Mark Teixeira: The Braves first baseman slugger is in the final year of his contract. Mark Teixeira said, “If you’re worrying about contracts, you’re not going to take care of business on the field,” he said. “Twenty-four other guys on this team don’t care about my contract.” (That could’ve been Andruw Jones down fall last season). Chipper Jones and John Smoltz think that it’s very important for the Braves to re-sign the former Georgia Tech standout.
When asked if the Braves could sign him to an extension before the end of the season, before he hits the free-agent market. Teixeira said, “I’m always willing to listen,” Teixeira said. “At the same time, I have much more important things to worry about. If I take care of things on the field, that [contract] will take care of itself.”
It’s going to be very essential for the Braves to re-sign Teixeira this upcoming off-season. He is one of the best sluggers in the game, plus he is a great person to have on your team. We are going to need Teixeira if we want to contend for the NL East title for many years to come. 
Brent Lillibridge: With Yunel Escobar adding more strength this off-season, that doesn’t bold well for Lillibridge. He is still the favorite to wining the super utility role for the Braves, because of Omar Infante’s hand injury. Bobby Cox has been raving how much stronger that Escobar is this season. Dave O’Brien can see a 45 doubles and 12-15 homeruns from the Havana native this season. He has compared Escobar’s body type to Miguel Tejada.
Lillibridge can be a “frontline shortstop” in the majors, according to Braves GM Frank Wren. He’s got that much talent, offensively and defensively. But I just don’t see a spot at shortstop on this team anytime soon.
That could mean that we could see Lillibridge traded sometime during this season. He will be a prime candidate for the Braves to trade win looking to upgrade the team before the trading deadline.
Chuck James: According to Dave O’Brien, Chuck James threw off the mound for the first time today, only 5 minutes, but no problems. He’s a little behind the other pitchers and Frank Wren said it’s still too early to tell whether he’ll be able to build up arm strength in spring training to compete for the rotation out of camp. The Braves also wouldn’t consider trading James unless he is healthy. The Braves should take it slow with James so he can be healthy during the season. So right now, Jair Jurrjens is the best bet to be the Braves #5 starter.
Matt Bush: According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the Braves expressed interest in trading for Single-A pitcher Matt Bush, even after Bush had reconstructive elbow surgery that likely will sideline him for the 2008 season. The Padres GM Kevin Towers, has said before his injury that Bush was clocked at throwing his fastball in the upper 90’s. He made two appearances as a pitcher in 2007, as a 21-year-old at Rookie-ball. In his first game, he pitched 7 1/3 innings, getting 22 outs. Of those 22 outs, sixteen were strikeouts. Bush, who was originally drafted as a shortstop, injured his arm just after taking up pitching. The Braves can make a deal for him in a similar trade that brought in Erik Cordier last season for Tony Pena Jr.
Mike Hampton: So far during the spring training Mike Hampton has continued pitching without showing any signs of being injured. If Hampton can stay healthy that will be a major plus for the Braves next year. Bobby Cox still believes that Hampton can be one of the best pitchers in the Braves rotation. We will have to cross our fingers and wait and see if Hampton can deliver for the Braves this season.
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