Here we are.
Just one week until the Atlanta Braves open the season against the Chicago Cubs at Turner Field.
Most of the roster has already shaken itself out.
You're looking at an outfield of Cabrera/Diaz, McLouth, and Heyward, and an infield that boasts Jones, Escobar, Prado, and Glaus with Brian McCann behind the dish.
The rotation has been set since Vazquez was dealt, with Jurrjens, Hudson, Hanson, Lowe, and Kawakami leading the charge.
Out in the 'pen, only two spots remain (Jesse Chavez and Jonny Venters/Jo-Jo Reyes look like the favorites here), with Billy Wagner, Takashi Saito, Peter Moylan, Eric O'Flaherty, and Kris Medlen sitting pretty with their spots.
And the bench, which ranks right up there with the best in the National League, is sitting pretty with Infante, Hinske, Ross, and Diaz/Cabrera—and...well...the only hole left from a "batting" perspective.
Now, I know that I've mentioned this setup in the past.
But, I feel it's necessary to deeply evaluate the final bench spot (backup backup middle infielder), which has Joe Thurston and Brooks Conrad vying for positions with the big club.
First, let's look at the specs of these two athletes.
Both Conrad and Thurston are 30-year-old, 5'11" Californians with limited big league experience before 2009 (Conrad had six games to Thurston's 59).
Each of these guys also saw fair amounts of success when they did play in 2009.
In 124 games, Thurston had a .315 OBP and a .330 SLG with one homer, four triples, and 17 two-baggers in 267 ABs with a -0.4 UZR (for the record, this is the only time you'll ever see me use this—for players I haven't seen too much of).
Additionally, this left-handed former Red Sox, Dodger, and Phillie swiped four bags while also collecting 33 walks to 56 Ks.
Conrad, though he only saw time in 30 games while splitting duties at a variety of positions with Greg Norton (as in pinch-hitting), Omar Infante, and Kelly Johnson, managed two homers, two triples, one double, and too many clutch hits to count batting from both sides of the plate.
Brooksy also saw a -1.3 UZR and drew only three walks to 14 strikeouts (but, remember, he was pinch-hitting at the end of the season).
He was good for a .259 OBP and .404 SLG.
Basically, either of these guys could fill the spot that they're jockeying for.
Conrad is likely to bring a more aggressive approach to the plate—meaning more power and a few more Ks.
Thurston is (depending on your source) a little slicker in the field and has been, historically, able to take his walks.
So, how do you decide who your man is?
Their spring stats were nearly identical about two weeks ago and very little has changed since.
As it stands right now, Thurston is hitting .293 to Conrad's .250 while Brooks has the advantage in the XBH (five to two), SLG (.455-.439) and OBP categories (.352-.310).
Conrad also has more than a million times more stolen bases than Thurston (okay, so one is only one more than zero, but that statement was, technically, true).
Overall, the stats and roster lean a little more towards Conrad (my opinion has not changed).
He is on the 40-man roster (which means that no one would have to be replaced) and is a switch-hitter...the Braves already have Eric Hinske as their left-handed pop.
But, that doesn't mean that you should forget about Joe's name when the season begins.
He will probably be the first man called up if and when one of Chipper or Glaus lands on the 15-day DL (hey, it is likely) to either man the bench while the "primary" bench guys do their job or play third and second with some positional juggling (i.e. Prado to first, Thurston to 2B).
No matter how this decision falls, it is very nice for the Braves to be flip-flopping over one spot on the "player" (not pitcher) half of the roster with the quality depth they have (Infante, Ross, and Hinske could start on a lot of teams).
Now for some music that I like for the week before Opening Day...
Look out for the bullpen battle in my next...probably in the next two or three days.
Also, be sure to check out Carolina Co-Op ...
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