Editor’s note: Yahoo! Sports will examine the offseason of every MLB team before spring training begins in mid-February. Our series continues with the Atlanta Braves.

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2012 record: 94-68

Finish: Second place, NL East

2012 final payroll: $97.3 million

Estimated 2013 opening day payroll: $88 million

Yahoo! Sports offseason rank: 6th

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OFFSEASON ACTION

One Upton was plenty. The Atlanta Braves, craving a right-handed bat, athleticism, youth and potential, struck with the first major signing of the offseason by handing B.J. Upton $75 million for five years. The Braves' decision-making is wonderful to behold because it is so blunt, so straightforward, so old-fashioned. They target. They strike. They win.

That's what made the second Upton such a treat: He was a gift not chased but delivered. When the Arizona Diamondbacks started talking deals for Justin Upton, B.J.'s younger brother, the Braves considered themselves a fringe shopper. They had the pieces and motivation, but they weren't intent on this one, not at the cost. So they leaned back, A-OK with their team as it was constituted, and eventually the idea of Justin Upton drifted from their minds.

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His trade to Seattle cemented that – and then Upton rejected it. Suddenly, the Braves wondered: Us? The Texas Rangers weren't willing to offer Cody Buckel, so they were out. The D-backs wanted a veteran to supplement a team that they believe can win now. Martin Prado was not inclined to sign a contract extension at the cost the Braves needed, particularly with a payroll about to explode with arbitration cases. And so it was: Upton and Chris Johnson for Prado and four prospects – shortstop Nick Ahmed, starters Randall Delgado and Zeke Spruill, and third baseman Brandon Drury.

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Atlanta celebrated, as it should've. Between B.J. and Justin – under contract for another three years at $38.5 million – the Braves turned an outfield chasm into a decided strength. Their bats can balance the left-handed thunder of Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann, bringing the run-scoring potential to the Braves not seen since the 2003 team that plated more than 900.

The Braves will miss Prado, sure, as much emotionally as in games. There is no natural leader anymore, not that such a thing will derail the Braves' season as much as players will need to gravitate toward someone who can fill that role, because no matter how frivolous it seems, in ballplayers' minds it matters, and a team is not whole until it has someone to fill Prado and Chipper Jones' places.

Reed Johnson certainly is a veteran who can help. Same goes for Gerald Laird. The Braves trolled for free agents with a purpose. Their other deal, dumping Tommy Hanson and his iffy arm for Jordan Walden, could backfire if Hanson's wing doesn't end up on an operating table. Then again, with a little mechanical tweaking, Walden and his 100-mph could be another dominant piece of baseball's best bullpen.

Story continues