The Braves have a considerable amount of money to spend this off season.

Roughly 45 mil on the books between Hudson, Chipper, Soriano, McCann, and Smoltz.

6 players are up for Arbitration: Francouer, Kotchman, Kelly Johnson, Mike Gonzalez, Omar Infante, and Matt Diaz.

I'd really like Chipper to stay around at least for another 3 or 4 years. But, to do so, I think he needs to move to first base. This would move Yunel to 3rd (he has the arm) and then we could sign a FA to man short until one of the kids (Lillibridge or Hicks) is ready.

I'd also like them to pursue trading Kelly Johnson. He's been solid but we already have a #2 hitter in Esocbar. The Braves need a clear cut leadoff hitter with some speed (Furcal?) to get on base for Chipper, McCann, and the other power bat we acquire through a trade or free agency (Ludwick or Dunn?).

Francouer. Francouer Francouer Francouer. Where do I start? I would be okay with the Braves holding onto him as long as he works with Terry Pendleton every day and loses that 20 lbs of muscle he put on last year. If thats not the case, ship him to KC because they love him and that's where we would get the most value. Maybe we could snake Greinke from them in the deal.

On to the FA's.....

Below is a list of FA I think the Braves should at least take a look at (in no particular order):

Position Players -

Wes Helms - you can never have too many guys like him.

Adam Dunn - a much needed power bat

Griffey - more so to bridge the gap and would provide a little more power from the OF

Alex Cora - good utility man, can fill in well (and we know the injury prone braves will need that)

Orlando Cabrera - depending on what happens with the possibility of us trading Yunel Escobar or Kelly Johnson

Edgar Renteria - he would have to take a pay cut, but this would also only work if we traded part of the Escobar/Johnson duo.

Garret Anderson - he's old, but hes reliable. He gets on base (maybe he can show Francouer how to draw a walk)

Milton Bradley - he's injury prone, but when he's not - boy is he productive.

Luis Gonzalez - again, an older guy. But he did a nice job filling in for the fish last year and he would be great to have in the clubhouse.

Pitchers -

A.J. Burnett - After the Peavy deal fell through, signing him should be priority #1

Ryan Dempster - I like Dempster, he is very consistent. I'd love for them to be able to sign both him and Burnett but I highly doubt that will happen.

Oliver Perez - I know, he was a Met and I don't particularly like him. BUT, he's a good young lefty and I think he will continue to get better.

Ben Sheets - I thought he would have a monster year and win the Cy Young. I was a little off, but he still did very well.

Freddy Garcia - not a bad option to have as a bottom of the rotation guy.

Randy Johnson - he started to to look good at the end of the year.

Mike Hampton - we should definitely resign him to an incentive laden contract.

Tom Glavine - the Braves should resign him and if he isn't up to starting, make him the lefty specialist.

Joe Beimel - everyone knows we need all the pen help we can get, and he has been great (unless his team has a big lead)

Jeremy Affeldt - relatively young middle reliever (see Joe Beimel)

Darren Oliver - Almost 40 but he was very effective for the Angels in 08.

Brian Fuentes - The Mets are big on this guy. I'd like to sign him so Minaya feels he has to sign K-Rod. (I really think K-Rod is the next Gagme. Decresed velocity + a lot of use over the last 2 years)

Kerry Wood - With the Cubs trading for Kevin Gregg, it appears he won't re-sign with them. He looks like he got his confidence back and I'd love to have him in the pen next year.