According to Braves.com, Braves officials are not shooting down the idea of bringing back Greg Maddux for the second half of the season. While this may make for a good story -- Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz all together again -- it would be a waste of prospects for the Braves and it would leave their pitching rotation in the trash for 2009. Maddux and Glavine are expected to retire at the end of the season, so it would be smart to go out and add someone younger with more upside than Maddux.The Braves offense is pretty good, but if they do not have a solid number three, four, or five pitcher, they will not be able to seriously contend. Mark Teixeira is a free agent at the end of this season and it is possible the Braves could swing him in a deal for a pitcher. I doubt that will happen because the Braves hope to sign him long term, but if he continues to under perform it is a possibility. This offseason, the Braves need to go after a front of the line starter to back up Tim Hudson. Jon Garland would be a good fit, mostly because he is young, healthy, and a switch to the NL should benefit him.
I talked with GM Frank Wren recently, and he has a plan to starts with pitching and defense to get the Braves back into playoff contention.