Juan Rivera

I feel I have some pretty decent ideas in place as far as signing Rivera goes, if others dispute it, that is their feelings, and that is the joy of having debates. Plus, if they have other ideas, that is why I like to post on the sidebar so much, to get other people’s opinions and then go from there. There seems to be some pretty intelligent posters on this site, so again, I always enjoy seeing other ideas people have. If you hate this idea that is fine, all I ask is that if you have another bargain type signing we could look into, please do post those options as well.

totally against it, but there are far better options out there. Rivera has been an okay player and could be had fairly cheap. My biggest issue is that I don’t think he could hold up all season having to play the outfield. A lot of his at-bats with the Angels came as a DH. The negatives on him are obvious he has never played in more than 134 games in a season and like you said 2006’s 448 at-bats were a career high. The other issue is that since 2006 his numbers have gotten worse fast. 2007 was a lost season but last year his average was just .246 and his OBP was .282. The OBP really scares me away because that shows that he doesn’t get on base much. The power isn’t bad, he won’t steal any bases, and he doesn’t strike out much. But like I said I wouldn’t be that dissapointed if they signed him. I just think that there are some better options.

I do have to say that the free agent market is a little bare in the outfield. Burrell and Dunn will each get well payed and so will Abreu, I think we will probably trade for a left fielder.

If you look at his numbers from this year, he is definately not not the type of producer he was back in 06 and before. However, I am one who believes that some players just have an off year and then they get back to producing. He missed nearly all of 2007 due to a broken leg, it may have taken him a while to get back in the swing of things. However, my point is that I looked at some of the numbers he posted in 06 and before, when he was getting playing time, and his situational and split stats due support the fact that he could be a nice middle of the order option if given the opportunities. My biggest point is that if we could get him for around five million on a one year deal with options following that, I really do think he would be a much better value signing than Burrell or Dunn, who would cost 15 mill or more per year for 4 or 5 years. You do bring up a good point about Abreu, I think we would be a nice signins as well, but not at 3 years and 45 million like i am sure he will be seeking. I would rather pay maggs that amount ovver the next three years.

the thing is he may not cost $5 mil. a year. He made only $2.025 mil. in 2008 and his 08 performance shouldn’t warrant that big of a salary increase. I could see him being had for $3.5-4 mil. The thing is while the Braves are trying to aquire someone better he will probably sign with a team that has limited salary space before the Braves even come to him.

Those are some very good viewpoints, so I guess the biggest question is this…..Which would you rather have…..

Adam Dunn and his above stat line at 4 or 5 years and 15 million per

Pat Burrell and his above stat line at 3 or 4 years at 15 million per

Ryan Ludwick at his above stat line and fluke and durability concerns and without the promising young player we trade for him (KJ) for three arbitration years

Juan Rivera at his above stat line at a bargain contract in terms of years and price and with the proming young player(s) you did not have to trade

My point is that the numbers you posted above do not seem, to me, to provide a significant enough difference to constitute giving Dunn or Burrell 10-12 million dollars more per year and 2 to 3 more years, or trading some decent to promising player(s) who could impact our 2009 season for Ludwick, instead of signing Juan Rivera at a bargain contract and not having to give up any players.

While I do agree his production may be a notch below, I just feel Rivera could carry as much value in terms of the production he shows versus what we are having to pay him or gave up to get him than the other three options.

AS i mentioned above with Ludwick, you do have to consider the fluke or injury concerns for Rivera as well in the options I provided

Hello my name is Milton Bradley and I was a top ten offensive performer in the American League last year. I am younger than Burrell and better defensively than Dunn. I have more offensive value than Rivera and I will cost less than the two names mentioned above. I proved last year that I could make a whole season without doing something totally stupid and I am not looking to break the bank, just gain some financial security. That’s why I want you to vote for me as the 2009-2012 Atlanta Braves Left Fielder.