Tagged: Matt Holliday

Outfielder or Pitcher? I’m Hoping Both

As most Braves fans know, this offseason we are trying to find an ace to help out Jurrjens and another pitcher, AND a power-hitting outfielder. Which one should we spend more money on? In my opinion it is pitching. The most possible options are Lowe, Peavy, Garland, Burnett, Sheets, Dempster, Tazawa, possibly Sabathia, and maybe even Oliver Perez. Outfield options are Holliday, Ordonez, maybe Nady or maybe Bay, Manny Ramirez (not likely but possible), Rocco Baldelli, Atkins is possible, Burrell, Dunn, Ibanez, Griffey, Andruw Jones (I have heard lots of talk about him), and Delmon Young. Wren might find most of his needs in the free agent market since he does not want to trade his prospects. 45 million to spend, but who are we gonna spend it on? I’m thinking we need to start trading to make it a little more and then going for Peavy, Burnett or Lowe, Ordonez or Holliday, and a new backup catcher who can hit over .250.

Changes to the Market
Brewers exercise option on Mike Cameron
Yankees sign Sergio Mitre
Rays declined 2009 options on Cliff Floyd and Trever Miller
Marlins Claim Dan Meyer off waivers from Athletics
The Royals exercised 2009 option with Miguel Olivo with possible 2010 option
Giants Sign Josh Phelps
Yankees Decline Options On Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano

Time to Deal!

As the offseason begins, we take a look at what I am thinking right now.
Flowers should continue to impress so he can be a big trade part.
Blanco, Diaz, Reyes, Jones, and Lillibridge and possibly Johnson will
probably not be in Atlanta next year. Expect Flowers to be traded. If
that does not happen, expect Corky Miller to be traded/Released. Morton
has a chance to be traded. Expect Escobars name to be thrown in every
here and there. Expect Smoltz to come back and Glavine and Hampton
possibly coming back. Soriano might also have his name thrown in a
couple of times. Ordonez/Holliday and Peavy and
Burnett/CC/Sheets/Lowe/Garland are all possible players to play on the
Braves next year. Cox will probably retire after this season. So will Smoltz and Glavine if they dont do so this season.
My personal thoughts and ideas:
Send Lillibridge to Twins and maybe a low-level prospect to get Delmon Young and send him to the
Padres and throwing in some more players for Peavy? Young has more
value than Blanco and Diaz and maybe we wont have to send an extra good
prospect to SD. Also trade for Ordonez from the Tigers and/or Holliday. Sign Lowe, Burnett, or Garland.
Trades, Moves and Contracts through Sunday, November 2 
Around MLB
White Sox sign Jayson Nix.
Angels exercise Vlad’s and Lackey’s options, but decline Anderson’s.
White Sox decline Ken Griffey’s option.
Tigers decline Renteria’s option.
Ken Macha becomes Brewers manager.
Red Sox exercise Tim Wakefield’s 2009 option.
Blue Jays exercised 2009 option on Rod Barajas.
Cardinals sign Jason LaRue to 1 year deal.
The Brewers declined Craig Counsell’s option.
The Athletics declined Alan Embree’s option.
D’Backs exercised Jon Rauch’s option for 2010. 
Around The NL East
Royals acquire Jacobs for Nunez.
Fernando Tatis signs 1 year deal with Mets.
Mets pick up Delgado’s option for 2009.
Willy Mo Pena exercises 2009 option with Nationals.
The Phillies declined their options on So Taguchi and Tom Gordon.
Ruben Amaro will become new Phillies GM
Braves Free Agents  
Smoltz, Julio, Ohman, Norton, and Tavarez filed for free agency.  .