After Playoff Hopes Swept Away, Atlanta Braves Should Focus on 2010

The week got off to a great start, with the Braves winning the first two games in Florida. The rest of the week showed that only a miracle would get the Braves into the playoffs in 2009. To be realistic, the Braves would have to go 20-5 over the last four weeks of the season and have the Rockies go 13-12 or worse to even get a one-game playoff. The Braves' offense showed over the past four days that the type of runs necessary to make it to the postseason this year just isn't there. In the bigger picture, that may not be a bad thing. Chipper Jones, as good as he was last year, has not been up to snuff this year. Kelly Johnson went from being a borderline All-Star at second base to a reserve. The offense's inability to produce meant Chipper and Brian McCann couldn't get more days of rest that they're bodies needed, and now it's showing. However, looking forward to next year, there are some interesting decisions to be made, and ones that could put the Braves in ...