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I haven't had much time to post new stuff lately so today I'm finnally going to get back into the swing of things. Around the clubhouse the John Thomson rumors are arriving daily with new headlines. Now it appears that Atlanta has offered Pittsburgh Thomson in exchange for Solomen Torres and Craig Wilson. It seems that Pittsburgh wants a little more than just Thomson. A more realistic trade would be Thomson for Wilson straight up. I'm not a Torres fan and Wilson is a good player but do the Braves really need him? Before Spring Training I would have said Yes, defintely make the deal. Judging from the play of Matt Diaz and James Jurries I don't think Wilson is a bigger need for the team than say a reliever. Although Jurries will start the year in Triple A (Richmond), Brian Jordan seems like he'll make the team and is also capable of playing 1B/OF.

If Thomson is traded he should rake in a quality reliever. The dreamers can wish for a Thomson/Lidge deal but that's not going to happen anytime soon. Blaine Boyer could be ready by Opening Day after all. Boyer pitched one inning against the Dodgers recently and retired the side. As for Spring Training, this is the last week and I can't be more happier. Atlanta's remaining ST schedule looks like this:

3/27-Yankees
3/28-Astros
3/29-Mets
3/30-Nats
3/31-CHW (exh)
4/1-CHW (exh)

And of course Opening Day is just one week away. The Braves will be in L.A. and first pitch is 4:10ET on ESPN. Thus begins a week long West Coast Road Trip. In fact the first two months of the season the Braves will accumulate the most mileage. Only 21 of their first 54 games will be played at the Ted. Here's a home/road ratio per game.

9:16-April
12:17-May
14:13-June
15:10-July
15:13-Aug.
15:12-Sep.
1:0-Oct.

Looking at the last 2 seasons the Braves have been average at best coming out of the gate (April/May rec. 53-47). Thankfully the season doesn't end in May. Tommorrow I'll cover the starting lineup.