With the plethora of new talent the Braves have brought up this year, it concerns me that we aren't going to have a place to keep them over the next couple of years and we are showing them off so we can acquire what we really need... Ace pitching.

Matt Diaz - I include Matt in this discussion because he's part of a platoon situation that has not yet been resolved.  Matt and Willie make it an interesting dichotomy but is it really an effective situation for either of them?  

Willie Harris - has more Major League experience and fills the necessary stolen base quota that we need to have from a possible leadoff hitter.  He reminds me of the Otis Nixon/Rafael Furcal slap hitter mold (although Rafael believed he was a power hitter.  After every homerun he hit, you could guarantee he would be 0-fer for the next 3 nights.  He also has a ring...

Jarrod Saltalamacchia - a switch hitting catcher who has the potential to put up strong numbers.  He's only a couple of years younger than McCann but where does he truly fit into the whole picture?  He's catching every other day which, in turn, affects the performance of McCann long term.  He's one bad foul tip, one bad collision at the plate away from being our permanent catcher.

Brian McCann - Is he tradeable?  He already has an All-star appearance under his belt so does that make him more valuable to us or to the market?  He signed on the cheap for his most recent contract and that could make him expendable.  Is he better long term than Salty behind the plate?

Martin Prado - Prado was brought up and is batting a cool .200 or so.  He's getting a chance to see MLB pitching and for a first timer, I'm pleased.  However, am I pleased at the expense of Kelly Johnson?  As I'm writing this, he just flubbed a ball at 2B to let the Cubs tie it up.

Kelly Johnson - Since he's now found himself platooning more, where does this leave Kelly?  He should be an All-star at 2B but was left off of the ballot by the morons that be in charge.  Does he have any trade value with Prado and Yunel Escobar up?  Can't we just start Pete Orr (I'm kidding here).

Yunel Escobar - Chipper goes on the DL and we call up the prize of the Cuban National team.  He's ready from the defense that I have seen him play.  Is his hitting ready to follow suit?

Andruw Jones - The talent that the Braves currently have up mean that an opportunity exists if the right opportunity were to arrive.  The 10/5 problem exists and we will get nothing for him when he runs off to the Yankees to be another big prize for Steinbrenner's shelf.

So who needs to go?  What should be Braves be going after?  Are they showcasing these youngsters for future help?  How many Cormier's does it take for us to realize we need pitching help?