--General manager Frank Wren estimates that the Braves are "within a year of having a pretty consistent flow of talent from our minor leagues again." The lack of depth comes from having traded away prospects in such temporary fixes as the 2007 deal for 1B Mark Teixeira, not because the organization's scouts have been unable to identify good players.
--RHP Tim Hudson, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, will be pushing himself to come back to the rotation in August, which says something about how desperate the starting pitching situation is. Officially, the Braves are not counting on him but are keeping his return in the back of their minds as a possible bonus. --OF Brandon Jones, an end-of-season call-up, never got rid of a nagging shoulder problem that he sustained playing winter ball. That limited his power at the plate.
--2B Kelly Johnson, considered to have the best swing in the organization as he progressed through the minors, was finally able to let it shine the last six weeks of the 2008 season. Earlier in the year, he had concentrated so hard on his transition to second base from left field that he couldn't relax at the plate.
--CF Jordan Schafer finished with a .269 batting average for Class AA Mississippi after struggling early as he tried to prove his previous numbers didn't come courtesy of HGH, for which he tested positive and was suspended 50 games. Ideally, Schafer would be allowed another year in the minors, but the Braves' need for a big bat from the outfield may hasten his major league debut.
BY THE NUMBERS: 120-125 -- Games the Braves will expect to get from 3B Chipper Jones in 2009.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have to add additional offense because that's a pretty big hole when he's not out there." -- General manager Frank Wren, on the adjustments the Braves will have to make as 3B Chipper Jones gets older. Jones, 36, played 120 games in 2008.
