It's been called a transition season, a bridge to the future and several other things, but what fans of the Atlanta Braves want to see in 2017 is an improved team to go along with its new digs.
One sign of improvement can be seen in an opening day lineup that has been set since the trade for second baseman Brandon Phillips in early February. It's an older lineup - one of Major League Baseball's most senior, in fact - but it's one that, on the surface, is a major upgrade over a year ago.
However, don't get too attached to some of the names below, at least if you're looking past this season. Many of the veteran players over the next few seasons will be replaced by the slew of top prospects the team has stockpiled. Those kids, many still in their teens, are expected to make the Braves contenders for an extended period.
With that in mind, here's a position-by-position look at this season's Atlanta Braves.
CATCHER
Projected starter - Tyler Flowers
Last season - He was a pleasant surprise offensively, batting .270 with eight home runs, 41 RBIs and 18 doubles in 325 at-bats. However, he managed to throw out only three of 60 would-be base stealers, though a lot of that can be attributed to young pitchers who were not adept at holding runners.
2017 outlook - If he can repeat the offensive production and improve his defense (he had seven passed balls), the Braves will be more than satisfied. Having a more veteran staff to work with should help improve the defense. Newcomer Kurt Suzuki will also get plenty of time behind the plate, most notably working with knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey.
In two years - This is one position where there is no obvious replacement-in-waiting. The Braves acquired two catchers in the past two drafts they really like, Lucas Herbert and Brett Cumberland. Herbert is the better defensive prospect, with Cumberland the better hitter. The next catcher, though, could come from another organization.
FIRST BASEMAN
Projected starter - Freddie Freeman
Last season - Freeman finally had that breakout season fans have been clamoring for, and he especially took off after the acquisition of slugger Matt Kemp. A year after injuries limited him to 118 games, Freeman played in 158 and hit .302 with 34 homers, 91 RBIs, 102 runs, 43 doubles and - if you can believe it - six triples.
2017 outlook - Freeman showed what he can do with a better lineup around him over the second half of last season, and there's no reason to believe it was a fluke. If you project what he did in that time over a full season, he would easily be in the MVP conversation, so a .300 average, 35 homers and 120 RBIs would not be out of the question if those around him produce.
In two years - He's one of two or three building blocks the team hopes will be the anchors to the next great era of Braves baseball. In other words, he's likely to be the rare player who starts and finishes his career with one team, à la Chipper Jones.
SECOND BASEMAN
Projected starter - Brandon Phillips
Last season - It wasn't Phillips' most dynamic offensive season, but the Cincinnati Reds as a team were very much down. In 550 at-bats, he hit .291 with 11 homers, 64 RBIs, 74 runs and 14 stolen bases. Those numbers, while below average for Phillips, were far better than the Braves had from the position last year.
2017 outlook - The Georgia native seems to be excited about this team, and with Phillips that's a big deal. When the Reds were contending, he was a dynamic offensive player and leader. When they began to lose, it seemed to rob him of some of that enthusiasm. If he could produce a solid on-base percentage this year and not get caught up trying to hit homers, he could score 70 to 80 runs, which is what this team needs.
In two years - This is top prospect Ozzie Albies' future home, and it could become that this season if Phillips and backup Jace Peterson struggle or are injured. Scouts rave about Albies' plate discipline, his speed and his glove work.
THIRD BASEMAN
Projected starter - Adonis Garcia
Last season - After a slow start, he regrouped to hit .273 with 14 homers, 29 doubles, 65 RBIs and 65 runs scored.
2017 outlook - The Braves can handle a .260-.270 average with the expected 15 or so homers and 60 RBIs. What they can't handle is a relapse defensively from the strong but sometimes scatter-armed Garcia. He was, like most of the team, a better player over the final few weeks. If that player shows up this year, it would go a long way to keeping the team in the conversation about the playoffs.
In two years - If Garcia is still here in 2019, Braves fans should hope that means he has played well enough to hold off four would-be replacements. Rio Ruiz is probably the next option, but few seem him as a long-term solution. This could ultimately be the landing spot for über prospect Kevin Matain, the 17-year-old from Venezuela who is being compared to the likes of Miguel Cabrera and Chipper Jones. The Braves could also move Travis Demeritte - they love his bat - and power-hitting prospect Austin Riley also will be in the mix.
SHORTSTOP
Projected starter - Dansby Swanson
Last season - In 38 games and 129 at-bats in the big leagues, he hit .302 with three homers, seven doubles, 17 RBIs and 20 runs scored. The only number that was a bit problematic was his 34 strikeouts.
2017 outlook - There is as much enthusiasm for Swanson's defense as his offensive potential, and on a team that started, gulp, Erick Aybar last season, that is huge. Braves pitchers are not - at least not yet - big strikeout guys, so there will be plenty of groundballs. If he shines in the field and hits in the .270 range with the expected double-digit homers and plenty of doubles, it will be a successful rookie campaign.
In two years - This is one of the few positions that, barring catastrophic injury, is not expected to change over the next decade.
LEFT FIELDER
Projected starter - Matt Kemp
Last season - For the season, the veteran hit .268 with 35 homers and 108 RBIs. In 56 games with the Braves, the former San Diego Padre hit .280 with 12 homers, 15 doubles, 39 RBIs and 35 runs scored.
2017 outlook - He's easily one of the keys to the season. With him in the lineup over the final two months last season, the Braves were one of the top scoring offenses in the National League. He came to camp this spring in better shape, which he needed more for his defense than anything. If he hits .280 with 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBIs (which would give the Braves two 100-RBI hitters), this lineup will be dangerous.
In two years - Kemp is signed through 2019, so if his production remains steady and the team remains at or above .500, there is no reason to believe he won't finish out the contract in Atlanta. However, the development of prospects such as Ronald Acuna might lead the Braves to rid themselves of the huge contract at the trade deadline or in the offseason.
CENTER FIELDER
Projected starter - Ender Inciarte
Last season - A stellar season of defense led to a Gold Glove award, and he solidified the leadoff spot in the lineup with a .291 average, 85 runs scored, 24 doubles, seven triples, 29 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Inciarte also walked 45 times, helping him produce a solid .351 on-base percentage.
2017 outlook - His defense, especially with Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis flanking him, is a huge key for this team. At the plate, the Braves would take a repeat of last year's numbers, though with a few more stolen bases and more than 100 runs scored.
In two years - One of the building blocks, the Braves signed him to a five-year contract that keeps him in Atlanta through at least 2022. Teams have asked about him in trade discussions, but as of now he's off limits.
RIGHT FIELDER
Projected starter - Nick Markakis
Last season - The 33-year-old was below his average performance, hitting .269 with 13 homers, 38 doubles, 89 RBIs and 67 runs scored. However, he was healthy, and like the rest of the team he came on strong late in the schedule.
2017 outlook - Markakis' line-drive bat will be valuable lower in the lineup, where he should see plenty of RBI chances. The Braves would like to see his batting average creep back up to the .280-.290 range, and anything close to an average offensive season would be sufficient if this lineup proves as deep as it projects.
In two years - He's signed through next season, though he's often brought up as a potential trade-deadline target for a team needing a veteran bat. Ronald Acuna would be the likely heir apparent, but the Braves also have power-hitting prospect Dustin Peterson and teenager Cristian Pache in the system.
ROTATION
Projected starters - Julio Teheran,
Bartolo Colon, Jaime Garcia, Mike
Foltynewicz, R.A. Dickey
Last season - This was, to put it bluntly, one of baseball's worst rotations. Other than Teheran, who posted a 3.21 ERA, only one Atlanta pitcher who started five or more games had an ERA of less than 4.22 - and that player, Lucas Harrell, was traded. Foltynewicz, however, did establish himself as an MLB starter with a 9-5 record and 4.31 ERA. Two other youngsters, Matt Wisler (7-13, 5.00) and Aaron Blair (2-7, 7.59), proved they weren't ready.
2017 outlook - Due to the lack of development in some of the young pitchers, the Braves brought in two veterans on one-year deals - the extremely durable Colon and former Cy Young winner Dickey - and traded for lefty Garcia. Though the spring numbers weren't very good, once the season starts the Braves expect the trio to help form a solid, if not overpowering, rotation while the youngsters mature.
In two years - This is where it gets exciting for Braves fans. In addition to Wisler and Blair, the team has numerous high-end prospects. In fact, six of the team's top 10 prospects are starting pitchers, led by lefty Kolby Allard and righty Mike Soroka, each just 19 years old. The future on the mound is in good hands.
BULLPEN
Projected closer - Jim Johnson
Last season - Johnson had a nice season after returning from injury, saving 20 games, posting a 3.06 ERA and striking out 68 in 64 2/3 innings. There were several misses and a few hits as the team went through nearly 20 relievers. The most pleasant surprises were Mauricio Cabrera, Ian Krol and Jose Ramirez.
2017 outlook - Johnson, former closer Arodys Vizcaino and the above three surprises are part of what should be a team strength, though the 100 mph-throwing Cabrera will start the season on the disabled list with arm soreness. The Braves added veteran Josh Collmenter and recently signed former Arizona Diamondbacks closer David Hernandez after he was released by the San Francisco Giants. Ex-Brave Eric O'Flaherty has returned to the team as added insurance and reports his once-ailing arm is now healthy.
In two years - Bullpens are difficult to project, though it's safe to say Johnson will not be closing in 2019. The guess is Cabrera could get a shot at the job, as could Vizcaino. Among guys currently in the minors with relief experience, A.J. Minter is a lefty with Billy Wagner comparisons, while Luke Jackson and Akeel Morris could very well be a part of the future pen, as could any number of the current starting pitcher prospects.