Things To Watch for in 2008: Bobby Cox's Farewell Tour?

Things to watch for in 2008 is, well, FanHouse's attempt to keep track of what's worth keeping your eye on as we roll into the 2008 season, be it good, bad, or ugly.

Death, taxes and Bobby Cox. For the past two decades in Atlanta, you could set your clock by those three things. The grim reaper and the IRS will be around for the foreseeable future but what about Cox? He's hinted at retirement after this year and the situation seems as ripe for a change as its been in ages.

John Schuerholz left this winter, breaking up a GM/manager tandem that had as much success as any in baseball history, and the Braves have missed the playoffs the last two seasons. Andruw Jones left town as a free agent, leaving few stalwarts from the good old days to join Cox this summer. Yet, despite all that, the Braves should be a team worth watching this summer.

They have an enviable mix of players young, old and in their prime, both on the mound and in the lineup. The Mets and Phillies will be good but if a couple of players break out, Jeff Francoeur seems on the cusp, Atlanta has enough talent to hang with them. If that happens, I'll take Cox in the dugout over Charlie Manuel and Willie Randolph. What better way to go out than on top?

If things go the other way, the Braves will have to think seriously about going for a wholesale youth movement. They're stocked with talent in the system but some of it is a good ways away and, at 67, Cox might want to do something else with his golden years. I don't think the organization would ever force him out but once the Smoltz/Glavine/Chipper triumvirate moves on there won't be any link to the glorious past.

That day isn't far off, win or lose in 2008, which is why I think there's a pretty fair chance that it's the last season Cox will spend as the manager of the Braves.