Craig Kimbrel fetching high salary for Atlanta Braves - MLB Update
Players ineligible for arbitration hardly compel Atlanta Braves to compromise over their relatively strict salary scale. Those who do so however bring something irresistible for the team that getting them around is nearly their need.
Craig Kimbrel is the only rookie surpassing 40 saves standing at 46 and spearheading the Major League in 77 innings of relief making 127 strike-outs is one of those players.
Claiming a highest salary as a player with shorter than two year service in Braves’ history, currently standing at $590,000, Kimbrel insists on further bargain.
Earning a 2011 NL Rookie of the Year Award, playing in an All-Star 2011 and receiving a MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award by Kimbrel can be seen behind the importance he holds to the club.
In the garb of awarding only $533,000 salary for 2012 to Jonny Venters, another equally reliable relief pitcher with a service time half an year more than Kimbrel’s, Braves have effectively transmitted him a message. He can talk about it now after spending
few more years in the side and bringing more wins in the season.
On Friday, Braves settled terms with all non-arbitration players, though information about the salary of most of the players is not yet known. Players, namely outfielder Jason Heyward, first baseman Freddie Freeman, Brandon Beachy and Tommy Hanson the two
who stood runner-up the last two years in NL rookie award are among those whose salary figures were not reported.
Among the players, Hanson immediately accepted the terms after facing unilateral contract renewal by the club last two seasons. An act teams carry out to keep the players ineligible for arbitration in their place or inadvertently preventing them from advancing
for further bargaining.
In light of the fact Major League minimum salary for the players increased to $480,000 in 2011, financial strain on the Braves is palpable resulting into extremely low salaries for the players in Minor League.
As total payroll expenditures for the Braves has risen to $90 million, only the $4 million to $5 million remains for the club to meet emerging needs.
Looking at the limited capital with the club and at the performance Kimbrel registered in his career, managing player’s financial issues is going to be a tough ask for Braves in the coming season.
Boasting win-loss record of 8-3, an ERA of 1.75 and winning 167 strike-outs as a pitcher, Kimbrel’s presence in the team spells positive prospects for the season, something the side can always take heart from.
Not only the necessary adjustments while deciding terms with the players are required for their retention, getting rid of some of the seemingly dead investments can also be an option for the Braves. It will be interesting to see Kimbrel’s performance during
the upcoming 2012 regular season.
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