Per MLB beat writer Mark Bowman, the Braves have officially non-tendered outfielder Matt Diaz after five years as an Atlanta Brave. Diaz would likely have gotten a hefty raise and would have been too expensive as primarily a platoon player in the outfield.
The Braves did however offer contracts to Martin Prado, Jair Jurrjens, Eric O'Flaherty, and Peter Moylan.
0 recs | 113 comments
contracts or arb?
JKowalek - December 2, 2010
They all get tendered contracts- if they refuse, it can go to arb.
Most of them should get between 1.5-3 mil.
Broccoman - December 2, 2010
i guess i should have indluged
what i meant was, is there nay chance they tried to lock up JJ or prado for a 3 year deal to prevent the arb process?
JKowalek - December 2, 2010
Has to be ARB.
Braves are more than likely not going to bring him back with Mather, Hinske, Prado all about to spend time in LF this season. Braves seem happy or content rather the Mclouth having a come back year and are still stuck with KK contract so resigning Diaz would have been to much of a burden on the ATL Braves tight pockets this winter.
Diaz was a good player in his time in ATL having a great 2009 season but an injury torn 2010 season in which he was limited with an injuried thumb really hurt his chances on being brought back. Not to mention the fact that neither himself or Melky formerly a Brave thank goodness could land a perminate starting role in the ATL Lineup. What I mean is that neither produced worth much last season and that is the reason that neither are going to be on the ATL Braves next season.
Best of lucky Matty thanks for a good five year run, we will see ya soon in Philly where it is rumored Diaz is likely to land.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - December 2, 2010
This
Blows… I wish they had a spot for him… I’m such a huge fan of his
HansonManCrush - December 2, 2010 via mobile
yeah i agree
I love MattyD
JKowalek - December 2, 2010
It helps though
That i also love me some Hinsk-ggla, so that softens the blow
HansonManCrush - December 2, 2010 via mobile
ummmm
Mather > Diaz
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 2, 2010
Mather can play more positions than Diaz but at the plate, Mather ain’t shit compared to Diaz.
bighop - December 2, 2010
This move is purely financial Mather=$400,000 vs. Diaz $2.5 million. They still need a few pieces and keeping Diaz would have encumbered that.
MWhitexx - December 2, 2010
Matty was the Brave's Charlie hustle!
bravestatoo - December 2, 2010
You mean he bet on baseball?
Tarkus - December 2, 2010
he was a player-manager
Swo12bv - December 2, 2010
Did Matty play himself to inflate his stats?
Tarkus - December 2, 2010
no he just shoved over imposter Spidermen!
bravestatoo - December 2, 2010
tears.
MBL1 - December 2, 2010
It was time, for he didn't really have a spot...
But dangit. I liked him.
Jman781 - December 2, 2010
Good luck to Diaz. Hopefully you go to a good team, and not the Phils.
Broccoman - December 2, 2010
Good luck Matty D!!
Please go to the Rays and not the Phils….to quote Tom Petty “don’t do me like that”
KJDH2154 - December 2, 2010
We love you, Caveman.
Scott Coleman - December 2, 2010
Bummer, but I saw it coming. Thanks for the memories.
HeyMikey - December 2, 2010
Not unexpected but somewhat sad nonetheless. Best of luck to MattyD and hopefully he won’t land in Philly and torment EOF and/or Venters when he plays against us.
LEastCoastBears - December 2, 2010
We’d just bring in a righty…problem solved!
dunnytwogloves - December 2, 2010
I'll miss the guy
such a good attitude and hussle. Gotta respect that. I hope he lands a good job somewhere, preferably in the AL.
Andy Braves Fan - December 2, 2010
In addendum
I think it was KLaw who said that Matt Diaz was a player whose hard work got the most out of his talents. In other words, he wasn’t the most talented player, but his hard work paid off. I don’t think there is any higher compliment than that.
Andy Braves Fan - December 2, 2010
Good luck MattyD
Braves24 - December 2, 2010
Hinske coming back = best news I’ve heard all day.
Diaz not coming back = worst news I’ve heard all day.
I’m sure there’s a good AL team that needs him (preferably one the Braves don’t see in IL in 2011). I will cry if he goes to the Phillies.
TonyAlmeyda - December 2, 2010
MATT DAMON.
Good luck Matt Dam—I mean Diaz. We’ll miss havin’ ya around.
Gamecock'n'Balls - December 2, 2010
That’s creepy.
MBL1 - December 2, 2010
biopic?
TonyAlmeyda - December 2, 2010
I pointed the reslembence out...
before the season started….just sayin
Shoert - December 2, 2010
I don’t see the resemblance at all…unless you say that Matty Diaz looks like Matt Damon about 30 lbs heavier and with a Mexican grandfather…
TBuzz - December 2, 2010
rec'd
saipol - December 2, 2010
well.....
you must not have seen Damon in The Informant!
Shoert - December 3, 2010
Spanish
otisnixon'sparty - December 4, 2010
I'll miss you Matty D!
Just once I was hoping to hear you walk up to bat with your brothers cheesy song playin! Thanks for being so flippin’ awesome!
jdmarine - December 2, 2010
I am suprised...
that Freddy G didn’t protest loudly, as Matty D tore up his pitching staff while he managed there.This is my first rift with Wren. If you couldn’t pay him a few extra mil,then we are really in bad shape with our salary cap. The guy would run through a wall to win,and could really hit.
mikie baseball - December 2, 2010
If Hinske had gone to the Brew Crew, then I gotta believe they would have tried to re-sign him at something close to Hinske bucks. But the handwriting has been on the wall since the Uggla trade: there’s not gonna be very many LF innings available.
carpengui - December 2, 2010
Why would we want Hinske over Diaz?
kbertling353 - December 2, 2010
Because he's better and cheaper.
Why would we want Diaz over Hinske?
Jacob Peterson - December 2, 2010
+1
And more versatile in the field
KJDH2154 - December 2, 2010
What on earth makes you think Hinske is better than Diaz
I like Hinske, but OPS+ for the last 5 years:
Hinkse: 97, 83, 109, 104, 114
Diaz: 114, 124, 50 (only 140 ABs due to injury), 132, 99 (bad thumb injury).
Plus Diaz is an OK outfielder, Hinske is not.
The Goche - December 2, 2010
Pointing out Diaz's injuries doesn't exactly help his case, now does it?
The ability to stay healthy and consistent helps Hinske’s case. He’s had basically the same year for each of the past 6 years (with one minor exception). Diaz, on the other hand, has been woefully inconsistent.
Hinske’s been much better in 2 of the past 3 seasons, even by your own (flawed) statistic. Defensively, Diaz’s OF UZR the past 3 years are -2.6, -4.5, 0.1. Hinske’s are 2.4, 0.3, -3.6. They’re the same player defensively in the OF, at least not based on the numbers. Hinske can also play 1B and, in a pinch, 3B. Diaz cannot.
Both have huge platoon splits, but Hinske’s favors RHPs, who are most pitchers after all.
I don’t see how you could interpret that as being anything worse than even. I think the evidence overall favors Hinske, based on versatility and consistency.
Jacob Peterson - December 2, 2010
Thank you
You just saved me heaps of time I can now put toward my thesis presentation tomorrow. Good on ya.
J-Freak - December 2, 2010
I don't understand not tendering Diaz
We still suck at hitting lefties. I mean, Uggla helps, but it’s not problem solved. Not to mention, Diaz (though he can’t play CF) was better at LF than McLouth was (and I’m not sure I’d call what McLouth does playing CF).
The Goche - December 2, 2010
Look at it this way…
By acquiring Uggla, we can now play Prado in LF all the time instead of Matty Diaz only against Lefties.
TBuzz - December 2, 2010
We'll miss you, Matt!
Be it caveman or hitting fool – noone hustles to first base like Matt.
A+ for attitude!
SwedishBrave - December 2, 2010
Meh.
:-(
sag969 - December 2, 2010
This is a sad move, but really Wren had no choice.
There’s no way Matty was going to be worth the money he’d get in arb, even if the Braves won. He’s a great guy to have around, but he only hits LHPs and can only play LF. Those types of guys are only worth $1-2M, tops. If we could have gotten around the arbitration process here, I’m sure we would have tried.
Still, I salute Matt for 5 mostly good years with the Braves and for making up for his subpar speed by always hustling. Happy hacking in the future, Captain Caveman (just don’t sign with Philly).
Jacob Peterson - December 2, 2010
Null point. Diaz made it very well known he was more than happy to avoid arb, take less money and stick around.
J-Freak - December 2, 2010
Except that
he couldn’t avoid arb. It’s in the collective bargaining agreement. He was a pre-FA player, he couldn’t just declare himself a FA.
Jacob Peterson - December 2, 2010
We should try and offer him $100K per game for the 2 or 3 starts against Santana.
joshmaurer - December 2, 2010
Ha.
Pretty sure we can’t do that, but it would be funny.
Jacob Peterson - December 2, 2010
How is it that every year we read about folks “avoiding arb” by signing a contract with the team before an arb hearing, yet Diaz can’t do so?
J-Freak - December 2, 2010
What I meant was
he couldn’t avoid the overall arbitration process, which requires that players cannot be offered a contract with more than a 20% pay decrease. Sure he could have accepted a deal that avoided an arbitration hearing, but that’s not the same as avoiding the process altogether. The Braves would still have had to offer him more than $2M, which they quite reasonably were unwilling to do. If they could have offered him, say, $1.5M, I’m sure they would have—though I doubt Diaz would have taken it.
Jacob Peterson - December 2, 2010
I call bullshit
He could negotiate any contract he and Wren wanted to negotiate
bighop - December 2, 2010
Pac
good point about the 20%
bighop - December 2, 2010
Good luck Diaz
I hope he does well wherever he goes.
jayjaxon - December 2, 2010
Really? The most notable thing? I must respectfully disagree, I think his systematic obliteration of lefties, especially the guys in our division like Moyer, Happ, Olsen, etc., and his mythical .500/.519/.615/1.134 line against the great Santana, is vastly more notable than him knocking over one Philthie phan.
J-Freak - December 2, 2010
technically now that he is nontendered, we could conceivably offer him a contract…i realize that is unlikely,m but the discussion up a bit mentions avoiding the arbitration process, this is how you avoid the arbitration process… you non tender a guy and now he is FA. every team can sign him, but so can we…and we can offer him1M or 1.5M if we so choose…and if he wants to stay he will
this may be unrealistic as we already have Hinske and Mather so Diaz is a bit excessive. But I still would love to have him around.
Swo12bv - December 2, 2010
My understanding is that
a non-tendered FA cannot be resigned by the nontendering team until May of the following season. So I don’t think that could work.
Jacob Peterson - December 2, 2010
i think you are right, but then why were we all arguing about KJ last year if we couldn’t resign him
Swo12bv - December 2, 2010
That question answers itself
Mr. Sanchez - December 2, 2010
is the answer yes?
Swo12bv - December 2, 2010
No. It's 42.
J-Freak - December 2, 2010
Jackie Robinson??
cthabeerman - December 3, 2010
"why were we all arguing about KJ last year if we couldn’t resign him"
someone is still arguing about KJ, he just doesn’t do it as frequently anymore.
Mr. Sanchez - December 3, 2010
Ha. Right.
I have never once brought him up since the season started.
justincredubil02 - December 3, 2010
But you don't hesitate to respond when someone else mentions him...
or even alludes to him, or any of our current 2B options.
Mr. Sanchez - December 3, 2010
Only when they are being stupid or ignorant.
justincredubil02 - December 3, 2010
I think everybody's overrating Mather.
I’ve seen him play in Memphis, and he’s a good AAA player, but he has yet to show anything at the MLB level. Technically he’s more defensively versatile than Diaz, but that doesn’t automatically make him a better option. His offensive skills are not on par with Matt’s. Granted there’s not much data yet to run on, but his platoon splits lean a bit towards right handers; he has a poor batting line against lefties so far.
J-Freak - December 2, 2010
I think the reason people are excited
is he’s finally healthy.
I’m with you though…we’ll see about Mather.
Scott Coleman - December 2, 2010
even if Mather isn’t any good he is on the 40 man roster and its not smart roster construction to have Diaz, Mather, and Hinske on the roster at the same time…
not only are there payroll constrictions there are roster spot constrictions…whether Mather is good or not isnt relevant…he is on the 40 and thus we don’t have room for Diaz, unfortuantely.
Swo12bv - December 2, 2010
Good thing is we might not have a lefty starter so if the Braves play Diaz he won’t DESTROY US!!! Good luck Matty
PhuckthePhillies - December 2, 2010
Good thing is we might not have a lefty starter so if the Braves play Diaz he won’t DESTROY US!!! Good luck Matty
PhuckthePhillies - December 2, 2010
Good thing is we might not have a lefty starter so if the Braves play Diaz he won’t DESTROY US!!! Good luck Matty
Scott Coleman - December 2, 2010
Good thing is we might not have a lefty starter so if the Braves play Diaz he won’t DESTROY US!!! Good luck Matty
Tarkus - December 2, 2010
^^^^^^^^^^
Wut.
MikeTrain - December 2, 2010
J-Freak - December 2, 2010
Way to ruin the thread, bro.
Scott Coleman - December 2, 2010
:'(
.
MikeTrain - December 2, 2010
Shit
now I need a new sig
GoBravesNY - December 2, 2010
I suggest this:
Good thing is we might not have a lefty starter so if the Braves play Diaz he won’t DESTROY US!!! Good luck Matty
Tarkus - December 2, 2010
Haha.
+1
Ferris_ - December 2, 2010
too bad
Minor is supposed to be our 5th starter.
drumzalicious - December 2, 2010 via mobile
I think the 15-20 ABs that Matty might possibly get against Minor if he gets signed in the NL East is still not worth the extra $$$ to keep him…
TBuzz - December 2, 2010
That sucks. I really like the guy, and wish him the best in whatever adventures await him.
TheLetter2 - December 2, 2010
Diaz to Wren: “Don’t forget about me.”
That makes me so sad.
MBL1 - December 2, 2010 via mobile
The Breakfast Club ending comes to mind.
TonyAlmeyda - December 2, 2010
I hate this.
Insert crying Capt. Caveman image here
musicman - December 2, 2010
As a Nole and a Brave I hate this.
He’s a great, great father/Christian/teammate to boot.
blairblink - December 2, 2010
Dang
Well
HappyBirthday to PeMo and mehawves - December 2, 2010
I still remember the game where Diaz literally took a step back from the plate while the pitcher was in his motion and still hit the ball. For some reason that amazed me.
blitzerlover - December 2, 2010
there is no more exciting person watch to hit than Matt Diaz…if he is on the television i will fidn it…he looks confused 95% of the time , the other 5% he looks bored…and yet he mashes. so exciting
Swo12bv - December 2, 2010
I love how he can look completely lost at the plate for half the at bat and then randomly figure it all out.
blitzerlover - December 2, 2010
he looks lost while he figures it out, it astounds me
Swo12bv - December 2, 2010
sad to see him go but no place for him
Before resigning Hinske we had a bench of
Ross
Diory
Conrad
We still neded a 4th OF and a possible platoon partner with Freeman. That essentially got taken care of with Mather. He can play the OF corners just like Diaz but has the added bonus of being able to play anywhere in the infield but SS which left just a need for someone who could back up CF and Diaz can’t play CF.
Of course you could say get rid of Mather or Conrad but both bring versatility defensively that Diaz does not. Conrad also has the benefit of being a SH which is a great thing coming off the bench.
Sucks but makes the most sense versatility wise and cost.
drumzalicious - December 2, 2010 via mobile
Mather is said to be out of options...
so add him to that bench
Mr. Sanchez - December 3, 2010
Yuck.
I just don’t think we’re going to get much out of him. I could be wrong (and for the team’s sake I hope I am), but his bat has been a limp noodle in the majors so far.
J-Freak - December 3, 2010
Other than 2009...
His numbers in the minors are pretty good at all levels, and I remember Cards fans not being too happy about losing him. Given those tidbits, I’m at least optimistic he can provide some impact as a role player.
-C
cthabeerman - December 3, 2010
I hope he works out, but J-Freak is absolutely right, in the majors his offense has been awful.
bighop - December 3, 2010
Agreed on that point.
Let’s hope he can figure it out.
-C
cthabeerman - December 3, 2010
JJ and not Diaz..........
What a travesty!!!!!!
SAINTSfaninNC - December 2, 2010
???
I hope this wasn’t a serious comment.
drumzalicious - December 2, 2010 via mobile
wow
i just realized how much i’m going to miss him
saipol - December 2, 2010
Bye, Matt
I think we’ll all miss him.
I hope he succeeds wherever he ends up.
TonyAlmeyda - December 2, 2010
:'(
The best part about Matty is shown in this picture. Jersey was always dirty. That’s hustle.
BravesfanTyler - December 2, 2010
DIAZ...
DOUBLES TO RIGHT, AND THE PHILLIES BLOW A GAME FOR THE AGES!!!
Anyone know what I’m talking about. It was a bleak 2007 season, but I will never forget that.
FYFs LOBs - December 2, 2010
I'm not happy to see him go
Matt is probably going to end up with the Phillies or, I’m thinking the Mets. The Mets need a 4th OF and I don’t think Matty’s slumping 2010 season is going to scare them off. I hate to think that he comes back next year with his .305 avg for the Mets or the Phillies.Don’t even want to talk about his hitting against LH pitching. I would rather lose Hinske than Matty D.
jimmontg - December 3, 2010
I get no joy from this...
But it’s probably in the best interests of the team.
I’ll even give him one game of killing the Braves, if he wishes it.
Anyone else have a sorrowful (for the loss of Diaz) yet collective sigh of relief to see Moylan on the list of tendered contracts?? One loss hurts, both would have been unbearable.
Sad to see it had to go this way, even if it’s for the best. Let’s hope no bridges are burned. I hope for his safe return, if we should ever find ourselves in need.
Good luck and Godspeed, Matt Diaz. I’ll never root against you, even when you face the Braves.
-C
cthabeerman - December 3, 2010
I will be rooting against him when he plays against the Braves, as I do every player on the opposing team.
I will miss Matt’s hot streaks, but not his cold streaks, his bad D or his crazy swinging with his eyes shut.
justincredubil02 - December 3, 2010
A sad.
I has one.
sddbaker - December 3, 2010
Matt Diaz no longer with the Braves?
Lennox - December 4, 2010
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