New York Mets' Travis d'Arnaud (7) is unable to beat the throw to Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, and is forced out in the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)In one of the most active years of his career, which culminated with him somewhat stepping aside as whiz kid John Coppolella became the team's general manager last fall, Hart restocked a barren farm system. The Braves hope it was enough to put them on a path back to greatness.
Only three regulars who started last season are expected to do so this year. Among the departed are fan favorites Andrelton Simmons and last year's workhorse on the mound, Shelby Miller. Also gone are Chris Johnson, Jonny Gomes, Christian Bethancourt and a slew of others.
In their place are a mix of veterans and youngsters, with most of the latter likely to never play a game at Turner Field. Instead, what is now ranked as baseball's best farm system will probably start sending prospects into the team's new SunTrust Park in suburban Cobb County next year.
For now, here's the plan for 2016:
Key Braves Players By Position
Catcher
A.J. Pierzynski
Last season: The veteran was one of the few offensive bright spots, hitting .300 with nine home runs and 49 RBIs. He also helped stabilize the clubhouse, and his work ethic completely overshadowed Bethancourt. He's not the defender he once was, but he still knows how to call a game.
Position status: As long as he produces, he's going to play. He will likely platoon with offseason pickup (and former Brave farmhand) Tyler Flowers. The top prospect at the position is 19-year-old Lucas Herbert, a second-round draft pick in 2015, so there's no one knocking down the door.
2016 outlook: Flowers hit .239 last year with nine homers, and the hope is he and Pierzynski can combine for 20 homers and 60 RBIs. With an improved lineup, those numbers are possible.
First Base
Freddie Freeman
Last season: A lingering right wrist injury limited Freeman to 416 at-bats, 18 homers and 66 RBIs, and it even caused the happy-go-lucky player to become quite frustrated at times. He has not had surgery, instead choosing to rest and then strengthen the wrist. The injury has flared up on him during spring training, but Freeman's sweet swing has reappeared.
Position status: He's the cornerstone and club officials insist he won't be traded (yeah, yeah - we've heard that before). Still, you get the idea he's here to stay, and why not?
2016 outlook: Any improvement this year has to include a healthy season from Freeman, whose primary backup is likely Kelly Johnson. If Freeman produces 550 healthy at-bats and the top of order does as expected, 25 homers and 90 RBIs should be the result.
Second Base
Jace Peterson
Last season: He was a serious bright spot in the first half of the schedule, but injuries led to a miserable second half as he wound up hitting .239 with six homers, 52 RBIs and 120 strikeouts in 528 at-bats for the year. He did walk 56 times and stole 12 bases, so he was a black hole.
Position status: He needs a quick start to keep his spot. The Braves are loaded with middle infielders in the minors, including three of the team's top 25 prospects. Among them is 19-year-old Ozzie Albies, who is projected by many to be the second baseman of the future.
2016 outlook: Peterson has impressed the team with his willingness to play other positions and may have a long career ahead as a super-utility type. If he can hit in the .260 range and continue to improve defensively, he can hold off the youngsters for a bit.
Third Base
Adonis Garcia
Last season: Garcia was a pleasant surprise after coming over from the New York Yankees late in the season. In just 191 at-bats, he slugged 10 homers, added 12 doubles and drove in 26 runs while hitting .277. His defense, however, is a concern after he made 10 errors in 42 games at third.
Position status: At 30 years old, he's certainly not the answer for the long term, and if his defense doesn't improve he likely won't be the short-term solution either. Two of the Braves' top 16 prospects, Austin Riley and Rio Ruiz, are third basemen; Ruiz in particular could be ready this season if he improves his contact rate.
2016 outlook: He won't average a homer every 19 at-bats, but the hard-swinging Cuban will hit his share, especially if he can stay in the lineup. He also can play left field and could spend time at first. In a lineup that needs power, he's a very important piece.
Shortstop
Erick Aybar
Last season: He hit .270 with 74 runs scored, 30 doubles and 44 RBIs while playing nearly every inning for the Los Angeles Angels. He's not Simmons with the glove, but he had a .973 fielding percentage and hangs strong on double plays.
Position status: With stud prospects Dansby Swanson and Albies eager to move up, Aybar's days in Atlanta are numbered. There are rumors the Cardinals may call about his availability after Jhonny Peralta suffered a torn ligament in his thumb this spring, though the Braves are said to be putting a high price on the veteran. Either way, he's likely to be traded by August.
2016 outlook: While Aybar is around, he should provide a definite offensive upgrade over Simmons, who constantly frustrated fans by flailing away at the plate. If he is traded early, expect slick-fielding Daniel Castro to fill the gap until Swanson or Albies arrives.
Left Field
Hector Olivera
Last season: One of last season's major moves was acquiring the 30-year-old Cuban, and though he only had 79 at-bats with the Braves, he drove in 11 runs and showed decent discipline at the plate.
Position status: His bat, which has been sizzling in spring training, has to be in the lineup, but whether he stays in left field likely depends on whether Garcia can handle third and if Olivera doesn't resemble Evan Gattis defensively.
2016 outlook: The early talk was about his power potential, and though he may produce 15 to 20 homers, it's his ability to hit line drives that has the team excited. He could hit .300 with 30 to 40 doubles if he stays healthy and could provide the production missing since Justin Upton was traded after the 2014 season.
Center Field
Ender Inciarte
Last season: He had a breakthrough season with the Diamondbacks with a .303 average in 524 at-bats, scoring 73 runs and driving in 45 with 21 stolen bases. He also played above-average defense, ranking highly in several defensive metrics.
Position status: Though there was talk of trade interest in the offseason, the Braves are perfectly content to turn the position over to a player they think could continue to blossom. Speedy prospect Mallex Smith is the heir apparent, but unless the Braves decide to trade Enciarte, Smith might have to wait.
2016 outlook: Turner Field isn't the offensive haven Enciarte played in last year, but his gap power should play well in Atlanta. The leadoff spot has been a black hole in Atlanta since the better days of Michael Bourn (he's back, by the way, as the fourth outfielder), and Enciarte can quickly become a fan favorite if he comes close to matching last year's numbers.
Right Field
Nick Markakis
Last season: The good news was that he had 612 at-bats and hit .296 with a .370 on-base percentage. The bad news was that he hit just three home runs and drove in only 53 runs to go with a team-high 73 scored. Even worse news was the former Glove Glove winner performing below par in right field, especially throwing. Though he showed good range, runners regularly took extra bases on him.
Position status: As of now he's expected to be a mainstay in the lineup, and with outfield being the weakest area of the farm system, he's likely to stick with the club. However, if Smith proves he's ready and the Braves find a trade partner for Markakis, the veteran could be gone by July.
2016 outlook: A year-plus removed from neck surgery, Markakis came to camp in much better shape and showed increased strength. The team doesn't care if he hits 20 homers, but double digits would be nice on a team that lacks power. Expect better numbers and, hopefully, an improved arm. Fan favorite Jeff Francouer made the opening day roster and could certainly provide that arm if needed.
Starting Pitcher
Julio Teheran
Last season: The right-hander took a step back last year with 11 wins and a 4.04 ERA. His hit-to-inning ratio was still very good (189 in 200), as was his strikeout rate (171 total), but the ugly numbers were the 27 homers allowed and the 73 walks. When he was good, he was often very good - but when he was off, he never seemed to be able to work through it.
Position status: He's the ace with Miller now in Arizona, and at least during spring training, he has looked like it. What most people seem to forget is that Teheran is still just 25 and should be coming into his prime years.
2016 outlook: He's a hard one to project based on his up-and-down track the past couple seasons. Needless to say, the Braves need him to become a sure thing on a staff with many more unknowns than knowns. If he can get his ERA down to the 3.50 range and cut the walks, 15 wins aren't out of reach.
Closer
Jason Grilli
Last season: Grilli was a pleasant surprise last year until he tore his Achilles' tendon. He finished with 24 saves in 26 chances, a 2.94 ERA and a very good 45 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings pitched.
Position status: It's hard to see Grilli reaching August as the closer unless the Braves are somehow in contention. If he falters, then Arodys Vizcaino is ready to step in. If Grilli succeeds and the Braves are out of contention, expect a trade.
2016 outlook: With a very reasonable contract and explosive stuff, Grilli will be a hot commodity on the market if he gets off to a good start. The Braves have every reason to give him the first shot at closer, and should he complete the season with Atlanta, expect 40 saves and tons of strikeouts.