Diaz is healthy, in case you were wondering about him not being in there. He would appear to have a short leash, still (he goes 0-for for two games, and he’s out).

Bobby said he wants to see if Church can play, if his back’s OK.

McLouth – 8
Prado – 4
Jones – 5
McCann- 2
Anderson – 7
Escobar – 6
LaRoche – 3
Church – 9
Vazquez – 1

TnBrian – not disparaging your opinion, just stating mine.

C: McCann starts, Ross backs up. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
1b: Try to resign LaRoche to a 2-3 year deal.

2b: Prado/Infante….KJ is likely a non-tender at this point.

SS: Escobar stays put. See comment for Catcher.

3b: Chipper starts, Prado/Infante play the backup role.

OF: McLouth in CF, Diaz/Church in RF (of LF), accquired bat in LF (or RF). Bat likely accquired due to trade of starting pitcher, most likely Vazquez.

SP: Lowe, Jurrjiens, Hanson, and 2 of Vazquez, Hudson, Kawakami. Other traded for OF bat.

RP: No easy answers here…Moylan and O’Flarety are the only non free agents I trust, and both have been overworked to the point they are injury risks for next season. Medlen should get better, but I don’t know that Acosta will ever put it all together. Gonzo and Soriano likely cost more than they’ll be worth….Kawakami could be an answer, but then you have way too much $$ invested in pitching and no OF power.

Bench bats: Infante/Prado, Diaz/Church (whichever player in those groups that isn’t starting), Ross, Conrad, TBD (just not Norton).

Minor league callups: Heyward should get a chance at RF next year, although there is a good chance they’ll go the Hanson route and try to prevent him from becoming a Super-2 player. I could also see Schafer coming up after a little more minor league seasoning to push McLouth to a corner, although that is unlikely if the Braves actually do acquire a quality OF bat this offseason (since McLouth, Heyward, and Player X will all need to play).

1.lowe-15
2.vasz-11.5
3.JJ
4.hanson
5.kk

thats 59.9 million of the 96.7 of 09 payroll..that leaves 36.8 to fill 1b,2b,ss,lf,bullpen….esco,prado,lf,JJ,hanson are all one year deals….so what do we do to make this team a winner….i assume JJ will get a mac type deal and then who nows..not alot of money to fill lots and lots of holes

Uh….yes it does. That’s why Bobby’s here, will be here next year, and will retire when he’s ready.