Loading ...No Griffey….Now What?
Written by Kent on February 20, 2009 – 8:00 amWe’ve finally settled on it, Griffey’s out of the picture. Where do the Braves go from here? Let’s take a look at the 5 possible left field options (that we’re aware of), counting down in order of likelihood:
5 – Xavier Nady: From a performance standpoint, Nady would be the perfect answer to Atlanta’s need for right-handed power. He hit .305 last season with 25 homers and 97 RBI for the Pirates and Yankees. However, his price tag (both in terms of salary, and talent to be surrendered via trade), a contract that expires at season’s end, and his notoriously hard-driving agent (someone named Boras), make Nady the least likely candidate to fill the Braves Left Field job opening.
4 – Nick Swisher: Swisher is a switch-hitting Yankees slugger who the Braves’ believe could nicely address their outfield power deficiency. Before the Griffey rumors began to percolate, Swisher, who is under contract through 2012, appeared to be the Braves top target. However, it was rumored that they wanted the Yanks to assume 2 million dollars of his annual salary (roughly 5.5 million dollars for 2009).
The Yankees are open to Atlanta’s request, but would require “higher quality prospects” in return, which the Braves are reluctant to yield. Given Atlanta’s recently stated commitment to guarding their best young minor league talent, it doesn’t seem likely that the Braves will meet the Yankees’ asking price for Swisher.
3 – Jim Edmonds: The now 38-year-old Edmonds showed Cubs fans last year that he can still club right-handed pitching. His 19 homers and 54 RBI in 292 at-bats against RHP made his humble .250 batting average VS. righties forgivable. On the flipside, he’s a dollar short of worthless against lefties. In 48 at-bats VS. LHP, he hit .146, with 1 homer and 1 RBI. But his ability to slug against right-handed hurlers makes him a viable platoon partner for the right-handed hitting Matt Diaz. He could also serve as a quality back-up Center-fielder.
I think Edmonds makes a fair amount of sense for Atlanta, and he should fit their budget. That said, there hasn’t been so much as a whisper of Edmonds’ name in connection to the Braves, which causes me to think such a marriage is improbable, but that could change at any moment.
2 – Garret Anderson: The longtime Angels outfielder is likely to play baseball without an “A” on his cap for the first time in 15 years. Or is he?Anderson has lost much of his once considerable power, but he is still a solid big league hitter. With the exception of a modest on-base percentage, Anderson’s 2008 numbers compare very favorably to Griffey’s. He hit .293 last season with 15 homers and 84 RBI.
The left-handed hitting Anderson handles lefties well (.290 vs. lefties last season), however, all but one of his homers came at the expense of right-handed pitching, which makes him another excellent (and affordable) candidate to platoon with Matt Diaz in Left. We’ve covered more details earlier in the offseason.
1 – Let the kids play: If the Braves aren’t attracted to the remaining external outfield options, it would seem that they’re prepared to play their current hand, and reassess the outfield situation a couple of months into the season. The most likely existing candidates for the two available outfield jobs are left-hand hitting center-fielders, Josh Anderson, and Jordan Schafer.
Josh Anderson is out of minor league options, which means the Braves will either have to add him to the Major League roster, or trade him. If the Braves do not import another outfielder, Anderson will battle Jordan Schafer for the starting Center Field role this spring. The speedy Gregor Blanco may also compete for the job. If Anderson fails to win the full-time position in center, he will likely share playing time with Matt Diaz in Left Field. In 203 big league at-bats (2007/2008), Anderson has a .315 batting average, a .364 on-base percentage, and 11 steals in 13 tries.
Jordan Schafer was once considered the Braves top position prospect before a 50-game suspension for alleged “HGH” use last year, however, his star has not fallen. The Braves sill think quite well of the talented “5-tool prospect”, and reviews of his early work at the Braves Spring Training facilities have been positive.
Whether the Braves ink a free agent outfielder, such as G. Anderson or Edmonds, or let youth movement have a go, Matt Diaz is likely to see the majority of his playing time against left-handed pitching. Over the past three seasons, Diaz has hit .319, .338, and .327 against lefty hurlers.
So… if Frank Wren were to call and ask your advice, what would you tell him? Trade away? Sign an inexpensive veteran? Or let the kids play?
Tags: Braves 2009 Outfield, Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds, Jordan Schafer, Josh Anderson, Matt Diaz, Nick Swisher, Xavier Nady
Posted in General | 21 Comments »
By josh on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
Excellent read Jonathan. I think we should let it play out a little in spring training before making a major decision. A Nick Swisher acquisition does intrigue me. We all remember how nice it was to have two switch hitters with power in the line up (Jones, Teixeira).
By Colin Ake on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
Frank Wren and Bobby Cox were quoted yesterday in saying that they were going to let the kids play for a while in spring training before deciding whether or not to pursue anybody else. I'm perfectly fine with that strategy – someone needs to grow up and step into the shoes that are waiting for them.
By Jonathan on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
Thanks, but I can't take the credit for writing this one. Kent put this piece together for us yesterday, I was just too tired to remember to change the author while posting it.
By Jonathan on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I'm definitely fine with that strategy as well. We have a lot of young talent and a little competition for spots is always a good thing. I didn't realize Anderson was out of options so that makes me lean a little more towards keeping him around. On top of being a decently solid player, he was a really pleasant guy to be around when we met him at the end of last season.
By Blair on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I don't think there's any need to make a move for a week or two. All those players named in the blog will likely still be available then, as well. If the kids look ready, let them have a go at it. If not, my preference would be Edmonds. He can play CF too, is solid defensively at the corner OF position and still has quite a bit of pop in his bat.
Unless the Yankees back off their demands quite a bit, I would rather not trade anybody at this point.
By dave on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I think things are gonna be just fine. I believe we all have vented, and are now ready to move on with our young outfielders, and see what happens. If we still have a need in 2 to 3 weeks I believe Edmonds, or Alou are good older player options. I do not know much about Anderson, I still believe it is for now and for the futures sake in the Braves best interest to sign a older player cheap, and if necessary give the farm 1 more year to grow. It is going to be OK. I firmly believe we will be in the playoffs. GO BRAVES!!!
By Shaun on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
Somebody asked me a couple weeks ago how I'd feel about Jim Edmonds. I said, "Well, do we get the version that was so bad that the Padres released him or the version that tore it up in Chicago?" I'd say he's a very iffy prospect.
Given the options left, I'd say let the kids play is probably the best choice, and if none of them have a good spring, then we can make an April move. The Yankees will still be overstocked then, given their demands.
By Kent Covington on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
Yeah, I appreciated Mr. Wren saying that right after I had finished writing this!!! lol
By Kent Covington on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
If it were up to me, I think I'd like to see Garrett Anderson in a Bravos uni. Is he the cleanup hitter we want? Of course not. But having an Anderson/Diaz 2-headed monster in left would give the Braves 4 positions from which they could expect:
.275-305 average, 13-20 homers, 65-85 RBI, 25-40 doubles
Put the solid production from those 4 positions with our 3 big run producers (Chipper, McCann, and -HOPEFULLY- Francoeur)… and that's not a bad offense folks. Especially if we then get solid production from CF (Anderson/Schafer).
By Kent Covington on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I would add, though, that I think we can get away with letting the kids play for now, PROVIDED Francoeur rebounds.
Look at that 89-win Padres team from a couple years ago. I don't think their pitching was any better than Atlanta's is now. And if Francoeur bounces back, I think these Braves have at least a bit more offense than that Padres team had.
My point is that even if the Braves ultimately need to swing a deal for a bat mid-season, I think they'll be able to stay right there in the thick of the NL East race long enough to make that happen.
And if they save the 3 million or so they're estimated to have on hand until the middle of the season, they'll be able to accommodate a 6 million dollar player at that point. And they certainly have the trading chips.
By Mike on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
They need to let the kids play. From what I can figure the Braves season is going depend on how well Josh Anderson does in the leadoff spot. That's a position that really hurt the Braves last year and something they really need to get a handle on this season. Other than Josh, I don't see another 'good' canidate for the spot.
By Kent Covington on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
Well there's certainly a decent chance that Schafer could win the CF job. And if he does, he very well may hit leadoff. He has the speed.
If not Anderson or Schafer…. Escobar could again handle the role. Some have pointed out that he didn't hit as well in the leadoff spot last year as he did when hitting second. But I that may be mere coincidence, since he tore it up in the leadoff spot in 2007.
That said, it is very much preferable to have a true leadoff hitter at the top of the lineup. That's certainly the type of hitter Josh Anderson is, if he can keep his OBP in the .360's or better. I love having his speed in the lineup.
By Kent Covington on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
CORRECTION: There's a possibility I missed when I wrote this… That is the slight possibility of Brandon Jones in the outfield. Here's how I see the "Let the kids play" scenario:
I think (not positive) that Gregor Blanco is out of options. so he will have to play out of his mind and convincingly outshine Anderson if he is to remain with the Braves. Assuming Blanco is gone, as I think he will be, the real battle may be between Jordan Schafer and Brandon Jones.
If Schafer wins the CF job, Anderson will likely platoon with Diaz in left, pushing B.Jones back to AAA.
If Schafer doesn't win the CF job, Anderson will assume Center, and B.Jones may platoon with Diaz in Left.
I must admit that I'm not a big Brandon Jones believer, so personally, I'll pulling for Jordan!
By Jonathan on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I know it's a pretty good possibility that he won't be around this season, but I love Gregor and hope he somehow gets onto the roster somehow.
By Brent on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I think the Braves are making the right move here. The absolute last thing I want is to have to trade a prospect to the Yankees for one of their two possibilities and after the whole Griffey ordeal renting an aging vet suddenly doesn't sound very appealing.
I figure with the amount of young talent we have somebody is bound to break through and make a statement.
By Mike on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I thought about Schafer too, but that might be more pressure than the Braves are willing to on him. I do like Escobar anywhere in the lineup – I think he is one of the smartest baserunners and he can come through when needed but just isn't the typical leadoff man. I just think that whoever gets the leadoff job better have a good season. That position is going to determine the season…someone has to be one base for Chip, Mac, or this new power hitting outfielder.
By Kent Covington on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I know nothing about Blanco personally. I'm sure he's a great guy… but I'm not taken with him as a player. My problem with his game is that he's a speedy slap hitter who doesn't really steal bases.
Josh Anderson stole 10 bases in 136 at-bats. Blanco stole 13 in 430 at-bats.
Also, Anderson's slugging % last year was .426 last year, compared to Blanco's .309. Neither have HR power, but Anderson racks up more extra-base hits overall.
So if it comes down to either Anderson or Blanco, I have to side with Anderson. And personally, I'm hoping Schafer wins CF so (assuming we don't sign a LF'er) we don't have to see Jones or Blanco in left.
Again, nothing against those guys personally, but they just don't impress me.
By josh on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
Nice read Kent!!! nice post Jonathan LOL
By Jonathan on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I do what I can, don't want to steal credit for other people's work.
By Jeff on Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
Would the Royals trade David Dejesus? I heard early on in the yeah that the Yankees might deal for him. He is a solid defender, can play multiple out field positions. Two years ago he scored over 100 runs as the Royals lead off man. Also his salary doesnt really break the bank at I think under $3 mill.
By Larry on Feb 21, 2009 | Reply
I wouldn't mind going after Anderson. Him and Diaz together could give us a very formidable left field. They would put up numbers together that would be around what Abreu would have given us. If not Anderson, I say let the kids duke it out and if that doesn't work trade for swish.