Scott Cunningham - Getty Images
Ski is coming back for 2012.
The Braves twitter feed just announced that the team has picked up the club option for 2012 in Eric Hinske's contract, but the team declined their option on Nate McLouth. That was what most everyone expected to happen. Hinske had an off year, but he is still a guy who could be very valuable off the bench for Atlanta.
Pinch hitting is such a temperamental art form, and players can seem to excel at it one year and stink at it the next. Hinske knows how to be a pinch hitter without letting these extremes affect him too much. He's also a great clubhouse presence, and almost worth retaining just for that.
Nate McLouth was the hitting equivalent of Mike Hampton during his time with the Braves. He likely won't be missed by anyone, especially with Bourn patrolling center next year for Atlanta.
Those are the only decisions on options the team had to worry about. The next big decision will be whether to offer arbitration to Peter Moylan, who is recovering from yet another surgery.
0 recs | 24 comments
Welcome Back SKE!
TBuzz - October 31, 2011
What is the sabermetric definition of "great clubhouse presence"?
Also, how is it measured, weighed, quantified, and otherwise placed under the sabermetric microscope?
And if none of the above, how could it possibly be “worth” anything?
fandave - October 31, 2011
It isn't directly quantifiable...
TBuzz - October 31, 2011
Great Clubhouse Presence...
helps the Braves brand.
TBuzz - October 31, 2011
Half-off at Target this week.
TheLetter2 - October 31, 2011
INDIANS ACQUIRE DEREK LOWE!!!!!
WOW! MLBTR
carpengui - October 31, 2011
(yeah, I know – off topic… capslock key stuck… WHO CARES??)
carpengui - October 31, 2011
Linky?
TBuzz - October 31, 2011
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
vooodooo - October 31, 2011
I kinda figured that links would be making themselves even as I was typing that!
carpengui - October 31, 2011
HELL YEAH...
it deserves caps lock…. extra 5 million to spend!
RWH2 - October 31, 2011
THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!
It sucks that this will overshadow us keeping Ski, but I’m sure he’s happy to see Lowe and McSuck go too.
CaliforniaBrave - October 31, 2011
Did the Indians hire...
…Matt Millen as their new GM?
abudefdef - October 31, 2011
"All these guys are my good friends, and I want to go out there and battle with them," Hinske said. "I don’t want to be with any other team. I want to be with the Atlanta Braves. I want to play with Brian McCann and Chipper Jones and David Ross and Dan Uggla. These guys are my boys."
walknbalk - October 31, 2011
I really fucking have a man crush on Hinske!
TCfromDubVee - October 31, 2011
Glad Hinske is returning. I’d like to see Moylan back too, but I have my doubts about that.
Sparhawk - October 31, 2011
Let’s hope they non-tender him and then bring him back with a more representative contract. I like both Moylan and Big Damage!
blwfish - October 31, 2011
Will the Braves consider bringing back Nate as the 4th OF?
Nate is a great clubhouse guy and should be willing to sign for a whole lot less coming off injury.
LEastCoastBears - October 31, 2011
I’m sure that everyone involved thinks that a change of scenery might do him some good.
Lennox - October 31, 2011
And then there’s Greg Norton.
adc62 - October 31, 2011
Ah yes, Greg Norton
who excelled one year and then stunk the next.
Mr. Sanchez - October 31, 2011
After checking his stats
I agree. I guess the year he stunk clouded my memory. Shame on me for posting w/out proper research.
adc62 - November 1, 2011
So glad to hear Hinske is coming back.
kimrob1 - November 1, 2011
I like BOTH of these decisions :-)
NCChopper - November 4, 2011
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