Five hot topics for 2015 Atlanta Braves

Overhaul?

It was symbolic that two of the few holdovers from the Frank Wren era, Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel, issued shirts with name tags to players as they arrived for spring training. The Braves and new president of operations John Hart out of necessity traded away Justin Upton, Evan Gattis and Jason Hayward, among others, both to rebuild what had become a bare farm system and to get away from the home-run-dependent teams of recent years. The top brass won’t admit it but even a casual Braves fan understands this plan was implemented with the 2017 season, when the team moves into its new suburban home, in mind.

Small ball

The Braves didn’t exactly tear it up in spring training, but one thing that was apparent is the team’s newfound ability to better get runners on base and move them. Manager Fredi Gonzalez seems to have bought into the idea that bunts, hit-and-runs, stolen bases and taking the extra base are good things. With guys such as second baseman Jace Peterson and outfielder Nick Markakis in the lineup to go with the retooled swings of Andrelton Simmons and Chris Johnson (and maybe Melvin Upton Jr.?), Gonzalez should have plenty of opportunities to try to manufacture runs. People who are criticizing the team’s lack of power have forgotten the Braves were next-to-last in all of baseball in slugging percentage last season.

Leadership

The Braves the last two years have appeared to be a team full of players who went about their business and didn’t worry too much about anyone else. That’s fine if you’re winning. Freeman, Kimbrel, Heyward, Gattis and Justin Upton, while talented players, are nowhere near the leaders who once controlled the clubhouse. That’s not their fault, just fact. When things went sour last season there was no one to step up and lead the team out of its doldrums. Enter guys such as Markakis, Jonny Gomes and A.J. Pierzinski. This team may not make the playoffs, but it won’t suffer from lack of leadership.

Mound strength?

While spring training highlighted the Braves’ new offensive philosophy, this team was put together with pitching as its strength. But is it strong? After letting proven vets Ervin Santana and Aaron Harang go and not venturing into the free-agent market, this team needed health. That went by the way when Mike Minor developed shoulder issues for the second time in two years. It’s not reasonable to believe he will be much better than last year if he does come back. That leaves Julio Teheran, second-year starter Alex Wood and newcomer Shelby Miller as the top three. Not bad, but two of every five games are likely to be started by the likes of Eric Stults, newly acquired Diamondbacks castoff Trevor Cahill (3-13 last year) or promising-but-not-ready rookie Mike Foltynewicz. Add to that a bullpen that, aside from Kimbrel, was rocked this spring and there’s a recipe for disaster.

Make-or-break time

It would be foolish to say the Braves go into the season with no plans to compete in the National League East. Reality, however, points to a season in which too many things would have to go right for that to happen. With that in mind, it’s time for vets Chris Johnson and Melvin Upton Jr. (the former B.J.) to live up to their paychecks. If the team finds itself out of contention at midseason and those two are showing 2014 form, there is no reason for Gonzalez to play them. No one wants to eat more dead contracts (thanks, Dan Uggla), but this isn’t Hart’s mess and he can justify cutting them in favor of finding out what some of the prospects can do. The best-case scenario is that each turns it around and the team can peddle them at the trade deadline.