ATLANTA - John Smoltz took his turn on the indoor pitching mound at Turner Field, full of energy and optimism on a cold winter day.
What a change from a year ago.
The guy who was so pessimistic about the Braves winning their 13th consecutive division title is now a full-fledged believer. Even when Smoltz looks around the clubhouse and sees another round of new faces, he believes this might be the team that finally carries Atlanta to that long-denied second World Series championship.
"I like our makeup," Smoltz said. "I think we've given ourselves more of a fighting chance."
Forced to play with a smaller budget, the Braves have become one of baseball's most creative teams. While others are shopping for high-priced free agents, general manager John Schuerholz is rummaging through the discount aisle, patching together his roster with players who have a nick here, a flaw there.
Last year, the Braves took a chance on J.D. Drew, who'd never made it through a season without some sort of injury. He stayed off the disabled list in Atlanta and put up the best numbers of his career.
There were other surprises, as well. Jaret Wright, whose career appeared over because of shoulder problems, bounced back to win 15 games. Johnny Estrada made the All-Star team in his first year as a regular.
The Braves, picked by many to finish third in their division, ran away with another National League East championship. They also came up short again in the playoffs, losing in the first round for the third year in a row.
All those division titles have produced only one World Series title, way back in 1995.
"I want to win another championship," Smoltz said. "I'm proud of what we've done, but we've got a lot of work to do."
Even though Drew, Wright and pitcher Russ Ortiz left for more money elsewhere, the Braves head into spring training at Disney World - pitchers and catchers report Thursday - with a team that seems capable of at least winning another division title.
In this latest incarnation, the Braves returned to their roots, assembling a starting pitching rotation that could be one of the best in baseball if everyone is healthy - or, in Smoltz's case, stays that way.
Closer Dan Kolb was acquired from Milwaukee, allowing Smoltz to move back into the starting rotation after three years in the bullpen. A trade with Oakland brought in former 20-game winner Tim Hudson, without costing the Braves any key players (such as second baseman Marcus Giles, the Athletics' primary target).
The next two starters are John Thomson (14-8 a year ago) and Mike Hampton (13-9).
If Horacio Ramirez comes back from a mysterious injury that sidelined him for most of last season, Atlanta might just have a rotation that rivals those from the early 1990s, which featured Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and Steve Avery.
"We've added some intimidation," Smoltz said. "It's a nice blend: three right-handers, two left handers, a little power, a little sink."
Nothing is guaranteed, of course.
Smoltz has been plagued by elbow problems much of his career, which is the reason he moved to the bullpen in the first place. Hampton is coming off knee surgery. Thomson barely pitched in the playoffs because of a pulled muscle in his side. Ramirez, who started only nine games in 2004, needed surgery for a nerve problem in his rotator cuff.
The pitching staff will need to come through, because the lineup is full of potential holes.
Start in the outfield. For much of the off-season, it seemed as though Andruw Jones might have to play all three positions himself. Finally, the Braves signed a couple of bargain-basement players - Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan.
The Braves also will try to find a backup shortstop, choosing from a weak group that includes Wilson Betemit, Tony Pena and Luis Hernandez.
Whoever winds up on the roster, the Braves are confident they will wind up in a familiar place: first place.
"I feel good about our team," said Bobby Cox, the reigning NL Manager of the Year. "The compass is still pointed in the same direction - for the World Series."
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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