The Braves are unlikely to do much free agent shopping, but improvements at left field and shortstop are possible.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Chipper Jones, 3B: $13MM through 2012, unless 2013 option vests
- Dan Uggla, 2B: $52MM through 2015
- Tim Hudson, SP: $10MM through 2012
- Brian McCann, C: $12MM through 2012
- Matt Diaz, RF/LF: $2MM through 2012
- David Ross, C: $1.625MM through 2012
- Eric Hinske, LF/RF/1B: $1.5MM through 2012
- $10MM owed to Derek Lowe
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)
- Michael Bourn, CF: $7.3MM
- Jair Jurrjens, SP: $5.1MM
- Martin Prado, LF: $4.4MM
- Eric O'Flaherty, RP: $2.6MM
- Peter Moylan, RP: $2MM (non-tender candidate)
Free Agents
- Scott Linebrink (unranked RP), Alex Gonzalez (Type B SS), George Sherrill (unranked RP), Nate McLouth (unranked CF/LF)
The 2011 Braves collapsed in epic fashion down the stretch, yet most of the pieces are in place for a competitive 2012 club. That's fortunate, because GM Frank Wren has limited financial flexibility.
Assuming Moylan is non-tendered, the Braves will have about $84MM in commitments before accounting for minimum salary players. That's $7MM less than the 2011 payroll of $91MM. The Braves were closer to $100MM in 2008-09, but with a 5% drop in attendance this year raising payroll could be difficult. Clearing $5MM of Lowe's salary yesterday was a win for the Braves, who did not envision him in next year's rotation. Wren told reporters in October that Prado is likely back in left field next year, but otherwise I can see him traded or non-tendered.
Trading Jurrjens could serve the dual purpose of shedding $5MM and bringing back a bat, but Wren said this month: "We have a lot of pitching but I think it’s not something that we’re looking to trade from." His statement could be interpreted in various ways, so we can't rule out a Jurrjens deal if the right offer comes along. The Braves have more depth than most teams with their "Big Four" of young starters: Julio Teheran, Randall Delgado, Mike Minor, and Arodys Vizcaino. With Lowe gone, Hudson will be the lone 2012 starter who exceeded 152 MLB innings in 2011. But if the Braves feel Brandon Beachy, Tommy Hanson, and perhaps Minor can handle full workloads, Jurrjens may be expendable.
I think teams will be wary of surrendering a lot for Jurrjens. SIERA suggests he's a 4.40 type pitcher, despite his career ERA of 3.40. His strikeout rate dropped to 5.3 per nine this year, and he's missed significant time the last couple years due to knee, oblique, and hamstring injuries. Any big league hitter the Braves get back would probably come with similar question marks or red flags.
I'm unconvinced the Braves won't look into left field upgrades, though a reasonable free agent target like Josh Willingham could prove a wash with Prado. Still, bringing in a left fielder would allow Prado to back up Jones at third base. The Braves will need an answer at shortstop, with prospect Tyler Pastornicky the favorite at the moment. The Braves showed with Freddie Freeman they're not afraid to pencil a rookie into a starting job, but Wren should probably bring back Alex Gonzalez or a comparable veteran as an insurance policy. Since Gonzalez is a Type B free agent, an arbitration offer makes sense.
The Braves' rotation averaged only 5.91 innings per start, 11th in the NL and worst among contenders. They were saved by the league's best bullpen, but Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbrel, O'Flaherty, and Cristhian Martinez probably can't provide 316 innings again. Free agents Linebrink and Sherrill didn't shoulder that kind of a workload, but the Braves should probably sign at least one veteran reliever to take some of the load. Overall it looks like another winter of limited free agent shopping, after the Braves spent only about $5MM on that market last offseason.
For the most part, the Braves' improvements will come from within, as better overall seasons from Uggla, Prado, Jason Heyward, and Bourn are entirely feasible. More innings from the rotation will be another key to success.
Pete 12
If any NL team signs Josh Willingham as an OF, they better know that his ceiling is about 2 WAR because his defense stinks so bad. He will hit decently well, but he’s basically a DH at this point.
sain33
I think Willingham would be a great fit in ATL. Yes he is not a Gold Glove Outfielder. But he will get the job done. In 830 innings that he played in the outfield this past season he only had 2 errors. That is not bad especially when you think he played in the spacious Oakland Coliseum. He would get help in ATL with Bourn in centerfield as well. Willingham is also from Alabama and I bet he would love to get closer to his hometown. Finally don’t forget that he played for Fredi when they were with the Marlins.
MLB_in_the_Know
You can’t make an error on a ball you can’t get to…
angryredmenace
And someone brings rational observation into the discussion.
inkstainedscribe
Moylan’s a fun dude, but I see him being let go, too. Given the limited range of the IF, it’s better to go with strikeout pitchers in the pen (and the rotation, for that matter — hence, the Lowe deal). I’d like to see a bigger bat on the roster for LF — Willingham? Cuddyer? — letting Prado move between LF, 3B, and 1B — and perhaps re-signing Gonzalez or Wilson on a one-year deal. But yes, the pieces are largely in place.
Daniel Gould
I hope they go out and trade for Matt Kemp or Carlos Quentin. Then move Prado to a utility role where he has shined the best in my opinion. That would really make out line-up complete.
inkstainedscribe
Matt Kemp and Carlos Quentin aren’t exactly comparable players. They are Major League outfielders, but the similarity ends there.
vtadave
Right…just send Hanson, Teheran, and Freeman on over for Kemp.
Matt Talbert
Ha ha. I’d give up that kind of package for Longoria, Zobrist + Jennings. Its just craziness.
rundmc1981
I guess Kemp is the target of the Idiot’s Guide to Fantasy Trading. Braun seemed to be the winner in 2010 when many Braves fans seem to forget an extension signing from The Hebrew Hammer and not accept that as Milwaukee actually wanting him.
rundmc1981
I guess you didn’t read the article. Cliff’s Notes version: “limited financial flexibility” blah blah blah “Jurrjens could be traded” blah blah blah “probably wouldn’t get much for him”.
Matt Talbert
Jurrjens and prospects for either Kemp or Quentin woudl make me happy
Triple Hawpes Brewed
Sizemore to LF,
Aviles to SS,
Prado to UTIL/traded.
Done.
atlbravosfan11
it was such a waste to bring back diaz
bravo84
Agree completely. That 2M should have been spent on that veteran righty reliever we need. If you moved Prado to the Utility role he gives you a RH bat too. Now we have spots on our bench locked down with bat only players (Hinske and Diaz). Really can’t move Prado to a bench role now, that spot has to go to somebody who can play short since we still have to have someone to play center. Basicaly we’ll have three backup outfielders now.
ChiefTomahawk
Your both completely right! As much as I love Matty D, it was a bad move since we really needed a RP.
NYBravosFan10
I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if we send out the exact same lineup out there that we did last season after the Bourn trade. I’m good with Gonzo coming back on a 1-year deal and an option in case Pastornicky has a rough year in AAA and isn’t ready.
ryan cothran
Jurrjens for Lowrie (add 2 million)
Sign DeRosa to “rebound” 1 yr. contract (1 yr/2million+1 mil in incentives)
Sign JD Drew to 1yr/6million +incentives
Rotation: Hudson, Hanson, Beachy, Minor, Teheran/Delgado
Lineup: Bourn, Drew/Prado, Chipper, Uggla, McCann, Freeman, Heyward, Lowrie
Bench: Ross, Hinske, Diaz, DeRosa, Conrad/Constanza/, Prado/Drew
Bullpen: Venters, Kimbrel, O’Flaherty, Vizcaino, Martinez, Varvaro, whatever LHP you can find…
Pray for health….
Triple Hawpes Brewed
As simply as this can be put, uhm no.
Twinkilling61
Can I be a rival GM of yours? Only Lowrie for Jurrjens and you want to sign J.D. Drew?
ryan cothran
Lowrie is under team control a year longer than Jurrjens (kind of evens out the trade).
Jeff 31
Trade makes perfect sense for both clubs. Both are trading from a position of excess to suit their needs.
NYBravosFan10
I’m still bitter over the Drew trade so I don’t want that guy anywhere near us. It drives me nuts that we traded ADAM F’ING WAINWRIGHT away for one year of him.
Adam
I second the no on this one. If the Braves are going to throw $6 million at an aging OF, I’d rather it go to someone like Johnny Damon instead of JD Drew. Granted Damon is 3-4 years older than Drew, but atleast Damon doesn’t have a history of injuries like Drew does.
Matt Busche
and Damon has a history of not being terrible, which is always a good quality
ryan cothran
Johnny Damon’s career fWAR: 46 (3 more seasons than J.D. Drew)
J.D. Drew’s career fWAR: 47.6
Good point. Sigh…
Matt Busche
good thing they don’t sign guys based on fWAR. Damon the past 4 years has played in 143 games every year and Drew has gone 109/137/139/81. I would consider not being on the field ‘terrible’ as well
Also, way to pick out the one stat that was in Drew’s favor. Damon is a better player.
ryan cothran
how about value? OPS? UZR? OBP? UZR/150? In fact, what is Damon better at? Staying on the field? Educate yourself before speaking please…
Matt Busche
I don’t think either of those players are signed for their defense. The fact is if you sign either of them you want them on the field. With Damon you’re getting 140 games with Drew you’re getting somewhere between 80 and 140. Also, I’ve never met anyone cool that ends every comment with …. you’re not the first ….
ryan cothran
no getting through. oh well. despite every evidence known to man, you still dont understand. JD drew has played RF for his career, has better range, and a better arm than Johnny Damon. Personal insults are elementary and is what one says when the arguments lost.
Matt Busche
check out Keith Law’s free agent article. Damon is 27th Drew is 47th
ryan cothran
J.D. Drew had an awful 2011 and he does have an injured past, but here are his plate appearances, his fWAR, and his value over his last 5 years …
’06-594 plate appearances 4.4fWAR value 16.3 million
’07-552 plate appearances 1.9fWAR value 7.6 million
’08-456 plate appearances 4.1fWAR value 18.4 million
’09-539 plate appearances 4.9fWAR value 22.2 million
’10-546 plate appearances 2.4fWAR value 9.6 million
’11-286 plate appearances-0.3fWAR value -1.1 million
Drew, over his career, has produced phenomenal defensive ratings in right field so transitioning to the easier left field will be quite easy. If the Braves can regulate his playing time to 2/3 or 3/4 of the game, J.D could easily be worth 6 million dollars. Say what you want about him, but he’s a really good player.
Adding…I really think the Braves need to scrap the “RH” bat and just look for a player that can hit.
Charles Bostick
why do we need a 3rd lefty in the pen? If we can get one, great…..but Venters, and O’Flaherty are great LHP in the bullpen.
Jeff 31
I’d also add that Medlen could fill a late inning role that was filled by EOF last year- which could ease the stress that EOF/Venters had last year. Kimbrel, what will help him is some runs so there are fewer 3-2 games.
ryan cothran
Because Venters and O’Flaherty aren’t used as LOOGY’s. I really could care less what hand the final guy is but with Fredi Gonzalez, there will have to be another lefty. One guy I left out was Medlen. He’ll obviously be in the pen (probably in place of Varvaro).
atlbravosfan11
i liked varvaro. he has good stuff. i wouldn’t be shocked if he has a place out there next year
rundmc1981
I like the Lowrie deal but true Braves fans won’t allow JD Drew to set foot in the state without being booed. Why? Adam. Wainwright.
Jeff 31
JD Drew was good when he was in Atl, so it wasn’t all bad.
ryan cothran
Forgot Medlen. Replace Varvaro…
Jeff 31
Nah, Medlen replaces Moylan. Last guy in the pen is either Ascenio/Gearrin/Varvaro
atlbravosfan11
haha
Gregory
Medlen can take Linebrink’s job and do it ten times better. That gives you four late inning relievers who can be light’s out. You still have to get more innings from your starters (Fredi, lose the flowchart), so dealing Jurrjens doesn’t make sense. Let the young arms develop.
It’s SS, some bench help and maybe a LOOGY.
MLB_in_the_Know
“Prado is likely back in left field next year, but otherwise I can see him traded or non-tendered.”
Absolutely no way Prado is non-tendered. He was the All Star game starter last year at 2B, I understand that he had a down year and is not an ideal LF, but no way is he non-tendered, he has lots of value, be it with the Braves or as a trade candidate.
Braves1976
I stopped reading when Tim mentioned Prado as a non-tender candidate. But it’s nothing new for me to disagree with Tim’s opinions concerning the Braves.
mgsports
Damon is know a DH.
Ross could be had if they think Simmons is ready.
Red Sox’s would do that Trade if the Braves for in Prado or Diaz to play RF.
Matt Talbert
We can always release Matt Diaz and eat that 2 million I suppose or get some kind of buy out clause in his contract. He can also be demoted if he starts out sucking.
Matt Talbert
Prado will be with the team unless some team comes up to us with an offer we can’t refuse.
Bryan F.
SIERA can suggest all it wants. Jurrjens is a great pitcher…the only question mark is the bad knee.
rundmc1981
You’re kidding, right? And you think his terrible numbers after the AS Break 2011 were from just injuries? That’s ridiculous. “Great pitcher”? The man’s fastball topped out at 89 mph and he’s not a groundball pitcher. The question mark isn’t the bad knee…it’s the whole body including the arm. His knee had nothing to do with him losing 3 MPH on his fastball (and yes, I know he’s not a “strikeout pitcher” but when you can’t have an effective fastball, your offspeed stuff won’t be as effective). I respect what he’s done over the last few years, and he was a great pickup from DET, but we cannot offer him a free agent contract with his agent, which means we only have 1 year left of his services. I ask you, when does this “great pitcher” go on the DL? Plus or minus before June 2012?
bravo84
I’m actually a believer in SIERA, but I’m also observent enough to note that there are exceptions to every one of these advanced statistics . I believe Jurrjens is that exception (no matter what the proprietor of this site thinks). Jurrjens went out and played hurt and tried to help his team and you want to knock him for it, and you’re the same person who would be calling him a wimp if he didn’t try to tuff it out. Flat out and simple when healthy he’s a great pitcher and a legit number two on all but a couple staffs. And he will be fully healthy this year.
rundmc1981
How do you know what I’d be calling him? No, I wouldn’t be saying that because I know we have 5-6 better/cheaper pitchers behind him that can are licking their chops for his spot. Of course he has to play hurt: a) he’s a professional, that’s what it is to be a “pro”, b) he’s arbitration-eligible, meaning: he don’t play, he don’t have much of a case for the big $$$ in a arbitration hearing, c) he’s been on the DL at least 5 times in the last 3 seasons. You said it: “when healthy he’s a great pitcher”…if only he were healthy. You’re saying he’ll be “fully healthy” in 2012? I hope I see that…on someone besides the Braves.
bravo84
To be frank we absolutely have to have one of Hanson and Jurrjens healthy next year to be a serious contender. The young arms are great and I expect great things from them but they aren’t going to go pitch for pitch with the big three in Philly or the front of STL’s rotation, even Milwaukee has a legit front end of the rotation. We absolutley have to have someone to pair with Hudson at the top to get us back into October. I’d much rather risk getting nothing for Jurrjens than trade him for the scrap heap players that will be offered for him.
rundmc1981
I completely agree with you. With Sabathia off the market, CJ Wilson is the best available SP. Early indications are that the Braves aren’t interested in trading JJ based on early trade talks, but that could change. Many teams, like KC/WSH are looking for a front-end starter, and JJ could be that, and arguably, has been that for us. By getting rid of Lowe I think we’re in need of JJ a lot more than we were with Lowe. I do think that once the trade market becomes clearer by starters like Wilson signing, we’ll get a sense of how much the Braves value JJ and how confident they are not only in him, but in the young pitching that would be his replacement. That’s scary to think that we would be relying on Hudson, Hanson and some pitchers that have so little MLB experience.
ryan cothran
The Braves also came out to the media and said they had “little to no interest” in Bourn, then right after the Bourn trade they said “he was the guy we wanted all along”. Later, Wren changes his story again in this article…
businessweek.com/magazine/anatomy-of-a-baseball-tr…
Point being, don’t trust Frank Wren’s word. He’s like Clay from Sons of Anarchy. He’ll sweeten, or sour his words depending on how it helps his club, then pull the rug from under your feet, put 2 bullets in your dome, and wrap your corpse in it.
Guest 6289
I just realized that it might be kind of quiet for ATL from here on out. Given the lack of near-MLB 3B in the system, and the team’s stated preference to avoid free agency, I think they’re planning on keeping Prado around to take over after Chipper. If Uggla was shifted to LF, and Prado was playing 2B, would we still be talking about a need to upgrade the lineup? I doubt it, and either way those bats are in the lineup. I don’t think we should lose sight of the fact that this is a very good team. Since they have very limited funds, it makes sense to hold tight and use the money they can save for an in-season acquisition if needed. I would like to see them bulk up the bench, though. Let Diaz take over for Conrad’s RH pinch-hitting duties (he’s a better overall hitter) and sign a versatile guy like Hairston that can play all over (including SS) and hit a little. That’d make up a bench of Hinske and Diaz (LH and RH pinch hitters), Ross, Hairston, and… who am I forgetting? Anyways, that’s a good bench. Diaz can play OF and we could find someone to back up CF. Plus, we can always shift Prado around. That’d be a nice, versatile team. With Medlen in the picture, I don’t think it’s totally necessary to add a bullpen guy, but I wouldn’t be upset if they did.
tomymogo
Yeah until Joey Terdoslavich or Edward Salcedo who seem like the real deal
ChiefTomahawk
What’s everyone thoughts about Grazy Sizemore?
Guest 6287
seems like a nice guy
mikk402
I wouldn’t mind taking a shot on Grady but you have to do it with the understanding that you will probably not get/need him an entire year. He becomes valuable when Prado has to fill in at 3rd when Chipper is hurt/resting so your not running a AAAA guy out there. Grady probably won’t give you an entire year either, but Prado can spell both and it give the braves significantly more depth to the roster. Problem is that we would have a ton of OFers on the team
bravo84
We have to have someone who can back up CF anyway so it might as well be somebody good. I’d take Sizemore and bring up Constanza when he gets hurt. Atleast we’d have a plus player when he was healthy. I liked the idea of Hairston too. Hinske, Diaz, Prado, Hairston, and Ross is a pretty stinking good bench. Not to mention great versatility with Prado and Hairston.
rundmc1981
Sizemore has a lot of upside, but we really don’t have the $5M+ per year (probably a 2-3 year deal) it’d take to take a chance on him. He’s still under 29 and could be a great chance, but when you factor in his health and that we don’t have an immediate need for a CF, he’d have to be moved to LF. Committing that much to someone who hasn’t been known to be a power, speed threat in the last 3 years is questionable. That chance could make one Executive of the Year for a club, but honestly, it could also be the fuel to any (inane) talk of booting Wren out. I like Sizemore (as do the ladies), but I don’t think he’s the right fit for our needs.
Dave
Jair for Melky Cabrera? With McLouth leaving, the Braves could have a spot for him….
bringbackandruw
no.
Jeff 31
The only way Melky comes back to Atlanta is if Abdullah the Butcher gets to fork him to death and serve him at his restaurant.
He is the most hated former Brave since Dan Kolb.
ugapip-2
You are kidding right! What are you smoking?
Dave
And yes, I know Melky used to be a Brave, and all that stuff. Solves both teams’ needs though.
bringbackandruw
again, no.
rundmc1981
Dubbya, how’s it go? “Fool me once, shame on you…”
William Scott
Later Lowe!!! About two years too late!
CH
By the way, um, non-tendering Prado? You must be from Flushing Queens! Baaaaaa! Met sheep alert!
tomymogo
Why 84 million before league minimun commitments? it’s 80.77 million.
Right now they have 12 players making the league minimun. At 450k which I think is the league minimun it’s about a total of 5.40 million, so really they have committed a total of 86.17 million leaving the Braves around 5 million to sign a SS, and a backup SS.
If this is right, forget about Josh Willingham, Braves might only be able to sign Alex Gonzalez at 3mill/yr
Brewcrew00
The Brewers should trade Corey Hart for one of there young arms and a SS in there aaa farm system. He was wanted by them before and he had a productive year trade him now while he has value.
tomymogo
Jair Jurrjens is available, and a SS that isn’t Simmons or Pastornicky and you’ve got yourself a deal
rundmc1981
How much is MIL going to assume of his remaining $19M left (through 2013)? That’s too much for ATL, unless we unload something, but even then, that’s a great price for someone that’s a great combo of speed, power, and insanity.
Nick Stephan
Potential Trade targets I would like to see on the Braves:
1. Jed Lowrie… starting SS until Simmons is ready. Pastorniky + AA Reliever for Lowrie
2. JJ Hardy… ” “. Pastorniky + _______? for Hardy
3. Alexei Ramirez ” “. Jurrjens + Minor League player for Alexei Ramirez
4. Not Kemp, Not Quientin. Prado will be starting Left field for the Braves, and when Chipper needs a rest than we start Hinske in Left, Prado at 3rd. If there is a major injury then we make a mid-season trade… its as simple as that.
Our Lineup Should look like this… and its a damn good one so stop being so greedy:
CF Bourn
LF Prado
3B Chipper
C Mccann
2B Uggla
1B Freeman
SS Lowrie/Hardy/Ramirez
RF Heyward
Pitcher
rundmc1981
Hardy/Ramirez just signed extensions, they’re not going anywhere. Get that out of your head. Lowrie is the only one that would be remotely available and if we do go after Lowrie we shouldn’t give up Pastornicky or top pitching prospects (which I think BOS would go after considering Lackey’s TJ surgery and bad starting pitching all around).
mikk402
someone really doesn’t like Pastorniky
cheez13
I would love for the Braves to sign a RH stick. Don’t see it happening. They don’t have the financial flexibility. They have several expiring contracts in 2012 and young talent approaching arbitration that should take priority in the next couple of years.
Thye’ll probably offer Gonzalez arbitration to keep him around for one more year. Other than Rollins and Reyes, there isn’t anything better on the open market so keeping him one year on the cheap makes sense. They’ll sign a couple of cheap bullpen arms and thats about it.
Improvements must come from within. Heyward needs to play like ’10, not ’11. Uggla can’t hit .180 in the first half. Prado needs to hit like ’09 and ’10 not ’11. Bourn for a whole year. Freeman can’t have Heyward sophmore slump. Chipper was fine…play 120 games and hit like he did (he should be in the 5 or 6 hole, not 3rd). Play less one run games so the bullpen doesn’t get overworked. A healthly Hanson and starters working deeper into games…not having Lowe should help but the younger pitchers run their pitch count so high that they struggle to pitch past the 5th or 6th inning. Hopefully, that improves with experience.
They should compete for the play-offs. They can’t fill holes with big signings like Phils, Sox and Yanks so lets just deal with what we got and those guys need to step-up!
Kevin Sagui
I can’t believe there isn’t a single person who has mentioned bringing back Andruw Jones to fill the left field void. He’s not the all-world defender he was back in his heydey, but he’s still pretty decent in left, and he can still mash the hell out of LHP. He’s still getting some of that deferred salary from the Dodgers, which is why he hasn’t had a problem taking small contracts the last couple of years, and we know he has an affinity for the Braves (as evidenced by going behind Boras’ back to negotiate the first extension).
Brian
the simple fact about attendence is this.The ball park is located in the middle of the poorest part of the state.The only other attraction there is umm nothing.If the ball park was located anywhere near the new aaa gwinnett stadium it would probably sell out alot more.For one its in the gheeto and no where near any strong baseball community.Where as marieta,south cobb,sandy springs,gwinnett,and north georgia all have strong baseball ties to the building of youth players.I would have to say that the #1 problem though has got to be that Atlanta is the biggest transplant city ever.I would guess that probably only 50% of Atlanta’s population are actually born there.How can you sell out a stadium when no one around was born there.