What are the Braves up to?

The new look Miami Marlins have been the topic of the baseball world so far this offseason and rightfully so. They have made huge splashes signing Heath Bell, Mark Beuherle, and Jose Reyes. The Phillies have been in the news signing closer Jonathan Papelbon and re-signing Jimmy Rollins. The Mets are still in rebuilding mode and the Nationals are up and coming! They will be a team to be reckoned with in the coming years. What about the Atlanta Braves? Where have they been all offseason? Where are the moves? The Braves are doing things smart and right! They have a core nucleus to build around, the strongest farm system. They have made changes that didn't quite make the big headlines. They fired hitting coach Larry Parrish and hired Greg Walker from the White Sox. They traded Derek Lowe and his huge contract to the Indians. Yes, they still pay 10 million this season, but they gained 5 million. As the Braves sit right now, they are a 90-95 win ball club. Without their huge September collapse, they were easily headed to the playoffs. Remember, the Braves had the 4th best record in all of MLB in August. Injuries detoured their season. I think if they stay like they are now, the team will be fine! Next year, the Braves will have $40 million to spend in the offseason! I say save that money, re-sign Michael Bourn or maybe sign Josh Hamilton. There are plenty of outfielders to choose from. Martin Prado can be an all star third baseman. He's not Chipper Jones, but then again, there won't ever be another Chipper Jones either. This will be Chipper's last hurrah this season. If this team stays healthy as they are, they are World Series contenders. They proved it last season and will this year. Don't worry about the Atlanta Braves, they are always in the thick of the pennant, since  1991.

49ers prove what their made of!

The San Francisco 49ers put on a show on Monday Night Football. They held the now 10-4 Steelers to only 3 points! The 49ers got the job done on both sides of the football, showing pure domination! The Steelers offensive line could not stop the 49ers defense. Rookie Aldon Smith set a 49ers team record by getting his 13th sack of the season, he had 2.5 sacks in this game. The 49ers are the only team to not allow a rushing touchdown through its first 14 games of the season! San Francisco proved that they are ready to be back in the national spotlight! The big question of the night though was: Should Ben Roethlisberger have played in this game? He was in a walking boot all week. In my opinion, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin should have sat Big Ben out of this game. They have already clinched a playoff spot. I realize they are playing for a first round bye and home field advantage, but is it worth it to worsen your quarterback's injury by playing him? Big Ben made his team worse tonight by playing injured. If he wanted to help his team, he should have stayed on the sidelines. I would rather have a healthy Roethlisberger in the playoffs than one who is still severely injured. This was a mistake made by Tomlin that may end up costing his team the season in the long run!