Braves Rumors

I decided to give you some scoop as to what I have been seeing around online.

mlbtraderumors.com has a few recent rumors regarding Andruw Jones and Edgar Renteria.

The Andruw Jones Situation

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a thorough dissection of the Andruw Jones situation.

The Braves have yet to speak to Jones, and their intentions for the center field spot in '08 are anybody's guess. If the Braves want to go short-term, it appears Andruw would consider a one-year offer. Scott Boras scoffed at the idea a few months ago but Jones had a subpar second half since then. If the Braves still want to lock him up, O'Brien reports that Jones might take a five-year, $75MM pact. I don't see the Braves doing it.

As for fitting Andruw into the 2008 budget, the team's president has indicated that payroll is likely to rise next year. It could reach the $90-100MM range. Payroll stood at $87MM on Opening Day.

Here's the problem: even subtracting Jones' $13.5MM salary and replacing him internally with, say, Kelly Johnson, the Braves are looking at roughly a $7MM net increase just with current players. Hudson, Smoltz, and Teixeira's raises will add roughly $17MM to the payroll, plus another several million for arbitration-eligible players. So a $95MM payroll might just buy the Braves their current roster sans Andruw and Octavio Dotel. Trading Edgar Renteria might be a necessity.

Meanwhile, Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune has reported that the Padres are mulling a one-year offer to Jones in excess of his current $13.5MM salary. The Nationals and many other clubs could make a similar one-year offer.

-I like what I hear. I would personally be willing to offer Jones a contract at about what he is making already. He would most likely go back to his career norm line of .260 avg 30 hr 100 and would actually be a bargain. Unlike the past couple of seasons, his defense has been stellar this time. He leads all center fielders in the majors with a .921 revised zone rating (RZR). Although he was right at the time, Jayson Stark would probably take back his comments about Andruw's defense right now.


Let's Make A Deal: Edgar Renteria

I've been getting a lot of emails about Edgar Renteria. Let's take a look at the situation. In my opinion, the Braves need to import one solid, dependable starting pitcher. Free agency presents plenty of options - a few dependable, most not: Matt Clement, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Randy Wolf, Jaret Wright, Jason Jennings, Koji Uehara, Carlos Silva, Livan Hernandez, Tom Glavine.

Same deal with trade options: Carl Pavano, Jose Contreras, Kei Igawa, Matt Morris, Jon Garland, Bronson Arroyo, Nate Robertson, maybe Joe Blanton.

Back to Renteria - can we find a match? The Tigers, and A's might want to import a shortstop (though Renteria for Blanton wouldn't fly with Oakland). Indeed, the first two connections have already surfaced in print. The Braves offered Renteria and a top pitching prospect to the White Sox for Garland and were denied. And more recently, John Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press connected Renteria with the Tigers for multiple reasons.

I like a Robertson for Renteria swap.The Braves get two below-market price years of Robertson, who could be quite solid in the NL and is only 30 years old. Renteria meanwhile is signed cheaply for $9MM in '08 with an $11MM club option ($3MM buyout) for '09. Better yet, the Red Sox are chipping in towards next year's salary and would cover the buyout. Everybody wins and even Carlos Guillen is happy.

The Braves would then move Yunel Escobar to shortstop and play Kelly Johnson every day at second base.That's not much of a loss and Robertson would really solidify the staff if healthy.

You may recall Keith Law opining in July that Escobar did have the glove to play short and could be a respectable hitter.The Blue Jays, Royals, A's, Cubs, Astros, Cardinals, and Giants may also be in the market for a shortstop. Shaun Marcum, Joe Blanton, Wandy Rodriguez, Anthony Reyes, Sean Marshall, and Noah Lowry could conceivably be available from those clubs. Marcum's a long shot and as I said above I don't see Renteria for Blanton happening.

Anyone have any other reasonable trade scenarios for Renteria?

-I have to agree with the writer here. Renteria is expandable, and I believe Escobar could fill in nicely. You have to consider that Renteria had one of his best season's offensively, why not try and bait other teams with him? There still a few serviceable infielders in the minors as well for any emergency reasons.