasquez might be offered from Arizona in a deal. Remember Atlanta has liked Vasquez since his days in Montreal. As it stands the 5 man looks like this: Smoltz, Hudson, Thomson, Sosa, Ramirez/Davies. Although we picked up Thomson's option doesn't mean he can't be dealt (which may happen in a packaged deal). Furcal, perhaps numero uno in the free agent market probably won't be back next season. Furcal is wanting 5/50 deal w/6th year option. The strongest suitors are the Cubs who would love to add a Pierre/Furcal punch to the top of their lineup, and the Mets who apparently want Fookie to play second. Will Betemit start next season? It's not 100% sure, Cox loves to add the veteran and reports have the Braves in contact with numerous shortstops i.e. Julio Lugo from the D'Rays. Same goes for the OF. Sure one would think that a Langerhans/Jones/Francoeur OF would be set by default for next season. Contact has been made to possibly add Reggie Sanders (part Deaux) to the team. Once again Bobby loves the "veteran" help. Will Brian Giles take a pay cut to play with little bro Marcus? Probably not gonna happen, B. Giles already rejected a 3/30 deal from the Padres, and is sought out by the Cubs, Yanks, etc. So many scenarios going on right now everyone can speculate and project what will happen, but hopefully by the end of the winter meetings we will see a clearer path for next year.
