The Braves Of The Future

Written by Dan on July 8, 2008 – 8:49 am

One of my favorite things to do as a baseball person is to think about what is next for teams. Coming up for the Braves regardless to whether or not they are buyers or sellers at the trading deadline are a ton of free agent departures at the end of the year that will clean out the books. Mike Hampton (15M), Chipper Jones (15M), John Smoltz (14M), Mark Teixeira (12.5M), Tom Glavine (8M) and Mark Kotsay (7M) are all either free agents or in their option years. The options belong to Chipper Jones and John Smoltz and each give the players less money in 2009 than what they currently earn (Jones – 8M to 11M; Smoltz – 12M). Glavine, Kotsay and Hampton are unlikely to return, all of which will clear around 36 million for all intensive purposes. With this money, I expect the Braves to be one of the most entertaining clubs to watch this winter.

First, there has been a lot of talk as to whether or not Mark Teixeira will be returning to the Braves in 2009. Assuming that he makes it to August, with the extra money that would be freed up, the Braves will absolutely be able to make a competitive offer on Teixeira. I’d guess Teixeira will command 15-18 million dollars over 4 or 5 seasons. Roughly, around 30 million dollars will be available after that contact and as much as 60 could be available if Smoltz and Teixeira will not return. That is a lot of money to piece the team back together with and here are some of the new names to think about:

The needs that the Braves will be looking to address are offensive depth, starting pitching and potentially an arm for the bullpen. I think that the player that every Braves fan should be pulling for is new Brewers lefty, CC Sabathia. While I worry about how ell an overweight pitcher can hold up for the duration of a long-term contract (ex. – Bartolo Colon), I find this to be too perfect of an opportunity. The Braves have long been known for their dominant starting pitching and a 1-2, lefty-righty punch of CC Sabathia and Tim Hudson would quickly become one of the leagues top end of the rotation. From a marketing perspective, bringing in Sabathia, an African American, would be great for the Braves, the city of Atlanta and Major League Baseball. This because Atlanta is very proud of its African American heritage, yet the Braves do not have a player that identifies as African American besides prospect Brandon Jones. In a city with such a great history for African Americans, Sabathia would be a huge addition for the Braves in more ways than one. The rotation would shape up to be Sabathia/Hudson/Jurrjens/Morton/Reyes/Campillo. With the amount of injuries that have befallen the Braves this season, it would be smart to have another pitcher to be versatile. These types of cheap options can be available even through March and the the list of free agents that fit this mold are Paul Byrd, Josh Fogg, Mark Hendrickson, Jason Jennings, Esteban Loaiza, Carl Pavano, Brett Tomko and Kip Wells.

With the deluge of outfield prospects that will be raining into Atlanta over the next few seasons with Gorkys Hernandez, Jordan Schaffer and Brandon Jones on the way, it would be a good move for the Braves to have a veteran outfielder around to ease their growing pains. Earlier this season, Raul Ibanez’s name was thrown around as a trade option. I loved that idea then, and I’d love to see the Braves pick him up in the offseason. Ibanez, 37, is an aging player, but is still very productive. Since 2002, his lowest RBI total was 62 in 2004, a season in which he missed 39 games. He has eclipsed the 100 RBI total three times in his career as well. Having him around will push Matt Diaz into the super sub role once again, where he is best suited. Gregor Blanco and the rookies can share time in center-field. He would be an excellent player to have around to increase the depth and fluid nature of the team.

The additions of Sabathia and Ibanez as well as the signing of Teixeira would put the Braves in excellent position to be favorites in the NL east in 2009. Most important to me is that these are three durable players that can be counted on to be on the roster for most of the season. The direction that Frank Wren takes this offseason could very well define his career as Braves GM.

- Dan


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Posted in Speculation | 12 Comments »


12 Responses to “The Braves Of The Future”

  1. By Michael Ramm on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply

    I agree with most of your points regarding the Free Agents coming up this year. I think that signing Tex has to priority #1. The Braves have not had a dominant presence at 1B since the Big Cat in ’99-’00 [avgs 23 HR, 81 RBI, 127 H, .303 BA, .380 SLG). If we cannot sign Tex, then training Salty for him was a huge waste!

    I do not agree with you on the condition of the OF, though. I think that Frenchy will be the veteran leader that we need out there. I believe that the Diaz injury has been one of the most devastating to the Braves this year. He can be a great LF. I like Blanco for the future after he gets some experience under him. I have not gotten to watch Jones much since I don’t get PeachtreeTV here in Alabama, but he looks impressive and could challenge for the starting CF spot.

    I don’t think that we need to go get anyone for the outfield. We need to focus on getting a 2B and getting a 3B ready. Johnson is not that good, and he has played some really sloppy ball this year. Chipper would be best to stay with the Braves next year then start pondering retirement. I don’t think that the Braves or any other team will offer him anything much past 2-3 years for his next contract.

    Just found your blog, and really like it. Keep up the good work.

    Michael

  2. By Akshay on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply

    Michael, our outfield has largely been the cause of our poor offense. Kelly Johnson at second, McCann and Chipper have been our most consistent threats at the plate. If Johnson ever came up with guys on base, he would put up huge numbers. But when he bats low in the order guys ahead of him strike out or GIDP and when he bats high in the order guys don’t get on base, so you can’t really blame him. In 66 games, KJ has had 64 at-bats (.266 average) with RISP, compare that to Frenchy’s 101 in 74 games (.198 average in those situations).
    Johnson’s only 26 and getting better defensively as the year goes on, the whole team was pretty sloppy defensively early in the season. It’s too early to write him off.

  3. By Akshay on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply

    One more thing, Smoltz’s option won’t be picked up. The scenario for the option to vest was for him to have pitched 200 innings. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the year and I would have to say that it is his call whether or not he gets re-signed.

  4. By Dan on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply

    Here’s what I was thinking when I suggested bringing in Ibanez. If he is willing to take a lesser role and potentially get in the area of 400-450 AB’s, it would be ideal to split him and Matt Diaz. Diaz has shown that he can absolutely mash lefties, but struggles against right-handers. He becomes so much more lethal as a bat off the bench in the late innings versus LH relievers. Ibanez has been a proven veteran slugger and while Francoeur has been good so far, he is 24 and is mired in the worst season of his career. I like the idea of having insurance around and do not trust Diaz to be that type of guy. If you feel that Ibanez may be too pricy or too good, what about Luis Gonzalez? At 41, the guy still can play and is an incredible clubhouse presence. That puts Diaz as the leading man in left, but there still is a viable alternative on the bench.

    Also, thank you for the kind words about my blog!

  5. By Colin on Jul 9, 2008 | Reply

    Michael – we’ve got outfield prospects for sure, but who’s going to be the veteran leader? Francoeur hasn’t shown that he’s capable of playing ball at a big league level this season – obviously we hope that turns around, but he’s still only 4 seasons into his career.

    I hear what you say about a second and third base though – someone’s gotta get ready to take over Chipper’s throne eventually, though that may be five years. I think Johnson will continue to develop as a second baseman. He was initially a shortstop when the Braves drafted him, and he’s playing decent ball – just makes a mental error every now and then that should lessen as he continues to adjust to second base.

  6. By Dan on Jul 10, 2008 | Reply

    Could anything be more delicious than CC Sabathia in a Braves Jersey…let’s plant that seed now.

  7. By Michael Ramm on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I agree with most of your points regarding the Free Agents coming up this year. I think that signing Tex has to priority #1. The Braves have not had a dominant presence at 1B since the Big Cat in '99-'00 [avgs 23 HR, 81 RBI, 127 H, .303 BA, .380 SLG). If we cannot sign Tex, then training Salty for him was a huge waste!

    I do not agree with you on the condition of the OF, though. I think that Frenchy will be the veteran leader that we need out there. I believe that the Diaz injury has been one of the most devastating to the Braves this year. He can be a great LF. I like Blanco for the future after he gets some experience under him. I have not gotten to watch Jones much since I don't get PeachtreeTV here in Alabama, but he looks impressive and could challenge for the starting CF spot.

    I don't think that we need to go get anyone for the outfield. We need to focus on getting a 2B and getting a 3B ready. Johnson is not that good, and he has played some really sloppy ball this year. Chipper would be best to stay with the Braves next year then start pondering retirement. I don't think that the Braves or any other team will offer him anything much past 2-3 years for his next contract.

    Just found your blog, and really like it. Keep up the good work.

    Michael

  8. By Akshay on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Michael, our outfield has largely been the cause of our poor offense. Kelly Johnson at second, McCann and Chipper have been our most consistent threats at the plate. If Johnson ever came up with guys on base, he would put up huge numbers. But when he bats low in the order guys ahead of him strike out or GIDP and when he bats high in the order guys don't get on base, so you can't really blame him. In 66 games, KJ has had 64 at-bats (.266 average) with RISP, compare that to Frenchy's 101 in 74 games (.198 average in those situations).
    Johnson's only 26 and getting better defensively as the year goes on, the whole team was pretty sloppy defensively early in the season. It's too early to write him off.

  9. By Akshay on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    One more thing, Smoltz's option won't be picked up. The scenario for the option to vest was for him to have pitched 200 innings. He'll be a free agent at the end of the year and I would have to say that it is his call whether or not he gets re-signed.

  10. By Dan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Here's what I was thinking when I suggested bringing in Ibanez. If he is willing to take a lesser role and potentially get in the area of 400-450 AB's, it would be ideal to split him and Matt Diaz. Diaz has shown that he can absolutely mash lefties, but struggles against right-handers. He becomes so much more lethal as a bat off the bench in the late innings versus LH relievers. Ibanez has been a proven veteran slugger and while Francoeur has been good so far, he is 24 and is mired in the worst season of his career. I like the idea of having insurance around and do not trust Diaz to be that type of guy. If you feel that Ibanez may be too pricy or too good, what about Luis Gonzalez? At 41, the guy still can play and is an incredible clubhouse presence. That puts Diaz as the leading man in left, but there still is a viable alternative on the bench.

    Also, thank you for the kind words about my blog!

  11. By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Michael – we've got outfield prospects for sure, but who's going to be the veteran leader? Francoeur hasn't shown that he's capable of playing ball at a big league level this season – obviously we hope that turns around, but he's still only 4 seasons into his career.

    I hear what you say about a second and third base though – someone's gotta get ready to take over Chipper's throne eventually, though that may be five years. I think Johnson will continue to develop as a second baseman. He was initially a shortstop when the Braves drafted him, and he's playing decent ball – just makes a mental error every now and then that should lessen as he continues to adjust to second base.

  12. By Dan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Could anything be more delicious than CC Sabathia in a Braves Jersey…let's plant that seed now.

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