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Atlanta Braves: 2009 Offseason Moves So Far
The Atlanta Braves finished the 2009 regular season third in the National League’s Eastern Division with an 86-76 record behind the Phillies and Marlins. For the fourth straight season they failed to win the division or get the wild card. Entering the 2010 season, huge changes are in the team’s future. The imminent retirement of long time skipper Bobby Cox, the waning years of team leader Chipper Jones at third base and the resurgence of the farm system make 2010 a pivotal year for what once was the most consistently good team in Major League Baseball history. That said; let’s take a look at what the Braves did to improve themselves in the hopes of regaining the NL East crown.
The biggest move so far has been the trade of starter Javier Vazquez to the New York Yankees for outfielder Melky Cabrera and a couple of prospects. Vazquez won 15 games last season and loved playing in Atlanta for Cox. He will be missed. The job for the long time skipper is now to ease the psyche of starter Derek Lowe who was the pitcher the Braves wanted to trade this offseason but couldn’t due to the three years and $45 million left on his contract. The Braves also let go outfielder Garret Anderson while underachieving second baseman Kelly Johnson moved on to Arizona. Relievers Rafael Soriano (to Tampa Bay) and Mike Gonzalez (to Baltimore) also said goodbye to the Bravos as well.
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The first additions Atlanta was able to make should fill the bullpen void. They got back young reliever Jesse Chavez (1-4 4.01) in the Soriano deal, signed closer Billy Wagner (1-1 1.72) and set up man Takashi Saito (3-3 2.43) both late of the Boston Red Sox. The Braves lack of pop in the first half of the 2009 season is probably what cost them the division title, having finished only 7 games behind division leading Philadelphia. So, general manager Frank Wren didn’t sit idly by. He got Cabrera to be, at worst, a utility outfielder. Nick Swisher was the man most fans hoped would come back in the trade. It wasn’t to be, however. Cabrera hit .274 with 13 homers and drove in 68 in helping the Yankees win the World Series. He’s not flashy but is useful being able to play all three outfield positions and should get significant playing time for the Braves this summer. Many fans also wanted Atlanta to re-sign first baseman Adam LaRoche who was a power hitting stud in the second half of the season, hitting twelve homers and knocking in forty runs. He came over from Boston at the end of July and nearly led the Braves to a playoff spot. However, the Braves don’t want the position blocked for farmhand Freddie Freeman, who is close to making it up to the big club. So Wren went out and took a calculated gamble by signing 2002 World Series MVP Troy Glaus to play first base. The 33-year-old infielder was injured last season but his last healthy year, 2008 with the Cardinals; he put up 27 homers and 99 RBI. Yes, he’s moving from his normal third base to first, but has been preparing in the offseason to make the move. It’ll be less wear and tear on an injured shoulder that’s been deemed healthy by team doctors. Besides, it is a one-year deal worth $2 million with incentives which is a low risk/high reward proposition for Atlanta. He’s not Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, but if Glaus produces, and hitting fourth between Jones (18HR 71RBI in ‘09) and catcher Brian McCann (21HR 94 RBI) he should, the signing could wind up being the steal of the offseason.
The Braves also signed OF/IF Eric Hinske to play a back-up role and be a pinch hitter. While it isn’t the sexiest acquisition, he should be an upgrade to former role player, Greg Norton. Hinske can man both first and third base as well as both corner outfield spots, giving the Braves a great deal of versatility. Not to mention that he’s a good luck charm. Hinske has appeared in the last three World Series (Red Sox, Rays, Yankees) having won two championship rings.
The Braves may or may not be done making any significant moves before the team reports to Spring Training in February. Only time will tell. Management for sure is counting on new (Wagner, Glaus, Saito) and not-so-new (Jones) vets to bounce back to their old forms. Young and blossoming talent like SS Yunel Escobar, 2B Martin Prado, starting pitchers Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and super prospect OF Andrew Heyward should keep this team on the upswing. The 2010 Atlanta Braves, with some health and production from the new additions, have the chance to not only contend for the NL East division title but possibly the World Series as well.
By Tommy Stewart
Atlanta Braves Correspondent
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