AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2005 > November > 29
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Team about to get busy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, folks, I’m sitting in Kansas City Tuesday morning at airport, staring out the window of the terminal at blowing snow and ominous snow clouds. But my flight appears to be on time for 10:15 a.m., so I’ll have to hurry with this blog. I’ve been on vacation, so don’t want to hear any complaints about no blog posted Monday or updates on Furcal, et al. I watched my Jayhawks beat Iowa State in overtime Saturday, so don’t ruin my high.
From the few conversations I’ve had with baseball types in past couple of days, I’m more convinced than ever that Braves are keeping Furcal. Not 100 percent certain, but definitely moved closer to that than the 50-50 proposition I felt it was when I left town a week ago. We’ll see. Not really expecting a decision from him until end of winter meetings next week in Dallas, but I think the Cubs would have to pay far more than they’re willing to offer to pry Furcal away from Bobby Cox and the Braves.
So what would that mean for the future, if the Braves sign Furcal to, say, a four-year contract? What about all the young middle-infield prospects coming up the pipeline? Well, I think if they sign Furcal, Marcus Giles wouldn’t be part of the long-term plans. Maybe he’ll be back this year at more than $4 mill through arbitration but after that, the Braves could move one of the young studs from shortstop to second base and have him ready to step in and play for a few years at a very low salary. And another of the youngsters could move into utility role once Pete Orr becomes arbi-eligible in a couple years and too expensive to keep as a utility guy. But that’s just me speculating, looking ahead.
As for closer, obviously with Billy Wagner and B.J. Ryan off the market and both having signed even bigger deals than anyone projected, it’s going to drive up the price of the remaining options, including two the Braves have considered — Kyle Farnsworth and Trevor Hoffman. The Braves liked Farnsworth enough in his three-plus months with them to feel comfortable with him as their closer for next couple years, but it just depends how high the Yankees and possibly other suitors drive up the price. The Braves are not going to pay $5 mill or so in a long-term deal for a guy who’s only closed for less than a half-season, I’d be willing to bet. Even with all the mileage on Trevor, I’d rather pay him $7 mill for a couple of years with a third-year option, if that’s in the ballpark of what it’d take to get him.
But knowing John Schuerholz, he’s got a couple of options cooking that no one’s even heard about, that he’s been able to keep under wraps. Just remember Dan Kolb last winter — no one from either city or around baseball heard a peep about that trade until moments before it was announced at winter meetings in Anaheim. Keeping anything a secret at winter meetings is closer to miraculous, but Schuerholz and Co. managed to do it.
The Furcal thing is clearly the Braves’ No. 1 priority, and I know they want to get it done so they can fill in their other needs before too many players are signed or traded who might be candidates for spots with the Braves. That’s why I think within 7-10 days we’ll have the answers to Furcal and probably the closer role, and why the Chipper Jones restructure could be announced any day — unless he doesn’t pass his physical, in which case the Braves might not announce anything or acknowledge that it was ever even finalized. But I’m told it has been finalized — that is, the terms agreed upon. It’s just the physical exam holding it up, and that was because of the Thanksgiving holiday. I’d expect it’ll happen very soon, if it’s not already happening at this writing. The Braves may be waiting to make a splash at what they deem the right time, when the announcement won’t be overshadowed by football, etc.
As for other matters — Johnny Estrada will be sought by several teams, but the Braves are wise to hold out until a couple of free agent catchers are signed and the asking price for Estrada can be raised. Some teams — the Mets included — need a catcher and will have to fork over more than they want to if they don’t land a free agent.
It’s about to get busy. The Braves may not have done anything yet, but that means nothing. They hadn’t done anything at this point last year, either. The Mets have just been so busy, it’s made others look like slackers. But Mets are moving way quicker than normal; other teams including Braves aren’t dragging their feet. I mean, nobody really thinks the Yankees are standing pat, do they? Of course not. They’re ready to make a splash with Brian Giles and/or some other marquee names. But it might not happen until we get to Dallas.
It’s a feeling-out process, and once dominoes fall, as they have already with Wagner and Ryan, then all the other moves begin to follow. Agents don’t want to leave money on the table by committing too soon, and most teams don’t like to set the bar for the market, though Omar Minaya and the Mets are clearly an exception. They’re going for it, and that’s got to be commended by their fans. On paper, at least, the Mets would have to be considered the NL East favorite right now, just because of that explosive lineup and Wagner at the back of the ‘pen. But their starting pitching still leaves a lot to be desired, and the Braves probably would like their chances in almost every head-to-head pitching matchup with Mets. So we’ll see. It’s early.
One thing is certain: The Marlins won’t be a factor in NL East, and it’ll be the first year in a while that any team in the division could be written off this early.
I’ll file another blog later in the week, perhaps real soon, after I get more info. Coming off vacation, got to dive back in and make some calls tonight.
