Posted by Gordon Berger on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 9:43 am

The Atlanta Braves are on the bubble.  They are either turning the corner and are on the verge of getting back into contention or they are treading water until they will fade.  The team’s showing against the Nationals at home did not help their playoff chances.  However, after shutting out the Marlins last night, the Braves sit six games out of first place, but are nine games back in the wild card race.  Unless the Braves can make a push to win the division, they are unlikely to make the playoffs by leapfrogging over the eight teams ahead of them in the wild card standings.

So, should the Braves buy or sell?  Given the rash of injuries, particularly to the pitching staff, the Braves have been limping through the season.  It would take another starting pitcher and another solid bat to seriously contend (Xavier Nady is one of the rumored possible acquistions).  In recent years, the Braves have not been keen on paying for rental players – those players in their walk year that will be free agents at the end of the season.

At the same time, the Braves have also been reluctant to resign pending free agents who will command hefty salaries.  The one player that fits that description is 1B Mark Teixeira who is currently finishing out the one year, $12.5 million contract he signed over the winter.  Teixeira is likely to command at least $15 million a year on the open market, which the Braves may not be willing to pay.  Rumors abound about trades involving Teixeira.

While it’s a close call, I never like to see a team pack it in before Memorial Day, particularly one that is only 6 games out.  If the Braves can get healthy, they might be able to stay in contention down to the wire.  Further, Teixeira attended Georgia Tech, so he has local popularity.  If the Braves can win the current series against the Marlins and at least split with the Phillies, they might creep a bit closer. 

According to Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, manager Bobby Cox told his club to ignore any trade rumors because the team is still trying to win the NL East.

We will find out soon, as the trade deadline is next week.