NL EAST RIVALS

 Everyone is jumping on phillies bandwagon because the signing of Cliff Lee- it seems to be they are forgetting the offense lost Jason Werth- that is a huge loss for them. He was there #5 hitter and big run producer. There offense was already inconsistant with him so imagine how it will be without him? They have nobody even close of impacting the offense like he did. He murdered Braves pitching last year. Also look at the phillies roster and see they are aging and injury riddled- Utley seems to have  knee and hip problems that could shorten his career- Rollins hasnt been healthy in the last couple seasons. Ibanez is old as dirt and falling off and there rotation is all in there mid to late 30s with the exception of Hamels. The phillies will have a great rotation but besides that to me the Braves match up well with philly. The Braves have more depth in the pitching department, a better overall  lineup- a younger line up  and seem poised to battle Philly hard this year. I think Philly will be good and will make the playoffs but I think they are being overhyped due to the Cliff Lee signing. If the braves stay healthy ( with or without Chipper Jones) I think they will be serious threats to make the playoffs or win the division.  The only 2 areas that concern me for the braves is the  bullpen  ( alot of young relievers) and defense (Uggla and 2nd base, Prado playing new position in left, and how will Freddie Freeman be defensively) I respect Philly to the fullest but I think  its going to be tougher for philly this year more so then last year- barring injuries it should go down to the final week of the season between braves and philly.. I cant wait!! what do yall think??

JASON HEYWARD & INJURIES

Is it just Me or does anyone worry about Jason Heyward being healthy in 2011? I dont think he is  fragile like Chipper Jones I actually think quite the opposite. Any fan who watches the braves on an everyday basis should recognizes Jhey plays the game very intense and hard. He goes all out- diving, crashing into walls, sliding hard into  bases- which in turn creates more of a chance for injury. He injured his wrist last year in May sliding head first into third base and that thumb injury honestly affected him the rest of the season. He had a big encounter with the right field wall in game 3 of the playoffs which clearly dazed him. I just worry for as hard as he plays he will always battle thru nagging injuries. He has got to stay healthy- his numbers last year when he was healthy were off the charts. It was very clear when he wasnt healthy( hitting under .200) The Braves offense cannot afford Heyward to miss long stretches of time due to injury. Im not saying he should quit playing hard but he really needs to be careful. I wish he would quit sliding head first. He needs to cut that out. The Braves coaching staff should pull him aside and remind him about the risk of injury.  I know he has a great natural instinct for the game and they take over once the first pitch is thrown but at the rate hes going hes goin to be Chipper Jones little buddy next to him on the disabled list and we cannot afford that. Jason Heyward we need you healthy. I hope he will be more cautious and careful. I nor any other Braves fans wants to see him injured.. Hes just too valuable to this team.