The Atlanta Braves are still awaiting a decision from Eric Hinske. He is reportedly deciding between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Braves. Both teams have reportedly offered a deal between $1 and $1.5 million dollars. Hinske wants a two year deal, but indications are that the Braves are hesitant to offer a two year deal.
The Braves have some positives going for it: Hinske played with them this past season and made some good friends in the clubhouse. He proved to be an instant leader from Spring Training. He also has to feel good about the Braves’ chances to make the playoffs with their stellar rotation and significantly better offense with the addition of Dan Uggla. The Brewers are far away from having a playoff team.
However, the Brewers are closer to home, as he grew up in Menasha, WI. The intrigue of having family close enough to attend games would be nice. He also owns a home in Phoenix, where the Brewers play spring ball. His signing with the Brewers would be a sign of his desire to be closer to home, not winning. It also could be a sign of the Braves’ unwillingness to match or better their offer.
Braves non-tender decisions loom
Tomorrow night is the deadline for teams to non-tender their arbitration eligible players. The Braves have three players who are eligible for the first time: Jair Jurrjens, Eric O’Flaherty and Martin Prado. They have three other players who are arbitration eligible: Dan Uggla, Matt Diaz and Peter Moylan. The Braves will definitely tender contracts to Jurrjens, Prado, O’Flaherty and Uggla.
It seems likely that Moylan will be tendered a contract as well. Though, the case can be made to let him walk. His walks are a major reason. Many of his pitching stats were career highs this past season. However, he will still be affordable and is still a dependable arm. A replacement may be too costly for the Braves which do not have much flexibility with an over-abundance of money to spend.
Matt Diaz very well could not be tendered a contract for 2011. If the reports are accurate coming out of the rumor mill, the Braves only have approximately $5 million to spend, according to mlb.com’s Mark Bowman. If you consider that the Braves have $1.5 million on the table for Hinske and they have two other pressing needs to fill: a veteran bullpen arm with some late game experience and a back-up outfielder, it makes it more likely that Diaz will not return. Diaz made around $2.55 million in 2010.
He has stated he would sign for that amount again. If Diaz was brought back for $2.55 million and HInske was signed for $1.5 million that is a little more than $4 million. If the reports are accurate that they only have $5 million to spend, that would leave less than $1 million to add another bullpen arm and backup outfielder. That would mean that the players would have to take a league minimum salary. This makes it highly likely that Diaz will be finding another home for 2011.
The Braves have proven to be able to find bargains out there before, but they are not building a team that needs bargains. They need to find quality pieces to supplement their already strong roster. A few more pieces and this team could make a serious push for the World Series in 2011.
Original Story:
http://www.tomahawktalk.com/2010/12/b...
