The Braves currently sit atop the NL Wild Card race thanks in large part to the impact and versatility of Martin Prado. The 28-year-old is hitting .295/.357/.416 with 30 doubles and 14 steals (in 16 attempts) while playing left field (88 games), third base (18 games), second base (four games), first base (three games), and shortstop (two games). Quite a bargain for $4.75MM.
Last month we heard that the Braves want to sign Prado to a multiyear contract extension because they believe he is their long-term replacement for Chipper Jones at third base. The two sides have yet to start serious negotiations, however. Prado will be arbitration-eligible for the third and final time this offseason and is due to become a free agent following the 2013 campaign.
Given his unique career, it's very tough to pin down Prado's value relative to his peers. The best comparison may be Alex Gordon, who has also spent significant time at third base and in left field. He's a career .268/.348/.437 hitter with 77 homers in over 2,800 plate appearances, and signed a four-year, $37.5MM extension (with a $12.5MM player option for a fifth year) back in Spring Training. He was due to become a free agent after 2013 as well.
Prado is a .294/.344/.431 career hitter with 47 homers in just over 2,600 career plate appearances, so he matches up well with Gordon in the OBP and SLG departments. Gordon had his big breakout season a year ago while Prado has been a bit more consistent, posting a 108 OPS+ four times in the last five seasons. Gordon has done it three times in his five-year career, but he's also been demoted to the minors on a few occasions.
Because he's closer to free agency and has an All-Star Game nomination to his credit, Prado and his representatives at Peter E. Greenberg & Associates should have no problem asking for something north of Gordon's deal. Perhaps four years and $40-45MM makes sense for both parties, especially the team since it's easy to see him eclipsing that guarantee on the open market 15-16 months from now.
The Braves have shown a willingness to sign players to extensions in the middle of the season, most notably with Chipper years ago and David Ross back in 2010. Prado's upcoming arbitration case figures to bump his salary up into the $7-8MM range next year, if not even higher. Given the impending free agency of Michael Bourn, Atlanta may want to act quickly to avoid potentially losing two core offensive pieces in back-to-back winters.
Photo courtesy of US Presswire.
I would love to see Prado locked up, but at the right price. Alex Gordon money is just too high.
Pay this man his money.. i think he will do great at third on a daily basis. Really wanted terdo(hate typing that) to force his way to atlanta and man the hot corner. but thats not looking so good. So pay prado then if terdo breaks out im sure prado will be on the field somewhere. Prado is whatever comes after super utlity. he is a team first kinda guy. Never hear him complaining.
Give the man what he wants. The Braves are blessed to have the most versatile player and most versatile pitcher (Kris Medlen) in baseball.
Pretty reasonable to lock him up now…the Braves absolutely cannot afford to let Prado get to arbitration again, as that will all but ensure that he bolts town after 2013. 4 years at about $39 million (slightly above what Alex Gordon got) should do it. His consistency is what makes him worth more than Gordon.
I agree that its a good idea to extend Prado’s contract. I’m unsure about Michael Bourn extension, though. Is Bourn worth the money, and years? Can the Braves acquire another CF/leadoff?
Andrew McCutchen has an AAV of around $8.5m on his recently inked 6 year deal. Are you suggesting the Braves pay Prado in excess of $10m AAV? Prado, a guy who is good for 10 HR 60 RBI and a .290ish average? Am I reading this correctly?
Either the Pirates got the steal of the century or the Braves are crazy.
Martin Prado basically = Mark DeRosa
As goes with all contract extensions, it’s all relative to players service time and their impending free agency — The closer to free agency, the closer to FA rates. Prado has one more season of team control while McCutchen had 4.
Enjoy paying a utility guy $10m + per season!
To think, a player who is slightly above average will make that much money, but the star of the league in the NHL only makes $8.7m
People wonder what’s wrong with baseball….
Baseball is a sport that generates over 6 billion a year. Hockey doesn’t even break 3 billion. So is it any wonder why the salaries are that different?
And really, Prado isn’t just a “utility guy”.
Don’t confuse versatility and utility.
Perhaps his already solid numbers improve with more consistency at one position.
Mark DeRosa turned into a pretty good hitter in his early 30s when he got some full time run.
Major loss if we lose him
What has the sports world come to? Prado for four years and 40-45MM??? That’s a contract for a power hitting all-star 3B a few years back. Now 10+MM can only get you a .300 hitter with no power… don’t take me wrong, Prado is a fine player, but he should worth about 6-7MM a year.
Have you heard of inflation?