MLB: Key to success for all 30 teams heading into 2015

By Robby Sabo | Mar 29, 2015

Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the 9th inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 11, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood (40) pitches during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves

2014 Finish: 79-83, 2nd in NL East
2015 Key to Success: Lights out pitching

Head scratching, puzzling, infuriating – descriptions of how Atlanta Braves fans felt during the baseball offseason.

Out are guys like Jason Heyward and Justin Upton and in come Nick Markakis and Shelby Miller. It was a complete personnel overhaul in the highest degree.

Atlanta was not an offensive juggernaut last season. Only scoring 573 runs, ranking them second worst in baseball, the Braves relied heavily on their pitching.

So, you’d obviously think newly-minted president John Hart would look to upgrade the offense.

Not a chance.

Instead, they decided to ship off Heyward for former super prospect Shelby Miller, while also sending Justin Upton to San Diego.

Let’s not completely overreact though. Atlanta still has some offensive talent which includes Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons and the aforementioned Markakis. Despite those few names though, the Melvin Upton’s and Zoilo Almonte’s of the world who are currently projected to start could cripple this lineup.

Both the starting staff and bullpen will need to be huge in order for the Braves to compete in 2015.

Next: Washington Nationals

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