Atlanta Braves' Free Agent Decisions: Greg Norton

This article is the second in a five-part series discussing the players on the Atlanta Braves' 25-man roster that will be free agents at the end of the 2009 season. Last week we discussed Rafael Soriano in part one. In this week's edition, we are analyzing Braves' pitch-hitter and occasional backup first baseman Greg Norton. Certainly the 2009 season has not been good to Greg Norton. He has hit a paltry .145 in 62 at bats with no home runs and only six RBI. Considering a pitch hitter is frequently called on with runners in scoring position, that lack of RBIs is especially disturbing. At first it seems like a very clear cut case of someone the Braves' shouldn't pursue this offseason. There are, however, several points to be considered that make the Braves' decision slightly more difficult. First, the Braves must consider their first base options for 2010. With Freddy Freeman arriving in Atlanta in mid-2010 at the earliest and Adam LaRoche's impending fre...