Where the Atlanta Braves Need to Go Via Free-Agency for 2012

After such an epic collapse in the last month of the season and watching the eventual Wild Card champion St. Louis Cardinals ride that momentum to a World Series championship, what can the Atlanta Braves do this offseason to improve a team that lead the Wild Card race by 8 and a half games with 15 games to play.

After trading away veteran Derek Lowe to the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations ($5 million) and a great looking pitching prospect, left-hander Chris Jones, the Braves still need to address a couple gaping holes in both the offense and defense.

As of right now, there is nothing in the works as free-agency has just gotten officially started, but from my point of view here is my take on who the Braves need to focus on.

With both Alex Gonzalez and Jack Wilson both free agents this offseason, Atlanta is looking for a SS to come in and solidify the middle infield with Dan Uggla. With Alex Gonzalez’s glove the best for the franchise since Rafael Bellard or Walt Weiss, it’s going to take a player of above-average defense and above-average offense to finally give the Atlanta Braves that true top 1-2 hitter in the lineup as well as the ranging glove with minimal errors. No I’m not talking about the current National League Batting Champion, with a .337 BA, Jose Reyes. I am speaking of the former Philidephia Phillies’ shortstop and now free agent Jimmy Rollins. Rollins (33) is still young enough to really help a ball club for at least another 3 years both in the field and at the plate. During the 2011 season, Jimmy Rollins had a line of .268/16/63/87/30 in just 142 games. He’s a 150 games a year player and along with his clubhouse leadership he has to be a priority for the Atlanta Braves this offseason. Projected Contract Offering: 3 yrs, $18 million with 1 yr Player Option $8.5 – $9 million Now with the departure of Derek Lowe and the emergence of our top prospects at Triple-A Gwinett ( Julio Teheran , Arodys Vizcaino and Randall Delgado ) you would think that we wouldn’t need to go after a pitcher. I would say not so fast my friends. Besides for Tim Hudson, you have Tommy Hanson with 2+ yrs of MLB service, and the rest just about 2 years of combined major league service with Beachy, Medlen and Minor. So yes our top prospects did show us what they can do, but for a whole season I don’t think they are completely ready. Soooooo, I feel that another veteran arm is needed to make the starting rotation complete. This isn’t a good free agent class for pitchers, but the one that makes the most sense for the 2012 Atlanta Braves would have to be Roy Oswalt. Yes I said Roy Oswalt. The same one that was comtemplating retirement after experiencing debilitating back pain last season with the Philidelphia Phillies. With a pitching line of 9-10/3.69/93/33/1.34 in just 23 games, why not take a chance on a still top-tier pitcher. With Oswalt, Atlanta accomplishes two objectives for their starting rotation with leadership and experience. Oswalt still has some innings to give to a playoff contending team. Why can’t that team be the Atlanta Braves? Projected Contract Offering: 3 yrs, $12 – $13 million The Braves exercised their option on Eric Hinskie and declined the option on OF Nate McClouth. With those deals we have an outfield of Jason Heyward, Michael Bourn, Eric Hinskie and Matt Diaz (probably asking where is Martin Prado, see below). Now I don’t think that set of outfielders will give us a shot in the arm either which way you put it. So we need another OF player especially since Hinskie is also used to give Freddie Freeman a break at 1B. Look at this free agent class and you will say Michael Cuddyer from the Minnesota Twins, Ryan Ludwick of the San Diego Padres or Josh Willingham of the Oakland Athletics would be great additions. And of course I would say yes you’re right on all accounts. But all 3 will command somewhere in the neighborhood of $9 – $15 million a year, more than the Braves want and need to spend on an outfielder. Now I’m favoring a trade of Jair Jurrgens to Tampa Bay for B.J. Upton but that’s a different story. So who do I have Atlanta focusing on in the free agent market to complete their outfield rotation? I choose Grady Sizemore. Don’t laugh, Grady Sizemore had his team option for 2012 declined by the Cleveland Indians and I don’t see why the Braves can’t have him starting in LF. Yes he is coming off a poor year where he was injured for most of the season, but he is only 29 and right now looking to make every team that passes on him this offseason pay. His athleticism is better than above-average (even with his past microsurgery), his bat was fantastic from 2003-2008. Another athletic outfielder with good plate skills will give us a better outfield than we recently had minus Martin Prado. Projected Contract Offering: 2 yrs, $5.5 – $6 million with 1 yr mutual option for $4 million or 3 yrs, $9 million


Of course there will need to be a few filler players pick up or brought up from the minor leagues. But I think this lineup and starting rotation will produce a deep run in the 2012 MLB playoffs, if not a World Series title. The trade of Jair Jurrgens will definetly affect either the starting rotation, lineup or even both. But with the above free-agent additions to the lineup and starting rotation, these changes will make the 2012 Atlanta Braves look like this.

Michael Bourn (CF) Jimmy Rollins (SS) Martin Prado (3B) Brian McCann (C) Dan Uggla (2B) Freddie Freeman (1B) Jason Heyward (RF) Grady Sizemore (LF)

Bench

Chipper Jones Matt Diaz Eric Hinskie Diory Hernandez David Ross

Starting Rotation

Tim Hudson Tommy Hanson Roy Oswalt Brandon Beachy Mike Minor


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