Winter Meetings Wishlist

Written by Jonathan on December 8, 2008 – 1:14 pm

Winter Meetings get under way today in Las Vegas and here’s hoping that the Braves can pull together a few more deals to get the club heading in the right direction for 2009.  It looks like Wren will be using the week to try and fill the two main needs that he has for the Braves in the offseason:

An Ace:
The Braves have had a primary objective this offseason of solidifying the rotation and I don’t think that has been any secret.  Earlier in the offseason, the hype completely surrounded Wren’s offer to acquire Jake Peavy. But after being drawn out for weeks and finally seeing the offer rescinded, the Braves were back at square one trying to fill the front end of the rotation.  Who knows?  Maybe there’s still some veiled hope out there that we manage to acquire him, but I’m not counting on that at all.

Since then, the focus has shifted to AJ Burnett, with Wren laying out a 4-year offer to him late last week.  Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker, is in the position to be one of the most popular people at Winter Meetings this week.  As one of the top pitchers on the free-agent market this offseason (aside from CC Sabathia), Burnett has potential interest from the incumbent Blue Jays, Yankees, Orioles and Phillies.  I think the biggest sticking point with the Braves’ offer right now is still the fifth-year option.  Braunecker has repeatedly said that Burnett will “definitely have the opportunity to accept a guaranteed five-year contract”.  He however has also indicated that Atlanta has become an even more attractive option after last week’s signing of Javier Vazquez.

Aside from chasing Burnett, there has been little word of Wren’s other interests in trying to track down an ace of the staff.  Let’s just hope we’re not putting too much hope on one target and that something good comes out of it this week.

A Power-Hitting Outfielder:
Wren has indicated that he is not too interested in the hard-hitting outfielders that are available on the free agent market this offseason.  It just doesn’t seem that the talent or fit needed for the Braves is available, but he’s always keeping an eye out for someone that can bolster the power numbers at the plate next season.  Wren’s focus this week will revolve around finding pitching and he has placed no real deadline for adding power to the outfield.

With such little interest in the free agent market, I’d look for Wren to make a move with a trade to try and fill this role, but I wouldn’t expect that happening until later this offseason, into the first few months of 2009.  Who would you like to see come to Atlanta to fill this role?

So there’s the general update on what we’re looking for Wren to try to track down during Winter Meetings this year.  Look for the big focus to be on pitching, but we’ve been surprised in the past by some moves that we had previously heard little about.  We’ll keep updating as we hear more out of Las Vegas. What’s on your Winter Meetings wishlist for this year?


Tags: , , ,
Posted in General, Speculation | 7 Comments »

The Braves Should Sign Barry Bonds

Written by Colin on June 27, 2008 – 11:22 pm

Humor me.  For about five to seven minutes put aside all loyalty to Hammerin’ Hank (without a doubt a very classy individual) and hear me out.  The Braves should consider signing Barry Bonds for the remainder of the season.

The Braves are looking for power in the outfield – which makes sense given that Francoeur is struggling, Kotsay is still on rehab, and we’ve seen to much of Greg Norton playing left field for my taste.  The Braves need a boost in the lineup from another player – but at what cost would we trade for Jason Bay or Randy Winn?  We’d not only pay a few million but get rid of young talent.  So let’s set aside our dislike for the guy and talk business.  No bias.  Look at the numbers.  Think about the possibilities and results.

Pros:

  • Think of having Chipper/Tex/Bonds in the middle of the lineup.
  • $200,000 price tag for the rest of the year.  That’s the same thing we’ll pay Brent Lillibridge to be on the team.
  • No prospects have to be traded away.
  • We could probably expect 15-20 HRs, and Chipper and Tex would have a chance to make a killing.
  • Without a doubt the most offensive bang for the buck out there.  Bonds would justify keeping Teixeira and making a legitimate run at the World Series this year.

Cons

  • It’s Barry Bonds – there’s not much love for the man
  • This is Aaron city.  Atlanta is his town.
  • He has a reputation for being standoffish and not helping the chemistry of the team he plays with.
  • Barry has legal issues hanging over his head – currently having to do with allegedly lying to a grand jury about his alleged steroid use.

What do you think?  Would fans open their arms and accept Barry as a hired bat, an NL DH, if you will for the rest of the season?  Could he put himself aside and accept the fact that he wouldn’t be treated like a star, just another member of the team?  Would the team be able to have Barry on their side?  Would the Braves management even consider this?

If Barry came in to play for the Braves, it’d be a shot in the arm (pun intended) for the offense.  Is it worth it?


Tags: , , , ,
Posted in General, Speculation | 26 Comments »

BravesBlast.com is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Atlanta Braves organization. Views expressed on this site do not reflect the views of the Atlanta Braves organization.