Atlanta Braves 2014 Comeback Player Of The Year

March 3, 2013; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jonny Venters (39) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at ESPN Disney Wide World of Sports complex, Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves had a great 2013, winning 96 ball games and winning the NL East.  And obviously if a couple big names would have preformed to their proven talents, the season could have been more promising.

On November 16, 2010 the Atlanta Braves traded with the (at the time) Florida Marlins for Dan Uggla.  Giving up pitcher Mike Dunn and Omar Infante, the Braves seemed like they won this trade.  Well…yeah.  Uggla made $13 million dollars in 2012, last year, will make that in 2014 and in 2015.  The 33-year-old hit .179/.309/.362 with 22 home runs, 77 walks, 55 RBIs and 60 runs.  The 171 (tied for his career high in 2008) strikeouts and a batting average of under .200 Uggla got understandably a lot of heat.

Mevlin Emanuel Upton, aka B.J. Upton was another disappointment in 2013 for the Braves.  After signing a huge contract in the offseason, everyone was anticipating a good to decent season out of this talented player.  But what we received was a guy who struck out 151 times and had a line of .184/.268/.289 with only nine home runs and 26 RBIs.

Jonny Venters didn’t throw an inning in 2013 after experiencing pain in his elbow during Spring Training.  He eventually underwent his second Tommy John surgery ending his season.

Wipe the slate clean and here is 2014….