Atlanta Braves Morning Chop – Let the Battles Begin!

Left fielder

(24) rounds the bases on his home run during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Massive shake-up means plenty of spring battles for Braves

AP / USA TODAY

ATLANTA (AP) — Look for plenty of introductions when the Atlanta Braves report for spring training Friday.

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The team underwent a massive shake-up over the winter, trading away three of its top hitters —

,

and

— and getting mostly prospects in return.

The 25-man roster that breaks camp in early April will probably include less than 10 players who were with the Braves at the start of the 2014 season.

“We can’t look at who’s gone,” said third baseman Chris Johnson, one of the few holdovers. “We’ve just got to look at who’s here and what we need to do to win games.”

While many expect the team to fade from its usual role of playoff contender this season, the overhaul has set up plenty of intriguing battles this spring. Pitchers and catchers hold their first workout Saturday at the team’s Disney World training complex in Kissimmee, Florida, with the first full-squad session set for Feb. 26.

The Braves must settle on starters at second baseman and left field, with both spots likely to be filled by some sort of platoon arrangement. In addition, several pitchers will contend for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, and the bullpen will have an almost entirely new look beyond closer Craig Kimbrel.

[ Ed. note: more at the link above ]