The Atlanta Braves made the biggest move of the trade deadline last season when they made a move to get Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers in order to bolster their lineup. This year, the Braves may find themselves in position to be sellers, possibly dealing Teixeira before his contract expires at the end of the year.
Atlanta is currently in a slump, winning a dismal nine games of 22 in the month of June. For the season, they have been especially poor on the road, going 11 for 27 in matchups away from Turner Field. On the year, the team is two games below .500 at 38 and 40.
Recently, manager Bobby Cox bluntly stated, "We've been playing good. We just need to win a few more."
It is difficult to point to any single reason for the team's struggles, but many would argue that injuries have had a significant impact on the win-loss record.
Braves' starters John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Jair Jurriens and Mike Hampton have all missed time with nagging injuries. Smoltz, who recorded his 3,000th strikeout earlier this season, is out for the year with shoulder and elbow issues, while Glavine and Hampton are out until at least the All-Star Break in mid-July.
Hampton has not pitched in the Major Leagues since August of 2005 due to several injuries following his trade to Atlanta.
The bullpen has not fared much better than the starting rotation for the Braves. Closer candidates Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan are out indefinitely, while lefty Mike Gonzalez has only recently returned from the disabled list this past week.
Injuries to position players include nagging injuries to Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur. Also, opening-day starting outfielders Mark Kotsay and Matt Diaz are currently serving stints on the 15-day disabled list.
One of the more exciting aspects of the Braves season thus far is the torrid hitting of future hall-of-fame member Chipper Jones. The third-baseman has spent most of the season hitting with a batting average over .400.
Battling his age and a nagging hamstring injury, Jones can not always be found in the lineup, though he did vow at the beginning of the season that he would play 150 games or more, though he is only on pace to start 143.
"I don't really care about all of that record stuff. I concern myself with all of the losses we've had in the close games. But there's a bright side to that," Jones said.
No hitter has hit .400 or better since Ted Williams in 1941.
Clearly, the Braves must find ways to win games on the road, especially if they can continue to win at home where they are 27 and 13.
While some key players are healing from their injuries, it will be crucial for their backups to be effective. In the rotation, minor league journeyman Jorge Campillo and youngsters Jo-Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton must find ways to keep their team in the game.
Cox said of Campillo, "From day one since he joined us, he's been just amazing. He started in the bullpen and was fantastic, and every start he has made has been fantastic."
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