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What National League East team do you think will pose the biggest threat for the Braves this year?
-- Matthew S., Elko, Nev.

This once again appears to be a three-horse race, with the Mets only currently being listed to satisfy those looking to bet a trifecta. Of course, if New York general manager Omar Minaya is able to bring Johan Santana to Queens, prognosticators will have a much tougher time projecting the clear-cut kings of the NL East.

Where do you see Kotsay batting in the lineup in 2008?
-- Matt I., Waverly, Va.

Kotsay has spent a majority of his career hitting in either of the top two spots of the batting order, and this year should be no different. My early guess is that he'll man one of those two spots with Yunel Escobar and that Kelly Johnson will bat seventh or eighth.

Do you see Jordan Schafer coming up to the Majors this year or in 2009?
-- Kenny K., Elyria, Ohio

With Kotsay in the mix, it obviously appears Schafer will be given the chance to gain extended seasoning at the Minor League level in 2008. Of course, with the reality that Kotsay's back could provide lingering problems, there's no reason to completely rule out the possibility that Schafer could be in Atlanta some time this year.

In some ways, it's been unfair to Schafer to already label him the club's center fielder of the future. Put more of that blame on me and some of the other writers. He's never had the chance to play above the Class A level, and now with the opportunity to realize normal growth, we'll have a better understanding of whether we've been correct to place this kind of pressure on a 21-year-old.