The current roster brings the total budget to approximately $81M. The italicized numbers are the expected amounts the players will get through the arbitration process. Jurrjens and Prado are eligible for arbitration for the first time. Additionally, Uggla is eligible for arbitration for the 2011 season for the last time. The $10M number is what he is expected to get in arbitration. However, word is that he and the Braves are diligently working on a contract extension. If it gets done, this $10M will probably go up a little bit, depending on the salary increments. The Braves may want to start him offer lower toward the beginning of his salary, then have his salary go up as the numbers for Lowe, Hudson and Chipper's salary slowly come off the books in the next few years.
The opening day payroll is expected to be about $88M. That means there really isn't much room to add any more salary, despite there obviously being a few more gaps to fill. This is because right now Kenshin Kawakami's $7M salary is still on the Braves' books. However, the Braves are actively trying to move Kawakami and some of his salary, though the team will still probably have to eat half of the salary and maybe a bit more.
If the Braves can move Kawakami, then they'll have roughly $3M to spend on the 4th OF spot and utility player that can play SS. (HT: CapitalAveClub)
2. Uggla Extension - This has been a topic discussed at Winter Meetings. It was said that, in his negotiations with the Marlins, Uggla was not budging off of his demand of 5yr/$71M ($14.2M per year). However, it was reported earlier that he was wanting something in the neighborhood of 5yr/$55M ($11M per year). The latter demand is probably more reasonable and something the Braves would be interested in. Given Atlanta is close to his family and Nashville home, he reportedly loves the Braves, and he also loves playing for Fredi Gonzalez, many think the Braves will get more of a discount than the Marlins. Uggla has already gone on the record in saying he wants to sign long-term with the Braves.
The Marlins are reported to have offered him 4yr/$48M ($12M per year). It sounds like the 5th year is important to him. I would bet the Braves give it to him as he is only 30 years old, especially in light of the Werth signing, so long as it is in the neighborhood of $10M-$12M per season. I wouldn't be surprised if something got done soon, so the Braves could have a better idea of their budget for next season and beyond.
3. Hinske re-signed - The Braves re-signed their best pinch hitter and clubhouse leader last week by penning Hinske to a 1yr/$1.45M contract with an option for a 2nd year. This gives him about a $450K raise from last season. I think he is well worth it. He was a clubhouse favorite and is a clutch pinch-hitter. He chose the Braves over a similar offer from his hometown team - Milwaukee.
4. Diaz non-tendered - In an expected move, clubhouse favorite and all-around great guy Matt Diaz was not tendered a contract. This made him a free agent and means he will not be with Atlanta next season. Some were disappointed with the move, but it is understandable. From a business standpoint, he would have demanded too much in arbitration that the Braves could afford. It is also well-known that the Braves covet a better defensive OF for their final spot. Diaz wasn't bitter about the deal, and understood. He is quoted as saying to Wren, before leaving, "keep me in mind down the road." This is another testament to the Braves organization. The beat writers and guys who constantly came in contact with Diaz had nothing but great things to say about him, especially in his departure. He will be missed, but it was the right decision. But keeping either him or Hinske for clubhouse purposes was a priority for the Braves.
5. Linebrink trade - Scott Linebrink is a guy the Braves had coveted for a long time. He was the set-up man in San Diego for Trevor Hoffman for a time and considered to be the next closer for the Padres. This is when the Braves were gunning for him, as - at the time - the Braves did not have an established closer. But he was traded to the White Sox with the emergence of Heath Bell and the Braves got Gonzalez/Soriano around the same time. But they obviously still kept him on their radar. The White Sox had one of the best bullpens for the past couple of years and Linebrink was a big part of that. He has signed to stay there and was originally owed $5.5M for this next season. But given the number of arms in the Sox 'pen, they were willing to trade him to dump some salary. They didn't dump much. The Braves were able to acquire him WITH $3.5M in cash, which means the Braves only have to pay him $2M this season. Not sure about whether his contract is beyond 2011, but we only had to give up a middling prospect to acquire him. He will take the place of Saito as a veteran 7th/8th inning guy. He will also mentor the young guys, a la Billy Wagner. He and Venters are expected to share the 8th inning role. This was another solid move to shore up the loss of veterans Saito and Wagner in the 'pen.
6. Winter Meetings rumors - Right now, all the MLB executives are in Florida for the Winter Meetings. This is when a lot of trade action takes place. They started yesterday and will last until December 9th. The priority for the Braves at the WM was to add a back-up IF and 4th OF. Additionally, they are looking to possibly add one more LH bullpen arm (which would theoretically send Marek back to the minors). The other priority is to move Kenshin Kawakami. Here are the Braves rumblings thus far:
Kenshin Kawakami - There is reportedly some MLB interest in Kawakami, even though it was initially believed he may have to be sent back to Japan. However, make no mistake about it, no matter where he ends up, the Braves will probably have to pay half his salary for 2011 (final year of contract). The Pirates are rumored to be the most interested.
4th OF - Many bloggers wanted the Braves to sign former San Diego player Tony Gwynn Jr., who was non-tendered. He apparently has speed, defense and can hit for average. However, he was signed today by the Dodgers. There were also rumors yesterday that the Braves were talking to Milwaukee about Valdosta-native Lorenzo Cain. Cain is another speedy and defensively gifted CF who hit for some pop in the minors and a career minor league average of around .290. Last season in 45 games in the bigs, he hit over .300 and had 7 SBs. However, he is said to have more upside than Gwynn and could be a good prospect. So, the Brewers are reportedly asking for too much for him. But, no doubt, he would make an excellent 4th OF and could also be a solid started in the event the McLouth experiment fails yet again.
Utility Man - I haven't heard anything on this front. No idea where the Braves are headed.
Zach Greinke - There were some rumors Sunday and Monday about Zach Greinke getting shopped and the Braves being among the suitors. The Braves are thought to have always coveted the young Cy Young winner. But due to his contract extension with KC, he will make $11.5M in 2011 and $13.5M in 2012. He absolutely does not fit into the Braves budget without moving Lowe or Hudson. The Braves won't move Hudson and can't move Lowe. The rumors were quickly shot down late Monday. I think this is one of those deals where the Braves were included in the conversation only because they've had interest in the kid for several years.
Frenchy and Diaz - Though neither player will be with the Braves next season, they are both rumored to be drawing lots of interest, especially Diaz. The Phillies are a team attached to both their names.
7. Big contracts - It is worth mentioning here when some of the Braves big contracts will roll off the books. The biggest contracts are Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson, and Chipper.
Hudson has a 3yr/$27M contract that runs through the 2012 season. There is a club option for a 4th season at $9M. He will be 37 yo at the end of 2012. The last time he entered into an option year, the Braves worked out a lower yearly salary to keep him on board. He did the hometown discount thing to secure it. I imagine the same thing will happen in 2012, depending on his health and abilities. But this is a great contract for the Braves and he won't be a financial burden.
Derek Lowe has a 4yr/$45M contract that runs through 2012. This is a big contract. Because he is already 37 and has been disappointing (until late 2010), will never be able to trade him. So, we will have to ride this out through 2012.
Chipper has a very tricky contract that is laden with incentives based on games played. Essentially, he is guaranteed a base salary of $14M for seasons 2010-2012. He can get up to $15.5M in each season depending on how much he plays. Moreover, assuming he plays enough in those years, he gets an option for 2013 of up to $14.5M. If he doesn't play enough, then the Braves will hold a $7M club option for 2013. So, he has two more seasons (same as Lowe and Huddy) of guaranteed contract money.
McLouth is at $6.5M for this season, and has an option for 2012 that the Braves likely won't pick up. Combined, you could be looking at 4 players and $44.5M less on the payroll after 2012. That's over half. That will be around the time will be extending guys like McCann, Heyward, Hanson, Prado and/or Jurrjens, or at least be able to start shopping around for some decent free agents depending on which of our young guys we extend/sign (including Uggla). Hopefully, by this time we will be free of the clutches of Liberty Media, and safely in the warm, rich arms of Arthur Blank.
That's it for now, stay tuned...
Diaz signed with the Pirates. I wonder if we can trade McClouth for Diaz straight up.
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