Braves have decisions to make on 22 players

Atlanta Braves

Braves have decisions to make on 22 players

The Braves have 22 players as a whole who are free agents or arbitration eligible this offseason.

Jonny Venters, relief pitcher: Braves reliever Jonny Venters underwent his second elbow ligament reconstruction surgery this May. He began rehab in September is expected to return in June of next season. Venters avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.625 million contract to return to the Braves.

Craig Kimbrel, relief pitcher: Baseball's saves leader for the last thee seasons, Craig Kimbrel, is likely to command a huge raise this offseason. The three-time All-Star is among 14 Braves eligible for arbitration and 22 players Atlanta must make decisions on this offseason. Kimbrel, who made $655,000 in 2013 and is a free agent in 2017, could command a salary of about $7 million. Teams have until Dec. 2 to offer contracts to arbitration-eligible players, with those who don’t get offers become non-tendered free agents.

Freddie Freeman, infielder: Braves' All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman hit .319 with 176 hits and led the Braves with 109 RBIs. Freeman made $560,000 in 2013. He is arbitration eligible and a free agent in 2017.

Brian McCann, catcher: Drafted by Atlanta in 2002, Brian McCann was signed through this season on a 7-year, $41.3M deal. In nine years with Atlanta, McCann was a Silver Slugger five times and has batted .277 with 1,070 hits and 176 homers. The seven-time All-Star is expected to command an annual salary of at least $15 million.

Kris Medlen, starting pitcher: Braves starter Kris Medlen was the heart of the rotation going 15-12 with a 3.11 ERA in 31 starts. He allowed 18 homers while striking out 157. Medlen made $2.6 million in 2013 and is a free agent in 2016.

Tim Hudson, starting pitcher: Tim Hudson's season ended on a freak play in New York when the Mets' Eric Young stepped and broke Hudson's ankle while covering first base on a grounder. The 15-year veteran has a 205-111 career record, including 113-72 with a 3.56 ERA over nine seasons with the Braves. Hudson, 38, made $9 million in 2013 and is a free agent.

Jason Heyward, outfielder: Braves outfielder Jason Heyward got a huge raise last season in arbitration to $3.65 million. Heyward had a .349 OBP in 2013 while hitting .254 with 97 hits, 14 homers and 38 RBIs. Heyward missed playing time this season with an emergency appendectomy and broken jaw he suffered on a pitch to the face in August. He is a free agent in 2016.

Mike Minor, starting pitcher: Braves starter Mike Minor went 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA in 32 game starts. Minor led the team with 181 strikeouts. Minor is among this year’s crop of 28 major leaguers who became eligible for arbitration as “Super Two” players - a designation reserved for players with less than three years of service but are among the top 22 percent for cumulative playing time at their position. Minor, who made $505,000 in 2013, is a free agent in 2018.

Chris Johnson, infielder: Chris Johnson came to the Braves last offseason in trade from Arizona that also brought Justin Upton to Atlanta. Johnson, who made $2.875 million in 2013, came in second for the batting title with a .321 batting average. He had 165 hits and 12 homers with a .457 slugging percentage. He is arbitration eligible and is not a free agent until 2017.

Brandon Beachy, starting pitcher: Braves starter Brandon Beachy made five starts after his comeback from Tommy John, going 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA, but his elbow started bothering him again during an Aug. 20 start in New York. Beachy made $510,000 in 2013 and is not a free agent until 2017.

Jordan Schafer, outfielder: The Braves selected Jordan Schafter off waivers from the Houston Astros last November. The speedster say limited playing time and was hampered by various injuries. He appeared in 94 games, playing in the outfield, and batted .247 with 57 hits and 21 RBIs. He also had 22 stolen bases. Schafer made $512,500 in his second stint with Atlanta. He is a free agent in 2017.

Freddy Garcia, starting pitcher: The Braves acquired veteran pitcher Freddy Garcia on a trade from the Baltimore Orioles in late August for cash considerations. Garcia had a 1.65 ERA in six regular season appearances for the Braves, including 2-1 with a 1.83 ERA in three spot starts. He pitched Game 4 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a free agent.

Luis Ayala, relief pitcher: The Braves acquired Luis Ayala from the Baltimore Orioles in April. He spent most of the season on the disabled list, going 1-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 37 appearances. He is a free agent.

Scott Downs, relief pitcher: Left-handed reliever Scott Downs was traded to Atlanta from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Cory Rasmus in July. He went 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 14 innings pitched for Atlanta. He is a free agent.

Paul Maholm, starting pitcher: Left-hander Paul Maholm was traded by the Chicago Cubs with Reed Johnson and cash to the Atlanta Braves in July 2012. Signed by Chicago in 2012 to a 2-year deal, Maholm made $6.5 million this season. He made 26 starts, going 10-11 with a 4.41 ERA with 105 strikeouts. Maholm was left off the postseason roster. He is a free agent.

Eric O'Flaherty, relief pitcher: Left-hander Eric O'Flaherty was one of three Braves to miss part or all of the season with elbow issues. O'Flaherty, who made $4.32 million this season, began rehabbing after Tommy John surgery in May. In five seasons with the Braves, he made 295 appearances and had a 13-7 record with a 1.99 ERA. He is a free agent.

Paul Janish, infielder: The Braves quietly avoided arbitration last year with backup infielder Paul Janish when they signed the veteran to a one-year deal. Janish was limited by injuries this season, playing in just 52 games and hitting 7 hits and 2 RBIs. He is a free agent.

Elliot Johnson, infielder: Elliot Johnson joined the Braves late in the year after the team lost infielder Tyler Pastornicky to knee surgery. He played in 32 games and batted .261 in 102 plate appearances, getting 24 hits and 10 RBIs. Johnson is arbitration eligible and is not a free agent until 2017.

Ramiro Pena, infielder: Signed by the Braves last offseason, Ramiro Pena batted .278 with 3 homers, 27 hits and 12 RBIs and .330 OBP in 50 games during the 2013 season. Pena and the Braves agreed to a contract before the arbitration deadline.

Cristhian Martinez, relief pitcher: Cristhian Martinez was picked off waivers by the Braves from the Florida Marlins in 2010. In four seasons with Atlanta, the right-hander pitched in 120 games, earning 6-7 record along with 1 save and a 3.86 ERA. Martinez is arbitration eligible and is not a free agent until 2017.

Jordan Walden, relief pitcher: Walden was aquired by the Braves in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Tommy Hanson. Walden pitched 47 innings in relief for the Braves going 4-3 with 1 save with a 3.45 ERA in 2013.

Kameron Loe, relief pitcher: Braves brought up pitcher Kameron Loe late in the season to fill a roster spot vacated when Tim Hudson went on the 60-day DL. A career journeyman, Loe has pitched for the Rangers, Brewers, Mariners, Cubs and Braves. He went 1-2 with a 6.17 ERA in 11-2/3 innings.

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Jonny Venters, relief pitcher: Braves reliever Jonny Venters underwent his second elbow ligament reconstruction surgery this May. He began rehab in September is expected to return in June of next season. Venters avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.625 million contract to return to the Braves.

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