Oh, those Braves

I love the Atlanta Braves. Even when they were cellar dwellers I loved watching and supporting them. I have become frustrated watching them the last few years and have not completely understood the moves or lack of moves needed to make them a championship team. I know that there are many factors in pulling off trades now a days but it amazes me how everyone else seems to do it and we are stuck with the leftovers. I am perplexed at how we can't even seem to be in the running for any of the notable free agents. We obviously need a quality first baseman, leadoff hitter, starting and middle relievers and second baseman, but we make no moves that will make an impact. We seem to be satisfied with either signing veterans who were once very good major league players (Mondesi, Jordan - this last run with the braves), but have since become less than average or we sign someone elses utility players in hopes that they will miraculously develop into everyday players with us. We also often decide to trade our top prospects in order to get these veteran players and so when the year is over we have lost a major prospect and have gained nothing or we allow players like Giles and Reitsma to leave without anything to show for it. The beauty of it all, however, is when it's all said and done I will be tuned in on opening day cheering and yelling for the braves to win - no matter who they have out there. I love the braves!