MLB Trade Deadline: A Braves Fan's Perspective.

Hello again, and welcome to my latest attempt at establishing a sports' blog at this address. In the past, I have covered the major sports leagues that I follow (MLB, NFL, NCAA football and basketball) with a special focus on the teams that I like (the Atlanta Braves, Denver Broncos and Florida Gators), but I have always done so with a measure of objectivity and what I consider to be an intersting perspective. My hope is that this site will become a source of information brought to you through a unique prism and the home of much spirited, and yet courteous, debate. And now, without further ado, on to the topic referenced in the headline.

It's been an exhausting couple of days to be a Braves fan, but in a good way. Atlanta's management, in an uncharacteristic set of aggressive moves, was able to acquire the best position player on the market, one of the most coveted relievers and two solid lefties for the bullpen. With the notable/disturbing exception of a serviceable, middle-of-the-rotation-type starter, the Braves addressed all of their major areas of concern and did so in style. These types of deals, however, come at a steep price and July 31st, 2007 was no exception.

Atlanta has long benefited from the depth of its' farm system and it was, in fact, heavily taxed in order to complete the necessary trades to compete this year and in the next. Critics will say that the Braves mortgaged their future for a chance to win a championship now, but that serves only to illustrate a common misconception that is rooted in a foolish generalization. While it is certainly disconcerting for a franchise like the San Francisco Giants to lack adequate position playing prospects because of the advanced age and declining production of their major league roster, Atlanta currently boasts a bevy of cheap, youthful talent that should sustain the team with little support from its minor league affiliates for some time to come. Starting pitching is of the greatest concern, but it's not so bleak as some might have you believe and it was not jeopardized quite as seriously as others state.

There are those who have intimated that Atlanta will look back on this day after the 2008 season concludes, empty-handed as their recent acquisitions depart via free agency and facing an extended period of mediocrity after a failed playoff run or two, only to regret their short-sighted and incomplete actions of this Tuesday, but I am not one of those people. I, for one, am thrilled by the Braves front office's intentions and results; it wasn't perfect or even as expected, but hope is priceless and we fans have it in abundance now.

In the following series, I will breakdown the Trade Deadline from Atlanta's perspective as follows: Day 1 - The Additions, Day 2 - The Cost, Day 3 - The Rumors and Day 4 - The Outlook. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoyed this brief primer and follow along as I complete this feature and beyond. Be sure to chime in with the a comment if you can. Oh, and one last thing: go Braves!