So what now?
It would appear not all that much, but under the surface there is still work to be done. Before we go into all that, lets take a look at what has been done so far.
October 13, 2010 Freddi Gonzalez is named Braves manager to a bit of fanfare that was mostly centered around Bobby Cox's departure. The move wasn't much of a surprise, but still caused a bit of dissent among the factions that thought Joe Torre would be a wiser choice.
October 19, 2010 Melky Cabrera is released, and all of Braves Country lets out a sigh of relief. Hislackadaisical play, puzzling routes in center field , and the fact that he is due an arbitration raise made his departure more than necessary.
Also dropped on this date were Takashi Saito, and J.C. Boscan. Saito pitched very well in Atlanta when healthy, but his contract had a clause requiring him to be released after the season. His age, and injury history made it unlikely that he would be resigned in any case.
Boscan was just released to made space on the 40 man roster and has already been reassigned to Gwinnett.
October 27, 2010 Braves sign Beau Torbert to a minor league contract, he was Baseball America's independent league player of the year. The former Astros farmhand flirted with .400 with the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants of the American Association.
The Braves have had success from indy signings before, former closer Kerry Ligtenberg might be the most memorable example. He had 30 saves in 1997 after being traded for bats, balls and a small amount of cash.
Outfielder Brent Clevlen who saw limited time in Atlanta in 2010 was resigned, he's got a lot of tools but is nearing thirty may be running out of chances to put them all together.
Outfielder Brent Clevlen who saw limited time in Atlanta in 2010 was resigned, he's got a lot of tools but is nearing thirty may be running out of chances to put them all together.
November 2, 2010 The Braves exercise the options of Alex Gonzalez and Omar Infante, both were a team friendly 2.5 million dollars. They also agreed to a one year $750k contact for reliever Scott Proctor, this move is a bit of a head scratcher, but since he spent all of 2010 in the Braves organization maybe they know something we don't.
Options declined on this date were Kyle Farnsworth and Rick Ankiel, neither lived up to expectations after they were acquired from the Royals for Gregor Blanco, Jesse Chavez and minor league left hander Tim Collins. They both had impact performances in the post season despite their struggles down the stretch.
November 3, 2010 Joe Mather is claimed off of waivers. Mather is a versatile player with some power, and has seen time at all three outfield positions and the infield corners. With a good spring training he could find himself in a role similar to the one Matt Diaz has filled the past three years.
November 13, 2010 Kenshin Kawakami is outrighted to AA Mississippi. This cleared space on the 40 man roster and perhaps provides some motivation for Kawakami to return to Japan, a move he seems reluctant to make. It is not believed that any MLB team has any interest in him, though several NPB teams appear to. The Softbank Hawks, Yomiuri Giants, and Nippon Ham Fighters are names that have been mentioned.
November 16, 2010 Dan Uggla is acquired in exchange for Omar Infante and Mike Dunn. This is the big move that Braves fans have been waiting for, a right handed power threat that will solidify the middle of the lineup. Many fans were disappointed to see Infante go, but if Uggla plays like he is capable this is a fantastic deal.
November 19, 2010 Minor League slugger Cody Johnson is sent to the Yankees for cash. Johnson has big power, but even bigger holes in his swing.
Former Tigers AAA closer Jay Sborz to a minor league deal, he could conceivably see time in the pen in 2011.
November 22, 2010 the Braves sign four minor league free agents. Outfielder Jose Constanza a left handed switch hitter who has been called AAA's fastest player, he doesn't drive the ball much but is a good defender and may draw consideration if Nate McLouth stalls again in 2011.
Ed Lucas an infielder and Dartmouth grad who has shown some good on base skills and some speed in the minors.
Shawn Bowman a big slugging third baseman who has shown a lot of power but has had trouble being productive consistently.
The only one of these players to make the MLB so far is utility man Wilkin Castillo a switch hitter who can play anywhere on the diamond. He has seen time at every position except center field and on the mound. He has yet to hit much in AAA but his versatility makes him interesting.
So what is left for Atlanta?
First Eric Hinske, after providing clubhouse leadership and a versatile bat off the bench the Braves would like to have him back. It's been reported that he's in the process of deciding between the Braves and Brewers who have both offered him deals.
If Hinske doesn't return that might mean the non-tender candidate Matt Diaz might. After an injury plagued year Diaz had trouble returning to form, the Braves resign Hinske or another outfielder there might not be room on the roster for the fan favorite.
The nightmare that is arbitration ill be endured this season by six Braves players, including Diaz, Martin Prado, Dan Uggla, Jiar Jurrjens, Eric O'Flaherty, and Peter Moylan. Diaz and Moylan have been mentioned as non-tender candidates, but Moylan has a very good shot of sticking around.
So the apparent needs for this team remain a veteran relief pitcher and players to can backup at shortstop and center field capably.
J.J. Putz and Kerry Wood have been mentioned as fits for the Braves but both could be too expensive, the market for relief pitchers especially right handed ones is very deep this off season so look for them to make a signing before the spring.
Internal options to back up at shortstop are thin, Martin Prado has played a total of 15 innings at short but really shouldn't be considered an option. Diory Hernandez is probably the only player who is capable of filling this spot right out of spring training, Tyler Pastornicky, Myke Jones, Matt Lipka and Edward Salcedo may all be options in the next few years but are probably not going to be ready in 2011.
There are a few guys who could man center field in a pinch but no big name prospects close, Frank Wren has mentioned former opening day center fielder Jordan Schafer and AAA veteran Matt Young as guys who could fill this role internally. Schafer has had a couple of terrible years since we last saw him in Atlanta but still has all the tools that made him a top prospect at one point.
Young is a speedy player who has good on base skills and can play left and center field and second base, the knock against him is his size. He is generously listed at 5 foot 8 and doesn't have much of an arm, think a slightly slower Scott Podsednik.
Constanza as mentioned above could merit consideration, as could Joe Mather if he proves his range is good enough.
Their has been nothing more than speculation as to who the Braves are pursuing, this is often the case with Frank Wren he doesn't seem to like any information to be heard before he announces it. So lets get ready for surprises Braves fans I have a feeling we have at least one more coming before opening day.
November 13, 2010 Kenshin Kawakami is outrighted to AA Mississippi. This cleared space on the 40 man roster and perhaps provides some motivation for Kawakami to return to Japan, a move he seems reluctant to make. It is not believed that any MLB team has any interest in him, though several NPB teams appear to. The Softbank Hawks, Yomiuri Giants, and Nippon Ham Fighters are names that have been mentioned.
November 16, 2010 Dan Uggla is acquired in exchange for Omar Infante and Mike Dunn. This is the big move that Braves fans have been waiting for, a right handed power threat that will solidify the middle of the lineup. Many fans were disappointed to see Infante go, but if Uggla plays like he is capable this is a fantastic deal.
November 19, 2010 Minor League slugger Cody Johnson is sent to the Yankees for cash. Johnson has big power, but even bigger holes in his swing.
Former Tigers AAA closer Jay Sborz to a minor league deal, he could conceivably see time in the pen in 2011.
November 22, 2010 the Braves sign four minor league free agents. Outfielder Jose Constanza a left handed switch hitter who has been called AAA's fastest player, he doesn't drive the ball much but is a good defender and may draw consideration if Nate McLouth stalls again in 2011.
Ed Lucas an infielder and Dartmouth grad who has shown some good on base skills and some speed in the minors.
Shawn Bowman a big slugging third baseman who has shown a lot of power but has had trouble being productive consistently.
The only one of these players to make the MLB so far is utility man Wilkin Castillo a switch hitter who can play anywhere on the diamond. He has seen time at every position except center field and on the mound. He has yet to hit much in AAA but his versatility makes him interesting.
So what is left for Atlanta?
First Eric Hinske, after providing clubhouse leadership and a versatile bat off the bench the Braves would like to have him back. It's been reported that he's in the process of deciding between the Braves and Brewers who have both offered him deals.
If Hinske doesn't return that might mean the non-tender candidate Matt Diaz might. After an injury plagued year Diaz had trouble returning to form, the Braves resign Hinske or another outfielder there might not be room on the roster for the fan favorite.
The nightmare that is arbitration ill be endured this season by six Braves players, including Diaz, Martin Prado, Dan Uggla, Jiar Jurrjens, Eric O'Flaherty, and Peter Moylan. Diaz and Moylan have been mentioned as non-tender candidates, but Moylan has a very good shot of sticking around.
So the apparent needs for this team remain a veteran relief pitcher and players to can backup at shortstop and center field capably.
J.J. Putz and Kerry Wood have been mentioned as fits for the Braves but both could be too expensive, the market for relief pitchers especially right handed ones is very deep this off season so look for them to make a signing before the spring.
Internal options to back up at shortstop are thin, Martin Prado has played a total of 15 innings at short but really shouldn't be considered an option. Diory Hernandez is probably the only player who is capable of filling this spot right out of spring training, Tyler Pastornicky, Myke Jones, Matt Lipka and Edward Salcedo may all be options in the next few years but are probably not going to be ready in 2011.
There are a few guys who could man center field in a pinch but no big name prospects close, Frank Wren has mentioned former opening day center fielder Jordan Schafer and AAA veteran Matt Young as guys who could fill this role internally. Schafer has had a couple of terrible years since we last saw him in Atlanta but still has all the tools that made him a top prospect at one point.
Young is a speedy player who has good on base skills and can play left and center field and second base, the knock against him is his size. He is generously listed at 5 foot 8 and doesn't have much of an arm, think a slightly slower Scott Podsednik.
Constanza as mentioned above could merit consideration, as could Joe Mather if he proves his range is good enough.
Their has been nothing more than speculation as to who the Braves are pursuing, this is often the case with Frank Wren he doesn't seem to like any information to be heard before he announces it. So lets get ready for surprises Braves fans I have a feeling we have at least one more coming before opening day.
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