Left field is an area to consider for Atlanta Braves during Winter Meetings - MLB Update
Atlanta Braves are not entirely done with their offseason tasks. Left field is an area that the team will be looking to address soon.
During the Winter Meetings, they will be having a serious discussion regarding this matter. They will be making sure they add another outfielder on the roster after signing $75.25 million five-year deal with centre fielder B.J. Upton.
Compared to other teams, the Braves have not much to do during the meeting, because they have reasonable supply of players for each department.
However, finding a reliable left fielder in the market will not be a walk in the park for them. It is possible that they find it extremely difficult to sign an agreement with an outfielder.
This is because free agents are getting off-loaded from the market quickly.
Outfielder Angel Pagán, according to the reports, has been retained by the San Francisco Giants, becoming the latest player to disappear from free agency.
Shane Victorino is among the few free agents for this position left in the market that the clubs can pursue. The Braves will be mindful of his status and trying to give due consideration to him in the meeting.
Atlanta will think twice before offering him the deal, considering his poor 2012 season. By many accounts, he is a risky option.
If he asks too high from the Braves in the contract, most probably he will be overlooked, because the club is not in a position to commit something more than $10 million for a player after their acquisition of Upton.
Fortunately for the Braves, recent trade of their starting pitcher Tommy Hanson has resulted into some extra money with the club that can be used to hire a free agent. General Manager, Frank Wren knows it.
“It gives us more [payroll] flexibility, but that wasn’t the primary motivator” for the trade,” Wren said. “We already had good flexibility.”
Wren is reviewing various options as he has hinted that he will come up with some decision soon.
“I think there’s other options out there,” said Frank Wren. “We’ll have a good chance to evaluate all of them because now we’re down to very few needs.”
It will be interesting to see which player they buy in the market to fulfil their requirements.
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