The 2006 season was not particularly kind to the Atlanta Braves and their throng of fans in these parts. In 2005 the Braves, fielding a team of rookies managed to defy all odds and win Atlanta’s 14th consecutive divisional title. Seems 2005 was only a tease. Last season, this same crop of rookies fell back to earth and finished 89-73, far back in the pack in the National League East. As much as I hate to say it, I fear 2007 may be even worse. Atlanta, at least so far, has done nothing to improve its roster during the Hot Stove League. The team has not made any major deals and has not signed any big name free agents. Unless the Braves make some big moves fast, the upcoming season may be a disaster.

To make matters worse, Atlanta management, for reasons that are beyond me, declined to resign standout second sacker Marcus Giles. Granted, Giles had an off year last season, a year that was marked by inconsistent offensive production from Giles and also featured frequent injuries. Still, Giles is a quality player with determination and girt. He will be missed both on the field and in the clubhouse.

The Braves figure to field pretty much the same team as they did last year. Brian McCann should resume his starting role behind the plate and may be one of the few bright spots on the roster. McCann has proven he is a great backstop and has quite a bit of pop in his bat. As he matures, his ability to handle pitchers should also improve.

First base may again be manned by Adam LaRoche. I must admit, I have never been a big fan of LaRoche. He reminds me a lot of Pete O’Brien, a first baseman who played for the Rangers and the Mariners back in the ‘80s. O’Brien, like LaRoche, hit around 20 homers a year but, for the most part, had warning track power. Atlanta needs more production out of first base and I doubt LaRoche is the answer.

Second base is up for grabs, now that Giles is history. Look for Pete Orr to take over at the Keystone, but don’t expect great things here. Orr is solid but far from spectacular. Edgar Renteria will be a short for his second season at Turner Field. Renteria is a proven commodity and appears to have adjusted well since his return to the National League. His one year debacle in Boston appears to have been an apparition.

Chipper Jones is a stabilizing force at third base. Jones is a team leader and gives a hundred percent at all times. The only problem with Chipper is the injury bug. If a player can find a way to get his name on the Disabled List, Jones tops the charts. For the past five seasons Jones has spent time on the bench, nursing a variety of ailments. His backup, the talented Wilson Bettemit, is now a Dodger.

Atlanta’s outfield could be great if the guys flanking Andruw Jones in center could figure out how to hit with consistency. Jeff Francouer is spectacular at times, going on offensive tears that rank him up there with the best of all-time. However, he is also prone to the slump. Noted for his aggressiveness at the plate, Francoeur will swing at anything, no matter if it is a foot outside and in the dirt. Until he learns to take pitches, his success at the Major League level is a crap shoo.

Ryan Langerhans, the other probable starter, is out of the LaRoche mold. He shows signs of brilliance, but has yet to prove he can be an everyday player.

That leads us to pitching.

Atlanta only has three starters that can be counted upon. John Smoltz most likely will head the rotation again. Long in tooth, Smoltz is still the most consistent pitcher on the Braves’ staff. Tim Hudson is a shadow of the pitcher he was in Oakland, or at Auburn for that matter. For some reason, Hudson cannot put two quality starts back to back. He is, by all accounts, a mystery.

Mike Hampton makes a bundle of money, but has never seemed to recover from the time he spent pitching in the launching pad otherwise known as Coors Field. Drilled for the long ball repeatedly since he pitched for the Rockies, Hampton has been tentative and less than aggressive.

The other two starting spots are up for grabs and believe me, Bob Wickman, another year older and deeper in debt, is not the answer at closer.

Unless Atlanta makes a major trade or opens up the vault and signs a few big name players, look for 2007 to be a dark time at Turner Field.

Stay tuned.