PROS AND CONS

A quick look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Braves' bullpen.

Strengths

1.The gifted Rafael Soriano, a player Seattle has to be kicking itself for trading away for Horacio Ramirez.

2. A wealth of good arms and a variety of weapons — from hard-throwing Soriano and Manny Acosta (below) to side-arming Peter Moylan and left-hander Will Ohman.

3. Waiting not that far in the wings is Mike Gonzalez (below left, with Brian McCann), who converted 24 of 24 save chances with Pittsburgh in 2006. He is expected back from elbow reconstruction surgery in early June.

Weaknesses

1. Braves relievers have only 27 saves' worth of experience among them (Soriano and Ohman with 13 apiece, Moylan 1).

2. Of all the reliever candidates, only Ohman has more than 200 major-league appearances, and only one — Buddy Carlyle — is over the age of 30.

3. Only two relievers in the majors pitched more innings than Moylan last year (90 innings) and nine had as many outings (80). Will it catch up with him?

GOTTA HAND IT TO SORIANO

The Braves have turned over the closer role to Rafael Soriano, a 28-year-old with only 13 major-league saves.

As electric as his pitches are, Soriano left room for a little doubt when he missed more than two weeks of Grapefruit League play in spring training because of some elbow soreness and a bout with the flu.

And in the not-so-distant past (last season), Soriano endured an 18-game slump as a set-up man, allowing six home runs with a 6.75 ERA.

But his talent is undeniable. His .181 opponents' batting average was fifth among NL relievers last year. He has dominant stuff, a closer's panache, and serious desire. Ever since he was traded to Atlanta from Seattle before last season, Soriano has been talking about wanting the closer role.

The Braves have a nice track record of trusting their instincts and making one of their own a closer: Greg McMichael, John Rocker, Kerry Ligtenberg and John Smoltz, to name a few. Those successes were in sharp contrast to closer transplants like Dan Kolb and Bob Wickman.

BY THE NUMBERS

9

Number of saves in 2007 from Rafael Soriano, who will be the Braves' closer this year.

80

Appearance from Peter Moylan last season, most by a Braves pitcher.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

A look at what some others are saying about the Braves' bullpen.

"No matter how hard they try, this always seems to be a troubled spot. It was supposed to be the strongest part of the team last year with Bob Wickman, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano."

— Athlon Sports

"The bullpen was much improved a year ago after John Schuerholz performed a much-needed overhaul on it. Braves relievers finished fourth in the majors with a 3.54 ERA, although more than half their 36 saves belonged to exiled closer Bob Wickman."

— Sporting News

"[Rafael Soriano] showed he was to up the [closer] task last year, saving nine games with a 3.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 72 innings."

— Beckett 2008 Baseball Preview