LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- On a muggy Friday at the Braves' spring training complex, long-term extension news did not come pouring in. There were no significant injuries reported -- in fact, a few notable players (Tyler Pastornicky, Jonny Venters) are receiving positive reports on the recovery trail. There are still some question marks on the lineup, some uncertainty at the back end of the rotation and plenty of capable relievers.
In short, nothing much changed on Friday. This was a spring training day of the more common variety.
But for one of the most intriguing teams in baseball -- one stocked with up-and-coming talent that has already found success and one making substantial financial moves this offseason -- there's rarely a lack of topics to discuss. Just how good can the offense be if Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton hit their stride, or at least approach league average numbers? The more you look back at the 96-win season, given the injuries and its two highest-paid hitters struggling, just how impressive have Fredi Gonzalez and Frank Wren been over the past three seasons? Could a young arm break its way into the major-league mix?
Slow day or not, Braves Radio Network reporter Kevin McAlpin joins the Chopcast team -- Zach Dillard, Cory McCartney and Jay Clemons -- to talk about the recent news, spring training moments, future moves and more:
