There are three sure things headed into 2011 at first base for the Atlanta Braves. First, Troy Glaus will not be the opening day starter. Second, Derrek Lee will not be the opening day starter. Third, Freddie Freeman will be the opening day starter, barring injury (which he has hurt his thumb in the Fall League, but is only a sprain and contusion).
It was the Braves hopes and plan to have Freeman start the 2011 year as their everyday first baseman. They promoted him to AAA at the beginning of last season and he was the youngest player in the International League. He started a little slowly, but came around quickly. He hit .319 with 18 home runs, 35 doubles and 87 RBIs for the Gwinnett Braves. He won the rookie of the year award for the International League. He also tied for second in the league in hitting .319. Fellow teammate, Barbaro Canizares won the batting title in the International League.
Freeman was called up to the Braves in September and proved to be solid defensively. He saw action in 20 games and hit .167 with a .167 OBP and .333 slugging % in 24 plate appearances. He made a couple starts, but most of his time was in pinch hitting and substitution roles. The highlight of his brief callup was when he hit a home run off of Roy Halladay on September 21.
The Braves have committed to giving Freeman the everyday job. He has proved capable of hitting and making adjustments at every level they have used him so far. They want him to stay healthy and get a little rest in the offseason to be ready to go for Spring Training.
Glaus and Lee will not be back. Both, presumably, will be looking for a starting job somewhere else. Lee, more than likely, will find a suitor. Glaus did not look capable of playing a full season last year. He may have to settle to be a part-time player or bat off the bench. That is what the Braves will be looking for, though I doubt they will sign Glaus again.
Which brings us to Eric Hinske. The problem with bringing him back is that he and Freeman are both left-handed hitters. Hinske was able to complement Glaus because of his left-handed bat. He had a solid year for the Braves as he hit .256 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs. His true value came as a leader and pinch-hitting off the bench. He was clutch off the bench. He also played some in left-field and at third-base.
Frank Wren was asked about him last week and he responded that the Braves like him and want him to stick around, but the fact that he is left-handed may prevent them from resigning him. The goal for Freeman is to start 140 games with his substitute to fill in the other 22 games or so. The Braves are wanting a right-handed hitter to fill this position.
It is hard to imagine the Braves being better without Hinske. Yet, I believe that Wren is competent and will make a good move. Hopefully, Hinske will be a part of the plans somewhere.
Original Story:
http://www.tomahawktalk.com/2010/10/a...
