The Braves and extending players.

Paying Soriano free agent money would be a pretty large mistake IMO. His injury history is extensive and he’s a reliever. That doesn’t scream multi-year contract, eight figure contract.

Since Schuerholtz took over, it’s always been the Braves philosophy not to negotiate contracts during the season and that has been carried over into the “new” regime under Wren. If they don’t get a guy signed before a point at the end of spring training, they put it off until the next offseason.

Wickman was the only one I can remember and they did that deal because the team was out of the playoff picture and Wickman had done so well that they wanted to go ahead and lock him up for the next year.

I remember Sheffield getting upset because the Braves didn’t offer him an extension during his last year, but Schuerholz wouldn’t do it.

I wouldn’t extend Soriano until after the season in any case because of his injury history and (ahem) the damage Bobby does to relievers. Assuming he still has his arm attached when free agency begins, I would offer him a very good 2 year deal. If the Yanks, Sawx, etc. then want to offer him more years, best of luck to him on his new team.

While he does have a recent injury history, he has been rather lights out and has pitched like a deserving All-Star should (I won’t let it go that he was not selected). Maybe he just puts up great numbers every other season and in the year in between, suffers a major injury that requires surgery (doubtful).

Bottomline, every long-term deal you hand out to one of your players has is its own risks. Not every deal is going to work out in your team’s favor, but Soriano IMO is WORTH the risk.

As much as I’d love to keep Soriano around next season, it’s never gonna happen. He’s pitched well enough this season to move into that “big money closer” category. He’s gonna be offered arb; promptly decline; and sign a big deal elsewhere. Sorry, but that’s just how it’s gonna happen.

On the plus side: we do get two draft picks out of the deal so we could be alright.

Sorinao pitched very well in ‘07 for a guy who had never been a closer. Except for a couple of early bad outing, he was lights out most of the year. Last year he had what is best called a piched nerve in his elbow. It wasn’ t that serious but they didn’t diagnose it until late in the season. He had the surgery at th end of the season and was ready for ST. He was scared it was TJ surgery and his toughness was questioned when he refused to pitch. He will be the best closer on the market and it makes little difference what this board thinks he is worth, he will get several big offers. Many think he just entering that “elite closer” level.