Ten Reasons I'm Thankful this Offseason

Count your blessings not your problems.

1.  Tommy Hanson - What a pleasant surprise this guy has been.  After going 5-0 in the AFL I have gotten more and more excited about his future in Atlanta.

2. Jair Jurrjens - At least we know we have one quality starter on the team.  He was our ace and has been a reason to believe in the future of Atlanta pitching, with Hanson on the way the future is even brighter.

3. Injured Players Return - We could see Soriano, Moylan, and Smoltz (assuming he returns) on Opening Day and of course Hudson will be back at some point.  All the bullpen help will make players who got stretched too far better (i.e. Boyer).  Mike Gonzalez could also return to dominate form.

4. Chipper Jones - Say what you will, but he was the best hitter in the majors this year.

5. Tyler Flowers - It's nice to know you are deep at a position but when have Heap and a guy who can flat rake, things really look up.

6. Outfield Depth - Jeff Franceour, Josh Anderson, Gregor Blanco, Matt Diaz, Jordan Schafer, and Gorkys Hernandez.  Having all these guys makes it easier to build the outfield we need, yeah we have a hole, but having guys like this make it easier to sign someone like Adam Dunn, so we can play someone with better defense later in games, or platoon him with someone.

7. The Other Prospects - Heyward, Freeman, Rohrbough, Locke, Medlen.  These guys are the future, and the future looks pretty bright.  Some of these guys could see time this year.  Most likely Medlen.

8. Options - You have to admit there are a lot of options for us to take advantage of. In the pitching department, we could have Sheets, Lowe, Burnett, Vasquez, Peavy, or some of the lower tier starters.  As for power hitting outfielders, there are Dunn, Ibanez, Burrell, Dye, and Ludwick.  These options have made the offseason at the very least exciting.  Just think if we were Milwaukee Brewers fans or worse Padres fans.  These teams are doomed to boring offseasons.  Even if we don't get what we need, at least we have something to talk about.

9. Brian McCann - I can't respect this guy enough.  After coming off an All Star year, he is committed to improving even more.  He has already lost 20 pounds, and is focusing on defense.  I can't wait to see him in a Braves jersey for years to come.

10. Frank Wren - I could write a whole post about how impressed with him I have been.  Either he is very decieving, or he is a tactical mastermind.  This is what I have seen so far this offseason.  He takes an interest in Peavy.  He establishes who the main competitiors are and notes that it is the Cubs, so what does he do? He goes after the guy who they need to resign Ryan Dempster, by putting the pressure on the Cubs, this takes pressure off of Peavy.  Then, he doesn't give in when Towers started asking for a ridiculous package.  He has held out for two weeks, and hasn't given us a reason that he will ever cave.  He has been aggressive with Burnett and Tazawa (but it looks like we never had a chance with him).  He is still putting the pressure on Towers, by pursuing Furcal, he is saying that Escobar (the player Towers wants most) could be on the move in a deal for Ludwick or Dye for example.  All of these things give me the impression that he is going to make good decisions.

Well thats why I'm thankful.  Thanks for bearing with me, its been a long typo filled post.  What are you guys thankful for? Happy Thanksgiving.