Loading ...Braves Need Another Bat?
Written by Jonathan on December 27, 2009 – 7:07 pmAs we inch closer to spring training and out of the offseason (pitchers and catchers report in 53 days for anyone that’s counting), it appears that Frank Wren and crew are winding down on moves that they are planning to make. If anything else is going to change, I think the Braves couldn’t be hurt by adding a little more offense. We’ve said it before, but just to reiterate, this team could benefit a lot from added offensive threats.
If the Braves make a move for more offense however, it’s not going to be one of the big name moves that I have seen and heard many Braves fans tossing around over the past couple of weeks. We won’t be seeing Adam Dunn or Adrian Gonzales or Jason Bay coming to Atlanta this offseason. The contracts would be prohibitive and the Braves have already gotten things in the works for an everyday first basemen in Troy Glaus. All bets are off as to what happens should Glaus fail his physical.
The Braves have an estimated $6-7 million left to spend after the completion of the Glaus acqusition, so don’t expect any of those names I just mentioned. Instead, there are a couple of options that would still fit the need the Braves have and that we here at BravesBlast would like to see.
Mark DeRosa would be a big pickup for the Braves in that he could play many positions and fill in any gaps that would come up from injuries and needed rest. He’s the kind of guy that would likely see action most days, just in multiple roles. DeRosa, who played in Atlanta from 1998-2004, is a career .275 hitter and has hit 44 home runs and has 165 RBI across the past two seasons. If anything, the big appeal to DeRosa is his versatility.
Another option for the Braves (that I was explicitly informed by Kent that he would like to see happen) is to acquire Xavier Nady, who was not offered arbitration by the Yankees earlier this month. Nady, in addition to adding depth in the outfield and some more pop in the lineup, provides a backup for Glaus at first base. Hopefully we won’t need him for that reasoning in particular, but it’s good to know the option exists.
What other options exist for the Braves to add another offensive threat? If the Braves make another move this offseason is yet to be seen, but if they do, we’d love to see either DeRosa or Nady making their way to Atlanta.
Tags: 2010 Additions, Mark DeRosa, Offensive Trades, Xavier Nady
Posted in General, Roster Moves | 4 Comments »
By bravesman218 on Dec 28, 2009 | Reply
I think Mark DeRosa would be an absolute perfect fit for us in that he could start in left field, pushing Melky to be a 4th outfielder (unless Melky earns a starting job in ST), and then when somebody needs a break/gets hurt (Troy, Chipper), DeRo can fill in and put Melky into the outfield
By Kent Covington on Dec 28, 2009 | Reply
No one knows exactly what the Braves have left to spend because they won't say. 6-7 mill is probably a pretty good estimate. However, David O'Brien, who covers the Braves daily for the AJC, believes the remaining $$ could be as much as 9 mill or so. If that's the case, that could also put someone like Johnny Damon in play.
Damon is a potential 20/20 guy who would give the Braves another guy with a solid AVG and OBP, and would a more natural fit in the leadoff role than Nate McLouth. That said, Nady or DeRosa are more likely options for two reasons:
1 – They're probably a bit cheaper… and 2 – Damon is bats left-handed, which would be a deterrent for a lineup that will likely already feature 3 left-handed hitters.
By Stew on Jan 1, 2010 | Reply
I don't want has been ballplayers. Glaus played 14 games last year. Damon's got no arm and is too old. Dye's too old and weak defensively. Dero had an injury at the end of the year and he just signed with the Giants. Nady's coming off 2 TJ surgeries. All these players are iffy propositions. All are over the hill. I say bite the bullet and go for Holiday.
By John Wayne on Feb 7, 2010 | Reply
someone commented that Adrian Gonzalez was too expensive. I think his 2010 contract is like 5+ mill and his 2011 is like 9 mill….that is cheap. Yes, in 2012 he will command around 20 mill…but over 5 years that is only 100…and since you got him for 14 in the first 2 ….that is 114 over 7 years or. 15 mill or so …..cheap for a guy that can do what he can…..We can get him for several players…. Jo Jo, Schafer, Meldon, Hernandez, and Freeman. + minor leagers……anything necessary to get him.
All these guys wont start…..except Freeman in 3 years….and he may be productive.
I KNOW ADRIAN will be…. and we will be calling him by his first name soon. LIKE CHIPPER…….who will be gone soon. We need a hero player who can hit with power. He could still be producing when Pujols is gone too. It would cost us 25 mill per year to get Prince Fielder nest year and I like ADRIAN more……..ADRIAN…ADRIAN…!!!