As if nature, herself, feels that spring is around the door with spring training about to begin, temperatures across the nation have started increasing. Today, Braves pitchers and catchers report for spring training. In 3 days, position players will also report. On Friday, the Braves will have their first full squad workout. As with most other major league clubs, the enthusiasm in the clubhouse is high. There is almost a magical feeling to the atmosphere, as if the Gods of baseball are smiling down, as the Braves report to Disney's Wide World of Sports in Kississimee, Florida.
As always, the off-season was filled with some highs and lows. We had a retirement, several trades, non-tenders, prospects thrown into the spotlight, key injuries, and the end of a legendary skipper's managerial career. First, let's highlight some of the off-season's brighter moments.
In a stroke of pure mastery, Frank Wren was able to pull off one of the off-season's best trades. While most of the off-season centered around Free agents Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth, Rafael Soriano, Adrian Beltre, and the trade that brought Adrian Gonzalez to hitter friendly Fenway Park, the Braves went under the radar and got one of the perennially best second basemen for very little, considering what other players of his talent usually fetch. In November 2010, Frank Wren traded super utility player and clubhouse favorite, Omar Infante and one-third of the Vazquez/Logan return, Michael Dunn. While both players were initially penciled in to serve on the 2011 club, the haul of Dan Uggla was just too much for GM Frank Wren to turn down. The Atlanta Braves bench will be severely depleted without Infante's services, but they were able to re-sign Eric Hinske at a serviceable 1.25 Million with a club option for 2012. It what many saw as a landslide victory in the Atlanta Braves behalf should go down as one of the best moves in the post-John Schuerholtz era. Only time will tell.
After the Dan Uggla trade, the next task was to sign Atlanta's newest second baseman to a extension that would keep him in Atlanta beyond the 2011 season when he would become a free agent. Frank Wren carefully evaluated the 2B market and was able to sign Uggla to a manageable 5 year/62 Million dollar contract that covers his last year of arbitration and 4 years of free agency. After the Uggla extension, the offense was pretty well set for the 2011 season. Having Eric Hinske back in the fold was a huge step in the right direction to keep some of the Braves excellent bench intact. But, in another stroke of genius, Joe Mather was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals. He is projected to serve as Omar Infante's replacement as the super utility player the Braves definitely need with their often maligned position players (cough, Chipper, cough).
Finally, the bullpen was shored up with Billy Wagner's retirement by trading for Scott Linebrink for a draft and follow, Kyle Cofield. In what amounted to a salary dump for the White Sox, the Braves gained a middle reliever whom can continue mentoring young relievers Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel as they come into their own. The Braves also signed lefty specialist and former closer, George Sherill to shore up the left side of the Braves bullpen. All in all, it was a pretty good off-season for the Braves. The Braves not only cut payroll but they added the MUCH-needed RH power bat the lineup has been missing since Andruw Jones left via free agency.
There are always some moves that must be made, whether intentionally or because of necessity that can bring about negative results. Bobby Cox officially retired after 20 years as the Atlanta Braves skipper. He leaves behind an unmatched legacy and will surely be enriched in Cooperstown. This left a huge void in the Braves clubhouse. However, that void was quickly filled with the inauspicious return of Freddy Gonzalez. He quickly became the Braves new manager just 2 days after the conclusion of the divisional series with the Giants. But, much more turnaround was yet to come. The Braves subsequently non-tendered fan favorite Matt Diaz, and Troy Glaus, Derrick Lee, Rick Ankiel, Kyle Farnsworth, and Takashi Saito became free agents. Additionally, Billy Wagner informed the Braves that, despite his career best season as a closer, he was intent on retiring. The Braves will steam ahead with the youthful duo of Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters.
The 2011 season outlook is quite high for the Braves. Many sports columnists have them reaching the playoffs despite the Philadelphia Phillies ridiculously good rotation headlined by Roy Halladay, new free agent acquisition Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and fantasy sleeper Cole Hamels. It is this columnist and Braves' aficionado's belief that the Braves will win the wild card with a record of 89 wins +/- 2 wins. Let's hope for a great season filled with amazing moments. And, by all means, play ball!
