After bullpen overhaul, Braves focus on offense

By David O'Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves overhauled the back of their bullpen in two days last week, completing what had figured to be a difficult task with the ease and efficiency of a three-pitch ninth inning.

Before reporters could even ask Braves officials at the Winter Meetings how they planned to replace free-agent relievers Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez, the Braves already had done it by signing veterans Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito.

By moving so quickly to fill two anticipated needs -- Soriano and Gonzalez aren't gone yet and could shock the Braves by accepting arbitration -- general manager Frank Wren said the Braves could now narrow their focus to offense.

As they prepare for the Winter Meetings that start Monday in Indianapolis, the Braves are considering perhaps a dozen hitters to fill one or two openings.

From interest in free agents such as outfielders Marlon Byrd, Mike Cameron, Jermaine Dye and versatile Mark DeRosa to trade possibilities such as outfielders Josh Willingham (Nationals), outfielder/first baseman Conor Jackson (Diamondbacks) and perhaps a few others, the Braves are exploring plenty of options.

They might also try to re-sign first baseman Adam LaRoche, though they didn't offer arbitration.

Among other trade possibilities who could have appeal are Toronto first baseman Lyle Overbay, who has one year ($7 million) left on his contract, and San Diego All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who has two years left on a club-friendly contract, but would cost any team a bevy of top prospects should the Padres decide to trade him. That cost makes Gonzalez unlikely for the Braves, at least at this point.

Wren said the list of Braves possibilities was closer to a dozen than a few, though he has remained tight-lipped about his team's specific targets. Most names that have been leaked came from players' agents or other teams.

"I think the list is longer than three or four [targets] because we have some trade possibilities and we have some free-agent possibilities, and in varying degrees," Wren said.

"There's some guys we have high interest in, and some guys we have a little less interest in. And there's guys that we have a little less interest in that maybe later in the winter we may have more."

The Braves could trade using their surplus of starting pitchers. They would prefer to deal Derek Lowe, who is coming off one of his worst seasons, rather than Javier Vazquez, who is coming off one of his best.

But Lowe has three years and $45 million left on his contract, and the Braves might have to eat some of that salary to move him. If they could trade him, it would be for salary relief more than anything -- they probably can't expect a team to absorb the bulk of Lowe's contract and also give up a good hitter, unless the hitter had an onerous contract.

Trade interest in Braves starters

Wren was asked Wednesday if many teams inquired about Braves starting pitchers since they re-signed Tim Hudson to a three-year extension. The Braves have six quality starting pitchers.

"It's about to really heat up," Wren predicted. "As we get into the Winter Meetings, I think the trade markets are going to pick up again. They kind of died around around the Thanksgiving holiday, and we [were] more focused on [signing Wagner and Saito]."

The Braves signed Wagner on Wednesday to a one-year, $7 million contract that included a $6.5 million option for 2011, then Saito the next day to a one-year, $3.2 million contract.

Wagner ranks sixth in career saves (385), and Saito had a 1.95 ERA and 81 saves in 2006-2008 with the Dodgers. He had a 2.43 ERA in 56 games in 2009 for Boston, which used him primarily before the eighth inning.

The Braves plan to use Saito to set up and sometimes close, when Wagner needs a break or manager Bobby Cox likes matchups with Saito.

"It's hard to get two quality guys at the back of your bullpen nowadays for those dollars, so we feel very fortunate," said Wren, whose Braves paid $9.8 million to Soriano and Gonzalez in 2009, about what they'll pay Wagner and Saito in 2010.

The Braves offered arbitration to Soriano and Gonzalez, assuring themselves of four compensatory draft picks if those two sign with other teams -- which the Braves are counting on.

If Soriano and Gonzalez accept arbitration before Monday's midnight deadline, those two might get $13 million in combined 2010 salaries -- and give the Braves a crowded and expensive bullpen.

But the Braves believe there's no real chance of either player accepting arbitration. Soriano and Gonzalez are expected to receive multi-year offers from other teams -- and their agents know it.

By accepting Braves arbitration by Monday, Soriano and Gonzalez would be taking themselves off the market before the market even took shape.