This wasn't the time of year for the Braves to find themselves dealing with the fact that they weren't going to be getting the middle-of-the-lineup production that they had projected to receive from Chipper Jones and Troy Glaus.
But when general manager Frank Wren managed to acquire veteran first baseman Derrek Lee from the Cubs on Wednesday, he produced another reason to wonder if good fortune is destined to continue surrounding his club before manager Bobby Cox retires at the end of this season.
Less than a week after learning that Jones had suffered a season-ending left knee injury, Wren restrengthened the middle of his lineup with the acquisition of Lee, who should provided the Braves the consistency that they've lacked while Glaus has battled sore knees and ankles over the past two months.
"With the loss of Chipper, we felt we really need to improve the middle of our lineup," Wren said. "Derrek Lee was the best guy out there that was available."