The Atlanta Braves had four of five eligible players file for free agency yesterday. First baseman Adam LaRoche, outfielder Garret Anderson, pinch hitter Greg Norton, and reliever Mike Gonzalez all filed for free agency, leaving only reliever Rafael Soriano yet to file.
The two relievers, Gonzalez and Soriano, are both type-A free agents, meaning the Braves would receive two first round draft picks (1 and 1S) is they offered either arbitration and they signed elsewhere. Because they are expected to draw interest from several teams, the Braves will likely offer arbitration to both players, though they may only seek to actually try and re-sign Gonzalez, seeing him as the less costly of the two.
LaRoche and Anderson are both type-B free agents, and Atlanta would receive only one first round (supplemental) draft pick as compensation were they to be offered arbitration and sign elsewhere. It depends on how the Braves plan to approach this off-season and the stated goal of adding right-handed power bat as to whether they will offer LaRoche arbitration.
For the record, I'd like to see the Braves offer Gonzo, Soriano, and LaRoche all arbitration. If they did sign elsewhere with teams that had one of the 15-best records in baseball last year then the Braves could find themselves with 3 first round draft picks and 3 supplemental first round picks -- possibly 6 of the first 50 selections in the draft. By having extra picks, the Braves may also be less fearful about going after other type-A free agents and losing their own first round pick.
0 recs | 45 comments
Anybody who votes for Norton should be banned from the site. ;)
I’d like to see Laroche and Gonzalez brought back. Let the Phillies or Cubs overpay Soriano. His injury history makes him too big a risk to be pursued by the Braves. Good riddance to Anderson and Norton.
redwards95 - November 6, 2009
Two votes for Norton and one for GA right now...
I think some people have a sense of humor.
And definitely offer LaRoche arbitration. If he accepts, you get your slugger at 1B for a year and can make a decision next year on whether Freeman is ready for the big time. If he doesn’t, he’s still a free agent and you get the pick. That one is a much easier call than either reliever.
Mr. Sanchez - November 6, 2009
I could start a poll
That said “Is it okay to murder people and rape young children?” that was a yes or no poll, and there would still be at least 12 smarks here that would hit “yes.”
royhobbs - November 6, 2009
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Anyone interested in JJ Putz?
TradeAndruw - November 6, 2009
Before people accuse me of it, I voted for Adam. lol.
justincredubil02 - November 6, 2009
Ops
Thought is said “most likely NOT to see the Braves reatin”
o.O
Trek - November 6, 2009
GREG NORTON NEEDS TO RETIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AlRoBraves95 - November 7, 2009
He will probably go to the Nationals and become a complete Brave killer lol
WeStillHaveBobby - November 7, 2009
Interesting thought.....................
Now that the Kevin Administration (Ex GM of the Padres) has been deteriorated for good, how about we try to go after Adrian Gonzalez??? I would def. throw in Shafer in that deal, let Adam go and save that money for a power bat in the OF. What do you think?
AlRoBraves95 - November 7, 2009
Baseball contracts
are so complicated with all the supplemental draft picks and free agent types. Any recommended primers on this subject? This stuff always makes my head spin.
KoKo the Monkey (T-Bone) - November 6, 2009
Braves will only offer arbitration to two
It seems pretty obvious to me that only two Braves will be offered arbitration. LaRoche will be offered arbitration, it makes no sense not to offer it. With Freeman waiting in the wings, we would love to keep LaRoche on a one-year contract. Thus, if LaRoche accepts arbitration, it works for us. If he declines, obviously it works for us.
We will offer arbitration to one of Gonzalez or Soriano. We won’t offer it to both because we can afford to pay for them both and we can’t leave ourselves out there to that possibility. It would be great if one of them signed before the arbitration deadline elsewhere so we get a freebie arbitration offer, but teams are too smart these days to even think of doing that.
It is barely worth mentioning that we won’t offer arbitration to Anderson or Norton. Anderson will sign somewhere as a free agent for less than he would make in arbitration and he would jump at an arbitration offer, which we don’t want him to accept. The best Norton will get is a minor league contract and a spring training invite somewhere and would instantly accept an arbitration offer which we really don’t want him to accept.
cavebird - November 6, 2009
I feel that we might offer arb to both Sori and Gonzo. If the Braves feel that there is enough of a market for their services that at least one will sign elsewhere, then why not roll the dice. If they accept arb, then you can always try and trade them.
gondeee - November 6, 2009
Really?
I would not be surprised if you are right, but I hope they offer to both Gonzo and Sori.
I think there is relatively little chance either takes a one year deal over their free agent offers, but we do seem paranoid about offering arb. Maybe someone will sign Soriano prior to the arb offer deadline.
parish - November 6, 2009
Does it do any good?
We have to be willing to spend money on the draft.
parish - November 6, 2009
ya lets use one year as an example and ignore our history
Swo12bv - November 6, 2009
I'm curious
Okay, so in 2009, the Atlanta Braves’ salary was $96,726,166 (11th in MLB). So the combined $9.8M are coming off the books with no Gonzo and Soriano. Both are offered arbitration, because Wren is feeling that both will definitely be picked up by someone else, and the Braves will get up to four draft picks from the result. But in a surprise to all, both accept the arbitration, and given annual raises, tenure, statistics, let’s say that now both Gonzo and Soriano are on the Braves for 2010, but on the books for say, $13.5M. Now the Braves payroll is slated at $100.5M.
Do the Braves try and unload one of them, or someone else in order to get the Braves back down to the desired $95M area, or does Liberty Media simply slap Wren on the wrist, say “bad Wren,” but then settle with the $100.5M payroll?
royhobbs - November 6, 2009
I would think...
…that Wren has a mandate for what he is allowed to spend and must hit it. Like when Maddux accepted and we had to give away Millwood, I would imagine that if both accepted we would have to give someone away and everyone would know it, so we wouldn’t get anything back at all, more or less.
cavebird - November 6, 2009
i think the raises are too high… i find it hard to believe SOriano will get that big of a raise
Swo12bv - November 6, 2009
It's an interesting question...
…and I’ll revise my earlier comment—-if we can move Lowe’s whole contract before the arbitration deadline, we possibly could offer it to Gonzo, Soriano and LaRoche. Personally, I am not a big fan of moving Lowe just to move him—-his 2010 could just as easily be his 2008 as his 2009, so he may well be great, but it seems like we are selling low. If we could get more for Kawakami than Lowe due to salary cost, I think we should do that instead—-we just don’t have that many holes to fill and Heyward and Freeman are coming.
cavebird - November 6, 2009
Good points, all.
justincredubil02 - November 6, 2009
Agreed Arb to our two best guys in Gonzo and Roachy
I would definately offer arb to LaRoche and Gonzo b/c Soriano is a gone anyway and with him constantly blowing saves and not knowing which closer is going to show up on any given game I am glad to see him go. LaRoche is a guy that has his best years as far as power and RBI’s in front of him. However it makes sense for the Braves to offer him arb and let Freeman develop another year and see how he does in AAA. LaRoche is key to the 2010 Braves and with Chipper and Bobby still in ATL for 2010 season I see know reason why Adam would not give us a home town discount and stay with the only Franchise that makes him happy and that he enjoys playing for. Now with that said I would like to sign LaRoche to a 2yr deal with a vesting opition for a 3rd but if the only way we can keep him is to offer him arb then hey it is worth it because he is by far the best opition on the free agent market at the first base position. Sorry I know he said how he liked playing with his brother Andy in Pittsburgh but please come on every player wants to win and that is at-least 5-7 years away for the Pirates given they don’t trade away more of their top talent.
LaRoche please stay.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - November 6, 2009
Question
Say we offer arbitration to Soriano and Gonzo and they both accept. Could we not then trade one of them?
drumzalicious - November 6, 2009
Question...
Why are so many against Soriano? He had a dominate 1st half and an injury-plagued 2nd half. Assuming he is healthy, he is a stud reliever imho
Trek - November 6, 2009
I don’t think anyone is against him, per se, but he is going to cost more than Mike will, and I think that, if most of us had to choose between the two, we would take Mike….almost the same situation as Prado/KJ in a way…
justincredubil02 - November 7, 2009
although, now that I look at the poll again, I see that it is split almost perfectly evenly.
justincredubil02 - November 7, 2009
Nobody's against Soriano
Most of us assume that the Braves have no shot to retain him, because of his studliness, he will no doubt command a price-tag that would be a little too out-of-reach for the Braves financial constraints. I can’t speak for everyone, but I don’t think there are a lot of people here that would mind having Soriano on the team for 2010 and beyond.
royhobbs - November 7, 2009
here here!
justincredubil02 - November 7, 2009
IF healthy, yes...
but for some reason I think he misses at least 10 months combined over the next 3 years.
Mr. Sanchez - November 7, 2009
To who ever voted for Norton,
What are you smoking, and where can I get it?
nick9314 - November 7, 2009
If anyone watched the WS, one thing that stood out to me was the fact that the yankees and phillies were a very good balance team. They had good pitching and obviuosly tremendous hitting. Where am I going with this? The Braves have the pitching part but we lack hitting. It’s VERY obvious. Now that the Braves signed more pitching(Hudson) we need to focus on siging Adam Laroche to a 2year deal. Yes, I undertand that there’s a minor leaguer by the name of Freedman who is suppose to be good but I think won’t be ready. Sign Adam, who can hit you about 30 hrs. That leaves 1st base covered. Keep Prado at 2nd base and don;t even think about trading Escobar unless we get Puljous or ARod. Chipper I believe is going to bounce back next year and McCann is going to be McCann.
The Outfiled. We have Nate in CF who I hope he has a tremendous year like he did in Pitt. Now LF and RF are big holes. Jermaine Dye is a free agent and I always said it. Get this guy in here. He hit 27 homeruns and drove in 81.(.250BA) not pretty but he def has the power and we can get for cheap and he’s def an upgrade from Diaz, GA and anyone else in the OF. I can settle with Matt but I rather get another OF in there.
Power+Pitching+defense=Championship
Pitching+dfense=no playoffs
AlRoBraves95 - November 7, 2009
I really believe the Braves need to keep Laroche and if they have to sign him for 2-3 years well, go ahead. They won’t get anyone better for the price and Freeman may or may not be ready in a year. As they say,“a bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush”. Just my opinion, seen too many “hot” prospects who didn’t turn out so hot, just the way it turns out sometimes. If Freeman tears it up in AAA next year they can figure something out. First base isn’t the only position and Chipper may not be playing 3rd in 2012.
not2wired - November 7, 2009
4 Things need to happen to improve this team for 2010 team.
1. Trade Lowe +3-5M for prospects
2. Offer Arb to Laroche,Gonzo
3.Resign Laroche 2/20 with a option for 12’ (KEY)
4. Sign Cameron 2/18-20 or Derosa 2/12 with an option’12’
5. Sign Putz/Wagner if Gonzo walks
Hanson-Ace - November 7, 2009
you have just increased our payroll by somewhere near 15M…
lowe +3.5 = Laroche (essentially)
Cameron would then increase our payroll by 10M
and GOna would cost us no less than 5M… it could be less if we sign DeRosa or Putz/wagner…but it would still be an increase…
you have to keep within the constraints of our budget… or else it worthless rosterbation
Swo12bv - November 7, 2009
Dont like this at all
Id make an agressive bid at Holliday/Bay, resign Laroche, and get one reliever (Gonzo, Soriano, Putz)
SayHeyWerd - November 7, 2009
Question to all.
Say Wren does the following:
Signs Xavier Nady. 2yr contract with option for 3rd thats incentive laden.
Signs Billy Wagner. 1yr contract with mutual option for 2nd year. Also incentive based
Trades Derek Lowe for a B Level prospect.
Non-Tender KJ.
Non-Tender Ryan Church.
Sign Adam LaRoche. 2yr contract with 3rd year club option. 9-10mil per year.
Sign JJ Putz. 1 yr contract with mutual option for 2nd year. Incentive based.
Extend Javy through 2012
Opening Day we look like
Diaz LF
McLouth CF
Nady RF
1B LaRoche
2B Prado
SS Escobar
3B Chipper
C McCann
Rotation:
1. Hudson
2. Javy
3. J.J.
4. Kawakami
5. Hanson
BP
Closer – Wagner
SU – Putz
Moylan
EoF
etc . . .
Would you guys be satisfied? I said Nady because he will be cheap and can give us 25ish HR’s in the cleanup spot and play a good RF. Once Heyward is ready we can move him to LF and have a great defensive OF. Wagner and Putz are basically cost effective guys who we wouldnt have to commit to long term because they would most likely be looking to prove themselves for a bigger contract next offseason. Also Lowe for a B Level Prospect is just doing it as a salary dump.
Thoughts?
drumzalicious - November 7, 2009
who are the 4th of and other bench players?
justincredubil02 - November 7, 2009
Greg White
drumzalicious - November 7, 2009
barf
justincredubil02 - November 7, 2009
lol
he doesnt have to play every day. just the 8th and 9th innings when we are blowing the other team out the water. Also he would be good for some pinch running
drumzalicious - November 7, 2009
Blanco really isn't that great of a fielder
nick9314 - November 8, 2009
So how about Matt Young?...
aka the White Greg White.
Mr. Sanchez - November 8, 2009
Nady maybe done playing productive baseball EVER again much less playing in 2009. Very rare to see someone come back from two elbow injuries. So I highly doubt that the braves would pin there hopes on Nady to be productive and healthy in 10’
Hanson-Ace - November 7, 2009
you can get more for Lowe than tht
Swo12bv - November 8, 2009
Putz etc
why sign a guy with a tender arm who can’t be relied upon with
confidence. Gonzo may have more talent than soriano yet his medical
issues are less risky. soriano needs a decent guy to spell him. ideally that
would be kimbrell if all went well. in the interim a decent guy with closer stuff,
and when you add moylan to the mix it’s not so bad.
LaRoche seems to thrive in ATL. I’d offer him and sorianio arb. and negotiate
a mid-length deal with both. Freddie Freeman is the hoped for first sacker of
the future but is still unknown. If Brad Komminsk had been a stock IPO his
initial price would have shot up. you just never know. Brandon Jones was a lock
until he came up and now battles for a second chance, as a 5th OF.
Dye is an intriguing option for a year as we watch milledge season. Even at
35 Dye would hold LF with Diaz. Old farts recall the competitive fire of Lonnie Smith
and the difference he made in that crucial turnaround year.
sealift67 - November 7, 2009
Because he is cheap
That’s why you sign Putz. If he isn’t cheap, you pass. He is a gamble that makes sense only if the price is right. If we can get LaRoche to sign a reasonable deal for 2 yrs that would be great and we should definitely offer him arbitration because he is Class A and a one year deal is fine with us. Offering Soriano a multi-year contract is dangerous; over the past 5 years he has been hurt almost as much as he has been healthy.
cavebird - November 8, 2009
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