Will Carroll says that there's something big that's close

[dew1679666265]

I could also see Theriot or Cedeno involved as the Braves really have no one to play second base next year.

 

While I'm not aware that any of the guys the Braves have are the next Jeff Kent, they do have plenty of guys that they like at 2b for next year. Prado, Aybar, Johnson and Orr are all options, and all might or likely are better than Cedeno or Theriot.

 

The production Giles has given them the last year wouldn't be hard to match from one of the above guys.

 

I would be absolutely shocked if Willie Aybar isn't the starting second baseman for the Braves. They a traded Wilson Betemit, who Schuerholz has been very high on, for him and played Aybar as much as possible wherever possible. If he doesn't start for some reason (pitiful spring training or injury?) it'd likely be Orr as a stop gap, though he's better in a utility role I think.

[stuy119]

A. Jones is enticing, but man he is going to be EXPENSIVE to resign if we do get him. Were talking 6 years, 100 mil minimum. Probably more.

 

If the intent was to re-sign him, the best idea would be to frontload the contract so that he's hitting the cheaper years as Soriano, et al hit their expensive years.

Of course there is the option others have mentioned of letting him walk.

 

The problem with that scenario is that MLB doesn't like/won't allow players to start off with frontloaded contracts. Players don't get to claim the 10-15% increase on their salary based on their highest paid year, just the last year.

[BigbadB]

I would be absolutely shocked if Willie Aybar isn't the starting second baseman for the Braves. They a traded Wilson Betemit, who Schuerholz has been very high on, for him and played Aybar as much as possible wherever possible. If he doesn't start for some reason (pitiful spring training or injury?) it'd likely be Orr as a stop gap, though he's better in a utility role I think.

 

That's what I thought, but from what I've read, they don't seem to be just handing him the job. Kelly Johnson is the guy they really want to slot in at 2b. I think it might have something to do with them wanting a "prototypical" lead off hitter, which Johnson sort of is. Maybe the plan is to trade LaRoche, move Chipper to 1b and move Aybar to 3b. But, I also read that they really want to find a spot in the line up for Scott Thorman. 1b makes the most sense for him if they move LaRoche.

[nilodnayr]

I would be absolutely shocked if Willie Aybar isn't the starting second baseman for the Braves. They a traded Wilson Betemit, who Schuerholz has been very high on, for him and played Aybar as much as possible wherever possible. If he doesn't start for some reason (pitiful spring training or injury?) it'd likely be Orr as a stop gap, though he's better in a utility role I think.

 

That's what I thought, but from what I've read, they don't seem to be just handing him the job. Kelly Johnson is the guy they really want to slot in at 2b. I think it might have something to do with them wanting a "prototypical" lead off hitter, which Johnson sort of is. Maybe the plan is to trade LaRoche, move Chipper to 1b and move Aybar to 3b. But, I also read that they really want to find a spot in the line up for Scott Thorman. 1b makes the most sense for him if they move LaRoche.

 

From what I've read if LaRoche is traded the 1b job is definitely Thorman's. I don't think they'll be moving Chipper.

[dew1679666265]

A. Jones is enticing, but man he is going to be EXPENSIVE to resign if we do get him. Were talking 6 years, 100 mil minimum. Probably more.

 

If the intent was to re-sign him, the best idea would be to frontload the contract so that he's hitting the cheaper years as Soriano, et al hit their expensive years.

Of course there is the option others have mentioned of letting him walk.

 

The problem with that scenario is that MLB doesn't like/won't allow players to start off with frontloaded contracts. Players don't get to claim the 10-15% increase on their salary based on their highest paid year, just the last year.

 

Hmm. Interesting, I had never heard that. Oh well, so much for that idea.

[dew1679666265]

I would be absolutely shocked if Willie Aybar isn't the starting second baseman for the Braves. They a traded Wilson Betemit, who Schuerholz has been very high on, for him and played Aybar as much as possible wherever possible. If he doesn't start for some reason (pitiful spring training or injury?) it'd likely be Orr as a stop gap, though he's better in a utility role I think.

 

That's what I thought, but from what I've read, they don't seem to be just handing him the job. Kelly Johnson is the guy they really want to slot in at 2b. I think it might have something to do with them wanting a "prototypical" lead off hitter, which Johnson sort of is. Maybe the plan is to trade LaRoche, move Chipper to 1b and move Aybar to 3b. But, I also read that they really want to find a spot in the line up for Scott Thorman. 1b makes the most sense for him if they move LaRoche.

 

Is Kelly Johnson going to be healthy? He was injured all last year with two different injuries, I believe.

Trading LaRoche would open up first for Thorman, then I guess it'll be a battle between primarily Johnson (if healthy), Aybar and Orr for second. I still think Aybar wins that, he's too good not to start somewhere.

[BigbadB]

When you click on ESPN Hot Stove League, they show a guy named Prado as the first in line to start at 2b. Where this information comes from, I don't know. I read somewhere that the Braves were high on the guy, so that makes 4 guys that will be in the running for the 2b job. Personally, I think Aybar should be playing there everyday without question. But, I really don't follow the Braves all that close.